Kick off of Library Summer Reading program. Arts and crafts, games, dancing, and a performance from Magician Billy Bonkers. Saturday, June 10 from 12 p.m.-4 p.m. for all ages.
- Brad Haugaard
Library Summer Reading Program
Kick off of Library Summer Reading program. Arts and crafts, games, dancing, and a performance from Magician Billy Bonkers. Saturday, June 10 from 12 p.m.-4 p.m. for all ages.
Amazon Truck Crashes on 210; Three Sent to Hospital
Amazon semi truck crashes on westbound 210 Freeway early this morning in Monrovia. Woman driver ejected into carpool lane, sent to hospital. Two other people also sent to hospital as two vehicles crash because of packages scattered on freeway. Details
- Brad Haugaard
Love Life Celebration at Second Baptist Church on June 10
SET for LIFE is inviting the community to its Love LIFE Celebration on Saturday June 10, from 2-7 p.m. at Second Baptist Church in Monrovia (925 S. Shamrock). Activities include a roller-skating rink, 9-hole miniature golf, kids and teens fun zones, DDs Catfish, Caribbean Gourmet, Philly Gourmet Ice, Hot Links, Red Velvet Cake and other Sweets and Treats, along with a dominoes, bid whist and hula hoop contests, Live performances from the LA Chargers and Kings Drumline, Original Soul Train Dancers, The Jazz Zone, Jazz Band, and the DJ will be spinning Motown hits, and mental health resource booths. Everything is free.
“The Love LIFE Celebration is our final event to bring awareness to the stigma around mental health in our communities for National Mental Health Awareness month.” said Autumn Holmes, President of SET for LIFE. “Families need a safe space where they can get together, eat great food, listen to music, have fun, and just unwind from all the stressors.”
The Love LIFE Celebration is sponsored by the California Mental Health Service Authority, and the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and part of the Take Action for Mental Health Initiative taking place throughout the County through June 20th. Ample parking available. Everyone is welcome! Registration is suggested - here.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Competing for 'All America City'; Trash Rates Going Up; Race Unity; Garden Night; Historic Walking Tour; ADUs
~ Monrovia is one of 20 finalists, 10 of which will an All-America City award. That out of more than 30,000 cities in the country. On June 11 each community will have 10 minutes to present to a jury why it is an All-America City. City Manager Dylan Feik and a group of community leaders will travel to Denver to make the presentation.
~ Trash costs going up. Athens Services has requested both a Consumer Price Index (plus 1%) fee increase and an extra fee to comply with the state's "Short-Lived Climate Pollution Reduction Strategy." The CPI increase (to keep up with inflation) will be 3.82% plus 1%, or 3.82%. The fee for complying with the state's new regulations will be another 3% for residential services and 7% for businesses. The fee would be effective July 1, 2023.
The city estimates that typical residential customers with 90-gallon trash/recycling barrels, cost will be $42.80/month. Typical commercial customers with one-3 yard bins, cost will be $258.92/month. The City Council will review the rate increase request at its June 13 meeting. For more information contact Public Works at 932-5575.
~ The Second Annual Race Unity Celebration and Awards will be held Saturday, June 10, 2023, from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., at Station Square with guest speaker Oscar DeGruy, youth advocate, experienced actor, public speaker, workshop creator, and mentor. Sponsored by Baha'is of Monrovia. Contact Barbara Gholar at 415-7259 for more information.
~ Arcadia Association of Realtors Breakfast will be provided, and City staff will be available before and after to answer any questions. For further information call the Arcadia Association of Realtors at (626) 446-2115. Details
~ There will be a Family Garden Night on Friday, June 16, from 5:30 to 8 p.m., at the Monrovia Community Garden at the corner of Magnolia and Colorado. Email info@monroviacommunitygarden.org to register and for more information.
~ Monrovia Historic Preservation Group will hold a walking tour of Old Town tomorrow, Saturday, June 3, at 10 a.m. Meet at the southeast corner of Myrtle and Palm. $5 per person. Tour lasts approximately two hours and includes a history of the downtown and the development of Monrovia.
- Brad Haugaard
City Council to Decide Details of Its Participation in Clean Power Alliance; Study Budget; Etc.
~ Decide at which level to participate in the Clean Power Alliance, which provides electricity from renewable sources. The city has three choices: 100% renewable, 50%, or 40%. 100% would mean, starting in 2024, an increase of about $3 for each $100 of electricity charges. The deal also allows Monrovians to select their own level of participation (or opt out entirely). Details.
~ Appoint a member of the City Council to serve as a regular board member on Clean Power Alliance’s board of directors. Details.
