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Founder of Unity Center Honored


 The plaque, just outside the Foothill Unity Center, says:

JOSEPHINE ANDERSON
FOUNDER OF THE FOOTHILL UNITY CENTER

The Foothill Unity Center was founded in 1980 by Josephine Anderson in a borrowed church closet in Monrovia. She was in charge of Immaculate Conception CatholicChurch's food program in the late 1970's when she realized that those needing food were going from church to church seeking help. Feeling that this was both ineffect; and wasteful, she rallied the leaders from local churches to solve this problem.

Mrs. Anderson was a strong and able leader who created and built what has become one of the best-known and effective organizations in Monrovia and the San Gabriel Valley. Over the years, the Foothill Unity Center has become a major source of food, health services and crisis assistance for thousands of low-income families. It is a multi-service agency serving as the region's primary provider of integrated services that help individuals and families move out of poverty and reach economic stability. In addition to her work at the Foothill Unity Center, Mrs. Anderson worked with the Monrovia Centennial Committee in the 1980's to develop a Child Care Consortium.

Mrs. Anderson was a humble and courageous leader who never failed to assist anyone regardless of their needs. She followed her intuition and did not regret breaking societal rules to help others. She changed the status quo and paved the way to help numerous individuals.

Dedicated October 15, 2022
Donna Hargett, Artist

- Brad Haugaard 

Trunk or Treat at First Presbyterian Church Oct. 29

Trunk or Treat Oct. 29 at First Presbyterian Church, at the corner of Myrtle and Foothill.

- Brad Haugaard

Fester - Just a Bit Bald, And Loves Play Time


Just like his Addams Family's namesake, Fester is missing a small amount of hair. Unlike the famous follicularly challenged Uncle, this Fester is likely to have a luxurious coat when his fur grows in. 

Fester is a two year-old shepherd mix, and an active one! He loves exploring the play yard and chasing toys. His fetch game needs improvement though, as the chasing is much more fun! His favorite one so far is the ball, but then he finds a rope toy, no, wait, it's the stuffed toy!

This Fester cannot generate electricity, but it shouldn't shock you that he is a really friendly and fun dog and will be a great addition to any family!

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

Boys and Girls Club Sponsoring Lights on Afterschool Open House Oct. 20


On October 20 Boys & Girls Club of the Foothills will host "Lights On Afterschool" at its facility (600 S. Shamrock, in Recreation Park). This event is one of the thousands taking place across the nation to emphasize the importance of keeping the lights on and the doors open after school.

Lights On Afterschool will spotlight the range of programming available at BGCF, including homework help and tutoring, STEM activities, arts and crafts, structured sports and recreation, mentoring, and character-building programs. Tours of the facility will be given by club members. Sign up here: www.tinyurl.com/BGCF-LOA2022 There are time slots available between 3:15-5:30 p.m.

"Lights On Afterschool is a powerful reminder of the resources and support that after school programs offer our children and families," said John Wilson, Executive Director. "At BGCF, we are committed to doing whatever it takes to ensure great futures for kids in need. Unfortunately, we have a waiting list for our program, which is why efforts like Lights On Afterschool are so important, to bring attention to the high demand for services and the need to fund programs like ours nationwide."

- Brad Haugaard

Giant Deer Warning on Norumbega ;-)

Someone on Norumbega has a sense of humor. 

- Brad Haugaard 

A Moment in Monrovia History: El Patio Motel on Huntington

El Patio Motel, at 135 W. Huntington.  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

City Council: Repeal Tenant Eviction Moratorium; Study Membership in Clean Power Alliance; Etc.

At its next meeting (t.ly/oK5S) the Monrovia City Council will ...

~ Consider repealing a COVID-era emergency moratorium on residential tenant evictions. t.ly/Zi2z

~  Hold a 5:45 p.m. study session (t.ly/VZaL) on joining the Clean Power Alliance. Details here: t.ly/WBM0

~ Consider proclaiming October 20 as "The Great California ShakeOut" and honor Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) graduates. t.ly/rxjx

~ Consider proclaiming October 22 as Make a Difference Day. t.ly/a8R6

~ Consider proclaiming October 24 as "World Polio Day." t.ly/Bs55

- Brad Haugaard

Superintendent Smith Reports on Thursday Lockdown

Yesterday was an extremely difficult day for all of us.  I am so thankful that the report about an active shooter at our high school was false; however, my heart is heavy knowing the impact that this has had on everyone's psyche.  Our schools are safe places for students and staff.  They always have been, and we will do all we can to ensure they always will be.  An event like we all experienced yesterday understandably has some feeling uneasy about that.  I will see to it that our plans moving forward ameliorate the impact of any trauma that was caused yesterday. 

