The cops are going to start giving tickets to cars that are parked illegally on street sweeping days, even if the cars are only parked there after the street sweeper has gone by. So if it says, "No Parking 10 a.m.–noon" that means no parking from 10 a.m. to noon, regardless of whether the sweeper has already passed. This week the cops will just post flyers on windows.
- Brad Haugaard
Small businesses in LA County will no longer be required to file or pay property taxes on lower-valued equipment, furniture, and fixtures worth less than $10,000, effective July 1. Contact the LA County Assessor's Office, here, for more information.
There will be an online community meeting on the Active Community Travel Vinculum (ACTV) Phase 1 project on June 4 at 6 p.m. The project will create new walking and biking connections under the 210 freeway at Magnolia Avenue, and along Central and Evergreen. Register here to attend.
- Brad Haugaard
The Monrovia Public Library's Strategic Plan says that since 2021, library circulation has grown 126%, outreach visits are up 176%, and program attendance has risen more than 300%. The draft plan focuses on technology and AI literacy, community connection, support for seniors and vulnerable populations, collections and programming, Library of Things expansion, and facility needs. A community survey is planned for June and the Library Board will review the plan that month, and updated goals will be incorporated in July. The draft plan is here.
- Brad Haugaard
The Monrovia High pool will be open to the public June 8 through July 31, through a partnership between the city, the school district, and the Santa Anita Family YMCA. Hours are Monday–Friday, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Saturdays, 1 to 3:30 p.m. Recreation and lap swim are free. Swim lessons are available through the YMCA for a fee, with sessions once or twice a week.
- Brad Haugaard
In the Monrovia Days parade, Best Musical Entry went to Centre Stage Dance Academy, the Judge's Award to Clifton Middle School Marching Band & Color Guard, and Best Overall Entry to MHS Band & Color Guard. Monroe Elementary won the Spirit Award, the Low Riders Club earned Most Unique Entry, and Wild Rose Elementary claimed Best Float.
In the Pie Eating Contest, the All American City Finalists took first place, the Smarty Maxxers finished second, and We The People third.
- Brad Haugaard
Peace Camp will be held at the OASIS (429 E. Wildrose Ave.) June 22–26, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, for students in kindergarten through 5th grade. The program includes games, art, music, and nature activities, with a focus on leadership, cooperation, and conflict resolution. $300 for the week. Middle schoolers (6th–8th grade) may attend as leaders-in-training, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. High school students can volunteer for experience that counts toward college applications. Contact 482-2508 or peacecamprocks@gmail.com.
- Brad Haugaard
The Monrovia Garden Club will present its annual Beautiful Garden Awards on June 1 at Monrovia Community Church (at Foothill and Myrtle), in the Fellowship Hall (downstairs). Social time begins at 6 p.m., with the program at 6:30 p.m. The 2026 winners are Laura Lopez and Bob Shonborn, Debra Mathers and Christopher Mathers, the Feik Family, Stewart and Patricia Roy, David and Kimberly Van Horsen, Eddie Rogers and Carey McIntosh, Jennifer MacDonald, the Thomas-Patel Family, DeAnn Petteruto, and Norm Haley. Winner addresses will be shared at the meeting.
- Brad Haugaard
The Monrovia Community Garden is hosting a free irrigation workshop on June 4, 7 to 8 p.m., at Monrovia Community Garden North (at Colorado and Magnolia). The session covers efficient watering practices for home gardens.
- Brad Haugaard
The LA County Mobile Voting Center will be at the Friday Night Street Fair & Market on May 29, starting at 5 p.m. Register to vote, cast your ballot, or pick up election information. The Mobile Voting Center will be on Myrtle Avenue between Olive and Chestnut.
- Brad Haugaard
City Hall, Public Works, Library, and Police and Fire Administration offices will be closed Monday, May 25, for Memorial Day, including the e-waste recycling drop-off site at the Public Works Yard. Operations resume Tuesday, May 26. Residential street sweeping and parking enforcement are suspended May 25–29. Trash collection shifts one day for the week — if your regular pickup is Monday, it occurs Tuesday, and so on.
- Brad Haugaard
Free adult dog adoptions May 15-24
Game Night for Adults at the Library, May 22
Free garden tools workshop at Monrovia Community Garden South, May 23
Veterans meetup at Starbucks, May 26
Watercolor workshop at the Community Center, May 27
Trip to LA County Fair planned for May 28
Boys and Girls Club carnival May 31
Boys & Girls Club rally honors Youth of the Year, May 31
Teen activity at the Library, June 1
VFW Post 2070 BBQ & Car Show, June 13
Summer Solstice Garden Party, June 20
Fire Resilient Gardening workshop June 27
- Brad Haugaard
MAY 14
Fire
At 3:48 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Norumbega regarding a structure fire. Officers evacuated neighboring residences. MFD responded and the cause of the fire is under investigation. No injuries were sustained.
Drug Offense – Suspect Arrested
At 8:21 p.m., while patrolling the area of Huntington and Cypress an officer saw a bicyclist in violation of a vehicle code. A traffic stop was conducted and the bicyclist was contacted. An investigation revealed the bicyclist was in possession of drug paraphernalia. The subject was arrested and taken into custody.
MAY 15
Grand Theft Auto
At 3:41 p.m., a victim in a parking structure in the 800 block of S. Myrtle reported his motorcycle stolen. This investigation is continuing.
Grand Theft
At 7:47 p.m., officers were dispatched to a pharmacy in the 900 block of W. Foothill regarding a theft. This investigation is continuing.
