News: brad.haugaard@gmail.com   •  Restaurants   •  Library Catalog   •  Library Activities  •  History   •  Facebook / X/Twitter / RSS

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 1 More Case, 1 More Death

Today's Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health:

Monrovia: 207 (up 1), 27 deaths (up 1); Unincorporated Monrovia: 24 (unchanged).

Brookdale Monrovia: 8 (unchanged), 1 death (unchanged).

Monrovia Gardens Healthcare Center: (74, 16 deaths) and Monrovia Memorial Hospital: (27, 2 deaths) have been removed from the county stats page because they have had no new cases in 14 days.

- Brad Haugaard

Library Books Coming Due; Committee to Hunt for Discrimination; Summer Y Kid Programs; Park Hours

In his latest report (https://goo.gl/aOqX7O) City Manager Dylan Feik reports: 

~ Do you - like me - have waaay overdue library books? They'll be due on July 31. But the book drops located on Lime Avenue have reopened, so you can return them any time.  Returned materials will be quarantined up to a week before being reissued.

~ The Monrovia City Council is creating an ad hoc committee to review city policies, procedures and programs with an eye to racial discrimination, bias or unfair treatment, and to make recommendations.

~  YMCA Summer Day Camps for children in grades K-8 will begin July 6 at the Santa Anita Family YMCA. Arts and crafts, outdoor games, water play, free lunch, more. Call the Y at 359-9244 for registration, hours, activity and price information. Financial assistance available.

~ Canyon Park and Hillside Wilderness Preserve will have special hours July 3-5. The Wilderness Preserve will be open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. No reservations required. Canyon Park will be closed on Saturday, July 4, and Sunday, July 5. but will be open (with reservations) on July 3 from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Summer Activities in Monrovia

This is an overview of summer events. Details in Monrovia Today, which is due out first week of July

Fourth of July

This year Monrovia will introduce a 4th of July Home Decorating Contest and an Old Town Monrovia Window Decorating Contest, so  break out bunting, American flags, banners and balloons. To register for the competition, please visit the City’s website [though I can't figure out where on the city website]. Judging for the competition will take place on July 1 and July 2, with the winners announced and maps made available on July 3.

Sorry, no in-person fireworks, but you can watch part of the 2019 fireworks show, which will include a tribute to Monrovia’s Blue Star Families and will honor those serving the country. The video will air on Saturday, July 4, at 5 p.m. It can be viewed on the City’s website, Facebook Page and YouTube.


Street Fair

The Monrovia Street Fair & Market will return on July 3, at 5 p.m. The market will be condensed and located on Myrtle Avenue between Olive Avenue and Walnut Avenue. To avoid crowding, a limited number of visitors may occupy the marketplace at one time. Visitors may be asked wait when the market has reached capacity. In addition, there will be one entry in, at Olive Avenue, and one exit out. No kids’ play area and entertainment, but there will be hand wash and hand sanitizer stations.


Concerts

Online only, flashbacks from earlier concerts, airing each Sunday at 5 p.m. July 12  through August 23. On  KGEM-TV channel 3 (Spectrum) or channel 87.3 (Giggle), or YouTube.


Movies in the Park

Beginning at 6:30 p.m. Bring your lawn chair or blanket, sit back, relax and enjoy a movie underneath the stars. Reservations required to attend.

July 18 - Detective Pikachu
July 25 - Little Rascals
Aug. 1 - Frozen 2
Aug. 8 - Toy Story 4


Comfy Camping at Home Family Adventure

A six-week challenge. Registered participants will earn merit badges pins for each completed challenge. The program will run from July 25 to August 29.

Challenge 1: Build your Tent or Fort
Challenge 2: Take a Community Hike / Scavenger Hunt
Challenge 3: Share your Scrumptious Camping Dinner
Challenge 4: Create a Ooey Gooey Goodness S'more
Challenge 5: Star Gazing Discovery
Challenge 6: Insect Safari

- Brad Haugaard

First Presbyterian Church Opens Sunday

First Presbyterian Church Monrovia (Foothill and Myrtle) will open for in-person worship this Sunday at 8:30 a.m. The service will also be recorded and available on line at 3 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard 

Dinner From T-Burgers


Dinner from T-Burgers, on the south side of Foothill a bit east of Magnolia. Got the Pastrami Sandwich for $11.49. Lots of nicely seasoned meat. Yummy!

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Coronavirus Cases: Up 12 in Two Days

Today's Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health:

Monrovia: 206 (up 6 for second day in a row), 26 deaths (unchanged); Unincorporated Monrovia: 24 (unchanged).

