County gives Monrovia $460,000 for Recreation Park Upgrades

LA County is giving Monrovia $460,000 to help these renovations at Recreation Park:

  • Renovated sports facilities and soccer fields
  • A new beginner skate park and an amphitheater/outdoor classroom
  • Disabilities-accessible walking and running loops
  • Upgraded restrooms, enhanced picnic areas, and modern playground equipment

Details

The City Council will consider approving the grant at its next meeting (agenda here). 

- Brad Haugaard


School Board to receive positive 2024-25 audit report

At its next meeting the Monrovia Board of Education (agenda) will receive a presentation on the district's 2024-25 audit showing revenues of $109.5 million exceeded expenses of $100.8 million, improving the districtt's net position by $8.7 million, though declining enrollment, pension costs, and revenue uncertainties remain concerns. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Max‘s Mexican Cuisine


Dinner at Max‘s Mexican Cuisine, on the north side of Huntington sort of across from Target. Got the Chimichanga Burrito for $15.99, and a margarita for $13. Big and nice. Had to take some home. (Sorry, I forgot to take a picture before I took a bite.)

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police: Man batters girlfriend and her father; Gold chain snatched in grocery parking lot; Bicyclist refuses traffic stop, gets arrested; Wife punches husband, arrested; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for April 9 - 15, 2026. 476 calls for service, 77 investigations, 3 mental evaluations, 1 traffic collisions, 9 arrests. - Brad Haugaard]

APRIL 9

Vandalism At 1:05 a.m., a caller in the 900 block of W. Duarte reported that he was involved in an argument with an adult male who became agitated, spat on the victim's vehicle window, and kicked a vehicle's door, causing damage. This investigation is continuing.

Vandalism At 6:54 a.m., a passerby in the 1600 block of S. Mountain reported graffiti. This investigation is continuing.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested

At 7:54 a.m., a witness in the area of Myrtle and Palm reported an intoxicated male subject stumbling. Officers arrived and made contact with the subject. The subject was determined to be too intoxicated to care for himself. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Trespassing – Suspect Arrested

At 10:44 a.m., a neighbor in the 200 block of E. Cypress reported a male subject was trespassing. Officers arrived and made contact with the subject, who said he had been camping in the backyard of the location for several days. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested 

At 6:34 p.m., a domestic violence incident was reported in the 100 block of E. Scenic. Officers arrived and determined a male subject battered his girlfriend and her father. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Vandalism 

At 8:29 p.m., officers responded to a vandalism report at a hotel in the 700 block of W. Huntington. The reporting party stated that earlier in the morning, an unknown suspect cut wiring. This investigation is continuing.

Court Order Violation – Suspect Arrested

At 8:41 p.m., a court order violation was reported in the 700 block of Monterey. Officers arrived and located the suspect near the area. He was arrested and taken into custody.

APRIL 10

Vandalism 

At 8:41 a.m., a caller in the area of California and Central reported graffiti in the area. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft

At 10:44 a.m., a theft of copper wire was reported in the area of Myrtle and California. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto Recovery

At 4:45 p.m., an officer patrolling the 3300 block of S. Peck located a stolen vehicle. The vehicle was impounded and removed from the system. This investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting 

At 7:24 p.m., a shoplifting incident was reported in a store in the 500 block of W. Huntington. This investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting / Drug Offense – Suspect Arrested

At 7:42 p.m., an employee for a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington reported a subject concealing merchandise. Officers arrived and located the subject. The subject was found to be in possession of a controlled substance, drug paraphernalia, and burglary tools. The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Robbery 

At 8:08 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a business in the 700 block of E. Huntington regarding a robbery. The victim stated that earlier in the evening, he was loading groceries into his vehicle when a female subject distracted him. The female then forcibly removed a gold chain from his neck before fleeing in a vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Vandalism 

At 11:16 p.m., a vandalism incident was reported in the area of Gladys and Colorado. This investigation is continuing.

APRIL 11

Grand Theft

At 2:10 p.m., a victim in the 300 block of Genoa reported that an unknown subject removed property from the victim's unlocked vehicle, including a firearm. This investigation is continuing.

Vandalism 

At 2:40 p.m., a caller in the 600 block of S. Shamrock reported graffiti in a park. This investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested

At 4:28 p.m., an employee from a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington reported a shoplifting incident. Officers arrived and located the suspect outside the store. The stolen property was recovered and the suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Grand Theft – Suspect Arrested

At 6:08 p.m., a theft was reported in a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington. This investigation is continuing.

APRIL 12

Domestic Battery – Suspect Arrested

At 11:38 a.m., a victim in the 1000 block of Royal Oaks reported that his wife punched him. Officers arrived and made contact with the wife. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Resist / Delay – Suspect Arrested

At 7:48 p.m., an officer patrolling the area of Shamrock and Lime saw a bicyclist in violation of a vehicle code. The officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but she refused to yield. She eventually stopped and officers were able to make contact with her. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested

At 9:07 p.m., officers responded to a shoplifting incident at a store in the 500 block of W. Huntington. Officers arrived and located the suspect a short distance away. She was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. She was arrested and taken into custody.

