Adapting to the Plague

Monrovia businesses adapt to the Coronavirus. Top, Foothill Gym has moved its exercise equipment outdoors. Bottom, Peach Cafe has expanded its outdoor seating into the street. 

- Brad Haugaard 

City Council to Consider: Nominees to Equity Committee, Budget, Proposed Condo, Historic Landmarks

At its next meeting (agenda: https://is.gd/BlatPh) the Monrovia City Council will ...

~ Consider appointing Rev. Neil Tadken, Edward Elizalde, Susie Ling, Henry Olivas, Jr., and Ruhiyyih Yullie to an ad hoc committee to look over city policies, procedures and practices to see if there are any systemic inequities in how the city treats people. https://is.gd/e3Tes4

~ Review the proposed 2020-21 budget. https://is.gd/cLD9Kq

~ Consider a conditional use permit to allow development of a six-unit, two-and-three-story condominum complex at at 910 S. Ivy, a bit south of Chestnut on the east side of Ivy. https://is.gd/rfJcpS

~ Consider declaring properties at 234 W. Greystone (https://is.gd/Aq6sk5) and 408 East Colorado (https://is.gd/mJ6LwY) as historic landmarks.

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner from Rudy’s Mexican Food

Dinner tonight from Rudy’s Mexican Food, at the corner of Myrtle and Colorado. Got the carnitas plate for $17.25.  Very tasty and filling and enough for lunch tomorrow. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police: Arrest for Murder Threats; Cash Register Unattended for Two Hours, $300 Lost; Woman Leaves Car Running, Someone Drives Off With It; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for July 9-15. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 350 service events, resulting in 62 investigations. 

Grand Theft Auto
July 9 at 8:19 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 1800 block of California. The victim reported the vehicle belonged to his business and it was stolen off the street sometime during the night. Officers arrived and conducted an investigation. This investigation is continuing. 

Criminal Threats
July 9 at 11:55 a.m., officers responded to the 1300 block of S. Mayflower regarding a subject going into the location and threatening to kill the security guard. Multiple calls on the same subject acting erratically had been made over the last two weeks at the location. A no-trespassing order had also been completed against the subject. Officers tried to locate the subject at his home, but he was not there. Investigation continuing. 

Theft
July 9 at 7:01 p.m., a resident reported that the catalytic converter had been stolen off his vehicle. The vehicle had been parked in the 700 block of S. Ivy. This investigation is continuing. 

Criminal Threats / Wanted Person – Suspect Arrested
July 10 at 8:15 a.m., a security guard for a commercial building in the 1300 block of S. Mayflower reported a male subject who made death threats toward him the previous day had returned. Officers responded, located the subject, and arrested him for making criminal threats. 

Fraud
July 10 at 10:13 a.m., a resident in the 300 block of E. Hillcrest reported that she was a victim of fraud. She had received a telephone call from someone claiming they could remove viruses from her computer, so she gave this person access to her computer, then ended up wiring him $26,000 from her savings account to a bank in Thailand. This investigation is continuing. 

Commercial Burglary
July 10 at 11:06 p.m., a hotel in the 900 block of S. Fifth called to report a burglary. The front desk was left unattended for approximately two hours. During that time, a male suspect entered, looked around for a few moments and then jumped over the front desk. The suspect proceeded to open the register and retrieve money. Approximately $300 was stolen from the register. The investigation is continuing. 

Non-Injury Traffic Collision
July 11 at 7:13 a.m., a caller reported a vehicle collided into a parked car in the 1100 block of S. Magnolia, then flipped over. Officers and paramedics responded, but the driver was not injured. He was using his cellphone and became distracted, causing the collision. After investigation, the driver was issued a citation. 

Theft from a Vehicle
July 12 at 8:51 a.m., a resident in the 100 block of E. El Norte reported someone had entered her unlocked vehicle which was parked in front of her house and took money and groceries that were inside. This investigation is continuing. 

Vandalism
July 12 at 3:33 p.m., an officer was patrolling the 2600 block of S. Myrtle when he saw graffiti on the side of a building. The officer contacted the owner of the building, but he did not know how long it had been there. The graffiti will be removed. This investigation is continuing. 

Theft From a Vehicle
July 12 at 9:49 p.m., a theft from a vehicle was reported in the 400 block of W. Huntington. The victim left his vehicle unlocked while he went into a restaurant. When he returned, he found his jacket was missing, along with his wallet containing his credit cards. This investigation is continuing. 

