William, a Monrovia High student, has designed a mobility device for Hazel, a kitten with cerebellar hypoplasia, which affects her balance and coordination. Click here to see the video. (Hand in Paw rescue, here.)
- Brad Haugaard
School Board to receive report on tight budget; consider giving money to employees who opt out of health benefits
At its next meeting the Monrovia Board of Education (agenda) will ...
~ Receive an un-audited financial report saying district spending exceeded revenue by $9.3 million in 2025-26, reducing the general fund balance from $30.7 million to $21.3 million. The report says another $2.2 million deficit is projected for 2026-27. Also, average daily attendance (which the state uses to determine how much money districts get) is expected to decline by about 114 students, or 2.6 percent. The district plans to cut overall general fund spending by 6 percent, including reductions of 4.1 percent in certificated (teachers, administrators, other professionals) salaries, 25.8 percent in books and supplies, 14 percent in services and 70 percent in capital spending. [AI used to analyze this report]. Details.
~ Consider approving an amendment to the Monrovia Teachers Association memo of understanding giving teachers who opt out of district health coverage (maybe they are covered by their spouses' insurance) $2,000 cash instead. Details. And non-teachers could get the same kind of deal, here.
~ Consider recognizing Sept. 15 to October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month. Details.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia resident Andres Aguilar receives Cal State LA Outstanding Professor Award
Monrovia resident Andres Aguilar, professor of biology at Cal State LA, received an Outstanding Professor Award for excellence in teaching and outstanding professional achievements. He was honored at Cal State LA's first combined Employee Recognition and Service Awards Celebration on Sept. 4. Aguilar, a member of the Department of Biological Sciences, has published more than 50 peer-reviewed articles and leads National Science Foundation-funded research on rockfish speciation and the conservation genomics of threatened California fish and crustaceans.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia’s theater to reopen soon
According to the marquee, the former Look theater is being reopened by Starlight Cinemas, which has theaters in Corona, Lakewood, Rancho Cucamonga, Rancho Palos Verdes, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove, and Whittier.- Brad Haugaard
Registration open for Community Center activities
Fall Community Center class and program registration is now open, with activities for all ages. Dance, arts and crafts, fitness, sports, and enrichment programs. More information here.
- Brad Haugaard
Council approves planting 200 trees in south and central Monrovia
- Brad Haugaard
9/11 community remembrance at Fire Station 101, Sep. 11
A community gathering marking the 25th commemoration of September 11 will be held at Fire Station 101, 141 E. Lemon Ave., on Friday, Sep. 11. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. and the ceremony begins at 9 a.m. For information, contact Monrovia Fire & Rescue at 256-8181.
- Brad Haugaard
Free Upper Water District landscaping workshop, Sep. 17
- Brad Haugaard
Local nonprofits can apply for grants from Clean Power Alliance
- Brad Haugaard
Centre Stage fundraising gala, Oct. 3
Centre Stage will hold a fundraising gala on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 7:30 to 11 p.m. in San Gabriel. The adults-only event will include live entertainment, magic, silent and live auctions, and a New Orleans-inspired atmosphere. Tickets (here) are $140 each and include appetizers, two drink tickets, and free parking. Proceeds support youth performing arts in Monrovia.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Today fall issue available online
The fall issue of Monrovia Today is now available online here. Activities and information about Monrovia.
