Make Cardboard Helmets at Library, Oct. 1

The Library will host Fall Craft-Tabulous on Tuesday, Oct. 1, from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Story Room. Teens and adults can create cardboard helmets for Halloween or cosplay. Materials are provided, but participants may bring extra cardboard or decorations. Register here. Note: The activity involves using knives, large scissors, and hot glue.

- Brad Haugaard

Storytime at Farmers Market Oct. 5

Storytime at the Farmers Market at Station Square Park on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Families can enjoy stories and then explore the Monrovia Farmers Market, open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Halloween Family Feud Game Oct. 5 at Library

Halloween-themed Family Feud Night at the Library on Friday, Oct. 4, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.  Teens (13 and up) and adults are invited to join teams and compete in this classic game show with a spooky twist. Registration closes at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 4. Register here.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Advertising for Recruits

Monrovia PD advertisement on Facebook.

The Monrovia Police Department has begun advertising on social media to fill positions in the department. The department has also set up a website for recruitment, here.

- Brad Haugaard 

Hispanic Art Celebration Oct. 8

- Brad Haugaard 

Halloween Spooktacular & Trick-or-Treat Bash on Oct. 31

Monrovia's 2024 Halloween Spooktacular & Trick-or-Treat Bash is on Thursday, Oct. 31, from 3 to 6 p.m. in Old Town and Library Park. Activities include trick-or-treating, costume contests for all ages and dogs, library events, booths, and a photo booth. Costume contest registration starts at 3 p.m. in Library Park.

- Brad Haugaard

Beer, Wine, and Music Festival Tomorrow

The Monrovia Chamber hosts its 9th annual Beer, Wine, and Music Festival tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 28, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Library Park. Tickets are $40 presale, $50 at the door, including 10 tastings. Enjoy local breweries, wineries, and live music. For ages 21+.

- Brad Haugaard

Old Town Monrovia Fall Festival on Oct. 12

Monrovia's Old Town Fall Festival is set for Saturday, Oct. 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Activities include hay wagon rides and trackless train rides ($5 each), a pet costume contest at 12:30 p.m., and live music.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Upgrades Rotary Park, Reopens Nov. 16

Monrovia is upgrading Rotary Park with new playground equipment centered around a tree house and featuring the Global Motion spinning structure. The park will reopen on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 10 a.m.

- Brad Haugaard

City Council to Consider Making October Breast Cancer Awareness Month

At its next meeting (agenda here) the Monrovia City Council will consider naming October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Dinner at Taisho Teriyaki Grill

Dinner at Taisho Teriyaki Grill, in the shopping center at the northeast corner of Huntington and Fifth. Got the Chicken Teriyaki Bowl, with drink included, for $11.95. Nice. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police: Car Windows Smashed; Car Theft Suspect Arrested; Peeing In Public; Vehicle vs. Electric Bike; Porch Package Theft; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for September 19 – 25. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 473 service events, resulting in 73 investigations.

Arson – Update
September 19 at 10:06 p.m., a resident in the 500 block of E. Colorado reported finding a body in the garage of a residence where a fire had occurred. Officers and MFD responded and secured the scene. LA County Coroner's personnel also responded. This investigation is continuing. 

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
September 19 at 11:35 p.m., an officer patrolling the 800 block of S. Myrtle saw a motorist commit a vehicle code violation. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was contacted. The driver displayed symptoms of intoxication. A DUI investigation determined she was under the influence. She was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period. 

Prowling
September 20 at 2:13 a.m., a resident in the 700 block of Wildrose reported a male subject looking around his backyard. Officers responded and saw a subject matching the description. When the suspect saw the officers he fled on foot. This investigation is continuing. 

Grand Theft
September 20 at 4:23 a.m., a caller in the 900 block of Monterey reported a catalytic converter was stolen from a vehicle. This investigation is continuing. 

Felony Evading – Suspect Arrested
September 20 at 7:00 a.m., an officer patrolling the area of Myrtle and Huntington saw an illegal motorcycle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the motorcycle fled. A short pursuit ensued and when the pursuit came to a stop, the subject was apprehended. He was arrested and taken into custody. 

Burglary
September 20 at 8:30 p.m., a burglary was reported in the 300 block of Park Rose. This investigation is continuing. 

Missing Person
September 20 at 8:32 p.m., a parent in the 800 block of W. Colorado reported her daughter missing. Officers searched the area for the teen, but she was not located. This investigation is continuing. 

Non-Injury Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence
September 20 at 9:16 p.m., a resident in the 600 block of S. Primrose reported a vehicle crashed into a parked car. Officers responded and located the driver who displayed symptoms of intoxication. The driver suffered injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. This investigation is continuing. 

Intoxication – Suspects Arrested
September 21 at 2:16 a.m., officers were conducting a DUI investigation in the 100 block of E. Olive when two heavily intoxicated subjects approached the officers and attempted to disrupt the investigation. Both subjects were so intoxicated they were unable to care for themselves. They were arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period. 

