A Moment in Monrovia History: World War II Navy combat photographer Loran Smith

Navy Combat Photographer Loran Smith in 1944. Loran "Little Smitty" Smith, 26, of 115 Stedman Place, who had been away for three years filming and photographing more than a dozen battles from the backseat of a dive-bomber or the pitching deck of a warship under kamikaze attack -- and winning a Bronze Star along the way, awarded him by Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz -- arrived home on leave in 1944 and married Audrey McAdam of Los Angeles before returning to duty in the Pacific. From the Dick Singer 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

Man killed on West Olive identified; he was stabbed, not shot

More recent information, from the San Gabriel Valley Tribune (here), indicates that the person killed in the 100 block of West Olive Saturday night was not shot, but stabbed, in his apartment. The victim was identified as 52-year-old Arturo Gonzalez Sr. The death is being investigated as a homicide by Sheriff’s homicide detectives and Monrovia police.

- Brad Haugaard

Man found shot to death on West Olive

An as-yet unidentified man was found shot to death in the 100 block of West Olive Avenue last night. This is the block just west of Myrtle at the south end of Old Town. No further information is available at this time. If you have information about this shooting, contact the LA Sheriff's Department Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500, or anonymously at 800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Monthly Veterans Meetup at Starbucks, Feb. 25

Monthly Veterans Meetup, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Starbucks at Huntington and Magnolia. Free coffee, connection, and story sharing for veterans and military service members. For more information email mcross@monroviaca.gov or call 256-8294.

- Brad Haugaard

Makerspace for teens, Feb. 26 at Library

Pop-up Makerspace for Teens, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the Library’s Teen Area. Grades 6–12. Drop in for supplies, tools, coding with Sphero Mini Bots, and 3D art pen projects. Sponsored by  Friends of the Library. For more information email acarey@monroviaca.gov or call 256-8274.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School District plans staff cuts of more than 43 employees

Planned Monrovia School District staff cuts. 

At its next meeting the Monrovia Board of Education (agenda here) will ...

~ Consider letting go the equivalent of almost 44 employees at the end of the 2024-25 school year due to declining enrollment. See chart above. FTE means Full Time Equivalent, which could, for example, be one full time employee or multiple part time employees Details. 

~ Consider hiring one of two construction project management companies to handle Measure MM Bond projects. The companies are Dixon & Associates and TELACU.

- Brad Haugaard

Lord Empanada named a top US restaurant

Monrovia's Lord Empanada restaurant was named number 42 in Yelp's Top 100 US Restaurants list for 2025. The restaurant is on the east side of Myrtle just south of the 210 freeway. Details.  

- Brad Haugaard

City to acquire historic Anderson House from Historical Society

The City Council has approved accepting ownership of the historic Anderson House, one of the first homes built in Monrovia, from the Historical Society, which has preserved the 139-year-old home at 215 E Lime Ave.for nearly 50 years. The city will install a foundation and utilities. More about the Historical Society here. 

- Brad Haugaard

City streets to get new energy-saving LED streetlights

Southern California Edison has agreed to replace 1,673 of its streetlight fixtures with new LED bulbs, while the city does the same with the 1,386 streetlight fixtures it owns. The upgrades will cut energy costs and improve safety. The project begins in a few months. Edison originally proposed brighter lights but Monrovia requested something more yellowish, so Edison came up with warmer bulbs which it calls the "Monrovia Special."

- Brad Haugaard

Standing room only at Hum Out Loud poetry reading

Gautam Godse performs his humorous rap song about being a middle-aged man. 

A standing-room-only crowd filled out a large room at Monrovia High School Thursday evening for the second annual Hum Out Loud poetry reading featuring both students and adults. The event was sponsored by the Monrovia High Humanities Academy.

- Brad Haugaard 

Dinner at WaBa Grill

Dinner at WaBa Grill, in the Vons shopping center at Myrtle and Foothill. Got the Taco Trio with chicken for $7.49 and a soda for $2.29. It’s mostly rice bowls here but the tacos were quite nice, filling, and reasonably priced.

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police: Bike riding bandit throws merchandise; Copper thief targets light pole; Man uses tool to whack opponent; etc.

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

During this period the Police Department handled 440 service events, resulting in 82 investigations.  

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
February 13 at 8:53 a.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Duarte and Myrtle regarding a male subject causing a disturbance. Officers arrived and located the subject yelling at people. It was determined he was too intoxicated to care for himself. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period. 

Grand Theft Auto Recovery
February 13 at 2:38 p.m., a caller in the area of Mayflower and Duarte reported their vehicle stolen. Officers arrived and located the stolen vehicle nearby. This investigation is continuing. 

Burglary
February 13 at 8:48 p.m., a residential burglary in progress was reported in the 200 block of E. Greystone. The resident heard someone inside her home and screamed when she detected movement near her bedroom. Officers arrived and made contact with the resident. Officers located a shattered window, but no subjects were located inside. This investigation is continuing. 

Petty Theft – Suspect Arrested
February 13 at 10:30 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 200 block of W. Huntington regarding a theft. The reporting party stated that a male on a bicycle entered the store, was concealing merchandise, and threw the items at an employee after they were confronted outside the store. Officers arrived and located the subject. He was arrested and taken into custody. 

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
February 14 at 2:02 a.m., while patrolling the 1300 block of S. Mayflower an officer saw a vehicle commit a traffic violation. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was contacted. The driver displayed symptoms of being under the influence. A DUI investigation confirmed the driver was under the influence. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period. 

Loitering – Suspect Arrested
February 14 at 4:56 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 200 block of W. Foothill regarding a subject loitering. Officers arrived and made contact with the subject who was intoxicated and uncooperative. After a struggle with officers, he was arrested and taken into custody. 