Classes resumed this morning as normal at Monrovia High School, Monroe Elementary School, and the rest of our school campuses.  I have checked in with each of our principals and district staff, and I am pleased to share that things have gone quite smoothly.  In this update, I would like to provide some additional information to you all as well as a sense of things my staff is working on.

First, I would like to clarify what sparked yesterday's events.  As communicated by both the Monrovia Police Department and the City of Monrovia, a single phone call was made to 911  indicating that there was an active shooter at MHS and there were casualties.  According to police, the phone call was made from a phone registered out of state by a person with what was described as some kind of a foreign-sounding accent.  We were not the only school district in our area that received such a false threat.  Earlier this week, a number of schools in the San Francisco Bay Area received similar false threats as well.  

MPD responded quickly, arrived on campus, and took command of the scene.  Lockdown procedures were initiated, ushering students into classrooms and other safe spaces as quickly as possible.  Considering the school serves over 1,500 students and has about 300 staff members who were all enjoying lunch at the time, staff and MPD did a commendable job with this in the most difficult of conditions.

Second, it has come to my attention that there are rumors circulating that a student brandished a gun on campus toward the beginning of the lunch period, and that is the true origin of yesterday's events.  This is false.  MPD has investigated this claim and found no evidence that any student was in possession of a gun or brandished one.

We continue to be in frequent communication with both MPD and the City of Monrovia.  My team will debrief with both of theirs next week to identify ways all of our organizations can better respond to these kinds of situations.  I am grateful to be a part of a community where this kind of collaboration is part of the culture.

This morning, I made sure that our counseling team from across the district was present at both Monrovia High School and Monroe Elementary School to assist any students or staff members who may be experiencing trauma following yesterday's lockdowns.  Should anyone else at any site in our district need support, we will provide it.  I am proud of the Board of Education for supporting the hiring of additional counselors to support each of our elementary schools; a situation like this is a reminder that this was a wise investment.  Also, out of an abundance of caution, I have asked MPD to be visible in our community throughout the remainder of today and early next week.

In September, the Board of Education approved a partnership with Navigate 360, an organization that provides resources to districts in the area of school safety. Navigate 360 will provide us with tools and training for enhancing emergency management plans, training for responding to active shooter threats, tools for conducting threat assessments, and support for identifying and helping students who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts.  The Board also approved the hiring of two district social workers to support our students as well.  The addition of these mental health professionals to our team will complement the critical work that our counselors engage in and further bolster our continuum of mental health resources.

Finally, I would like to extend my gratitude to all of you.  During my time as your superintendent, I have come to greatly appreciate your tremendous support of our efforts on behalf of our students, your willingness to help wherever we may need you, and your honest feedback.  If any new information becomes available, I will provide it to you by the end of the day.

Sincerely,

Ryan D. Smith, Ed.D.
Superintendent

Fire Department Offers Free Smoke Alarm Inspection; Unveiling of Josephine Anderson Neighborhood Treasure

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

~ Monrovia Fire & Rescue will inspect homes to ensure residents have the appropriate number of smoke alarms. To schedule an inspection send an email to smokealarm@ci.monrovia.ca.us t.ly/oIvX

~  Monrovia Area Partnership and the Art in Public Places Committee will hold an unveiling of the marker honoring Josephine Anderson, founder of the Foothill Unity Center. The celebration, at the Foothill Unity Center (790 W. Chestnut Ave.) will be tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 15, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will begin with the Neighborhood Treasure Art Unveiling, followed by free food, games, and music.  t.ly/yBYF

- Brad Haugaard

Weekly Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 16 New Cases, No More Deaths

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 12 p.m., 10/12/2022. Changes since 10/05/2022.

City of Monrovia: 10,650 cases (up 16), 109 deaths (unchanged)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 1,137 cases (up 2), 5 deaths (unchanged)

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Five Catalytic Converters Stolen; Five Mental Health Issues; Shedding Clothing While Carrying Meth; Man Throws Bottle at Bartender; Wife Hits Husband With Table Leg; Drugs and Alcohol

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for October 6 – 12. - Brad Haugaard]


During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 410 service events, resulting in 57 investigations.

