A Moment in Monrovia History: Inside Rehrman's Bakery

Charles Rehrman's Bakery on Myrtle Avenue 1907. See full details here. From the Rehrman family collection.

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

Water District Sponsoring Free Gardening Webinars

Monrovia-based Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District is sponsoring free webinars on gardening for food and beauty. Learn more about these topics:

• Designing with Herbs in the Landscape
• Constructing and Using Raised Planters
• Organic Integrated Pest Management
• Simple Organic Lawn Care Strategies
• Drip Irrigation Installation, Maintenance and Trouble Shooting
• Creating and Using Compost

Details: https://is.gd/7nMztb

- Brad Haugaard

Jewish Federation to Hold Holocaust Remembrance

Beginning Saturday, Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. through 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 24, the Monrovia-based Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys will virtually hold its annual "Every Person Has a Name" to commemorate UN International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

The program will begin with a commemoration ceremony at 7 p.m. with remarks from Congressman Adam Schiff, Congresswoman Judy Chu, LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Assembly members Chris Holden and Blanca Rubio, local clergy, and a performance by the Jewish Federation's Jewish Youth Orchestra.

Holocaust survivors and children of Holocaust survivors will read the names of their family members who were murdered during the Holocaust,followed by volunteers from throughout the community reading names.

The event will be streamed live on Facebook (www.facebook.com/jewishsgpv) and volunteers are still needed to read names during 30-minute blocks, especially between 1 a.m. - 5:30 a.m. People can sign up by visiting the Jewish Federation's website (www.jewishsgpv.org) or by calling 445-0810. For more information contact the Jewish Federation at 445-0810 or email federation@jewishsgpv.org.

- Brad Haugaard

Appeals Court Upholds Conviction of Monrovian Chung Chien Yu in Assaults on Women

A state appeals court panel today upheld the conviction of Monrovian Chung Chien Yu for attacks on four women, including sexual assault against three of them. Yu claimed there was insufficient evidence to support charges against him. https://is.gd/gNInST

- Brad Haugaard

School Board to Apply for Grant to Replace Old Buses, Honor Employees, Declare 'Racial Healing Day', Accept Water Science Grants, Contract to Reduce Absenteeism

At its next meeting (https://is.gd/ZlOBA5) the Monrovia Board of Education will consider ...

~  Applying for a grant through the South Coast Air Quality Management District's "Lower-Emission School Bus Replacement Program" to replace the district's two pre-2001 diesel school buses with new lower emission school buses. https://is.gd/KADU3L

~ Honoring (together with the Chamber of Commerce) these district employees as Employees of the Month for January: Gwen Graber, Teacher - Mayflower; Cynthia Liska, Instructional Aide SPED - Mayflower; Berenice Paramo Garcia, Clerical Assistant I - Plymouth; Karen Harvey Jarrett, Teacher - Plymouth.

~ Declaring January 19, 2020, as the "National Day of Racial Healing." https://is.gd/CGQaBv

~ Ratifying three water education grants as part of the Upper District Water Education Grant Program for Bradoaks Elementary Science Academy. $1,000 for a garden curriculum (https://is.gd/lzAkcX), $1,000 for outdoor water ecosystem (https://is.gd/H6JaUY), and $450 for a weather station (https://is.gd/jFN2MW).

~ Contracting with the LA County Office of Education Curriculum and Instructional Services Department "to help TK-third grade teachers connect and integrate Social Emotional Learning (SEL) strategies, in alignment with Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to further support the selected schools that have a high rate of chronic absenteeism and Out Of school suspension rates for, TK-3rd grade foster youth, by increasing academic motivation and overall engagement." https://is.gd/QryvJQ

- Brad Haugaard

Parking Enforcement Suspended; City Hiring Jailer; Opportunities for Artists

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

~  Due to the Safer at Home Order, parking enforcement is suspended for street sweeping. Vehicles may park on the streets but residents are encouraged to move their vehicles on street sweeping days, if possible, to minimize the buildup of debris.

~ The city is hiring a jailer for the Monrovia Police Department. Apply here: https://is.gd/gDpKYQ

~ Monrovia is calling for artists to submit their ideas for painting five utility boxes and for two new "Neighborhood Treasures."

The 2021 "Art on the Box" theme is Route 66 and there are five utility boxes available for painting. Applications will be accepted through March. Details here: https://is.gd/5IMHMH

The Neighborhood Treasures are ...