Battery – Suspect Arrested
February 14 at 5:11 p.m., a caller in the 1700 block of Encino reported that her brother had battered her. Officers arrived and made contact with the parties involved. The brother was arrested and taken into custody. 

Drug Activity – Suspect Arrested
February 15 at 1:55 a.m., while patrolling the 1400 block of S. Mountain, an officer conducted a pedestrian stop on a suspicious male subject. An investigation revealed the subject was in possession of a controlled substance. He was arrested and taken into custody. 

Drug Activity – Suspect Arrested
February 15 at 4:04 a.m., an officer patrolling the 700 block of W. Huntington saw two suspicious subjects near a closed business. A computer search revealed one of the subjects had a warrant for his arrest. A further investigation revealed the subject was in possession of controlled substances and a stun gun. He was arrested and taken into custody. 

Drug Activity – Suspect Arrested
February 15 at 11:04 p.m., a traffic stop was conducted on a bicyclist in the 400 block of W. Duarte for a vehicle code violation. An investigation revealed the subject was in possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. He was arrested and taken into custody. 

Drug Activity – Suspect Arrested
February 15 at 11:20 p.m., a caller in the 600 block of W. Huntington reported a male subject inside a business. Officers arrived and made contact with the subject. An investigation revealed he was in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested, cited, and released at the scene. 

Drug Activity – Suspect Arrested
February 16 at 12:53 a.m., an officer patrolling the 400 block of W. Duarte saw a female subject tampering with a coin machine and made contact with her. An investigation revealed she was in possession of drug paraphernalia. She was arrested and taken into custody. 

Commercial Burglary
February 16 at 9:26 a.m., a caller in the 400 block of W. Foothill reported that her business had been burglarized. Officers arrived and determined that the suspects tampered with the front door and made entry. No loss was reported. This investigation is continuing. 

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
February 16 at 3:24 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 1600 block of S. Mountain regarding a shoplifting in progress. Officers arrived and located the suspect outside the store. The stolen property was recovered, the suspect was arrested and taken into custody. 

Grand Theft Auto
February 17 at 7:56 a.m., a victim in the 500 block of E. Maple reported her vehicle stolen. The vehicle was located in San Bernardino County. This investigation is continuing. 

Attempt Grand Theft Auto
February 17 at 8:10 a.m., a resident in the 1000 block of E. Huntington reported her vehicle was broken into. An investigation revealed the steering column had been tampered with in an attempt to steal the vehicle. This investigation is continuing. 

Traffic Collision
February 17 at 5:16 p.m., in the 600 block of W. Duarte, a vehicle was trying to park at the location and others were trying to exit the small private parking lot. Drivers of the vehicles trying to exit asked the one driver who was trying to park to back up so they could leave, then she could park. As the one driver started to back up, she went forward and struck the female in the parking lot. The female had a complaint of pain to her hand as a result. 

Hit and Run Traffic Collision
February 17 at 6:22 p.m., in the area of Mayflower and Huntington, a caller reported being involved in a minor traffic collision. According to the caller, the other party refused to exchange information and subsequently fled the scene without providing any contact or insurance details. This investigation is continuing. 

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
February 17 at 10:55 p.m., a theft was reported in a business in the 600 block of W. Huntington. Officers arrived and made contact with a female subject matching the suspect’s description. She was positively identified. She was arrested and taken into custody. 

Assault with a Deadly Weapon
February 19 at 9:04 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 3300 block of Peck regarding an unknown disturbance. Officers arrived and made contact with two subjects. An investigation revealed the subjects were involved in an altercation that turned physical when one of the subjects’ grabbed a tool and struck the victim in the face causing a traumatic injury. He was arrested and taken into custody. 

Vehicle Burglary
February 19 at 9:09 a.m., a victim in the 100 block of W. Huntington reported his vehicle had been broken into. Property was stolen, including a handgun. This investigation is continuing. 

Attempt Grand Theft
February 19 at 4:15 p.m., an employee from a business in the area of Mayflower and Colorado reported that someone attempted to steal copper wire from a light pole. This investigation is continuing.

Lenten fish dinners At Knights of Columbus Hall

- Brad Haugaard 

A Moment in Monrovia History: Biplane landing at Monrovia airport in 1940

The biplane NC 11490 landing at the north end of the Monrovia Airport in October 1940. The plane was blue with yellow wings. I seem to recall being told the airport was on the south side of Huntington just east of Shamrock. From the Gary Boen 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

Boston: 73 pounds of energetic cuddle bug

Boston is a 73-pound bundle of love, energy, and unwavering affection. At just two years old, this German Shepherd mix is searching for a home where he can share his passion for long walks, full-body cuddles, and, of course, plenty of kisses.

Boston is the kind of dog who melts into your arms, rolling onto his back for belly rubs and soaking up every ounce of attention. But don’t let his playful side fool you—he also has a relaxed, easygoing nature. After a satisfying walk, he’s perfectly content curling up for a nap while you go about your day.

Car rides are another favorite, especially when they lead to new places to explore. Whether it's rolling onto his back in the grass, on the carpet, or even on the bed, he finds pure joy in the simple things. Boston is a true cuddle bug, always ready to snuggle up and shower you with affectionate kisses.

Boston will thrive in an active household that loves the outdoors as much as he does. A spacious, secure yard where he can run freely would be ideal, and an experienced dog owner would be a great match to continue his training. In return, Boston will offer endless love, loyalty, and companionship. If you’re looking for a big-hearted, affectionate pup to share your adventures with, Boston just might be your perfect match.

The adoption fee for dogs is $150. All dog adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines. 

Walk-in adoptions are available every day from 2:00 – 5:00. For those who prefer, adoption appointments are available daily from 10:30 – 1:30 and can be scheduled online. View photos of adoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org.

 

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.

 

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

- Brad Haugaard