🌟 Hey MAD Fam | Happy October 15, 2025! 🍂

We’re diving into another week of local stories, upcoming events, and a few fun facts brewed just for you. From community highlights to school updates and small-business buzz, everything that keeps our towns moving. Stay curious, stay inspired, and as always, thanks for being part of The MAD Insider community! 💛 

Monrovia Police are seeking the public's help in finding the driver responsible for a fatal hit-and-run that took the life of a 16-year-old girl.

The incident occurred on Sunday, Oct. 5, on West Duarte Road.

The victim, a resident of Monrovia, was crossing the 800 block of West Duarte Road around 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 5. when she was struck by a driver heading east on Duarte Road, who then fled the scene.

Sadly, the teen succumbed to her injuries at the hospital.

The family of Sulmy Merary Lopez, have set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for the return of the girl's body to Guatemala.

Detectives are urging anyone with information or surveillance footage of the area to come forward and assist in the investigation.

Those with details can contact Detective Marco Lopez at 626-256-8044 or provide anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

The community is encouraged to come together and support the efforts to bring justice to the victim and her family in this tragic event.

Pasadena has confirmed its first human case of West Nile virus in over two years, prompting a public health alert across the San Gabriel Valley.

The announcement from the Pasadena Public Health Department is a stark reminder of the persistent threat from mosquito-borne illnesses, especially during warmer months.

With no vaccine or cure for humans, officials emphasize that prevention is the only defense.

Residents are urged to eliminate all sources of standing water on their property and ensure window screens are in good repair.

In response, the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District is taking action.

Targeted truck-based mosquito treatments are scheduled for parts of Monterey Park and West Puente Valley between midnight and 5 a.m. on October 13th and 14th.

Using an effective insect repellent is also highly recommended for personal protection.

The California School of the Arts – San Gabriel Valley (CSArts-SGV) has once again been ranked the #1 Best Charter High School in California, a major point of pride for the local community.

This prestigious honor comes from Niche, a leading platform for school and neighborhood data.

Located in Duarte, the ranking serves as a powerful testament to the school’s rigorous arts and academic programs.

The achievement is a direct reflection of the relentless dedication of the school's teachers and the exceptionally talented students within the Duarte Unified School District.

This recognition solidifies CSArts-SGV's reputation as a powerhouse for comprehensive arts and academic education in the San Gabriel Valley and beyond.

The entire CSArts-SGV community is being celebrated for this outstanding accomplishment.

California’s craft breweries have once again proven they are among the nation's best, dominating the prestigious 2025 Great American Beer Festival in Denver.

Southern California, in particular, became a focal point of the competition from October 9-11. Local brewers from Orange County, San Diego, and Los Angeles secured a stunning number of gold, silver, and bronze medals across numerous categories.

Several breweries earned coveted gold medals for their exceptional creations.

Winners included Left Coast Brewing Co. in Irvine, Unsung Brewing Co. in Tustin, and Pizza Port San Clemente, showcasing mastery in diverse beer styles from Brown Ales to Scottish Ales.

The region's deep talent pool was further highlighted by silver and bronze wins from breweries like Green Cheek Beer Co. and Stone Brewing.

The impressive showing solidifies California’s reputation as a powerhouse of brewing innovation and quality.

The Monrovia Wildcats faced a tough loss against the St. Genevieve Valiants, falling 17-14 on Friday.

This defeat brought Monrovia's record to 5-2, while the Valiants improved to 6-1. Both teams will be playing away in their next games.

Monrovia will be up against the strong defense of La Canada, while St.
Genevieve will face off against Oakmont.

Overall, the Wildcats will need to step up their game to secure a win in their next contest. Next up: at La Cañada on Fri Oct 17, 7 pm.

Arcadia faced another defeat on Friday, marking their third consecutive loss against Muir Mustangs with a score of 49-14.

Despite their low ranking in California football, the Apaches showed potential with Aiden Reyes gaining 140 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Reyes' impressive performance highlighted the team's effort.

Arcadia's current record stands at 1-6, while Muir extended their home winning streak to eight games.

Looking ahead, Arcadia will face Glendale, and Muir will compete against Burroughs in upcoming matches.

Despite the setback, Arcadia shows promise for improvement in future games. Arcadia takes on Glendale Friday at 7:00 p.m. Meanwhile, Muir meets rival Burroughs Thursday night at 7:00.

