Story by Elsie Waters Staff Writer Photo by Daniela Rodriguez Staff Photographer Nearly three years after the murder of Vanessa Marquez, Black Lives Matter South Pasadena and Say Their Names Los Angeles held a celebration of life for the late actress on Sunday, Aug. 22. Attendees dressed in 1940’s attire to honor Marquez’s love of classic films, […]
City council approves pocket park designs at Grevelia Avenue and Berkshire Street
Story by Charlotte Dekle Staff Writer Photo by Erin Lee Staff Photographer The City Council voted to approve two concept designs for pocket parks at Berkshire Ave. and Grevelia St. at its meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 18. In addition to the designs, the action included the approval of a memorial tree, bench, and plaque dedicated to Dr. […]
City council approves all-way stop sign at Meridian and Oak
Story by Charlotte Dekle Staff Writer Photo by Erin Lee Staff Photographer The City Council voted to approve a resolution to install an all-way stop sign at the intersection of Meridian Ave and Oak St. at its meeting on Wednesday, July 21. This resolution was part of a larger movement to implement all-way stop signs at three […]
The 2021 Arts Crawl: puppets, painters, and parrots
Story by Charlotte DekleStaff Writer Photos by Samantha ShiroishiStaff Photographer After a year bereft of art and music, the South Pasadena Arts Crawl was back in half-swing on Saturday, July 17th from 4 P.M. to 8 P.M. The free “al fresco” themed event featured an array of artisans, live music, and comedians. The Arts Crawl, […]
Activist groups file complaint against SPPD to California Attorney General
Story by Hanna BaeStaff Writer Photo by Ella JayasekeraContributor Activist groups Care First South Pasadena, the Anti-Racism Committee, and Black Lives Matter (BLM) South Pasadena filed a complaint with the California Attorney General to investigate the SPPD’s handling of hate crimes and biased policing on Friday, July 16. The 18-page complaint to California Attorney General […]
Event preview: Guide to the 2021 Al Fresco Arts Crawl
Story by Eddie ZhouStaff Writer Photo courtesy of the South Pasadena Chamber of CommerceContributor The South Pasadena Arts Crawl will return for the first time since the Coronavirus pandemic, offering a free, al fresco community event on Saturday, July 17. Sponsored by the South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, the event will feature art exhibitions and activities, […]
City Council denies approval of ordinance banning gas-powered leaf blowers
Story by Veronica KoutskyStaff Writer Photo courtesy of William KellyContributor The City Council voted not to approve an ordinance that would phase out the city-wide use of gasoline-powered leaf blowers at its meeting on Wednesday, Jul. 7. The ordinance would replace the gasoline-powered leaf blowers with quieter and emissions-free electric machines as a part of […]
Public library launches in-person browsing services
Story by Adam Kwoh Copy Editor Photo by Oscar Walsh Staff Photographer The South Pasadena Public Library reopened its doors to the community for the first time in more than a year, beginning its partial in-person reopening on Monday, May 17. Residents are now able to browse and borrow from the library’s collection as part of […]
Senior Awards Night virtually celebrates senior achievements
Story by Kahlen Miao and Adam KwohStaff Writer and Copy Editor Photo by Sarah LeeAssociate Photo Editor SPHS streamed its annual Senior Awards Night on the ASB YouTube channel, on Tuesday, May 25. Seniors received various awards and scholarships by local organizations and SPHS faculty throughout the night, honoring extraordinary academic and community achievements. Recipients of […]
Brian Solinsky appointed as new Chief of Police
Story by Sofia Alva Associate News Editor Photo courtesy of City of South Pasadena Contributor Interim City Manager Sean Joyce announced 27-year SPPD veteran Brian Solinsky as the City’s new police chief on Wednesday, May 5. Solinksy was selected after being interviewed by a panel of four community members, three ex-SPPD chiefs, and SPFD Chief Paul […]
Students age 16 and older seize vaccination opportunity
Story by Sofia Alva Associate News Editor Photo courtesy of Russel Farmarco Contributor Students who have received the coronavirus vaccine, which became officially available to all California residents over the age of 16 on Thursday, April 15, have felt safer knowing they are protecting themselves and their communities. Out of the three vaccines currently available — Moderna, […]
Community members invited to meet new City Manager candidate Arminé Chaparyan at special forum
Story by Katie Hohman Staff Writer Photo courtesy of Leon Worden Contributor South Pasadena residents will have the opportunity to meet City Manager candidate Arminé Chaparyan at a special forum hosted by the City Council on Wednesday, April 28 at 6:30 p.m. The forum comes after community outrage surrounding the City Council’s lack of transparency over […]
City Council stands by Moffatt Street extension project despite widespread community opposition
Story by Zoe Schlaak Associate Sports Editor Photo courtesy of Planet Home Living Contributor The City Council unanimously reapproved the Moffatt Street extension project after a reconsideration of its previous approval at a special meeting on Tuesday, April 20, despite continued community opposition. The extension was originally brought to the Council in October 2020, but due […]
City Council approves $3 per hour hero pay for grocery and drug store workers
Story by Sofia Alva Associate News Editor Photo by Sophie Yeung Staff Photographer The City Council unanimously adopted a 60-day ordinance to establish hero pay for grocery and drug store workers at its meeting on Wednesday, April 21. The ordinance requires that all major grocery and drug stores in South Pasadena increase their employees’ pay by $3 […]
City solicits community input on 2021-2022 budget
Story by Sofia Alva Associate News Editor The City of South Pasadena has requested resident input regarding the 2021-2022 fiscal year budget through a survey released on Thursday, Apr. 15. Community members can submit their budget priorities up until Friday, Apr. 30, and the Finance Commission will review all responses in their drafting of the budget […]
City Council retracts City Manager post from Chris Jordan following widespread community opposition
Story by Katie Hohman Staff Writer Photo by Katelyn Hernandez Staff Photographer The City Council yielded to resident criticisms of the possible appointment of Christopher Jordan to the position of City Manager, and decided to rescind his employment agreement that was pending approval, at a special closed session meeting on Tuesday, Apr. 20. Per a press release, […]