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Police, CHP Catch Burglary Suspects After Long Chase

Monrovia Police and Highway Patrol arrested men suspected of attempting to burglarize a Monrovia business after a long, multi-freeway chase. Details.

- Brad Haugaard 

A Moment in Monrovia History: Monrovia High School Students in 1906

Monrovia High School in 1906, on Ivy Avenue. From the Steve Baker 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

Progress on Canyon Park - What's Planned


Construction has begun on the damaged rock wall below the Nature Center in Canyon Park. The roadway is being replaced, parking lots are being renovated, and infrastructure improvements are being made, including water main replacement and sewer line installation. The project estimate is between $17-$18 million. Additional park features and enhancements are being added, such as picnic areas, seating areas, an educational center, and improvements to the Veterans Memorial. the park should hopefully open in winter, 2024.

The road work below the Nature Center is major because, "the wall and surrounding roadway began sliding downhill this past spring. Unfortunately, the wall has moved enough that we needed to excavate a large portion of the roadway only to find that fixing the wall will mean removing large portions so we can install a proper footing since the rock wall sat on a foundation of piled rock, and lasted for decades. Fixing the wall means we have to take it down and rebuild."

Construction plans for Canyon Park are almost complete. Here's what's planned: 

  • Replacing the roadway from Canyon Blvd. to the Damkeeper's House
  • Replacing all parking lots and adding 24 new parking spaces
  • Replacing the water main, installing a booster pump to feed water from the Oakglade tank, and removing the old Canyon Park water tank
  • Installing a 6" sewer line and removing septic tanks
  • Repairing damaged culverts, guardrails, walls, etc.
  • Enhanced park entrance with new picnic tables and a public art piece
  • Enhancing the park entrance kiosk to enclose it, add air conditioning and storage
  • A small picnic and parking area just beyond the road to Trask Boy Scout Camp
  • A new raised deck/platform near the small picnic area to provide a quiet and peaceful
  • place to sit next to the stream and observe nature
  • A new ADA parking area near the cabin
  • A new small seating area near the cabin and near a large heritage oak tree
  • Enhanced seating that is being called the "Canyon Park Educational Center," with seating near the entrance to 3 Graves Trail, where park naturalists can teach us about the park, nature, wildlife, plants and more
  • Enhancements to the Veterans Memorial, adding native landscaping, seating and perhaps signage to make it a destination within the park
  • A renovated overlook at the top of the park
  • Renovation of the Damkeeper's House to be used for special events and rentals on a limited basis. This area has the best views within the park and we will begin making renovations and repairs for future public use.

- Brad Haugaard

Bear Dies on Monrovia Family's Front Lawn

 A bear, possibly hit by a car, died on a Monrovia woman's front lawn. Details

- Brad Haugaard

Fellowship Church Gathering Back-to-School Supplies for 500 Students


Fellowship Church at Monrovia High School is collecting school supplies for 500 students in need. Drop off donations at the 9 or 11 a.m. Sunday gatherings between June 25 and August 6. Items needed include backpacks, lunchboxes, notebooks, reusable water bottles, pencil packs, folders, erasers, crayon boxes, marker packs, glue sticks, colored pencils, pencil boxes. Details

- Brad Haugaard

Police Call Tow Truck to Haul Wheelchair

An elderly man fell out of his wheelchair. An ambulance took him to the hospital, but what to do with his heavy duty wheelchair? So police called a tow truck to haul it to the hospital. Here is a Facebook video.

- Brad Haugaard 

Job Openings in Monrovia


Here are links to the latest job opportunities for Monrovia:

Monrovia School District 

City of Monrovia 

Private 

- Brad Haugaard

Names Have Changed But Buildings Are the Same




The Monrovia Chamber of Commerce publication shown here, which I estimate is from 1980, although it has no date on it, had a number of interesting pictures in it that I thought you might like to see.

The magazine has been quite the world traveler. I received it from a friend who married a Monrovia woman and had a career in the Army. Here’s what he writes about the magazine:

“I think I picked it up shortly after we moved back to Monrovia in 1982. Since then the magazine was moved from Monrovia to our first house in Santa Barbara, to Butzbach in Germany, to Giessen in Germany, back to our first house in Santa Barbara, to our second house in Santa Barbara, to Heidelberg in Germany, to Stuttgart in Germany, to our house in Montecito, to our third house in Santa Barbara, to a storage unit while we lived in the rental house, and then to our fourth and present house in Santa Barbara. I found it while sorting boxes in the garage and thought this might be a good time to return it to Monrovia.”

