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April Census Month - Accurate Count Means Better Funding for Schools

Dear Monrovia Unified Community,

Ensuring our students have the tools they need to be successful is a priority at Monrovia Unified School District. Making sure they are counted in the 2020 Census will help our District ensure that success. On Feb. 26, Monrovia Unified’s Board of Education proclaimed April 1 as National Census Day. The proclamation recognizes the importance of the 2020 Census and pledges full support to achieving a complete and accurate Census count.

Filling out the Census is safe, secure, and confidential. This year, the Census will rely heavily on online responses.

The count plays an important role in ensuring California receives appropriate funding for programs such as before- and after-school programs and meal programs. An accurate count makes certain our students and families are represented and that our District receives fair funding to serve our students.

Census day is April 1. Individuals will have until July 30 to complete the Census questionnaire. For more information, visit www.census.gov.

Please join Monrovia Unified in participating in this year’s Census count.

“I count; you count; let’s make sure Monrovia counts!”

Sincerely,
Dr. Katherine Thorossian
Superintendent

Source: Monrovia Schools press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirus Cases Now Five

There are now five cases of Coronavirus in Monrovia, according to the LA County Public Health Department. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Church Holds In-Person Service Sunday, Cancels Further Meetings

Calvary Road Baptist Church, on Olive, held an in-person service Sunday, but cancelled the evening service and posted this message on its website: "Effective Immediately, All Public Services are Cancelled Until Further Notice." Article in San Gabriel Valley Tribune: https://is.gd/nZVZf9

- Brad Haugaard

City Council To Consider Ban on Evictions During Covid-19 Emergency

The Monrovia City Council will hold a special virtual meeting this Tuesday (agenda: https://is.gd/iGt5Xx) to consider an urgency ordinance (that means it would go into effect as soon as the council approves it) that would temporarily ban evictions of tenants in both residential and commercial properties for non-payment of rent. It would also ban "no-fault" evictions in most cases.

Here's how the relevant part of the ordinance reads:

"During the period of local emergency declared in response to COVID-19, no residential property owner or agent (collectively, “landlord”) landlord shall take any action, or threaten, to evict a tenant or lessee (collectively “tenant”) in either of the following situations: (1) for nonpayment of rent, late fees, or other fees or charges, if the landlord knows that the tenant is unable to pay the same due to financial impacts related to COVID-19, or (2) for a no-fault eviction unless immediately necessary for the health and safety of tenants, neighbors, or the landlord, other than based on illness of the tenant or any other occupant of the residential rental unit, which shall be confirmed by the City’s Building Official prior to any such eviction."

Read the whole thing - lots more detail - here: https://is.gd/4cpIJA

- Brad Haugaard

School District Closes All School Fields

Schools Superintendent, Dr. Katherine Thorossian, has announced:

The health and safety of our students, teachers, staff, and community is our District’s priority. With the growing concerns regarding COVID-19, we made the decision to close all school fields and sites for play beginning today, March 30, until further notice.

- Brad Haugaard

Cafe LuMar Closes

Cafe LuMar is closing.

The restaurant, on the south side of Colorado about a half block east of Myrtle, announced the closure on Facebook:
I'm so grateful to my customers and to an incredible experiences I had for past 8 years. I'm very sad that I have to anounce closing of Cafe LuMar but I will forever cherish your friendships, your encouragements and your support...For customers that begged me to stay open, I am honored to have gotten to know you all and I'm sorry that I had no choice or control due to circumstances. 
Comment: I'm really going to miss that goulash. :-(

- Brad Haugaard

City Resources to Help During Coronavirus Times

The City has compiled a list of helpful resources for Coronavirus times: https://is.gd/dQULBd

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Church Services Today

This is a partial 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) -  9 and 11 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

Four Coronavirus Cases in Monrovia

Now four cases of corronavirus in Monrovia. https://is.gd/rjFQlE

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Schools Staff Member Has Coronavirus

Monrovia School Board President Rob Hammond has announced that a school staff member has the Coronavirus.

He writes:

"Late Thursday night, we were notified by a staff member that they tested positive for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). We have confirmed with health officials that there was no exposure to any of our staff, students, or families."

- Brad Haugaard

Ikonicks Restaurant Has Reopened

Ikonicks restaurant on Myrtle has reopened with a new menu for take-out.

Earlier, it had closed because of the pandemic, and had announced that it "will not be opening for delivery or grub hub until this epidemic is done." But it has figured out how to move ahead and has reworked things - including a new menu, so it's open for business.

