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Three Monrovia High Robotics Teams Advance to Regional Competition

Monrovia High School's robotics teams, Kings and Queens, Neptune, and Suit Bots, successfully competed in the First Tech Challenge Inter-League Tournament on February 18 and will move on to the Regional Championships on March 11. All three teams will compete against the top teams in Southern California to earn a chance to participate in the World Championships in Houston, in April.

- Brad Haugaard

A Moment in Monrovia History: Monrovia Girls in 1900

A group of young Monrovian girls around 1900. 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

Not Quite Out of the Drought Yet

So are we out of the drought yet?

Well, the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District says, "It’s too early to conclude the drought is over," but the recent rain storms do show the water level rising. USGVMWD says (t.ly/jRs8) that the water level was ...

178.9 feet above sea level in early January
179.4 feet  on February 1
187.7 feet on February 24 (t.ly/C5A1)

So the water level has increased 8.8 feet in just under two months, but is still below the 200 to 250 feet the district considers to be a safe water level. This does does not, of course, take into consideration the storms of the past few days or the predicted storms in the next few days.

- Brad Haugaard

Storytelling Event at Library Park March 4


On Saturday, March 4 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the band shell at Library Park, there will be a multicultural storytelling event discussing pride in oneself through stories from three cultures. Games, crafts, and a performance of "Proud to be Me." For information email jmushisky@ci.monrovia.ca.us or call 256-8264.

- Brad Haugaard

The State Gastropub Coming In Spring


A restaurant called The State is coming to Monrovia in the spring. It will be on the east side of Myrtle just south of Lemon. It is a Gastropub that already has restaurants in Rancho Cucamonga and Redlands, and with others coming in Riverside and Monrovia. thestaterestaurant.com

- Brad Haugaard 

Storytime With Naturalists March 11

- Brad Haugaard 

Sandbags For Homes Threatened by Mud; No Street Fair Tonight; Learn About Food Waste

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

~ The L.A. County Department of Public Works has issued a Phase 2 Debris and Mudflow Potential Forecast for the Monrovia neighborhoods of Ridgeside Drive, Oakglade Drive, and below burned hillsides. Oakglade Debris Basin has been cleared and has full capacity, while the Santa Anita and Sawpit Debris Basins have considerable capacity. Gravel bags and materials are available at Recreation Park and at the Monrovia Public Works Yard (600 S. Mountain). Bring your own shovels, gloves, and eye protection and take only what you need. For questions call Public Works at 932-5575.

~ Tonight's Street Fair & Market has been canceled due to rain.

~ Join Food ED, the city, and Athens at the Monrovia Community Garden (303 W. Colorado) this Saturday, February 25, from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Learn about food waste, recycling, and the new composting law. Register here for a Q&A session, kid's crafts, workshops, and free compost for pick up. Rain or shine. For info, visit www.explorefooded.org or email krisritzau@explorefooded.org.

- Brad Haugaard

Opening Ceremonies Monrovia Youth Baseball League Saturday

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Xencor Reports Increased Losses Due to Investments


Monrovia-based  Xencor, which develops cancer and autoimmune disease drugs, reported a net loss for the fourth quarter of 2022 of $31.5 million, or $0.43 per share, compared to a net loss of $18.2 million, or $0.25 per share, for the same period in 2021. For the full year, Xencor reported a net loss of $98.6 million, or $1.36 per share, compared to a net loss of $59.4 million, or $0.82 per share, for 2021. The company says the increase in net loss was primarily due to its investment in clinical programs. Despite the loss, the company's cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities totaled $1.4 billion as of December 31, 2022. t.ly/-x5xG

- Brad Haugaard

- Brad Haugaard

Five Monrovia Robotics Teams Win Awards

Monrovia Schools tweeted: "Our Robotics teams did a fantastic job at their latest competition over the weekend. Five different teams from our middle and high school teams took home an award from the event."

- Brad Haugaard


Historic Anderson House to be Open Each Third Sunday


The Monrovia Historical Society has decided to open the newly restored and historic Anderson House on the third Sunday of each month, from 1 to 4 p.m. The first opening will be on March 19. Historical Society.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Paint Roller Breaks Window; Innocent, But Arrested for Previous Crimes; Arrested for Choking and Hitting Wife; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for February 16 – 22. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 337 service events, resulting in 70 investigations.

Missing Located
February 16 at 2:49 a.m., officers responded to resolve an argument between a father and son in the 100 block of N. Magnolia. The father, who was listed as a missing person, was transported to the hospital for an existing medical condition. He was removed from the missing person system.

Vandalism
February 16 at 6:48 p.m., a vandalism was reported in the 1700 block of S. Mayflower. The caller reported someone threw a paint roller at a home window and caused it to break. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
February 17 at 9:02 p.m., a victim in the 200 block of N. Canyon reported someone opened his unlocked vehicle's door and took property. This investigation is continuing.

Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
February 17 at 9:45 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 1600 block of S. Mountain to investigate a possible theft. A subject was detained nearby and officers went to the business to confirm a crime. Officers determined no crime occurred, but the subject had several warrants for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Drug Activity – Suspect Arrested
February 17 at 11:00 p.m., a caller from the 800 block of E. Huntington reported a disturbing subject in their business. Officers arrived and located the subject in a vehicle. Through an investigation officers discovered the subject had narcotics in his vehicle. The subject was arrested, cited, and released in the field.

Grand Theft
February 16 at 3:41 p.m., an employee from a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain called to report that a subject took property without paying. This investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
February 18 at 11:44 a.m., a caller reported an injury traffic collision in the area of Shamrock and Central. Officers checked on the well-being of the occupants. One motorist was transported to a local hospital for their injuries. This investigation is continuing.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
February 18 at 6:11 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 300 block of E. Palm regarding a custody issue. An investigation revealed that the male subject physically harmed the female subject. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
February 18 at 11:18 p.m., while patrolling the Huntington Oak area due to a car meet up, an officer followed a speeding vehicle leaving a parking lot. The vehicle ran a red signal and drove into the freeway. The officer conduced a traffic stop once the driver exited the freeway in the area of Mountain and Evergreen. The driver showed signs and being intoxicated. A DUI investigation ensued and the driver was arrested. The passenger was also intoxicated, aggressive, and could not care for his own safety. They were both arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
February 19 at 1:21 a.m., a caller in the 1100 block of E. Huntington reported a subject in their business was arguing with staff and possibly intoxicated. Officers arrived and contacted the subject. A computer check revealed the subject had a no-bail probation warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
February 19 at 1:58 a.m., an officer observed a vehicle commit a moving violation near Peck and Longden. The vehicle was stopped and the driver showed signs of intoxication. A DUI investigation ensued and the driver was arrested. He was transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Mental Evaluation
February 19 at 6:54 p.m., a caller in the 400 block of E. Cherry reported a male adult threatening to harm himself. Officers arrived and interviewed the subject. He told officers he was feeling suicidal and attempted to hurt himself in the past. It was determined he was a danger to himself and was transported to a medical facility for treatment.

Warrant Arrest
February 19 to 9:17 p.m., officers responded to the 800 block of W. Olive regarding three subjects living out of a van on the street. Officers contacted the subjects and confirmed one of them had a warrant. The subject was arrested taken into custody.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
February 19 at 9:51 p.m., a caller reported a domestic violence in the 100 block of N. Myrtle. The male victim said he was on a date with his girlfriend when they started to argue. During the argument, she struck him three times in the face. Officers located the girlfriend. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Vandalisms
February 19 at 10:22 p.m., officers responded to the 400 and 800 block of Norumbega regarding vandalisms to vehicles. Officers arrived and saw three vehicles with broken windows. Officers did an area check for possible suspects or vehicles, but none were located. This investigation is continuing.

Petty Theft
February 20 at 8:36 a.m., a reporting party from the 500 block of Valmont stated that sometime throughout the night and someone entered her vehicle, and stole her purse. This investigation is continuing.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
February 20 at 10:02 a.m., a caller reported hearing a female calling for help in the 200 block of W. Pomona. When officers arrived they discovered that a husband and wife were in a verbal altercation. The husband started strangling the wife and punched her in the face. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Mail Theft
February 20 at 2:06 p.m., a mail theft was reported in the 500 block of W. Duarte. The reporting party stated that her mailbox was broken into and she has mail missing. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto Recovery
February 21 at 11:35 a.m., a stolen vehicle was located in the 100 block of E. Palm. The vehicle was taken out of the system as stolen and released at the scene to the owner. This investigation is continuing.

Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
February 21 at 5:17 p.m., a reporting party in the 900 block of E. Lemon reported seeing a male subject who she had a restraining order against. Officers arrived and the reporting was already gone. Officers located the restrained subject and made contact with him. A computer search revealed he had an outstanding warrant. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Ex-Felon with a Gun – Suspect Arrested
February 22 at 12:54 a.m., officers were patrolling the area of Foothill & Ivy when he saw a male adult walking on the street and drinking from a bottle of alcohol. The subject was upset over a recent break-up with his girlfriend and told officers he wanted to kill himself. Officers arrested the subject for being drunk in public. While searching the subject's backpack, officers recovered a loaded handgun. A computer check revealed a prior felony conviction and a warrant for assault with a deadly weapon. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Non-Injury Traffic Collision
February 22 at 11:25 a.m., a non-injury traffic collision was reported in the 500 block of Terrado. An officer was able to make contact with one of the involved parties who was unaware she struck a vehicle. The female was cited for unsafe backing.

Grand Theft
February 22 at 11:53 a.m., a victim in the 700 block of E. Huntington reported the catalytic converter was stolen from his vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Fraud
February 22 at 2:02 p.m., a resident in the 200 block of S. Sunset reported she received a scam call regarding overpaying the Spectrum bill. She provided the person over the phone all of her personal identifying information. Shortly after, her credit card was used. She notified her bank and closed her account. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
February 22 at 2:20 p.m., an employee from a business in the 700 block of E. Huntington reported a theft that occurred on February 21. This investigation is continuing.

Domestic Battery – Suspect Arrested
February 22 at 2:52 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 100 block of E. Palm regarding domestic violence. The husband and wife got into a verbal altercation, the female walked away, and the husband pushed her from behind. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Dinner at Sena


Dinner at Sena, on the west side of Myrtle just south of Lime. Got the blackened salmon tacos for $16, for $7. Very good. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Nominate Woman for Distinguished Woman of the Year


Nominate an inspiring women for the 41st Assembly District's 2023 Distinguished Woman of the Year Award. Nominations are due by February 24 at 5 p.m. Nominees must live, volunteer, or work in the district, which includes Monrovia. Application form: t.ly/e-Ps

- Brad Haugaard

Alaska - She’s Stunning and Elusive


Live life on the adventurous side with Alaska! Like the state, Alaska is equal parts stunning and elusive. There's a mysterious beauty in her icy blue eyes and it takes some time for her to warm up to those she's unfamiliar with. As with many of our most beautiful natural wonders, the journey there may be long but so worth it - and an experience (or in Alaska's case, a friend) that'll stick with you forever. 

Getting to know Alaska's gentle soul is a real treat... as in, give her treats and you'll be handsomely rewarded with her friendship! Especially if those treats are hot dogs!

Alaska is about seven years old, which means her adoption fee is waived for an adopter over 60 thanks to the Seniors for Seniors program!

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: Dapper Druggists From 1890s

A group in B.F. Crews Drug Store around 1890. Standing: Left - L.E. Hotchkiss; Right - Thomas Neville. Seated: Left - unknown. Right - B.F. Crews. 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

School District to Create New Jobs

 At its next meeting (agenda: t.ly/65IIN) the Monrovia Board of Education will consider ...

~ Creating Advanced Placement Physics 1 as a new course at Monrovia High. t.ly/HZ3-

~ Create a new "payroll technician" position. t.ly/Mjkz

~ Create a new "Instructional Assistant - Special Education" position. t.ly/PWZ_

~ Create the job description for a new classification, "Instructional Aide - Elementary Intervention." t.ly/CEOn

~ Approve a new job description for "Career Technical Education Teacher." t.ly/mhl0

~ Name February as Career and Technical Education Month. t.ly/yvI2x

~ Hear a report on "Debt Issuance and Management." t.ly/h92z

- Brad Haugaard

Dave's Hot Chicken Coming to Old Applebee's Site


The restaurant, Dave's Hot Chicken, born in East Hollywood (daveshotchicken.com) will be taking over the old Applebee's restaurant site on Huntington Drive. Right nearby, at the site of the former Black Angus restaurant, will be an In-N-Out Burger. Both projects are in building plan check now.

- Brad Haugaard

Tutorial for Steve Baker's Monrovia App April 1

Free tutorial on the "Steve Baker's Monrovia" app, where you can discover Monrovia through a virtual tour with the late City Historian. At the Community Center on April 1, at 10 a.m. Hosted by the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group. Try it here: stevebakersmonrovia.com.

- Brad Haugaard