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
July 12 at 11:58 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 400 block of Lotone regarding a male and female yelling at each other. When officers arrived, the female said she and her fiancé were arguing and he choked her multiple times. Officers found there was an existing restraining order issued three months prior, due to a similar incident. The male suspect was arrested for domestic violence. 

Injury Traffic Collision
July 13 at 9:04 a.m., two vehicles collided at the intersection of Foothill and Shamrock. Officers responded along with paramedics from Monrovia Fire and Rescue. One of the drivers was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. 

Theft of a Firearm
July 13 at 5:56 p.m., officers responded to the 300 block of E. Palm regarding the theft of a shotgun. The victim allowed a subject to stay at his house overnight. The subject had offered to purchase the shotgun from the victim. The victim refused to sell the shotgun and the next day the shotgun went missing. This investigation is continuing. 

Assault with a Deadly Weapon (Vehicle) – Suspect Arrested
July 14 at 10:12 a.m., a caller reported a traffic collision involving a tow truck near the intersection of California and Evergreen. Officers responded to the scene of the collision. During the investigation, an officer learned the tow truck picked up a disabled vehicle out of town and was towing it to Monrovia, but there was a disagreement regarding the extra fees. The tow truck driver left the shop with the vehicle, and the owner’s husband followed the tow truck. At one point, the husband cut off the tow truck and began to argue with the driver. The tow truck driver backed up his vehicle, and the husband reversed his vehicle and intentionally collided into the tow truck. He was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon. 

Grand Theft Auto
July 14 at 11:34 a.m., a female subject called police to report her vehicle was stolen from the 1000 block of S. Canyon. Officers responded and conducted an investigation. The victim left her vehicle running while she dropped off items inside of a building. She was away from her vehicle for approximately three minutes. When she returned, the vehicle was gone. This investigation is continuing. 

Anderson House Gets New Roof

The historic George Anderson House, home of the Monrovia Historical Society, is getting a new roof. The museum is on the north side of Lime just east of Ivy. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 412, Up 10

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m. July 14:

Monrovia: 412 (up 10 since 8 p.m. July 13), 30 deaths (unchanged).

Unincorporated Monrovia: 50 (unchanged).

Glen Park (assisted living, 110 N Mountain), 3 cases, no deaths.

Trader Joe's market: 5 cases, no deaths.

- Brad Haugaard

Calvary Chapel Monrovia to Meet in its Parking Lot

Although the state has re-closed church buildings, Monrovia's Calvary Chapel has announced that it plans to meet government requirements but continue to  meet physically by meeting in its parking lot, perhaps under a tent.

- Brad Haugaard

Online Bugs and Critters Seminar This Saturday

Monrovia Community Garden is holding a seminar on, "All Things Pests, Bugs, and Critters," this Saturday, July 18, 10-11:30 a.m. Send an email to info@monroviacommunitygarden.org with your email and you will be registered for the Zoom meeting.

- Brad Haugaard

School Will Be 100% Online This Fall

In a special meeting Tuesday night the Monrovia School Board voted unanimously to start the school year 100 percent online. https://youtu.be/1xdtMuh_BJI?t=7195

Why Board Member Gililland is upside down I don't know. ;-)

Board President Rob Hammond added in a Facebook post: "We all wanted to be able to welcome your children in August. We worked tirelessly to create a system that would sustain the increased traffic and interaction. While current conditions prevent us from implementing that plan on August 19, we will have it ready for the day conditions do allow it. We start school in this manner with every intention of having our students return as soon as safely possible."

Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 402, 1 More Death

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m. July 13:

Monrovia: 402 (up 9 since 8 p.m. July 12), 30 deaths (up 1).

Unincorporated Monrovia: 50 (up 3).

Glen Park (assisted living, 110 N Mountain), 3 cases, no deaths.

Trader Joe's market: 5 cases, no deaths.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 370, Up 23 in Two Days

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m. July 12:

Monrovia: 393 (up 23 since 8 p.m. July 10), 29 deaths (unchanged).

Unincorporated Monrovia: 47 (up 1).

Glen Park (assisted living, 110 N Mountain), 3 cases, no deaths.

Trader Joe's market: 5 cases, no deaths.

