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Free SALT Teen Festival August 27


The first annual SALT (Strong. Authentic. Legendary. True) Teen Festival will be held on Saturday, Aug. 27, from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. in Monrovia for teenagers 13-17. There will be In-N-Out, shaved ice, carnival games and prizes, miniature golf, a live DJ teen performers, a selfie zone, drumlines, a step show, and more. Teens helped to create this outdoor teen-only festival as a safe space to express themselves and have fun. The first 300 teens to register online will get a free SALT Teen Festival drawstring backpack. Space is limited. Register here: https://tny.im/LBTot

The SALT Teen Festival is sponsored by City of Hope, Second Baptist Church, Women's Professional Network, S.E.T. for LIFE, YWCA San Gabriel Valley, Congresswoman Judy Chu, CVS Health, JAB TRAN LLC, McLaurin Transit, Monrovia Duarte Black Alumni Association, and with support from the Monrovia Area Partnership.

- Brad Haugaard

Lightning Strike Blows Out Concrete at Sierra Chevrolet in Monrovia

During yesterday's lightning storm, a bolt struck the flagpole at Sierra Chevrolet in Monrovia, blew chunks of concrete from the base of the pole and severely jolted a man who was near the pole.

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Kiku Sushi

Dinner at Kiku Sushi, on the west side of the Huntington Oaks shopping center. Got the Tokyo Combo for $15.99 and a beer for $5.75. Came with miso soup. Very tasty.

- Brad Haugaard 

Pasadena Biotech Firm Moving to Monrovia

 Pasadena-based Terray Therapeutics, a artificial intelligence based biotech firm, plans to move to Monrovia in August. Source

- Brad Haugaard

Peter's a Well-Rounded Dog - Calm, Relaxed, Friendly, and Active


Six-year-old Peter is such a well-rounded dog! He’s calm, relaxed, and friendly, but he’s also active and walks well on a leash. He loves getting attention and especially loves belly rubs. Peter gets along well with people he’s just met and is curious and sweet around other dogs. Peter would love to join your family!

From June 10 through June 30, the adoption fee for big dogs (40 lbs and up) is $50 through our Big Dog Summer adoption promotion! 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

City Manager Dylan Feik Out With COVID

Monrovia City Manager Dylan Feik reports that he "tested positive for COVID yesterday and so will be working from home this week."

In an email he reminded people to "get vaccinated, boosters and follow health and safety guidelines. There are so many people/families who have been affected so seriously, I just cannot believe I'm getting off so easy. Only aches and pains and a constantly running nose for me!"

- Brad Haugaard

A Moment in Monrovia History: Ben Overtuff With Children and Donkey

Ben Overtuff standing beside four children who are on a donkey.. 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

Garden Family Night June 24

- Brad Haugaard

Athens to Request 8.87% Rate Hike; Leaning Tree Must Go; Call for Artists; Lucinda Garcia Park Kick-Off; Science Academy

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

~ As allowed under its contract , Athens Services is asking for an 8.87% increase for solid waste services effective July 1 (https://tny.im/VW4mu). For the typical residential customer with 90-gallon containers the rate will increase from $36.47 to $39.68 a month. For the typical commercial customer with a 3-yard bin serviced once per week, the rate will increase from $212.68 to $231.53 a month. The City Council will consider the request on June 21. https://tny.im/VW4mu

~ A tree at the northwest corner of Library Park is in bad shape and needs to be removed as it is leaning more and more "at an alarming rate." If it falls it is likely to fall on or near the band shell. It is scheduled to be removed tomorrow, Saturday, June 18.

~ Artists are invited to submit proposals for the Josephine Anderson Neighborhood Treasure.  Anderson founded the Monrovia Unity Center in 1980 in a borrowed church closet in Monrovia with the goal to provide food to hungry families. She realized those needing food were going from church to church seeking help. Feeling this was ineffective and wasteful, she called the leaders of the various church programs together and the Unity Center was born. For questions contact Kerri Zessau at 932-5564 or  kzessau@ci.monrovia.ca.us.  

~ Ground breaking for the Lucinda Garcia Park Renovation Project will take place on July 9, at 10 a.m., at the park. The park will be closed from July through December 2022. The $1.7 million renovation will expand the park by one-quarter acre to the west and make improvements to the existing amenities.

~  Monrovia, with Oak Crest Institute of Science, will host a science academy this summer.  Students may apply for funding to cover the cost of the academy. For funding details contact staff at the Monrovia Community Center or call 256-8246. To sign up, go to this page,  https://tny.im/jG3Ah, scroll to the bottom and click "Junior Researcher Academy".