Grand Theft
October 6 at 4:45 a.m., a caller in the 900 block of S. Canyon reported someone had stolen his catalytic converter from his work vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
October 6 at 8:22 a.m., a caller in the 900 block of S. Canyon reported someone had stolen his catalytic converter from his work vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
October 6 at 8:57 a.m., a caller in the 200 block of E. Chestnut reported someone had stolen his catalytic converter from his work vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
October 6 at 10:47 a.m., a business in the 100 block of S. Myrtle reported a subject was loitering in their bathroom. Officers responded and determined the suspect had a warrant. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Grand Theft Auto Recovery
October 6 at 11:07 a.m., a parking control officer responded to the 500 block of California regarding a parking problem. An investigation revealed one of the vehicles was reported as stolen in Monrovia. The owner responded and took possession of her vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Drug Offense – Suspect Arrested
October 6 at 3:36 p.m., an officer in the area of Mayflower and Huntington saw a vehicle commit a traffic violation and conducted a traffic stop. An investigation revealed the driver was in possession of drugs. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
October 6 at 8:23 p.m., an officer saw a driver commit a traffic violation in the area of Myrtle and California. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver showed signs of impairment. A DUI investigation was conducted. The driver was arrested and was transported to a nearby hospital for a blood draw. The driver was then transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Drug Arrest / Resisting
October 6 at 10:52 p.m., a witness in the 1600 block of S. Myrtle reported a male subject walking around a complex and removing his clothing. Officers located the male subject and ordered him to stop. He refused to comply. Officers detained the subject who had an unknown object in his hand and would not let it go despite officer's orders. The subject then tried to break free from the officers as he threw the object from his hand. Officers recovered the object, which contained meth. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Grand Theft
October 7 at 1:38 a.m., a resident in the 300 block of N. Myrtle reported someone had stolen the catalytic converter from his vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
October 7 at 2:09 a.m., a caller in the 150 block of N. Alta Vista reported someone had stolen the catalytic converter from his vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Overdose
October 7 at 2:15 a.m., a passerby in the 900 block of W. Foothills reported a female subject was laying on the sidewalk unresponsive. Officers arrived and determined the female was unresponsive and not breathing. They advised it was an overdose and started life saving measures immediately and administered doses of Narcan before a pulse was detected. MFD took over the care of the female and she was transported to the hospital.

Grand Theft
October 7 at 3:10 p.m. a resident in the 1400 block of S. Magnolia called to report that several of his deceased brother's handguns were stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Want Arrest – Suspect Arrested
October 7 at 4:35 p.m., an officer was patrolling the area of Peck and Live Oak when he saw a motorist make a vehicle code violation. A traffic stop was conducted. It was discovered the driver was wanted out of Pasadena for assault with a deadly weapon. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Domestic Violence
October 7 at 5:32 p.m., a resident in the 500 block of W. Foothill called to report that her partner battered her and left the location. Prior to leaving, the suspect cut her own wrist. Officers responded and did not locate the suspect. This investigation is continuing.

Mental Evaluation
October 7 at 6:39 p.m., a caller in the 100 block of S. Mountain reported his 79 year old mother just threatened him with a knife. Officers arrived and determined the female was a danger to others and suffers from mental health issues. Officers determined she needed to be further evaluated by a mental health professional. She was transported to a local facility for treatment.

Battery
October 7 at 10:34 p.m., a victim in the 300 block of S. Myrtle called to report he was being bullied by another known juvenile. Officers arrived and determined a battery had occurred against the juvenile victim. This investigation continuing.

Felony Vandalism
October 8 at 2:36 a.m., a Lyft driver called to report a vandalism in the 900 block of W. Huntington. Officers arrived and determined the suspects matched the description from two subjects involved in a domestic violence incident. The victim positively identified both suspects.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
October 8 at 2:39 a.m., as officers were conducting a welfare check at a hotel parking lot in the 900 block of W. Huntington, one of the officers saw a battery occur. Officers contacted the male and female couple and determined the battery was a domestic violence violation. The female was arrested for the violation and the male was arrested for being drunk in public. As the couple was being detained, we had another call from a Lyft driver stating a male and female couple had just vandalized her property and fled towards the hotel. The suspects were arrested and taken into custody.