Child Abduction – Suspect Arrested
September 21 at 4:03 p.m., a family disturbance was reported in the 100 block of E. Central. The investigation revealed that a child was taken by a relative who does not have legal custody and was under the influence. The child was recovered and located with the help of Covina PD. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody. 

Vehicle Burglary
September 22 at 7:38 a.m., a resident in the 800 block of S. Canyon called to report one of her vehicle windows were shattered while parked on the street. This investigation is continuing. 

Shoplifting
September 22 at 7:54 a.m., a store in the 900 block of W. Foothill called to report that an unknown male subject entered the store and shoplifted the day prior. This investigation is continuing. 

Petty Theft
September 22 at 10:09 a.m., a resident in the 800 block of S. Monterey called to report that her unlocked vehicle was ransacked overnight and property was taken. This investigation is continuing. 

Unlicensed Driver
September 22 at 7:03 p.m., an officer patrolling the area of Walnut and California saw a driver commit a traffic violation. The vehicle was pulled over and the officer discovered the 15 year old male driver did not have a license. The driver was cited and the vehicle was stored. 

Vandalism
September 23 at 9:20 a.m., in the 200 block of E. Atara, the victim called to report her front right window was shattered. This investigation is continuing. 

Grand Theft Auto Recovery – Suspects Arrested
September 23 at 9:58 a.m., officers were alerted to a stolen vehicle in the area of Huntington and Mountain. The vehicle was located in a parking lot with two female occupants inside. One of the subjects was found to be in possession of a controlled substance. They were both arrested and taken into custody. 

Missing Located
September 23 at 10:53 a.m., a missing juvenile was reported located. She was removed from the missing persons system and her parents were notified. 

Grand Theft Auto Recovery – Suspect Arrested
September 23 at 4:45 p.m., an agency requested assistance with a stolen vehicle in the area of Foothill and Ivy. Officers located the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop and the driver was contacted. The driver was arrested and taken into custody. 

Grand Theft
September 23 at 7:19 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 700 block of E. Huntington regarding a theft. Three subjects fled the store with merchandise without paying. Officers’ arrived, but the subjects were gone prior to officers’ arrival. This investigation is continuing. 

Drug Activity – Suspect Arrested
September 23 at 10:08 p.m., a caller in the area of Colorado and Madison reported a suspicious subject looking into vehicles. Officers arrived and located the subject. An investigation revealed the subject was in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested, cited, and released at the scene. 

Vandalism
September 24 at 12:13 a.m., officers were dispatched to a business in the 1500 block of S. Myrtle regarding a disturbing subject. The suspect, who had fled prior to officers’ arrival, had slashed the tires of an employee's vehicle. This investigation is continuing. 

Driving Under Influence – Suspect Arrested
September 24 at 12:26 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop for a traffic violation in the 400 W. Huntington. The driver displayed objective signs and symptoms of being under the influence. A DUI investigation revealed the driver was under the influence. He was arrested and taken into custody. 

Urinate in Public – Suspect Arrested
September 24 at 8:20 a.m., an officer patrolling the area of Myrtle and Evergreen saw a urinating in public. The officer made contact with the subject. The subject arrested, cited and released at the scene. 

Medical Assist
September 24 at 10:24 a.m., multiple callers in the area of Myrtle and Huntington requested medical assistance for a female subject who fell from her wheelchair. Officers arrived and made contact with the female subject suffering injuries from the fall. MFD responded and provided medical care. She was transported to a hospital for further treatment. 

Prowling
September 24 at 10:24 a.m., a victim in the 600 block of W. Huntington called to report a prowler had been on his property the night before. Officers arrived and located the subject who was identified and released at the scene. The victim walked into the MPD lobby to file a report. 

Residential Burglary
September 24 at 7:35 p.m., a resident in the 100 block of Violet reported her residence was burglarized. This investigation is continuing. 

Drug Activity – Suspect Arrested
September 24 at 8:19 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain regarding a disturbing subject. Officers arrived and located the subject. An investigation revealed he was in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested, cited and released in the field. 

Injury Traffic Collision
September 25 at 8:05 a.m., a caller in the 900 block of E. Lemon reported a traffic collision between a vehicle and an EV bike. The subject on the bike complained of pain and received treatment. 

Package Theft
214 E. Evergreen 1349 hours 24-017532 Officer Rivera September 25 at 1:49 p.m., a resident in the 200 block of E. Evergreen called to say a package was taken from the front porch. This investigation is continuing. 

Hit and Run Traffic Collision
September 25 at 4:33 p.m., a hit and run traffic collision was reported in the area of Myrtle and Evergreen. This investigation is continuing.

Vandalism / Battery

845 E. Lemon 1658 hours, September 25 at 4:58 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 800 block of E. Lemon regarding a neighbor dispute. Both subjects were accused of vandalism and battery. Both were arrested and taken into custody. 

Conspiracy
September 25 at 5:39 p.m., an employee from a store in the 700 block of E. Huntington called to report three female subjects were concealing items. One of the subjects would point to items while the two other concealed the items. Officers arrived and located the subject who was pointing at the merchandise. The other two subjects fled the scene. She was arrested and taken into custody. 

