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Weekly Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 84 More Cases, No New Deaths

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 05/18/2022. Changes since 05/11/2022.

City of Monrovia: 8,546 (up 84), 104 deaths (unchanged)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 892 cases (up 7), 4 deaths (unchanged)

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Mikomi Sushi

Dinner recently at Mikomi Sushi on the west side of Myrtle at Colorado. Got the BBQ Pork Belly entree for $18.50 and a beer for $4.50. Very nice.

Menu: https://shrtm.nu/8Kkl

- Brad Haugaard 

Easy Going Gia Gets Along With


Five-year-old Gia is a sweet cat who’s friendly with people, other cats, and polite dogs. Gia is an easy-going gal who would enjoy relaxing on the couch with you and watching birds out the window. This beautiful tabby has such a calm disposition and would make a great addition to your family!

The adoption fee for cats is $100. 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 Sundayand 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

A Moment in Monrovia History: Civil Rights Activist Anna H. Jones and Her Club in 1920

Anna H Jones. Civil rights activist, educator and founder of the Anna H. Jones Club in 1920, which raised scholarship funds to support higher education for minority youth, particularly young women. Members of her extended family also lived in Monrovia.. 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

Trump Tower, Monrovia

You’ve perhaps heard of Trump Tower in New York or various other locations around the world, but this Trump Tower, bedecked with Trump flags, is in Monrovia, on Cloverleaf Drive at the foot of the mountains.

- Brad Haugaard 



Monrovia Boys' Volleyball Victorious

Monrovia boys volleyball defeats Saddleback to win CIF Division 6 title. https://tny.im/aGODy

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Days in Library Park

Monrovia Days is going strong at Library Park. (The dunk-ee is retiring Monrovia Fire Chief Brad Dover.)

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia days is going strong at Library Cap Park.



It Will Be 'Extremely Costly' For Monrovians to Comply With Methane Reduction Requirement

At its next meeting (agenda: https://tny.im/qvhTJ) the Monrovia City Council will ...

~ Consider how to reduce methane emissions, as required by state Senate Bill 1383. This means recycling of food, even for residences, and it is going to cost on your trash bill. The staff report says that, "Implementation of all the requirements that CalRecycle and SB 1383 imposed will be extremely costly."

How costly? Staff proposes phasing in the higher rates, like this ...


Residential
3% July 1, 2023
3% July 1, 2024
3% July 1, 2025

Commercial and Multi-Family
7% July 1, 2023
7% July 1, 2024
7% July 1, 2025

More detail here: https://tny.im/yH3oZ

~ Consider continuing to work with Mountainside Communion Church, at Magnolia and Colorado, on the Monrovia Community Garden program. Staff recommends putting $24,000 into the program for the year. https://tny.im/Zqn3u

~ Hold a study session to review the proposed 2022-23 budget and the schedule of fees and charges. https://tny.im/8jasE

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Days Starts Today


Monrovia Days starts at 5 p.m. today and lasts through Sunday.

Today (Friday): MHS Pep Rally (5 p.m.); Food, games and beer garden (5 p.m.); Live entertainment featuring Night Shift, a top 40's band  (7 p.m.).

Tomorrow (Saturday): Opening ceremonies (9 a.m.); parade (10 a.m.); library book sale (10 a.m.); carnival rides, food, games and beer garden (11 a.m.); live performances (11 a.m.); parade awards (5 p.m.); Merengue pie eating contest (5:30 p.m.); live entertainment, OC Grove, blues, rock and funk band (7 p.m.)

Sunday: carnival rides, food, games and beer garden (noon); live performances (noon); live entertainment, Stone Soul - classic soul and Motown band (6 p.m.)

More detail here: https://www.monroviadays.org/

- Brad Haugaard

Garden Club to Hold Awards and Beekeeping Events

The Monrovia Garden Club will host its Garden Awards on May 24, at 6 p.m. and on June 28, at 6:30 p.m., Hanna Rechtschaffen will have a presentation about beekeeping. All events will be at the First Presbyterian Church at Foothill and Myrtle.  For more information about the club, contact Cissy Leleftoff, club president, at leleftoff@gmail.com or (626) 573-3300.

- Brad Haugaard


Weekly Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 61 New Cases, No New Deaths

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 05/11/2022. Changes since 05/04/2022.

