Hunt for Hiker Still On

The hunt for the missing hiker in the mountains above Monrovia has apparently not been completely called off. A ranger at the Ridgeside entry point to the Wilderness Preserve told me that the entry point was closed because of the search. Also, a helicopter is hovering above one of the hills, as I’m writing this.

- Brad Haugaard 

Search for Missing Hiker Above Monrovia 'Scaled Back'

The search for Colin Walker, the South Pasadena hiker missing in the mountains above Monrovia, was  "scaled back" as of Sunday evening after consulting with Walker's family, according to a post by Sierra Madre Search and Rescue on its Facebook page.

Sierra Madre Search and Rescue will continue efforts to locate him. If you have any information or clues, please contact the South Pasadena Police Department at (626) 403-7297.

The search began on July 17 when Walker's vehicle was found at the Clamshell trailhead off of Ridgeside Drive in Monrovia. The search involved 20 search and rescue teams, helicopters, search dogs, mounted search and rescue, drones, and ATVs from agencies in Los Angeles County and California. The search area covered roughly 40 square miles, with challenging terrain such as steep ridges, waterfalls, canyons, fire-damaged slopes, and dense brush.

Contributing to the search were:

Altadena Mountain Rescue
Antelope Valley Search and Rescue
California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (OES)
California Rescue Dogs Association (CARDA)
California Search and Rescue
China Lake Mountain Rescue Group
Kern County Search and Rescue
LASD Emergency Services Detail/Aero Bureau (Air5)
LASD Mounted Search and Rescue
LASD Reserve Forces Detail
Los Angeles County Fire Department - Air Operations
Malibu Search and Rescue
Marin County Search and Rescue
Montrose Search and Rescue
Orange County Mountain Rescue
Rim of the World Search and Rescue
Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit
San Bernardino Cave Rescue Team
San Bernardino Mountain Search and Rescue
San Diego Mountain Rescue
San Diego Search and Rescue
San Dimas Mountain Rescue
San Gorgonio Search and Rescue
San Luis Obispo Search and Rescue
Santa Barbara Search and Rescue
Santa Clarita Valley Search and Rescue
Upper Ojai Search and Rescue
Ventura County Sheriff Aviation Unit
Ventura East Valley Search and Rescue

Comment: This is sad. I think it is always wise if you are going anywhere unusual in the mountains to let someone know your exact planned route.

- Brad Haugaard

Paint Your Pet Class at Artists Reception July 30

Learn to paint a picture of your pet (register here) at the artist reception July 30, 2-5 p.m., at Monrovia Community Center, 119 W. Palm.

- Brad Haugaard

More Artists Will Display At Saturday's Summer Art Walk Then in Years

Monrovia Association of Fine Arts Past President Christine Geltz reports that there will be 15 artists displaying their works for the Art Walk this Saturday (6-9 p.m.) in Old Town Monrovia, the third highest number in MAFA history and the most in her five year tenure as president. 

- Brad Haugaard

School Board to Evaluate Superintendent

The Monrovia School Board will hold a special session on Wednesday, July 26 at 4 p.m., to evaluate Superintendent Ryan Smith’s performance. There will be a public comment period prior to the board going into close session and a report on the closed session when it reconvenes in open session. Performance evaluations generally occur once a year. Details.

- Brad Haugaard 

Mellow Bella Looking for Her Best Friend

Bella is a 5-year-old lab/shepherd mix who is ready to find her best friend. She is a very mellow girl- she likes sniffing around and exploring. Her nose is finely tuned to seek out snacks and she will not let up until she has completely cleaned up everything she can find.

Bella knows some basic commands, but her preferred trick is to follow you around and bat her big brown eyes or nudge you with her nose until you give her a reward. She is just as content to just get pets or scratches as she is to get a tasty treat.

Bella recently went on a field trip with one of our volunteers and had such a great day! She got to go for a car ride, which was so much fun. She met tons of people and sat patiently for pets.

This sweet girl has a very loving personality and adores every person she has met. She’s not much of a fan of other dogs, though, so she should be the only dog in the home.

Bella is eligible for the Seniors for Seniors program. Any dog or cat over five years old can be adopted for free to any adopter over 60.

