Monrovia Public Library is hosting two free workshops this month.
On June 20, from noon to 2 p.m., an Induction Cooking Workshop (ages 18+) will feature samples from a Latin-Asian fusion menu and information on borrowing an induction cooktop through the Library of Things collection.
On June 22, from 5 to 7 p.m., a Wildfire Ecology, Evacuation Readiness, and Your Community workshop will cover wildfire ecology, evacuation planning, and household preparedness steps.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Canyon Park will host its Annual Family Hike and Campout at Fireman's Flat Picnic Area from June 27 at noon through noon on June 28. Campfires, s'mores, guided day and night hikes, story time with Monrovia Library, and family activities. A barbecue dinner and pancake breakfast are included. Registration is $123 per 10' x 10' campsite (maximum 4 people). Space is limited. For more information, call Canyon Park staff at 256-8282.
- Brad Haugaard
The Monrovia Police Department is hosting a free Touch-A-Truck event on June 14, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Monrovia Community Center. Children and families can explore police cars, fire trucks, and other vehicles up close. Officers and firefighters will be present, along with vendors serving the autism community.
- Brad Haugaard
The Monrovia Parks, Wilderness, and Recreation Foundation (MPWR) is hosting a fundraiser at BJ's Restaurant in Arcadia, on June 24, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Show the flyer or enter code JUN317 when ordering online, and 20% of your purchase will be donated to MPWR.
- Brad Haugaard
If you ride the train, LA Metro has released a new mobile app that combines trip planning, service alerts, and fare information. It includes service alerts for buses and trains, regional trip planning, bike share and Metro Micro locations, TAP vendor locations, and station amenities.
- Brad Haugaard
A road closure will be in effect at Myrtle Avenue, south of Huntington Drive, June 16-19. Avoid the area. Additional traffic delays are expected at the Huntington Drive/California and Huntington Drive/Shamrock intersections through June.
- Brad Haugaard
~ Consider buying two new fire engines, Pierce Enforcer Triple Combination Engines, for $2.93 million, with a $293,000 contingency amount. The engines will replace two reserve fire engines that are approaching their 25-year frontline lifespan. One is 24 years old and the other is 18 years old. Details. https://www.monroviaca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/40571
~ Receive a financial report saying that while the city is running a deficit, its finances are in decent shape, but rising pension and operating costs are a problem.
The city expects a General Fund deficit of about $2.4 million in 2026-27, an improvement from the $2.65 million deficit projected when the two-year budget was adopted. Revenues are projected at $62.8 million and expenditures at $65.2 million.
Property tax revenue continues to grow, hotel tax revenue remains strong, but sales tax revenue has largely flattened. The city's biggest financial challenge is rising pension costs, with annual payments toward its unfunded CalPERS liability increasing from $1.38 million in 2024-25 to $3.89 million in 2026-27, with another increase expected next year.
To help close the gap, the City plans fee increases, delayed hiring, contract reviews, grant applications, and continued contributions to its pension stabilization trust. Details.
~ Consider proclaiming June 19 as Juneteenth National Freedom Day and June 19-25 as National Mosquito Control Awareness Week.
~ The city will also hold a study session at 6 p.m. on the economic development and business climate in Monrovia, and have a "Communications Overview." Details.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Library annual patron survey, May 29–June 30
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
VFW Post 2070 BBQ & Car Show, June 13
Stories from Latin America at the Library, June 13
MAP Block Party at Julian Fisher Park, June 13
Smoothie Social at the Library for children, June 15
Summer Solstice Garden Party, June 20
San Gabriel Valley Choral Company Celebrates 30th Anniversary June 20
Summer Solstice Garden Party at Monrovia Community Garden, June 20
Peace Camp at OASIS, June 22–26
Wildfire ecology and evacuation workshop, June 22
Fire Resilient Gardening workshop June 27
Arthur Blair Historic Inn Grand Opening July 4 in Monrovia
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
SIGNIFICANT INCIDENTS
JUNE 4
Grand Theft
At 7:11 a.m., a victim in the 900 block of El Dorado reported the catalytic converter from her vehicle was stolen. This investigation is continuing.
Shoplifting
At 12:59 p.m., an employee from a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington reported a shoplifting incident. The suspect was gone prior to officers' arrival. This investigation is continuing.
Assault with a Deadly Weapon
At 4:13 p.m., a resident in the 1000 block of Royal Oaks reported an assault. An investigation revealed the victim and a relative were involved in an argument when the relative produced a knife, thrust it toward the victim and threatened to kill him. The suspect fled shortly after. The relative was gone prior to officers' arrival. This investigation is continuing.
JUNE 5
Grand Theft Auto
At 7:02 a.m., a victim in the 600 block of E. Lemon reported his vehicle stolen. This investigation is continuing.
Vehicle Burglary
At 12:10 p.m., a caller in the 100 block of E. Chestnut reported his vehicle window was smashed and money was stolen. This investigation is continuing.
Shoplifting
At 4:51 p.m., an employee from a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington reported a shoplifting incident. This investigation is continuing.
Grand Theft – Suspects Arrested
At 7:45 p.m., employees from a store in the 700 block of E. Huntington reported two female subjects were concealing merchandise. Officers arrived and located the subjects outside. They were arrested and taken into custody.
JUNE 6
Shoplifting / Drug Offense – Suspect Arrested
At 9:06 p.m., a loss prevention officer for a store in the 500 block of W. Huntington reported a shoplifting in progress. Officers arrived and located the subject outside the store. An investigation confirmed the theft and he was also found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested and taken into custody.
