A Moment in Monrovia History: Eva C. Rehrman and Friend c. 1922

Eva C. Rehrman and friend c. 1922 looking east on W. Palm (now occupied by the Community Center) toward Myrtle Ave. with Woman's Clubhouse in background and Methodist Church (right). 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

New City Entry Sign Planned for Huntington at Fifth; MOTAB Board; Promoting Bicycle Riding

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

~ Consider a new city entry sign at the west side of town at Huntington Drive and Fifth. It'll cost about $204,000, to be paid for from the Art in Public Places Fund, which was, in turn, funded by the builders of the Areum condo project. The sign will echo the "MONROVIA" sign at City Hall and have the leaves motif you can see at the eastbound freeway exit at Myrtle. https://is.gd/rUhy7q

~ Consider increasing the size of Monrovia Old Town Advisory Board from five to seven people. City staff is making no recommendation on what to do. https://is.gd/gXgKQU

~ Hear a report on a new program to encourage bicycle riding in the city. https://is.gd/B5BBjI

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Plans to Promote Bicycle Riding

Photo by C Drying on Unsplash

As part of the GoMonrovia transportation program, the city is planning to promote bicycle riding in Monrovia with "a 'Ride-to-Own' bicycle pilot program, which includes dedicated bike programs for residents, commuters, restaurants for delivery services, bike shops (rentals/repairs), as well as a digital platform and a budget for infrastructure updates and marketing."

The program is designed to "alleviate safety and financial barriers to owning and riding bikes in Monrovia."

Also, the city is working to get the Monrovia Transit vehicles (for handicapped individuals) onto the Lyft app so people can order a ride just as Lyft riders do.

The matter will be reported on at the next City Council meeting: https://is.gd/SUPuXX

Source: https://is.gd/B5BBjI

- Brad Haugaard

Hippity Hoppity Photo Op March 27 at Library Park

Program is free, but registration for 15-minute photo time slots are limited and required. Plague rules apply.

- Brad Haugaard

Weekly Coronavirus Report: 16 More Cases, 2 More Deaths

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 03/10/2021. Changes since 03/03/2021.

City of Monrovia: 3,098 cases (up 16), 70 deaths up 2
Unincorporated Monrovia: 363 cases (up 2), 1 death (unchanged)

- Brad Haugaard

School Board to Vote on Hybrid Instructional Model for Elementary Schools

At a special Zoom meeting at 1 p.m. this Friday (agenda: https://is.gd/qDrBS5), the Monrovia Board of Education will consider an Elementary Hybrid Instructional Model to be implemented at all MUSD elementary schools. The proposed schedule is shown in the accompanying images.

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at London Gastropub

Lunch today at London Gastropub, on the west side of Myrtle about a half block north of Lemon. Got the fish tacos for $12 and a beer for $7. I liked it a lot.

- Brad Haugaard 

Stickers for InfoWars Appearing on City Signs

Reader Brian Robinson writes that he has recently pulled down about 30 stickers for InfoWars on municipal signs, mostly in the area of Monrovia High School. He said police know about the vandalism. The sticker shown here, Robinson writes, is near Mountain Communion Church at Magnolia and Colorado. 

Wikipedia calls InfoWars a "far-right conspiracy theory and fake news website."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Robbery With Scissors; Pistol Persuades Intruder to Leave; Motorcyclist Causes Car's Airbags to Go Off; Angry Roommate Bites Live Electrical Cord; and More

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for March 4-10. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 329 service events, resulting in 59 investigations.

Robbery – Suspect Arrested
March 5 at 10:30 a.m., an employee of a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain called police to report a female adult that entered the store, concealed items, and left without paying. As she left, she was approached by an employee. The female suspect produced a pair of scissors and held them above her head as though she was going to stab the employee. Fearing for her safety, the employee moved away and allowed the suspect to leave. Officers arrived and detained the suspect a short distance away. She was positively identified by the witness and arrested for robbery.

Weapons Offense – One Suspect Arrested
March 5 at 9:22 p.m., officers observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation in the 200 block of Los Angeles. They initiated a traffic stop, but both occupants exited the vehicle and ran. A containment was set up of the area, and one of the suspects was detained. Two firearms were recovered by officers that appeared to have been thrown by the suspects as they ran. The suspect that was detained was arrested and taken into custody.