Mental Evaluation
October 8 at 5:55 a.m., a caller reported a male subject was at a gas station in the 1600 block of S. Myrtle smashing light fixtures with a crowbar. Officers arrived and were able to deescalate a very distraught and angered male subject. The subject put the crowbar down and officers were able to peacefully detain the subject without incident. Officers determined he needed to be further evaluated by a mental health professional. He was transported to a local facility for treatment.

Grand Theft Auto
October 8 at 8:42 a.m., a victim came into the Monrovia PD lobby to report that his vehicle had been stolen overnight. This investigation is continuing.

Theft
October 8 at 10:36 a.m., a victim in the 100 block of McKinley called to report he'd just seen an unknown male subject breaking into his car, then running away. Officers responded to the area to search for the suspect but were unable to locate him. This investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
October 8, at 4:41 p.m., an officer observed a vehicle commit a traffic offense in the area of Myrtle and Longden. While speaking to the driver the officer observed symptoms of intoxication. A DUI investigation determined the driver was too intoxicated to operate a vehicle. The driver was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Prowling / Drug Arrest
October 8 at 6:53 p.m., a caller reported he was watching someone enter his business in the 200 block of E. Foothill via video surveillance. Officers arrived and were able to locate the suspect. The suspect was found to be in possession of drugs. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Commercial Burglary
October 8 at 8:48 p.m., an alarm company in the 3300 block of S. Peck called and advised of a motion activation at a business, but could not see anyone on the video surveillance. It was determined the suspect entered the property by cutting the bars on the office window. The suspect entered the office and fled the same way he came in. The suspect was gone prior to officers’ arrival. This investigation is continuing.

Assault – Suspect Arrested
October 8 at 9:40 p.m., a business in the 400 block of S. Myrtle called and stated their bartender was being assaulted. An officer arrived as the male suspect was leaving. The officer ordered him to stop, but the suspect refused. The suspect became physically aggressive towards the officer. Assisting officers arrived and were able to arrest the suspect. An investigation revealed the subject threw a heavy glass bottle at an employee causing facial lacerations. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Domestic Violence
October 9 at 4:31 a.m., while patrolling in the 100 block of N. Myrtle officers saw an abandoned vehicle in the middle of the road. An investigation revealed the vehicle owner lived in a complex in the area. As officers approached the building they heard a disturbance coming from the complex. A female victim with visible injuries ran past the officers and a male suspect was located inside and had barricaded himself in the bathroom. After assisting to the female's medical needs, a tactical plan was devised to contact the suspect. Officers entered the apartment and searched for the suspect, but he had already escaped through a small window. This investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence / Injury Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested
October 9 at 7:46 p.m., two vehicles were involved in a traffic collision in the 200 block of S. Mountain. During the investigation one of the drivers displayed symptoms of being under the influence and the other complained of pain. Both were seen by paramedics. The suspect was under the influence was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Assault with Deadly Weapon / Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
October 10 at 3:35 a.m., Officers responded to the 100 block of W. Cypress regarding unknown trouble. When officers arrived they found a male bleeding. An investigation revealed he had been in an argument with his wife when she struck him with a table leg. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Wanted Person
October 10 at 8:44 a.m., a male subject came into the lobby to see about getting his vehicle released. It was determined he was wanted to for domestic violence. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Injury Traffic Collision
October 10 at 1:58 p.m., a vehicle pulled into oncoming traffic in the 600 block of W. Duarte and was broadsided by another vehicle. Paramedics were requested and treated the injured at the scene.

Mental Evaluation
October 10 at 2:23 p.m., officers responded to the 200 block of W. Colorado when a mom phoned stating her son was having thoughts of hurting himself. Officers determined he needed to be further evaluated by a mental health professional. He was transported to a local facility for treatment.

Wanted Person – Suspect Arrested
October 10 at 3:09 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 700 block of W. Foothill to keep the peace. A subject wanted to retrieve property from the location. When officers made contact with all the subjects at the location, a computer check revealed one of them had an outstanding want for her arrest. She was arrested and taken into custody per the authority of the warrant.

Medical Evaluation
October 10 at 7:13 p.m., a citizen in the 400 block of S. Myrtle called to report a subject asking for money. When officers arrived, they located the subject and noticed he was bleeding from his foot. MFD arrived and treated the subject. It was determined he needed to be further evaluated by a mental health professional. He was transported to a local facility for treatment.

