MWD Water Restrictions Don’t Yet Apply to Monrovia

If you are wondering if the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) declaration of a Water Shortage Emergency and it’s accompanying restrictions on watering apply to Monrovia, they do not... for now. Most of Monrovia’s water is pumped from the ground and comes from the mountains just to the north, not from MWD. That from City Manager Dylan Feik.

- Brad Haugaard 

Little Garth is an Adorable Lap Kitten

Seven-week-old Garth is incredibly soft and adorable! Garth is a lap kitten, but he also loves to perch on your thigh or knee. If he’s not already on your lap, he just might climb up your pant leg to get there! Garth is also very playful and loves his wand toy.

The adoption fee for kittens is $150. All kitten 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 

A Moment in Monrovia History: Myrtle and Olive in 1903

American National Bank building at the corner of Myrtle and Olive 1903. From the Myron Hotchkiss collection. 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

Monrovia Biotech Firm Opens Manufacturing Plant in Puerto Rico

CytoImmune Therapeutics Inc., of Monrovia, which develops therapies to kill tumors, opened a manufacturing plant in Puerto Rico in March to produce its products. https://tny.im/Fp7VP

- Brad Haugaard

Killer of Monrovia Couple is Himself Killed

Alfredo Valenzuela, 50, who murdered an elderly Monrovia couple in 2003, has been killed in his prison cell at Kern Valley State Prison. He was pronounced dead early Saturday morning. His cell mate is under investigation for the killing.

Valenzuela murdered Charles Shaum, 78, and his wife Bernice, 70, in July of 2003 after breaking into their home. https://tny.im/wAPMQ

- Brad Haugaard

Integrating Tech Into Classrooms

Superintendent Ryan Smith said the schools district staff has “shared information with the Board of Education about our plans to begin transforming classroom learning environments in a way that integrates technology, fosters collaboration, and increases engagement.” Here is the district’s outline on how to do that: https://shrtm.nu/JhvW

- Brad Haugaard 

City Finances - Pretty Good; Working With Neighboring Cities; Etc.

At its next meeting (agenda: https://shrtm.nu/JdPf) the Monrovia City Council will …

~ Receive a generally positive report on the city’s finances. “Overall, the City is in a solid financial position as we enter the fourth quarter of Fiscal Year 2021-22. While we are beginning to see some cost increases due to growing inflation, most contracts have already been established for the year, so impacts are minimal for this fiscal year. However, inflation and growing costs are a concern as we are developing our upcoming budget for Fiscal Year 2022-23. Additionally, we’re not quite out of the woods yet with respect to the pandemic’s financial impacts, but finances do, in fact, continue to improve over time.” Full report: https://shrtm.nu/LqR2

~ Consider forming an working group with Arcadia, Bradbury, Duarte, and Sierra Madre to establish the Rio Hondo/San Gabriel River Watershed Management Joint Powers Authority. The point of this is to work together to meet federal water runoff purity regulations. https://shrtm.nu/mT5B

~ Also, the city council members will (figuratively) take off their city council hats and put on their  Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency hats to consider a measure that could save the city approximately $2,498,538 in interest. https://shrtm.nu/zWXt

~ Finally, the council will hold a study session to consider the city’s “Capital Improvement Program and Overview of Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Fees.” https://shrtm.nu/cpRg

- Brad Haugaard

Water Art Contest; Blood Drive; Monrovia Days; Firescaping and Compost

~ The Upper San Gabriel Valley Water District is sponsoring a “Water is Life” art contest for grades K-12. The contest encourages students to envision water as a vital part of their everyday lives and to think about water conservation through their artwork. Deadline to submit artwork is June 2.  Details: https://shrtm.nu/8PVM

~ The Monrovia Police Officers' Association is sponsoring a blood drive on May 5 at the Community Center (119 W. Palm), from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. To schedule an appointment go to redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code “MONROVIA”

~ The city, school district, and Centre Stage are sponsoring the three-day Monrovia Days celebration, May 13 - 15. Activities include a Monrovia High School pep rally, parade, live music, beer garden, Merengue pie eating contest, a carnival and more. 