Brookdale Monrovia: 8 (unchanged), 1 death (unchanged).

Monrovia Gardens Healthcare Center: (74, 16 deaths) and Monrovia Memorial Hospital: (27, 2 deaths) have been removed from the county stats page because they have had no new cases in 14 days.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Ex-Girlfriend Threatened with Car, Pistol; Suspect Punches Man Having Meal With Ex-Girlfriend; Gardener's Tools Stolen; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for June 11 – June 17, 2020. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 337 service events, resulting in 63 investigations.

Injury Traffic Collision
June 11 at 8:12 a.m., a caller reported three vehicles collided into one another in the 800 block of W. Huntington. Officers arrived and found the three vehicles’ bumpers hit one another and one of the drivers was complaining of pain to her lower back, she had no visible injuries. A report was taken and the party found to be at fault was issued a citation.

Shoplifting
June 11 at 11:05 a.m., security for a hardware store in the 1600 block of S. Mountain reported a male subject left the store without paying for the merchandise he took. Officers responded but could not locate the subject. This investigation is continuing.

Battery
June 11 at 2:37 p.m., a customer at a shopping center in the 600 block of W. Huntington reported a male subject hit him in the face then fled the area in a vehicle. Officers responded and searched for the suspect but could not locate him. The victim refused paramedics. This investigation is continuing.

Theft
June 11 at 3:29 p.m., a gardener reported someone took his gardening tools from the back of his parked truck in the 200 block of W. Walnut. The suspect fled the area in a vehicle. Officers searched for the suspect but could not locate him. This investigation is continuing.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
June 11 at 7:53 p.m., officers responded to a call of intoxicated subjects that were drinking alcohol and throwing trash out of their parked vehicle in the 100 block of W. Foothill. Officers responded and contacted two subjects, one of which was too intoxicated to care for his own well-being or that of others. The subject was arrested for public intoxication and taken into custody.

Shoplifting
June 12 at 1:53 a.m., an employee from a business in the 400 block of W. Foothill called to report a theft. A male subject entered the store and took merchandise without making any attempt to pay for the items. This investigation is continuing.

Vandalism
June 12 at 6:46 a.m., an employee from a business in the 400 block of W. Duarte called to report the front window of their vacant business was shattered. There was no indication that the subject(s) made entry or attempted a burglary. This investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting
June 12 at 2:22 p.m., an employee from a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain called to report a subject selected several tools, hid them in his waistband, and attempted to leave without paying for them. He was stopped by loss prevention investigators and escorted back to the office. Officers arrived and accepted the private person’s arrest. The subject was issued a citation and released in the field.

Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
June 12 at 10:45 p.m., a caller reported a traffic collision in the 1500 block of S. Mayflower. A motorist was traveling south on Mayflower from Evergreen and made an unsafe turning movement which caused him to collide into the north gate of a residence and into a parked RV. Further investigation revealed that the driver was driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. The driver was arrested and taken into custody.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
June 13 at 2:59 p.m., an officer was patrolling the area of Huntington and Monterey when he saw a person he knew from prior contacts. A computer check revealed he had a no bail warrant. The subject was detained and was later released on a citation.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
June 13 at 6:46 p.m., an employee from a business in the 800 block of E. Huntington called to report a subject was inside the business causing a disturbance. Officers responded and spoke with the subject. Further investigation revealed the subject was too intoxicated and unable to care for himself or others. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Commercial Burglary – Two Suspects Arrested
June 14 at 4:32 a.m., officers were dispatched to a burglary alarm at a business in the 100 block of W. Lemon. Officers arrived and found a door that had been pried open. They checked the damaged door and heard a noise inside the business then saw two subjects inside the business. Both subjects fled into the business which is currently under construction. A containment was set up with the assistance of Sierra Madre PD and Arcadia PD. The two suspects were located and taken into custody.

Grand Theft Auto
June 14 at 8:06 a.m., a caller stated she parked her vehicle in the parking lot of a business in the 700 block of W. Huntington. Sometime during the early morning hours the vehicle was stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Theft
June 14 at 9:07 a.m., a resident from the 800 block of W. Walnut called to report that sometime during the night her purse was taken from her unlocked vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Tampering
June 14 at 9:31 a.m., a resident from the 400 block of W. Lemon called to report his vehicle was ransacked. Nothing was taken. This investigation is continuing.

