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- Brad Haugaard
Ceramic Sale By Local Artists - Dec. 2 and 3
LAST Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 52 New Cases, No New Deaths
This will be the last Coronavirus report unless the infection rate or death rate really pick up. If you'd like to continue following it, click on the link below to the LA Department of Public Health.
City of Monrovia: 10,782 cases (up 52), 110 deaths (unchanged)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 1,144 cases (up 3), 5 deaths (unchanged)
- Brad Haugaard
Compete for Prizes During 'Chalksgiving'
Register today here to pick up a free chalk kit including a 30-piece box of chalk, then have fun on Thanksgiving weekend creating art with family and friends with the theme, "What We're Thankful For."
Submit photos of your artwork (one with the art alone and one with those who created it) by midnight on November 27 to christine@monroviafinearts.org.
Compete for prizes: $50 restaurant gift cards.
For more information email christine@monroviafinearts.org.
- Brad Haugaard
A Moment in Monrovia History: Pacific Electric Car Comes to Monrovia in 1903
First Pacific Electric Car into Monrovia. March 1, 1903 marked the beginning of service by the Pacific Electric Railway to Monrovia and this is the first car. In 1907 service was extended to Duarte, Azusa and Glendora and the completion of the PE Depot in Monrovia. At first, as shown here, there was only a single track, double track came later. The track crossing the PE tract as shown here was that of the Myrtle Ave Street Railway, the 'horse car' line of the early days. From the Myron Hotchkiss collection. See full details here.
Grow Monrovia Concerned About Bradbury Street Widening Project on Monrovia Border
The area being considered for widening is Wildrose Avenue and Bradbury Road between the entrance to Bradbury Estates and Winding Oak Lane.
In its staff report, Bradbury says that the curvy, narrow road "presents hazards and challenges to large moving trucks, horse trailers, and construction vehicles entering and exiting the Estates main entrance" and that that problem is made worse because large vehicles are not allowed to use the narrow Wild Rose bridge in Monrovia to approach the estates entrance.
Grow Monrovia is concerned that the project will change the scenic character of Wildrose and Bradbury, that Monrovians will lose one of the few shaded walkways in east Monrovia, that it will result in more traffic, particularly for heavy trucks, that there will be more pollution and noise, and that oak trees will be removed (Bradbury says 11 oak trees "will be impacted by construction").
The Bradbury City Council meets tomorrow, Tuesday, 7 p.m. at 600 Winston Avenue, in Bradbury. Agenda and staff report: t.ly/6S9i. The staff report begins on page 36. Grow Monrovia's report is here: t.ly/gxDu
- Brad Haugaard
City Historian's Houses to Become Bed and Breakfast
The Monrovia firm, Saxony Design Build (https://www.saxonydesignbuild.com/), which specializes in historic restoration, plans to refurbish the two historic homes owned by former City Historian Steve Baker, and turn them in to a bed and breakfast.
During a tour of the two homes, which are side-by-side on the east side of Ivy just south of City Hall, Saxony representative Joshua Cain said “everything will be authentic” to the old style, that the B&B would have 11 guest rooms in the two buildings and a small bungalow that will replace the modern garage, a dining area for special events, an area in front of the north building (the Blair House) for small weddings, and - city permitting - a small coffee shop on the south side of the south building.
He said the “breakfast” part of the bed-and-breakfast may be a voucher to various restaurants in Old Town. Cain said they plan to complete the project by the end of next year.
Monrovia Historic Preservation Group President Jim Wigdon said because of Saxony’s reputation for quality historic restorations, they are the “perfect ones to take over restoration of Steve’s homes.”
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Celebrates Veterans Day
- Brad Haugaard
City's Budget 'Extremely Positive'; Giving City Manager a Raise; Working on Water System's Electrical System; Etc.
