Coronavirus Count: 131 - Up 3

Coronavirus cases today from LA County Department of Public Health:

Monrovia: 131 cases (up 3 from yesterday), 17 deaths (up 2 - https://is.gd/bmKPBb).

Unincorporated Monrovia: 17 cases (unchanged).

Brookdale Monrovia: 2 cases (unchanged), 1 death (unchanged).

Monrovia Gardens Healthcare Center: 74 (unchanged), 14 deaths (up 1).

Monrovia Memorial Hospital:  24 cases (up 1) and 2 deaths (unchanged).

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Department Has Free Bike Helmets

The Monrovia Police Department is participating in National Bicycle Safety Month by giving away FREE child bicycle helmets to Monrovia residents. We have small, medium and large helmets for children in red, white and blue, as well as black.

The helmets were donated by the Duarte & Monrovia Elks Lodge, whose goal, like that of MPD, is to protect children. If you would like a free helmet for your child, come to the Monrovia Police Department and contact Motorcycle Officer James Ruano or Traffic Lieutenant Daniel Verna on any Thursday, Friday or Saturday, during the day.

Remember to wear a protective mask when coming to the police station to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Knife Robbery; Stripper Arrested; Trespassers in Wash Arrested; Too Drunk for Sobriety Test; and Lots More

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for May 14-20. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 321 service events, resulting in 43 investigations.

Theft
May 14 at 3:52 a.m., a resident in the 200 block of E. Walnut called police to report his catalytic converter had been stolen from his truck. Officers responded and conducted an investigation. The investigation is continuing.

Robbery
May 14 at 4:35 a.m., a customer of a business in the 400 block of W. Foothill called police to report a suspect had stolen his wallet and cell phone. The victim attempted to follow the suspect, but the suspect pulled out a knife and threatened the victim. Officers responded and checked the area, but the suspect had fled. This investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
May 14 at 8:54 a.m., a male subject entered a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain and shoplifted several items. He was confronted by store loss prevention and dropped the property before fleeing on foot. Officers located the suspect nearby and arrested him. He was issued a citation to appear in court on the charges.

Resisting and Delaying a Peace Officer – Suspect Arrested
May 14 at 11:25 a.m., a caller reported a male subject removing his clothing while sitting on a bench in the 200 block of W. Foothill. When officers arrived, the subject fled the location, but he was quickly located on Linwood and was found to be on probation. He was arrested.

Commercial Burglary
May 14 at 5:46 p.m., a commercial burglary was reported in the 2100 block of S. Myrtle. The victim reported her storage unit at the location was broken into by someone. Officers responded and conducted an investigation. This investigation is continuing.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
May 14 at 9:53 p.m., officers responded to a gas station in the 1500 block of S. Myrtle regarding a disturbing subject. Investigation revealed the subject had a warrant for her arrest. She was arrested per the authority of the warrant.

Attempted Burglary
May 15 at 6:23 a.m., officers responded to an alarm at a business in the 700 block of E. Huntington. Upon arrival, they found a window to the front had been damaged, but not shattered enough to make entry. Security camera footage showed three suspects attempting to break the window. This investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
May 15 at 7:17 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 200 block of E. Olive. The vehicle was burglarized sometime during the night. Officers arrived and found both rear windows had been smashed and several power tools were stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Stolen Vehicle Recovered
May 15 at 7:25 p.m., a female subject called police to report she had located a vehicle in the 700 block of W. Walnut that had been stolen from her. Her vehicle was stolen out of Paramount and the suspect, her ex-boyfriend, was already in custody. Officers confirmed the vehicle had been stolen and released the vehicle to the owner.

Theft – Suspect Arrested
May 16 at 12:34 a.m., officers were conducting extra patrol in the 900 block of W. Duarte when they contacted a male subject acting suspiciously. As they spoke with the male subject, an employee from a business advised the officers that the suspect had stolen merchandise from the store. The suspect admitted to stealing the merchandise. He was arrested for the theft.

Trespassing – Suspects Arrested
May 16 at 7:56 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 400 block of W. Duarte when he saw several subjects in the wash area in violation of posted no-trespassing signs. All the subjects were previously warned by officers not to trespass in the wash. All subjects were arrested and issued citations.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
May 16 at 1:54 p.m., a resident in the 800 block of W. Duarte reported her husband had battered her, causing visible injuries to her head. Officers and paramedics responded and the victim was treated for her injuries. After the investigation was completed, the suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
May 16 at 5:11 p.m., a caller reported a female motorist was stopped in traffic and slumped over in the driver's seat at the intersection of Magnolia and Huntington. Officers and paramedics responded. The subject was contacted and found to be heavily intoxicated. She was too intoxicated to perform field sobriety tests. She was arrested for DUI and held for a sobering period.