City of Monrovia: 8,462 cases (up 61), 104 deaths (unchanged)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 885 cases (up 4), 4 deaths (unchanged)

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Hires Kevin McCune as New Public Works Director


The City of Monrovia is excited to announce the appointment of Kevin McCune as the new public works director. Kevin’s first official day with the City of Monrovia is May 23, 2022.

According to City Manager Dylan Feik, “I am excited to welcome Kevin to the City of Monrovia at a time where his knowledge, experience and leadership will benefit Monrovia. Under the City Council’s leadership, we are embarking on a 5-year, $124m Capital Improvement Program to enhance our infrastructure. We are building and renovating parks, buildings, roadways and public areas. With over 25 years of experience, Kevin is arriving at the perfect time and he fully embodies the City’s mission to serve the people of Monrovia to create a community that offers a premiere quality of life.” 

As the public works director, Kevin will oversee the Public Works Department with 32 employees and an annual operating budget of $15 million. He will oversee all areas of the department, including: water and sewer utilities operations; streets, sidewalks and transportation; and parks, facilities and open space maintenance. Most notably, Kevin will help oversee restoration and repair of Monrovia Canyon Park after it was damaged by the Bobcat Fire (September 2020) and the December Rainstorm (December 2021).   

Kevin has a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo. In addition, he is a Registered Professional Civil Engineer in the State of California. Prior to accepting the position with the City of Monrovia, Kevin served as the public works director and city engineer for the City of Santa Maria and the City of Lompoc. During his tenure at the City of Santa Maria, Kevin was instrumental in the implementation of programs to improve efficiencies and reduce cost in fleet maintenance, the design of a new interchange at Highway 101/135 and the completion of the city owned Gigabit fiber optic ring to enable Smart City technology deployment citywide.

“I am honored to be selected as the next Public Works Director,” said Kevin. “I look forward to engaging with the Monrovia community and being a part of a team that is committed to providing high level service.” In addition to welcoming Kevin and his family to Monrovia, the City would also like to thank the many wonderful employees of the Public Works Department who have gone above and beyond their regular job duties as the public works director position remained vacant.

Kevin is married to his wife, Jennifer, and they have three children, Sydney, Caden and Logan. Together, they enjoy camping and hiking trips in Yosemite and Rincon Beach. Kevin, his family and their dog, Sadie, will be relocating to Monrovia.

Source: City of Monrovia press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Employee Punched in Mouth; Ex-Girlfriend Punches Current Girlfriend; Ex-Boyfriend Assaults Ex-Girlfriend; Robber Demands Backpack; Plants Stolen from Nursery; Etc.

 [Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for May 5 – 11. - Brad Haugaard]


During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 365 service events, resulting in 55 investigations. 

Drug Activity – Suspect Arrested
May 5 at 7:25 a.m., an officer was patrolling the intersection of Duarte and Myrtle when he saw a bicyclist commit a traffic violation. A traffic stop was initiated and further investigation revealed the subject was in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested and taken into custody. 

Commercial Burglary
May 5 at 9:00 a.m., a broken window was reported in the 600 block of W. Huntington. An investigation revealed that two suspects had forced entry into the business during the night. Unknown at this time if anything was taken. This investigation is continuing. 

Warrants – Suspect Arrested
May 5 at 11:27 a.m., a caller in the 400 block of S. Violet advised that a subject was yelling and causing a disturbance. Officers made contact with the subject and an investigation revealed he had multiple warrants for his arrest. He was arrested per the authority of the warrants and taken into custody. 

Drug Activity – Suspect Arrested
May 5 at 4:09 p.m., an officer patrolling the 1600 block of S. Primrose contacted a subject loitering in the area. During the contact the officer discovered the subject was in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested and taken into custody. 

Warrants – Suspect Arrested
May 5 at 4:12 p.m., a disturbance was reported in the 500 block of S. Myrtle. Officers made contact with the subject and an investigation revealed he had several outstanding warrants for his arrest. The subject was arrested per the authority of the warrants and taken into custody. 

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
May 5 at 5:15 p.m., officers were dispatched to a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain regarding a shoplifting that had just occurred. Upon arrival they detained the suspect and conducted an investigation. The store management placed the suspect under private person’s arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody. 

Fraud
May 5 at 10:11 p.m., a victim in the 1000 block of E. Royal Oaks reported that he had been scammed out of money. The victim was contacted via social media by someone he believed was an old friend. The suspect then requested money in exchange for bitcoin. This investigation is continuing. 