~ The Monrovia Days Parade will be on Saturday, May 14, at 10 a.m., featuring our local youth, “Scholars and Champions.”  To apply to be in the parade submit an application by May 6. https://shrtm.nu/dHYJ

~ The Upper San Gabriel Water District will hold two virtual workshops on firescaping and composting. Free but you need to register. 

Firescaping: May 12, noon - 1 p.m. Learn how to have a fire-resistant landscape. https://shrtm.nu/4uwe

Compost: June 9, noon- 1 p.m. Learn to make compost and mulch for healthy soil. https://shrtm.nu/yYDu

~ Monrovia Fire & Rescue is holding a free Business Emergency Resiliency Training (BERT) workshop on preparedness for both businesses and their employees. May 17, 1 - 4 p.m. at the library Community Room.  https://shrtm.nu/lV5w

- Brad Haugaard 

Weekly Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 11 More Cases, One More Death

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 04/27/2022. Changes since 04/26/2022.

City of Monrovia: 8,343 cases (up 11), 104 deaths (up 1)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 877 cases (up 1), 4 deaths (unchanged)

- Brad Haugaard

Innocent of Car Theft But Arrested for Drunk Driving; $5,000 Taken from Unlocked Car; Thief Swaps Old Shoes for New; Safe Stolen from Business

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for April 21 – 27. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 423 service events, resulting in 88 investigations. 

Vandalism
April 21 at 2:02 a.m., an officer patrolling near the 210 Freeway and Huntington saw graffiti painted on a wall. No suspect was seen in the area. This investigation is continuing. 

Vandalism
April 21 at 6:35 a.m., a caller reported a transient encampment along the wash in the 900 block of W. Huntington. Officers responded and found graffiti on the train overpass structure. Three more locations were later discovered to have been vandalized in a similar way. This investigation is continuing. 

Mental Evaluation
April 21 at 9:39 a.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 1100 block of E. Huntington regarding a male caller stating he was having “issues” with his head. Officers arrived and determined the subject may be a danger to himself or others and needed to be evaluated by a mental health professional. He was transported to a local facility for treatment. 

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
April 22 at 1:51 a.m., a suspicious subject was reported breaking into a vehicle in the 700 block of E. Foothill. Upon arrival officers saw that the vehicle being broke into was now driving away from the location. The vehicle was stopped and an investigation revealed that the suspect had broken into his parents’ vehicle. The parents were contacted and advised he had permission to use the vehicle. The suspect advised that he had locked the keys in the vehicle and decided to break a window to get in. The suspect showed signs and symptoms of being under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested for DUI and transported to the Monrovia Police Department jail for a sobering period. 

Vehicle Fire
April 22 at 4:42 a.m., a vehicle fire was reported in the 700 block of Mountain View. Upon arrival they found the vehicle in flames. Fire personnel responded and put out the fire. This investigation is continuing. 

Grand Theft
April 22 at 7:32 a.m., a caller in the 700 block of W. Huntington reported someone had stolen the catalytic converter from a vehicle during the night. This investigation is continuing. 

Battery – Suspect Arrested
April 22 at 9:42 a.m., an employee at a business in the 100 block of W. Foothill called to report a male transient walked into the store and punched the manager. Officers arrived and located the suspect walking away from the store. The suspect was identified by the victim and was placed under private person's arrest. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody. 

Grand Theft
April 22 at 11:03 a.m., two callers reported their vehicles’ catalytic converters were stolen overnight. One in the 1000 block of Royal Oaks and the second in the 300 block of N. Madison. This investigation is continuing. 

Drug Activity – Suspect Arrested
April 22 at 12:31 p.m., a caller in the 600 block of W. Huntington reported a male subject was down on the street and unresponsive. Officers arrived and found the subject to be sleeping. While speaking to the subject officers saw drug paraphernalia next to him. The subject admitted the paraphernalia was his and that he uses it to smoke a controlled substance. He was arrested and released with a citation. 

