Virtual 11th Annual MAP Conference

"The MAP Neighborhood Conference’s goal is to provide the entire community, including the surrounding areas of Monrovia, an opportunity to gain education, information, training, resources, and build relationships with individuals and groups from all different walks of life. In return, we want everyone in attendance to take what they have learned and share it within their community, their work, their neighborhoods, or anywhere it might be needed."

- Brad Haugaard

100-MPH Crash on Foothill Injures Motorcyclist

On Tuesday, March 16, 2021, at 8:59 p.m., a motorcyclist was traveling approximately 100 MPH east in the 400 block of E. Foothill where the posted speed limit is 35 MPH. The motorcyclist attempted to pass a vehicle making a left turn from Foothill onto Grand Avenue. The motorcycle collided into the driver’s side of the vehicle, which ejected the motorcyclist. The motorcyclist was transported to a nearby hospital by Monrovia Paramedics, and is in stable condition. The Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) from Arcadia Police Department responded to assist with the investigation. DUI was not a factor in this collision.

Source: Monrovia Police press release

- Brad Haugaard

Former Monrovian, NFL Coach Wayne Nunnely, to be Buried in Monrovia

Former Monrovian and noted football coach, Wayne Benjamin Nunnely, who died on February 16 of this year, will be buried in Live Oak Park on Duarte Road in a private service on March 26.

Nunnely grew up in Monrovia, played football at Monrovia High and at UNLV, then had a career coaching at UCLA, USC, UNLV, then with The New Orleans Saints, San Diego Chargers, and Denver Broncos. He was the first African American head coach on the West Coast.

Partial source: https://is.gd/4SASOa

- Brad Haugaard

Sol Is Gentle and Intelligent, And Oh So Handsome!

Three-year-old Sol is a gentle and intelligent dog, and so handsome! He already knows his commands of sit, down, paw, and touch, and he loves getting treats for showing off his tricks. Sol is a cuddly dog who loves people and going for walks. He would do best in a home where he can be the only pet and give you all his snuggles!

The adoption fee for dogs is $150. All dog 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: 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