Resisting and Delaying a Peace Officer – Suspect Arrested
May 16 at 9:24 p.m., officers witnessed a subject fail to stop at the stop sign at Fifth and Chestnut. They were able to catch up to the vehicle and a traffic stop was initiated. The subject fled from the vehicle and hid underneath a truck parked in the 900 block of W. Olive. The subject ultimately came out from underneath the truck and was arrested for resisting and delaying a peace officer.

Attempt Grand Theft Auto
May 17 at 8:00 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 800 block of S. Alta Vista when he saw a vehicle that appeared to have been burglarized with the door lock broken. He stopped and looked inside the vehicle and found wires hanging from the ignition. The owner was located and reported the ignition system and door lock were not damaged when he parked the vehicle. It appears as if the suspect attempted to steal the vehicle, but was not successful. This investigation is continuing.

Attempt Grand Theft Auto
May 18 at 9:29 a.m., an officer responded to the 100 block of E. Chestnut regarding a vehicle burglary investigation. A preliminary investigation revealed the suspect punched the driver's door lock to gain access into the victim's vehicle. Once inside the vehicle, the suspect tampered with the ignition in attempt to start the vehicle, but was unsuccessful. The suspect was seen getting into a four door sedan, possibly a KIA Optima, before fleeing the area. The investigation is ongoing.

Mail Theft
May 18 at 1:03 p.m., officers responded to the 700 block of W. Foothill regarding a male suspect that was seen stealing a package from the front of a home. Officers arrived in the area but were unsuccessful in locating the suspect. This investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
May 18 at 4:30 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain regarding a male suspect detained by loss prevention officers for stealing a toolbox and tools. The suspect was positively identified and arrested for shoplifting.

Theft
May 18 at 6:23 p.m., an officer took a theft report of a catalytic converter over the phone. The theft occurred in the 300 block of E. Olive. This investigation is continuing.

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
May 18 at 10:48 p.m., the Monrovia Fire Department called police to report a disturbing subject attempting to enter the fire station in the 100 block of E. Lemon. The subject tried leaving on his bicycle by going up the stairs between the fire station and parking area. Officers made contact with the subject, who was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested.

Injury Traffic Collision
May 19 at 4:22 p.m., a vehicle traveling west at the intersection of California and Lemon failed to yield to a vehicle traveling north. One of the parties suffered a contusion on his head, but did not wish to be taken to a hospital.

Injury Traffic Collision
May 20 at 7:08 a.m., two vehicles collided in the intersection of California and Huntington after one of the vehicles failed to stop for the red traffic signal. Officers responded and issued a citation to the party at fault.

Counterfeit Money
May 20 at 10:32 a.m., a customer at a business in the 3000 block of S. Peck tried to pay for merchandise using counterfeit $20 dollar bills. Officers responded and detained the subject. It was determined that the subject did not know the bills were counterfeit. Investigation continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
May 20 at 11:12 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 100 block of Mauna Loa. The victim reported that his vehicle and attached trailer with a wave runner on it were taken sometime during the night. Officers responded and checked the area, but were unable to locate the missing vehicles. This investigation is continuing.

Hit and Run Traffic Collision
May 20 at 4:51 p.m., two vehicles were traveling south on Mountain near Evergreen. One of the drivers rear ended the vehicle stopped in front of him, then reversed and fled the scene. No injuries were reported. Officers responded and checked the area, but were unable to locate the suspect vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting
May 20 at 6:23 p.m., a suspect entered a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain and took several items without paying for them. The suspect pushed a cart with the items across the parking lot, but abandoned the cart when he saw loss prevention officers chasing after him. All the stolen items were recovered. This investigation is continuing

Lunch from Peach Cafe

Lunch today from Peach Cafe, on the north side of Colorado just west of Ivy. I got the Chicken Pesto Salad with a side of cornbread for $11. Very tasty and it looked good even in a box. https://www.thepeachcafe.com/

- Brad Haugaard 

Mark Twain Safe

Reader Anna Marie Hetman writes:

“My husband, who shall remain nameless, made sure Mark Twain is safe. Later he noticed people stopping to have their picture taken with him.”

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirrus Count: 128 - Up 2

Monrovia Coronavirus cases today from LA County Department of Public Health (https://is.gd/LcrzHl) :

Monrovia: 128 cases (up 2 from yesterday), 15 deaths (unchanged - https://is.gd/bmKPBb).

Unincorporated Monrovia: 17 cases (unchanged).

Brookdale Monrovia: 2 cases (unchanged), 1 death (unchanged).

Monrovia Gardens Healthcare Center: 74 (unchanged), 13 deaths (unchanged).

Monrovia Memorial Hospital:  24 cases (up 1) and 2 deaths (unchanged).