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
April 22 at 1:27 p.m., an employee at a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain called to report they had caught someone stealing and that he was currently being detained. Officers arrived and accepted their private person's arrest. He was released with a citation. 

Grand Theft
April 22 at 2:40 p.m., a caller in the 900 block of E. Lemon reported she had parked her vehicle in front of a school and went inside for a few minutes. When she returned she noticed $5,000 in cash was taken from her unlocked vehicle. This investigation is continuing. 

Missing Person
April 22 at 10:05 p.m., a subject who had been arrested for a series of vandalism’s was released from court the previous day. His mother had not heard from him since his release and wanted to report him missing. Officers responded to their residence in the 100 block of N. Mountain and took a Missing Person’s report. He was added into the national missing person’s database. This investigation is continuing. 

Drug Activity / Parole Violation – Suspect Arrested
April 22 at 11:08 p.m., an officer was patrolling the intersection of Mountain and Evergreen when he saw a vehicle traveling without headlights. The vehicle was stopped and an investigation revealed that one of the passengers had used a false name and was also in possession of a controlled substance. Further investigation revealed that he was also on parole. He was arrested and taken into custody. 

Domestic Violence
April 23 at 3:02 a.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 1200 block of Sherman after a subject broke into his girlfriend’s residence and tried to steal her cell phone. During the altercation the suspect pushed both his daughter and his girlfriend. The girlfriend sustained a minor injury. The suspect fled the scene before officer’s arrived. This investigation is continuing. 

Non-Injury Traffic Collision
April 23 at 1:45 p.m., a caller reported a single car traffic collision in the 400 block of E. Foothill. Officers arrived and checked on the well-being of the occupants and determined that no one was injured. The driver at fault was issued a citation and a police report was completed. 

Grand Theft Auto
April 24 at 9:02 a.m., a resident in the 800 block of Bonita called to report his vehicle was missing and he did not give anyone permission to take it. Officers arrived and added the vehicle to the national stolen vehicle system. This investigation is continuing. 

Grand Theft
April 24 at 9:51 a.m., an employee from a business in the 700 block of W. Huntington called to report that two guests had their catalytic converters taken from their vehicles sometime during the night. This investigation is continuing. 

Court Order Violation – Suspect Arrested
April 24 at 4:01 p.m., a resident in the 200 block of E. Lime called to report that her son was in violation of a domestic violence restraining order by being on her property. Officers arrived and saw the son on the property. The restraining order was confirmed and the son was subsequently arrested. 

Warrants – Suspect Arrested
April 24 at 4:27 p.m., a caller reported that a subject was causing a disturbance at a homeless encampment near Fifth and Huntington. Officers arrived and located the individual. An investigation revealed that he had several warrants for his arrest. He was arrested per the authority of the warrants and taken into custody. 

Vandalism – Suspect Arrested
April 24 at 6:23 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 800 block of S. Primrose regarding a subject spray painting a wall. Upon arrival officers located a suspect matching the description. During the investigation, officers found additional areas that had been spray painted with similar paint. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody. 

Injury Traffic Accident
April 24 at 8:30 p.m., an injury traffic accident was reported in the area of Magnolia and Central. A juvenile who was bleeding from the head claimed to have been involved in a traffic collision while riding his motorized bicycle. When officers arrived they discovered the victim was riding on the sidewalk when a passerby in a vehicle yelled at him to not ride on the sidewalk. The victim exchanged words with the passerby and while distracted collided into a second vehicle. The victim fell off his bicycle and the other vehicle continued driving. It's unknown if the other party knew he was struck from behind by the bicycle. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment. 

Traffic Collision / Hit and Run
April 24 at 11:26 p.m., a hit and run traffic collision was reported in the area of 600 block of W. Duarte. Upon arrival officers discovered the pole had been knocked down by a vehicle, but the vehicle fled the scene. Officers searched the area, but were unable to locate the vehicle. This investigation is continuing. 

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
April 25 at 2:33 a.m., an officer near the intersection of Central and Mayflower saw a subject going through a shopping cart in the area. The officer stopped and spoke with the subject. An investigation revealed that the subject had a no-bail warrant issued by parole. He was arrested and taken into custody. 