Tuskegee Airman Leroy "Buster" Criss, who took flying lessons at Monrovia Airport and served during World War II in the "Redtails" - America's first black combat pilots.

Almera Romney, who during her 17 years at Huntington School (now gone) as a teacher and then principal fought pretty much everybody to change this under-resourced and unsafe segregated school that children of color were forced to attend, into a school where children received an excellent education. https://is.gd/5IMHMH

- Brad Haugaard

Historical Society Seeks to Rename Its YouTube Channel

The Monrovia Historical Society is trying to get 22 more subscribers to its YouTube channel, which is filled with videos of Monrovia history. If it can get these subscribers it can change its channel name from "UCL8mHAK2qmtPV4EuVRhsYmw" to something a bit more memorable, such as "MonroviaHistoricalSociety."

The number of subscribers has risen from about four to 78 (at this writing) since the channel was introduced in early December, but YouTube requires at least 100 subscribers to allow the Historical Society to choose its own name.

If you'd like to help (it's free) please go to YouTube, here and click the Subscribe button at the top of the page. If you don't have an account it will guide you in making one.

- Brad Haugaard

Weekly Covid Count: 219 More Cases, One More Death

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 01/06/2020. Changes since 12/30/2020.

City of Monrovia: 2,183 cases (up 219), 44 deaths (up 1)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 254 cases (up 30), 1 death (unchanged)

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch from Cafe de Olla

Got lunch today from Cafe de Olla, a fairly new restaurant on the west side of Myrtle about mid-block between Lemon and Lime. Very clean and modern interior. Got the Chicken Chipotle Sandwich with a side of fruit for $10.95. Great! Just right spicy.

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police: Trespasser Uses Resident's Barbecue; Domestic Violence; Attempted Burglary at Marijuana Grow House; Vehicle Burglaries; Etc.

 [Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for December 31 – January 6, 2021. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 292 service events, resulting in 60 investigations. 

Vehicle Burglary
December 31 at 7:42 a.m., the owner of a business in the 900 block of W. Foothill reported multiple subjects had just shattered her car window and took her purse. They fled the area in a vehicle. Her vehicle was parked in front of the business. Officers searched for the suspects, but were unable to locate them. This investigation is continuing. 

Injury Traffic Collision
December 31 at 11:24 a.m., an officer was on patrol near the intersection of Ivy and Walnut when he saw a motorist had just collided into a light pole, causing damage to the pole and the vehicle. The driver was transported to a nearby hospital for minor visible injuries. 

Trespassing / Resisting Arrest – Suspect Arrested
December 31 at 11:42 a.m., a resident in the 100 block of E. Greystone reported a male subject was in her backyard lounging next to her pool without permission. She did not know the person. Officers arrived and asked the subject to leave, but he refused and immediately became agitated. He resisted officers, causing minor injuries to the officers and himself. Paramedics arrived and transported him to a nearby hospital after he was released on an emergency citation. 

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
December 31 at 3:45 p.m., a caller reported a male subject in front of a convenience store in the 400 block of W. Foothill causing a disturbance. Officers arrived and found the subject to have a no-bail warrant. He was arrested for the warrant and taken into custody. 

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
December 31 at 8:14 p.m., a resident in the 700 block of W. Foothill reported yelling and screaming coming from an apartment. Officers arrived and heard a male and female yelling at each other, slamming doors and items being thrown. The officers knocked several times, but the behavior continued. Due to the exigent circumstances, officers kicked in the front door. They saw the female lying on a bed and the male was standing over her. The officers separated them and conducted an investigation. It was determined the male was the aggressor. He was arrested and taken into custody. 

Burglary in Progress / Shooting
January 1 at 4:26 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 1200 block of S. Shamrock when he was flagged down by a security guard. He was informed of a commercial burglary that occurred at an illegal marijuana grow house. The security guard was monitoring the property, when he encountered three male suspects burglarizing the building. During the encounter, the security guard discharged his firearm at the suspect vehicle, prompting the three male suspects to exit the vehicle and flee the scene. Evidence of the shooting was recovered at the scene. The investigation is continuing. 

Violation of Restraining Order – Suspect Arrested
January 1 at 7:12 a.m., a resident in the 500 block of E. Greystone reported a male subject in his backyard using the backyard barbeque. The caller advised that there was an active restraining order prohibiting this subject from coming near the home. Officers arrived and contacted the suspect, which led to his arrest for violation of the restraining order. 