Drunk in Public – Suspect Arrested
October 10 at 8:49 p.m., a witness reported a female subject was breaking beer bottles in the area of Huntington and Magnolia. Officers arrived and determined the female subject was drunk in public. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence
October 10 at 10:53 p.m., an officer noticed a driver traveling on Walnut partially in the east and westbound lanes, so the vehicle was stopped. The officer approached the driver and while speaking with the driver, the officer noticed the driver displayed symptoms being under the influence of alcohol. She was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Weapons Offense
October 11 at 2:35 a.m., an officer stopped a bicyclist in the area of Altavista and Duarte for a vehicle code violation. An investigation determined that the subject was in possession of a firearm. Further investigation revealed the subject was on active parole and had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Non-Injury Traffic Collision
October 11 at 9:16 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 400 block of W. Foothill on a report of a traffic accident. When they arrived, they saw the vehicle parked facing east/west in the parking stalls which are facing north/south. Speaking with the driver, it was determined he had a medical emergency which caused him to hit the handicap sign. He was treated at the scene by paramedics and released. He was issued a driver reevaluation form.

Grand Theft
October 11 at 2:07 p.m., the victim in the 100 block of N. Alta Vista reported that the tailgate to his truck was stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Petty Theft – Suspect Arrested
October 11 at 4:03 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 400 block of W. Huntington regarding a female who was inside throwing items around. When officers arrived, they saw the female exiting the store and she was detained. An investigation revealed she had stolen property from the location. She also had an electric scooter which she said belonged to someone else. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Drunk in Public – Suspect Arrested
October 12 at 10:17 a.m., a caller reported a male subject was in front of the 100 block of W. Foothill and it appears he is drunk. Officers arrived and recognized the subject from prior contacts of being drunk in public. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Identity Theft
October 12 at 11:59 p.m., a victim in the 400 block of Royal Oaks reported he received letters confirming his recent employment. The victim is retired and never applied for employment. This investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
October 12 at 4:38 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Myrtle and Evergreen regarding an injury collision. A vehicle ran a red light and was struck by another vehicle. As a result, one of the vehicles ran into another vehicle. One subject was transported to the hospital for further treatment and the vehicle was stored due to the driver being incapacitated.

Drug Activity
October 12 at 7:34 p.m., an officer got behind a rental vehicle in the 1800 block of Peck and the driver made a sudden turn to avoid the officer. The initial check on the plate indicated the vehicle was stolen. The vehicle was stopped and marijuana was found in the vehicle. The driver was arrested and taken into custody.

Critical Missing
September 12 at 7:54 p.m., a female subject called to report her adult son missing. The caller lived in Long Beach, but called Monrovia because she received a call from him earlier in the day indicating he was in the 200 block of W. Huntington. She stated her son walked away from a facility in Los Angeles and requires medication for mental health issues. The subject was entered into the Missing Person System. The missing later returned to the facility he walked away from. The subject was then removed from the system.

City Manager Reports on Monrovia's Response to Fake Shooter Report at Monrovia High


City Manager Dylan Feik reported on the city's response to the false report of an active shooter at Monrovia High:
Today Monrovia Police Department (MPD) received a single call at 11:45 AM of an active shooter on the 2nd floor of Monrovia High School (MHS) which involved victims. MPD responded and the campus was immediately placed on lockdown while officers began sweeping the 2nd floor. MPD officers were on-site within three minutes from the time dispatch received the call to entry of the 2nd floor of the high school. There were no visible or audible signs or indication of a shooting so officers began sweeping rooms. MPD stationed a command post at the perimeter of the school to coordinate our response across the school campus where sweeps were already underway, but also to coordinate with incoming police units from outside agencies reporting to the call. In situations like these, neighboring law enforcement agencies will assist and receive directions from the command post where to go. Monroe Elementary was also placed on lockdown due to its proximity to the high school and after receiving a report of suspicious person walking around. The person was quickly identified as the parent of a student. The first high school building was cleared within 20 minutes of the call and MPD continued a thorough check of the entire campus, each room, as a precaution. The campus was ultimately cleared within approximately 90 minutes of the call.

