USC-Arcadia Hospital’s leadership and stroke teams and Monrovia first responders.
USC Arcadia Hospital recently presented certificates of appreciation to Monrovia Fire Station #101, recognizing the first responders’ exceptional stroke symptom recognition skills and swift patient transport. The Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services Agency also named the station the county’s top first responder for stroke treatment times in 2025.
One example of this collaborative stroke care occurred in January 2025, when a 60-year-old patient called 911. The Monrovia Fire Station’s first responders dispatched to the patient’s home immediately recognized that the patient had experienced a large vessel occlusion, which completely blocks blood flow from a major artery to the brain and often results in disability or death when not treated quickly.
Due to the severity of the stroke, the first responders knew the patient needed transport to the closest Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC), USC-Arcadia Hospital.
The response team alerted the hospital that the patient was en route, giving the clinical team time to prepare. The hospital stroke team performed a CT scan to confirm a large-vessel blockage, prepared for a clot removal procedure and started the surgery, all within 91 minutes. An approximate 90-minute window from the identification of a stroke to surgical intervention is considered ideal to prevent brain cell loss.
Due to the quick action of the Monrovia Fire Station first responders and the stroke team, the patient had successful surgery and went home without any neurological damage for a full recovery.
Photo courtesy of Keck Medicine of USC.
- Brad Haugaard
Some dogs are all about adventure. Rita is all about you!
This 7-year-old pittie doesn't need much to have the perfect day—a slow stroll, a comfy spot to flop down, and someone willing to keep the pets coming. She has a wonderfully mellow way about her and seems to believe that if she's close enough to lean on you, life is pretty great. Sweet, easygoing, and full of quiet affection, Rita is the kind of dog who turns an ordinary afternoon into quality time.
If Rita sounds like the perfect companion for you, meet her today at Pasadena Humane!
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
On November 7, 1941, ten Monrovia draftees — Carl Huber, Raymond Baes, Lawrence Mishima, Johnny Grippi, Jules Woehler, Clarence Nestell, Earl Morrow, Albert Walker, Max Bradbury and Robert Lieben — lined up for a newspaper photo in front of the Red Car depot at Myrtle and Olive Avenues, with draft board secretary James W. Hudson at the far right. The call-up came exactly one month before the attack on Pearl Harbor pulled the United States into World War II. From the Dick Singer 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
Vons at 130 W. Foothill Blvd. in Monrovia is holding a Grand Re-Opening on Friday, July 24, with a ribbon cutting at 9 a.m. The first 100 customers in line after the ribbon cutting will receive a game card for a chance to win groceries for a year.
- Brad Haugaard
Float Initiative, a nonprofit founded in 2022 by Arcadia High School student and varsity swim team captain, Sebastian Chen, offers free, one-on-one swim lessons for neurodivergent children throughout the San Gabriel Valley.
In February 2022, Chen's neurodivergent neighbor nearly drowned. That close call changed what the pool meant to Chen, inspiring his mission to keep children safe in the water, and the creation of Float Initiative.
Drowning, he said, is the leading cause of death among U.S. children ages 1 to 4, and research published in the American Journal of Public Health found that children on the autism spectrum are 160 times more likely to drown than their peers.
Chen's lessons are tailored for children with autism, ADHD or other sensory differences, and are offered year-round at sponsor pools or families’ backyard pools. Since its founding, Float Initiative has taught more than 150 children in over 400 lessons at no cost. Details: floatinitiative.org.
- Brad Haugaard
The Monrovia School District is seeking candidates to run for its Board of Education, specifically for Trustee areas 3 (green) and 5 (orange). Interested residents can check their eligibility, submit a nomination form, and run. Nomination deadline is August 7, at 5 p.m.; Election Day is November 3, 2026. Better map here. County Registrar's Candidate Handbook here.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia schools, together with Kindness is Free and the Boys and Girls Club, will hold a free backpack giveaway for elementary students on Friday, August 7, at Monroe Elementary School. MUSD students are welcome. Register here.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's free Movies in the Park series begins July 18 with a free screening of Disney's "Cars" at Station Square Park, 1629 S. Myrtle Ave. Here's the schedule:
July 18 – Cars, Station Square Park (1629 S. Myrtle Ave.)
July 25 – The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Julian Fisher Park (915 S. California Ave.)
Aug. 1 – Lilo & Stitch (2025), Library Park (321 S. Myrtle Ave.)
Aug. 8 – Wicked: For Good, Recreation Park (620 S. Shamrock Ave.)
Bring a blanket or chairs.
- Brad Haugaard
SCE has attributed recent power outages in Monrovia to animals and vegetation contacting electrical equipment. SCE says it is inspecting equipment, managing vegetation near power lines, and evaluating additional measures. Residents can report trees or branches growing near power lines here and sign up for outage alerts here.
- Brad Haugaard
Centre Stage will present two youth musicals at IFGF Church (at Palm and Primrose) this summer.
13 The Musical runs July 16–19, with evening performances at 7 p.m. and matinees at 2 p.m. The show follows a New York teen who moves to a small town before his 13th birthday.
Honk! Jr. runs July 30–Aug. 1, with performances at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Both feature local young performers. Tickets are available online.
- Brad Haugaard
Darden Leadership and Career Academy and Simply Divine Academy will hold their sixth annual Back to School Giveaway on Aug. 8 at 301 W. Huntington Dr. in Monrovia. Registration is required. The academies are also accepting donations of backpacks and school supplies through Aug. 8. Contact Keshia Darden at 626-803-2831 or Steve Darden at 626-421-6884. Details. - Brad Haugaard
The California Department of Insurance has announced that Liberty Mutual, USAA, and MS Transverse Insurance Group are expanding homeowner coverage in wildfire areas. Residents in higher-risk areas may see more coverage choices in the coming months.
- Brad Haugaard
As part of the deal, the seller will demolish the existing home on the property, foundation included, and return the land to its natural state. The city will pay the cost to remove the debris. Details.
- Brad Haugaard
Summer Concerts in the Park, Sundays May 31–Aug. 9
SPOT teen program at Library Park, June 5–Aug. 7
Monrovia High School pool open to public June 8–July 31
Kids Craft in Canyon Park July 18
Veterans Family Feud at the Library, July 18
Families Read Together workshop at the Library, July 18
Veterans Family Feud, July 18 at the Library
Funk Station band - funk, soul, and R&B - at Library Park, Sunday, July 19
Whale watching trip scheduled for July 23
Music Trivia and Karaoke July 25 at Library
Paint, Sip, and Relax, at Chamber of Commerce, July 27
Foothill Unity Center Back-to-School event July 29
Free How to Draw Wolves workshop, July 29
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Aug. 1 at Santa Anita Race Track
- Brad Haugaard