Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 06/02/2021. Changes since 05/26/2021.
City of Monrovia: 3,190 cases (unchanged), 78 deaths (unchanged)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 376 cases (unchanged), no deaths
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for May 27 – June 2. - Brad Haugaard]During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 347 service events, resulting in 70 investigations.
The adoption fee for cats is $100. All cat 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 a virtual adoption appointment at pasadenahumane.org. Adoptions are by appointment only, and new adoption appointments are available every day at 5:00 p.m. for the following day.
Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.\
- Brad Haugaard
Postcard of the Church of the Immaculate Conception on Shamrock. See full details here. From the William Ward collection. Identifying information from Kim Ward Anderson.
~ Discuss a report about District Attorney George Gascón, who has been criticized for his nine "Special Directives," which appear to some to lean too far in favor of those accused of crimes. According to the city staff report, Gascón has written that his policies "are, by any measure, major departures from how this office has approached this work previously." A resident requested the council pass a "Vote of no confidence" in the DA. Arcadia, Azusa, Beverly Hills, Covina, Diamond Bar, La Mirada, Lancaster, Manhattan Beach, Pico Rivera, Rosemead, Santa Clarita, Santa Fe Springs and Whittier have already passed such resolutions. https://is.gd/ZEEtaD
~ Consider spending $15,500 to honor Leroy "Buster" Criss as the next "Neighborhood Treasure." Criss was a Monrovian, attended Monrovia Arcadia Duarte High School, and took flying lessons at the Monrovia Airport. He served with the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African American military aviators. During World War II, the American military was racially segregated. Later he worked for 37 years as a high school teacher in the Los Angeles area, but could not teach in Monrovia because of the color of his skin. Monrovian Donna Hargett, a professional artist, will create the nine-foot-tall and 40-inches-wide monument, which will be made out of pressed metal and molded resin. It will be placed in the 200 block of East Maple, where Criss lived, at the end of July. https://is.gd/XUfiTF
- Brad Haugaard
A district press release says:
"For our students who thrive in an independent, online environment, Mountain Park School will continue offering such opportunities. Through our virtual academy and independent study, our students will have the option of continuing their studies remotely."
For more information, visit Mountain Park's website or call (626) 471-3002.
- Brad Haugaard
~ Monrovia has received two national awards at the Neighborhoods USA annual conference for the Monrovia Area Partnership (MAP) program om competition with cities across America. The city received first place for its newsletter and second place for Best Neighborhood Program.
~ If you live near the hills, you may be interested in a seminar on how to landscape your property so it looks good and best defends against wildfire. Monrovia and Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District will present "Firescaping the Foothills" on Thursday, June 24 from 5 to 6 p.m. on Zoom. Details: https://is.gd/oo5VfD
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia School District music students join to bring you, virtually, "Superstars of Music Showcase 2021."
- Brad Haugaard
The Board unanimously approved a contract with Dr. Smith during its May 26 meeting, where he was formally introduced to the school community via livestream.
“I am truly honored to be selected by the Board of Education as the next Superintendent of Monrovia Unified School District,” Smith said. “Monrovia Unified is a district with a reputation for excellence and tremendous community support. Its outstanding academic programs are well known throughout Los Angeles County, the state, and beyond and are complemented by its fantastic offerings in the arts, athletics, wellness and mental health, and more. I am very excited to begin meeting with teachers and staff, parents and families, community members and organizations, and those who matter most – our students.”
During the selection process, input sessions were held with administrators, staff, parents, and district stakeholders in order to learn about the qualities they wanted in a new superintendent.
Additionally, the school community was invited to fill out an online survey. Using this information, Leadership Associates – Monrovia Unified’s search firm – conducted an extensive search. The Board was presented with an impressive list of candidates, ultimately selecting Dr. Smith.
Smith earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern California. He also holds a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Leadership from Chapman University and a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from California State University, San Marcos.
Smith comes to Monrovia Unified after five years in the Paramount Unified School District, where he served as Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Educational Services and led the entire Educational Services division.
During his time in Paramount, Smith oversaw a variety of key initiatives, including the development and implementation of the district’s first strategic plan, the expansion of instructional technology to include a 1-1 Chromebook program for all district students, and the creation of the district’s first new high school, Odyssey STEM Academy.
Additionally, Smith worked to expand access to and develop new Career Technical Education programs, build partnerships with local colleges and universities, and increase access to the Advanced Placement program and other rigorous courses.
Smith has been married to his wife Jennifer for over nine years; they are excited to relocate to the Monrovia area from Orange County soon.
The District will host a Superintendent Roadshow throughout July, which will serve as a meet-and-greet opportunity for stakeholders with the new superintendent. More information on the Superintendent Roadshow will be shared when details have been finalized.
On behalf of the Board of Education, we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Ryan Smith as our new Superintendent, and look forward to all of the wonderful things he will do for Monrovia Unified. Dr. Smith has an extensive background in education, bringing with him years of experience and a strong passion for student success. We strongly believe he will be a great fit for Monrovia Unified School District.
Sincerely,
Maritza Travanti, President
MUSD Board of Education
Source: Monrovia Schools press release
- Brad Haugaard
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for May 20-26. - Brad Haugaard]
2019 Awards
Distinguished Service Medal
Life Saving Award
2020 Awards
Medal of Merit
Distinguished Service Medal
Source: Monrovia Police press release
- Brad Haugaard
Postcard looking south on Myrtle from Lemon. See full details here. From the William Ward collection. Identifying information from Kim Ward Anderson.