Two Arrested In December Shooting Death on Duarte Road

Two men - Deon Armstrong-Williams, 25, of Duarte, and Trayvon Dixon, 21, of Azusa - have been arrested in connection with the shooting death of Antonio Zaza at Al's Liquor on Duarte Road on the evening of Dec. 23, 2020, according to reports in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune and MyNewsLA.

- Brad Haugaard

Sweet, Gentle Carrot Cake Enjoys Cuddle Time During Movie Nights


Carrot Cake arrived at the shelter with eleven other cats from a hoarding case. Although Carrot Cake had a rough past,  you couldn’t meet a sweeter, gentler cat! This seven-year-old guy is extremely mellow, enjoys long naps, and loves to be brushed and pet. He likes hanging out with his foster parent while they work from home, and has an adorable, tiny meow. Carrot Cake is looking for his perfect person to cuddle up next to for movie nights, bird-watching, and other relaxing activities.

The adoption fee for cats is $100. All cat adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines.

New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA Animal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet.

View photos of adoptable pets and schedule a virtual adoption appointment at pasadenahumane.org. Adoptions are by appointment only, and new adoption appointments are available every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. for the following week.

Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.

- Brad Haugaard

A Moment in Monrovia History: Tropical Library Park

Library Park when it had tropical landscaping c. 1910. See full details here. From the Rehrman family collection.

For more historic photos and papers, see the Monrovia Historical Society’s complete Legacy Project collection here. Learn more about the Monrovia Historical Society here.

- Brad Haugaard

Attic Fire in North Monrovia

Monrovia firefighters extinguished a attic fire in the northern part of the city [on Norumbega, I heard]. “Steep terrian and limited access posed some obstacles when units arrived on scene. The fire was quickly extinguished with the aid of Arcadia fire and Pasadena fire.

Source: Facebook post by Monrovia Fire Department 

- Brad Haugaard

Sheriff's Department Investigating Homicide That Occurred Today in Monrovia

LA County Sheriff's Department Homicide bureau is assisting Monrovia Police in investigating the shooting death of an unnamed "male black adult" in the 100 block of Los Angeles Avenue, Monrovia. The homicide was reported today, Jan. 29, at about 6:15 p.m.
https://is.gd/maUTiN

Update: NBC4 adds that the shooting was apparently gang-related and the victim was shot several times. https://is.gd/gRurHB

Update 2: The victim has been identified as Terry Alford, of Covina.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Schools: Youngest Students Back in School First; Plurality of Students Prefer On-Line; Complaints About Online Classes; Schools Rated A-

The Monrovia School District's January newsletter (https://is.gd/chQMF7) reports that:

~ The district is working on a hybrid (on-line/in person) instructional program, starting at the elementary level since it appears health officials have determined that "our youngest students will be allowed to return to school first."

~  A survey of Monrovia High students found that, "When asked which form of instruction they preferred, 37% selected virtual, 28% selected in-person, 22% selected a hybrid model, and the remaining 13% were comfortable with any format."

~ The students also said the things that stress them out with Zoom classes are:

  • 26.8% (211) = Helping out with siblings
  • 24.4% (192) = Device is not reliable
  • 50.8% (400) = Wifi is not reliable
  • 19.9% (157)  = Working to help out family
  • 61.9% (487) = Distractions
  • 27.3% (215) = Mental health issues
  • 26.6% (209) = Feeling lonely/alone
  • 44.7% (352) = Lack of social connectedness

~ The school rating service, Niche.com, has given Monrovia Unified an A- rating based on topics such as academics, teachers, diversity, college prep, administration, health and safety, and more. Full report: https://is.gd/PY7XWy

- Brad Haugaard

Mud in Canyon Park

The city has released pictures of the effects of the rain in Canyon Park. 
The road through the park at the turn-off to Camp Trask. 


The catch dam at the entrance to the park. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Danger for Dogs! Outdoor Dining; Parking Enforcement

Photo by Marliese Streefland, Unsplash 

In his latest report (https://goo.gl/aOqX7O) City Manager Dylan Feik reports: 

~ Watch out for your dog! LA County Veterinary Public Health is warning of a distemper outbreak in wildlife in  Foothill communities, including next door Duarte. Distemper affects dogs and such wildlife as raccoons, skunks, foxes, and coyotes, but not humans or cats.  It can be spread between infected wildlife and dogs through airborne transmission and contact with shared surfaces (e.g. waterbowls).  Signs of distemper in dogs include fever, discharge from the eyes or nose, coughing, lethargy, disorientation, tremors and seizures. There is no treatment for distemper, so keep your dog safe.

UPDATE: There is an inoculation for distemper, so your dog should be safe if inoculated.

~ Outdoor dining resumes this evening on Myrtle.

~  Parking enforcement will resume on Monday, February 15.

- Brad Haugaard


Monrovia State of the City Presentation


 - Brad Haugaard

City Council: City Okay Financially; 5% Pay Raise for City Manager; Residential Units on Walnut; Industrial Condo

Proposed residential units on East Walnut.

At its next meeting (agenda: https://is.gd/yYSQEQ) the Monrovia City Council will ...

