Citrus College Wins Top Credit Rating

The credit rating of the Citrus Community College District, which serves Monrovia, was upgraded to the second highest level, Aa1, this July by Moody's Investors Service. Also, Standard & Poor's reaffirmed the district's AA rating.

Moody's said the district has demonstrated continued growth in its tax base, has a proactive management team, and a conservative approach to budgeting.  Standard & Poor's

- Brad Haugaard

Announcement of School Board Candidacy of Traci Gholar

Following is an announcement by Traci Gholar of her candidacy for the Monrovia Board of Education. Other candidates are welcome to submit announcements. - Brad Haugaard

As a long time Monrovia resident, I am excited to announce my candidacy for the Monrovia Unified School District Governing Board. I have lived in Monrovia for thirty-four years and I have been an educator for thirty-three years.

Prior to being recruited to serve as principal at Samuel Gompers Middle School, I served for twenty years in Monrovia Unified School District. Initially, I was a classroom teacher at Clifton Middle School and then I transferred to Monrovia High School in 1992. While working at Monrovia High, I transitioned from the classroom to administration, first as Activities Director and then, eventually, I became an Assistant Principal. In 2008, I was appointed Principal of Clifton Middle School where I served for three years. My passion in education has been fueled by the moral imperative to cultivate a public school system that functions with collaboration, positive restorative practices, and collective action.

I am looking forward to continuing my service as an educator by seeking a seat on the MUSD Governing Board. Being a member of the School Board will provide me an opportunity to expand my sphere of service from one school site to an entire school system and to help to create positive change for the entirety of Monrovia’s youth.

Now is the time to elect a Monrovia educator. Now is the time for a voice who represents the diversity of our community. Now is the time to bring experience, integrity, and inclusivity to the challenging work of reimaging the Monrovia schools so that they are equipped to meet the needs of our current and future realities. Now is the time to cast your vote for someone who will passionately fight for the education of all Monrovia students.

Please take the time to visit my website at tracigholarmusd.com to learn more about my core values and how you can support my candidacy. I hope to earn your vote on November 3rd.

Monrovia 2120

I'd love to hear Monrovians respond to this question:

What would you like Monrovia to look like in 100 years?

I'm asking you to look beyond the Coronavirus and the November elections and imagine what you would like Monrovia to look like not in your lifetime, or probably even your children's lifetimes, but perhaps in your grandchildren's lifetimes.

Respond in the Comments section below, or on Facebook, here.

- Brad Haugaard

School Board to Consider Revised High School Music Courses, Garden Programs, Revised Budget

At its next meeting (https://is.gd/7h0AF8) the Monrovia Board of Education will consider ...

~ A revised high school stringed instruments course (https://is.gd/pjZ6Gc) and a revised Marching Band course (https://is.gd/4csgAw).

~ A contract with Food ED for an Elementary Garden and Food Education program for Bradoaks and Plymouth elementary schools. $6,000. https://is.gd/pRAZgB

~ Another contract with Food ED, this one to rehab garden areas at Santa Fe Middle School for $7,565, plus annual maintenance of $2,500. https://is.gd/0UDgm5

~ Approving a revised budget for the 2020-21 school year. Income $51.3 million; Expenditures $45.46 million. https://is.gd/rGuiES

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: Up 10 to 565. No New Deaths

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 8/06/2020. Changes since 8/05/2020.

City of Monrovia: 565 cases (up 10), 34 deaths (unchanged)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 67 cases (unchanged), no deaths
Glen Park at Monrovia: 3 cases (unchanged), no deaths

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Water Meets 'All Water Quality Standards'; Two-Truck Trash Pick-Up; Water Conservation Campaign

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

~ "We are happy to report that, again, for 2019, the City of Monrovia has met all water quality standards." Here's the report: https://is.gd/YdcAAe

~ Because of the plague Athens was picking up trash and recyclables in a single truck, only sorting recyclables mechanically. But, as of August 1, it has returned to the separate collection of trash and recyclables.

~ Monrovia is again participating in the Wyland National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation. To support the city visit www.mywaterpledge.com and commit to conserving water. The challenge will recognize and award cities with the highest level of pledges.

