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Old Market Grill Building Being Renovated

 The former Monrovia Market and Market Grill building on Shamrock at Colorodo has been gutted. Gem City Images has a good picture. Click through: https://is.gd/ZiURxu

- Brad Haugaard

Weekly Coronavirus Count: 99 More, One More Death

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 12/02/2020. Changes since 11/25/2020.

City of Monrovia: 1170 cases (up 99), 41 deaths (up 1)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 108 cases (up 11), no deaths

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch from JB Burgers


Lunch from JB Burgers, at the corner of Myrtle and Olive. Got the pastrami sandwich for $7.95. Really good!

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police: Attempted Murder; Grandson Lights Bushes on Fire; Five Vehicles Stolen, Bicycles Too; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for November 25 – December 2. - Brad Haugaard]


During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 323 service events, resulting in 45 investigations. 

Vehicle Burglary
November 25 at 7:08 a.m., a resident in the 700 block of W. Walnut called to report her vehicle had been broken into sometime during the early morning hours. She walked out to her vehicle at approximately 6:30 a.m. and saw the front passenger window to her vehicle was shattered. She checked the interior of the vehicle and noticed some personal belongings were missing. Investigation continuing. 

Non-Injury Traffic Collision
November 25 at 9:15 a.m., a passerby called police to report a traffic collision that occurred near the intersection of Duarte and Mayflower. An officer arrived and spoke with both drivers. No one was injured and they requested an exchange of information. The officer assisted the drivers with the exchange. 

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
November 25 at 1:47 p.m., a resident in the 300 block of W. Foothill called to report an individual was sleeping on his property without his permission. Officers arrived and contacted the subject, who showed obvious signs of intoxication. It was determined that the subject was too intoxicated to care for himself. He was arrested for public intoxication and held for a sobering period. 

Grand Theft
November 25 at 3:35 p.m., an employee from a business in the 600 block of W. Huntington called police to report two male subjects entered the establishment, grabbed a display rack of watches, and fled on foot. Officers searched the area, but did not locate the suspects. Investigation continuing. 

Grand Theft Auto
November 27 at 7:05 a.m., a resident in the 1000 block of E. Lemon walked outside her home and discovered her vehicle was gone. Someone took it without permission sometime during the night. The vehicle was entered into the Stolen Vehicle System. This investigation is continuing. 

Hit & Run Traffic Collision
November 27 at 10:53 a.m., a driver reported she was involved in a minor collision in the private parking lot on the corner of Magnolia and Huntington. The other driver fled the area after the collision. Officers searched for the suspect, but could not locate him. This investigation is continuing. 

Criminal Threats / Arson – Suspect Arrested
November 27 at 12:16 p.m., residents in the 500 block of E. Greystone reported their son/grandson was at the home kicking at the front door and demanding to be let in the house. The suspect had an active court order restraining him from going near the home. Officers responded, but the suspect was gone and could not be located. At 3:35 p.m., the residents called to report the suspect had returned and had lit one of their bushes on fire. He then yelled at them that he was going to return to kill everyone in the house. The residents ran outside and put the fire out with the garden hose, and then called the police. Officers responded and located the suspect nearby. He was arrested and taken into custody. 

Grand Theft Auto
November 27 at 1:39 p.m., a resident in the 600 block of Parker walked outside her home and discovered someone had stolen her 2005, white, Chevrolet truck sometime after 8:00 p.m. the previous night. The vehicle was entered into the Stolen Vehicle System. This investigation is continuing. 

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
November 27 at 2:33 p.m., the management of a grocery store in the 300 block of W. Huntington reported a male subject was inside their store yelling profanities at customers as he rode around on one of their electric shopping carts designed for disabled persons. Security for the store stopped the subject and detained him until officers arrived. Officers found the subject was heavily intoxicated. He was arrested and held for a sobering period. The store signed a no-trespass authorization against the subject as well. 

Shoplifting
November 27 at 9:01 p.m., an employee from a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain called to report that a shoplifting had just occurred. A male adult entered the store, selected merchandise, and left without paying. The subject had left prior to police being notified. Investigation continuing. 