~ Hold a 6 p.m. study session to review the proposed 2023-2025 operating budget and the 2023-2024 Schedule of Fees and Charges. Details.
Consider proclaiming June 19 as Juneteenth National Freedom Day (here) and June (here) as Pride Month.
- Brad Haugaard
City Seeking to Acquire More Land Next to Wilderness Area
In a closed session meeting Tuesday the Monrovia City Council will continue negotiations to buy two parcels of land (outlined in red) on the uphill side of the Monrovia Wilderness Preserve, north of Clamshell Road (identified here as "Cloverleaf Drive"). Details
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Police: Thieves Steal Safe With Nothing of Value; Running Drunk in Traffic; Driving Stoned; Teacher Given Stolen License Plates; $25k Wheelchair Stolen; Etc.
Outside Agency Assist
May 25 at 8:09 a.m., the Arcadia Police Department requested for Monrovia Police Department units to assist in the 200 block of Woodruff Way regarding a call of a possible murder/suicide with ten people being detained. Officers responded to assist. Within minutes, the location was secured and it was determined to be a "swatting" call. No homicide or suicide had occurred at the location.
Burglary
May 26 at 9:16 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 100 block of North Sutter Creek due to an alarm activation. The officers arrived and found the glass to the rear door shattered. The house is currently for sale and not occupied. Several drawers in the master bedroom were ransacked, but it did not appear anything was taken. This investigation is continuing.
Residential Burglary
May 27 at 9:39 a.m., a caller from the 100 block of Mill Run reported someone had broken into their house and stole a safe. Officers arrived and discovered the suspect(s) entered the residence through a second story balcony slider. Once inside, they went straight to the closet and took a small safe. The victim informed the officers that only insurance papers were inside the safe at the time. This investigation is continuing.
Warrant and Public Intoxication - Suspect Arrested
May 27 at 7:16 p.m., officers responded to a call about a male adult running in an out of traffic in the 700 block of W. Duarte. Officers arrived and located the subject. He was heavily intoxicated and was found to be unable to care for his own safety. A computer check revealed he had a warrant for his arrest. The subject was arrested and taken into custody.
Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested
May 28 at 12:36 a.m., an officer was patrolling the area of Mayflower and Duarte when she witnessed a motorist commit traffic violations. The officer stopped the vehicle and found the driver to be intoxicated. An additional officer arrived and conducted field sobriety tests. The driver was too impaired to drive a motor vehicle, he was arrested and taken into custody.
Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
May 28 at 10:39 a.m., the Monrovia Police Department received a call of a domestic disturbance in the 1600 block of S. Mayflower. Officers arrived and conducted an investigation. It was learned that the female battered the male. The female was arrested and taken to the Monrovia Police Department Jail for booking and processing.
Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
May 28 at 9:07 p.m., an officer was patrolling the 900 block of W. Huntington when he saw a motorist commit a traffic violation. He stopped the vehicle and as he approached the driver, a large amount of fresh marijuana smoke poured out of the open driver's window. The driver appeared heavily intoxicated from the marijuana and after field sobriety tests were conducted, the 19 year old male driver was arrested for Driving Under the Influence.
Residential Burglary
May 28 at 9:53 p.m., a resident from the 600 block of California called to report a residential burglary. The victim arrived home and discovered someone had gained entry into her home by unknown means and stole $300 cash. Her bedroom was ransacked. Officers arrived and conducted an investigation. This investigation is continuing.
Recovered Stolen Plate
May 30 at 8:16 a.m., the Monrovia Police Department was notified of a stolen vehicle entering city limits. Officers found the vehicle and conducted a high risk stop. It was learned the plates on the vehicle had been switched and the teacher who was driving the vehicle to work, had no idea it happened. This investigation is continuing.
Commercial Burglary
May 30 at 9:23 a.m., a caller from the 200 block of N. Mayflower reported someone had broken into the school during the night. An officer arrived on scene and conducted an investigation. It was determined the suspect(s) used some type of bolt cutters and defeated a padlock on a storage room. Once inside, the suspect(s) took a rolling projector and a leaf blower. This investigation is continuing.
Shoplifting
May 30 at 12:53 p.m., a business owner from the 200 block of W. Foothill called to report two juveniles had just stolen food items from his store. Officers caught the juveniles nearby who were supposed to be in school. The items were found on the juveniles and returned to the store. The juveniles were cited then released to their parents.
Grand Theft
May 30 at 1:48 p.m., a caller from the 1400 block of S. Mountain reported a theft. While the caller slept in his vehicle that night, someone stole his $25,000 wheelchair. The reporting party said he had to wait in front of the dealership all night to get his vehicle fixed in the morning. Officers found video surveillance of a male adult walking by the victim's vehicle and then walking away with the wheelchair. This investigation is continuing.
