COMPLIMENTARY COPY
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1 - NOVEMBER 7, 2018
Since 1996
VOL. 22, NO. 44
First PPD Black Female Sergeant Vying for Chief of Pasadena Police - Courtesy photo / @ClevelandElementary
Pasadena Board of Education to Close Cleveland Elementary Terry MILLER tmiller@beaconmedianews.com
In the past few months, embattled Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Board of Education (Board) has been grappling with ways to cut
costs without hurting the already struggling district. But on Tuesday night, the chopping block fell on one popular elementary school, with possibly more closures coming in the next school year. SEE CLEVELAND PAGE 10
Pasadena Council Establishes Commercial Cannabis Fees City terminates 40-year contract with coal-powered Utah plant Gus HERRERA gherrera@beaconmedianews.com
At their latest regular meeting, the Pasadena City Council approved two very different types of green-related items. First, council approved a set of commercial fees in preparation for the recentlyadopted cannabis ballot
measures (Measures CC and DD), which will go into full effect on Jan. 1, 2019. The two measures, which were approved by voters on June 5, will allow and tax a limited number of cannabis retailers, cultivators, and testing labs within specific zoning areas of Pasadena. SEE CANNABIS PAGE 10
Pasadena’s New Chief of Police Announced by Year’s End
Phlunte’ Riddle has been with PPD for 29 years. - Courtesy photo
Terry MILLER tmiller@beaconmedianews.com
Terry MILLER tmiller@beaconmedianews.com
While we know the names of two of the candidates for the position of Chief of Pasadena Police, the rest remains shrouded in secrecy due to privacy
laws. Interim Pasadena Police Department Chief John Perez told Beacon Media months ago that he’s happy to “throw his hat in the ring…” as did a former high-ranking SEE NEW CHIEF PAGE 10
P
hlunte’ Riddle, who retired from the Pasadena Police Department a few years ago, never slowed down her zest for life and avid thirst for political knowledge. In fact Riddle went in to full gear after retirement by running for California State Senate and then working closely with Assemblyman Chris Holden as well as working on her doctorate. “I wanted to stretch my abilities to find resources … everything is local … with 29 years at Pasadena PD, the experience helped me solve problems within our community and become a link to resources,” Riddle told Pasadena Independent on
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
The Lost Cuban Kitchen
Female Filmmakers Fuse Film Festival in Pasadena
Delivers the Island to Your Doorstep
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Monday. With deep-rooted commitment to the community, Phlunte’ Riddle decided to throw her hat in the ring and apply for the position of Pasadena’s Chief of Police. “Pasadena is so complex…” Riddle says. It’s a “beautiful city and demanding” and she says she’s up for the challenge now more than ever with her extensive background and love for her family (she has three sons) as well as her faith. Riddle became an agent for the PPD in 1988; a sergeant in 1992 – under the PPD Chief Jerry Oliver – and in 1997 was promoted to lieutenant; a first for an African-American woman in Pasadena. Riddle says she’s “humbled” to offer her talents as SEE PHLUNTE RIDDLE INTERVIEW PAGE 11
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