Winter Crafternoon at Library Tomorrow, Dec. 5

 

Winter Crafternoon in the Library 6 p.m. tomorrow, Dec. 5 in the library Storyroom. Featuring winter-themed crafts. Program open to individuals 16 and older. Register here.

- Brad Haugaard

New Starbucks Planned for Corner of Foothill and Myrtle

Starbucks, which closed its shop on the north side of the Vons shopping center earlier this year, is planning to open a new shop across the street, at the corner of Foothill and Myrtle, at the location of the former Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. The company is proposing a non-illuminated building wall sign to be considered by the city's Development Review Committee. City staff is recommending approval. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Film Festival On Dec. 9

Monrovia Film Festival 2023, on Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. at LOOK Dine-In Cinema, will offer a variety of contemporary films including dramas, comedies, documentaries, and animations, along with opportunities for mingling and discussions. Tickets here.

- Brad Haugaard

Robbery and Attempted Murder in Library Park

Monrovia Police Department Case: 23-016665

Monrovia Police Department responded to a battery at Library Park in the 300 block of S. Myrtle on Friday, December 1, at 8:49 p.m. A male juvenile was attacked by several other males at the park. The victim was able to run away and get to safety. During the altercation, he had his skateboard and backpack stolen by the suspects. The skateboard was recovered during the investigation. The victim was transported to a local hospital where it was discovered he had 2 puncture wounds as a result of the altercation. Officers were able to locate and identify one of the suspects who was involved and he was arrested. He was also a juvenile and he was transported to juvenile hall. The other suspects are still outstanding.

No additional information is available for release at this time due to the active investigation.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Monrovia Police Department Detective Bureau at (626) 256-8041.

Source: Monrovia Police press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police DUI Checkpoint Dec. 15

On Friday, December 15, the Monrovia Police Department will conduct a driving under the influence (DUI) Checkpoint from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. at an undisclosed location within Monrovia city limits.

DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints are to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road.

"Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk," Lt. Chad Harvey said. "Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improves traffic safety.

The Monrovia Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol.

Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Source: Monrovia Police press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Student Praises Teachers in Speech at Google Symposium

Monrovia High student Summer Yang spoke about teachers who deeply affected her life at the Google for Education Champions Sunnyvale Symposium 2023.

- Brad Haugaard

Mayor Reports Gloria Crudgington Will Not Seek Reelection to City Council

Mayor Becky Shevlin reports that City Council member Gloria Crudgington will not be running for reelection in the upcoming March 5, 2024 election, which means that the deadline to file to run for her seat will be extended to Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023. Otherwise, the deadline to file is Dec. 8. For questions contact City Clerk Alice Atkins at 932-5505.

- Brad Haugaard

Dec. 9 Neighborhood Treasure Epperson to be Unveiled

For questions, contact Kerri Zessau at kzessau@ci.monrovia.ca.us.

- Brad Haugaard

Steve Baker Bear Getting Paint Retouched

The Steve Baker Bear at the corner of Foothill and Myrtle has been removed to repair some flaking paint. He'll be back in a few weeks.

- Brad Haugaard

Nominations for the Chamber of Commerce Awards is Open

Nominations for the Chamber of Commerce's annual awards is now open. The Iris Award is for a Monrovian who has made "outstanding and lasting contributions to Monrovia." The Monroe Award honors an outstanding business or businessperson who owns or works at a Monrovia business. The Service to the Chamber Award is given to a chamber member in recognition of outstanding service to the organization. Deadline to submit nominations is noon on December 15. For questions, contact the Monrovia Chamber at 358-1159 or by email at bl@monroviacc.com.

- Brad Haugaard

Five Story Apartment Planned for Corner of Myrtle and Olive

Blake Griggs Properties, LLC, is proposing to build a five-story, 200 unit, apartment complex at the southwest corner of Myrtle and Olive. The structure, called The Monroe, would also have 5,143 square feet of non-residential floor area, and a three-level (two underground) 312-space parking garage.

The city wants to hear your thoughts about the project’s possible environmental issues. See the draft Environmental Impact Report here. You can email your comments to the Planning Department at  planning@ci.monrovia.ca.us. There will also be a virtual meeting on the project on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024 at 6 p.m. The link to join the meeting is https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/join-a-meeting. The meeting ID is 249 284 246 85 and the password (case sensitive) is sSJMcF. Or, participate by phone by calling +1 323-673-4554, then use code 372938603#

- Brad Haugaard

Details on Monrovia's Dec. 7 Christmas Parade

Monrovia's Christmas Parade begins at 7 p.m. on Dec. 7 and travels north on Myrtle from Walnut to Palm. Myrtle and side streets will be closed to vehicles. Comment: Parking is always tight, so arrive early.