Both Monroe Elementary and Monrovia High School lockdowns were lifted by 1:35 PM. At MHS, a reunification plan to reunite parents with their children was used. However, school remained in session through the remainder of the day for the students who were unable to go home, unable to be picked up by a loved one, or who simply wished to stay. MPD maintained a presence on site and throughout the remainder of the day. MPD will continue to investigate the source of the false threat and any reports received today. Other communities are reporting similar threats reported and the MPD is already working to report this incident to the Federal Bureau of Investigations.
- Brad Haugaard

Superintendent Says No Evidence of Shooter at Monrovia High - Schools Still Shut to Be Safe

Superintendent Ryan Smith reports that Monrovia High School (and Monroe Elementary because of its proximity to MHS) were locked down today because someone called 911 to report an active shooter at Monrovia High.

He adds that, "There is no evidence of an active shooter at the high school and there has been no violence of any kind.  This may have been a "swatting" incident where a fake call is made to law enforcement in the hopes of eliciting a massive emergency response.  We have heard that schools in other districts may have received similar calls." t.ly/NDsC

The city added that "Other agencies in the area have received similar calls today."

UPDATE: City Manager Dylan Feik reports: "We have cleared Monrovia High School (MHS) and are releasing MHS from lockdown. The school has a reunification plan to reunite parents with their children, if desired. MHS will remain in session through the remainder of the day for the students who can't go home at this time. MPD continues to maintain a presence on site but have not found any evidence or threat of an active shooter. The City will continue its investigation into the call and any reports we've received today. The City will provide a formal update later with specific information about today's incident."


- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Seasoning Alley

Dinner at Seasoning Alley, at the northeast corner of Myrtle and Lime. Got the chicken shawarma plate for $16.24 and a beer for $4.49. Good and filling  

- Brad Haugaard 

Georgie - a Wallflower Ready to Blossom

Georgie is a beautiful five-year-old German Shepherd mix who is ready for her forever home. She took some time to get comfortable at the shelter, but now that she has made friends, she gets so excited to see them that she’ll happily bark hello and run up to greet them with a full-body tail wag.

Shy dogs like Georgie can easily get overlooked, but this wallflower is ready to blossom into a wonderful family member. Her favorite people report that she loves getting attention and scratches and will gently nudge your hand if you stop petting her to urge you to keep going. She walks well on leash, knows several commands and is keen to learn more.

At a young five years old, she qualifies for our Seniors for Seniors Program.  This means if an adopter is a young sixty years old or more, then Georgie's adoption is free.

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 

A Moment in Monrovia History: An Easter Cross In Front of the Old Monrovia Library

Easter cross at Carnegie Library.  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

Boat From USS Monrovia Discovered as Shasta Lake Dries Up

Photo from Shasta-Trinity National Forest.

As the drought continues a boat from the attack transport USS Monrovia has been uncovered in Lake Shasta, California. The USS Monrovia, not named for Monrovia, California, but for President James Monroe's birthplace, Monroe, Virginia, was built in 1942 and served in Europe and the Pacific during World War Two. The ship was sold for scrap in 1968 but how one of its boats ended up in Lake Shasta is unknown. t.ly/FaJn

- Brad Haugaard

Bulky Items Drop Off Oct. 22

- Brad Haugaard

School Board: Increase Developers Fees; Parent Engagement Course; Care Before and After School; Etc.

At its next meeting (agenda: t.ly/2Z7P) the Monrovia Board of Education will consider ...

~ Approving a resolution increasing developer fees to the maximum allowed by the state. The increase would be from $4.08 to $4.79 per square foot for residential construction, and from $0.66 to $0.78 per square foot for commercial/industrial construction. The resolution says the fees will be used only to finance the construction and reconstruction of school facilities. t.ly/yI4b

~ Contract with Parent Engagement Academy of Whittier to provide a "parent engagement" online course "focusing on the social, emotional, and physical development of children from low-income families." t.ly/BU7L

~ Contracting with the Boys and Girls Club of the Foothills to provide before and after school child care programs at Mayflower Elementary School. t.ly/BJgZ

~ Recognizing October as "Filipino American History Month." t.ly/OfsY

~ Naming Oct. 23 through Oct. 31 as Red Ribbon Week - "Celebrate Life. Live Drug Free." t.ly/L4sa

- Brad Haugaard

School District Trying Out Flexible Furniture

A Wild Rose teacher is trying out this flexible, white-board furniture that can be put together in all sorts of arrangements. Superindent Dr. Ryan Smith writes that the district is, "Looking forward to scaling this district wide."

- Brad Haugaard