~ Hear a 2020-21 mid-year operating budget report, especially in light of the Covid virus. Summary: City is in okay shape. "[B]ecause of the city's foresight and ability to make quick and effective decisions, a series of cost saving measures were implemented to help offset the expected shortfall in revenue. This included savings in maintenance and operation budgets, savings in personnel budgets (e.g., keeping vacant positions frozen through the end of the fiscal year), and adjusting some transfers out to better align estimates with year-end needs. These adjustments made it possible for the General Fund to close the year with a surplus of $691,317." https://is.gd/glAjGR

~ Consider giving City Manager Dylan Feik a 5 percent salary increase. Feik's salary is subject to adjustment yearly, and the maximum increase he can get is 5 percent. https://is.gd/RWGkHI

~ Consider granting permission for Bowden Development to construct a two-story, four-unit Mediterranean-style residential development at 511-517 E. Walnut, on the north side of E. Walnut between S. California and S. Shamrock. https://is.gd/C82DFU

~ Consider approving a 10-Unit, 17,084 square-foot industrial condominium at 900 South Magnolia. https://is.gd/hk4NEC

- Brad Haugaard

No Mudflow - Yet - In North Monrovia


More rain to come, but here at the corner of Ridgeside and Oakglade at about 9 a. m Friday, there’s virtually no mud to be seen.

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner from Hon Sushi

Got dinner tonight from Hon Sushi, on the north side of the Vons parking lot at the corner of Foothill and Myrtle. Got the Monrovia Roll (how could I resist) with tempura shrimp, crab meat, avocado, salmon and cucumber and stuff for $13.95. It was very tasty. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Weekly Coronavirus Count: 120 New Cases, 3 More Deaths

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 01/27/2021. Changes since 01/20/2021.

City of Monrovia: 2,795 cases (up 120), 53 deaths up 3
Unincorporated Monrovia: 328 cases (up 19), 1 deaths (unchanged)

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Preps for Possible Mudflow on Ridgeside and Oakglade


In expectation of heavy rain - up to two inches - and the possibility of "moderate to heavy flooding and mud or sediment deposition on Ridgeside Drive and Oakglade Drive" because of the Bobcat Fire,  here's how Monrovia is preparing:

  • Monrovia Fire & Rescue has prepared an extra engine company to be on-call tonight, in coordination with an additional engine from Arcadia Fire Department.
  • Monrovia Police Department will provide extra patrols throughout the evening to monitor the hillside areas.
  • Public Works has prepared for tractors and dump trucks to respond as needed.
  • LA County Flood Control and Public Works has pre-deployed heavy equipment.
  • Gravel/sand and sandbags are available for residents at Recreation Park (620 S Shamrock) in the parking lot off of East Olive Avenue, near the skate park and Barney Glen Baseball Field. Residents must provide their own shovels, gloves and eye protection. Take only what you need.

- Brad Haugaard

72-Year-Old Monrovian Veronica Kirton Earns Degree from Citrus College

Monrovian Veronica Kirton

When Ronnese Glover completed her bachelor's degree a few years ago, her mother, Veronica Kirton, told her that she shouldn't stop there.

Ms. Kirton urged her daughter to get her master's degree. So, a deal was struck: if Ms. Glover started a master's degree program, Ms. Kirton would start at Citrus College.

A Monrovia resident, Ms. Kirton's lifelong dream was to go to college. In spring 2018, she embarked on her degree pursuit - at the age of 70.

Over the course of two years Ms. Kirton fulfilled her dream and graduated from Citrus College in June 2020. At the age of 72, she earned an Associate of Arts for Transfer in Sociology.

"I found out that I could do more than I thought I could do," she said.

Ms. Kirton had always wanted to finish college. She started in the 1960s, but, when she began working, she wasn't able to go back and finish.

After the deal she made with her daughter, who received her master's degree from California State University, Los Angeles, in spring 2020, Ms. Kirton continued chipping away at her goal.

Ms. Kirton chose to study sociology since she is interested in learning about people and has a passion for children and elderly. At Citrus College, she said she found a great deal of encouragement and support, especially from her instructors, who she said always answered her questions and emails.

"Ms. Kirton's story of completing college later in life proves that it's never too late for someone to accomplish their goals," said Dr. Geraldine M. Perri, superintendent/president of Citrus College. "While Citrus College serves thousands of traditional‐age students, this should serve as a reminder that students of all ages are welcome and encouraged to pursue their academic dreams." Attending college later in life is not uncommon at Citrus College. Nearly 500 students over the age of 50 - or roughly 2% of the student body - attended Citrus College during the 2019-2020 academic year.

The dream for Ms. Kirton and Ms. Glover was to have a joint graduation party and attend each other's commencement ceremonies. Unfortunately, due to the COVID‐19 pandemic, they couldn't take part in a traditional celebration this year.

Nevertheless, Ms. Glover said she and her mother celebrated by shopping for diploma frames together and placing Class of 2020 graduation signs into Ms. Kirton's front yard.

"On behalf of the board, I commend Ms. Kirton for her accomplishment," said Dr. Patricia A.  Rasmussen, president of the Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees. "With hard work, determination and a vision, anything is possible. I hope others are inspired by her story to follow through on their dreams." Reflecting on her experience at Citrus College, Ms. Kirton said she hopes her story will serve as encouragement for people mulling college later in life. She said it's important to get out of the "I can't do it" mindset.

Not surprisingly, Ms. Kirton's inspirational daughter is continuing beyond her own graduation - she has started applying to Ph.D. programs.

Source: Citrus College press release

- Brad Haugaard

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