News: brad.haugaard@gmail.com   •  Restaurants   •  Library Catalog   •  Library Activities  •  History   •  Facebook / X/Twitter / RSS

Sapphire - A Plug-and-Play Dog


Sapphire is celebrating Adopt-A-Senior-Pet Month by reminding us how great “older” pets can be! Six-year-old Sapphire knows some tricks, appears to be housebroken and is quite content to amuse herself with a chew toy that is not a shoe. She walks very well on leash; she’s a plug-and-play dog!

This sweet senior can be a little shy with new people, but given a bit of time and space, she will investigate and decide that everything is OK. Once she has assessed the situation, Sapphire will lean into you and put her head in your arms for pets.

Sapphire also loves toys- tennis balls are high on her list and she loves a good squeaker. Sapphire really is a gem!

Like all senior pets, Sapphire is eligible for the Seniors for Seniors program, which means her adoption is free for any human over sixty. 

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. 

- Brad Haugaard 

A Moment in Monrovia History: Municipal Plunge at Recreation Park

The Municipal Plunge at Recreation Park. This building now houses the Monrovia Historical Museum. The four girls at front are (clockwise from top left) Rosalind Bracamonte (Olivas) - wife of Henry Olivas, Sr.; Rosemarie "Murmur" Robles (Cruz), Geraldine Bracamonte (Mora) and Cecilia Bracamonte (Yepez). From the Monrovia Latino Heritage Society 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

An Easier Way to Report Traffic Problems

If you want to report a traffic problem in your neighborhood, the city now has an online application form to submit your concern to the Public Works staff for review. Here it is: t.ly/TikF

- Brad Haugaard

'Ice Skating' at the Fountain in Library Park

- Brad Haugaard

Registration for Holiday Home Decorating Contest Open


If you'd like to participate in the Holiday Home Decorating Contest you must register by 5 p.m. on Monday, December 5. The contest is free and open to Monrovia residents only. Judging will be December 12-14. Winners will be announced on December 16, and be recognized at the December 20 City Council Meeting.

Categories

  • Best Still Display
  • Best Outdoor Display
  • Most Effective Use of Lighting - outdoor
  • Best Neighborhood Effort
  • Santa's Workshop Award - Best homemade decorations
  • Holiday Spirit Award - Most festive
  • Judges Award
  • Children's Choice Award - Best display that depicts a youthful theme

For questions contact Recreation Supervisor Tiffany Peterson at 256-8246.

Registration: t.ly/nGYzu

- Brad Haugaard

Toy Drive and Car Show Dec. 10

Monrovia Police Officers’ Association, Arcadia Police Officers’ Association, and Detail Union are partnering with Foothill Unity Center for Toy and Canned Food Drive on Saturday, December 10, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. At Detail Union, 1311 S. Shamrock Avenue.

- Brad Haugaard

Pie-Palooza to Raise Money for Community Garden and Food Science Programs

Food ED is holding a Pie-Palooza to raise $10,000 to support school and community garden and food science programs in the San Gabriel Valley. The homemade pies are $100 each and if you don't need it you can donate it to  Foothill Unity Center. Buy a pie here: t.ly/YVaz

- Brad Haugaard

LAST Monrovia Coronavirus Count

This will be the last Coronavirus report unless the infection rate or death rate really picks up. If you'd like to continue following it, click on the link below to the LA Department of Public Health and bookmark it.

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 12 p.m., 11/16/2022. Changes since 11/13/2022. (This represents 3 days rather than just one week.)

City of Monrovia: 10,794 cases (up 12), 110 deaths (unchanged) 
Unincorporated Monrovia: 1,149 cases (up 5), 5 deaths (unchanged)

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Company's Vehicle Charger Will Be Available at KIA Dealerships Nationwide

Monrovia's Webasto Charging Systems has announced that its Webasto Go portable charger will be available as an accessory at KIA dealerships nationwide. The device  is designed to charge all types of KIA electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. The company, a subsidiary of Webasto Group, is located at 1333 Mayflower Ave.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Arrested With 30 Different Credit Cards; Suspect Punches Victim But Doesn't Get Wallet; Woman Punches Her Date; Passed Out in Restaurant Drive-Through; Woman Steals Uber Sign; And Lots More...