Grand Theft Auto
April 25 at 7:24 a.m., a caller in the 600 block of W. El Norte reported his vehicle stolen. An investigation revealed that he had parked it the night before and locked the doors. He went out the next morning and discovered his vehicle was missing. The vehicle was entered into the national stolen vehicle system. This investigation is continuing. 

Grand Theft
April 25 at 11:52 a.m., a victim in the 1400 block of Encino called to report that eight high end remote control cars had been taken from his patio. Officers collected surveillance footage of the incident. This investigation is continuing. 

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
April 25 at 1:01 p.m., an employee from a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington called to report that a suspect took off his old shoes and put on a new pair of shoes before leaving the store. A description was given and he was located a short distance away. The suspect was positively identified. He was arrested and taken into custody. 

Loitering / Warrants – Suspect Arrested
April 25 at 3:46 p.m., a caller in the 900 block of S. Myrtle reported that a female subject was camped out in the parking area of a local business. An investigation revealed that there was a previous no trespass authorization issued against her for that location. Officers arrived and also confirmed that there were multiple warrants for her arrest. She was arrested per the authority of the warrants and taken into custody. 

Attempt Grand Theft Auto / Criminal Threats – Suspect Arrested
April 26 at 2:04 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 800 block of Bonita regarding a grand theft auto in progress. Upon arrival officers detained a female suspect inside the vehicle. An investigation revealed that the suspect had also threatened to kill the reporting parties if they called the police. She was arrested and taken into custody. 

Non-Injury Traffic Collision
April 26 at 5:30 a.m., a delivery driver reported that he had backed up his truck and struck a light pole. 

Commercial Burglary
April 26 at 7:51 a.m., an employee at a business in the 200 block of W. Huntington reported that a construction crew had been working at the location and left the alarm off. An investigation revealed that sometime during the night unknown suspects entered the location and removed a safe. This investigation is continuing. 

Grand Theft
April 26 at 7:00 p.m., a victim in the 200 block of Shamrock reported that someone had stolen his vehicle’s catalytic converter sometime during the night. This investigation is continuing. 

Mental Evaluation
April 27 at 8:56 a.m., officers responded to the 100 block of E. Olive to speak with a 90 year old female who was in need of medical and mental health services. She was transported to a local facility for treatment. 

Grand Theft Auto Recovery
April 27 at 8:57 a.m., a caller in the 3000 block of Peck Road reported a vehicle that was purchased in early April was discovered to be a stolen vehicle. The vehicle was recovered and removed from the national stolen vehicle system. 

Grand Theft Auto
April 27 at 9:10 a.m., the victim parked his vehicle in front of his residence in the 800 block of Linwood and sometime during the night someone stole his vehicle. The vehicle was entered into the national stolen vehicle system. This investigation is continuing. 

Grand Theft
April 27 at 4:24 p.m., the victim called to report he was working on a yard in the 300 block of Hill when a suspect in a white truck approached his van and removed several gardening tools. This investigation is continuing. 

Dinner at Tacos Ensenada

Dinner at the newTacos Ensenada, on the north side of Huntington just east of Monterey Ave. Got two Tacos Baja (fish and shrimp) for $9.40 and a small horchata for $2.09. The décor is basic but the tacos were delicious!

- Brad Haugaard 

You’ll Love Minnie’s Goofy Personality

Seven-year-old Minnie is a smart, silly dog who shows off her “dance of joy” when she prances around with her toys. She’s a very sweet and polite dog, but she also gets really excited to see her favorite people, and will sit as close as possible to them to get the most back scratches. Minnie has an adorable, goofy personality you can’t help but fall in love with!

The adoption fee for dogs is $150. 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 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 

Candidate Forum May 4 at City Hall

The Monrovia Chamber of Commerce and League of Women Voters will host a Mayoral Candidate Forum and Ballot Measure Forum on Wednesday, May 4, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. in the city council chambers. Audience members may submit written questions to candidates and home viewers can submit questions by calling 932-5550 during the event. The forum will be aired live by KGEM-TV. 