Battery – Suspect Arrested
At 7:55 p.m., a battery was reported in the 300 block of S. Myrtle. Officers arrived and made contact with the parties involved. An investigation revealed a juvenile male subject pushed an adult male. The juvenile was arrested.
MAY 16
Municipal Code Violation – Suspect Arrested
At 2:14 a.m., officers were dispatched to a park in the 700 block of E. Lemon regarding a subject camping after hours. Officers arrived and made contact with the subject, who refused homeless outreach services. The subject was arrested.
Theft
At 6:22 a.m., a resident in the 1100 block of Royal Oaks reported the license plate to her vehicle stolen. This investigation is continuing.
Grand Theft
At 11:57 a.m., the owner of a business in the 100 block of E. Foothill reported numerous vehicles had their catalytic converters stolen. This investigation is continuing.
Drug Offense – Suspect Arrested
At 11:29 p.m., a theft was reported at a gas station in the 1500 block of S. Myrtle. Officers arrived and made contact with the suspect. An investigation revealed he was also in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested and taken into custody.
MAY 17
Trespass – Suspect Arrested
At 12:29 a.m., a trespassing violation was reported at a hotel in the 900 block of S. Fifth. Officers arrived and discovered that a male subject was walking around the hotel checking doors after being advised to not return. Officers located the subject later in the day. He was arrested.
Municipal Code Violation – Suspect Arrested
At 1:13 a.m., officers responded to a park in the 700 block of E. Lemon regarding a transient in the park after hours. Officers contacted the subject on the property after the park had closed, he refused homeless outreach services. The subject was arrested for violating the posted park hours.
Runaway Juvenile
At 10:04 p.m., a mother in the 800 block of W. Duarte reported her juvenile daughter as a runaway. She was entered into the Missing Persons System.
MAY 18
Battery / Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
At 12:50 a.m., a battery was reported in the 100 block of W. Palm. Officers arrived and made contact with the victim who had visible injuries. The suspect was located nearby. He was arrested and taken into custody.
Missing Located
At 9:52 a.m., a missing juvenile reported missing from the 800 block of W. Duarte returned. She was removed from the Missing Person System.
Theft
At 12:12 p.m., a caller in the 1100 block of E. Huntington reported his rear window was shattered and property was taken. This investigation is continuing.
Missing Person
At 5:31 p.m., a caller reported her friend left for work at 4:30 a.m. and never arrived. He works in Van Nuys. Officers checked other possible locations and he was not there. He was entered as a missing person. This investigation is continuing.
Counterfeit – Suspect Arrested
At 8:58 p.m., an employee from a store in the 500 block of W. Huntington reported a subject in the store known to use counterfeit money for payment, was attempting to make a purchase. Officers arrived and located the subject outside, attempting to drive away. A traffic stop was conducted and he was contacted. He was found to be in possession of counterfeit money, drug paraphernalia and a controlled substance. He was arrested and taken into custody.
MAY 19
Grand Theft
At 3:26 a.m., a caller in the 300 block of W. Lime reported the catalytic converter to her vehicle stolen. This investigation is continuing.
Grand Theft
At 11:48 a.m., an officer patrolling the 300 block of W. Lime was flagged down by a male subject who reported the catalytic converter to his vehicle stolen. This investigation is continuing.
Grand Theft
At 12:30 p.m., a victim in the 500 block of Parker reported the catalytic converter to his vehicle stolen. This investigation is continuing.
Drug Offense – Suspect Arrested
At 4:04 p.m., an officer patrolling the area of Shamrock and Colorado saw a vehicle commit a traffic violation. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was contacted. He was found to have two warrants for his arrest and in possession of a controlled substance. He was arrested and taken into custody.
Residential Burglary
At 4:18 p.m., a resident in the 200 block of E. Cypress reported the front gate lock to the property was cut and four light poles had lights removed. This investigation is continuing.
MAY 20
Grand Theft Auto Recovery – Suspect Arrested
At 5:41 p.m., officers patrolling the area of Foothill and Fifth were alerted to a stolen vehicle in the area. Officers located the vehicle parked. Two subjects were seen entering the stolen vehicle and driving away. A traffic stop was conducted and the subjects were contacted. The driver was found to have a warrant for his arrest. The driver was arrested and taken into custody.
Director of Human Resources: Woody Koch-Wain
Woody Koch-Wain most recently served as an Associate Attorney with Musick Peeler and Garrett LLC, representing public and private clients in employment matters. Earlier, he directed Transportation Services at LAUSD, overseeing operations and 1,300 staff members, and also served in human resources leadership roles.
Administrator on Special Assignment: Michele Costarella
Michele Costarella's job will be to strengthen district systems, support principals, oversee program quality, and coordinate intervention and attendance recovery efforts at elementary schools.
Alternative Schools Principal at Canyon Oaks High School and Mountain Park School: Calvin McKendrick
Calvin McKendrick has served the district in multiple roles, most recently at Bradoaks. He will now lead Canyon Oaks High School and Mountain Park School. McKendrick has experience in alternative education in both Monrovia and Claremont Unified, he will replace Fil Lujan, who is retiring.
Elementary Principal at Mayflower Elementary: Caitlin MacDonald
Caitlin MacDonald has been As Interim Principal this past year, emphasizing social-emotional support and collaboration with district leadership.
The district is still looking for a principal for Bradoaks and an assistant principal for Monrovia High.
- Brad Haugaard