~ Receive a quarterly budget report showing the city is doing a $6.54 million better financially than expected. From the report: "The preliminary outlook for the City's General Fund for Fiscal Year 2021-22 is extremely positive. As City Council will recall, based on the Revised Fiscal Year 2021-22 Budget, presented in May 2022, the General Fund was originally expected to close the year with a $2.87M surplus. However, due to a series of one-time revenues received during the year, a strong overall performance in many revenues, and savings in expenditure budgets, there is an estimated surplus of $6.54M for the 2021-22 Fiscal Year. The majority of the positive variance to budget is due to strong revenues exceeding expectations and the collection of several one-time revenues during the year, making up $2.67M of the variance to budget. Additionally, savings in maintenance and operations expenditures contributed $0.99M to this positive ending position. Most savings in this category is due to staff's diligent management of departmental operating budgets (i.e., only spending what was necessary)." t.ly/SWPF
~ Consider bumping City Manager Dylan Feik's salary up by five percent, from $227,115 to $238,471. t.ly/-Rba
~ Consider hiring Mel Smith Electric to replace the electrical equipment that runs the city's water system. "The current electrical system has reached the end of its useful life, with at least one switchgear reaching such an advanced stage of decline that multiple electrical contractors have refused to service the equipment due to safety concerns." The contract is for $2,977,940 with a contingency amount up to $297,794. t.ly/-Ct2
~ Receive a report on the city's response to recommendations of its ad hoc Committee on Equity and Inclusion, formed in the wake of the killing of George Floyd. The committee "did not find or identify any policies, practices or procedures which present barriers to diversity, equity and inclusion" but still made 48 recommendations. This is a report on the city's progress on those recommendations: t.ly/Vd4M
~ Consider updating the city's building code by adopting the 2022 edition of the California Building Code and the 2022 California Fire Code. t.ly/30Zc
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Police: Lots of Alcohol or Drug Incidents; Man Breaks Windows, Steals Cash in Register; Multiple Shots Fired on Peck Road; Etc.
Municipal Code Violations – Suspects Arrested
November 2 at 1:35 a.m., while on patrol an officer saw three subjects in a park in the 600 block of S. Shamrock after hours. The subjects were arrested, cited and released at the scene.
Vandalism
November 3 at 9:00 a.m., a vandalism was reported in the 400 block of Hurstview. The caller reported a home window was broken. This investigation is continuing.
Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
November 3 at 1:08 p.m., an officer saw a suspect acting suspicious near a train platform in the 1600 block of S. Primrose. Officers detained the suspect and determined the suspect had a warrant. He was arrested and taken into custody.
Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
November 3 at 4:16 p.m., officers responded to a family disturbance in the 200 block of W. Cherry. Officers contacted the suspect and determined he was too intoxicated to care for himself. He was arrested and transported to the Monrovia Police Department jail to be held for a sobering period.
Vandalism
November 3 at 9:56 p.m., a caller reported she had parked her vehicle in the 700 block of Genoa. Several hours later she returned to her vehicle and saw that someone had scratched it. This investigation is continuing.
Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
November 3 at 11:47 p.m., an officer observed a traffic violation in the area of Primrose and Maple and pulled the vehicle over. The driver displayed signs of intoxication and a DUI investigation revealed the driver was under the influence. The driver was arrested and transported to the Monrovia Police Department.
Domestic Violence
November 4 at 9:10 p.m., a resident in the 200 block of E. Cherry reported her ex-boyfriend arrived at her home to retrieve personal belongings. They started arguing and he hit her causing an injury. The suspect fled the scene. Officers searched for the suspect, but could not locate him. This investigation is continuing.
Non-Injury Traffic Collision
November 4 at 9:49 p.m., a caller reported two motorists collided into one another at the intersection of Ivy and Chestnut. Officers arrived and found no one was injured. The driver found to be at fault was issued a citation.
Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
November 4 at 10:32 p.m., employees of a coffee shop in the 200 block of W. Huntington reported a female subject was on their property, passed out and heavily intoxicated. Officers arrived and determined she was unable to care for herself. She was arrested and taken to the Monrovia Police Department.
Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
November 5 at 12:14 a.m., while on patrol in the area of Colorado and Magnolia an officer saw a motorist commit a driving violation. The officer stopped the motorist and found the driver to be intoxicated. The driver was arrested.
Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
November 5 at 7:04 p.m., a disturbance was reported in the 600 block of W. Huntington. Officers arrived and determined that a couple had been arguing while driving. The argument escalated and the female punched the male subject. She was arrested and taken into custody.
Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
November 6 at 12:12 a.m., while on patrol in the area of Myrtle and Evergreen an officer saw a motorist commit a driving violation. The officer stopped the motorist and found the driver to be intoxicated. The driver was arrested and taken to the Monrovia Police Department.
Warrant Arrests – Suspects Arrested
November 6 at 8:50 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 300 block of W. Huntington regarding suspicious male subjects. Officers arrived and during the investigation determined one of the subjects had multiple warrants for his arrest. The second subject was on parole and during the investigation lied about his identity. He was arrested for parole violation and taken into custody.
Assault with a Deadly Weapon
November 6 at 12:15 a.m., several callers reported hearing multiple shots in the 1800 block of S. Peck. Officers arrived and conducted an area search for a male suspect. No one was struck by the gunshots. This investigation is continuing.
Commercial Burglary
November 7 at 12:51 a.m., a witness in the 100 block of W. Foothill reported a male adult approach a business and throw a rock through a front window. The male entered the business and left shortly after. Officers conducted an area search for the suspect but he was not located. The loss was loose change from the register. This investigation is continuing.
