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Updated Fire Hazard Severity Maps Released for Monrovia


Cal Fire released updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps on March 24, resulting in changes for Monrovia. The new maps classify areas not only into Very High (red)fire hazard zones, but also into High (orange) or Moderate (yellow) zones. For questions contact the Fire Department at 626-256-8181 or mfd@monroviaca.gov.

- Brad Haugaard

City Re-circulating Environmental Study for Highland Place Project


The city is re-circulating an environmental study for a proposed residential subdivision and flood control basin at 347 Highland Place for additional public review. The project includes three new homes and a debris basin on a 7.8-acre hillside. Comments on the Draft IS/MND can be submitted through April 30 by 5 p.m.. Prior comments remain part of the record. Here are relevant documents:

- Brad Haugaard

Wildcat Band & Color Guard fundraiser


Monrovia Wildcat Band & Color Guard is holding a See’s Candy fundraiser. Details here.

- Brad Haugaard

City to consider next Neighborhood Treasure; Donation of Anderson House; Low-income housing; Etc.

At its next meeting (agenda here) the Monrovia City Council will ...

~ Consider approving up to $19,000 to install a Neighborhood Treasure landmark for  Kiyoshi Kuromiya, who - being of Japanese descent - was interned during World War II. He was also a war protester, LGBTQ+ activist, and medical marijuana proponent. Details

~ Consider accepting a donation from the Monrovia Historical Society of the historic George H. Anderson House, at 215 East Lime. Details

~ Decide on whether to approve a bond (not to be repaid by the city) for low-income housing. Story here

~ Proclaim April as DMV/Donate Life Month. Details

~ Hold a study session prior to the regular meeting (at 6:15 p.m.) to discuss "Discuss and Provide Direction on Citywide Lighting, Landscaping, and Parks Maintenance Assessment Districts". Details

- Brad Haugaard

Oak Park Apartments may become 100% low income housing


Oak Park Apartments - looking north from Olive. Image from Google Street View.

The 156-unit Oak Park apartment complex between 125 West Olive Avenue and 150 West Colorado Boulevard may be turned into 100% low-income housing.

Foothill Oak Park Apartments, LLC, a newly formed non‐profit, needs $65 million to buy and refurbish the complex. That money would come from a bond authorized by the city, but the city would simply "serve as the conduit issuer of the bonds" for the money which would be provided by the California Statewide Communities Development Authority and which would be repaid solely through revenue earned by the apartment complex. The staff report says there would be no financial obligation on the part of the city. The city council will consider the matter at its Tuesday, April 1 meeting. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at BBQ Blues


Dinner at the new BBQ Blues, in the old 38 Degrees restaurant space on the south side of Colorado about a half block east of Myrtle. Nothing much has changed regarding the decor except the signage and the art on the walls. I got the pulled pork sandwich for $13 and a beer for $6. Very good! Tender, moist pork and a lot of it. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police: Man sleeping on sidewalk was fine, but arrested for warrant; Drunk crashes car into tree and building; Walking in the road, arrested; Driver told he almost caused collision, punched in face; etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for March 20 – 26. - Brad Haugaard]

During this period the Police Department handled 414 service events, resulting in 72 investigations.

Fraud / Scam
March 20 at 7:49 a.m., a victim in the 100 block of E. Foothill reported his social media accounts were hacked and he was convinced to send money to an unknown subject. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
March 20 at 8:34 a.m., a resident in the 800 block S. Canyon reported the catalytic converter to her vehicle stolen.

Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
March 20 at 9:39 a.m., a passerby in the 100 W. Greystone requested a wellness check on a male subject sleeping on the sidewalk. Officers responded and made contact with the subject. A computer search revealed he had a warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Injury Traffic Collision
March 20 at 10:11 a.m., a traffic collision was reported in the 300 block of W. Evergreen. Officers arrived and made contact with the parties involved. Both parties complained about pain. One of the drivers was transported to a hospital for treatment.

Court Order Violation
March 20 at 6:37 p.m., a court order violation was reported in the 100 block of W. Lime. Officers arrived and made contact with the victim. The restrained party was gone prior to officers’ arrival. This investigation is continuing.

Drug Arrest – Suspect Arrested
March 20 at 7:22 p.m., while patrolling the area of Shamrock and Evergreen an officer saw a vehicle in violation of a code. An investigation revealed the driver was in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Mental Evaluation
March 20 at 8:35 p.m., a caller in the 1600 block of S. Myrtle reported a suspicious person in the area. Officers arrived and made contact with the subject who was determined to be a danger to himself and others. He was transported to a medical facility for a mental evaluation.

Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
March 20 at 10:49 p.m., an officer patrolling the 1500 block of S. Myrtle conducted a traffic stop on a bicyclist for a violation of a vehicle code. A computer search revealed the bicyclist had a warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Drug Arrest – Suspect Arrested
March 21 at 2:41 a.m., a caller in the area of Pomona and California reported a suspicious person. Officers arrived and made contact with the subject. An investigation revealed the subject was in possession of a controlled substance. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Drug Arrest – Suspect Arrested
March 21 at 9:49 p.m., an officer patrolling the area of Mountain and Lime saw a vehicle in violation of a vehicle code. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was contacted. An investigation revealed the driver was in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence / Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested
March 21 at 11:47 p.m., a solo vehicle traffic collision was reported in the area of Myrtle and Foothill. Officers arrived and discovered that the vehicle crashed into a tree and building. The driver was located and contacted. 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.

Hit and Run Traffic Collision
March 22 at 1:40 a.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Central and Mountain regarding a hit and run traffic collision that resulted in a damaged traffic signal. This investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
March 22 at 5:34 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 500 block of W. Duarte. This investigation is continuing.

Fraud
March 22 at 12:37 p.m., an employee from a business in the 400 block of W. Foothill reported a skimming device was found on their ATM. This investigation is continuing.

Petty Theft
March 22 at 6:35 p.m., a victim walked into the MPD lobby to report her wallet was stolen while she was shopping at a store in the 700 block of E. Huntington and her credit cards were fraudulently used. This investigation is continuing.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
March 22 at 7:16 p.m., a caller in the 500 block of Los Angeles requested a wellness check on a subject in the area. Officers arrived and made contact with the subject who was determined to be too intoxicated to care for himself. A second subject ran out of a residence onto the street, highly intoxicated. Officers determined she was unable to care for herself. They were both arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Drug Arrest – Suspect Arrested
March 23 at 12:05 a.m., an officer patrolling the area of California and Central saw a vehicle in violation of a vehicle code. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was contacted. An investigation revealed the driver was in possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
March 23 at 1:08 a.m., while patrolling the 100 block of E. Olive, officers located a male subject inside a business who was extremely intoxicated and unable to care or himself. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Drug Arrest – Suspect Arrested
March 23 at 2:04 a.m., officers responded to a report of a traffic offense near the intersection of Primrose and Linwood. Officers located the involved vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. During the investigation, the driver was found to be in possession of controlled substance. The driver was arrested and taken into custody.

Missing Critical
March 23 at 3:39 p.m., a family member in the 700 block of W. Walnut reported a relative, who suffers from dementia, missing. Officers were unable to locate the missing person. A silver alert was issued and a flyer was distributed. The subject was located that evening and reunited with family.

Resisting / Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
March 24 at 1:50 a.m., a passerby in the area of Mayflower and Foothill reported a male subject walking in the roadway. Officers arrived and made contact with two subjects. The subject who matched the description refused to comply with the officer’s instructions and fled on foot into a nearby business. He was ultimately located and detained. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Commercial Burglary
March 24 at 8:30 a.m., a victim in the 500 block of S. Myrtle reported his business had been burglarized. An investigation revealed the suspect entered through a rear door and removed money. This investigation is continuing.

Theft
March 24 at 10:07 a.m., a caller in the 200 block of E. Duarte reported her vehicle was broken into and took her bank cards. Her cards were fraudulently used. This investigation is continuing.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
March 24 at 12:26 p.m., a passerby in the 300 block of W. Foothill reported a male subject throwing rocks. Officers arrived and made contact with the male subject who displayed symptoms of being too intoxicated to care for himself. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Fraud
March 24 at 2:18 p.m., a victim in the 400 block of Oakcliff reported that an unknown subject was submitting loan applications using her identity. This investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
March 25 at 12:51 p.m., a traffic collision was reported in the area of California and Central. Officers arrived and made contact with the parties involved. Both parties suffered injuries and were transported to a hospital for treatment. This investigation is continuing.

Assault
March 25 at 2:34 p.m., a victim in the 1800 block of S. Myrtle reported two subjects approached him while he was sitting in his vehicle and accused him of nearly colliding with them. The subjects hit the victim in the face while he was sitting in his vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Theft
March 25 at 3:45 p.m., a caller in the 700 block of E. Huntington reported her bag was stolen from her locker, taking her credit cards and identification. This investigation is continuing.

Hit and Run Traffic Collision
March 26 at 2:12 a.m., officers responded to the 400 block of S. Primrose regarding a traffic collision. A vehicle struck a parked car and the suspect vehicle rolled over and the driver fled on foot. Officers arrived and did not locate the driver of the vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Drug Activity / Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
March 26 at 4:06 a.m., a suspicious person was reported outside of a residence in the 200 block of Canyon Crest. Officers arrived and located the subject. A computer search revealed the subject had a no bail warrant for his arrest. He was found to be in possession of a controlled substance. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Theft
March 26 at 10:14 a.m., an employee from a business in the 1100 block of E. Huntington reported her cellphone stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Theft
March 26 at 11:33 a.m., a caller in the 400 block of E. Duarte reported his wallet stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting
March 26 at 3:57 p.m., an employee at a business in the 400 block of W. Huntington reported a shoplifting incident. Officers arrived and learned that a male subject took merchandise and left without paying. This investigation is continuing.