Commercial Burglary
January 2 at 3:57 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 200 block of W. Foothill when he observed damage to the front window of a business and heard an audible alarm. Further investigation revealed a suspect had tried to pry open a door, which caused the adjacent window to shatter. The suspect stole cigarettes and lottery tickets. This investigation is continuing. 

Vehicle Burglary
January 2 at 10:00 a.m., a resident in the 300 block of W. Lemon called police to report a vehicle burglary. The victim parked her vehicle in the alley behind her residence overnight. She returned to her vehicle in the morning and found her vehicle had been ransacked. Officers arrived and conducted an investigation. It was unknown at the time of the report if any items were taken. This investigation is continuing. 

Theft From a Vehicle
January 2 at 10:26 a.m., a theft from a vehicle was reported in the 1800 block of Alta Vista. The victim reported that someone entered his vehicle sometime overnight and stole the battery and a small amount of cash from the console. This investigation is continuing. 

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
January 2 at 2:30 p.m., a domestic violence incident was reported in the 200 block of S. California. The victim reported that her live-in boyfriend had just struck her, causing injuries. Officers arrived and saw the victim had fresh visible injuries to her lip and forehead. The boyfriend was detained nearby and an investigation was conducted. The boyfriend was ultimately arrested for domestic violence and taken into custody. 

Hit & Run Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested
January 2 at 10:23 p.m., officers responded to the 400 block of E. Duarte regarding water flowing from a broken fire hydrant. Upon arrival, they discovered a hit and run traffic collision had occurred. A witness stated that the driver of a vehicle lost control and collided into the fire hydrant and fled the scene. The water flow flooded into an adjacent commercial building. Officers located a vehicle matching the suspect vehicle description. The driver was identified and arrested for hit and run. 

Residential Burglary / Battery / Criminal Threats – Suspect Arrested
January 3 at 9:08 a.m., a resident in the 300 block of E. Palm called police and said a male subject was inside their house fighting with residents. Officers responded and detained the subject. The subject had lived at the location previously, but the residents now have a restraining order against him. When the residents told the subject to leave, he threatened to kill them. He then battered three members of the family and was peppered sprayed by one of the family members. He was arrested and taken into custody. In the jail, he was found to be in possession of a large quantity of a controlled substance. He was booked for numerous charges, including burglary, battery, criminal threats, restraining order violations, and possession for sales of a controlled substance. 

Traffic Collision / DUI / Grand Theft Auto – Suspect Arrested
January 3 at 1:35 p.m., officers were dispatched to the intersection of Mountain and Royal Oaks regarding a single vehicle traffic collision. The vehicle was traveling south on Mountain and collided with a street light. It was discovered the vehicle was stolen out of Pasadena and the driver was under the influence of drugs. He was also in possession of a controlled substance. The suspect was arrested and taken to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. 

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
January 5 at 4:55 p.m., officers responded to the 300 block of Acorn. A citizen reported a driver stopped his vehicle in the middle of the street and began yelling at kids that were playing in the street. Officers responded to the location and contacted the driver. An investigation determined he had been driving while under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested without incident and held for a sobering period. 

Vandalism
January 5 at 10:01 p.m., officers responded to the 500 block of Royal Oaks. A resident reported someone may have shot at his house with a BB gun, causing a small hole in the siding of his residence. This investigation is continuing. 

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
January 6 at 2:12 p.m., a domestic violence incident was reported in the 100 block of W. Olive. A male and female subject were involved in an argument, and the female threw a glass cup onto the floor, causing a laceration to the foot of the male subject. She also scratched the male subject’s arm, causing minor scrapes, which were also bleeding. The subjects have been in a dating relationship for the past several years. The female was found to be the aggressor and was arrested for domestic violence. 

Injury Traffic Collision
January 6 at 4:46 p.m., officers responded to the 1600 block of Huntington regarding an injury traffic collision. The two vehicles were traveling in the opposite direction, and the driver travelling west made a turn in front of the driver traveling east, causing the collision. One of the drivers complained of pain. They were examined by paramedics and released at the scene. 