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
November 28 at 12:13 a.m., an officer was patrolling the area of Duarte and Mayflower when he saw a vehicle stopped in the middle of the lane, blocking westbound traffic. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was contacted. The driver displayed signs of being under the influence of alcohol. A DUI investigation was completed and it was determined the driver was operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested and held for and a sobering period. 

Grand Theft of Bicycles
November 28 at 7:45 a.m., a resident in the 800 block of W. Walnut walked outside his home and discovered someone had taken several bicycles during the night that he had locked to the open bed of his truck. This investigation is continuing. 

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
November 28 at 12:51 p.m., a caller reported seeing a motorist stopped in the middle of the street at Huntington and Magnolia, passed out at the wheel. Officers and paramedics responded and found the driver was heavily intoxicated. After field sobriety tests were conducted, the driver was arrested for DUI and held for a sobering period. 

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
November 28 at 10:02 p.m., officers were dispatched to a burglary alarm activation at a business in the 1600 block of S. Magnolia. They arrived on scene and saw two subjects leaving the area. The subjects were contacted and questioned. Two additional officers checked the business and found no signs of a crime. During the interaction with the two subjects, one of them admitted to having drug paraphernalia in his possession. He was arrested and issued a citation to appear in court on the charges. 

Attempt Murder
November 29 at 1:29 a.m., a resident in the 400 block of E. Maple called police to report shots heard in the area. Officers responded and located a victim, who sustained two gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Evidence of the shooting was recovered at the scene. Monrovia Police Department detectives arrived on scene and took over the investigation, which is ongoing. 

Grand Theft Auto
November 29 at 11:07 a.m., a resident in the 200 block of W. Duarte walked outside his home and discovered someone took his grey, 2000, Jeep Grand Cherokee. Officers searched for the vehicle, but could not locate it. The vehicle was entered into the Stolen Vehicle System. This investigation is continuing. 

Non-Injury Traffic Collision
November 29 at 12:39 p.m., a motorist reported he just collided with another motorist at the intersection of Duarte and Tenth. Officers arrived and found no one was injured. Both drivers exchanged information. 

Grand Theft Auto
November 29 at 12:54 p.m., a resident in the 700 block of S. Canyon discovered his 2002 GMC truck had been stolen sometime over the last two days from where it was parked on the street. Officers searched for the truck, but could not locate it. The vehicle was entered into the Stolen Vehicle System. This investigation is continuing. 

Attempt Grand Theft Auto
November 29 at 2:15 p.m., a resident in the 300 block of E. Walnut walked outside his home and discovered someone had attempted to steal his 2002, Chevrolet truck by punching the ignition. The suspect was not successful in taking the vehicle, and had fled the scene. This investigation is continuing. 

Grand Theft Auto
November 29 at 2:23 p.m., a resident in the 400 block of E. Maple reported her boyfriend's vehicle had been stolen sometime earlier in the day. She advised that her boyfriend was in the hospital and they did not give anyone permission to take their car, a 2011, white, two-door Lexus. This investigation is continuing. 

Petty Theft
November 29 at 8:57 p.m., a petty theft was reported at a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain. The victim was shopping at a store and had set her fanny pack, which contained her wallet, down inside the women's restroom and walked out without it. She was in the checkout line when she realized she had left her pack behind. She went back to the restroom, but her fanny pack and wallet were gone. Investigation continuing. 

Petty Theft
November 30 at 9:26 p.m., employees of a business in the 900 block of W. Duarte Road reported that three male subjects in their 20's went inside and stole merchandise. The same subjects had stolen merchandise the previous night. Officers arrived and observed subjects matching the description. When the subjects saw the officers, they all took off running. The suspects could not be located. Investigation continuing. 

Duarte Mayor Donates Masks, Sanitizer to Monrovia Schools


The Monrovia School District tweeted:

"City of Duarte Mayor Samuel Kang donated N95 masks, hand sanitizer, and student health packs to MUSD! Board President Rob Hammond and Board Clerk Maritza Travanti were on hand to receive the donation. Also present was Monrovia Council Member Larry Spicer. Thank you, Mayor Kang!"