A couple of pictures from the magazine appear above. Although the names on these buildings have changed, I’m sure you’ll have no trouble identifying them.

- Brad Haugaard 


Job Opportunities at Monrovia Schools

Link to full list: here

- Brad Haugaard

Money For Fixing Low-Income Monrovians' Homes

The Community Development Block Grant Residential Rehabilitation Program is accepting applicants from July 10 at 7 a.m. to July 24 at 5 p.m. Grants available on a first-come, first-served basis to address code deficiencies, eliminate blight, and improve accessibility. You must reside in Monrovia, meet income requirements, and provide documentation of household income. Complete the Eligibility Intake Form here and email it to map@ci.monrovia.ca.us starting July 10 at 7 a.m. For inquiries, see here, call 932-5563, or email map@ci.monrovia.ca.us.

- Brad Haugaard

Meet Cops and Firefighters August 1 at Library Park

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Munchkins Messy Art Activities


Messy Masterpieces program, for young artists ages 2-4 and parent or caregiver. Story time, singalongs, and messy art activities to promote socialization, sharing, sensory play, and memories. At the Community Center every Saturday from July 15 to August 12, 9-9:45 a.m. Dress for messy fun. Register here (under Youth classes > Arts and Crafts).

- Brad Haugaard

Business Emergency Training July 11


The fourth session of Monrovia Fire & Rescue's Business Emergency Resiliency Training (BERT), Emergency Operations & Business Continuity Plans, will take place at the Monrovia Public Library Community Room, on Tuesday, July 11, from 1 to 4 p.m. Details

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Parks, Wilderness and Recreation Foundation Auction July 24-30

Preview items for auction here.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council Meeting With Supervisor Kathryn Barger

The Monrovia City Council will hold an open meeting (you're welcome to attend) with LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger at the Monrovia Public Library Community Room on Monday, July 10, at 8:30 a.m. Topics: Emergency housing, mental health, Measure H (Homeless Initiative), and requesting supervisors' support for  improvements to Recreation Park. Details

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Woman Escapes Stalker; Man Threatening With Knife; Youths Fighting on Foothill; Drunk Backs into Police Car; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for June 29 – July 5. - Brad Haugaard]


During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 425 service events, resulting in 74 investigations.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
July 1 at 11:28 p.m., a female adult in the 400 block of S. Myrtle walked to her parked car, where she was confronted by her ex-boyfriend who has been stalking her. He forced her into the backseat of her own car and locked the child locks on the driver's door. She quickly jumped into the front passenger seat and escaped to a nearby business. Officers searched the area for the suspect, but were unable to locate him. This investigation is continuing. 

Medical Assist
July 2 at 3:59 p.m., officers were dispatch to the 300 block of Oakcliff regarding an adult male that collapsed and was unresponsive. They arrived on scene and determined the subject had no pulse and was not breathing. Officers began CPR on the subject and deployed the AED. The AED was utilized numerous times and a pulse was detected. The subject was transported to a medical facility for treatment. 

Drug Offense – Suspect Arrested
July 2 at 10:54 p.m., an officer was patrolling the area of Myrtle and Spanner when he stopped a subject on a bicycle for a traffic violation. The subject had no identification and was in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested and taken into custody. 

Injury Traffic Collision
July 3 at 2:11 p.m., a vehicle in the area of Foothill and Norumbega sideswiped a vehicle. The vehicle continued and struck a separate vehicle. One of the drivers was injured and transported to a medical facility for treatment. 

Mental Evaluation
July 3 at 2:42 p.m., a possible suicide in progress was reported in the 300 block of Valle Vista. Officers arrived and located an adult female who stated she no longer wished to live and had taken a bottle of medication. She was transported to the hospital for treatment and placed on a hold for a mental evaluation. 

Weapon Offense / Mental Evaluation
July 3 at 8:57 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 600 block of E. Olive responded to a call regarding a male suspect threatening people with a knife. Officers arrived and detained the suspect. Officers have had numerous encounters with the suspect. While officers were attempting to take him into custody, a hostile group of family members started to intervene. Officers requested assistance from neighboring department. The subject was taken into custody and due to his past history and mental stability, he was transported to a medical facility for a mental evaluation. 