Car Crashes Into House on Mountain Near Foothill

 Police are looking for the driver of a car that crashed into a home on Mountain near Foothill about 1 a.m. today. The car apparently failed to make the turn, hit the curb and ran into the house. Driver fled. Nobody injured in the house. https://is.gd/aZXXHm

- Brad Haugaard

Presbyterian Church to Meet Outside

First Presbyterian Church of Monrovia will begin holding outdoor services (weather permitting) on its patio at 10:30 a.m. Sundays. Social distancing and masks required at all times. The service will be recorded and posted by Monday morning. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police: Domestic Violence; Stolen Car Recovered; Burglary With Shovel; Thefts From Unlocked Vehicles; Cyclist Threatens Hikers in Mask Dispute; Trespasser Re-Arrested; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for December 24-30. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 278 service events, resulting in 48 investigations. 

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
December 24 at 10:08 a.m., a resident in the 1000 block of Royal Oaks reported her husband battered her the previous night. Officers responded and conducted an investigation. The female victim still had visible injuries. The suspect was arrested for domestic violence. 

Mail Theft
December 25 at 6:59 a.m., a resident in the 1100 block of Carmelita Circle reported a male subject rummaging through mailboxes and taking mail. Officers arrived and searched for the subject, but were unable to locate him. Unopened mail was found scattered in the street. The mail was collected and returned to the listed addresses. 

Medical Assist
December 25 at 2:55 p.m., a resident in the 600 block of W. Olive reported a male subject in the home had taken too many prescription pills and had stopped breathing. Officers arrived and began CPR, then applied Narcan. The subject then began breathing again on his own. Paramedics arrived shortly thereafter and transported the subject to a nearby hospital for further treatment. 

Stolen Vehicle Recovered
December 25 at 2:55 p.m., an officer was patrolling the 100 block of W. Duarte when he saw an unoccupied vehicle parked in a red zone, blocking traffic. An investigation revealed the vehicle had been reported stolen in San Bernardino County. No one was around the vehicle or in the area. The vehicle was recovered and taken out of the stolen vehicle system. This investigation is continuing. 

Commercial Burglary
December 25 at 11:56 p.m., officers responded to an alarm activation in the 100 block of W. Chestnut. Upon arrival, officers noticed the rear door, which is accessible off the alley, had been forced open. It appears the suspect used a shovel to pry open the rear door. Once the suspect stepped inside the business, the alarm went off and the suspect fled the location. This investigation is continuing. 

Hit and Run Traffic Collision
December 26 at 2:41 a.m., officers responded to the intersection of Shamrock and Olive regarding a loud screeching noise. On arrival, an officer was flagged down by a resident, who said he had called about the noise. When the resident walked outside, he saw a school crosswalk sign on the east side of Shamrock had been knocked down. There were tire marks on the street leading up to the sign. This investigation is continuing. 

Theft From a Vehicle
December 26 at 10:08 a.m., a resident in the 200 block of W. Central walked outside his home and discovered someone had stolen items from inside his vehicle. The victim had left his vehicle unlocked. This investigation is continuing. 

Theft From a Vehicle
December 26 at 10:48 a.m., the manager of an apartment complex in the 800 block of W. Duarte reported his vehicle had been rummaged through sometime during the night. Two other vehicles belonging to other residents of the building were found to have been rummaged through, as well, and personal property was stolen. Officers arrived and found that all the cars were parked in the private carport area of the building and had been left unlocked. This investigation is continuing. 

Criminal Threats
December 26 at 12:49 p.m., a male subject called police to report an incident of criminal threats. He was walking along Clamshell Road with his wife and kids and none of them were wearing masks. Two male adult bicyclists were approaching from behind, so he asked them to stop so he and his family could put on their masks. One of the bicyclists told him he had no right to stop them, then threatened to shoot them with a gun the bicyclist allegedly had with him. The caller never saw a gun. The bicyclists passed and continued further into the mountains. The incident was reported after the family hiked out of the wilderness area. This investigation is continuing. 

Shoplifting
December 26 at 6:22 p.m., an employee from a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain called to report a theft that just occurred. A male adult walked into the store and selected merchandise. He then concealed it in his backpack and walked out of the store without paying for the item. This investigation is continuing. 

Vehicle Burglary
December 26 at 10:25 p.m., an employee from an apartment complex in the 200 block of W. Pomona called to report a vehicle burglary. An officer arrived and saw the front passenger side window had been shattered. The officer contacted the owner of the vehicle and informed her. She was a resident at the complex. The vehicle had been ransacked and it was unknown if anything had been taken. This investigation is continuing. 