- Brad Haugaard

Fellowship Church Reports More Than $3 Million Income for First Six Months of 2020

Monrovia's Fellowship Church has released a financial report of its general fund for the first six months of 2020 which shows income of more than $3 million. (The 2019 numbers do not include $545,000 in special gifts to purchase the church's Huntington Drive building.)

The church reports that because of the pandemic, giving is down 4%, but that it was able to reduce its spending by 15%. 

Also, it reports that it has moved its "accountability to the hands of a nationally recognized non-profit CPA firm called CapinCrouse. CapinCrouse performed reviews for 2018 and 2019, and is scheduled to perform a full audit for 2020. They present their findings to the Fellowship Board on an annual basis."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 555, up 9

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 8/05/2020 . Changes since 8/04/2020 .

City of Monrovia: 555 cases (up 9), 34 deaths (unchanged)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 67 cases (up 1), no deaths
Glen Park at Monrovia: 3 cases (unchanged), no deaths

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner from 38 Degrees

Got dinner from 38 Degrees, on the south side of Colorado a bit east of Myrtle. Got the brisket plate for $16. Very good and enough for two meals. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police: Fight on Bus Over Mask; Beemer Flasher; Not Speeding; People Drunk and High; Fake $100 Bills; Driver Sorry He Hit Cyclist; And So Forth...

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for July 30 – August 5. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 408 service events, resulting in 75 investigations. 

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
July 31 at 7:44 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 800 block of Alta when he saw a male subject sleeping in his vehicle with a can of beer on the center console. When the subject was contacted, he was found to be in possession of a pipe that had been used to smoke methamphetamine. The beer can was empty. The subject was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia. 

Vandalism
July 31 at 10:55 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 100 block of E. Maple when he saw fresh graffiti spray painted on a wall. Graffiti removal was notified. 

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
July 31 at 4:14 p.m., a caller reported a male subject sitting in his parked vehicle in a business parking lot in the 100 block of W. Huntington, and she said he appeared to be intoxicated. Officers arrived and located the subject. He was heavily intoxicated and officers determined he was unable to care for his own safety. He was arrested and held for a sobering period. 

Shoplifting / Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
July 31 at 6:36 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain regarding a shoplifting incident that just occurred. A male subject entered the business, concealed merchandise, and then exited the store without making any attempt to pay for the items. The suspect was detained, and further investigation revealed he was also in possession of a controlled substance. The suspect was arrested. 

Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspects Arrested
August 1 at 1:42 a.m., an officer observed a vehicle traveling at a very low rate of speed, impeding traffic near the intersection of California and Huntington. A traffic stop was conducted. The investigation revealed the female driver was in possession of a controlled substance and the male passenger was in possession of drug paraphernalia. Both suspects were arrested. 

Vehicle Tampering – Suspect Arrested
August 1 at 3:05 a.m., officers responded to the 400 block of Genoa regarding a report of a suspicious subject checking door handles to various vehicles in the area. A female subject matching the description given was found and positively identified by witnesses. She was arrested for vehicle tampering. 

Warrants – Suspect Arrested
August 1 at 4:10 a.m., an officer observed a vehicle traveling near Mayflower and Huntington without its headlights on during hours of darkness. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was found to have several outstanding warrants for his arrest. The driver was arrested for the warrants. 

Grand Theft
August 1 at 9:31 a.m., an employee of a business in the 700 block of E. Huntington reported that four days earlier a male subject had stolen a large dollar amount worth of merchandise. They did not call the police immediately to apprehend the suspect while he was committing the crime because they needed to obtain permission from their corporate headquarters to call the police. The investigation is continuing. 

Battery
August 1 at 10:31 a.m., the driver of a public bus that was traveling along Huntington at Myrtle called police to report a fight. One of the passengers hit another passenger during an argument over not wearing a mask. The suspect then exited the bus and fled the area. Officers searched for the suspect, but were unable to locate him. This investigation is continuing. 

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
August 1 at 6:30 p.m., officers responded to a park in the 700 block of E. Lemon regarding an assault. The victim reported that the father of her children hit her. She had a large bruise on her cheek. The male suspect was arrested for domestic violence. 

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
August 1 at 6:57 p.m., officers responded to the intersection of Eighth and Duarte regarding a suspicious vehicle parked along a red curb line. Officers made contact with the single occupant of the vehicle, who said he had been parked there for three hours waiting for his daughter. Further investigation revealed the occupant was in possession of a pipe used to smoke methamphetamine. The suspect was arrested. 