Commercial Burglary
June 14 at 2:18 p.m., a business owner in the 800 block of W. Foothill called to report that his office and several other offices had their windows broken. The investigation revealed there were several commercial burglaries. This investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
June 14 at 7:12 p.m., a resident in the 800 block of W. Walnut called to report that his vehicle was broken into sometime during the night. An unknown suspect forced entry into the vehicle. The victim was unable to determine if there was a loss. This investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
June 14 at 7:45 p.m., a resident in the 300 block of Linwood called to report that two of his vehicles were broken into while they were parked in the alley behind his residence. Nothing was taken. This investigation is continuing.

Burglary
June 15 at 8:15 a.m., an employee from an apartment complex in the 600 block of W. Duarte called to report that someone broke into the office over the weekend by breaking a small window. The employees checked the location, there was no loss. This investigation is continuing.

Criminal Threats / Assault with a Deadly Weapon – Suspect Arrested
June 15 at 7:12 p.m., officers were dispatched to a call in the 700 block of E. Huntington, a female reported she was being followed by her ex-boyfriend who threatened to kill her. The boyfriend tapped his vehicle into her vehicle and fled. An officer was in the area and saw the suspect vehicle driving east on Huntington and stopped it a short distance away. The victim said the boyfriend was armed with a gun. A search of the vehicle revealed an unregistered loaded Glock handgun. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Vehicle Burglary – Suspect Arrested
June 15 at 2:01 p.m., an employee from a business in the 1400 block of S. Myrtle called to report two subjects just broke into a vehicle. An officer arrived and saw a vehicle with a smashed window. One of the subjects was located. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Assault
June 17 at 12:33 p.m., the victim was sitting at a table in front of a business in the 600 block of S. Myrtle when a suspect exited the business and "Sucker Punched" the victim. Officers arrived and interviewed the victim and discovered the victim was having a meal with the suspect's ex-girlfriend. The suspect returned to the scene and confirmed he punched the victim. The suspect was arrested at the scene and issued a citation.

Arcadia Police Searching for Missing Man

UPDATE: Found, okay. 

Ellington has cognitive disability. If seen contact Arcadia Police at (626) 574-5151.

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 200, Up 6

Today's Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health:

Monrovia: 200 (up 6), 26 deaths (unchanged); Unincorporated Monrovia: 24 (up 1).

Brookdale Monrovia: 8 (unchanged), 1 death (unchanged).

Monrovia Gardens Healthcare Center: (74, 16 deaths) and Monrovia Memorial Hospital: (27, 2 deaths) have been removed from the county stats page because they have had no new cases in 14 days.

- Brad Haugaard

Mayor Apologizes for Not Being Clear Enough That Black Lives Matter


At tonight's virtual Monrovia City Council, Mayor Tom Adams said that "Black Lives Matter to me and the city of Monrovia. If haven't been loud enough or clear enough, I apologize."

The council also adopted a proclamation saying:

"Be it resolved: Black Lives Matter."

The proclamation condemns the killing of George Floyd, says that "now is the time for change," and "if we can't get it done now we never will." It adds that while there has been progress, "much more to be done against racial discrimination." In it the city also promised that it "will review police and public safety practice to reflect no tolerance for police brutality."

There were about 29 comments from the public - in the form of letters - mostly expressing concern about racism (several criticizing Adams on that count) and on what Monrovia should do about racism, such as:
  • Studying police policies (One called for "defunding" the police and another called for reducing the amount of money spent on police by 30%)
  • Requiring city employees to regularly attend anti-racism training.

Other letters encouraged the city to make strong efforts to create more affordable housing.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 194, Up 4; 1 New Death

Today's Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health:

Monrovia: 194 (up 4), 26 deaths (up 1); Unincorporated Monrovia: 23 (unchanged).

Brookdale Monrovia: 8 (unchanged), 1 death (unchanged).

Monrovia Gardens Healthcare Center: (74, 16 deaths) and Monrovia Memorial Hospital: (27, 2 deaths) have been removed from the county stats page because they have had no new cases in 14 days.

- Brad Haugaard

Juneteenth Celebration Friday, June 19



- Brad Haugaard 

Superintendent Reflects on Difficulties of Reopening Schools - Health, Funds, Teaching Methods

This spring, our communities came together to help slow the spread of this illness, with the state creating a four-stage roadmap for shutting down and – eventually – reopening our community as we progress in the fight against the disease.

In Stage 1, schools, businesses, and parks shut down, students learned through virtual instruction, and health systems treated patients affected by COVID-19. In Stage 2, we began to slowly reopen our communities, starting with low-risk businesses. We are about to enter Stage 3, which allows schools to reopen.