- Brad Haugaard

City Council to Consider $52.55 Million Budget With 'Minor' Deficit; Outgoing and Incoming Fire Chiefs; Etc.


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

~ Consider adopting a "structurally balanced" 2022-23 budget of $52.55 million projecting "a minor deficit" of $170,000. Main sources of revenue: property tax (30%) and sales tax (24%). https://tny.im/9SeYd

~ Honor retiring Fire Chief Brad Dover for 28 years of service and swear in newly hired Fire Chief Jeremy Sanchez.

~ Consider confirming two maintenance districts for 2022-2023: the Citywide Lighting and Landscaping Maintenance District (https://tny.im/UsNbU) and the Park Maintenance District (https://tny.im/sWZr4).

~ Also, the council will hold a study session regarding the requirements of Senate Bill 1383 (Bill:  https://tny.im/0QFjo). SB 1383 regulates, "Short-lived climate pollutants: methane emissions: dairy and livestock: organic waste: landfills." Study Session: https://tny.im/PoWK0

- Brad Haugaard

School Board to Consider $73 Million Budget; Sue Kaiser Retiring; Etc.

At its next meeting (agenda: https://tny.im/GC0tt) the Monrovia Board of Education will ...

~ Consider approving a 2022-23 budget of $73,379,202, of which $56,917,306 is unrestricted and $16,461,896 is restricted. The budget notes that there will be teaching staff reduction equivalent to five full-time teachers because of declining enrollment. https://tny.im/P3kZj

~ Congratulate Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, Dr. Sue Kaiser, on her retirement following an educational career of more than 40-year years.

~ Consider a subscription agreement with NWEA, "a research-based not-for-profit organization that creates academic assessments for students pre-K-12." (Agreement: https://tny.im/ppe8J NWEA site: https://tny.im/2q6QE)

~ Consider an agreement with Committee for Children for a pilot try-out of its Second Step Program and licenses at one elementary and one middle school for 2022-23 school year. The organization provides "social-emotional learning programs ... to positively impact the social-emotional development and wellbeing of children, their schools and communities." https://tny.im/FzYfJ

~ Consider an agreement with Curriculum Associates for licenses for its iReady system at the elementary and middle schools, and at Mountain Park School. "By connecting to actionable, intuitive data, teachers know where to focus and students become more capable and engaged." (Agreement: https://tny.im/GC0tt, Curriculum Associates: https://tny.im/jMKy)

~ Consider an agreement with HeliosEd, which provides management human resources software. https://tny.im/YpYii

~ Consider hiring Briteworks, Inc., to provide janitorial services for the district offices, Canyon Early Learning Center and Mayflower Elementary School. https://tny.im/XUuP0

- Brad Haugaard

Spicer and Kelly Still Lead in Council Race

The votes are still being counted and everyone has more votes, but the relative positions of the candidates has not changed since last Friday. Larry Spicer remains in the lead with Tamala Kelly in second place  The top two vote-getters will win seats on the city council and the city council will then select a third person to fill Becky Shevlin’s seat since she has been elected to be mayor.

- Brad Haugaard 



Your age

Weekly Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 140 New Cases, No New Deaths

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 12 p.m., 06/15/2022. Changes since 06/08/2022.

City of Monrovia: 8,966 cases (up 140), 105 deaths (unchanged)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 936 cases (up 13), 4 deaths (unchanged)

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Threats on Social Media; Lots of Intoxicated People; Catalytic Converter Thefts; Driver Won't Allow His Broken Car to Be Towed; Impersonating an Officer; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for June 9 – June 15. - Brad Haugaard]


During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 367 service events, resulting in 56 investigations.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
June 9 at 11:10 a.m., while on patrol an officer observed a traffic violation in the area of Mountain and Huntington. A traffic stop was conducted. The driver had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. He was arrested per the authority of the warrant and taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
June 9 at 11:19 a.m., an officer observed a vehicle commit a vehicle code violation in the 400 block of W. Duarte. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was contacted. The driver displayed symptoms of being under the influence. A DUI investigation was conducted and the driver was arrested. He was transported to the Monrovia Police Department jail to be held for a sobering period.

Threatening
June 9 at 11:36 a.m., an employee from a business in the 1300 block of S. Shamrock called to report someone was threatening to shoot him and other employees via social media. This investigation is continuing.