Felony Vandalism
May 30 at 3:56 p.m., a caller from the 1800 block of S. Shamrock reported a vandalism. Someone entered the rear area of their business during the night and damaged one of their fleet trucks causing over $450 worth of damage. This investigation is continuing.
Commercial Burglary
May 30 6:02 p.m., a caller from the 500 block of S. Myrtle reported a burglary. Sometime between Friday and Saturday, someone entered the business and stole keys, chair liners, and multiple artificial plants. The business has no alarm or video cameras. This investigation is continuing.
Bicycle Theft
May 30 9:12 p.m., a victim called from the 400 block of S. Myrtle to report a theft. His bicycle, a pink Throne Goon XL, was stolen from the bike rack sometime between 7:20 p.m. and 9 p.m. This investigation is ongoing.
Grand Theft Auto
May 31 at 9:39 a.m., a caller from the 1100 block of E. Huntington called to report the theft of his vehicle. His Ford F650 Box Truck was stolen from their rental business sometime during the night. The truck had a company tracker on it. Officers were able to track the vehicle to a location somewhere in Compton. Officers had Los Angeles Sheriffs Department go to the location and recover the vehicle. This investigation is continuing.
Commercial Burglary
May 31 2023, at 1:35 p.m., a school employee from the 1300 block of Boley called to report someone had broken into their school during the night. Officers arrived and discovered a door had been pried open to a room and a computer was missing. This investigation is continuing.
Commercial Burglary
May 31 at 1:13 p.m., a business employee from the 2100 block of S. Myrtle called to report someone had broken into several storage units during the night. Officers discovered a storage door was pried open and the suspects tunneled through multiple walls to gain access to other storage units. This investigation is continuing.
Shoplifting
May 31 10:08 p.m., officers responded to a call from a business in the1600 block of S. Mountain. A subject stole six pairs of shoes worth approximately $250. The subject fled the scene on a skateboard. This investigation is ongoing.
Lunch at Café de Olla
Lunch at Café de Olla, on the west side of Myrtle just north of Lemon. Got the patty melt for $13.95 and a cup of coffee for $3.95. The interior of the restaurant is very modern and attractive, and the food was good.
- Brad Haugaard
Thawed Out Dyna Dog Ready for Forever Home
Five-year-old Dyna has taken some time to acclimatize to being at Pasadena Humane. When she first arrived, she often hid in the back of her kennel and avoided people. She was heartbreakingly shy despite our best efforts.
Slowly but surely, with patience and love, volunteers and staff began to thaw the ice. Supplying Dyna with yummy treats and gentle pets was the key. Once Dyna realized all these new visitors were actually friends, we started seeing the sweet and affectionate side of this gentle girl.
Now Dyna gets so excited to see people that she knows, she almost dances with anticipation of going out for a walk or to the play yard. It is so lovely to see her zoom around with a smile on her face, sitting patiently for treats and nudging people for more pets. Sweet Dyna is ready to fill her forever home with fun and love!
Dyna’s age qualifies her for the Seniors for Seniors Program. Her adoption fee is waived for any adopter over 60!
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.
Game Night for Adults at Library, June 16
Game Night for Adults, Friday, June 16, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. in the library Community Room. Video games for adults 18+ featuring Nintendo Switch (Smash and Mario Kart, for example) and a variety of tabletop games.
- Brad Haugaard
A Moment in Monrovia History: Hotel Scotia, Early 1900s, Near Myrtle and Walnut
The Scotia Hotel with guests, located near Myrtle and Walnut. It was managed by Maude S. Washburn at one time, in whose family's collection this photo was found. She had worked as a cook for the Hancock Banning family in 1900 when the family owned part of Catalina Island, where she may have learned her skills. She also owned and managed another hotel. Both hotels may have also served as boarding houses. From the Maude S. Washburn, Washburn Parks and Bailey Families collection. See full details here.
Monrovia’s Devin Paton Second in State Track Meet
Monrovia High’s Devin Paton came in second place, losing first place in a photo finish, at the CIF State Track and Field Championships in Clovis. Details.
- Brad Haugaard
Get Your Short Poem Immortalized in Concrete
Monrovia Area Partnership Block Party June 24
Monrovia Area Partnership is celebrating it's 17th year with a free block party on Saturday, June 24, 2023, from 5 - 8 p.m. at Julian Fisher Park (915 S. California Ave.). Free food, live music, carnival games, an information fair, raffle prizes. For questions, email map@ci.monrovia.ca.us.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Police: Jewelry Ripped Off of Woman; Pooping in Public; Five Mental Evaluations; Etc.
