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Hart House Closes All Its Restaurants


The vegan fast food restaurant chain, Hart House, which had a restaurant in Monrovia's Huntington Oaks shopping center, has closed all its sites permanently, according to the website Eater LA. The Monrovia restaurant opened in November of 2022. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

9/11 Memorial; No Current Wildfire Threat


City Manager Dylan Feik reports that the city had a simple memorial ceremony today in remembrance of the 9/11 attack. He added that there is currently no threat to Monrovia from the Bridge Fire.

- Brad Haugaard 

Free Eye Care Workshops for Seniors at YMCA


Free eye care workshops for seniors at Monrovia's Santa Anita Family YMCA.

  • Eye Health with Dr. Wong, O.D., Sept. 18, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
  • Cataract Workshop with Dr. Obi, O.D. Oct. 16, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
  • Glaucoma Workshop with Dr. Tran, O.D. Nov. 12, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.

Breakfast provided.

- Brad Haugaard

Lobo -The Tail-Waggingest, Fun Lovingest Dog Around


Meet Lobo, one of the wiggliest dogs around! This sweet guy with the always-wagging tail makes fast friends with everyone he meets!

Lobo is about 1 ½ years old, and full of energy and fun. He loves running around the yard and playing, but he finds time for snuggling as well.

Lobo is quite a character - he has so much fun playing with his toys that he usually draws a crowd of onlookers. He runs full speed after any toy thrown his way, then grabs it, rolls onto his back and holds the toy in his front paws to give it a good chew. Then he throws it into the air and runs after it again. No one has more fun than Lobo!

As happy as he is with meeting new people friends, Lobo also seems to like doggy friends, too. He loves meeting new dogs at the shelter, so he would probably do well with a dog companion. Lobo is sure to bring a ton of love and a lot of laughter to his forever home - maybe it’s yours?

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: The Monrovia Steam Laundry in 1905

The Monrovia Steam Laundry around 1905. It was located at 316 S. Myrtle Ave., then moved in 1907 to 727-729 S Myrtle. The officers and directors of the Monrovia Steam Laundry company were all prominent citizens and businessmen of Monrovia, including the following officers: President, C.E. Slosson; vice president, F.N. Hawes; secretary, C.H. Anson. Directors, C.E. Slosson, F.N. Hawes, C.H. Anson, B.R. Davisson and H.J. Thomas. 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

Monrovia Company SiLC Gets Investment From Honda to Develop Car Radar


Monrovia-based SiLC Technologies has received an investment from Honda to develop next-generation FMCW LiDAR. 

LiDAR means Light Detection and Ranging. LiDAR systems use lasers to measure distances and movement in the environment, useful - among other things - for detecting objects ahead of cars. FMCW (Frequency-Modulated Continuous Wave) is a more efficient form of LiDAR.

SiLC, the leading developer of integrated, single-chip FMCW LiDAR solutions, focuses on enabling advanced AI-based machine vision.

"SiLC is the industry leader in FMCW LiDAR research and development, capable of detecting vehicles and obstacles from long distances," said Manabu Ozawa, Managing Executive Officer, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. He added that he believes SiLC's advanced LiDAR technology will help meet the company's goal of zero traffic collision fatalities by 2050.

SiLC's FMCW LiDAR technology addresses critical challenges in vehicle vision, overcoming limitations of current radar and vision systems. It can detect objects at distances of a kilometer or more and measure their velocity accurately.

Dr. Mehdi Asghari, SiLC Technologies CEO, said the investment from Honda will accelerate SiLC's progress toward fully autonomous solutions that enhance safety.

Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Hispanic Heritage Celebration a Library Sept. 14


Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at the Library on Saturday, September 14. Art, crafts, and dance showcasing Latin American cultural traditions. 12 to 2 p.m. in Youth Services Area.  For more information contact: gantunez@monroviaca.gov, 256-8275.

- Brad Haugaard

Veterans - Paint and Drink Beer at Library, Sept. 13


Veterans Paint & Sip at the Library on Friday, Sept. 13. Ages 21+ paint while enjoying wine/beer. 5:30 to 7 p.m. in Community Room. Register here. For information contact: kgally@monroviaca.gov, 256-8268. 

- Brad Haugaard

Music Makers Program for Children Today


Music Makers program today at the Library (Sept. 9 for children ages 4-8 to learn about rhythm, beat, pitch, tempo, and instruments through interactive play and cultural songs. 4 to 5 p.m. in Story Room. No registration required. Contact: asimpson@ci.monrovia.ca.us, 256-8269.