Drug Offense – Suspect Arrested
At 11:25 p.m., while patrolling the area of Duarte and Mountain an officer saw a vehicle in violation of a vehicle code. An investigation revealed the driver was in possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. The driver was arrested and taken into custody.
JUNE 7
Public Intoxication – Suspects Arrested
At 3:20 a.m., a noise disturbance involving occupants of a parked vehicle was reported in the 300 block of E. Olive. Officers arrived and made contact with the occupants. An investigation revealed two of the occupants were heavily intoxicated and unable to care for themselves. They were both arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.
Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
At 5:11 a.m., a resident in the 100 block of W. Cypress reported her ex-boyfriend was outside, intoxicated. Officers arrived and made contact with the subject. An investigation revealed he was too intoxicated to care for himself. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.
Domestic Violence
At 10:40 a.m., a victim in the 300 block of May reported that his child's mother grabbed him violently and hit him. The victim suffered injuries and was transported to a hospital for treatment. The suspect was gone prior to officers' arrival. This investigation is continuing.
JUNE 8
Resisting – Suspect Arrested
At 12:54 a.m., an officer patrolling the area of Foothill and Mayflower saw a vehicle in violation of vehicle code. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver abruptly entered a parking lot, exit the vehicle and entered a store. Officers made contact with the driver inside the store and while attempting to detain him, he began to resist. He was eventually arrested and taken into custody.
Municipal Code Violation – Suspect Arrested
At 7:12 a.m., a resident in the 300 block of S. Myrtle reported a male subject in a park drinking alcohol. An officer arrived, saw the subject drinking alcohol and made contact with him. He was arrested and taken into custody.
Municipal Code Violation – Suspect Arrested
At 4:26 p.m., a caller in the 300 block of W. Huntington reported a female subject drinking alcohol in public. Officers arrived and located the subject with two open containers. She was arrested and taken into custody.
JUNE 9
Grand Theft Auto Recovery – Suspect Arrested
At 6:57 a.m., officers were alerted to a stolen vehicle in the area of Fifth and Foothill. The stolen vehicle was located in a parking lot with the driver exiting the vehicle. The driver was located, arrested and taken into custody.
Grand Theft Auto
At 7:36 a.m., a victim in the 200 block of W. Central reported his vehicle stolen. This investigation is continuing.
Municipal Code Violation / Resist Delay – Suspect Arrested
At 3:41 p.m., an officer patrolling the 1600 block of S. Myrtle saw a suspicious male and made contact with him. The subject gave the officer false identifying information and he was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested and taken into custody.
Drug Offense – Suspect Arrested
At 4:07 p.m., while patrolling the area of Longden and Peck an officer saw a pedestrian commit a violation. The officer made contact and discovered the subject was in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested and taken into custody.
Drug Offense – Suspect Arrested
At 5:53 p.m., a caller in the 100 block of S. Myrtle reported a male subject offered the caller's grandson a controlled substance. Officers located the male subject a short distance away. He was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested and taken into custody.
JUNE 10
Grand Theft Auto
At 7:04 a.m., a victim in the 700 block of S. Shamrock reported his vehicle stolen. This investigation is continuing.
Identity Theft
At 12:41 p.m., a resident walked into the MPD lobby to report an unknown subject used her identity to shop online. This investigation is continuing.
COMMUNITY ALERTS
Street Sweeping Parking Enforcement Update
The City is making a change to how street sweeping parking restrictions are enforced.
For years, residents have been allowed to move their vehicles back into posted "No Parking" areas once the street sweeper passed, even while the parking restriction period was still in effect. This practice created inconsistency, and the Monrovia Police Department is moving to enforce posted signage as written. Moving forward, citations will be issued for the full posted no-parking window, regardless of whether the sweeper has already come through.
No changes are being made to posted times, signs, or routes, only to how the hours are applied and signage is enforced.
Catalytic Converter Thefts Alert
Protect your vehicle by following the prevention tips in the attached flyer and reporting suspicious activity to the Monrovia Police Department.
The property consists of two original historic Monrovia homes once owned by Steve Baker, former city historian, along with a third building constructed in compatible historic style. The site has been developed into a combined inn and soon-to-open restaurant called Viola’s Bar & Bistro.
Steve Baker (1941–2022) served as Monrovia’s city historian for 30 years and as president of the Monrovia Historical Society. A fifth-generation Monrovian, he lived in the family home built by his great-great-grandfather in 1887. Baker was widely recognized as the primary authority on local history, known for his detailed research, public speeches, and graveside tours at Live Oak Cemetery.
Proceeds from the grand opening event, which includes light refreshments, live music, self-guided tours throughout the restored property, will support the acquisition of period furnishings for the Historic Society's George H. Anderson House Museum.
Tickets for the event are available here.
- Brad Haugaard
Meet Jon Snow, a 4-year-old Siberian Husky at Pasadena Humane who is ready for his second chapter! This handsome boy is the perfect mix of adventure buddy and couch companion. He loves his daily walks and can get excited when it's time to explore, but once he's had some exercise, he's calm, relaxed, and happy to lounge nearby. According to his foster, Jon Snow is house-trained, thrives on a consistent routine, and is known for his sweet habit of giving kisses to the people he loves.
Jon's friendly personality shines wherever he goes. At a recent adoption event, he charmed everyone he met. Treat-motivated and eager to connect, Jon Snow is a wonderful companion looking for a home where he can share both his playful spirit and his loving nature.
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
Auto dealerships lined Huntington Dr. in Monrovia through the 1980s, the last one leaving in 1991 for a freeway-adjacent auto mall created by the Monrovia Redevelopment Agency. 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