Battery – Suspect Arrested
May 5 at 10:14 p.m., an employee of a business in the 400 block of S. Myrtle flagged down an officer to report a battery. A male suspect had punched an employee in the mouth. The victim had fallen to the ground. Paramedics responded and transported the victim to a local hospital for treatment. The suspect was identified. He was arrested and taken into custody. 

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
May 6 at 12:30 a.m., an officer patrolling the 1600 block of S. Myrtle saw a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. A traffic stop was conducted and an investigation was conducted and the driver was found to have been driving under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested for DUI and transported to the Monrovia Police Department jail and held for a sobering period. 

Battery
May 6 at 12:51 a.m., a female subject in the 100 block of Olive called and was incoherent over the phone. Officers responded and the subject advised that she and her boyfriend were inside a local business when they saw that the boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend was inside. They left to avoid conflict, but once outside the ex-girlfriend confronted her. An argument ensued and the ex-girlfriend began punching the victim in the face multiple times causing her to fall down. The suspect then fled the scene. Paramedics responded to the location and transported the victim to a local hospital for treatment. This investigation is continuing. 

Fraud
May 6 at 3:24 p.m., a victim in the 1400 block of Pilgrim Way came into the Police Department lobby to report that he was scammed out money from a fraudulent rental home listing. This investigation is continuing. 

Vehicle Burglary
May 6 at 4:22 p.m., a resident in the 1400 block of Alamitas called to report that her vehicle was broken into and her laptop was stolen. This investigation is continuing. 

Vehicle Burglary
May 6 at 5:01 p.m., a victim reported that her vehicle was broken into while she was shopping at a business in the 700 block of W. Huntington. This investigation is continuing. 

Injury Traffic Collision
May 6 at 6:18 p.m., a caller stated that she had been involved in an accident the day prior near the intersection of Myrtle and Walnut and wanted to make a cold collision report. 

Drug Activity – Suspects Arrested
May 6 at 11:41 p.m., an officer was patrolling the area of Peck and Longden when he observed a subject walking with a flashlight inside of the wash area. Two subjects were contacted and an investigation revealed that both were in possession of controlled substances. They were arrested and taken into custody. 

Drug Activity – Suspect Arrested
May 7 at 1:07 a.m., officers responded to a hotel in the 1100 block of E. Huntington regarding a noise complaint. They contacted a subject and further investigation revealed he was in possession of a controlled substance. He was arrested and taken into custody. 

Non-Injury Traffic Collision
May 7 at 1:39 a.m., a caller advised she was involved in a traffic collision near the intersection of Foothill and Stedman. No injuries were reported. Officers responded and took a collision report. 

Grand Theft Auto
May 7 at 6:48 a.m., a resident in the 100 block of W. Cherry called to report that his vehicle was taken sometime during the night. Officers responded and conducted an investigation. The vehicle was entered into the national stolen vehicle database. This investigation is continuing. 

Injury Traffic Collision
May 7 at 4:51 p.m., a vehicle collision was reported in the 100 block of Madeline. A vehicle struck a parked car. Officers and paramedics arrived on scene and checked the well- being of the occupant. The driver sustained an ankle injury and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. This investigation is continuing. 

Domestic Violence
May 7 at 7:55 p.m., a domestic dispute was reported in the 800 block of W. Walnut. A female victim told officers she was assaulted by her ex-boyfriend. Further investigation revealed she also had a restraining order against him. He fled on foot prior to officers’ arrival. This investigation is continuing. 

Commercial Burglary
May 8 at 3:23 a.m., officers responded to an alarm activation at a business in the 200 block of Kruse. An investigation revealed that multiple suspects had used a vehicle to ram an industrial door. They then attempted to take a motorcycle off the property, but were unsuccessful. This investigation is continuing. 

Commercial Burglary
May 8 at 5:22 a.m., an alarm was activated in a business in the 400 block of W. Huntington. Upon arrival officers discovered that the front window of the business had been shattered. All suspects had fled prior to officers’ arrival. The cash register drawer was left on the store floor. It is unknown what the loss is at this time. This investigation is continuing. 

Commercial Burglary
May 8 at 8:08 a.m., an employee for a restaurant in the 900 block of W. Huntington arrived at work and discovered someone had shattered the store's front window sometime during the night, gained entry, and stole cash that was left in the registers. This investigation is continuing. 

