City May Adopt Mandatory Water Restrictions, With Fines For Violations; Report on DA's Special Directives

At its next meeting (agenda) the Monrovia City Council will consider ...

~ Moving from voluntary to mandatory water usage restrictions because of the continuing drought. If the council adopts this measure it means fines for people who do not cut their water usage by at least 10 percent.

From the staff report:

"No person shall spray irrigate any lawn or landscape area between more than every fourth day between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. the following day. This subsection shall not apply to any drip irrigation system..."

[Comment: This is hard to understand and should be reworded. I could interpret it to mean that I could spray water every day as long as I don't do it between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m., which is clearly not what is intended.]

"For customers who fail to reduce water usage by at least the required 10%, the proposed resolution would establish a penalty of up to two times the cost of a water billing unit (748 gallons of water) for each billing unit in excess what is permitted. The 90% threshold would be based on the water used during the corresponding billing period for the prior year."

Lots more rules here. 

~ Hear a report by Police Chief Alan Sanvictores on the LA County District Attorney's controversial "special directives." Here's the report. 

- Brad Haugaard

City Council and School Board to Discuss Flashing Stop Signs Around Schools and Other Topics

 The Monrovia City Council and School Board will meet (agenda) in joint session to discuss:

• The use of Measure K funds
• The promotion of outdoor activities and programs to Improve student mental health
• Steps to install flashing stop signs around schools
• Facility use agreements for public open space
• The school resource officer program

- Brad Haugaard

Christmas Parade

Monrovia’s Christmas Parade attracted a large crowd. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Weekly Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 19 More Cases, One More Death

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 12/1/2021. Changes since 11/25/2021.

City of Monrovia: 4,182 cases (up 19), 86 deaths (up 1)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 464 cases (up 3), 1 death (unchanged)

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Domenico’s

Dinner at Domenico’s, on the south side of Huntington just east of Magnolia. Got the Chicken Parmigiana for $17.99 and a beer for $5.75. It came with a dinner salad, a side of ravioli, and garlic bread. (I ate the salad so you don’t see it.) Nice and filling. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Former Pastor at Hope Unlimited Church Being Sued On Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse

A former pastor of Monrovia's Hope Unlimited Church, Robert J. Spina, is being sued, along with the church, on allegations of child sexual abuse. The filing here. 

Spina is accused of "engaging in sexual talk and innuendo, talking about girls, discussing whether he [the plaintiff] had had sex, and sending the plaintiff sexual text messages," and then later showing him pornography, according to a press release by the legal firm representing the plaintiff, a 35-year-old man who is called "John GA Doe" in the court filing. The suit says the alleged activities began when the plaintiff was about 13 years old.

The church is also being sued, because, attorney Morgan Stewart said, "It is clear from the information provided to us by our client that his abuse was known by others in the hierarchy of the Hope Unlimited Church. They did nothing to prevent it and they did nothing to hold his abuser accountable. In fact, they allowed RJ Spina, an admitted child molester to have access to children for at least two more years. I fear there may be many other victims and I encourage them and their families to report any known or suspected instances of child sexual abuse to the authorities."

According to an article in SACMEDIA, a student news publication of Mt. San Antonio College, Spina resigned last year and a notice on the church's website said it was "due to personal choices he has made in recent times that did not align with the high standards of ministry and his position of senior leader." Details. 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Man Sentenced to Prison for Fatal Hit-and-Run in Huntington Beach

A 49-year-old Monrovia man, Julien Ceaser Solorzano, was sentenced to two years in prison for a hit-and-run that killed a motorcyclist in Huntington Beach. Details. 

- Brad Haugaard

November Board of Education Highlights

Teacher of the Year Kristin Ford honored by Board of Education. That and more highlights from November.  More...

- Brad Haugaard

Mayflower Students Quietly Provide a Thanksgiving for Families in Need

Mayflower Elementary students quietly put together a list of families in need, and then for Thanksgiving made sure they got a bit of everything.