Theft / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
June 9 at 3:50 p.m., a theft was reported in the 800 block of E. Huntington. Officers arrived and detained the subject. The subject had an outstanding warrant for his arrest and he was taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
June 10 at 1:54 a.m., while on patrol an officer observed a vehicle failing to stop at a red light in the area of Peck & Live Oak. The vehicle was stopped and the driver displayed symptoms of alcohol intoxication. A DUI investigation revealed the driver was too impaired to operate a motor vehicle. The driver was arrested and transported to the Monrovia Police Department jail to be held for a sobering period.

Commercial Burglary
June 10 at 6:49 a.m., an employee from a business in the 600 block of W. Huntington called to report that when he arrived to work he saw the front window was shattered. As he entered the business he noticed it was ransacked. This investigation is continuing.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
June 10 at 10:59 a.m., a caller reported a male adult was at a park in the 300 block of S. Myrtle disturbing the children near the playground area. Officers arrived and contacted the subject. It was discovered that he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
June 10 at 9:14 p.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop for a moving violation near Foothill and Mountain. The vehicle was stopped and the driver displayed objective symptoms of drug impairment. After a DUI investigation, it was determined the driver was too impaired to operate a motor vehicle. The driver was arrested and transported to the Monrovia Police Department jail to be held for a sobering period.

Warrant / Receiving Stolen Property / Burglary Tools – Suspect Arrested
June 11 at 12:02 a.m., an officer saw a suspicious vehicle with its lights off in the area of Myrtle and Shrode. The officer observed a subject come out of the darkness and enter the vehicle. The vehicle then drove away and a traffic stop was conducted. The occupants were contacted, two subjects were on probation/parole for vehicle theft and had 13 warrants between them. The subjects were detained and catalytic converters were located in the rear seat along with a vehicle jack, electric saw, and a glass breaking tool. Narcotics were also located on the subjects. All three subjects were arrested and taken into custody.

Grand Theft
June 11 at 1:55 a.m., a caller in the 300 block of W. Lime reported subjects were cutting off their neighbor’s catalytic converter. Officers responded but the subjects fled. This investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence
June 11 at 2:59 a.m., while patrolling the area of Magnolia and Oaks an officer saw a vehicle commit a traffic violation and conducted a traffic stop. The vehicle was stopped and the under 21 driver displayed objective symptoms of alcohol intoxication. After a DUI investigation, it was determined the driver was too impaired to operate a motor vehicle. The driver was cited and released to a guardian.

Warrant Arrest
June 11 at 4:35 a.m., an officer in the area of Myrtle and Central saw a bicyclist commit a moving violation and conducted a traffic stop. The subject had a warrant. The subject was arrested for the warrant and taken into custody.

Residential Burglary
June 11 at 7:47 a.m., a resident from the 1000 block of Winding Oaks called to report that her house was broken into. Officers arrived and saw the house was ransacked. This investigation is continuing.

Resisting / Delaying an Officer
June 11 at 11:36 a.m., an officer was driving in the 100 block of E. Lime when he saw a vehicle stopped in the lane. The officer contacted the driver and learned the vehicle was no longer operable. A tow was requested. The tow arrived, but the driver refused to allow his vehicle to be towed out of the roadway and he refused to exit the vehicle. The tow driver was able to move the vehicle to the curb, so it was no longer obstructing traffic. The driver remained inside the vehicle and refused to exit. A report will be filed with the DA's office.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision
June 11 at 8:21 p.m., witnesses reported that a female was being chased by a vehicle in the parking lot of a businesses in the 500 block of W. Huntington. The vehicle hit a parked car and then fled the scene. Officers arrived and located the female who said that she was in an argument with her boyfriend and wanted to get away from him, so she ran. She refused to provide further information. She did say, however, that she witnessed her boyfriend hit the parked car. This investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence / Non- Injury Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested
June 11 at 9:40 p.m., a non-injury traffic collision was reported in the area of Magnolia and Cypress. Officers contacted both drivers. One was intoxicated and a DUI investigation revealed they were too impaired to drive. The driver was arrested and transported to the Monrovia Police Department jail to be held for a sobering period.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision
June 11 at 11:32 p.m., a hit and run was reported in the 200 block of W. Lemon. This investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
June 12 at 1:39 a.m., an officer stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation in the area of Huntington and Fifth. The driver displayed objective symptoms of being under the influence of alcohol. She was also in possession of cocaine. A DUI investigation revealed that she was too impaired to drive. She was arrested and transported to the Monrovia Police Department jail to be held for a sobering period.

Drug Offense / Municipal Code Violation – Suspect Arrested
June 12 at 2:00 a.m., an officer located a female subject in a park in the 700 block of E. Olive after posted hours. The female was found to be in possession of a meth pipe. She was arrested and issued a citation.

Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
June 12 at 2:32 a.m., an officer contacted a suspicious person in the area of Duarte Rd. and Enterprise Way. A records search revealed the subject had warrants for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Drug Offense
June 12 at 11:26 a.m., while patrolling the area of Fifth and Huntington an officer observed a motorist commit a traffic violation. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was contacted. It was later discovered that the driver was in possession of illegal drugs. He also had credit cards belonging to other people. This investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
June 12 at 12:59 p.m., a caller reported her purse was taken from her vehicle while she was shopping at a business in the 700 block of W. Huntington. This investigation is continuing.

Domestic Violence
June 12 at 2:27 p.m., a domestic violence was reported in the 700 block of W. Foothill. Officers arrived and contacted both parties. An investigation revealed that the boyfriend was the primary aggressor. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Outside Assist / Brush Fire
June 12 at 4:28 p.m., officers were dispatched to assist with setting a roadblock at the intersection of Fish Canyon and Encanto.

Intoxication
June 12 at 8:37 p.m., a caller reported a subject was causing a disturbance in front of his house in the 200 block of S. Primrose. Officers arrived and determined the subject was too intoxicated to care for himself. The male adult was arrested and transported to the Monrovia Police Department jail to be held for a sobering period.

Driving Under the Influence
June 13 at 12:52 a.m., a caller reported a driver was asleep at the wheel in the 300 block of S. Myrtle. Officers arrived and saw the driver asleep behind the wheel with loud music coming from the vehicle. The driver finally woke up and a DUI investigation ensued. It was determined the driver was too intoxicated to operate a motor vehicle. He was arrested and transported to the Monrovia Police Department jail to be held for a sobering period.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
June 14 at 7:14 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 300 block of S. Myrtle regarding a male that was intoxicated. They arrived and contacted the subject. The subject had a warrant for his arrest. The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Vandalism
June 14 at 9:46 p.m., residents in the 200 block of E. Maple reported their son had come to the location and broken a window. The son does not live at the location. He was gone by the time officers arrived. This investigation is continuing.

Impersonating an Officer
June 15 at 12:51 a.m., an employee at the 1500 block of S. Myrtle called and reported a male subject was at the location claiming to be a CHP officer. He said he had been in pursuit and ran out of gas. The subject was wearing a gun belt with a drop down holster and firearm. He also had an axe in his belt. The subject was gone when officers arrived. An investigation revealed that the suspect and the vehicle had been reported as missing and armed and dangerous.

Injury Traffic Collision
June 15 at 3:30 p.m., an injury traffic collision was reported in the area of California and Huntington. Officers arrived, along with Monrovia Fire Paramedics to treat the injured party. She was transported to the hospital for treatment. The responsible party was issued a citation.

Loitering
June 15 at 3:31 p.m., officers went to the 100 block of W. Foothill on a report of a female subject who was refusing to leave. Officers arrived and made contact with the female subject. While talking to her, they determined she was drunk in public. She was arrested and transported to the Monrovia Police Department jail to be held for a sobering period.

Monrovia Police Assist After El Monte Police Shooting

Monrovia police are assisting El Monte Police Department in patrolling that city in the aftermath of the killing of two El Monte officers.

Source: Personal contact within Monrovia PD

- Brad Haugaard 

Dinner at K-Chicken & Beer

Had dinner at K-Chicken & Beer, on the east side of Myrtle just south of the theater. Got a small order of chicken wings for $16.95, a beer for $8.95. Nice.

- Brad Haugaard 

Princess Needs Time to Show Her Hearty Purr

Fourteen-year-old Princess is looking for a wonderful home to spend her golden years. Princess needs a little time to come out of her shell, but once she does, she eagerly seeks out petting and will show off her hearty purr. Princess would do best as the only pet in the home so she can be the princess of the house!

Join us at Pasadena Humane on Saturday, June 25 from 10am-2pm for Free Adoption Day presented by Capital Group! Adoption fees will be waived for all available dogs, cats and critters at this walk-in event. 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 

A Moment in Monrovia History: Bargain Day 1910

Bargain Day 1910. An alternative to Monrovia Day this year, a 'Bargain Day' parade was held.. 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 Summer School Food Schedule

Monrovia School District Food Services team will provide breakfast and lunch during summer school from June 13 - July 15 (Monday - Friday, except holidays). Details: https://tny.im/U4QpW

- Brad Haugaard


Spicer and Kelly Still Lead, Zaroyan In Third Place

The latest vote-count update still shows Larry Spicer and Tamala Kelly in the lead, but with Sacha Zaroyan moving up from fourth to third place.

- Brad Haugaard