- Brad Haugaard

Pretrial Hearing for Man Accused of Killing His Monrovia Girlfriend

Story courtesy of PasadenaNow.com

A pretrial hearing is scheduled for Robert Anthony Camou, the Monrovia man charged with murder in connection with his girlfriend's disappearance, court officials announced.

The hearing is set for Monday, September 9, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C of the Pasadena Courthouse, located at 300 E. Walnut St.

Camou, 27, faces a capital murder charge in the presumed death of Amanda Custer, 31, who vanished on July 29, 2019. Witnesses reported seeing Camou placing Custer's "lifeless body" into his car trunk that day, according to investigators.

The defendant had previously been charged with assault and domestic violence against Custer. In April 2019, he allegedly beat and strangled her, threatening her with a Taser. Charges included one felony count each of first-degree burglary with a person present, injuring a girlfriend, and assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury. Custer had filed a restraining order against Camou in February 2019.

Following Custer's disappearance, authorities found blood and evidence of an assault at Camou's home. A search of his vehicle revealed blood, a tarp, and a digging tool. Surveillance footage later showed Camou at an ampm store in Fontana and a Chase Bank ATM in Azusa.

Camou was arrested on July 30, 2019, after a standoff with police in Los Angeles. He had allegedly been captured on video at a bar allegedly rapping about killing and burying his girlfriend.

If convicted, Camou could face the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole. The charge includes a special circumstance allegation of killing a witness and that he was out on bail during the crime.

Despite extensive searches in areas familiar to Camou, including Mount Baldy and Lytle Creek, Custer's body has not been found. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has offered a $10,000 reward for information in the case.

The pretrial hearing marks a significant step in the legal proceedings, which have been ongoing since Camou's initial arraignment was scheduled for September 4, 2019, and subsequently rescheduled to October 10, 2019.


Hearing Set for Suspect in Killing of Monrovia Father Who Tried to Calm Argument

This story courtesy of PasadenaNow.com

A court appearance on Monday, September 9, will determine when Christopher Wiggan, accused of killing a Monrovia father of six, will face a preliminary hearing on murder charges.

Wiggan, 42, is scheduled to appear in Department H of the Pasadena Courthouse at 8:30 a.m. set a date for his preliminary hearing. He is charged with one count of murder in case 24PDCF00313 for the June 2 shooting death of Nicolas Gandara outside the victim's Monrovia home.

Prosecutors allege Wiggan shot Gandara, 38, in the neck after the victim attempted to calm an argument between Wiggan and a neighbor. The incident occurred around 9:22 p.m. on the 700 block of West Duarte Road.

Wiggan, described by investigators as a local transient, fled the scene but was located and arrested the following afternoon (June 3, 2024) when he returned to the area. He has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge, which includes a special allegation of using a firearm. Wiggan is currently being held without bail.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is investigating the case. If convicted, Wiggan faces a possible life sentence without parole.

Gandara, who worked two jobs as a social media manager and truck driver to support his family, leaves behind a wife of 14 years and six children, including a two-month-old daughter. He was the sole provider for his family.

The case has raised community concerns about safety and homelessness in the area. Gandara's wife expressed her desire for the "homeless problem" to be addressed, stating that "People should be able to feel safe." Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the Sheriff's Department.

School Board To Consider Update to 'Last Hired, First Layed Off' Policy; Naming September as Attendance, Suicide Prevention, and Hispanic Heritage Month;


At its next meeting (agenda here) the Monrovia Board of Education will consider ...

~  Adopting a board policy recommended by the California School Boards Association, basically saying that if staff reductions are necessary, they'll let go the more recently employed people first. It was already kinda that way, this just makes adjustments to the policy. Details

~ Naming September as Attendance Awareness Month, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and Hispanic Heritage Month.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Wins Equity Award for Park Planning


Monrovia has won an International City/County Management Association Program Excellence Award for Community Equity and Inclusion. The award recognizes Lucinda Garcia and Satoru Tsuneishi parks for celebrating diversity and culture in park planning.

- Brad Haugaard

Rotary Park Gets Playground Upgrade


Renovation of Rotary Park (corner of Lime and California) is underway. New equipment, surface replacement, new park monument sign, drinking fountain, picnic tables, benches, and mural. Reopening planned for November. For information, call 256-8224

- Brad Haugaard

SoCalGas Will be Checking for Gas Problems Throughout Monrovia Sewers


SoCalGas will soon begin an 18-24 month program of sewer inspections. The company will inspect gas lines between mains and meters at nearly 4,000 properties in Monrovia using cameras to inspect sewer lines and detect gas line problems. No cost to customers.

- Brad Haugaard