Residential Burglary / False Imprisonment – Suspect Arrested
March 6 at 7:46 a.m., a resident in the 300 block of Linwood called police to report a male suspect that just kicked in his front door and entered his home. The suspect was holding a metal object. The resident, fearing for his safety, attempted to exit the home. The suspect told the resident he was not allowed to leave. The suspect said he was looking for his sister, and he proceeded to look in each bedroom and closet. Shortly after, the suspect exited the home without harming the resident. Police received a second call from a neighbor, as the male suspect attempted to break into his home. The homeowner pointed a handgun at the suspect and told him to get off his property. The suspect complied. Officers set up a containment in the area and saw the suspect on the roof of a nearby home. The suspect ran and a short distance, but was detained by officers. A thorough investigation was conducted and the suspect was arrested.

Injury Traffic Collision
March 6 at 10:03 a.m., a traffic collision was reported at the intersection of Duarte and Mayflower between a vehicle and a motorcycle. Officers arrived and checked on the well being of the involved parties. The driver of the vehicle complained of pain. The motorcyclist had visible injuries and was treated at the scene. Video footage of the traffic collision was obtained that showed the motorcyclist traveling westbound on Duarte at a high rate of speed. The motorcyclist lost control and fell off the motorcycle. The motorcycle slid into a vehicle that was waiting to make a left turn onto Duarte, causing the vehicle airbags to deploy. The driver at fault was issued a citation.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
March 7 at 5:22 a.m., officers responded to the 600 block of S. Magnolia regarding a family disturbance. During the investigation, officers learned that two roommates were involved in a domestic dispute, when one bit the other on the arm, and then bit an electrical cord that was plugged in, causing an injury to his mouth. The primary aggressor was arrested and taken into custody after being medically evaluated.

Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
March 7 at 9:16 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 1600 block of S. Myrtle when he saw a subject who appeared to be passed out. The officer stopped to check on the well being of the subject. As he approached, he discovered a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia resting next to the subject. The subject woke up and said he was okay. He was arrested and released with a citation to appear in court on the charges.

Mental Evaluation – Subject Evaluated
March 7 at 11:17 a.m., a caller reported a female subject lying on the sidewalk in the 500 block of W. Foothill, screaming to herself. Officers arrived and located the subject. She began screaming at the officers and stood up. She proceeded to walk away from the officers and into the street. There were several cars traveling in the roadway, which put her safety at risk. Officers determined the subject was a danger to herself. She was detained and transported to a local hospital for mental evaluation.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
March 7 at 11:25 a.m., a male adult subject was reported stumbling in the 100 block of W. Foothill and appeared intoxicated. Officers arrived and saw the subject had fallen on the sidewalk and was crawling on his hands and knees. The subject was heavily intoxicated and could not care for his own safety. He was arrested for being drunk in public and held for a sobering period.

Injury Traffic Collision
March 8 at 9:01 a.m., a traffic collision involving injuries was reported at the intersection of California and Central. Officers arrived and found both drivers had non-life-threatening injuries. Paramedics responded and transported both drivers to a nearby hospital for care. The party found at fault will be issued a citation.

Attempt Burglary
March 9 at 3:53 a.m., officers responded to a burglary alarm activation at a business in the 600 block of W. Huntington. Upon arrival, officers discovered the front window had been smashed. The front, roll-up, security screen was still intact and no suspects gained entry. This investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
March 9 at 11:27 a.m., officers responded to the intersection of Mountain and Huntington after two vehicles collided in the southbound lanes. One of the drivers complained of pain and was treated by paramedics. He was later transported to a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

