Cover to Cover children's reading club begins at library

In-N-Out Cover to Cover Reading Program begins October 4 for children ages 4 to 12. Register at the library customer service desk and take home a reading log. For every five books or 300 minutes read, signed logs can be exchanged for a certificate redeemable for a free hamburger or cheeseburger at In-N-Out. Each child may earn up to three rewards through Nov.15.

- Brad Haugaard

Storytime at Farmers Market Saturday, Oct. 4

- Brad Haugaard 

Myrtle Foothill Starbucks closing

The Starbucks coffee shop at the corner of Myrtle and Football will be closing after tomorrow, Saturday. The closure is one of many across the United States as the company restructures. More on the national closures here. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Owner of Jake's Roadhouse begins to rebuild his Altadena house

Tony Banuelos, the owner of Monrovia's Jake's Roadhouse, lost everything when his Altadena house burned down. He is now breaking ground on a new home there. Details. 

- Brad Haugaard

School Board discusses a short-term fix for high school pool, with a new pool as long-term plan

At its Sept. 24 meeting the Monrovia School Board discussed making a temporary fix to the Monrovia High swimming pool, which could cost up to $200,000. This is now possible, according to Board President Hammond, by an easing of county restrictions. The long term plan, however, is for a CIF-compliant new pool, and the district plans to work with the city on that.

Karen DeClue, a local aquatics advocate, said in her newsletter that City Manager Dylan Feik told her that the city is willing to help pay for the temporary fix. In return, she said, the city wants the schools making an effort to open their campuses to the public again as parks during the weekends.

Note: The board did not vote to make a temporary fix to the pool, but did discuss the matter. Also, DeClue clarified that the information about the city wanting school campuses open during non-school hours did not come from Feik. I have edited the post to fix these issues. 

- Brad Haugaard

Kids Craft in the Canyon program launches Saturday, Sept. 26

Free Kids Craft in the Canyon launches this Saturday, Sept. 27, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Canyon Park Nature Center. Crafts, snacks, and nature activities will be offered while supplies last. No registration. More events on Oct. 25, Nov. 29, and Dec. 27. Parking fees $6. Sponsored by the Monrovia Parks, Wilderness & Recreation Foundation. Call 256-8246 for details.

- Brad Haugaard

Students can meet Monrovia High Mountain Bike team

Monrovia School District Students in grades 6–12 can meet Monrovia High’s Mountain Bike Team, learn about the program, and participate in a ride, Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 5 p.m. at the Lower Loops (539 Cloverleaf Dr). Bring bike and helmet to participate. For questions email Team Director D’Arcy Ross at mhsmtnbt@gmail.com

- Brad Haugaard

Return to the Canyon fundraiser set for Oct. 23

Monrovia Parks Wilderness and Recreation foundation will host “Return to the Canyon” on Thursday, Oct. 23. The fundraiser will feature appetizers, wine and beer at Canyon Park Nature Center, followed by a catered dinner, dessert, and live music under the trees. Details and tickets here. 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Crash victim hospitalized; Feisty drunk driver with children arrested; Runaway juvenile; Fraudulent bank account opened; Serial trespasser cited; Lots of drugs and drinking; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for September 18 – 24. - Brad Haugaard]

During this period the Police Department handled 470 service events, resulting in 100 investigations.

Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
September 18 at 7:29 a.m., a caller in the 200 block of S. Encinitas reported that a female subject loitering and refusing to leave. Officers arrived and made contact with her. A computer search revealed she had a warrant for her arrest. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Non-Injury Traffic Collision
September 18 at 12:07 p.m., a traffic collision between a vehicle and bicyclist was reported in the area of Huntington and Monterey. No injuries were reported.

Threatening
September 18 at 1:28 p.m., a victim in the 200 block of N. Canyon reported receiving threatening texts messages from a subject he met on a social media platform after refusing to rent an apartment from the subject. This investigation is continuing.

Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
September 18 at 5:29 p.m., while patrolling the 1600 block of S. Myrtle an officer made contact with a subject. A computer search revealed he had a warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Injury Traffic Collision
September 18 at 6:27 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 500 block of W. Huntington regarding a solo traffic collision. Officers arrived and located a subject in the vehicle suffering critical injuries. He was transported to a medical facility for treatment. This investigation is continuing.

Mental Evaluation
September 18 at 7:16 p.m., a caller in the 300 block of California requested a welfare check on a male and female subject who appeared disoriented. Officers arrived and made contact with the subjects. It was determined they were both gravely disabled. They were transported to a medical facility for an evaluation.

Drug Arrest – Suspect Arrested
September 19 at 12:06 a.m., while patrolling the 300 block of S. Myrtle an officer saw a suspicious vehicle. The officer made contact with the occupants who were in possession of drug paraphernalia. Both subjects were arrested and taken into custody.

Commercial Burglary
September 19 at 4:40 a.m., an alarm company reported a burglary in progress at a business in the 600 block of W. Huntington. The suspects were gone prior to officers’ arrival. This investigation is continuing.