- Brad Haugaard

First Presbyterian Collecting Food to Give for Christmas

First Presbyterian Church of Monrovia (Myrtle and Foothill) is collecting donations of food and other items for Christmas. Donations can be brought to the Sunday "Prayer on the Pavement" service or to the church office, which will be open on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Suggested donations, but any non perishable items or monetary gifts are welcome:  Stuffing, spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, peanut butter, jam/jelly, cereal, canned soup and stews, applesauce, canned vegetables, cranberry sauce, canned fruit, boxed mashed potatoes, canned yams,  marshmallows, boxed Jell-o, baking mixes (Bisquick, cakes, cookies, brownies), grocery store gift cards, retail store cards.

- Brad Haugaard

City Council Annoyed With County Health Department, But Will Stick With It

Monrovia is not going to create its own health department; it's sticking with the County Health Department, which is not to say it is happy with the County Health Department, or more particularly with its decision to ban outdoor dining at restaurants.

At the Tuesday City Council meeting Mayor Tom said it seems the County Health Department is making decisions based not on science but “on a whim.” He said it is as if the Highway Patrol said there were too many accidents so they were shutting down all the freeways. Nevertheless, he said, the city has no intention of going it alone.

Anders Corey, a representative of Supervisor Kathryn Barger - said he believes County Health based its no-outdoor-dining decision on a “hunch.”

City Attorney Craig Steele said that even if the city wanted to create its own health department, it couldn't go into effect before July 1 of 2021 at the earliest. Steele suggested the best way forward would simply be political pressure. 

- Brad Haugaard

K-Rail Coming to North Monrovia Below Burn Areas

Monrovia is planning to put concrete K-rail barriers along Ridgeside, Oakglade, and in Canyon Park in north Monrovia to prevent damage from possible flooding following the Bobcat Fire. The barriers would likely remain in place for five years.  The exact location for rail placement has not been decided. 

- Brad Haugaard 

County Grants Available to Small Restaurants - Brief Window to Apply

The Los Angeles County Development Authority is offering grants to restaurants to help them stay in business during the shutdown. However, there is just a three-day window to apply. Application period opens Thursday, Dec. 3, at 12:00 a.m. and is available through Sunday, Dec. 6, at 11:59 p.m. OR until 2,500 applications are submitted. Details: https://keeplacountydining.lacda.org/

- Brad Haugaard

Retiring Monrovia School Board Member Ed Gililland Reflects on His Years on Board

By Ed Gililland

As I retire from the Monrovia Unified School District I look back on 15 years of service to this great community, our educators, and our students. There are many great memories, a lot of good memories, and a few memories that were not so good. 

Great memories include working with some excellent, dedicated, and hard working School Board members and educators. Even though the Board is elected via the political process there was very little political influence in our work or decisions. We all wanted what's best for the students. The greatest memories though are of graduation ceremonies and shaking hands with the students who were ready to go out into the world with the skills and knowledge they would need to succeed. Particularly great were those evenings I was able to shake hands with graduates that had been in kindergarten and first grade classes I visited early in my School Board days. 

Really good memories include the establishment of dual immersion language programs, math & science academy at MHS, arts programs, music programs, coding programs, and specialties at each elementary. We were also able to save and improve our Adult School while other Districts lost theirs.  So many other great programs have been established and we have seen tremendous growth in academic rigor and success. 

Really tough days include the ridiculously tough budget cuts and accompanying staff and program cuts. Also tough were staff and student disciplinary actions. 

The only regret I have is that just as we were seeing the opening of a path to academic excellence and closing the achievement gap, we had to close the schools and completely retool our delivery to distance learning. 

I thank the wonderful people of Monrovia for the opportunity to serve all these years and the for the great cooperation and sense of community that you create here in this beautiful place we live.

Sweet and Gentle Bear Looking for a Home

Bear is such a joy! This ten-year-old sweetie is gentle and easy to please, with great manners. She’s a mellow dog, but gets excited about going for walks and the prospect of getting treats. A typical day for Bear includes following her favorite person around the house or napping nearby, interspersed with bursts of wiggly playtime – she’s so well-rounded! She’ll even hop up on the bed for cuddles if that’s what you like, but will stay on the floor if you prefer your bed to be dog-free (but honestly, how can you resist morning snuggles from such a cutie?). Bear is looking for a relaxed adult household without other pets so she can be your one-and-only favorite friend.

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 and schedule a virtual adoption appointment at pasadenahumane.org. Adoptions are by appointment only, and new adoption appointments are available every Monday at 10:00 a.m. for the following week.

Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Covid Fatalities Drop Dramatically, City Council to Consider Alternatives to County's Shutting Down Outdoor Restaurant Dining

In his latest report (https://goo.gl/aOqX7O) City Manager Dylan Feik reports that the Monrovia City Council will discuss Tuesday whether there are alternatives to the Los Angeles County Health Department's decision to shut down outside dining at restaurants.

Feik said that the number of Monrovia fatalities from Covid has declined to 7 in the last four months compared to 33 in the previous four months.

He added that the city is concerned that 10-15 percent of Covid cases can be traced to outdoor restaurant dining while more than 50 percent can be traced to private social gatherings. "The City's concern is that by closing restaurants, the Order will adversely incentivize residents to dine together, indoors, and without any safety precautions in place." 

- Brad Haugaard

Sunday Morning Shooting Leaves Man Wounded

A shooting at 1:30 a.m. Sunday morning in the 400 block of East Maple Avenue  left a man with two gunshot wounds. Police are investigating the incident as an attempted murder. Anyone with information is urged to call the Monrovia Police Detective Bureau at (626) 256-8031.

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch from Ikonicks

Just got lunch from Ikonicks Burgers, on the east side of Myrtle just south of Lime. Got the Shrimp Burger for $13 and a beer for $1.50  No seating, of course, so I walked it over to Library Park. The burger had a beef patty and whole shrimp grilled onions and a creamy sauce. It was delicious and the beer was cold and crisp!

- Brad Haugaard 

Green Returning to Burned Hills


In the charred hills above Monrovia spots of green are beginning to reappear. This photo is on Clamshell Road, which winds through Monrovia Wilderness Preserve.

- Brad Haugaard 

Weekly Coronavirus Count: 1,071 Cases

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 11/25/2020. Changes since 11/17/2020.

City of Monrovia: 1,071 cases, 40 deaths
Unincorporated Monrovia: 97 cases, no deaths

- Brad Haugaard

City Council: Two Homes Considered for Historic Status; New Member for Old Town Board; Low Income Housing Agency

353 Patterson house, one of two homes being considered for historic status.

At its next meeting (agenda: https://is.gd/E0hZ5f) the Monrovia City Council will ...

~ Participate in a graduation ceremony for Monrovia Area Partnership Youth And Adult Leadership Academy. https://is.gd/MBpWJq

~ Appointing Gina Ammon to the board to fill the unexpired term of Dominique Strivings on the Monrovia Old Town Advisory Board. Term ends June 30, 2022. https://is.gd/ZgNQGB

~ Consider designating the houses at 353 Patterson Drive (https://is.gd/h7Gs8j) and  363 Patterson Drive (https://is.gd/eBonZe) as historic landmarks.

~ Consider joining the California Community Housing Agency (CalCHA) Joint Powers Authority, which would issue "tax-exempt bonds for the production, preservation, and protection of essential middle-income rental housing." https://is.gd/hn8GeO

- Brad Haugaard

Happy Thanksgiving, Monrovia!


Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 118:5

- Brad Haugaard

Weather Service Predicts Blustery Thanksgiving for Monrovia Area

The National Weather Service is predicting a gusty Thanksgiving evening for the San Gabriel Valley, with winds between 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 mph, "strongest in the foothills." The report says, "Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects and make driving difficult, especially for drivers of high profile vehicles. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

- Brad Haugaard

Small Business Saturday - Win Raffle Tickets; Wilderness Preserve Foundation Renamed


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

~ This Saturday, November 28, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. is Small Business Saturday in Old Town. Bring a receipt from your Saturday purchase in Old Town to the booth at the northeast corner of Lemon and Myrtle and earn a raffle ticket for every $20 spent.

~ The non-profit Monrovia Wilderness Preserve Foundation has been renamed to the Monrovia Parks, Wilderness, and Recreation Foundation to reflect its expanded mission, which is to "support Canyon Park, the Hillside Wilderness Preserve, park improvements outlined in the adopted Monrovia Parks Master Plan, recreation programs and facilities, or other community programs." It would like your support. Details: https://is.gd/YR0k9t

Comment: I like this idea generally, but I'd feel more comfortable if its mission was a bit more tightly defined. "Other community programs" seems to say the money could be used for just about anything.

- Brad Haugaard