- Brad Haugaard

Some Christmasy Events Coming Up This Month in Monrovia

Sundays: Carriage Rides in Old Town from 3 - 6 p.m. starting at Library Park. $5 per person or free with $25 same-day Old Town business purchase.

Saturdays: Carolers in Old Town from 3 - 6 p.m.

Monrovia Fire & Rescue – Spark of Love, through Dec. 24, collects new, unwrapped toys and sports equipment for underserved children and teens. Contact Monrovia Fire & Rescue at 256-8181 for details.

Dec. 2, Saturday: Monrovia Guild of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Annual Toy Drive at Tired Iron Works (135 E Foothill). Admission unwrapped new toy (no stuffed animals) gift card, cash/check donations. Vintage car exposition, taco truck. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Details.

Dec. 2, Saturday: San Gabriel Valley Choral Company Holiday Concert at St Luke’s Episcopal Church, 122 S California Ave. 7:30 pm. Details.

Dec. 3, Sunday: Knights of Columbus Toy Drive; Drop off new unwrapped toy (for children 10-17) or gift card to Knights of Columbus Hall, 130 W Pomona Ave, Monrovia, 9 a.m. – 12 Noon. For information call 359-6480.

Dec. 3, Sunday: Centre Stage “Counting Down to Christmas” Musical at IFGF Church (northeast corner of Primrose and Palm Ave) 10:30 a.m.-noon. Details. 

Dec. 7, Thursday: Monrovia Holiday Parade, South Myrtle Old Town Monrovia.

Dec. 9, Saturday: Cookie Exchange, United Methodist Church (downstairs) corner of S Ivy and Palm. Bring 6 dozen cookies and a container to bring home cookies. Raffle prizes, 3 p.m. Contact Janie Duncan for more information at 201-3277.

Dec. 14, Thursday: Kiwanis Club lunch with Citrus Singer Performance, Doubletree Hotel 924 W Huntington Dr. 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. $60 per person; RSVP to Traci French tfrench@bowdendevelopment.com or Gina Fanara gina@cibare.com

Dec. 14, Thursday: Monrovia Chamber Mixer, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 2215 Huntington Drive, Duarte; 5:30-7 p.m. Join the Annual Spark of Love Toy Drive and & Holiday Networking Mixer; Admission is an unwrapped new toy. For details contact Monrovia Chamber at 358-1159.

Dec. 14, Thursday: Clifton Middle School Annual Winter Concert, Clifton Middle School Auditorium. Early Admission $ at 6 p.m. Concert begins at 7 pm.

Thanks to Mayor Becky Shevlin for this list!

- Brad Haugaard

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Hospital Toy Drive - Old Cars and Tacos

Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Santa's Monrovia Schedule

Santa and friends will tour Monrovia neighborhoods on top of a decorated fire engine, escorted by a police car and a decorated public works sleigh. From  5 - 9 pm. Here's the schedule:

• Monday, Dec. 11 - South of Huntington, west of Myrtle, including Valley Circle.
• Tuesday, Dec. 12 - East of Myrtle, north of Foothill.
• Wednesday, Dec. 13 - West of Myrtle, south of Foothill, and
• north of Huntington.
• Thursday, Dec. 14 - East of Myrtle, south of Foothill, north of Duarte Road.
• Friday, Dec. 15 - West of Myrtle Avenue, North of Foothill.

Call Monrovia Police at 256-8000 for more information. 

- Brad Haugaard

Current Local Job Opportunities - December

Here are links to the latest job opportunities for Monrovia:

Monrovia School District 

City of Monrovia 

Private 

There is also a group called Monrovia Works. Search for it on Facebook and ask to join it.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Stolen Cars; Husband Hit With Frying Pan; Runs Red Light and Crashes Two Cars; Separately, Two Cars Crash and Flip; Drunks and Drugs; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for November 22 – 29. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 396 service events, resulting in 57 investigations. 