Vehicle Burglary
July 3 at 9:12 p.m., a business employee in the 1100 block of S. Fifth called to report their work vehicle was broken into and numerous packages were taken. This investigation is continuing. 

Theft of Tools
July 3 at 9:47 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 1600 S. Mountain regarding a theft of power tools. This investigation is continuing. 

Vandalism
July 4 at 8:31 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the 500 block of E. Cypress regarding graffiti vandalism. This investigation is continuing. 

Grand Theft
July 4 at 4:26 p.m., a caller in the 400 block of W. Lemon reported the theft of their vehicle’s catalytic converter from. This investigation is continuing. 

Intoxication
July 4 at 4:45 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 300 block of S. Myrtle regarding an intoxicated individual. They arrived and located a male subject that was too intoxicated to care for himself and causing a disturbance. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period. 

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
July 4 at 9:42 p.m., officers responded to the 400 block of W. Foothill regarding a disturbing subject yelling at people. Officers arrived and contacted the subject who was found to be under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested and transported to MPD jail to be held for a sobering period. 

Fight in Progress
July 4 at 10:38 p.m., multiple callers reported a group of juveniles fighting in the 400 block of W. Foothill. When officers arrived, the juveniles ran. One of the juveniles was detained and was found to be under the influence of alcohol. The juvenile was provided medical treatment by MFD and then transported home. 

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
July 5 at 12:10 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop in the area of Myrtle and Kruse for a traffic violation. While the officer was standing at the driver’s door talking with the driver, the driver put the vehicle in reverse instead of park and backed into the police vehicle. A DUI investigation revealed the driver was under the influence. The passenger was arrested for public intoxication. Both were arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period. 

Vehicle Vandalism
July 5 at 5:45 a.m., a caller in the 300 block of E. Colorado reported juveniles breaking the window of her daughter’s vehicle. The juveniles fled before the officers arrived. This investigation is continuing. 

Dinner at Dave’s Hot Chicken


Dinner at the new Dave’s Hot Chicken, on the south side of Huntington just west of Mayflower. Like Cane’s, you basically get to choose between chicken and chicken. Got the Dave’s Number 1 combo for $11.99 and a soft drink for $1.99. Okay, they’re not kidding about “hot.” I got the Hot spicyness level, which is actually just the third hotness, preceded by Reaper (hottest) and Extra Hot, but it was plenty hot - my nose is still running. Anyway, it was good and filling. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Tex - Big Personality and Big Heart


According to the saying, “everything is bigger in Texas”, and one-year-old lab mix Tex likes to embody that. He has a huge personality, and an even bigger heart!

Tex has been entertaining the volunteers at Pasadena Humane by romping around in the play yard, chasing tennis balls and letting his ears flap around like bird wings. He hasn’t taken flight yet, but that never stops him! One of his favorite things to do is to splash around in the kiddie pool, then try to shake right next to you. It’s adorable and helps keep you cool!

Tex had some playtime with another dog and they both had a blast. We’re confident that he would do well with a similar-sized buddy, but he’d also be happy being your Lone Star!

Pasadena Humane will be having a Free Adoption Day on Saturday, 7/15, from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. sponsored by longtime donor Gabrielle Bruveris! Adoption fees will be waived for all available dogs, cats, and critters. Adoptions include spay or neuter, a microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines. No appointment necessary. Regular adoption process applies. We will not be offering meet-and-greets between pets, so please leave your family pets at home.

New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA Animal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet.

View photos of adoptable pets and schedule an adoption appointment at pasadenahumane.org. Adoptions are by appointment only, and new adoption appointments are available every Sunday and Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.

Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.

- Brad Haugaard

City Councils Respond to Jewish Federation Request to Condemn Antisemitism

The Monrovia City Council - and 13 other local cities from Glendale to Rancho Cucamonga and south to Whittier - have passed resolutions agreeing with the American Jewish Committee and US Conference of Mayors' statement to combat antisemitism, and adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism. The cities were responding to a request by the Monrovia-based Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valley, which said that the Anti-Defamation League has reported that antisemitic incidents and attacks increased by 36% between 2021 and 2022, with a 41% increase in California. Jewish Federation staff have contacted the remaining 24 cities in the area it covers and are awaiting a response.

Source: Jewish Federation press release

- Brad Haugaard

Happy Fourth of July, Monrovia!


Happy Fourth of July, Monrovia! The view from Foothill.

- Brad Haugaard