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for November 10 – 16. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 360 service events, resulting in 69 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 Auto
November 10 at 6:51 a.m., a stolen vehicle was reported in the 500 block of Hacienda. The victim said he parked his truck in front of his house the previous night. When he went outside the following morning it was gone. This investigation is continuing.

Commercial Burglary
November 10 at 9:06 a.m., an employee from a business in the 1800 block of S. Mountain reported that their building and two company vehicles were burglarized some time overnight. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto / Fraud
November 10 at 12:10 p.m., an auto dealership in the 700 block of E. Central called to report that a subject had purchased a vehicle with a cashier's check earlier this week. When the dealership attempted to cash the check they discovered it was fraudulent. This investigation is continuing.

Assault with a Deadly Weapon / Vandalism – Suspect Arrested
November 10 at 3:45 p.m., an employee of the City of Monrovia called to report that a subject had just thrown a rock through the window of the vehicle he was seated in, attempted entry into the vehicle, and then brandished another rock at him. Officers quickly arrived and detained the subject, who was positively identified by the victim. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
November 10 at 10:43 p.m., an officer saw a vehicle run a red signal at the intersection of Myrtle and Colorado. The driver was stopped and a DUI investigation ensued. The driver was suspected of driving while intoxicated. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Identity Theft – Suspect Arrested
November 10 at 11:18 p.m., officers were patrolling the 1600 block of S. Myrtle and detained two subjects in the park after hours. One subject was on parole and had 30 different credit cards from different people in his possession. He was arrested, cited and later released.

Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
November 11 at 2:03 a.m., a caller reported a disturbance call. Officers arrived and detained two subjects. One of the subjects was wanted for Grand Larceny with full extradition. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Shoplifting / Drugs – Suspect Arrested
November 11 at 7:40 p.m., officers were dispatched to a retail store in the 400 block of W. Huntington Dr. regarding a subject stealing. The suspect left the store but was located nearby by responding officers and positively identified by the witness. He was arrested, issued a citation, and released in the field.

Battery
November 11 at 8:08 p.m., a battery was reported in a shopping center in the 100 block of W. Foothill. An unknown juvenile suspect and the alleged adult victim got into a verbal altercation which escalated to the juvenile slapping the adult. This investigation is continuing.

Attempted Robbery
November 11 at 8:31 p.m., while on-scene at a retail store, in the 500 block of W. Huntington, for a prior call, an officer was approached by a victim regarding an attempted robbery. The victim was in the shopping center's courtyard when an unknown suspect approached him and demanded his wallet. The victim refused. The suspect punched the victim in the head, and then fled without stealing his wallet. This investigation is continuing.

Drug Activity – Suspect Arrested
November 12 at 3:59 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the area of Magnolia and Cherry when she saw a bicyclist commit a vehicle code violation. She conducted a traffic stop on the subject. A search revealed the subject was in possession of a pipe used to smoke methamphetamine. The subject was arrested, cited, and released in the field.

Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
November 12 at 3:21 p.m., an employee from a business in the 1500 block of S. Myrtle called to report a subject was on the property with his pants down. Officers arrived and located the subject. The subject had a no-bail warrant. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Hit and Run Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
November 12 at 10:03 p.m., a caller near Royal Oaks and Buena Vista reported someone had crashed into their property wall and then fled on foot. Officers arrived and detained a subject nearby with the keys to the crashed vehicle in his pocket. The driver smelled of alcohol and a DUI investigation ensued. The driver was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
November 12 at 11:23 p.m., a caller reported an intoxicated person was getting out of their Uber ride and urinating on his car. Officers arrived and located a male subject who was too intoxicated to care for himself. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Battery – Suspect Arrested
November 13 at 1:13 a.m., the victim in the 400 block of S. Myrtle reported his date was assaulting him and he was trying to get away from her. Officers arrived and located both parties. Officers determined the female was the aggressor. Officers reviewed surveillance video and saw her punching her date as he was trying to escape into a bar. The male made a private persons arrest and the female was arrested, cited, and released at the scene.