Non-Injury Traffic Collision
November 7 at 1:09 p.m., an officer was patrolling the area of Monterey and Huntington when he saw a traffic accident that had just occurred. No injuries reported. The driver at fault had no valid license and was issued a citation.
Fire
November 7 at 5:37 p.m., a structure fire was reported in the 600 block of E. Colorado. Officers arrived and evacuated a male subject. They were unable to get inside to try and extinguish the fire due to the smoke being too thick. Officers blocked off the surrounding streets to allow the Monrovia Fire Department to move in.
Drug Activity – Suspect Arrested
November 9 at 1:31 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 1600 block of S. Myrtle and observed a subject in a park after hours. The officer contacted the subject and during the investigation discovered the subject was in possession of a controlled substance. The subject was arrested, cited and released on the scene.
Overdose
November 9 at 1:45 a.m., while on patrol officers noticed shoes protruding out of bushes behind a gas station in the 1500 block of S. Myrtle. During an investigation officers discovered a male subject displaying symptoms of an overdose. The officers delivered four doses of Narcan and he began breathing better. Paramedics responded and transported him to a local hospital.
Non-Injury Traffic Collision
November 9 at 8:35 a.m., officers responded to a traffic collision in the area of Eighth and Duarte. A vehicle pulled out onto Duarte and didn't see the other vehicle approaching. The driver at fault was unlicensed. She was issued a citation and her vehicle was stored.
Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
November 9 at 8:44 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 100 block of E. Olive for a welfare check. An elderly female's daughter had moved all her belongings into the location without permission. Officers arrived and a computer check revealed she had an outstanding warrant for her arrest. She was arrested and taken to the Monrovia Police Department.
Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
November 9 at 1:43 p.m., a caller reported a female in the 100 block of N. Garfield had a warrant for her arrest. Officers responded to the location and made contact with the subject. An investigation revealed there was a warrant for her arrest. The subject was arrested per the authority of the warrant and taken to the Monrovia Police Department.
Trespassing / Possession of Stolen Property – Suspects Arrested
November 9 at 11:49 p.m., a security guard in the 200 block of W. Evergreen reported subjects in a vacant home. Officers arrived to the location and contacted several subjects who were not authorized to be there. During the investigation it was discovered that one of the subjects was on active parole and another was in possession of stolen property and drugs. Both subjects were arrested without incident.
Commercial Burglary
November 7 at 12:51 a.m., a witness in the 100 block of W. Foothill reported a male adult approach a business and throw a rock through a front window. The male entered the business and left shortly after. Officers conducted an area search for the suspect but he was not located. The loss was loose change from the register. This investigation is continuing.
Non-Injury Traffic Collision
November 7 at 1:09 p.m., an officer was patrolling the area of Monterey and Huntington when he saw a traffic accident that had just occurred. No injuries reported. The driver at fault had no valid license and was issued a citation.
Fire
November 7 at 5:37 p.m., a structure fire was reported in the 600 block of E. Colorado. Officers arrived and evacuated a male subject. They were unable to get inside to try and extinguish the fire due to the smoke being too thick. Officers blocked off the surrounding streets to allow the Monrovia Fire Department to move in.
Drug Activity – Suspect Arrested
November 9 at 1:31 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 1600 block of S. Myrtle and observed a subject in a park after hours. The officer contacted the subject and during the investigation discovered the subject was in possession of a controlled substance. The subject was arrested, cited and released on the scene.
Overdose
November 9 at 1:45 a.m., while on patrol officers noticed shoes protruding out of bushes behind a gas station in the 1500 block of S. Myrtle. During an investigation officers discovered a male subject displaying symptoms of an overdose. The officers delivered four doses of Narcan and he began breathing better. Paramedics responded and transported him to a local hospital.
Non-Injury Traffic Collision
November 9 at 8:35 a.m., officers responded to a traffic collision in the area of Eighth and Duarte. A vehicle pulled out onto Duarte and didn't see the other vehicle approaching. The driver at fault was unlicensed. She was issued a citation and her vehicle was stored.
Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
November 9 at 8:44 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 100 block of E. Olive for a welfare check. An elderly female's daughter had moved all her belongings into the location without permission. Officers arrived and a computer check revealed she had an outstanding warrant for her arrest. She was arrested and taken to the Monrovia Police Department.
Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
November 9 at 1:43 p.m., a caller reported a female in the 100 block of N. Garfield had a warrant for her arrest. Officers responded to the location and made contact with the subject. An investigation revealed there was a warrant for her arrest. The subject was arrested per the authority of the warrant and taken to the Monrovia Police Department.