The restaurant announced a "Family Box" of 16 sliders for $35, and a "City Box" for $40 that comes with 8 sliders, wings, fries, onion rings, and our city fries. Here's a video on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ikonicksbrew/

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner from Sena

Got the taco take-out for four for $55  from Sena, on the west side of Myrtle just south of Lime. Got short rib and chicken tacos, with jalapeño beans, sauces and a LOT of chips. Very good. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Citrus College Extends Remote Education for Entire Semester

Citrus College, which serves Monrovia, will continue to provide remote/online instruction and student support services through the remainder of the spring semester (June 12, 2020).

The physical college campus will remain closed during this time. Additionally, counseling, library services and student support services have transitioned to a remote/online format.

Source: Citrus College press release

- Brad Haugaard

Coronavirus Hits Monrovia: Two Monrovians Test Positive for Virus

City Manager Dylan Feik reports that, "Today, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed that two residents of Monrovia has tested positive for COVID-19. In the news release, DPH has stated that all confirmed cases are isolated and close contacts are quarantined."

Feik adds:

At this time, it is critically important that the community continues to adhere to all the social distancing measures and practice good public health hygiene, including washing hands as frequently as possible.

Additionally, over the past several days, residents have been disregarding signs placed at public parks, tennis courts, basketball courts, and the skate park. These areas are closed and group gatherings of 10 or more people are not allowed as part of the Safer at Home Health Order.

The City has been regularly visiting these sites and continues to see large group gatherings. In effect, the City will be closing the gate at the skate park, locking the gate at the tennis courts and will even remove the rims at our basketball courts at Julian Fisher Park and Recreation Park. We will also continue to post signage indicating these park facilities are closed. I realize the Safer at Home Order is incredibly difficult to follow but it is imperative that we do.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Combative Elderly Patient; Vehicle Thefts; Auto Accidents

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for March 19 – March 25, 2020. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 266 service events, resulting in 40 investigations.

Grand Theft Auto
March 20 at 1:40 a.m., a resident in the 500 block of S. Fifth reported his grey Ford F250 truck had been stolen. The victim parked his vehicle on the street in front of his residence on March 19 at approximately 2:30 a.m. and discovered it missing at approximately 7:30 p.m. the same day. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto - Suspect Arrested
March 20 at 6:58 a.m. a resident in the 1200 block of S. Primrose called to report his vehicle was stolen from the location sometime during the night. Monrovia Police Department was later notified by Azusa Police Department that they recovered the vehicle and arrested the suspect.

Injury Traffic Collision
March 20 at 10:54 a.m., a caller reported that an injury traffic collision occurred in the area of Primrose and Huntington. A motorist was traveling north on primrose and failed to yield to a vehicle traveling west on Huntington. The vehicles collided in the intersection. Both parties complained of pain but refused to be transported to a local hospital. The motorist at fault was issued a citation.

Vehicle Burglary
March 21 at 1:00 a.m., a resident in the 1100 block of S. Fifth called to report two vehicles parked on the street with broken windows. When the officer arrived, he saw the windows were shattered on the vehicles. The registered owners were contacted and a report was taken. This investigation is continuing.

Attempt Burglary
March 21 at 9:47 a.m., the owner of a business in the 400 block of S. Myrtle called to report a burglary. The video surveillance showed footage at approximately 3:30 a.m., of a suspect that entered the walkway to the business and kicked open a glass window. He damaged a display case to the business. The suspect then fled without taking anything from the business and ran north on Myrtle. Monrovia Dispatch did not receive any alarm activations during the night for the location. This investigation is continuing.

Battery – Suspect Identified
March 21 at 3:45 p.m., Monrovia Fire requested police assistance for a combative elderly patient who had assaulted another elderly resident at a home in the 100 block of N. Mountain. The patient had medical and mental health issues. She was transported to a hospital via ambulance for medical issues. The victim suffered a scratch and did not desire prosecution.

Residential Burglary
March 21 at 6:23 a.m., a resident in the 300 block of W. Lime called to report a burglary. The victim left his residence for approximately 30 minutes and when he returned he was unable to find his iPad inside the residence. He also noticed some tools from a shed were placed into a bucket which he did not leave there. He attempted to ping the iPad, but there was no alert on a location. This investigation is continuing.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision
March 21 at 8:30 a.m., a resident in the 800 block of Wildrose called to report that he was inside his residence when he heard what he thought was a traffic collision outside. He went outside and saw a black vehicle leaving the area. There was damage to the resident’s vehicle which was parked on the street. The suspect drove away and did not stop to provide the required documentation. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto / Vehicle Burglaries
March 23 at 6:46 a.m., officers responded to a business in the 1800 block of S. Mountain regarding vehicle burglaries and the theft of a vehicle. The manager of a carpet cleaning business reported someone had burglarized three of their work vans and stole one of the vans sometime over the weekend. Officers arrived and discovered Los Angeles Police Department had stored the stolen vehicle in their city. This investigation is continuing.