Residential Burglary
November 13 at 2:01 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 400 block of Genoa. The caller reported their attached garage was broken into and items were stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
November 13 at 2:07 a.m., a caller in the 600 block of W. Huntington reported a vehicle drove on a grassy knoll in the middle of a parking lot. Officers arrived and found a vehicle centered on top of a planter. Inside the vehicle they found a female passed out behind the wheel. The driver was awakened and escorted out of the vehicle where a DUI investigation ensued. The driver was arrested for DUI and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Arson
November 13 at 5:28 a.m., a caller near Foothill and Mayflower reported two couches that were left on the street, were on fire. MPD and MFD responded and put out the fire. Per MFD, the fire was deemed an arson. This investigation is continuing.

Mental Evaluation
November 13 at 7:58 a.m., a resident in the 400 block of Concord called to report that her husband, who has dementia, was standing in the middle of the street, and would not move. Officers arrived and determined he was a danger to himself. He was transported to a local hospital.

Injury Traffic Collision
November 13 at 9:57 a.m., a caller reported an injury traffic collision at the intersection of Myrtle and Foothill. Officers and paramedics arrived and checked on the well-being of the occupants. Occupants were transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. This investigation is continuing.

Mental Evaluation
November 13 at 3:17 p.m., a resident in the 100 block of N. Ivy called to report his roommate wanted to kill herself. Officers arrived and spoke with the roommate. It was determined she was a danger to herself, and she was transported to a local hospital.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
November 14 at 1:56 a.m., a witness reported a driver was passed out behind the wheel in the drive-thru of a restaurant in the 100 block of W. Huntington. Officers arrived and found the driver passed out. Officers conducted a DUI investigation. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Vehicle Burglary
November 14 at 10:21 a.m., the victim called from a retail store in the 1600 block of S. Mountain to report his truck had been broken into. He parked in front of the location and went inside. The vehicle was locked and the windows were rolled up. When he came back out he saw the door was ajar and the lock was damaged. When looking through the vehicle he saw numerous tools missing. This investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary – Suspect Arrested
November 14 at 10:41 a.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 500 block of W. Olive. Officers responded and a female was outside with a male subject being detained. The female subject was found inside the home opening drawers and doors to the cupboards. The resident came home and detained the female who claimed she lived there. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Theft
November 14 at 4:57 p.m., an employee from a store in the 600 block of W. Huntington called stating two females came into the store with handbags. They loaded the handbags with merchandise and left without paying. The females got into a vehicle and left the area. This investigation is continuing.

Robbery – Suspect Arrested
November 14 at 5:30 p.m., a victim in the 1200 block of Sherman called stating he dropped a passenger off at the location and when exiting, she took his UBER sign. The victim grabbed onto the item and they struggled with it. The victim felt he was in danger and let go. The suspect took the item and ran west on Cherry. Officers located her through the description given and a field show-up was done with a positive ID. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Grand Theft Auto – Suspects Arrested
November 14 at 7:56 p.m., officers responded to a parking lot in the 800 block of W. Colorado Blvd regarding three male subjects checking door handles. Officers contacted the reporting party that pointed out the vehicle the subjects arrived in. A check of the license plate revealed the vehicle was stolen from Moreno Valley. The suspects walked into a school basketball game before officers arrived. As officers were talking with the witness, they saw the suspects enter an Uber vehicle and drive south on Madison. Officers initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle. As the vehicle was coming to a stop, the suspects threw the key to the stolen vehicle out the window. Two male suspects were arrested and taken into custody. A male juvenile was released to a parent.

Weapon Offense – Suspect Arrested
November 15 at 7:38 a.m., while on patrol officers in the area of Myrtle and Andre, they saw a vehicle code violation. They conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver. The officer could see the driver had a gun inside a fanny pack across his chest. The driver and the passenger were removed from the vehicle and the gun was secured without incident. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Theft
November 15 at 3:45 p.m., a loss prevention officer from a retail store in the 500 block of W. Huntington reported that a male subject came into the store the day prior and stole approximately $1,000 worth of merchandise. This investigation is continuing.