Theft
September 19 at 10:41 a.m., a victim in the 900 block of W. Olive reported his electric bicycle stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Drug Activity – Suspect Arrested
September 19 at 11:47 a.m., while patrolling the 900 block of W. Duarte an officer saw a subject in possession of drug paraphernalia. The officer made contact with the subject. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
September 19 at 1:32 p.m., an officer patrolling the area of Duarte and Magnolia saw a vehicle commit a traffic violation. The officer conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver. A computer search raveled the driver had a warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Trespassing
September 19 at 3:15 p.m., a caller 1600 block of S. Magnolia reported a female subject trespassing in the complex. Officers arrived and located the female. She was known to officers and has been arrested multiple times recently for trespassing at numerous locations around the City. She was arrested and later released with a citation.

Battery – Suspect Arrested
September 19 at 9:25 p.m., a disturbance between a male and a female subject was reported in a park in the 300 block of S. Myrtle. Officers arrived and made contact with the parties involved. It was determined the male subject was the aggressor, he was arrested and taken into custody.

Attempt Grand Theft Auto
September 20 at 12:08 a.m., an officer patrolling the 100 block of W. Olive alerted to a vehicle alarm. The officer located a vehicle with a shattered window and a punched ignition, indicating an attempted vehicle theft. A subject was seen fleeing the area but was not located. This investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence / Child Endangerment – Suspect Arrested
September 20 at 12:23 a.m., callers in the area of Huntington and Fifth reported a disturbing subject was attempting to fight people before driving away. Officers’ located the subject a short distance away. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was contacted. The driver displayed symptoms of intoxication. A DUI investigation confirmed the driver was under the influence. Two minor children were located in the vehicle. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Grand Theft
September 20 at 9:56 a.m., a victim in the 900 block of W. Huntington reported that while someone stole gardening tools from his vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Runaway Juvenile
September 20 at 12:00 p.m., a juvenile was reported as a runaway from a facility in the 800 block of Oceanview. Officers arrived and checked the area but the juvenile was not located. The juvenile was entered into the missing person system. This investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting
September 20 at 3:35 p.m., an employee from a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington reported a theft that occurred on September 18. A female subject entered the store, stole merchandise and fled. This investigation is continuing.

Mental Evaluation
September 20 at 7:48 p.m., a suspicious subject entered a backyard in the 300 block of Norumbega. Officers arrived and made contact with the subject who was determined to need a mental evaluation. He was transported to a medical facility for an evaluation.

Drug Arrest – Suspect Arrested
September 20 at 10:22 p.m., a disruptive subject was reported in the 900 block of W. Huntington. Officers arrived and made contact with the female subject who was refusing to leave. An investigation revealed she was in possession of drug paraphernalia. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Drug Arrest – Suspect Arrested
September 21 at 12:59 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 200 block of W. Huntington regarding a suspicious vehicle. Officers arrived and made contact with the occupants. An investigation revealed the occupants were found to be in possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. They were arrested and taken into custody.

Warrant Arrest
September 21 at 10:19 a.m., an employee from a business in the 100 block of W. Foothill a subject stolen from the business. Officers arrived and located the subject a short distance away. A computer search revealed he had a warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
September 21 at 3:34 p.m., a suspicious subject was reported inside a store in the 500 block of W. Huntington. Officers arrived and contacted the subject, who was trying to remove sensors from merchandise. The store did not desire prosecution. A computer search revealed he had a warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Vehicle Burglary
September 21 at 3:42 p.m., a victim in the 700 block of W. Huntington reported his parked vehicle was burglarized. This investigation is continuing.

Mental Evaluation
September 21 at 6:34 p.m., a caller in a facility in the 100 block of N. Ivy reported a battery. Officers arrived and determined a juvenile fled after assaulting a staff member and causing the staff member injuries. The juvenile was located a short distance away. She was arrested and taken into custody. While in custody she was determined to be in need of a mental evaluation and she was transported to a medical facility.

Non-Injury Traffic Collision
September 21 at 7:46 p.m., a traffic collision was reported in the 1600 block of S. Mountain. Officers arrived and made contact with the parties involved. No injuries were reported.

Grand Theft Auto Recovery / Drug Arrest – Suspects Arrested
September 22 at 5:31 a.m., officers were alerted to a stolen vehicle in the area of Duarte and 5th. Officers located the vehicle and several subjects near the vehicle. One subject was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. Another subject was found to have a warrant for his arrest. They were arrested and taken into custody.

Vandalism
September 22 at 8:11 a.m., a victim in the 1200 block of S. Myrtle reported that one of his walls was vandalized. This investigation is continuing.

Fraud
September 22 at 8:17 a.m., a resident in the 100 block of Norumbega received letters from a bank regarding an account opened in his name. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft – Suspect Arrested
September 22 at 11:09 a.m., employees from a business in the 900 block of W. Foothill reported three male subject entered the store, stole merchandise and fled. Officers arrived and located two of the subjects nearby. They were arrested and taken into custody.