Driving Under the Influence / Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested
November 22 at 12:43 a.m., officers responded to the intersection of Mayflower and Duarte regarding an injury traffic collision. A vehicle was stopped for the red light when it was rear-ended by another vehicle. The driver that collided into the vehicle displayed symptoms of being under the influence of alcohol. A DUI investigation confirmed that the driver was under the influence. The driver was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
November 22 at 1:33 a.m., a witness in the area of Myrtle and Evergreen reported a vehicle stopped in the roadway. Officers arrived and contacted the driver who displayed symptoms of intoxication. A DUI investigation confirmed that 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 Recovery
November 22 at 6:11 a.m., a suspicious vehicle was reported in the 1200 block of N. Canyon regarding a suspicious vehicle. Officers arrived and investigation revealed that the vehicle was an unreported stolen vehicle from a nearby residence. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
November 22 at 6:30 a.m., officers responded the 200 block of N. Canyon regarding a stolen vehicle. The victim stated she parked her vehicle in front of her residence and discovered it stolen the following morning. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
November 22 at 7:27 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen in the 500 block of S. Alta Vista. This investigation is continuing.

Attempt Grand Theft Auto
November 22 at 8:46 a.m., officers responded to the 100 block of N. Sunset regarding an attempt grand theft auto report. Officers arrived and discovered that the vehicle door locks and ignition had been tampered with. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
November 22 at 10:16 a.m., a resident in the 200 block of W. Lemon reported their vehicle was stolen overnight. This investigation is continuing.

Petty Theft / Drug Offense – Suspect Arrested
November 22 at 6:25 a.m., officers responded to a business in the 800 block of W. Huntington for a petty theft. The victim stated a male subject stole the business’ tip jar. Officers located the subject and discovered drug paraphernalia on the subject. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Drug Arrest – Suspect Arrested
November 23 at 2:17 a.m., while patrolling the 800 block of E. Olive an officer observed two bicyclists in violation of a vehicle code. A traffic stop was conducted and during the investigation one of the subjects admitted to being in possession of drug paraphernalia. Both subject were arrested, cited, and released at the scene.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
November 23 at 10:47 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 1400 block of S. Magnolia regarding a possible domestic violence incident. An investigation revealed that a husband and wife got into an argument which escalated until she hit him in the head with a frying pan. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Assault with a Deadly Weapon

November 24 at 1:51 p.m. a victim in the 200 block of W. Pomona called to report that he had been assaulted. Officers arrived and located the victim with a laceration above an eye. Paramedics arrived and treated the victim at the scene. The victim stated that a male subject at his door subject rang his doorbell and when he went to confront the male subject, the male subject hit him with an object. This investigation is continuing.

Recovered Stolen Vehicle – Suspect Arrested
November 24 at 4:31 p.m., officers were alerted to a stolen vehicle in the area of Foothill and Madison. The vehicle was located and a high risk traffic stop was conducted. The driver was arrested and taken into custody.

Grand Theft – Suspect Arrested
November 24 at 5:26 p.m., an employee from a business in the 700 block of E. Huntington reported a female subject inside the location removing tags and concealing merchandise inside a bag. Officers arrived and located the female subject outside the store and the stolen property was recovered. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Fraud
November 24 at 5:55 p.m., a victim walked into the MPD lobby to report that someone fraudulently got accesses to her business account information, forged a check, and cashed it. This investigation is continuing.

Weapon Offense – Suspect Arrested
November 24 at 10:30 p.m., an employee from a gas station in the 700 block of E. Huntington called to report that a male subject was trying to make entry into the closed mini-mart. Officers arrived and located the subject who was found to be under the influence of a controlled substance and in possession of a prohibited weapon. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Theft from Vehicle

November 25 at 8:00 a.m., a victim in the 300 block of N. Mayflower called to report that his car was broken into overnight. An officer arrived and was told the victim parked his vehicle on the street in front of his house the night before, leaving property in his trunk. The next morning he realized his vehicle had been ransacked and property taken. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto Recovered
November 25 at 2:08 p.m., a caller in the 100 block of W. Palm reported a vehicle in a parking lot with a punched ignition. An investigation determined it was an unreported stolen vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
November 25 at 2:42 p.m., several callers in the area of Magnolia and Huntington reported an injury traffic collision involving three vehicles. Officers arrived and determined that a vehicle failed to stop for the red light and struck two vehicles in the intersection. Parties had complaints of pain but refused to be transported to a hospital.

Injury Traffic Collision
November 25 at 7:04 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Chestnut and Ivy regarding an injury traffic collision. An adult female driver crashed into two parked vehicles and overturned. The driver emitted an odor of an alcohol, but was too injured for a field sobriety test and was transported to a hospital for treatment. This investigation is continuing.

Theft / Drug Activity – Suspect Arrested
November 25 at 10:41 p.m., employees from a business in the 600 block of W. Huntington called to report several suspicious persons in the store. Officers responded and detained one of the subjects to the front of the store. He was placed under citizen's arrest for shoplifting and found to be in possession of a controlled substance. He was arrested, cited and released at the scene.