Grand Theft Auto
May 8 at 10:20 a.m., a resident in the 100 block of W. Hillcrest walked outside her home and discovered someone had stolen her vehicle that was parked in front of her house sometime during the night. Officers searched the area for the vehicle, but could not locate it. The vehicle was entered in the Stolen Vehicle System. This investigation is continuing. 

Grand Theft
May 9 at 9:25 a.m., a victim at a hotel in the 900 block of S. Fifth reported that the catalytic converter had been stolen from her vehicle sometime during the night. An investigation revealed that the suspect had left a jack underneath the vehicle. This investigation is continuing. 

Grand Theft Auto Recovery
May 9 at 9:46 a.m., an employee for a business in the 3300 block of S. Peck advised that a stolen vehicle was parked at the location. Officers arrived and confirmed the vehicle had been reported stolen out of Los Angeles. This investigation is continuing. 

Fraud / Forgery
May 9 at 11:54 a.m., an employee from the 100 block of Lemon reported that a check had been fraudulently cashed. An investigation revealed that the check had been intercepted by the suspect who added his name to the payee section. This investigation is continuing. 

Grand Theft
May 10 at 7:18 a.m., officers responded to a residence in the 900 block of S. Primrose regarding a report of stolen tools. The victim advised that two subjects took multiple tools from him that were worth approximately $20,000. This investigation is continuing. 

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
May 10 at 2:26 p.m., a caller near the intersection of Shamrock and Huntington reported that a male subject was following her. Officers arrived and detained the suspect. An investigation revealed he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody. 

Robbery
May 10 at 8:20 p.m., officers responded to a gas station in the 1600 block of S. Myrtle regarding a robbery that had just occurred. The victim stated he was walking when a suspect approached him and demanded the backpack he was wearing. He gave the backpack to the suspect who then left the area. This investigation is continuing. 

Grand Theft Auto
May 11 at 8:24 a.m., a victim called to report their vehicle was stolen from the 100 block of Montana sometime during the night. The vehicle was entered into the Stolen Vehicle System. This investigation is continuing. 

Drunk In Public – Suspect Arrested
May 11 at 9:26 a.m., while on patrol an officer observed a male subject in the 100 block of S. Myrtle urinating in the bushes. When he stopped to talk to the subject, he could see the subject was intoxicated. He was arrested and transported to the Monrovia Police Department jail where he was held for a sobering period. 

Commercial Burglary
May 11 at 10:17 a.m., an employee in the 600 block of S. Mountain noticed the fence was cut on the side of the location. It was discovered that 5 plants had been taken from the nursery area. This investigation is continuing. 

Extortion
May 11 at 1:45 p.m., a caller in the 200 block of S. Fifth reported that she was randomly added to a conversation on a social media app with a male subject. At some point, he convinced her to send him photographs. He then told her she needed to give him money or he would release the photos. This investigation is continuing. 

Forgery
May 11 at 2:37 p.m., a forgery was reported in the 200 block of Stedman. The reporting party stated that he mailed out a check, but it never arrived to the intended party. It was discovered that the check had been intercepted and made out to a different payee in a different amount. It is unknown where the check was cashed. Postal Inspectors are investigating the incident. 

Petty Theft
May 11 at 3:55 p.m., an employee from a business in the 400 block of W. Foothill walked out of a storage room and saw a male subject run out with stolen merchandise. The subject got into a vehicle and left the area. The subject stole e-cigarettes. This investigation is continuing. 

Auto Theft
May 11 at 9:21 p.m., a stolen vehicle was reported in the 100 block of Montana. An investigation revealed the vehicle was involved in hit and run traffic collision the night prior in the City of Pasadena. This investigation is continuing. 

Vandalism
May 11 at 10:44 pm, the reporting party witnessed a subject spraying graffiti at a business in the 1000 block of S. Mountain. This investigation is continuing. 

Dinner at Oto-Oto

Dinner recently at Oto-Oto Japanese restaurant in the shopping center at Fifth and Huntington. Got the Pork Kakuni (pork belly) bento box for $12.95 and a beer for $5. Excellent!

Menu: https://shrtm.nu/hF7Y

- Brad Haugaard 

Honey Bee, Active and Great With Kids

Two-year-old Honey Bee is an active dog who loves playtime and walks, but she also enjoys lazing around the house with her favorite people. Honey Bee is super sweet and is great with kids. She loves snuggling and giving lots of kisses, and has such a gentle spirit!

