- Brad Haugaard
Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion introduced by Supervisor Kathryn Barger that extends a $10,000 reward in exchange for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the murder of Terry Alford. On Jan. 29, 2021, Alford was shot multiple times in front of a residence in Monrovia while visiting his family.
“There needs to be accountability for this tragic loss of life,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “The shooting took place almost two years ago and law enforcement agencies remain dedicated to find the individuals responsible for Terry’s murder. I hope extending this $10,000 reward will encourage someone to come forward so that justice is served. Terry’s wife and children deserve closure.”
According to law enforcement officials involved in the investigation, Alford was on the front porch when four male suspects approached the residence. At least two of the suspects shot him multiple times. Law enforcement investigators believe the shooting was gang related and intentional, but presume Alford was not the intended target.
If anyone has information about this incident, they are encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at (323)-890-5617 or the Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or lacrimestoppers.org.
Source: Supervisor Barger press release
- Brad Haugaard
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
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.
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
El Patio Motel, at 135 W. Huntington. From the Kim Anderson collection. See full details here.
~ 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
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
~ 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
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.
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
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
Easter cross at Carnegie Library. From the Kim Anderson collection. See full details here.
- Brad Haugaard