Municipal Code Violation / Drug Activity – Suspect Arrested
November 26 at 12:05 a.m., officers patrolling a park in the 1600 block of S. Myrtle found a subject in the park past posted hours, in violation of a municipal code. A search revealed the subject was in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Structure Fire
November 26 at 3:05 a.m., a resident in the 600 block of Shady Oaks called to report a structure fire. Officers and MFD arrived and MFD was able to extinguish the flames. No injuries reported. This investigation is continuing.

Fraud
November 26 at 10:34 a.m., a victim in the 1200 block of S. Alta Vista called to report she had been scammed for tickets she purchased on an online platform. This investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
November 26 at 11:55 a.m., a caller in the area of Fifth and Huntington reported a fallen bicyclist. The caller reported that the bicyclist hit a small bump in the road and fell off her bike. She was transported to a hospital for treatment.

Theft from Vehicle

November 26 at 12:32 p.m., a victim parked her vehicle in the 700 block of E. Huntington. When she returned, she noticed her purse was missing from her unlocked vehicle and her credit cards were being used in surrounding cities. This investigation is continuing.

Theft from Vehicle

November 26 at 12:57 p.m., a theft from a vehicle was reported in a parking lot in the 1600 block of S. Mountain. The victim reported tools were taken from his unlocked vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
November 26 at 11:26 p.m., a movie theater in the 400 block of S. Myrtle reported that a male subject become intoxicated and started making a scene, including kicking over trash cans and hiding in a bathroom. Officers arrived and located the subject. It was determined he was too intoxicated, he was arrested and transported to be held for a sobering period.

Bike Theft
November 27 at 8:10 p.m., the owner of a bicycle reported he had locked his electric bike in the 500 block of W. Huntington and when he returned, the lock was cut and his bike was gone. This investigation is continuing.

Injury Hit and Run Traffic Collision
November 27 at 8:20 p.m., a motorist reported she had just collided with another vehicle in the area of Duarte and 10th and the other driver fled the scene. This investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
November 28 at 8:51 a.m., a caller in the 100 block of W. Chestnut reported his vehicle was broken into during the night. The suspects smashed a window and took personal property. This investigation is continuing.

Drug Arrest – Suspect Arrested
November 28 at 9:08 a.m., officers were patrolling the area of Huntington and Highway Esplanade when they saw a vehicle commit a traffic violation. The driver admitted to being in possession of drug paraphernalia. The driver was arrested and taken into custody.

Warrant Arrest
November 28 at 1:26 p.m., a disturbing subject was reported in the 700 block of E. Huntington. Officers arrived and located the subject. A computer search revealed the subject had warrants for her arrest. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Grand Theft Auto
November 28 at 2:29 p.m., a caller in the 400 block of W. Huntington reported her vehicle was stolen some time during the night. This investigation is continuing.

Missing Person Report
November 29 at 8:51 am, a caller in the 1400 block of Encino reported that an adult family member had not returned home for a few days. A missing person’s report was taken. This investigation is continuing.

Non-Injury Traffic Collision
November 29 at 7:22 p.m., a caller reported a motorist in the 1400 block of S. Magnolia just collided into several parked cars causing the driver's car to flip upside down. Monrovia police officers and paramedics responded, however, no one was found to be injured. After investigating the collision, the driver was issued a citation for their driving violations.

Dinner at Casa Jimenez

Dinner at Casa Jimenez, on South Mountain, near Home Depot. Got the Burrito Rojo for $14.95 and a beer for $6.45. Tasty, filling, and I had plenty to take home. I figure I got two meals out of this. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Hansel: Playful, Mellow... and a Fetch Machine

Two-year-old Hansel is the most handsome Akita you’ll ever meet! Hansel has a lot of puppy playfulness and exuberance, but he also has a quiet and mellow personality that gives him the look of an overgrown 95-pound teddy bear.

Hansel loves playing with toys- He is a self-fetching machine who can’t seem to wait long enough for people to throw the tennis ball, so he throws it to himself, then trots around like he’s found the best prize ever. Then he is happy to relax and contemplate what bark is made out of on a tree.

Hansel has been out with the Pasadena Humane Mobile team and they have given him a five-star rating. He enjoys meeting people, rolling over for belly rubs and being an easy-going dude.

Come meet this supermodel today!

The adoption fee for dogs is $150. All dog adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines.

- Brad Haugaard

A Moment in Monrovia History: A Lilly Pond at Recreation Park

A lily pond at Recreation Park, parallel to Lemon Avenue. About 1950. 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