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Dr. Marina Khubesrian has been selected as South Pasadena newest mayor, replacing
Dr. Richard Schneider, who ended his one-year term. In addition, Robert Joe, who also sits on the council, was selected by his peers as the new mayor pro tem. Both Kubesrian and Joe will serve one-year terms.
The reorganization took place during Wednesday’s City Council meeting. Schneider delivered a state of the city address before handing the gavel over to the new mayor.
High Honor for Chamber Executive
South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce President Laurie Wheeler was honored on Tuesday at the Women in Business: Legislative Update and Awards Luncheon, hosted by State Senator Anthony Portantino.
Wheeler was honored for being an outstanding non-profit executive director. The city was well represented as Samantha Montes earned the most inspirational award as the executive director and co-owner of Beyond the Classroom, an after-school enrichment program in South Pasadena.
Tree at Library New Landmark
The South Pasadena City Council has designated the Moreton Bay Fig Tree, known as the Library Tree, located in Library Park, as a city landmark. The tree was planted in 1930 by South Pasadena City Streets Department employee Willem Kloezeman.
Sidewalk Vending Approved
On Wednesday night, the South Pasadena City Council complied with Senate Bill 946 and adopted an urgency ordinance allowing a program to regulate sidewalk vendors. Strict regulations will be in place for vendors to sell merchandise in the city. Look for story on issue in the coming days.
Agreement with San Pascual Stables
The City of South Pasadena has reached a new 10-year agreement with San Pascual Stables in Arroyo Park. The new term began on December 6.
Rose Princess Moves to Alhambra
Lauren Michele Baydaline, a member of the 2019 Royal Court for the Pasadena Tournament of Rose who grew up in South Pasadena and attended both Arroyo Vista Elementary School and the local middle school, recently moved out of the city and now residing in Alhambra. There is a South Pasadena connection, however. Her mother is the librarian at Arroyo Vista Elementary School.
STEM Project on Target
South Pasadena Unified School District Superintendent Geoff Yantz says the new Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics building on Diamond Ave. side of the South Pasadena High School campus is on target for completion when it opens to students for the second semester in January. The project is being funded through Measure SP bond dollars.
Active Shooter Training for Churches
Sgt. Mathew Ronnie, a sergeant for the South Pasadena Police Department, recently presented active shooter training for the faith-based community at Oneonta Congregational Church in the city.
Church officials joined residents learned what to do should they face an incident involving an active shooter.
Remembering Cathy Erskine
Saddness is being felt this week at the South Pasadena Unified School District this week following the news that Cathy Erskine, an employee in the district’s human resources department, has passed away after a long illness. Many know Erskine as “Posh” through the weekly columns by her husband, Chris, a journalist with the Los Angeles Times.
Body Found in Arroyo Park
A body was found on Nov. 30 at about 9 a.m. by two individuals using metal detectors in the bushes in Arroyo Park, according to Captain Robert Bartl of the South Pasadena Police Department. Bartl said the body was found on a mattress in an encampment in the 800 block of Stoney Drive. The L.A. County Coroner’s office is handing the case.