Medical Assist
September 25 at 8:02 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 200 block of W. Palm regarding a male subject who was losing consciousness from a bleeding wound. An officer arrived and made contact with the subject. The officer applied several tourniquets to attempt to stop the blood loss. MFD arrived and transported to subject to a hospital for treatment. 

Former City Councilwoman Gloria Crudgington Dies

Former City Councilwoman Gloria Lynn Crudgington, has died at age 75.

Here is the announcement of her death:

September 25, 1949 – September 25, 2024

It is with great sorrow that I announce to you that Gloria Crudgington has passed away at the age of 75. Most of you will remember Gloria as an exceptional member of our City Council up until April 2024, when she decided to step down. But her history of community involvement began long before her election. I could fill page after page with words that tell you about her many accomplishments and achievements. With what a strong and wonderful woman she was. How she was so incredibly funny. I could tell you that she was absolutely adored by her husband Cleve. That her friends and colleagues love her immensely. Gloria would be the first to tell you that as a marriage and family therapist, she was great at conflict resolution. But she was also a fighter. She fought for all of us, and for Monrovia, in so many ways. And she was successful… In ways too many to list here. She then fought Cancer, and she beat that too! Even as her health began to deteriorate due to an extremely rare condition, Gloria remained as vibrant, beautiful and funny as ever. Gloria is survived by her husband, Cleve, who has loved her for more than 46 years. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews, yet she leaves behind many who love her. Gloria will be greatly missed by so many and forgotten by few. She has left us all with a beautiful and better Monrovia.

Her celebration of life will be held on Thursday, October 10th at Live Oak Memorial, with services beginning at the onsite chapel at 10:00 am, followed by a celebratory luncheon reception at the Monrovia Community Center in the Kay Dalton Room. It is Gloria’s wish for services to be open to all Monrovians wanting to honor and celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either of the following entities that are so near and dear to Gloria. Donations can be made by a check gifted at the service or a contribution made online.

 Monrovia Parks, Wilderness, and Recreation Foundation Monrovia Historic Preservation Group

 - Brad Haugaard 

Charming Charles Wants to Be the Best Dog He Can Be

Charles is a charming 5-year-old pit bull with a big heart and a love for adventure. He’s had quite the journey at Pasadena Humane, showing tremendous growth in confidence and affection over time. 

Charles may initially appear shy, but once he warms up, his sweet personality truly shines. He responds well to treats and loves a good scratch behind the ears. You’ll often find him happily leaning into his favorite people for pets or splashing around in the pool during his playtime in the yard. 

This handsome boy enjoys his walks and is always eager to explore. While he’s still working on some leash manners, Charles shows great progress with every outing. He’s especially fond of his treat puzzles and enjoys the occasional zoomies in the yard. When he settles down, he loves to curl up at your feet and soak up all the love he can get. 

Charles is looking for a patient and understanding adopter who can continue to guide him on his journey to becoming the best dog he can be. With his gentle nature and love for companionship, Charles has all the makings of a loyal and loving friend. He’s ready to find a forever home where he can continue to thrive and share his affection. 

Are you ready to give Charles the loving home he deserves? Come meet this sweet boy and see if he’s the perfect match for you.

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

Walk-in adoptions are available every day from 2:00 – 5:00. For those who prefer, adoption appointments are available daily from 10:30 – 1:30 and can be scheduled online. View photos of adoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org.

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. 

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

- Brad Haugaard

A Moment in Monrovia History: Early Tailor Shop

Monrovia Tailor Louis Umbach at his original location - believed to be on South Myrtle. 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

Game Night for Adults at Library Sept. 27

Game Night for Adults (18+) on Friday, Sept. 27, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Library Community Room. Participants can play games from the Library's collection and socialize. Sponsored by Friends of the Library. For details, contact aloera@ci.monrovia.ca.us or call 256-8254.

- Brad Haugaard

Teens Program to Explore Creativity - at Library, Sept. 25

Pop-up Makerspace for Teens, Wednesday, September 25, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the Library's Teen Area. Students in grades 6-12 can explore creativity through various crafts, coding with Sphero Mini Bots, and 3D art. No registration required. Sponsored by Friends of the Library.

- Brad Haugaard

Novel T's Book Club Discusses 'A Punishing Breed'

Novel T's Book Club meets on Tuesday, Sept. 24, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Library's Community Room. The group discusses different book genres. This month's book is "A Punishing Breed" by D.C. Frost. New members should email jandrewsheldon@gmail.com to join. A Zoom option is available.

- Brad Haugaard

Veterans Meet-Up Tuesday, 6 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Lego Steam Activities For Children Sept. 26

LEGO STEAM activities for ages 6-11 on Thursday, Sept. 26, from 3 to 4:15 p.m. in the Library Story Room. Children will engage in experiments using LEGOs. All materials provided. Registration required, here. Contact jtuszynski@monroviaca.gov or call 256-8274 for more information.

- Brad Haugaard