When Claremont resident Ray Woodbury’s longtime production company RK Diversified Entertainment was forced to shut its doors in March, it did not sit well with the industry veteran.
The coronavirus pandemic had instantaneously decimated the live event industry, and his loyal crew of a dozen full-time employees and about 16 part-timers—many of which have been with him for nearly two decades—were among those out of work.
Certain sectors of the American economy, grocery stores and Amazon among them, have weathered the coronavirus pandemic better than others. Others have limped along, keeping their doors open and merely staying afloat.
Still others literally ground to a halt on March 15, when the Centers for Disease Control advised no gatherings of 50 or more people in the United States over the next eight weeks, schools closed and people across the country began quarantining.
Although everyone was wearing a mask, one could still sense the warm smiles as four staffers at the California Botanic Garden welcomed the COURIER to their campus last week.
Anyone who has been in Claremont a few years knows the garden by its previous name, Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, which was changed earlier this year to better reflect the garden’s focus on native plants from throughout the Golden State.
A resident on Baughman Drive received an unwelcomed piece of mail last week. A stamped envelope, which had been processed through Santa Ana post office, included a letter admonishing the resident for displaying a Black Lives Matter sign in their front yard. The letter was received September 21, with a return address on Foothill Boulevard. COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff
Everyone in the state of California will receive a vote by mail ballot which can be returned through the United States Postal Service, postage paid. Ballots postmarked by Election Day and received by November 20 will be counted by the Los Angeles County Registrar Recorder County Clerk.
The deadline for the clerk to receive ballots has been extended 14 days to allow for the volume of ballots anticipated to travel through the postal system.
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced on Tuesday that the county has met all but one requirement necessary to move to the next tier in the state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy.
For weeks the county had met most of the metrics set by the state to advance to the next tier, however, the case rate remained stubbornly high. This week it fell to seven cases per 100,000 residents clearing the way for the county to be reclassified.
The world’s oldest profession took a hit last week when the Claremont Police Department and Pomona PD teamed up for a joint prostitution sting that netted nine arrests. The sting took place in broad daylight September 17 near Indian Hill Boulevard and Holt Avenue. It involved an undercover Pomona PD officer in her thirties posing as a prostitute in order to lure customers, who were then arrested for misdemeanor solicitation.
Though Claremont’s skies were noticeably clearer this week, prompting the city to reopen the Wilderness Park on Wednesday, the weekend forecast is unfortunately calling for more very unhealthy air. Monday and Tuesday’s air quality index numbers were 99 and 38, respectively. But the slide began Wednesday when the air was forecast as “moderate” at 96, with Thursday predicted to be 140 and “unhealthful for sensitive groups.” Friday’s forecast is even worse, calling for a “very unhealthful” reading of 217. Saturday’s is nearly as toxic, at 214. COURIER photo/Peter Weinberger
The Grinch who stole 2020 delivered another unwelcome surprise during Tuesday’s Claremont City Council meeting when it was revealed the tree that is the centerpiece of the Holiday Promenade and Tree Lighting Ceremony would have to be cut down.
During her city manager’s report Tara Schultz, who is not the Grinch but just the messenger, said that city staff had been monitoring the tree for some time and had come to the conclusion that it posed a public safety hazard.
Everyone in the state of California will receive a vote by mail ballot which can be returned through the United States Postal Service, postage paid. Ballots postmarked by Election Day and received by November 20 will be counted by the Los Angeles County Registrar Recorder County Clerk. The deadline for the clerk to receive ballots has been extended 14 days to allow for the volume of ballots anticipated to travel through the postal system.
The Claremont City Council denied an appeal filed in August for the Colby Circle housing development by a 4-0 vote. Councilmember Ed Reece recused himself due to a conflict of interest. New plans for the 96-unit development were presented by the developer, Intracorp, who had purchased the property from Claremont Star LLP and its owner Harry Wu in 2019.
COVID-19 hospitalizations in Los Angeles county continue to drop in a hopeful sign that the county will soon be able to lift some of the business restrictions put in place by the current health order. However, for that to occur, the case rate still needs to be significantly lower.
The number of new coronavirus cases has steadily decreased through August and September according to a news release from Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Last week the average daily number of new cases was 800, compared with over 2,000 just a month ago. However, public health officials warn this number may be artificially low because testing was hampered by the hot weather and closed testing sites.
Many parents advise their kids to get an education and have a solid career in place before pursuing their dreams. Others urge them to follow their passion and the money will find them. Some are lucky enough get both. “I just fell in love with volunteering,” said Stacy Mittelstaedt, director of volunteers for Claremont-based senior services nonprofit AgingNext.
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