Trespassing / Possession of Stolen Property – Suspects Arrested
November 9 at 11:49 p.m., a security guard in the 200 block of W. Evergreen reported subjects in a vacant home. Officers arrived to the location and contacted several subjects who were not authorized to be there. During the investigation it was discovered that one of the subjects was on active parole and another was in possession of stolen property and drugs. Both subjects were arrested without incident.
By Tuesday We Should Be Reasonably Sure Whether Measure MM Passed
While the measure is currently ahead in the voting, having 58.69% of the vote, about 4% above the 55% needed to pass, there are still votes to be counted, and the county doesn't expect to certify the election results until December 5.
But we probably won't need to wait until then to have a good idea of whether it has passed.
I spoke with City Clerk Alice Atkins, who has had experience in numerous elections, and asked her when we could be reasonably certain of the results. Her best estimate - this coming Tuesday.
She wrote: "I think I'm comfortable saying that depending on the spread, results released next Tuesday could be a good indicator of whether Measure MM has the number of votes necessary to pass (55%). In my experience, following that count, the processing slows and changes are less dramatic, but in close races leads do sometimes flip.
"Also, according to the County, the number of mail ballot returns for MUSD is 6,527, with 1,889 still to be processed. Keep in mind, state law allows for mail ballots to be received up through Tuesday of next week, so long as they were postmarked no later than election day, so that number of outstanding ballots will change as the County continues to pick up mail."
- Brad Haugaard
Lunch at Peach Cafe
Lunch at Peach Cafe, near the corner of Colorado and Ivy. Got the Short Rib Grilled Cheese Sandwich for $13.95 and a coffee for $2.50. Very good.
- Brad Haugaard
School Bond Measure MM Well Ahead in Voting
- Brad Haugaard
No Flooding Apparent in North Monrovia at 5 PM
- Brad Haugaard
Low Water Landscaping Workshop Saturday
"In this workshop you will learn the benefits of native plants, how to use them in your landscape and you will help plant over 600 native plants to complete the meadow project." t.ly/atmN
Following the workshop there will be a native plant sale at the Monrovia Historic Museum at 742 E. Lemon.
- Brad Haugaard
Bucky is Everybody's Best Buddy
Bucky is a three-year old Siberian Husky who is ready to be your best buddy. His happy grin can’t help but make people smile, and he basks in all the attention he draws from everyone around.
It is said that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. The way to Bucky’s heart is through butt scratches. It’s his favorite thing in the world! He is very content to be the recipient of all the scritches and scratches that you can manage. Of course, he’s also a fan of treats, so don’t forget about those!
Buddy recently got to be an office dog for one of our staff members, and he had a great time! He really enjoyed looking out the window and watching people walk down the sidewalk. He also enjoyed greeting everyone who walked down the hall in front of the office. Bucky probably has a future career in hospitality!
If you’re looking for an extrovert who is ready for any party, Bucky’s your guy.
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
Monrovia's Xencor Reports $32.8 Million Third Quarter Loss
Monrovia's Xencor Inc. has reported a $32.8 million loss in its third quarter, or a loss of 55 cents per share. The company develops "engineered antibodies and cytokines for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases." t.ly/pI-k
- Brad Haugaard
A Moment in Monrovia History: Interior of Elegant First National Bank
First National Bank interior. From the Myron Hotchkiss collection. See full details here.
Last Surviving Monrovia VFW Veteran to Have Served in World War II Has Died
A letter by Robert Parry in remembrance of Norman Ross.
"I learned this morning that Norman Ross passed away recently. Norman was, notably, the last surviving World War II vet in the Monrovia VFW. He was in his 90s and (until I lost touch with him a couple of years ago, at least) still driving and enjoying libations at the post regularly.
"Norm was black and had lived in Monrovia for at least 50 years. He told me of the era -- in my life time -- when the city pool was segregated and he could only swim one day a week. This also means, of course, he served in the Navy when it was very segregated. Norm loathed false complaints of racism almost as much as actual racism.
"He was a character who will be missed."
Robert Parry
Possible Mudflows in North Monrovia; Sandbags Available
With the National Weather Service forecasting thunderstorms through Wednesday morning, L.A. County Department of Public Works issued a Phase 2 Debris and Mudflow Potential Forecast for the neighborhood of Ridgeside Drive and Oakglade Drive. This means moderate debris and mudflows are possible. LA County Department of Public Works and the Monrovia Public Works Department will respond to any mud and debris flow.\
A limited number of prefilled gravel bags are available at the Monrovia Public Works Yard (600 Mountain Ave, Monrovia, CA 91016). Gravel is also available at Recreation Park (847 E Olive Ave, Monrovia, CA 91016). Gravel at Recreation Park is self-serve. The city will provide bags and gravel; residents must bring their own shovels, gloves, and eye protection. For questions, contact the Public Works Department at 932-5575.
- Brad Haugaard
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