Counterfeit Money
August 2 at 12:24 a.m., officers responded to a business in the 200 block of W. Huntington regarding two suspects in the drive-thru, attempting to pay with a counterfeit 100 dollar bill. The clerk kept the bill and called police. The suspects left prior to officers arriving. This investigation is continuing. 

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
August 3 at 4:08 a.m., officers responded to a school in the 900 block of E. Lemon regarding a burglary alarm activation. While checking the classrooms, they found the door to a classroom ajar and a subject inside. The subject said he was looking for water and a place to relax. The school's principal responded and confirmed that nothing was missing and no damage had been done. Further investigation revealed the subject was in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested. 

Public Intoxication / Battery – Suspect Arrested
August 3 at 11:23 a.m., officers responded to the 400 block of W. Foothill regarding a subject urinating in public. Officers located the subject, who was extremely intoxicated and unable to care for himself. While attempting to take the suspect into custody for public intoxication, he spit in the face of one of the officers. He was arrested and held for a sobering period. 

Indecent Exposure – Suspect Arrested
August 3 at 12:18 p.m., officers responded to the intersection of Myrtle and Palm regarding a male suspect in an older blue/gray BMW exposing himself to female subjects in the area. Officers located the suspect and he was positively identified by the victims. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody. 

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
August 3 at 7:16 p.m., numerous calls were received by police dispatch reporting a heavily intoxicated man walking in the 200 block of W. Foothill. Officers located the subject and determined he was too intoxicated to care for himself. He was arrested and held for a sobering period. 

Traffic Offense / Stolen Property Located
August 4 at 6:53 a.m., an officer saw a vehicle commit several traffic violations near the intersection of Monterey and Huntington. The officer initiated a traffic stop. As the officer approached the driver, the vehicle fled the area. Officers searched the area and located the vehicle, unoccupied, near Myrtle and Pomona. The driver had fled the scene and was not located. An investigation revealed stolen property inside of the vehicle. This investigation is continuing. 

Commercial Burglary
August 4 at 1:18 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 1600 block of S. Magnolia regarding a commercial burglary. The property manager realized someone had broken into the location sometime during the night and removed numerous key fobs to company vehicles. This investigation is continuing. 

Vandalism – Suspect Arrested
August 4 at 7:56 p.m., a caller reported a female subject vandalizing numerous vehicles and windows in the 700 block of W. Huntington. Officers checked the area and located the suspect. She was arrested and taken into custody. 

Hit and Run Injury Traffic Collision
August 5 at 2:47 p.m., a bicyclist was traveling north on Primrose and entered the intersection of Primrose and Olive. A white sedan traveling west on Olive drove through the stop sign and collided into the bicyclist. The bicyclist was thrown to the ground by the impact. The driver pulled up next to the bicyclist on the ground and yelled that he was sorry, but did not stop and fled the area heading west. The bicyclist sustained minor injuries. The investigation is continuing. 

Wanted Person – Suspect Arrested
August 5 at 7:28 p.m., an officer saw a vehicle commit a vehicle code violation in the 700 block of W. Huntington. He initiated a traffic stop and saw there were three occupants in the vehicle. An investigation revealed all three were on parole for burglary and robbery. One of the subjects was wanted for a grand theft auto in Monrovia. She was arrested. 

School District to Consider Buying Anti-Virus 'Desk Guards', Delay Enforcing Dress Code

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

~ Buying $200,000 of "desk guards" at $77 apiece in  preparation for the reopening of the elementary schools. The student desk guards "offer an additional

protective barrier for younger students, reminding them to social distance and

increase protection among students." They'll be paid for by the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund.

~ Delaying enforcement of the district's student dress policy for the 2020-21 school year.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 4 More cases, 546 Total

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 8/04/2020 . Changes since 8/03/2020 .

City of Monrovia: 546 cases (up 4), 34 deaths (unchanged)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 66 cases (up -1), no deaths
Glen Park at Monrovia: 3 cases (unchanged), no deaths

County says: Public Health anticipates receiving a backlog of cases once the State electronic laboratory system issues are fixed.

- Brad Haugaard

Announcement of School Board Candidacy of Sashary Zaroyan

Following is an announcement by Sashary Zaroyan of his candidacy for the Monrovia Board of Education. Other candidates are welcome to submit announcements. - Brad Haugaard

 
As a product of Monrovia's public schools, I am honored to run for the Monrovia School Board to give back to the community that gave me the opportunity to advocate for my peers.

Monrovia Unified School District is facing an important crossroad affecting our students’ education, health, and opportunities to thrive. As school districts across the state pivot to distance-based learning, we must tackle these statewide problems with community-led solutions that work for Monrovia. We must prioritize the safety, academic engagement, and social and emotional wellbeing of students during this pandemic and in the future.

I will diligently work to better prepare our school district for the future. I will push for:

• More innovation around distanced-based learning
• Improving transparency and communication for parents
• Reducing Monrovia’s increasing chronic absenteeism that has surpassed the statewide average in our K-8 schools
• Increasing focus on college and career readiness for our high school graduates

My experience will allow me to achieve these goals through collaboration with community members, making tough decisions, and prioritizing our students’ best interests. As co-founder of the Healing Connections Committee, I expanded mental health services for my peers in Monrovia schools. I took my passion to our state's Capital as an Education and Mental Health Policy Advocate and pushed for equity-centered solutions and funding to prioritize vulnerable student populations.

Through my efforts in Sacramento, I have advocated for Monrovia students on additional youth mental health resources and services for schools and community-based organizations, equity-centered solutions and funding that prioritizes our vulnerable student populations, and increased funding, assessment, and behavioral health training for our diverse community's student populations to improve mental health.

I have introduced innovative and creative solutions to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed. When all students thrive, we thrive as a community. Please visit my website at sasharyzaroyan.com to learn more about my equity-focused solutions for our community. I hope to earn your vote on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2020.

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 542, Up Zero ... Maybe

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 8/03/2020. Changes since 8/02/2020.

City of Monrovia: 542 cases (unchanged), 34 deaths (unchanged)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 67 cases (unchanged), no deaths
Glen Park at Monrovia: 3 cases (unchanged), no deaths

However, the county reports that, "Today's data is incomplete due to delays in the State electronic lab reporting system."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Xencor Reports Larger Loss for Second Quarter of 2020

Monrovia's Xencor Corporation, "a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing engineered monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases," reported a net loss for the second quarter ended June 30, 2020 of $35 million, or 61 cents a share, compared to net loss of $16 million, or 28 cents, for the same period in 2019. It attributed the loss to "lower research collaboration revenue and higher research and development expenses in 2020." https://is.gd/PKqCfY

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Wildcat Masks for Sale

Mina - Love Enough for Two Dogs

Six-year-old Mina loves attention, treats, and toys! Her foster family reports that she loves following everyone around and getting pets. If you stop petting her, she’ll gently put her paw on you to say “please pet me some more”. Mina enjoys walks and exploring, and has a tail that wags so fast, she almost can’t keep it still. Mina would do best as the only dog in the home, but she promises she’ll give you as much love as two dogs. She’s having a great time in her foster home, but she can’t wait to find her forever family soon!

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

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 538 - Up 4; No New Deaths

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 8/02/2020 . Changes since 8/01/2020 .

City of Monrovia: 538 cases (up 4), 34 deaths (unchanged)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 67 cases (unchanged), no deaths
Glen Park at Monrovia: 3 cases (unchanged), no deaths
Trader Joe's Market: 6 cases (unchanged), no deaths

- Brad Haugaard

Governor Will Decide Whether to Release Former Monrovian and Manson Follower, Leslie Van Houten

The California Board of Parole Hearings has again recommended that former Monrovian and Charles Manson follower, Leslie Van Houten, be granted a parole for her part in the 1969 killings of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca. The final decision on whether to release her belongs to Governor Gavin Newsom, who denied her parole in 2019. https://is.gd/IfqfE3

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 534, Up 4

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 8/01/2020 . Changes since 07/31 .

City of Monrovia: 534 cases (up 4), 34 deaths (unchanged)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 67 cases (up 1), no deaths
Glen Park at Monrovia: 3 cases (unchanged), no deaths
Monrovia Trader Joe's store: 6 cases (unchanged), no deaths

- Brad Haugaard