Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 152, up 4; No New Deaths

Coronavirus cases today, from LA County Department of Public Health:

Monrovia: 152 cases (up 4 from Saturday), 17 deaths (unchanged).

Unincorporated Monrovia: 19 cases (up 2).

Brookdale Monrovia: 8 cases (unchanged), 1 death (unchanged).

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

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

- Brad Haugaard

Coronavirus Induced Deficit Will Cause Huge Cuts for Monrovia Schools - Others

As a result of the coronavirus Monrovia School District faces cuts that are going to "clobber" school staff and will make the financial troubles the district faced in 2008 "look like a cakewalk," and 2008, School Board President Rob Hammond said, "was really bad."

In an interview Hammond predicted the state will have a "monster deficit" because of its coronavirus expenditures, and since school districts get almost all their money from the state, that means "huge budget cuts" for the Monrovia School District.

Because of the virus the State of California "has been throwing out money with both hands," but, unlike the federal government, he said, "the state can't print money" to pay its bills, so that means cuts.

A 10 percent hit, he said, would be $6 million for the school district, "but what if it's bigger? It's going to clobber people."

"No one knows how bad the cuts will be, but it's going to be bad."

It is not, of course, just the school district that is going to have problems, but the City of Monrovia, and "everything that relies on money from the state" is going to be hurting, Hammond said.

In this weird situation, and to meet the letter of the law, the school district plans to pass what Hammond calls a "fantasy budget." He said the LA County Office of Education told the districts to just pass something, anything, to meet the requirement of the law, and then start cutting.

Jumping Through Hoops

And it's not just money that's a problem. The district also has to dance to whatever are the latest legal requirements, or even to off-the-cuff remarks by people in authority.

For instance, as you probably know, the district, after thinking it had met the health requirements for a drive-through graduation ceremony at Monrovia High, the LA County Department of Public Health vetoed the plan (though that decision was later reversed) at, as Hammond put it "the eleventh hour."

But also, Hammond said, in a news conference Governor Gavin Newsom commented that school would start in July. That was news to the school districts and, he said, "it had a huge ripple effect," not only upsetting parents, teachers and administrators, but causing 10 days work by district staff trying to figure out how to meet that requirement. And now the idea is dead.

"So much work goes into adjusting for plans that never occur."

"I've never seen anything like this. These ideas should be vetted." "We get these thought-bombings at least once a week."

Hammond said the direction the district gets from the California Department of Education is "UN-clear."

Fuzzy Planning

Despite this environment, the Board still needs to plan, and here are a few things it is thinking about, although these things, Hammond said, are "not written on stone, they're written on ice ... on a hot summer day."

• Postponing the start of school to around August 19, then taking a break from around Thanksgiving to early January, the idea being to have school closed during the flu season.
• Extend the school year.
• Modify the daily schedule to allow for 6-foot separation. This might mean staggered arrival and dismissal times for students. Perhaps some days students stay home and participate electronically.
• And kindergarten, whatever it ends up looking like, "won't look like what it has looked like before."

And just a few things that are more or less firm:

• The drive-through graduation will be held, as planned.
• Then, as soon as teachers remove their supplies from their rooms, the district is going to give its campuses a "deep cleaning" and institute a more stringent cleaning program that will be continued into the future. "Our priority is to be extremely clean," Hammond said.
• There will be six-week summer school for credit recovery and enrichment. Sign up, he said.

- Brad Haugaard

Canyon Park Is Open

Canyon Park is open. Reservations required unless you’re just passing through on your way to Camp Trask or beyond. 

This guy greeted me today a little bit above the bridge above the ranger station. He was coming up and I was going down. I don’t think he had a reservation and he certainly had no face mask. So where’s a ranger when you need one?

- Brad Haugaard 

Katza Pooh Is a ... Katza Pooh? - Yes, Katza Pooh! ... Is a Quiet, Proper Lady

Katzah Pooh is a quiet and proper lady who would love a friend to hang out with! This thirteen-year-old senior gal doesn’t ask for much – just some chin scratches, a nice comfy spot to nap next to her human, and a window to watch the world go by. Her foster mom says Katza Pooh is very sweet and easy to love, and with those beautiful green eyes, who could disagree?

The adoption fee for cats is $90. 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 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

Monrovia Church to Reopen for In-Person Services Next Sunday

Monrovia's Hope Unlimited Church (1900 Walker Ave., a block east of Myrtle and a block south of Duarte Road) is the first one I'm aware of that has announced it is resuming in-person worship services.