APRIL 13

Resist / Delay / Drug Offense – Suspect Arrested

At 1:47 a.m., while patrolling the area of Magnolia and Duarte an officer saw a bicyclist in violation of a vehicle code. The officer attempted a traffic stop, but the bicyclist refused to stop. He eventually stopped and was detained. An investigation revealed he was in possession of a controlled substance. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Drug Offense – Suspect Arrested

At 2:25 a.m., a suspicious vehicle with multiple subjects inside was reported in the 800 block of Ridgeside. Officers arrived and made contact with the occupants of the vehicle. An investigation revealed one of the subjects was on probation. He was found to be in possession of a controlled substance. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Grand Theft

At 7:42 p.m., officers responded to a retail store in the 700 block of E. Huntington regarding a theft. This investigation is continuing.

APRIL 14

Grand Theft

At 7:33 p.m., a resident in the 200 block of California reported that someone stole the tailgate to his truck. This investigation is continuing.

Drug Offense – Suspect Arrested

At 7:36 p.m., officers were dispatched to a business in the 700 block of E. Huntington regarding a subject that appeared intoxicated. Officers arrived and made contact with the subject. An investigation revealed he was in possession of drug paraphernalia and a controlled substance. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Vandalism 

At 8:00 p.m., officers responded to the north alley of the 300 block of E. Lemon regarding a vandalism in progress. An investigation revealed that the caller saw three juvenile subjects vandalizing a wall with graffiti. This investigation is continuing.

APRIL 15

Theft

At 9:10 p.m., officers responded to a shoplifting incident in the 700 block of E. Huntington. This investigation is continuing.

Cambodian style chicken wings restaurant to open at former BurgerIM

A Long Beach Cambodian-style chicken wings restaurant, called Schlap Muan, is planning to open in May at the site of the former BurgerIM restaurant on Fifth Avenue just south of Huntington. Details

- Brad Haugaard

Trip planned to Renaissance Pleasure Faire on April 25


The Community Center is offering a full-day trip to the Renaissance Pleasure Faire on Saturday, April 25, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; bus departs the Community Center by 11:30 a.m. Event includes jousting, music, crafts, comedy, and shopping. Lunch not included. $45 residents, $55 non-residents. Call the Community Center at 256-8246 for details. Photo by Fidel Fernando on Unsplash.

- Brad Haugaard

Sweet Chili is a playful, easygoing girl — with just the right amount of spice

Uploaded ImageMeet Chili — a sweet girl at Pasadena Humane with just the right amount of spice! This 3-year-old Pointer/Pit Bull mix is equal parts playful and easygoing, happiest when she’s lounging by your side or soaking up affection.

Chili loves exploring on walks (with plenty of sniff stops!) and enjoys getting out and about, but she’s just as content relaxing, curled up on the couch. She’s done great while out on foster field trips — calm in public, quiet at restaurants, and a perfect passenger who naps in the car.

Her superpower? Loving people. Chili is gentle, affectionate, and ready to add a little warmth — and spice — to your life. Adopt Chili today!

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 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. 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: Oranges and snow; love and kisses

A California anomaly - snow and oranges. This postcard, printed by the Detroit Publishing Company, was sent from Monrovia and is dated March 27, 1906. "The snows are melting fast and all the streams are swollen by recent heavy rains - Love and kisses     Fred." 

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

New designs selected for city utility boxes


At its next meeting (agenda here) the Art in Public Places Committee will approve four selected designs reflecting the theme, Monrovia Moments, to paint on city utility boxes. Above is one of the four. See them all here.

- Brad Haugaard

Hillside lots for sale in north Monrovia could accommodate up to 8 luxury homes


Two adjacent hillside properties totaling 19.85 acres are for sale in North Monrovia for $3.3 million. The real estate listing, here, says that together, 537 Cloverleaf Drive and 539 Cloverleaf Drive provide the "potential [with subdividing] for 6 to 8 luxury single-family home lots. The optimal layout would likely include six primary lots, while two additional lots could be achieved with more complex hillside grading and retaining solutions."

Comment: This is directly adjacent to the Hillside Wilderness Preserve. How about if the city buys the properties and adds them to the preserve.

- Brad Haugaard

Szechuan noodle restaurant Coming to Aztec Hotel


A Szechuan noodle restaurant is apparently going to replace the closed Mayan Bar and Grill in the Aztec Hotel.

- Brad Haugaard 

Game Night for Adults at the Library, April 24


Game Night for Adults at the Library. board games, puzzles, and Nintendo Switch play. April 24, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Community Room. For ages 18 and older. Bring a favorite game or use those provided. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

STEAM activities for children at the Library, April 15


Innovation Lab, STEAM activities for children at the Library on April 15 from 3:30–4:30 p.m. For ages 6–11 to learn, experiment, and explore through hands-on projects. Registration required, here.

- Brad Haugaard

Quiet library time for neurodivergent children. April 25


Sensory-friendly morning offers a quieter Library experience for neurodivergent children. April 25 from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Youth Services Area, the program serves ages 2–11. Sensory toys and art supplies available, along with book checkouts. Registration required here

- Brad Haugaard

Femineer program to host showcase at high school

The Monrovia Unified School District's Femineer engineering program will hold a showcase event at Monrovia High School on May 4. Fourth through sixth grade students (focusing on females but open to males as well) who are interested in engineering, science, and agriculture have been creating various coding projects.

- Brad Haugaard

Experimental. try to get to work on mobile devices