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Schools' Video Contribution to Virtual Monrovia Days

Here is Monrovia School District's video contribution to Virtual Monrovia Days:



- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 126

LA County Department of Public Health reports (https://is.gd/LcrzHl) Monrovia Coronavirus cases today:

Monrovia: 126 cases (up 3 from yesterday), 15 deaths (unchanged - https://is.gd/bmKPBb).

Unincorporated Monrovia: 17 cases (unchanged).

Brookdale Monrovia: 2 cases (unchanged), 1 death (up 1).

Monrovia Gardens Healthcare Center: 74 (up 6 since several days ago), 13 deaths (up 3).

Monrovia Memorial Hospital:  23 cases (up 1) and 2 deaths (unchanged).

COMMENT: I have to think that the County is recording cases at Monrovia assisted living facilities separately from cases elsewhere in Monrovia since there are 16 deaths at these Monrovia facilities but only 15 deaths listed for Monrovia, which otherwise doesn't make sense. If that is the case, there is actually a total of 225 cases in Monrovia (242 including unincorporated Monrovia), and 32 deaths.

- Brad Haugaard

No Weekend or Waterfall Access When Canyon Park Opens

Although Canyon Park opens on May 26, the waterfall, the most popular destination, will remain closed. City Manager Dylan Feik writes: "For the time being, the popular Waterfall Trail will remain closed. This trail is narrow and incredibly popular, making it incredibly difficult to ensure safe, social distancing when using the trail."

Also, the park will be closed on its most popular days, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. So it will be open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

It Will NOT Cost $5 to Visit Canyon Park - Just to Park

City Manager Dylan Feik writes:

"The City mistakenly reported that ALL park visitors must pay a $5 parking fee. This fee is a parking fee only and is charged to those parking at the park, not everyone using the park. This was a mistake and I am sorry for the confusion caused as we prepare for the park opening on Tuesday, May 26th.

- Brad Haugaard

Lucy'd Like to Be Yours ... But Don't Check Out Early

After her last three owners passed away, 11-year-old Lucy ended up at the shelter. Understandably, Lucy has some anxiety from losing three of her people, so she needs someone who’s willing to be patient with her, help her work through her anxiety, and give her stability. Lucy is a happy, affectionate dog who loves cuddling and being near her favorite people. She'd be a wonderful buddy for someone who works from home or enjoys a quiet weekend reading books on the couch. She just needs someone to take a chance on her!

The adoption fee for dogs is $140. All dog 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 at pasadenahumane.org and fill out an online adoption application. Adoptions are by appointment only.

Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.

- Brad Haugaard

$5 Reservations Available to Canyon Park; Free and No Reservation for Trask and Beyond

Monrovia is now accepting online reservations to visit Canyon Park. It opens next Tuesday, May 26. The number of visitors is limited to 70, regardless of whether you drive, bike, or hike in, and an entry parking fee of $5 is required.

If you are going to the Trask Boy Scout Camp or beyond, you are exempt from both the fee and the reservation requirement.

Facemasks required, social distancing, some one-way loop trails, and more. See the video or click here for more details.

Hint: If you want to go on a weekend, I'd hop to it and make a reservation now. In pre-virus days it could get quite crowded on the weekends, and I suspect it'll be sold out, though the $5 entry fee will probably put a bit of a dent in the number of visitors.

Note: The city had earlier said the $5 fee would be for entry, but later made it clear it was for parking. I have changed the text here to reflect that. Also, I did not realize it will not be open weekends, so I scratched my comment about weekends.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 123, and 2 More Deaths, Total 15

LA County Department of Public Health reports (https://is.gd/LcrzHl) Monrovia Coronavirus cases today:

Monrovia: 123 cases (up 3 from yesterday), 15 deaths (up 2 - https://is.gd/bmKPBb).

Unincorporated Monrovia: 17 cases (unchanged).

Brookdale Monrovia: 2 cases (unchanged).

Monrovia Gardens Healthcare Center: For some reason the county has not included this facility for a couple days. When last listed, there were 68 cases and 10 deaths.

Monrovia Memorial Hospital:  22 cases (up 2) and 2 deaths (unchanged).

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 123

LA County Department of Public Health reports (https://is.gd/LcrzHl) Monrovia Coronavirus cases today:

Monrovia: 123 cases (up 3 from yesterday), 13 deaths (unchanged - https://is.gd/bmKPBb).

Unincorporated Monrovia: 17 cases (unchanged).

Brookdale Monrovia: 2 cases (unchanged).

Monrovia Gardens Healthcare Center: For some reason the county did not include this facility in its listing today. When last listed, there were 68 cases and 10 deaths.

Monrovia Memorial Hospital:  20 cases (unchanged) and 2 deaths (unchanged).

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Church Services

This is a list of online church services today in Monrovia. There are some I could not find information about or that I just missed. If you know of others, please let me know (Include a link and times of services.)