While it will continue its streaming services, the first in-person service will be on May 31, and according to an announcement by the church, this will be a "slow, safe" process following the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control.

Service times are being rescheduled, spread out so staff has time to sanitize between services (9 and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. for Spanish service), families will be seated six feet apart so it will take more time for people to be seated so they are being asked to arrive 20 minutes early, masks are required, and no children's ministry at this time. Because seating is limited, reservations are required. If you want to attend, here's the reservation page: https://hopeuc.com/la/worship-in-person/

REQUEST: If anyone knows of other Monrovia churches that are reopening, please send me info - preferably a link.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 148, up 6; No More Deaths

Coronavirus cases today, from LA County Department of Public Health:

Monrovia: 148 cases (up 6 from Saturday), 17 deaths (unchanged).

Unincorporated Monrovia: 17 cases (unchanged).

Brookdale Monrovia: 8 cases (up 6), 1 death (unchanged).

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

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

- Brad Haugaard

Painted Rocks on Hillcrest

Reader Rick Wentzel noticed someone trying to spread a little joy with these painted rocks on Hillcrest between Myrtle and Canyon.

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 142, up 5 - No New Deaths

Coronavirus cases today, from LA County Department of Public Health:

Monrovia: 142 cases (up 5 from yesterday), 17 deaths (unchanged).

Unincorporated Monrovia: 17 cases (unchanged).

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

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

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

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Schools Planning for Distance Learning Even After the Virus

At its next meeting (https://is.gd/GEKoQ8) the Monrovia Board of Education will consider ...

~ Distance learning even during non-virus times. The staff report (here: https://is.gd/uhl9Ap) says, "The Governing Board recognizes that distance learning can be a viable alternative instructional strategy that supports student achievement of academic goals. Distance learning opportunities may be offered to students participating in independent study, credit recovery courses, enrichment courses, or other courses identified by the Superintendent or designee." https://is.gd/nGSHkk

~ Spending more than a half million dollars - $581,493, to be exact - on 1,725 Chromebook computers and the network software to manage them. https://is.gd/DSDI20

~ A resolution asking "our Congressional delegation, inclusive of our United States Senators and House of Representatives, and the Governor of California to advocate for additional federal funding to prioritize stable public school funding." https://is.gd/jjTs7O

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Drive-Through Graduation is Back On

County Supervisor Supervisor Kathryn Barger has announced that the county has changed its mind - Monrovia's drive-through Graduation ceremony will be permitted, according to the Monrovia Weekly: https://is.gd/hQB6sX

School Board President Rob Hammond writes on Facebook:

Last Friday when we learned about this issue the Monrovia Unified Board of Education contacted our elected representative, County Supervisor, Kathryn Barger, to help solve this problem. The School Board also reached out to the parents of our students to advocate for our graduation.

Today I am pleased to report the collective voices of our community have been heard and on June 3, 2020 the graduation plan presented by MHS will proceed.

I would like to thank our students and parents for their help, as well as the City of Monrovia, MPD, MFD, the staff at MHS and MUSD District Office. In particular I would like to thank Supervisor Kathryn Barger for her help and guidance.

We will look forward to graduation day June 3, 2020.

- Brad Haugaard

Coronavirus Count: 137 - 6 More

Coronavirus cases today, from LA County Department of Public Health:

Monrovia: 137 cases (up 6 from yesterday), 17 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), 14 deaths (unchanged).

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

- Brad Haugaard

The Circuits of Monrovia; Memorial Will be Removed; Partial Myrtle Closure

There are 31 SCE circuits - with names - that cover Monrovia. Here they are.

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

~  Southern California Edison's 2020 Reliability Report for Monrovia is available here: https://is.gd/mCkpxK .

~  A small memorial at the corner of California Avenue and Duarte Road to pay honor and respect to victims of a tragedy that occurred there on April 15 poses a safety concern as it lies in the crosswalk area and glass candles have broken, so the City will remove it. "Our hearts go out to the family and friends so deeply affected by this tragedy."

~ Due to construction Myrtle between Walnut and Chestnut will be closed to southbound vehicular traffic - and northbound traffic should expect delays - this coming Tuesday (May 16) through May 28, and again on June 3. Closures from  7 a.m. - 3 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Watch Virtual Monrovia Days

Here is the full video (about an hour and 40 minutes) of the Virtual Monrovia Days celebration:


- Brad Haugaard

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