- Brad Haugaard
Coming Up in Monrovia
Monrovia Police DUI checkpoint, Sep. 4
Manga Munchies: Make Chicken Katsu at the Library, Sep. 5
Craft-tastic! for ages 5 and up at the Library, Sept. 5
No street sweeping or trash pickup Sep. 7–11 for Labor Day; trash delayed one day
Veterans Movement & Stretch Class at the Library, Sep. 8
Food ED Green Care Day, Sep. 12
Dungeons & Dragons 101 at the Library, Sep. 12
Teen Powerpoint Party at the Library, Sep. 12
Earthquake preparedness workshop at Monrovia Library, Sep. 12
Free community bike ride to evaluate city's bicycle plan, Sep. 12
Innovation Lab for STEAM activities at the Library, Sep. 16
Free wildfire insurance webinar, Sep. 17
Blood drive at Library, Sep. 17 - Hello Kitty items for donors while supplies last
Rotary Casino Night and Speakeasy, Sept. 19
Fountain to the Falls 10K Run/Walk, Sep. 19
Magic the Gathering 101 at the Library, Sep. 19
Rotary Club Casino Night and Speakeasy at Community Center, Sep. 19
Monrovia Guild of Children’s Hospital to hold fundraiser, Oct. 3
Historic Walking Tour of old Monrovia Oct. 3
- Brad Haugaard
Dinner at Lucious Dumplings
Had dinner at Lucious Dumplings, in the shopping center at Sixth and Duarte Road. Got the Mushroom and Pork Sauce over noodles, with broth, for $14.50, and a soda for $2.50. Very good. - Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Police: Seven catalytic converters stolen; Car left running, stolen but recovered; Trash fire suspect had warrant; Jaywalker found with fentanyl; Etc.
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for August 27 – September 2, 2026. 526 calls for service, 102 investigations, 2 mental evaluations, 8 traffic collisions, 27 arrests. - Brad Haugaard]
AUGUST 27
Grand Theft
At 2:28 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Montana regarding a catalytic converter theft in progress. Three subjects were seen leaving the area after stealing the victim's catalytic converter. This investigation is continuing.
Grand Theft
At 5:18 a.m., a resident in the 1300 block of S. Primrose reported the theft of his catalytic converter. This investigation is continuing.
Grand Theft
At 7:32 a.m., a victim in the 500 block of E. Walnut reported the theft of his vehicle's catalytic converter. This investigation is continuing.
Theft
At 9:43 a.m., a caller in the 100 block of N. 5th reported that someone entered her unlocked vehicle and took property. This investigation is continuing.
Grand Theft
At 10:40 a.m., a victim in the 400 block of W. Scenic reported that someone entered his unlocked car and stole equipment. This investigation is continuing.
Grand Theft
At 11:30 a.m., a resident in the 600 block of E. Olive reported the theft of her vehicle's catalytic converter. This investigation is continuing.
Shoplifting
At 9:22 p.m., officers responded to a store in the 700 block of E. Huntington regarding a shoplifting incident. The subject was gone prior to officers' arrival. This investigation is continuing.
Drug Offense – Suspect Arrested
At 10:11 p.m., while patrolling the area of Evergreen and Shamrock, an officer made contact with a subject. A computer search revealed he had a warrant for his arrest. The subject was also found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested and taken into custody.
AUGUST 28
Grand Theft Auto
At 6:22 a.m., a victim in the 1200 block of S. Alta Vista reported his vehicle stolen. This investigation is continuing.
Drug Offense – Suspect Arrested
At 11:36 a.m., while patrolling the area of Central and Magnolia officers saw a known subject, who they recognized from a prior contact. Contact was made and he was found to be in possession of a controlled substance. He was arrested and taken into custody.
Grand Theft
At 1:39 p.m., a victim in the 1000 block of Royal Oaks reported the theft of his catalytic converter. This investigation is continuing.
AUGUST 29
Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
At 1:16 a.m., an officer patrolling the 400 block of S. Myrtle saw a female subject slumped over a chair on a sidewalk. Contact was made and an investigation revealed she was too intoxicated to care for herself. She was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.
Vehicle Burglary
At 7:30 a.m., a victim in the 900 block of W. Huntington reported his parked vehicle was burglarized and tools were stolen. This investigation is continuing.
Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
At 12:00 p.m., an employee from a store in the 500 block of W. Huntington reported a shoplifting incident. Officers arrived and located the suspect a short distance away and the stolen property was recovered. He was arrested.
Grand Theft Auto
At 1:39 p.m., a victim in the 800 block of W. Walnut reported his vehicle stolen. An investigation revealed the victim left his engine running. The vehicle was located a short distance away.
Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
At 7:29 p.m., an officer in the 500 block of W. Huntington saw a subject exiting a store with unpaid merchandise. He was arrested and taken into custody.
AUGUST 30
Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
At 2:46 a.m., an officer patrolling the area of Ivy and Colorado saw a man walking who appeared to be in distress. Contact was made with the subject and 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.
Stolen License Plate
At 5:07 a.m., while patrolling the 500 block of N. Alta Vista an officer saw a parked vehicle that appeared to have been ransacked. An investigation revealed an unknown subject ransacked the vehicle and the license plate was taken. This investigation is continuing.
Attempted Grand Theft Auto
At 8:51 a.m., a victim in the 200 block of W. Palm reported an unknown subject punched his vehicle's ignition and steering column. This investigation is continuing.
Grand Theft
At 5:32 p.m., a resident in the 1000 block of Royal Oaks reported his vehicle's catalytic converter stolen. This investigation is continuing.
Battery
At 6:38 p.m., a fight was reported at a business in the 100 block of E. Colorado. Officers arrived and made contact with the parties involved. Both subjects provided conflicting statements. This investigation is continuing.
AUGUST 31
Reckless Burning – Suspect Arrested
At 2:20 a.m., a small fire was reported on a sidewalk in the 1600 block of S. Myrtle. Officers arrived and discovered that a small pile of trash was set on fire and a male subject was seen walking away after the fire was started. The subject was located a short distance away. A computer search revealed he had a warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.
Vehicle Burglary
At 2:40 p.m., a victim in the 900 block of W. Huntington reported that his vehicle had been burglarized. This investigation is continuing.
SEPTEMBER 1
Theft / Fraud
At 8:26 a.m., a caller in the 100 block of W. Foothill reported her credit cards stolen. Fraudulent activity was found. This investigation is continuing.
Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
At 3:12 p.m., employees for a business in the 300 block of W. Huntington reported a male subject was refusing to leave and was possibly intoxicated. Officers arrived and made contact with him. An investigation revealed he was too intoxicated to care for himself. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.
Court Order Violation – Suspect Arrested
At 11:20 p.m., a resident in the 800 block of W. Walnut reported that her ex-boyfriend was at the location, in violation of a court order. Officers arrived and located the subject nearby. He was arrested and taken into custody.
SEPTEMBER 2
Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
At 1:49 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 400 block of E. Walnut regarding an unknown disturbance. Officers arrived and made contact with a male and female. An investigation revealed the male and female subjects were involved in a verbal altercation while in a vehicle. She asked him to exit the vehicle and pushed him. The male subject then proceeded to punch her in the head multiple times, leaving marks. He was arrested and taken into custody.
Grand Theft
At 4:58 a.m., a resident in the area of Walnut and Ivy reported a catalytic converter theft in progress. The subjects were gone prior to officers' arrival. An investigation revealed there were four subjects with masks. This investigation is continuing.
Domestic Battery
At 7:28 a.m., an employee from a hospital in the 700 block of W. Huntington reported that a patient was a victim of domestic violence. Officers arrived and made contact with the victim. The victim reported that she was pushed out of a parked vehicle. She did not desire prosecution. This investigation is continuing.
Shoplifting
At 4:51 p.m., an employee at 558 W. Huntington reported a shoplifter. The suspect stole $30 worth of merchandise and fled. She was not located in the area. This investigation is continuing.
Drug Offense
At 7:32 p.m., an officer was patrolling the area of Mayflower and Duarte, when he observed a male subject walk in the crosswalk against a red light. The officer detained the subject and an investigation revealed the subject had multiple outstanding warrants and was in possession of fentanyl. He was arrested and transported to the station for booking. Due to medical problems, he was medically cited out and transported to a hospital for treatment.
Court Order Violation – Suspect Arrested
At 9:17 p.m., a victim in the 600 block of W. Huntington reported her ex-boyfriend was at the location in violation of a court order. Officers arrived and made contact with the parties involved. A computer search confirmed the court order. He was arrested and taken into custody.
Innovation Lab for STEAM activities at the Library, Sep. 16
School-aged children can learn, experiment and explore a STEAM-related activity on Wednesday, Sep. 16, from 4 to 5 p.m. Register.
- Brad Haugaard
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