As we prepare for that day, it is important to address how Monrovia Unified will ensure the safety of our students and staff, by tackling some key issues significant to our reopening – Health and safety practices, State funding cuts, Instructional models, and District services.

Health and Safety

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued specific guidance for the reopening of schools. Having also received guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the California Department of Education (CDE), we now await guidance from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) - which will be the most applicable to our district. As we continue to receive guidance from all four of these entities throughout the summer, we will update our planning accordingly.

State Funding Cuts

Reopening plans will need to be sensitive to new challenges we will face as state funding for schools drops.  Once the state adopts its budget, we will update our budget assumptions.  Due to the recession prompted by the health crisis, we expect grave cuts. As with so much else during this health crisis, our plan will have built-in flexibility to adapt to significantly diminished resources.

Instructional Models

We have developed task forces at both the elementary and secondary levels, to explore multiple instructional models ranging from continued distance learning to in-person instruction – commensurate with the state’s four stage road map to reopen California. 

Each instructional option is based on the state’s current status in its ongoing battle against COVID-19, including the possibility of returning to a Stage 1 status and renewed “Safer at Home” orders.  Our goal is to provide maximum flexibility for families, with the most effective instructional model, while ensuring the health and safety of students and staff.

               

Stage 1: Online learning continues and safer-at-home orders are in place.

If California and the County of Los Angeles return to Stage 1, Monrovia Unified will revert to the distance-learning platform and curricula. Teachers will set up virtual lesson plans and connect with their class through an online platform. Assignments will be graded and attendance will be monitored.

Stage 2: Blended In-person and distance learning model.

If California remains in Stage 2, Monrovia Unified will likely need to divide students into cohorts and alternate attending in-class and at-home learning. In this stage, we would need to limit the number of students in class at any one time.  When at home, students would complete assignments independently. While at school, social distancing would be required, with scattered desks and smaller class sizes.

Recess and lunch would be staggered as much as practicable to reduce the number of students together and allow for social distancing.

Stage 3: Students are back to school in a traditional manner with wellness practices enforced.

If the state is firmly in Stage 3, Monrovia Unified will open on Aug. 19, 2020, with additional health and safety protocols.

Students would return to in-class instruction. Recess and lunch would use a staggered schedule to encourage appropriate spacing as practicable.

Extra-curricular activities would return as appropriate, but field trips for the first semester would be canceled, extending as long as the full academic year or until the state moves into Stage 4 of the reopening roadmap – the final stage of the roadmap to recovery.

Handwashing and sanitizing will be required after all breaks and before and after lunch. Parents will be asked to check children’s health before school each day, and students and staff are encouraged to remain home if sick.

Independent Study

Even after the state enters Stage 3, some families may prefer to continue with distance learning full-time. Families who wish to continue with the distance learning model will have the opportunity to do so through our Mountain Park Independent Study School.

Mountain Park has provided distance learning to Monrovia students for decades. Administrators and teachers use the same K-12 MUSD curricula and provide the personal support students need to continue learning. The high school program is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and students often matriculate directly into a four-year college following graduation.

 

District Services

Viability will be determined not only by pedagogy, but by our ability to meet the needs of our families and continue to provide essential services:

  • Parental Priorities and Input: The exploration of every instructional model and schedule must include the needs of our community. While our greatest hope is that we would be able to start and continue the 2020-2021 school year with all our students back on campus at the same time, we will determine a clear Phase 2 plan with 50% of our students physically in school at any one time. Parent input will be solicited in the next week regarding priorities, concerns, and instructional schedules.
  • Food Services: Develop strategies to limit physical interaction during meal service such as serving meals in classrooms, increasing meal service access points, and staggering cafeteria use.
  • Buses: Determine maximum capacity of each vehicle while meeting physical distancing objectives and develop a plan for bus routes that accommodates capacity limits.
  • Cleaning and Disinfecting: Disinfecting surfaces between uses, such as desks and tables; chairs, seats on buses, copy machines, etc.

 

Our commitment to you

As always, our priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of our students, our staff, and our community before all other considerations. We remain steadfast in our mission to educate our students and guide them as they discover their passions and pursue their dreams.

Thank you for your patience and continued support as we navigate these unprecedented challenges together.  Information regarding the opportunity for input will be finalized before the end of this week. We will publicize those widely and continue to provide timely updates as we monitor the changing situation in our community and finalize our plans for instruction in 2020-21.