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 an adoption

appointment at pasadenahumane.org. Adoptions are by appointment only, and new adoption appointments are available every Sunday and Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. 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: John and Julian Fisher

"Julian D. Fisher was born in Denver, Colorado on August 9, 1896. He grew up on Lucky Baldwin’s Rancho Santa Anita. He came to Monrovia in about 1909 and remained a Monrovia resident for nearly 70 years until he died in 1976. His father, John Isaac Wesley Fisher -- a black man and former slave from St. Louis who was freed at the age of eight -- was the head blacksmith and farrier for Baldwin. He was a prominent breeder and trainer there and later a foreman on the ranch. Baldwin marveled at John Fisher’s horse care abilities and trusted him. Baldwin sent him to North Carolina to bring back families used to working in the fields; some would become blacksmiths. One of the apprentices was his son Julian. Julian had diphtheria and the move to California in 1900 was thought to be therapeutic. Julian was almost 5 years old, small and frail. At first Julian seemed destined to become a jockey, but as his health improved he outgrew that and became an exercise rider instead. He was quite a good rider and Lucky Baldwin gave him a pony. Julian and his pony won 1st prize in the Rose Parade three years in a row. As an adult, Julian was a Special Reserve Officer for the Monrovia Police Department for over 20 tears, a position he began in 1942.  Upon his death the Monrovia City Council closed its meeting in his memory; flags at public buildings were flown at half-staff." Monrovia's ChangeMakers 2017. From the Myron Hotchkiss collection. See full details here.

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

Laser Tag at the Library August 11

Laser tag for teens, grades 6-12, at the Library's Community Room on Friday, August 11, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Register here. Seven slots remaining.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Gets $2 Million From State to Fix Canyon Park

The California Legislature passed Assembly Bill 102 (Item 18) that included an appropriation, promoted by Assembly member Chris Holden, of $2 Million for the Canyon Park Restoration Project. Funds will go towards restoring roads, sidewalks, the water system, and facilities located at the Canyon Park that were damaged during the 2020 Bobcat Fires and the 2021 mudslides.

- Brad Haugaard

Learn About Living With Bears

Learn about co-existing with black bears, Thursday, August 3, at 5 p.m. Register here.

- Brad Haugaard

Junior Naturalist Day August 11

Children can spend a day with Park Naturalists and leave as Junior Park Naturalists. Friday Aug. 11, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Activities, crafts, games, lunch. Participants will receive a Junior Naturalist t-shirt and will meet some animal ambassadors. For more information contact the Monrovia Community Center at 256-8246. Register here.

- Brad Haugaard

Former Monrovia Mayor Lutz Announces Candidacy for Congress

Former Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz has announced her candidacy for the congressional seat of retiring Grace Napolitano. On LinkedIn she wrote:

I am Mary Ann Lutz, candidate for U.S. Congress.

I am running to serve the residents of the San Gabriel Valley as the next Congresswoman for District 31. We live in challenging times.  We need serious, experienced leaders who can deliver for the valley and for our nation.  I know how to lead through difficult times and produce positive results.

For more than 35 years, my husband and I have lived in the district.  During that time, I have had the honor to serve as Mayor, Councilmember, and Member of the Board of Trustees as well as for numerous government and non-profit organizations.  I also worked as an advisor to our current Congresswoman to further advance the health and safety of our neighborhoods. 

Now it is time for me to take my knowledge and skills to Washington, D.C. to represent your voice and the needs of the San Gabriel Valley with honesty and integrity.  As your Congressmember, I will focus on how we move our nation forward.  By working together, we will all thrive. 

I hope to earn your support.

~ Mary Ann Lutz

Lutz will be running against two state senators Bob Archuleta (30th district), and Susan Rubio (22nd district). All three candidates are Democrats.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Texas Car Recovered; Car Stolen From Dealership; Thefts, Drugs and Alcohol, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for July 13 – 19. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 338 service events, resulting in 53 investigations.

Grand Theft Auto Recovery
July 13 at 8:26 a.m., an officer patrolling the 700 block of W. Huntington saw a suspicious vehicle in a parking lot. A computer check of the vehicle revealed it was stolen out of Texas. This investigation is continuing. 

Drug Activity – Suspect Arrested
July 14 at 2:37 a.m., a caller reported seeing a suspicious male adult in the back of a closed business in the 2100 block of S. Myrtle. Officers arrived and located the subject who was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested and taken into custody. 

Theft
July 14 at 4:13 p.m., a mail carrier in the 800 block of W. Duarte parked his vehicle and walked away. An unknown male subject approached the vehicle and stole items. This investigation is continuing. 