Warrant Arrest
March 26 at 10:29 p.m., an officer patrolling the 1300 block of S. Mountain saw a male subject loitering near a closed business. A computer check revealed the subject had a warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Police looking for missing man

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia company making chemicals, medicines, fuels with enzymes

Exozymes (EXOZ), a Monrovia biotech company, is creating chemicals, ingredients for medicine, and fuels, using specially designed enzymes it creates with help from artificial intelligence. Exozymes says it can create these products from everyday materials such as sugar or plant-based biomass.

The company, located on Royal Oaks Drive, calls these enzymes "exozymes"  because they are created in a controlled environment called a bioreactor, a specialized vessel or device designed to support a biological or biochemical process, rather than inside living cells. 

- Brad Haugaard

Tax seminar at Library this Sunday


There will be a tax-saving seminar this Sunday, March 30, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Library covering legal strategies to reduce or eliminate tax burdens. Presented by entrepreneur and financial educator Gautam Godse and finance professional and tax planner Tania Herbert. Topics include optimal business structures, tax-free wealth, and generational investing. For families, small business owners, and high-income professionals. Cost $100. Register here.

- Brad Haugaard

Opinion: Monroe School sign needs fixing

This sign, which has been getting scruffier by the year, it’s a very poor advertisement for Monroe Elementary, a California Distinguished School, or for Monrovia schools in general. I brought this up to an official at the school district a number of years ago and was told the sign belongs to the PTA. Well, to whomever it belongs, it really should be fixed.

- Brad Haugaard

Kyle - wanderer and adventure seeker; he may possibly choose you


Kyle is the ultimate independent spirit, a charismatic wanderer who’s always looking for the next adventure. He’s the kind of guy who makes an entrance, surveys the scene, and decides on his own terms whether he’s staying. Affection isn’t his first language, but give him space and a little time, and he just might choose you as part of his inner circle. Earn his trust, and you’ll see the loyal, low-key sweet side hidden beneath his too-cool-for-school exterior.

Kyle thrives in an environment with structure but not too many rules—he needs room to roam, but with a patient guide to keep him on course. If you’re the type to play it cool and give him space, you just might win him over.

His love language? Independence, mutual respect, and, of course, well-timed snacks. He’s not the clingy type, but when he decides you’re worth his time, it’s a badge of honor. He’s the perfect companion for someone willing to let the bond grow at Kyle’s own pace.

If you’re ready to be the wingman Kyle needs—someone who lets him take the lead, respects his need for space, and has a chill, no-pressure vibe—you just might be the one to give this forever frat bro his perfect home.

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 10:00 – 5:00. 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

Monrovia Historical Society to Host Talk on the "Safer Aeroplane Company" by Local Historian


Historian Paul R. Spitzzeri will give a free talk on April 6 at 2 p.m. at the Monrovia Public Library about the short life of Monrovia's "Safer Aeroplane Company," a 1914 aviation company that promised great things with its “tandem monoplane” design.

Sponsored by the Monrovia Historical Society, the talk, titled "‘It Will Cause a Sensation in the World of Aviation Someday’: The Brief History of the Safer Aeroplane Company of Monrovia, 1914,” will be presented by Spitzzeri, Museum Director at the Workman and Temple Family Homestead Museum and a recognized historian of California, with writings published in numerous historical journals and anthologies.

The Monrovia Historical Society brings Monrovia history to the public through special events; the Legacy Project, its online database of images and documents; and through The Anderson House, which it maintains and furnishes to portray Monrovia life in the late 1800s.

- Brad Haugaard

A Moment in Monrovia History: First photographed land sale in Monrovia

The "Ocean View" Subdivision sale pictured here included the area bounded by what is now known as Hillcrest, Greystone, Myrtle and Canyon Blvd. See Monrovia Planet Sept. 24, 1887 Hotchkiss excerpts p. 79. Opening Myrtle Ave Subdivisions. This is the earliest picture of a land sale in Monrovia; the first actual land sale was May 17, 1886 for lots for the Town of Monrovia -- 'Monrovia townsite.' From the Myron Hotchkiss collection. See details here and more 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

Update on Measure K sales tax money


Although Monrovia's Measure K sales tax revenue for 2024-25 is down $967,012 -- from $7,780,539 in 2023-24 to $6,813,527 in 2024-25 -- the fund still has $24.2 million in the kitty. Sales tax  is down statewide.

The image above shows what the money is going for. Details.

- Brad Haugaard