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for May 18 – 24. - Brad Haugaard]
During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 374 service events, resulting in 74 investigations.
Vehicle Burglary
May 18 at 12:53 p.m., a victim in the 100 block of E. Foothill called to report that her vehicle was burglarized and the suspects were fleeing the location. Officers arrived and were unable to locate the suspects. This investigation is continuing.
Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
May 18 at 6:35 p.m., a caller in the 1900 block of S. Peck reported a male subject loitering. Officers arrived and located the male subject. A computer check revealed he had a warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.
Vehicle Burglary
May 19 at 8:40 a.m., a victim in the 500 block of King called to report that her vehicle had been broken into some time overnight. A compartment was opened and the interior of the vehicle was ransacked. This investigation is continuing.
Hit and Run Traffic Collision
May 19 at 7:17 p.m., a resident in the 500 block of E. Greystone reported a motorist collided into his home's fence and fled the scene, two days prior. This investigation is continuing.
Strong-arm Robbery
May 20 at 4:12 p.m., a female subject in the 400 block of Royal Oaks called to report that she had been robbed of jewelry around her neck. She was outside in the front yard of her home doing yard work when an unknown male and female stopped a car in front of her house. The female exited, made small talk with the victim, then physically restrained her as she tore the jewelry from the victim's neck. This investigation is continuing.
Defecating in Public
May 20 at 9:34 p.m., a resident in the 500 block of King Street reported a male adult had just squatted and defecated on her front lawn. Officers searched the area for the suspect, but were unable to locate him. This investigation is continuing.
Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
May 21 at 12:45 a.m., an officer was patrolling the area of Myrtle and Montana when he saw a motorist commit vehicle violations. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver displayed sings of being intoxicated. A DUI investigation revealed the driver was under the influence. The driver was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.
Grand Theft Auto
May 21 at 6:08 a.m., a victim in the 200 block of S. California reported his vehicle was stolen overnight. The victim parked his vehicle on the street when he returned in the morning his vehicle was missing. This investigation is continuing.
Burglary / Residential
May 21 at 8:55 a.m., a resident in the 400 block of E. Maple reported someone had broken into his house during the night and stole property. This investigation is continuing.
Arson – Suspect Arrested
May 21 at 12:20 p.m., a witness in the 1200 block of S. Mayflower reported a male subject had lit an abandoned couch on fire. Officers and MFD responded and put out the fire. A subject was located matching the description. He was arrested and taken into custody.
Vandalism / Graffiti
May 22 at 11:50 a.m., a victim in the 900 block of W. Foothill reported graffiti on her property. This investigation is continuing.
Mental Evaluation
May 22 at 12:27 p.m., a caller in the 700 block of W. Huntington reported a disturbed subject. Officers arrived and determined the subject was a danger to himself. He was transported to a local facility for a mental evaluation.
Mental Evaluation
May 22 at 3:30 p.m., officers responded to the 100 block of W. Duarte to assist MFD with an injured male adult. Officers contacted to subject who was bleeding due to a bicycle crash. Officers requested MFD for treatment and they responded. The subject did not want to be treated or transported to the hospital. The subject then told one of the officers he wanted to harm himself. It was determined that he was a danger to himself and was transported to a medical facility for a mental evaluation.
Injury Traffic Collision
May 23 at 6:43 p.m., a juvenile on a bicycle collided with the front of a vehicle in the area of Hillcrest and Melrose. He suffered injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Vehicle Burglary in Progress – Suspect Arrested
May 24 at 2:12 a.m., a witness reported a burglary in progress in the area of Chestnut and Monterey. Officers arrived and caught the suspect in the act. He was arrested and taken into custody.
Grand Theft
May 24 at 5:09 a.m., a victim in the 200 block of S. Ivy reported her catalytic converter was stolen from her work vehicle. This investigation is continuing.
Commercial Burglary
May 24 at 6:09 a.m., a caller in the 100 block of W. Pomona reported someone had broken into their construction site during the night and took multiple items. This investigation is continuing.
Grand Theft Auto Recovery
May 24 at 12:37 p.m., an abandoned vehicle was reported in the 3300 block of S. Peck. Officers arrived and a computer check revealed the vehicle was reported stolen out of Alhambra. The vehicle was taken out of the stolen vehicle database. This investigation is continuing.
Mental Evaluation
May 24 at 3:39 p.m., a resident in the 200 block of Monroe reported their family member was suffering from PTSD and wanted help. Officers arrived and the subject decided to voluntarily be transported to a medical facility for treatment.
