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First Lutheran Preschool Re-opening

First Lutheran Preschool is re-opening. It is accepting enrollments for children from 2 to 5 years old.

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Nano Cafe

Lunch at Nano Cafe, on the north side of Duarte Road just east of Mayflower. Got the Santa Fe Chicken Sandwich for $14.99 and an iced tea for $3.49. Really good, both sandwich and pasta salad  

- Brad Haugaard 

Sweet, Calm Gidget Searching for Forever Home


Six-year-old Gidget is a sweet and calm cat in search of her loving forever home. This beautiful girl loves being petted, and even allows baths and brushing! Gidget has gotten along with other cats before and would be a wonderful addition to your family.

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 an adoption appointment at pasadenahumane.org. Adoptions are by appointment only, and new adoption appointments are available every Sunday and Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.

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

- Brad Haugaard

School Board Member Travanti Receives 'Woman of Distinction' Award

Monrovia School Board member Maritza Travanti received her "Woman of Distinction" plaque from Assembly Member Chris Holden over the weekend. The award highlights women who significantly impacted the lives of individuals and organizations in the 41st Assembly District.

- Brad Haugaard

Auction to Benefit Parks - Jimi Hendrix Photo, Police and Fire Gift Baskets, and Lots More

Monrovia Parks, Wilderness, and Recreation Foundation is holding an online auction today through July 31. A few items: dinner and cocktails at Caltech Athenaeum, bicycle-churned ice cream, laser teeth whitening, a Police Department Gift Basket,  and, not to be outdone, a Fire Department gift basket, a Jimi Hendrix Tribute 3D collage framed photo, and lots more. Here: https://tny.im/nmaPJ

- Brad Haugaard

Local Pastor Gives ‘Verse of the Day’ on Popular Bible App

Albert Tate, pastor of the very large Fellowship Church in Monrovia, that meets at Monrovia High, gave last Saturday's “Verse of the Day” video message on the very popular YouVersion Bible app, which has been downloaded by about 100 million people.

- Brad Haugaard 

A Moment in Monrovia History: Christmas Parade

Christmas Parade. The reindeer entry. From the Kim Anderson 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

School District Lists Possible Uses for Proposed $75 Million Bond It's Thinking of Issuing

At its next meeting (agenda: https://tny.im/9UPDh) the Monrovia Board of Education will consider putting a $75 million bond measure on the November ballot that will cost property owners approximately $30 per $100,000 of assessed valuation (not market price), though Superintendent Ryan Smith notes that this information "is based upon the District's projections and estimates only, which are not binding upon the District. The actual tax rates, debt service and the years in which they will apply may vary from those presently estimated."

The district's staff report (here: https://tny.im/tWDes) includes a proposed ballot statement, which says the purpose of the bond is "to repair/upgrade classrooms, science labs, career-training facilities, and instructional technology to support student achievement and college/career readiness in math, science, technology, engineering, arts and skilled trades; fix deteriorating roofs, plumbing, electrical systems; and improve school safety/security systems..."

The report says work may be done at any school facility, owned or leased, including  district administrative and support facilities, in whatever order the Board of Education decides. In some cases the district "may proceed with new replacement construction instead (including any necessary demolition), if the District determines that replacement and new construction is more practical than renovation, considering the building's age, condition, expected remaining life, comparative cost and other relevant factors."

Here is a more specific list of proposed projects:

  • Replace outdated and inefficient irrigation, electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, lighting and ventilation systems
  • Repair or replace deteriorating roofs
  • Upgrade older schools, buildings and restrooms to meet current health codes and building safety codes, and improve safety, accessibility and paths of travel for Americans with Disability Act compliance and disabled student access
  • Update playgrounds, sports fields, athletic facilities, courts, pools and asphalt surfacing; install all-weather turf as needed on athletic fields
  • Install fencing, gates, barriers and signage to improve controlled access to schools
  • Renovate school points of entry to improve campus security
  • Upgrade, replace or install communications systems, including intercom, emergency communications and/or master clock systems
  • Upgrade fire alarms
  • Install drought-tolerant landscape with efficient irrigation systems to save water and reduce utility costs
  • Install door and window hardware, locks and/or safety treatments
  • Install exterior security cameras
  • Renovate, reconfigure, reconstruct or replace and furnish/equip aging classrooms, offices, buildings, labs and learning spaces with educational and functional, flexible spaces, learning studios and maker spaces to accommodate 21st century learning methods
  • Construct, furnish and equip modern flexible classrooms and labs needed to support high quality instruction in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math
  • Acquire, upgrade and repair technology and communication infrastructure, including, without limitation, cabling and wireless infrastructure, network hardware and software, servers, and other shared access equipment such as digital whiteboards, document cameras, projectors, and printers
  • Acquire and upgrade software, computers, and other classroom instructional equipment
  • Acquire and install energy efficiency systems to reduce energy/utility costs
- Brad Haugaard

Gas-Checking Helicopter to Fly Over South Monrovia; City Jobs; Rebates on Water-Saving Devices


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

~ SoCalGas will be flying a Bell JetRanger helicopter back and forth in a lawnmower pattern from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. over parts of south Monrovia during the week of July 25. The company is checking for possible methane emissions,  which can now be done with new technology from 500 feet up.

~ The city is hiring a full time Development Services Technician ​​​​​ at $53,170 - $71,253 a year, and a full time Recreation Coordinator at $55,882 - $74,887 a year. https://tny.im/OJDQS

~ Get rebates on various indoor and outdoor water-saving appliances. Details: https://tny.im/GF2WD

- Brad Haugaard

City Offering Free Tree-Watering Bags


Beginning August 1, the City of Monrovia will offer residents and businesses the opportunity to receive free tree watering bags. Tree watering bags are most effective on newly planted trees and help prevent under or over watering but can also be used on mature trees. The bags are easy to use and helps save money on your utility bill all while helping conserve water! To request a free tree watering bag, call the Public Works Department at 932-5575.

- Brad Haugaard

Sergio Jimenez Selected to Fill Open City Council Seat

The Monrovia City Council on July 19 appointed Sergio Jimenez to fill the council seat vacated when Becky Shevlin was elected as Mayor. Jimenez placed fourth in the council election, after Larry Spicer, Tamala Kelly and Sashary Zaroyan.

- Brad Haugaard

Weekly Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 196 New Cases, One New Death

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 12 p.m., 07/20/2022. Changes since 07/13/2022.

City of Monrovia: 9,786 cases (up 196), 106 deaths (up 1)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 1,030 cases (up 20), 4 deaths (unchanged)

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Lots of Drugs and Alcohol, Thefts; Shoplifting; Catalytic Converters Stolen; and an Unlicensed Driver Hit Three Cars; Etc.

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

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 366 service events, resulting in 75 investigations.

Burglary
July 14 at 1:21 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 200 block of W. Foothill regarding an alarm. They arrived and saw the drive thru window was shattered. The investigation revealed a burglary occurred. This investigation is continuing.

Mental Evaluation / Resisting an Officer – Suspect Arrested
July 14 at 11:55 a.m., an employee from a business in the 700 block of Huntington reported a subject throwing items, threatening people, and hit a vehicle with a metal rod. When the officer contacted the subject, he was argumentative. The subject began walking towards that officer in an aggressive manner. The subject was resistive and trying to pull away. The subject had to be taken to the ground. No one was injured and the subject was taken to a local hospital for a mental evaluation.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
July 14 at 1:24 p.m., a shoplifting was reported in the 500 block of W. Huntington. An investigation revealed the suspect walked out of the store with food and other items, without paying. The subject was contacted by loss prevention outside and the suspect became argumentative. The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Grand Theft Auto
July 14 at 2:23 p.m., the victim called to report his vehicle was stolen while he was shopping in the 1600 block of S. Mountain. This investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
July 14 at 8:06 pm, a vehicle burglary was reported in the 700 block of E. Huntington. The caller reported someone had broken into his vehicle during the day. The officer arrived and discovered the vehicle's window had been smashed by the suspect. The victim's wallet was taken. This investigation is continuing.