Weapons Offense / Warrants – Suspect Arrested
November 15 at 7:21 p.m., a female motorist called and said she was being followed by a male subject in another vehicle in the area of Myrtle and Colorado. Officers arrived and conducted a traffic stop. A computer search of the driver revealed felony warrants. A search of the vehicle revealed a loaded ghost handgun. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Shots Fired / Suspicious Circumstances – Suspect Arrested
November 16 at 3:28 a.m., a resident reported hearing shots fired in the 400 block of Montana. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate anything. Minutes later, a resident called and said they saw bullet holes in the front door of a residence in the 1400 block of Alta Vista. The door was wide open with the lights on. As officers approached the front door, they saw the door had been forced open and bullet shells were laying on the ground inside. A handgun was found in the bushes near the front door. A subject was arrested in connection with the incident. This investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
November 16 at 9:36 a.m., officers were dispatched to the area of 400 Norumbega on a report of an injury traffic accident. Two men were working on a vehicle. One of them turned the vehicle on and it popped out of gear and rolled backwards into the other man standing directly behind the vehicle. He was transported to the hospital for further treatment.

Grand Theft Auto
November 16 at 9:58 a.m., a victim from the 600 block of Gladys reported his motorcycle stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Drug Activity – Suspect Arrested
November 16 at 10:10 a.m., a witness reported a male with no shirt was sitting near the drive-thru of a restaurant in the 100 block of W. Huntington and appeared to have drug paraphernalia around him. Officers arrived and made contact with the subject. He had drug paraphernalia around him. He arrested and taken into custody.

Grand Theft
November 16 at 10:45 a.m., an employee from a business in the 200 block of W. Huntington said a subject came in and rented equipment and never returned it. This investigation is continuing.

Overdose
November 16 at 7:00 p.m., officers responded to a medical call in the 100 block of N. Ivy regarding an unresponsive male adult. The subject has a history of drug use and was jumping over fences before officers arrived. He was transported to a hospital for an evaluation.

Lunch at Hart House


Lunch at the new Hart House, in the Huntington Oaks shopping center. Got the Delux Hot Crispy Chik’n sandwich for $7.99 and an ice tea for $2.79. This is “Chik’n,” not chicken; it’s all vegetarian, and I must say it’s a remarkably good imitation of meat. It was very good.

- Brad Haugaard 

School District Posts Easy Form to Say 'Thanks' to District Personnel

If there's someone - or several someones - in the Monrovia Unified School District whom you really appreciate, the district has made it simple to express your gratitude with this four-question form:  t.ly/Ltmm

"We will ensure that your message of thanks gets sent to the person you listed. Feel free to complete it for as many people as you'd like."

The form will remain online through the end of the year.

- Brad Haugaard

Senior Dog Sugar Is Generous With Her Affection


November is Adopt-A-Senior-Pet Month, and this amazing five-year-old “senior” is hoping to find her forever home today! Sugar is the sweetest name possible, and it perfectly matches this friendly girl’s loving personality. She is generous with her affection- she leans right into you for affection and gives out lots and lots of kisses.

Sugar recently was at an event with our mobile team and she was hands-down the star of the day. She became the official greeter who would walk right over to everyone to introduce herself. She is also as smart as she is sweet and happily showed off her repertoire of tricks; sit, down, crawl and shake!

If you’re looking for a wonderful dog who will dole out kisses like they’re candy, Sugar is the girl for you!

Sugar is eligible for our Seniors for Seniors program, so her adoption fee is waived for any adopter over the age of sixty.

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

Monrovia Schools $75 Million Bond Measure Appears to Have Passed

It appears Measure MM, the Monrovia Schools' $75 million bond measure, has passed with 60% of the vote, giving it a comfortable margin of 5%. The measure needed a minimum of 55% to pass. Although the election results will not be certified until December 5, and could theoretically change, after today changes are likely to be minimal, according to City Clerk Alice Atkins, who has run many elections for the city.