Shoplifting
September 22 at 11:20 a.m., a loss prevention officer for a store in the 500 block of W. Huntington report a subject entered the store, stole merchandise and fled. This investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting
September 22 at 4:30 p.m., an employee for a store in the 900 block of W. Foothill reported a theft that occurred a day prior. This investigation is continuing.

Runaway
September 23 at 12:25 p.m., a juvenile was reported missing from a facility in the 800 block of Ocean View. He was entered into the missing person's system. This investigation is continuing.

Commercial Burglary
September 23 at 1:00 p.m., a commercial burglary was reported in the 1000 block of E Royal Oaks. This investigation is continuing.

Vandalism
September 23 at 7:17 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 700 block of W. Huntington regarding a vehicle leaking a large amount of gasoline. Officers arrived and made contact with the vehicle owner. An investigation revealed the vehicle had been tampered with. This investigation is continuing.

Drug Arrest – Suspect Arrested
September 23 at 9:33 p.m., a theft was reported at a business in the 700 block of E. Huntington. Officers arrived and learned that a male and female subject left with merchandise without paying for it. The subjects were located a short distance away in possession of the merchandise. The business did not desire prosecution. The male subject were found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested, cited and released at the scene.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrest
September 24 at 2:34 a.m., while patrolling the 800 block of W. Chestnut an officer saw a vehicle commit a code violation. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was contacted. The driver displayed symptoms of intoxication. A DUI investigation confirmed the driver was under the influent and the passenger was determined to be too intoxicated to care for himself. They were arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Domestic Violence
September 24 at 5:54 a.m., a physical altercation was reported in the 900 block of W. Huntington. This investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
September 24 at 7:57 a.m., a victim in the 1100 block of S. Primrose reported her vehicle had been burglarized and property was taken. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto Recovery
September 24 at 12:15 p.m., officers were alerted to a stolen vehicle in the 100 block of N. Sunset. An officer located the vehicle parked and unoccupied. This investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
September 24 at 4:55 p.m., a traffic collision was reported in the area of Kruse and Myrtle. Officers arrived and made contact with the parties involved. One of the parties suffered an injury and was transported to a hospital for treatment.

Injury Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence
September 24 at 8:17 p.m., a caller in the area of Shamrock and Olive reported a traffic collision. Officers arrived and made contact with the driver who displayed symptoms of intoxication. He admitted to drinking prior to driving. He was transported to a hospital for treatment. MMC violation / Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested September 24 at 11:23 p.m., while patrolling the 300 block of S. Myrtle officers saw a subject in a park after hours. A computer search revealed the subject had multiple warrants for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.

USC Arcadia Hospital's physical rehab service ranks among top in country

Newsweek has ranked USC Arcadia Hospital as one of the top 320 physical rehabilitation services in the country. The hospital also placed tenth out of 24 in California. Rankings here.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia In-N-Out Burger now open

The In-N-Out Burger in the Huntington Oaks Shopping Center opened today, and the traffic lane, which wraps around the building, appeared to be handling the number of vehicles without difficulty. There’s a nice outdoor seating area as well.

- Brad Haugaard 

Brunch at Troy Donuts & Burgers

Had brunch at Troy Donuts & Burgers, on the west side of Myrtle a bit south of Duarte Road. Got a nice sausage and egg bagel for $7.99 and an orange juice for $7. Note: The restaurant closes at 3:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. Sundays. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Waffles is a quiet soul who prefers life at an easy pace

Meet Waffles, a handsome German Shepherd at Pasadena Humane whose toasty, golden-brown color truly lives up to his name! At 10 years old, this senior gentleman is looking forward to spending the rest of his days curled up on a comfy couch in a calm, cozy home.

Waffles is a quiet soul who prefers life at an easy pace. While he may take some time to warm up to new people, he walks politely on leash, knows his “sit” command, and perks up when treats are around (which he can still catch mid-air with a gentle toss!). He's not a dog who craves too much activity but would love a nice evening stroll with his humans, and a peaceful environment to call home.

Because of his history, Waffles would do best in a low-traffic home without young children or other pets. He would thrive with a patient, understanding adopter, and in return, he’ll be a steady, loyal presence.

If you’re ready to open your heart and home to a senior pup who just wants a soft place to land, Waffles is waiting to be yours! Adopt Waffles today and make his golden years truly special.

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 10:00 – 5:00. 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

A Moment in Monrovia History: Bringing home Christmas presents

Bringing home Christmas presents for Jimmie Rogers, from 1903. From left: Agnes Sutton and May Baker. From the photo album of May Baker, an avid photographer who took many photos. From the Steve Baker 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

Adult game night at library Sept. 26

Game Night for adults at the Library Friday, Sept. 26 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Community Room, for ages 18 and up. Board games, puzzles, and Nintendo Switch games or bring your own.  Details. 

- Brad Haugaard