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 

Statement of City Council Candidate Genia Mills


Hello Monrovians,

My name is Genia Mills, and I am running for City Council. I am proud to call Monrovia my home for 19 years. It is where my husband and I raised our family.

Professionally, I worked in the entertainment industry for two decades after receiving my B.A. from the University of Southern California (USC).

Civically, I have held many positions within the community, including:

Community Services Commissioner for the last 11 years, including chair and vice-chair.
-Subcommittee member for Julian Fisher Park renovations.
-Subcommittee member for Lucinda Garcia Park renovations.

Monrovia Area Partnership (MAP) Neighborhood Leader for 13 years.
I advocated for the city’s shopping cart ordinance; conducted neighbor mediations; led workshops; and organized neighbors to voice their concerns about the impact of nearby housing developments.

I am also a Neighborhood Watch Captain and served on the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

My vision for Monrovia includes:

Promoting Fiscal Responsibility
We need to ensure that we keep solid reserves and do our best to offset costs by qualifying for grants, while using conservative estimates for revenue growth and generous estimates for cost growth.

Supporting Public Safety Enhancements
To ensure that people are safe, we need a dual track system that institutes programs that seek to provide people with the skills and mental health resources they need to avoid becoming criminalized while also holding people accountable for their actions.

I will enhance our Community Policing Program by encouraging more touch points between police and our community, and advocate for our police department to continue receiving the kind of de-escalation training that it has already effectively deployed.

Promoting Housing Availability and Affordability
I will encourage further participation with the California Statewide Communities Development Authority (CSCDA) to obtain additional moderate-income housing as exemplified at the Moda complex at Station Square. I will also seek to streamline the approval process for the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior ADUs.

I will use my experience and collaborative brand of leadership to achieve these goals. I respectfully ask for your vote. For more information about my campaign, please visit votemills4monrovia.com.

Monrovia Police Tips for Drivers, Bicyclists, and Motorcyclists

May is National Bicycle and Motorcycle Safety Month and Monrovia Police Department has tips for drivers, bike riders and motorcyclists: https://tny.im/FyecX

- Brad Haugaard

US News & World Report Honors Plymouth School as '2022 Best Elementary School'

Plymouth Elementary principal, Dr. Greg Gero, reports that "U.S. News & World Report has selected Plymouth as a recipient of the '2022 Best Elementary School' award! Rankings are based on performance on state-required tests and how well students are prepared for high school." 

He added, "Over the past several years, Plymouth has reinvigorated the education that we provide our students, with an increased focus on critical thinking, problem-solving, and literacy. Essential to our success has been our partnerships with families. Teachers and parents work closely together, conducting virtual visits, parent workshops, and volunteering in the classroom. Our PTA continues to support our students through literacy programs, arts instruction, and our amazing makerspace! At least as important has been our schoolwide focus on fostering a growth mindset in our students."


- Brad Haugaard

After Two Years Refurbishing, Pipe Organ at St. Luke's to Play Again

After a two-year refurbishing, Lucille, the three-manual, 42-rank pipe organ at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, will be played at the final Evensong of the choir season on Sunday, May 15 at 4 p.m. The church is at California and Foothill and admission is free.

"During the painstaking restoration, the instrument's thousands of pipes were removed and individually cleaned," says Music Director Kent Bennett Jones. "With the pipes out of the way, the entire interior of the church was replastered and repainted. Now everything is back in place, and Lucille is sounding more amazing than ever amid the church's spectacular acoustics."

The performance will include music by Ralph Vaughan Williams and Charles Villiers Stanford. It will feature William Boyce's anthem, "I Have Surely Built Thee an House," with soloists Marina Harris, Alex Miller and Victor Mazzone.  St. Luke’s Music Director, Kent Bennett Jones, will lead the ensemble.

An offering will be taken. Guests are invited to a wine and cheese reception in Guild Hall following the performance.

- Brad Haugaard

A Moment in Monrovia History: Anderson House Ceremony, 1979

Anderson House Ceremony 1979. L to R: H. Elroy Lindberg, Executive Secretary, California Community Foundation; Robert E. Cole, Manager, Monrovia Branch, Security Pacific Bank; Mrs. M.L. (Sandy) McIntosh, President, Friends of Monrovia Public Library. The Foundation had made a grant to the Friends Library so it could purchase the house. July 10, 1975. The property now belongs to the Monrovia Historical Society. 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