Mental Evaluation
May 24 at 5:16 p.m., a caller in the 300 block of N. Primrose reported their elderly father who suffers from a medical condition was attacking family members because he thought they were after him. The subject was placed on a hold and transported to an area hospital for a mental evaluation.
Vandalism
May 24 at 7:51 p.m., a victim in the 700 block of E. Los Angeles reported their vehicle was vandalized. This investigation is continuing.
House Fire
May 24 at 8:53 p.m., a resident in the 1400 block of Alamitas reported a kitchen fire. Officers and MFD responded and MFD was able to extinguish the fire. An adjacent unit had smoke come in but it was not damaged. This investigation is continuing.
Mental Evaluation
May 24 at 9:47 p.m., a disturbance was reported in the 500 block of Bradbury regarding a male subject suffering from a mental health problem. Officers arrived and determined he was a danger to others. He was transported to a medical facility for a mental evaluation.
Grand Theft
May 24 at 10:30 p.m., a victim in the 300 block of S. Sunset reported her catalytic converter was stolen from her vehicle. This investigation is continuing.
Residential Burglary
May 24 at 10:53 p.m., a neighbor in the 100 block of Rose reported a possible burglary. Officers arrived and found a rear window had been shattered and the home was ransacked. This investigation is continuing.
Civil Rights Leader Grew Up in Monrovia to Escape Dangers in Alabama
One-Time Monrovian, Rev. John M. Perkins
By Dr. David Campbell
centurydental.com
The Rev. John M. Perkins, an important civil rights author, was raised in Monrovia to escape dangers in Alabama that led to the death of his brother, Clyde.
It's hard to summarize the significance of Rev. John M. Perkins' life in the civil rights movement. It can said that his renowned book, Let Justice Roll Down, revived civil rights as a movement in the 1970s when the momentum was waning nationally following the 1968 assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King. While the nation reeled from this loss, Perkins focused on the role of churches and their members in helping overcome prejudice and encouraged inner city development for the restoration of oppressed lives across the country.
Perkins was born in Hebron, Alabama in 1930. In 1947 his older brother Clyde was killed by a police officer under suspicious circumstances. His family moved him to a safer community in California. In the 1950s census, John M. Perkins lived at 126 S. Canyon Blvd. in Monrovia, California, in a home torn down in the 1970s to make room for a small apartment. While prejudices existed in Monrovia, too, the community was much safer for John than Hebron.
In Let Justice Roll Down, Perkins describes his conversion to Christianity in 1957, after he served in the Korean War. He went on to lead a civil rights movement with a church focus across the country. Let Justice Roll Down became a best seller and is standard reading for the Christian church in America as the pendulum swings from social justice and back to evangelicalism every few years. Perkins has led hundreds of thousands of people in justice marches, including one from Los Angeles to San Diego in the early 2000s. Perkins advocates peaceful economic development and inner city health care access as core movements for progress.
Today, at 93 years of age, Perkins still leads both Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) and Christian Community Health Fellowship (CCHF), both nationally successful movements with thousands of sites and hundreds of thousands of supporters from within the Christian churches of all denominations across the country.
Photo credit: By Priscilla Perkins - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Brad Haugaard
Randy Bell to Remain Athletic Director
Dina Rose Calabrese had posted on Facebook that she would be standing up for her dad at the meeting and invited other parents to join her.
She wrote: “After 20 years of serving Monrovia High, Coach Randy Bell is being wrongfully dismantled [dismissed] from the athletic director position by the new Superintendent, who has been single handedly gutting the good people out of the Monrovia school district. The reason being for this is that they are going in a “new direction.”
Comments on her post were supportive of her position.
In response, Superintendent Smith wrote:
May 24, 2023
Dear Parents and Families:
As you may have heard, a change in the leadership of the athletic program at Monrovia High School was announced for next school year. After hearing feedback and concerns from the community, the Board of Education asked me to review the specific direction, guidance, and support provided to the Athletic Director by the principal in order to ensure the needs of our student-athletes and programs are met.
I have reviewed the information provided by the school's principal, and have found it to be inadequate. As such, I have directed the principal to inform the Athletic Director that he will continue in his role for next school year.
Our commitment to Monrovia families is that we will provide the necessary oversight, support, resources, and training that are the essential conditions for excellence.
Sincerely,
Ryan D. Smith, Ed.D.
Superintendent
- Brad Haugaard
Dinner at T Burgers
Dinner at T Burgers, on the south side of Foothill just east of Magnolia. Got the chef salad for $10.99 and a drink for $2.79. Wow! A lot more than I could finish. I got two meals out of it. And very fresh and tasty.
- Brad Haugaard
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