Injury Traffic Collision
March 9 at 1:16 p.m., officers responded to the intersection of Huntington and Highway Esplanade regarding a collision between two vehicles. An investigation revealed that one of the drivers had failed to stop at a red light. The other driver complained of pain to his head and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision
March 9 at 4:32 p.m., a hit and run traffic collision was reported at the intersection of Violet and Lime. The victim called police to report his vehicle had been hit at the intersection by another vehicle when the driver ran the stop sign. The suspect vehicle refused to stop and left the area. Officers arrived, but were unable to locate the suspect vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
March 10 at 8:40 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 300 block of S. Violet. The victim reported his vehicle was broken into sometime during the night. Officers arrived and concluded the only items stolen were the vehicle registration and manual. This investigation is continuing.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision
March 10 at 9:56 a.m., a hit and run traffic collision was reported at a parking lot in the 900 block of W. Huntington. The suspect vehicle struck the victim’s vehicle in the parking lot and then drove away. Officers arrived, but the suspect vehicle had fled the area already and was not located. This investigation is continuing.

Snow Capped Mountains Over Monrovia

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovian Charged With Using Illegal Methods to Gain College Admissions for Foreign Students

Monrovian Yi Chen, also known as “Brian Chen," 33, has been charged in a 21-count grand jury indictment, along with a San Gabriel man, with running "educational consulting" companies in Alhambra and Arcadia that guaranteed admission to US colleges to foreign students. Both men have pleaded not guilty. The U.S. Attorney's Office alleges that the company used fake or altered transcripts and hired people to impersonate the applicant to take standardized tests, such as the test of English as a Foreign Language. https://is.gd/cpJfVA

- Brad Haugaard

Micken Is a Sweetie Ready for a Second Chance

Four-year-old Micken came to the shelter with eleven other cats as part of a hoarding case, and he’s looking for his second chance! Micken is a sweetie who loves being next to his foster parent or on their lap. He even likes belly rubs and being combed! He may need a little time to get to know you, but once he does, he’s an affectionate kitty who will bring a lot of warmth to your life.

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: 1912 Monrovia Day Parade

Monrovia Days Parade 1912. See full details here. From the 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

Public Works Director Sean Sullivan Accepts Job in Big Bear

Monrovia Public Works Director Sean Sullivan will resign from his position after accepting the role of Public Services Director for the City of Big Bear Lake.

“This was a decision that was not made lightly. Simply put, I love Monrovia and will always remember the team and the community,” said Sullivan. “Throughout the past five years, I have worked alongside amazing people and I could not be more proud of the work and contributions of everyone on the Monrovia team. This is truly a bittersweet moment, but I am excited at the opportunity to begin the next chapter of my family’s adventure.”

As the Public Works Director, Sullivan led the largest public works project in the City’s history. Known as Monrovia Renewal, this multi-year infrastructure improvement initiative was designed to prioritize repairs and restore the City’s aging infrastructure that was plagued by a backlog of deferred maintenance. This $55.2 million project aim to upgrade and repair water and sewer pipelines, water facilities, streets, sidewalks, curbs, and gutters. After the Bobcat Fire, Sullivan coordinated post-fire mitigation efforts, including k-rail installation and debris removal after a major rainstorm. 

“It has been an honor working with Sean,” said Dylan Feik, Monrovia City Manager. “His passion to serve the Monrovia community inspired many, including myself. His family has deep ties in the Big Bear Lake community and the opportunity to continue his career there has special meaning for him. I, along with the entire team at the City of Monrovia, wish nothing but the best for Sean and his family.”

Sullivan joined the City in 2015 and held titles of Public Works Director and Public Works Manager. His last day with the City will be April 1, 2021. The City will be conducting a recruitment for the next Public Works Director in the coming weeks.

Source: City of Monrovia press release

- Brad Haugaard

School Board to Consider: Recruiting Company for New Superintendent; Popular Singing Course; Naming Wellness Center after Susan Hirsch

At its next meeting (agenda: https://is.gd/fb8r9X) the Monrovia Board of Education will consider ...

~ Hiring Leadership Associates, of Santa Barbara, a company that specializes in executive recruiting for educational organizations, to help the district find a new superintendent to replace retiring Katherine Thorossian. If approved, the district would pay the company $25,000. https://is.gd/13OwCI

~ Creating a new high school course called Popular Singing. https://is.gd/Aq1LfQ

~ Renaming the Wellness Center at Monrovia High School after former administrator Susan Hirsch.

- Brad Haugaard