Non-injury Traffic Collision
March 23 at 8:07 a.m., a driver reported colliding into another motorist at the intersection of California and Evergreen. He did not desire a police report and chose to exchange information only.

Grand Theft Auto
March 23 at 9:14 a.m., a resident in the 400 block of Patrician Way reported his white extended cab pickup truck had been stolen sometime during the night. Officers responded and had the vehicle entered into the DMV's stolen vehicle system. This investigation is continuing.

Non-injury Traffic Collision
March 23 at 3:56 p.m., a motorist called the police advising he collided into another motorist in the 1600 block of Radford. Officers arrived and completed a collision investigation and a report.

Non-injury Traffic Collision
March 25 at 8:56 a.m., the manager of an auto repair business in the 1800 block of S. Mountain reported his parked vehicle was damaged by his neighbor's semi-truck as the neighbor reversed. The two parties did not desire a police report but wanted an officer to facilitate the exchange of information.

Trespassing – Suspect Arrested
March 25 at 11:45 p.m., employees of an alarm company called to report they were observing a male subject wandering the property of a business in the 3300 block of S. Peck via live video footage after closing hours. Officers responded and with the help of air support directing them, they were able to locate the subject hiding on the property. The property owner responded and wanted prosecution. The subject was identified and arrested for trespassing.

School District Warns of Coronavirus Scams

Dear Monrovia Unified Community,

As part of our commitment to providing information on matters related to COVID-19, we urge you to be mindful of pandemic-driven cyberthreats that seek to mislead consumers or steal sensitive information. The FBI is warning people to be wary of malicious websites and apps pretending to track COVID-19 cases worldwide. Criminals are using malicious websites and apps to infect and lock devices until payment is received.

Several fraudulent schemes have been reported:
  • A malicious Android app that pretends to be a “Coronavirus Tracking App” is actually ransomware that will infect the phone and lock it until payment is received. The malicious app is downloaded at (coronavirusapp[.]site).
  • Beware of hackers posing as CDC or WHO representatives in phishing attacks.
  • Be cautious of anyone selling products that claim to prevent, treat, diagnose, or cure COVID-19. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission issued a warning regarding seven companies selling fraudulent COVID-19 products. Learn more at: fda.gov.
As our city manager advises, there are several coronavirus tracking and mapping sites that are actually malware websites. Instead of clicking on these links, hover over the link to verify the uniform resource locator (URL) before moving forward. Online hackers may also send emails from fraudulent accounts impersonating official websites and doctors, or offering medical supplies and services.

A recent advisory from Los Angeles County shared safety tips on how to combat these schemes:
  • Avoid online advertising offers related to COVID-19
  • Decline solicitors claiming fundraising efforts for COVID-19
  • Do not click on any email or attachment you do not recognize
  • Only visit trusted websites for information
  • A trusted source for up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 is the Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus information page at coronavirus.jhu.edu. (However, beware of any emails seemingly from Johns Hopkins. A malicious website (corona-virus-map[dot]com) looks similar to a legitimate site from Johns Hopkins showing worldwide COVID-19 cases. The malicious website hosts a map of COVID-19 cases but launches a virus that will steal information, including sensitive data.)
Other safe, informational websites include the following:

- Brad Haugaard

School District to Distribute Two Days of Meals Thursday

Monrovia Unified will observe Cesar Chavez Day on Friday, March 27, and the District will be closed. Due to this, two days-worth of meals will be distributed tomorrow, Thursday, March 26, at the school nearest you! Meal service will continue daily during spring break.

- Brad Haugaard

Blood Shortage Due to Blood Drive Cancellations

Monrovia City Manager Dylan Feik reports the Red Cross is very low on blood "due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations." If you'd like to make a blood donation, click here: https://is.gd/WxaWVX

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Warn of Virus Scams

Beware of #COVID19 scams:

-DO NOT click on emails/links/attachments you don’t recognize 
-IGNORE fraudulent online offers for COVID-19 cures/treatments 
-BEWARE of fraudulent fundraising campaigns/donation requests for cash, gift cards/credit cards 
-REPORT price gouging

If you have witnessed or experienced a Coronavirus related scam or price gouging, please call the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office Hotline at (213) 257-2450.

Source: Monrovia Police

- Brad Haugaard 

Local Water District Again Says: Tap Water is Safe

Apparently some people are still concerned about tap water and Coronavirus, so the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District, which serves Monrovia, is trying to reassure people, with messages such as this one: