Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Aaron Joseph Lington will perform as guest artist with the Citrus College Blue Note Jazz Orchestra on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. at the Haugh Performing Arts Center in Glendora. Lington will premiere his new commission, "Mi esperanza está en ti," with the ensemble.
Citrus College generated $1.1 billion in economic impact in Los Angeles County and supported 11,270 jobs during the 2024-25 fiscal year, according to a new study by labor market data firm Lightcast. The college announced the findings Oct. 1.
In District 1, with 2,185 votes shown, Andrew N. Mendez leads with 1,514 votes (69.29%), followed by Patricia "Trish" Gonzales with 383 votes (17.53%) and Mark A. Caro with 288 votes (13.18%).
In District 3, with 1,554 votes shown, Edward J. Alvarez leads with 1,086 votes (69.86%), followed by Vanessa Jones with 468 votes (30.14%).
In the Azusa Unified School District governing board race for Trustee Area No. 5, a contested race with 2,605 votes shown, Gabriela Arellanes leads with 1,542 votes (59.19%), followed by Marcos C. Gonzales Jr. with 1,063 votes (40.81%).
Countywide in this update, 2,147,243 ballots have been counted (36.34% turnout).
Mendez, Alvarez and Arellanes lead. No race is too close to call on these margins, but no winner has been formally declared here; counting continues after election night and all results remain UNOFFICIAL until certification.
The City Clerk and City Treasurer races were uncontested: City Clerk Jeffrey Lawrence Cornejo Jr. was the sole candidate for City Clerk, and City Treasurer Arthur M. Vasquez Jr. was the sole candidate for City Treasurer.
The City of Azusa lists street closures from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, for a one-day street event: Foothill Boulevard between Vernon Avenue and Dalton Avenue, San Gabriel Avenue between 6th Street and 9th Street, Azusa Avenue between 5th Street and 9th Street, and Alameda Avenue between 6th Street and 9th Street. Sidewalks and pedestrian access to businesses will remain open, with detour signage in place. A public parking garage is available near 9th Street, and drivers are advised to use Citrus Avenue and Irwindale Avenue for 210 Freeway access.
Azusa Pacific beat La Verne 23-20 at home Saturday, Oct. 31, on a 39-yard touchdown pass to Robert Taylor as time expired. La Verne had taken a three-point lead with 30 seconds left, but Azusa Pacific answered from the 39-yard line on the final play for the walk-off win.
Citrus College has been included in U.S. Veterans Magazine's annual Top Veteran School directory for November, recognizing its support for student veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families. The college was cited for the resources and services its Veterans Success Center provides to military-connected students.
Citrus College's vote center in Hayden Hall is open today, Nov. 3, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for Election Day voting. The center also accepts vote-by-mail ballots. Free voter parking is available in marked stalls in the S8 lot off Barranca Avenue, north of Citrus Stadium.
Point Loma Nazarene defeated Azusa Pacific 82-63 in a season-opening men's basketball exhibition on Saturday afternoon in San Diego. Point Loma outrebounded APU 43-23 and outscored the Cougars 48-10 in the paint.
Citrus College won 45-21 at Santa Barbara on Saturday. The game was tied 14-14 after the first quarter before Citrus closed on a 31-7 run. Quarterback Connor Underhill completed 21 of 27 passes for 320 yards, threw five touchdown passes and added a 1-yard touchdown run. Citrus improves to 3-6 overall and 3-3 in conference, and hosts Allan Hancock in its regular-season finale on Saturday.
At its Oct. 7 board meeting, Azusa Unified School District leaders described a multi-tiered attendance strategy pairing restorative practices with community-school supports. District attendance has stabilized at about 92-93%, and chronic absenteeism declined from 39% to 24%, according to California Dashboard data cited at the meeting.
Azusa will hold its General Municipal Election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, consolidated with the statewide general election. Voters will elect a Councilmember from District 1, a Councilmember from District 3, a City Treasurer and a City Clerk, each for a full four-year term.
The family of a 37-year-old father of two has sued the City of Azusa and Azusa police officers in federal court in Los Angeles, alleging deliberate indifference to his medical needs.
According to the lawsuit, the man was arrested March 20 on suspicion of DUI and child endangerment, was released from custody March 23 pending further investigation, and was found dead March 26 in the back seat of an unlocked, out-of-service Azusa police SUV parked in front of the police department in the 700 block of North Alameda Avenue.
The suit says he walked from the jail's release exit into the vehicle's rear compartment, which he could not open from inside, and that he had a history of heavy alcohol use and was suffering withdrawal symptoms. The county medical examiner found cirrhosis and severe fatty liver disease, with chronic ethanol use as a contributing condition, and determined temperatures inside the closed vehicle were exacerbated by outdoor temperatures of 82 to 88 degrees.
The city attorney had not immediately answered a request for comment.
Azusa Pacific University women's soccer won 2-0 over Redlands on Oct. 28 in Redlands, closing out the Bulldogs' home schedule. Redlands finished its home season 4-13 overall and 3-8 in SCIAC play.
Citrus College men's soccer stayed in contention for the Western State-South Conference title with a 3-1 win over visiting Glendale on Oct. 27. Isaac Gonzalez, Desean Banks and Chris Blake scored for the Owls, and Chase Chavez added two assists. Goalkeeper Steven Clayton made eight saves. The win improved Citrus to 7-9 overall and 4-2 in conference play, one game back of the conference leaders.
Azusa Unified School District's community-schools initiative grant has been extended through June 2028, district staff told the Board of Education on Oct. 7. Director Jenny Wiebe said the program aims to centralize student supports, family engagement and community partnerships, and that site implementation plans have been updated and posted on school websites. Staff said a two-year extension opportunity may follow. The board took no action on the presentation.
Azusa officials and residents have raised concerns about late-night A Line passengers being asked to leave trains at the APU/Citrus College station, saying people then enter nearby neighborhoods overnight. Mayor Edward Alvarez and City Manager Sergio Gonzalez have questioned why trains stop short of the line's Pomona terminus and have suggested fare gates as a possible solution. Metro says the final trains stop in Azusa so crews can clean trains and perform overnight maintenance, and says it is considering fare gates at the station and has stepped up cleaning, security and outreach along the line. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirms deputies clear passengers from trains in Azusa at the end of service.
The Azusa Unified Board of Education received a surplus property update on Oct. 7 and ratified amendments extending the closing dates for the sale of the former Sierra High School site and a fifth amendment to the Powell Elementary sale. The board authorized staff to proceed under the negotiated terms.
Citrus College has demolished its Liberal Arts/Business building and Veterans Success Center to make way for a new STEM building, the first project funded by the $298 million Measure Y bond passed in 2020. The new building will be about 63,000 square feet, include a dedicated wing for the Veterans Success Center, and is designed to be net zero energy. Site clearing is expected to finish in five to six months, construction is set to start in the first quarter of 2027, and the building is expected to take up to two and a half years to complete.
Azusa Pacific University held a dedication and ribbon cutting for its newly renovated Cougar Stadium on Oct. 17 before the Cougars' game against Chapman University. Chapman led 20-3 at halftime and went on to win 26-3. The loss left Azusa Pacific 1-4 on the season, while Chapman improved to 5-1.
Los Angeles County and the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy have broken ground on the first phase of a new gateway park at the entrance to Azusa Canyon, at 100 N. Old San Gabriel Canyon Road. Phase one will add a new gate and roundabout, road realignment, a camping area, a parking lot, playgrounds, two river overlooks, picnic areas, restrooms and an extension of the San Gabriel River Bike Trail. The park is expected to open by next September. Supervisor Hilda Solis presented $1.8 million in Proposition A and Measure A funds for the phase.
The City of Azusa's Community Resources Department invites residents to a Día de los Muertos celebration tonight, Oct. 30, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the North Recreation Center, 340 N. Orange Pl. The evening is billed as a time of remembrance, culture and community to honor the lives of loved ones.