Drug Activity – Suspect Arrested
July 15 at 1:22 a.m., while patrolling the 700 block of W. Chestnut an officer stopped a bicyclist for a vehicle code violation. A search revealed the subject was in possession of drug paraphernalia. The subject was arrested. 

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
July 16 at 1:43 a.m., an officer stopped a vehicle for a traffic offense in the 2500 block of S. Myrtle. The driver displayed symptoms of intoxication and admitted to consuming alcoholic beverages. A DUI investigation revealed the driver was driving under the influence. The driver was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period. 

Grand Theft
July 16 at 11:08 a.m., an employee from a retail store in the 700 block of E. Huntington reported that merchandise was stolen the day prior. This investigation is continuing. 

Domestic Violence
July 17 at 9:36 a.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of N. Garfield regarding a battery. Upon arrival officers recognized the victim from a previous call for service where she suffered injuries to her head and face. The victim reported that she returned to the home she had been sharing with her girlfriend in order to retrieve property. When she arrived her girlfriend assaulted her. An investigation revealed that the prior incident was also a domestic violence. This investigation is continuing. 

Grand Theft
July 17 at 10:12 a.m., an employee from a business in the 700 block of E. Huntington called to report a theft. Two unknown male subjects entered the store and took merchandise without paying. The suspects fled prior to officers’ arrival. This investigation is continuing. 

Non-Injury Traffic Collision
July 17 at 11:54 a.m., a delivery driver in a cargo truck collided with low-hanging utility wires connected to a pole in the 900 block of W. Duarte. The wires became loose and the pole broke. No injuries were reported. 

Attempt Grand Theft Auto
July 17 at 7:19 p.m., a theft from a vehicle was reported in a parking structure in the 700 block of S. Myrtle. An investigation revealed it was a vehicle theft attempt. This investigation is continuing. 

Mental Evaluation
July 18 at 8:31 a.m., officers responded to a residential complex in the 300 block of W. Duarte regarding a subject who jumped from a second story window. Officers arrived and located the subject. An investigation revealed the subject was under the influence of drugs. His injuries were treated on scene by MFD and he was later taken to a hospital for a mental evaluation. 

Grand Theft Auto
July 18 at 9:31 a.m., a resident of a residential complex in the 700 block of S. Myrtle called to report that her vehicle was stolen overnight. This investigation is continuing. 

Grand Theft Auto
July 18 at 11:09 a.m., an auto dealership in the 800 block of E. Central reported that a subject walked onto the lot and stole a vehicle. This investigation is continuing. 

Fraud
July 18 at 4:41 p.m., a victim in the 200 block of E. Cypress came to the MPD lobby to report they had been scammed. A subject impersonating a representative of the Social Security Administration called the victim and claimed the victim’s SSN had been compromised and requested the victim send money to fix the issue. The victim complied, then later realized he'd been scammed. This investigation is continuing. 

Theft
July 19 at 12:47 p.m., a retail store in the 700 block of E. Huntington called to report an unknown male subject entered the location and stole merchandise. This investigation is continuing. 

Grand Theft Auto Recovery
July 19 at 1:55 p.m., a business in the 3300 block of S. Peck called to report that a vehicle turned in to them appeared to be stolen. The suspect(s) were unknown and not at the location. An officer responded and confirmed the vehicle had been reported stolen. The vehicle was returned to the registered owner. This investigation is continuing. 

Mental Evaluation
July 19 at 6:22 p.m., a mother in the 1200 block of Encino called to report her son, who suffers from a mental issues, had hit her husband. Officers arrived and detained the adult son. Due to the mental state of the son, officers determined he was a danger to others and he was transported to a medical facility for a mental evaluation 

Man Still Missing; Tracker Dogs Come In

A South Pasadenan man is apparently still missing in the mountains above Monrovia. A search team with tracker dogs has come in.

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Twins Collecting Supplies for Humane Society Animals

Twin sisters, Addie and Veva, with Girl Scout Troop 05381, are gathering gently used and new donations for the animals at the Pasadena Humane Society to turn in by July 21. They need pet blankets and towels, pet beds, unopened pet food, collars and leashes, and new pet toys. If you'd like to help, the twins have a  donation box set up at the southeast corner of Hillcrest and Ivy. They will also come to your house to pick up items if you prefer. Call (505) 203-1696 or mail speaks@thecutfilms.com if you'd like to request a pickup.

- Brad Haugaard