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October 15th – 21st

Image by bigwayhotpot.com

If you love playing chef, you’ll want to check out Big Way Hot Pot, the San Gabriel Valley’s newest culinary adventure, now open in Monterey Park.

This Canadian-based chain has already made a splash in Rowland Heights, and its new 2,500-square-foot location at 500 N. Atlantic Blvd. lets diners fully customize their hot pot experience.

Choose from 80+ ingredients, meats, veggies, noodles, seafood, and mix them into one of 10 flavorful broths like spicy Szechuan chili oil, Tom Yum, tomato, Collagen Bone, or the signature Malatang-style broth.

You pay by the weight of your creation, so go big or keep it light — either way, it’s all about flavor and fun. “People get excited about building their own meal,” said co-founder Christiana Luo, who hopes the DIY dining style will inspire younger foodies across the Valley.

And yes, they’ve got boba, too!!! about 40 kinds, including a few spiked versions for the grown-ups (think Lychee Sparkling with vodka or Brown Sugar Bliss with Baileys).

With 13 locations across Canada and the U.S., Big Way Hot Pot is heating up the SGV one bowl at a time. 👉 Visit bigwayhotpot.com for details.

Proudly serving the San Gabriel Valley, Duarte Tile has been helping homeowners and builders create beautiful spaces that last a lifetime. Whether it’s a kitchen backsplash or a full remodel, they do it all with care and quality.

🗓️ This Week Around Town (Oct 15 – 21, 2025)

Discover local fairs, farmers' markets, and community happenings across Monrovia, Arcadia, and Duarte.

🌙 Monrovia Street Fair & Market
📍 Old Town Myrtle Avenue
🕔 Friday, Oct 17 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
A lively night market with local food, vendors, and community vibes. Perfect Friday night stroll.

🏷️ Duarte Community Yard Sale

📍 Duarte Senior Center Parking Lot

📅 Saturday, October 18 | 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
1610 Huntington Drive, Duarte, CA 91010
📞 (626) 357-3513

Get ready to shop, sell, and discover hidden treasures at Duarte’s annual Community Yard Sale! Whether you’re decluttering your home or hunting for a unique find, this is your chance to join the fun.

Vendor spots are available for $30 per parking space — registration opens:

• 🏠 Residents: Monday, September 8

• 🌎 Non-Residents: Monday, September 15

Applications can be picked up at the Duarte Senior Center until all spaces are filled.
💡 All sales are final — shop smart and have fun!

🍅 Monrovia Farmers Market
📍 Station Square | 1629 S Myrtle Ave., Monrovia, CA 91016
🕗 Saturday, Oct 18 | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Shop fresh local produce and artisan goods while supporting small farms.

✨ Insider Tips

• Arrive early at farmers' markets for the best produce.

• Bring small bills or Venmo, some vendors are cash-only.

• Check city websites or Facebook pages before heading out (sometimes change seasonally).

• Parking in Old Town Monrovia fills up quickly, consider side streets or the Station Square lot.

📰 Want More Local Updates?

Stay in the loop with community events, new businesses, and local spotlights every week, right here in The MAD Insider.

Local Openings

City of Monrovia

City of Arcadia

City of Duarte

Does your business have open positions? 
Send us a link or information about the position, and we will add it to our FB page and next week's newsletter.

🐓 Raising Cane’s Fundraiser — Arcadia High School (Link Crew)

📅 Wednesday, October 16 | 12 PM – 9 PM
📍 Raising Cane’s – Monrovia Location
Support Arcadia High School’s Link Crew by grabbing your favorite chicken combo! Mention AHS Fundraiser at checkout, and a portion of your meal goes directly toward student leadership programs.

🔥 Dave’s Hot Chicken Fundraiser — Monrovia High School PTSA

📅 Thursday, October 17 | All Day
📍 Dave’s Hot Chicken – Monrovia
Turn up the heat for a good cause! 20% of all sales will be donated to the Monrovia High PTSA, helping fund teacher grants, student programs, and campus events.

🎉 Attention Schools!

Do you have an exciting fundraiser coming up? 

We want to help spread the word and make your event a success! 🚀

📢 Let Your Community Know:

Simply DM us your event details and we'll share them with our community superheroes. 

This is a fantastic opportunity to increase your event's visibility and engage with more supporters. 🤝 Get the word out and watch your school's fundraising efforts soar!

Your success is our priority, and together, we can make a significant impact. 

Weather Forecast:
Monrovia, Arcadia, Duarte
(October 15 – 21, 2025)