Vandalism
July 14 at 11:59 pm, a caller reported the front door to his vacant property in the 200 block of W. Lime had been kicked down. The officer arrived and determined the door was purposely kicked causing moderate damage. This investigation is continuing.

Warrant Arrest
July 15 at 2:15 a.m., an officer saw a suspicious vehicle with two occupants in the area of Peck and Longden. The occupants were contacted and one was found to have two warrants for her arrest. She was arrested and released with a citation.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
July 15 at 3:25 a.m., an officer saw a vehicle driving on the roadway at 5 mph in the area of Peck and Duarte. The officer pulled up alongside the vehicle and saw the driver had a fixed stare and slow reactions to the light signals. The officer pulled the vehicle over and contacted the driver. The officer conducted a DUI investigation and determined the driver was intoxicated. The driver was arrested and transported to the Monrovia Police Department jail to be held for a sobering period.

Grand Theft
July 15 at 5:02 a.m., a caller reported his catalytic convertor was stolen from his vehicle in the 300 block of Stedman. This investigation is continuing.

Commercial Burglary
July 15 at 7:46 a.m., a commercial burglary was reported at a construction site in the 1600 block of S. Magnolia. An investigation revealed office equipment and plumbing parts were taken. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
July 15 at 8:34 a.m., a theft of a catalytic converter was reported in the 100 block of W. Walnut. The theft occurred sometime during the night. This investigation is continuing.

Warrant Arrest / Felon with Ammunition – Suspect Arrested
July 15 at 7:48 p.m., an officer stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation in the area of Myrtle and Duarte. A computer check of the driver revealed an outstanding warrant. The two passengers were on probation and parole. A search of the vehicle revealed a magazine with bullets. One passenger was arrested for felon in possession of ammunition and the other was arrested for drug paraphernalia. They were taken into custody.

Petty Theft / Resisting Arrest
July 15 at 9:23 p.m., while patrolling in the 1300 block of S. Mayflower, an officer saw a subject riding a bicycle carrying store items. When officers tried to stop him, he dropped the property and fled on foot. Officers were unable to locate the subject. The recovered items were stolen a business in the location. This investigation is continuing.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
July 16 at 2:51 a.m., a resident called to report a male subject laying in the alley to the rear of the 200 block of E. Olive. Officers arrived and found an intoxicated subject. He was arrested for public intoxication and transported to Monrovia Police Department Jail to be held for a sobering period.

Burglary
July 16 at 7:00 a.m., an employee arrived at work in the 1600 block of S. Mountain and noticed the glass in the front door was shattered. This investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
July 16 at 9:20 a.m., an injury traffic collision was reported in the 700 block of Foothill. A vehicle turned in front of a group of bicyclist and a collision occurred with a rider. A rider was transported to hospital with a minor head injury.