Trespassing – Suspect Arrested
December 27 at 6:23 a.m., a business owner in the 500 block of E. Fig called police to report a male subject inside his business without permission. The owner said the suspect had done this the day before, as well, and was arrested. Officers arrived in the area and detained the suspect. The suspect was arrested for trespassing. 

Grand Theft Auto – Suspect Arrested
December 28 at 3:40 a.m., a resident in the 300 block of E. Palm called to report a vehicle driving up and down the street with its headlights off for the past 20 minutes. Officers arrived and located the vehicle, which was now parked in front of a residence on the street. A license plate check revealed the vehicle was a reported stolen. Officers contacted the two occupants and conducted an investigation. Both suspects were arrested for grand theft auto. 

Weapon Offense
December 28 at 8:43 p.m., a subject who lives out of town called police to report an incident that occurred while he was picking someone up near the intersection of California and Evergreen. A vehicle was stopped in the middle of the street with its lights off. As he drove away, the vehicle began following him. He told officers that the driver of the vehicle then brandished a silver handgun while looking in his direction. The caller could not identify the driver or the vehicle. This investigation is continuing. 

Injury Traffic Collision / Vehicle vs. Bicyclist
December 29 at 11:56 a.m., officers responded to the intersection of Magnolia and Huntington regarding a traffic collision. A bicyclist was traveling south on Magnolia and crossed Huntington against a red light. The bicyclist was struck by a vehicle traveling east on Huntington. The bicyclist was treated by paramedics and then transported to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. 

Theft
December 29 at 8:09 p.m., a female subject in the 500 block of Fano called police to report that someone and tampered with her vehicle. Officers arrived and determined the catalytic converter had been stolen off her vehicle. This investigation is continuing. 

Grand Theft Auto – Suspects Arrested
December 29 at 9:05 p.m., an officer on patrol near the intersection of Huntington and Cypress discovered a stolen vehicle parked in the area. The vehicle was occupied by a male driver. The driver was arrested and the vehicle was returned to the registered owner. 

Grand Theft Auto Attempt
December 30 at 10:06 a.m., a resident in the 200 block of S. Heliotrope called police to report the handle on his truck and the ignition had been damaged sometime during the night. Someone broke into his vehicle and attempted to steal it. This investigation is continuing. 

Attempt Burglary
December 30 at 10:30 a.m., a business owner in the 300 block of W. Evergreen called police to report an attempt burglary. She arrived to work and saw the front door had a large hole drilled out near the locking mechanism. She had received a phone call from her alarm company at 4:00 a.m. regarding an alarm activation, but the alarm company failed to notify the police department. When she arrived at work in the morning, she saw the hole. It appears the audible alarm prevented the suspects from entering the building. This investigation is continuing. 

Injury Traffic Collision
December 30 at 2:12 p.m., police dispatch received several calls reporting an injury traffic collision at the intersection of Foothill and Primrose. Officers arrived and checked on the well-being of the occupants. Several occupants sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to local hospitals. The investigation revealed one of the drivers failed to yield to oncoming traffic. 

Domestic Violence
December 30 at 2:44 p.m., a domestic dispute was reported at a residence in the 1100 block of Sesmas. The caller stated her husband struck her in the face, causing visible injuries. Officers arrived and spoke with both subjects. After a thorough investigation, it was determined the husband was the aggressor. He was arrested and taken into custody. 

Orphaned Raya Is Calm But Has a Hearty Purr

Eight-year-old Raya came to us after her human passed away. In spite of everything she’s been through, Raya is relaxed and calm. She loves attention and will head butt you for more. And when you pet her, you can hear her hearty purr. This sweet kitty is looking for a second chance at a forever home, and will bring lots of love to your life!

The adoption fee for cats is $100. All cat 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 a virtual adoption appointment at pasadenahumane.org. Adoptions are by appointment only, and new adoption appointments are available every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. for the following week.

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: Rehrman Home

The Rehrman home at 135 W. Palm showing solar panels before the second story was added. c. 1930s. See full details here. From the Rehrman family collection.

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.

Note: This is the first in a series of historical Monrovia photographs which will be presented once a week. Full disclosure: I am a board member of the Monrovia Historical Society.

- Brad Haugaard