Calvary Chapel Monrovia, or on Facebook  (1307 S Myrtle) -  10 a.m.

Calvary Road Baptist Church (319 West Olive Ave) 10:45 a.m., 6 p.m.

Fellowship Monrovia (Monrovia High) - 9 and 11 a.m.

First Lutheran (1227 S Magnolia) 9 a.m.

First Presbyterian (Foothill and Myrtle) - 10 a.m.

Hope Unlimited Church (1900 Walker Ave) - 10 a.m., 11:20 a.m., 12:40 p.m.

IFGF (Palm and Primrose) 10:30 a.m.

Mountainside Communion Church (Colorado and Magnolia) 10 a.m.

Second Baptist Church, or on Facebook (925 S Shamrock) - 10:45 a.m.

Vineyard (223 S Encinitas Ave) - 10 a.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 120

LA County Department of Public Health reports (https://is.gd/LcrzHl) Monrovia Coronavirus cases today:

Monrovia: 120 cases (up 6 from yesterday), 13 deaths (unchanged - https://is.gd/bmKPBb).

Unincorporated Monrovia: 17 cases (up 2)

Brookdale Monrovia: 2 cases (unchanged).

Monrovia Gardens Healthcare Center: 68 (up 5), 10 deaths (unchanged)

Monrovia Memorial Hospital:  20 cases (up 1) and 2 deaths (up 1).

- Brad Haugaard

School Board President Urges Monrovians to Protest Shutting Down of Drive-Through Graduation

The LA County Department of Health decided that school districts may NOT have drive-through graduation ceremonies, such as Monrovia is planning  (see here), so School Board President Rob Hammond is encouraging Monrovians to contact County Supervisor Kathryn Barger to urge her to allow the ceremony to go on.

Hammond writes that the planned graduation "adheres to all Health Department guidelines," but at the 11th hour the department ordered that "drive-thru graduation plans are not allowed even if they meet the social distancing criteria we are all abiding by. "

"It's time," he writes, "for our community to advocate for our seniors, 8th and 5th grade promoting classes. The School Board, Superintendent, high school administrators and staff have worked tirelessly to create a safe plan which had been approved by MPD, FPD and the School Board to celebrate our graduating class in a meaningful but safe way.

"The decision [forbidding the ceremony] was made by a non-elected official without the knowledge of LA County Supervisor, Kathryn Barger.  Please let her know how you feel about this decision.  She can be contacted at (213) 974-5555 or (626)356-5407.  I personally have tweeted her @kathrynbarger."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 114

LA County Department of Public Health reports (https://is.gd/LcrzHl) Monrovia Coronavirus cases today:

Monrovia: 114 cases (up 6 from yesterday), 9 deaths (County website fussy, not sure if 9 is accurate - https://is.gd/bmKPBb).

Unincorporated Monrovia: 15 cases (unchanged)

Brookdale Monrovia (assisted living facility): 2 cases (unchanged).

Monrovia Gardens Healthcare Center: 63 (down 1 [Changed to a death?]), 10 deaths (up 1 from yesterday)

Monrovia Memorial Hospital:  19 cases (up 1) and 2 deaths (up 1).

City Council member Becky Shevlin says the county will begin giving "recovered" stats next week. I'll report them.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Hotels Down to 10-15% Occupancy

Monrovia City staff reports that it "recently reached out to each hotel operator to understand the impacts of the Stay At Home Order on their revenues. Based on that contact, hotel occupancy rates have essentially gone from 80-90% occupancy, which is the norm for Monrovia, to 10-15% occupancy."

- Brad Haugaard

Budgeting in a Time of Coronavirus

How do you calculate a city budget in light of the Safer at Home rules?

Well, you can start with, It's not good, or, as a city staff report (https://is.gd/MXA14U) puts it, "it has unfortunately had a negative economic impact on our residents, businesses, and, ultimately, the City of Monrovia."

And, due to these "unprecedented times, there is no previous financial model to use as a guide to project the exact impact on the City's revenues."

So there's a bit of guesswork involved, and city staff guesstimates that if you do not include Measure K sales tax revenue, the city will end the 2019-2020 fiscal year with a deficit of approximately $556,000. If you add Measure K revenue in, it becomes a surplus of $244,000.

A few interesting guesstimates:

~ Regular sales tax will be down by $1.4 million.

~ But the city will get more money from Amazon and other online retailers.

~ Measure K revenue will be $800,000 instead of the expected $1,150,000.

~  Auto dealerships are now open, which will help with sales tax. Monrovia gets about 35% of its sales tax from them.

~ Hotel bed taxes (Transient Occupancy Tax) will fall $575,777 short of the expected $2,253,257.

If you're a financial geek, more here: https://is.gd/MXA14U

- Brad Haugaard