Vandalism / Court Order – Suspect Arrested
July 16 at 10:46 a.m., a reporting party in the 1100 block of Huntington reported a male subject vandalizing their property. He advised that there was a court order prohibiting the subject from being at the property. Officers responded and located the suspect nearby. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
July 16 at 2:14 p.m., an officer patrolling the 100 block of E. Chestnut saw a vehicle make an abrupt turn and expired registration. A traffic stop was conducted. It was determined that the driver was driving under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested and transported to the Monrovia Police Department jail to be held for a sobering period.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
July 16 at 4:28 p.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop for a vehicle code violation in the 200 block of E. Olive. The driver was identified and a computer check revealed he had multiple warrants for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence / Injury Traffic Collision Hit & Run – Suspect Arrested
July 16 at 7:19 p.m., a hit and run traffic collision was reported in the 300 block of W. Foothill. A vehicle failed to stop at a red signal and collided into another vehicle. The witnesses advised the driver fled on foot and were able to provide a description. Officers arrived and set up a containment. One party from the traffic collision was transported to a nearby hospital for non-life threatening injuries. An investigation revealed the suspect’s identity. The subject was located and he displayed signs and symptoms of intoxication. The subject was arrested and transported to the Monrovia Police Department jail.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
July 16 at 8:13 p.m., a caller reported an intoxicated subject getting into the driver seat of a parked vehicle in the area of Myrtle and Lime. Officers responded and observed the driver commit multiple vehicle code violations and was subsequently stopped. A DUI investigation revealed the driver was too intoxicated to operate a motor vehicle. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
July 16 at 11:07 p.m., a domestic violence was reported in the 200 block of S. Violet. The husband violently pushed his wife into a crib causing visible injuries. The husband was contacted at the residence. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
July 17 at 3:27 a.m., an officer was patrolling the area of Alta Vista and Short when he observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation. As the officer was speaking with the driver the officer noticed signs of the driver being intoxicated. A DUI investigation revealed that the driver was driving under the influence. He was arrested and transported to the Monrovia Police Department jail to be held for a sobering period.

Non-Injury Traffic Collision
July 17 at 8:31 a.m., a traffic collision was reported in the 1400 block of Alamitas. The caller reported a vehicle had struck three parked vehicles. The driver was issued a citation for being unlicensed.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
July 17 at 11:19 a.m., officers responded to a business in the 400 block of W. Foothill regarding a subject inside bothering employees and customers. The employee requested the subject be told not to come back to the location. While officers were talking with him, they determined he was under the influence of a narcotic and was a danger to himself. He was arrested and transported to the Monrovia Police Department jail to be held for a sobering period.

Commercial Burglary
July 17 at 2:27 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 2600 block of S. Myrtle regarding a commercial burglary. The victim arrived and saw the office window was shattered and desk drawers had been ransacked. This investigation is continuing.

Drug Activity
July 18 at 12:22 a.m., an officer patrolling in the 100 block of W. Pomona saw a vehicle parked in a parking lot with two subjects near it. He contacted the subjects and they told him they had meth and a meth pipe in their vehicle. Evidence was seized and the case will be presented to the DAs office for filing.

Vandalism
July 18 at 4:34 p.m., a victim called to say the window to his vehicle was shattered in the 200 block of W. Foothill. Several items were taken from the vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Trespassing
July 18 at 4:48 p.m., the manager of a store in the 100 block of Foothill reported a subject was inside who had been asked numerous times to leave. The subject was gone prior to officers’ arrival. This investigation is continuing.

Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
July 19 at 1:57 a.m., while patrolling the 700 block of E. Huntington, an officer saw a vehicle parked in a parking lot. A computer check of the registered owner revealed an attempt robbery warrant. The suspect was arrested on taken into custody.

Alcohol Offense
July 19 at 8:24 a.m., the R/P phoned to say a subject was in front of a store in the 300 block of W. Huntington, drinking a beer and asking customers for money. Officers arrived and he had an open container of beer. The subject was issued a citation for having an open container and moved along.

Trespass / Theft – Suspect Arrested
July 19 at 11:38 a.m., a subject walked into a business in the 100 block of W. Foothill and selected a drink from the shelf. He opened it and drank it in the store. He was arrested and released with a citation.

Shoplifting / Drug Offense – Suspect Arrested
July 19 at 4:50 p.m., a shoplifting was reported in a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington. The caller reported a male subject exit the business with handbags without paying for them. Officers arrived and detained the subject. The handbags were recovered and the subject was positively identified. A search of his property revealed drugs and drug paraphernalia. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Non-Injury Traffic Accident
July 19 at 5:03 p.m., a non-injury traffic collision was reported in the 400 block of W. Foothill. Officers arrived and spoke to both drivers.