- Brad Haugaard

Missy - The Cat With Calming Vibes

Don’t let Missy’s grumpy expression fool you – she’s so friendly! She even greets new people who approach her kennel. Missy is eight years old, and very mellow and well-behaved. She enjoys being petted, but will also pose for you if you want to snap a few photos. This sweet girl has such calming vibes, and will be a great companion to her future adopter!

The adoption fee for cats is $100. 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 and schedule an adoption appointment at pasadenahumane.org. Adoptions are by appointment only, and new adoption appointments are available every Sunday and Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.

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

- Brad Haugaard

Coffee With a Cop Dec. 1

- Brad Haugaard

Burglar Lives in Their House, Steals Their Presents, But Waters Their Lawn

A burglar camped out a Monrovia house, stole the family's Christmas presents, but watered their lawn. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Search for Missing Girls - UPDATE: Found

Update: They've been found.

Monrovia PD is currently looking for thirteen year olds Jayleen Enciso and Maqkuila Diaz. They have recently been reported missing and are believed to have run away from home together.

Jayleen was last seen wearing a black baseball hat, a black shirt with white long sleeves, black cargo, and black boots.

Maqkuila was last seen wearing a white “Monrovia” hoodie, jeans, and tennis shoes.

- Brad Haugaard 

Free Water-Saving Devices for Some Monrovians

Some Monrovians may be able to get free water saving devices, such as irrigation control systems, shower heads, etc. You have to live within the purple area on the map. To confirm that, call (866) 308-8391. First come, first served. Details: https://www.ecotechservices.net/wshp-info

- Brad Haugaard

Ryan Ries to Speak on Dangers of Drugs, Alcohol, and Depression

Guest speaker Ryan Ries will speak to youth about the dangers of drugs, alcohol, depression and suicidal feelings at Calvary Chapel Monrovia this Sunday, at 9 and 11 a.m. Ries was previously scheduled to speak in September, but came down with COVID.

Ries grew up in Southern California and made a name for himself in the skateboard industry, working for Circa Footwear, maker of skateboarding shoes. He later became involved in the rap and hip hop music industry.

He was making $300,000 a year and was traveling the world with rock bands, but began to struggle with drugs, which almost took his life.

He has been sober for many years, is married with triplet girls and a son, and travels the world speaking to youth about the dangers of drugs, alcohol, depression and suicidal feelings.

He and two rock musicians who had a similar story formed an organization called The Whosoevers, which brings a message of hope and love to young people -- and adults -- who are struggling.

He has written the book, "Kill the Noise: Finding Meaning Above the Madness," and is doing a book tour, speaking at churches, youth programs and to incarcerated juveniles. He also speaks at music festivals and skate parks across the nation.

 
- Brad Haugaard

Rooted to Perform at Street Fair

- Brad Haugaard 

A Moment in Monrovia History: Inside Asano Grocery Store in 1930s

Inside the Asano family grocery store on Myrtle Ave c. 1930s. See full details here.

For more historic photos and papers, see the Monrovia Historical Society’s complete Legacy Project collection here. Learn more about the Monrovia Historical Society here.

- Brad Haugaard

Weekly Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 20 New Cases, No New Deaths

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 11/25/2021. Changes since 11/17/2021.

City of Monrovia: 4,163 cases (up 20), 85 deaths (unchanged)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 461 cases (unchanged), 1 death (unchanged)

- Brad Haugaard

Free Christmas Concert Dec. 3

There will be a free Christmas concert at First Presbyterian Church Monrovia on December 3 at 7 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard 

A Mountain Park and Canyon Oaks Thanksgiving

For the last 13 years, Mountain Park School and Canyon Oaks High School have held a Thanksgiving Feast before going on the holiday break. The tradition started after teachers heard their students wouldn't be getting a Thanksgiving meal. Ever since, school staff and community members put together a huge feast to make sure every student gets a chance to eat with their classmates.

Happy Thanksgiving, Monrovia!

- Brad Haugaard