- Brad Haugaard

Ceramic Sale By Local Artists - Dec. 2 and 3


Ceramic pieces by local artists. This is a fundraiser for The Wheelhouse community studio. It's located behind Troy's Donuts and Burgers, just southwest of the corner of Myrtle and Duarte Road.

- Brad Haugaard

LAST Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 52 New Cases, No New Deaths

This will be the last Coronavirus report unless the infection rate or death rate really pick up. If you'd like to continue following it, click on the link below to the LA Department of Public Health.

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 12 p.m., 11/13/2022. Changes since 11/02/2022. (This represents 11 days rather than just one week as county stats were not updated for several days.)

City of Monrovia: 10,782 cases (up 52), 110 deaths (unchanged) 
Unincorporated Monrovia: 1,144 cases (up 3), 5 deaths (unchanged)

- Brad Haugaard

Compete for Prizes During 'Chalksgiving'

Register today here to pick up a free chalk kit including a 30-piece box of chalk, then have fun on Thanksgiving weekend creating art with family and friends with the theme, "What We're Thankful For."

Submit photos of your artwork (one with the art alone and one with those who created it) by midnight on November 27 to christine@monroviafinearts.org.

Compete for prizes: $50 restaurant gift cards.

For more information email christine@monroviafinearts.org.

- Brad Haugaard

A Moment in Monrovia History: Pacific Electric Car Comes to Monrovia in 1903

First Pacific Electric Car into Monrovia. March 1, 1903 marked the beginning of service by the Pacific Electric Railway to Monrovia and this is the first car. In 1907 service was extended to Duarte, Azusa and Glendora and the completion of the PE Depot in Monrovia. At first, as shown here, there was only a single track, double track came later. The track crossing the PE tract as shown here was that of the Myrtle Ave Street Railway, the 'horse car' line of the early days. 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

Grow Monrovia Concerned About Bradbury Street Widening Project on Monrovia Border

The organization Grow Monrovia is concerned about a Bradbury street widening project on the border of Monrovia and suggests that Monrovians with concerns address the Bradbury City Council.

The area being considered for widening is Wildrose Avenue and Bradbury Road between the entrance to Bradbury Estates and Winding Oak Lane.

In its staff report, Bradbury says that the curvy, narrow road "presents hazards and challenges to large moving trucks, horse trailers, and construction vehicles entering and exiting the Estates main entrance" and that that problem is made worse because large vehicles are not allowed to use the narrow Wild Rose bridge in Monrovia to approach the estates entrance.

Grow Monrovia is concerned that the project will change the scenic character of Wildrose and Bradbury, that Monrovians will lose one of the few shaded walkways in east Monrovia, that it will result in more traffic, particularly for heavy trucks, that there will be more pollution and noise, and that oak trees will be removed (Bradbury says 11 oak trees "will be impacted by construction").

The Bradbury City Council meets tomorrow, Tuesday, 7 p.m. at 600 Winston Avenue, in Bradbury. Agenda and staff report: t.ly/6S9i. The staff report begins on page 36. Grow Monrovia's report is here: t.ly/gxDu

- Brad Haugaard

City Historian's Houses to Become Bed and Breakfast


The Monrovia firm, Saxony Design Build (https://www.saxonydesignbuild.com/), which specializes in historic restoration, plans to refurbish the two historic homes owned by former City Historian Steve Baker, and turn them in to a bed and breakfast.

During a tour of the two homes, which are side-by-side on the east side of Ivy just south of City Hall, Saxony representative Joshua Cain said “everything will be authentic” to the old style, that the B&B would have 11 guest rooms in the two buildings and a small bungalow that will replace the modern garage, a dining area for special events, an area in front of the north building (the Blair House) for small weddings, and - city permitting - a small coffee shop on the south side of the south building.

He said the “breakfast” part of the bed-and-breakfast may be a voucher to various restaurants in Old Town. Cain said they plan to complete the project by the end of next year.

Monrovia Historic Preservation Group President Jim Wigdon said because of Saxony’s reputation for quality historic restorations, they are the “perfect ones to take over restoration of Steve’s homes.”

- Brad Haugaard