- Brad Haugaard

Stoney - A Wallflower No Longer

Four-year-old Stoney was a little bit of a wallflower when she came into the shelter as a stray, and also had painful bladder stones. But with surgery and healing, and now lots of treats and play time, she’s really warmed up to our staff and shown her puppy-like demeanor. She has lots of fun romping in the yard during Small Dog Play Group with all her other little dog friends, so she would probably do well with other dogs in the home. She loves play so much, she’s always the one trying to get the other dogs to join her fun and games! Stoney had some trust to build and some healing to do when we first met her, but now she’s ready for her forever home!

The adoption fee for dogs is $140. 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 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

Old Town Advisory Board to Meet Regarding Outdoor Dining

The Monrovia Old Town Advisory Board will meet Tuesday, July 14, at 9:30 a.m., to further discuss outdoor dining in Old Town. Send comments to tcherry@ci.monrovia.ca.us before 8:30 a.m. on July 14. Comments may be summarized in the interest of time, however the full text will be provided to all members of the board prior to the meeting.

To watch the meeting and/or provide public comment from your computer or smartphone, call (626) 698-8630 or email rsandoval@ci.monrovia.ca.us before 8:30 a.m. on July 14 to get an ID and password. To comment, click the Participants "raised hand" icon at the appropriate time indicated during the meeting, and you will be selected from the meeting queue. Please limit comments to three minutes.

- Brad Haugaard

School Board to Discuss School in the Fall, Bill to Require Ethnic Studies Class

The Monrovia Board of Education will hold a special meeting Tuesday at 7 p.m. (agenda: https://is.gd/z2YcW5) to discuss:

~ What school is going to look like in the fall. Board President Rob Hammond writes on Facebook that the board wants to give both parents and the district as much time as possible to adapt to whatever plan is adopted.

~ Discuss supporting Assembly Bill 331 (https://is.gd/xKYuhZ), which would require students take a class in ethnic studies as a graduation requirement.

Watch at www.foothillsmedia.org/MUSD. Send public comments to publiccomments@monroviaschools.net

- Brad Haugaard

School Board Member Brian Wong is "Less Comfortable" Opening Schools

Monrovia School Board member Brian Wong writes on Facebook that while "the initial Task force and surveys may have indicated a hybrid model of returning back to school with the option of full time distance learning, things are very fluid. New cases in LA County are continuing to increase, not decrease.

"The health and safety of our students, staff and their families are our primary concern. It is possible that the first semester will again be 100% distance learning and we are preparing for that as well. The LA County Dept of Health and the CA Dept of Education are the driving forces on what the first day of school is going to look like. 

"Every day I am becoming less comfortable opening the schools."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Today Activity Guide Available Online

Here is the online version of the Monrovia Today Summer Activity Guide. Lots of virtual stuff: https://is.gd/Lm2Wsa

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 370, No New Deaths

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m. July 10: Monrovia: 370 (up 12 since 8 p.m. July 8), 29 deaths (unchanged); Unincorporated Monrovia: 46 (up 1). Trader Joe's market: 5 cases, no deaths.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School District's Plans for Reopening

Monrovia School District surveyed parents to see what they want school to look like, and here are the results ...

And here are the preliminary plans for opening Monrovia schools in the fall:

Elementary schools

Secondary schools

Full report here: https://is.gd/wMZDxy

- Brad Haugaard

Equity Committee Needs Members; Racism Discussion; Movies In the Park

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

~ The City Council has approved forming an ad hoc committee  to provide workshops for Monrovians to express their opinions regarding the policies, procedures and practices of the city and to identify structural and systemic problems within City Government. If you are interested in serving on this committee, or who would like more information, contact a City Councilmember: https://is.gd/qay5th

~ On Wednesday, July 15, 6-7:30 p.m., ChangeMakers will hold a meeting and discussion on racism, bigotry, and injustice in our community. Dr. Wen Chen, of Cal Tech will discuss her experience with human rights and society in China and beyond. Details: https://is.gd/wCXjzt

~ Movies in the Park is back. Yes, physically, though you'll need reservations and plague rules apply. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, sit back with the family, relax and enjoy the evening with a movie under the stars. At Recreation Park, 620 S. Shamrock Ave. Events start at 6:30 p.m. and movies begin at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 18, 2020 - Detective Pikachu - Reservations
Saturday, July 25, 2020 - Little Rascals - Reservations
Saturday, August 1, 2020 - Frozen 2 - Reservations
Saturday, August 8, 2020 - Toy Story 4 - Reservations

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Summer Concerts ... Online

Summer concerts on the Internet. Not quite the same thing but hey! no ants or mosquitoes! :-) Click to enlarge.

- Brad Haugaard