- Brad Haugaard 

A Moment in Monrovia History: Receipts from Getts Drug Store

Two receipts from Getts Drug Store.  From the Kim Anderson collection. 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

Creative School Comes Up With Creative Fundraiser for Dodger Fans

Wild Rose School of Creative Arts PTA has come up with a creative fundraiser: "If you are going to a Dodger game please consider buying tickets from the website link below. They are regular priced tickets but depending on where you sit $4-$22 per ticket is donated directly to our school!"

Here's the link: https://fevo.me/wildroseschool

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Students Treated at Hospitals for Eating Marijuana

In a letter Monrovia Schools Superintendent Ryan Smith warns parents of the dangers of edible marijuana. Some clips ...

"Over the last few weeks, a few of our students in our secondary schools have become ill due to ingesting edible marijuana (i.e. edibles); some of these students had to be transported to hospitals. Unfortunately, the use of edibles (as well as vaping of marijuana) among teenagers and its negative impact on them has been an increasing trend over the years within our state and across the nation."

He adds ...

"Finally, I would also like to take this opportunity to remind you that it is not legal for students to possess, ingest, or be under the influence of edibles at school or at any school-related activity or event; likewise, it is not legal for students to furnish edibles to other students. In all cases involving edibles, students will be subject to disciplinary consequences including suspension or expulsion and law enforcement may become involved."

For the full letter with links to resources for parents, see here: https://tny.im/RTVFm

- Brad Haugaard

School District Plans to Buy Two Electric Buses, Etc.

At its next meeting (agenda: https://tny.im/8ee23) the Monrovia Board of Education will ...

~ Consider buying two electrical buses from Creative Bus Sales of Chino at 370,000 apiece. Apparently all but three cents will be paid by the South Coast Air Quality Management District. https://tny.im/KREeb

~ Receive an informational report on 21st Century learning concepts and how they affect instruction.

~ Consider paying the University of Washington's Center for Educational Leadership $39,175 for nine days of professional development for administrators and instructional coaches "to further develop equity-centered, learning-focused leaders who make students happy, proud, and inspired to realize their limitless futures." https://tny.im/Lmnti

~ Consider paying Learner-Centered Collaborative $50,000 "to collaborate with MUSD leadership to perform a series of foundational activities that will contribute to the development of the MUSD Strategic Plan." https://tny.im/8XIs2

~ Consider paying CITE (California IT in Education) up to $35,000 to evaluate the current Technology Department structure, policies, and procedures. https://tny.im/FyDF

~ Consider declaring May 15-21 as Classified School Employee Week (https://tny.im/zgrfr); May 3 as National Day of the Teacher and May 2-6 as National Teacher Appreciation Week (https://tny.im/S8QbN); and also May 9-13 as School Health Services Appreciation Week and May 11 as National School Nurse Day (https://tny.im/pZy0G).

- Brad Haugaard

Composting Workshop May 21 at Community Garden

- Brad Haugaard

Boys and Girls Club to Honor Youth of the Year

The Boys & Girls Club of the Foothills will hold its Youth of Year celebration on May 1 at the Monrovia Tennis Club to celebrate its Youth of Year candidates, the 2022 Youth of the Year, and to honor Dr. Charlyn Quiec. $100 per person. https://tny.im/Cx78K

- Brad Haugaard

Zero Waste Prizes; Coyote Safety Workshop

Countertop Composter

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

~ To kick start its zero waste initiative Monrovia will hold a contest with prizes. To enter take a photo of yourself or your family taking part in an activity that promotes zero waste, such as recycling, composting, ditching plastic for something reusable, etc. Then post on Instagram by May 4 with the hashtag #CleanMonrovia. You'll be entered into a raffle. Winners will be notified by May 5.

~ Pasadena Humane Society will hold a Coyote Safety Workshop at its Pasadena facility. An expert wildlife manager will share information about the urban coyote and demonstrate humane hazing techniques. Kids and families welcome. Sunday, May 1, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. https://tny.im/TC77A

- Brad Haugaard