Sincerely,
Dr. Katherine Thorossian
Superintendent


- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: Up 3, to 190

Today's Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health:

Monrovia: 190 (up 3), 25 deaths (unchanged); Unincorporated Monrovia: 23 (unchanged).

Brookdale Monrovia: 8 (unchanged), 1 death (unchanged).

Monrovia Gardens Healthcare Center: (74, 16 deaths) and Monrovia Memorial Hospital: (27, 2 deaths) have been removed from the county stats page because they have had no new cases in 14 days.

- Brad Haugaard

Like Fetch, Dog Kisses, Long Walks? Yeah? Then Maya May Be the Dog for You

Maya is a gorgeous 7-year-old German Shepherd in the prime of her life.  She’s an active dog that enjoys being with people and would do best as the only dog. This makes her all the more devoted to her owner and she’ll hand out kisses non-stop!  Maya was quick to learn her commands of sit, down, and stay. Maya even has a "shake" command where she will shake paws with you. And she LOVES to play fetch! If playing fetch, getting kisses, and going on long walks appeal to you, then you need to fetch this dog for yourself!

The adoption fee for dogs is $140. 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 at pasadenahumane.org and fill out an online adoption application. Adoptions are by appointment only.

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

- Brad ...

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 187, 2 More; No More Deaths

Today's Coronavirus cases from LA Deptartment of Public Health:

Monrovia: 187 (up 2), 25 deaths (unchanged).

Unincorporated Monrovia: 23 (unchanged).

Brookdale Monrovia: 8 (unchanged), 1 death (unchanged).

Monrovia Gardens Healthcare Center: (74, 16 deaths) and Monrovia Memorial Hospital: (27, 2 deaths) have been removed from the county stats page because they have had no new cases in 14 days.

- Brad Haugaard

City Council May Sell Dollars for 55 Cents Apiece

At its next meeting (https://is.gd/aqaLG3) the Monrovia City Council will consider selling dollars at 55 cents apiece. Sorry, not to you.

The situation is that Monrovia gets money every year from utility rates to put its power lines underground. Currently Monrovia has about $437,000.

If Monrovia was to put its own power lines underground, it would do so in areas with high fire danger, such as along Norumbega or the Ridgeside/Oakglade Loop.

But ... in order to have enough money to do even the cheapest of these projects ($4.65 million) it would have to wait about 20 years for enough money to come in to cover the costs, assuming nothing changes.

Or ... Monrovia could sell its funds to a city with an aggressive undergrounding program at 55 cents per dollar.

So ... city staff is recommending selling the $427,568 the city has accrued for about $240,000.

Source: https://is.gd/khp3Sp

- Brad Haugaard

Go On a Monrovia Safari This Weekend

Your City Safari - This weekend download a safari guide and tour Monrovia in your car to find all the (inflatable) safari animals. Here: https://is.gd/DzD4Rx

Thanks to Scott Morgan for the tip. And here are the sponsors who made it possible: https://is.gd/c4ZQHC

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Getting New Fire Truck; City Leaders on KGEM


In his latest report (https://goo.gl/aOqX7O) City Manager Dylan Feik reports: 

~  A small group of Monrovia firefighters are in Pennsylvania inspecting a new KME ladder truck, where the rear wheels are controlled by a firefighter steering from the rear. This  provides  better maneuverability. Also, it has more space for tools. Next is to drive it to California for equipment outfitting and personnel training.

~  Mayor Tom Adams, Police Chief Alan Sanvictores, and City Manager Dylan Feik will be live on Ralph Walker's Conversations with the Community program on Monday, June 15, at 2 p.m. Have a question? Call 357-4974 or  send questions to kgemtv@gmail.com. The program will be on KGEM channel 3, (Spectrum), channel 87.3, (Giggle) and Youtube.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 185, Up 2; No New Deaths

Today's Coronavirus cases from LA Deptartment of Public Health:

Monrovia: 185 (up 2), 25 deaths (unchanged).

Unincorporated Monrovia: 23 (unchanged).

Brookdale Monrovia: 8 (unchanged), 1 death (unchanged).


The last numbers before the following two facilities disappeared from the county's stats page*:

Monrovia Gardens Healthcare Center: 74, 16 deaths. 

Monrovia Memorial Hospital:  27, 2 deaths.

* Council Member Becky Shevlin got this explanation from the county: "Facilities are removed from our list if their outbreak has been closed, meaning there have been no new cases in 14 days."

- Brad Haugaard