Weapon Offense – Suspect Arrested
July 19 at 3:11 a.m., while on patrol in the area of Duarte and Peck, an officer saw a group of five subjects. The subjects saw the officer and ran. Assisting officers responded and located the subjects to the rear. The subjects were all juveniles. One juvenile was in possession of a loaded firearm. The subjects were cited for curfew and released to their guardians. The male with the firearm was transported to the station where he was released to his mother.

Fraud
July 20 at 10:26 a.m., a resident in the 200 block of W. Lemon called to report that she suffered fraud on two different bank accounts. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
July 20 at 10:43 a.m., a victim in the 900 block of S. Fifth reported his vehicle’s catalytic converter was stolen overnight. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
July 20 at 12:20 p.m., a grand theft was reported in the 200 block of W. Huntington. The victim report the catalytic converter and oxygen sensor were stolen from his vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Tampering:
July 20 at 6:55 p.m., a victim in the 500 block of E. Maple reported her vehicle had been tampered with. An officer responded and saw the lock, on the driver's door, had been drilled. This investigation is continuing.

Fraud
July 20 at 8:53 p.m., a fraud was reported in the 800 block of S. Canyon. The victim reported that she works from home. She had received emails, from whom she believed was her supervisor, instructing her to purchase Apple gift cards for some clients. She did so, believing her supervisor would reimburse her. She emailed the card information to the suspects. She then discovered it was not her boss asking for the gift cards. This investigation is continuing.

Drug Activity:
July 20 at 10:21 p.m., an officer patrolling the area of Magnolia and Central saw a subject riding a bicycle commit a traffic violation. A traffic stop was conducted and the subject was found to be in possession of numerous syringes and methamphetamine. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Back to School Backpack and School Supplies Giveaway

Darden Law & Leadership Academy and Simply Divine Beauty Supply are sponsoring a Back-to-School Backpack and Supplies Give Away for K-12 students only. Students must register to receive a backpack. Details: https://tny.im/2kDDI

- Brad Haugaard

City Looking for New City Treasurer

With the death of City Treasurer Steve Baker, the office of City Treasurer has become vacant and the City Council will appoint a new one. If you are interested, here's the details: https://tny.im/DuOU

- Brad Haugaard

Meet Monrovia Police at National Night Out Aug. 2

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police and community partnerships. Music, food, and raffles with a chance to get to know members of the Monrovia Police Department.

- Brad Haugaard

Former Mayor Tom Adams Becomes President of Rotary Club

Former Monrovia Mayor Tom Adams has stepped down from being mayor and has stepped up to being president of Rotary Club of Monrovia. https://tny.im/RiIak 

- Brad Haugaard

Breakfast at Café de Olla

Breakfast at Café de Olla. Got the Omelette Supreme for $14.75. Bacon, avocado, and jack cheese. Also a Café de Olla (spicy Mexican style coffee) for $4.75. Good  

- Brad Haugaard 

Mookie: Former Stray Ready for a Loving Family


One-year-old Mookie is a former stray who’s ready to live a happy life with a loving family! Mookie is an active dog who enjoys enrichment activities, chew toys, and games of fetch. With a little bit of time to get to know new people, Mookie is affectionate and playful! This sweet and fun dog would love to go home with you! 

The adoption fee for dogs is $150. 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 and schedule an adoption appointment at pasadenahumane.org. Adoptions are by appointment only, and new adoption appointments are available every Sunday and Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.

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

- Brad Haugaard

School District Considering Asking Voters to Approve a $75 Million Bond


The Monrovia School Board is apparently interested in asking Monrovia voters to approve a 30-year bond for $75 million that would cost property owners $30 per $100,000 of accessed value. The full repayment cost for the bond would be $141 million.

The board will hold a special but open meeting tomorrow, Wednesday, at 5:30 p.m. in the superintendent's office, to receive a general report on issuing bonds with suggestions for "Next Steps Towards a Potential November 2022 General Obligation Bond Measure." 

The report does not indicate what the district wants to use the money for.

Details: https://tny.im/7z5de

- Brad Haugaard