Happy Halloween, Monrovia!

North Alta Vista does it up for Halloween. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police: Lyft Driver's Car Swiped; Roof to Roof Jumper Falls, Arrested; Lots of Drunks and Drugs; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for October 24-30. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 400 service events, resulting in 74 investigations.

Grand Theft Auto / Stolen Vehicle Recovered
October 24 at 8:17 a.m., a resident in the 1700 block of S. Fifth called to report his vehicle had been stolen. The victim parked his vehicle in front of his residence in the evening and returned the following day to discover it missing. The vehicle is a gray, 1997 Honda Civic. Later that day at 2:26 p.m., an officer was on patrol near Fifth and Duarte when he saw the stolen vehicle in the street with the engine running. The vehicle was unoccupied. The officer recovered the vehicle and it was returned to the owner. The investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
October 24 at 8:09 a.m., a resident in the 600 block of Parker called police to report his vehicle had been burglarized. The victim’s vehicle was locked inside his open garage and someone pried the rubber around the window to gain entry. A pair of sunglasses was taken. Investigation continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
October 24 at 10:31 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 300 block of W. Duarte. The victim parked his vehicle in front of his residence at 5:00 a.m. and made sure it was locked. The vehicle is a blue, 1996 Honda Civic. The victim returned to his vehicle at 10:00 a.m., discovered his vehicle missing and called police. Investigation continuing.

Grand Theft Auto – Suspects Arrested
October 24 at 4:02 p.m., an employee from a business in the 100 block of W. Foothill called police to report a male and female for shoplifting. The female entered the passenger seat of a vehicle in the parking lot. The male exited the store and walked west through the parking lot. Officers arrived and observed the two subjects and the vehicle, but as they were arriving, the female moved into the driver's seat and drove away. A license plate check on the vehicle revealed the vehicle was reported stolen vehicle out of Pomona. Officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and the female was arrested for driving a stolen vehicle. A computer check revealed the male subject had an outstanding warrant for his arrest and he was taken into custody. The vehicle was returned to its rightful owner.

Being in a Park After Closing Hours – Suspect Cited
October 24 at 10:43 p.m., officers were walking through Library Park in the 300 S. Myrtle after closing time when they came across a female subject. She said she knew of the posted park hour signs and knew she should not be there. She was issued a citation for being in the park after closing hours.

Warrants – Suspect Arrested
October 24 at 11:43 p.m., officers were patrolling the area of Alta Vista and Duarte when they saw a suspicious male subject loitering next to a home that was unoccupied. They stopped to talk to the subject and a computer check revealed he had five drug related warrants for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Warrant / Possession of a Methamphetamine / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
October 25 at 2:17 a.m., officers were patrolling the 700 block of W. Huntington when they saw a suspicious male subject on a bicycle. During a consensual stop, it was discovered that the subject had a warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody. During a search incident to arrest, he was found to be in possession of a pipe that had been used to smoke methamphetamine.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
October 25 at 2:49 a.m., an officer was extra patrolling Station Square in the 1600 block of S. Myrtle when he saw a female subject sitting on a bench with her head bobbing back and forth. He contacted the subject and found she was heavily intoxicated. The officer determined she was too intoxicated to care for her own safety and she was arrested and taken into custody. She was held for a sobering period.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision
October 25 at 3:29 a.m., a resident in the 100 block of W. Cypress reported a motorist had just collided into a parked car on their street and fled the scene. Officers responded to the area, but were unable to locate the suspect vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Vandalism / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
October 25 at 9:56 p.m., a resident in the 600 block of W. Palm reported she just saw a male subject throw a rock at her parked car, shattering the glass, then he fled the area. Officers responded and located the subject on Violet. After the victim positively identified the suspect, he was arrested for the vandalism. A computer check revealed he also had a warrant for his arrest.

Grand Theft Auto / Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
October 25 at 11:13 p.m., a Lyft driver called the police to report his vehicle had just been stolen in the 500 block of N. Canyon. The driver was transporting two subjects that were heavily intoxicated home to a Monrovia residence when they began touching his leg and making him uncomfortable. The driver stopped his car and exited the vehicle, then ordered the two subjects to get out, which they did. One of them then jumped into vehicle and drove away without permission. The other subject ran from the area.

An officer responded, located the vehicle and stopped it. After field sobriety tests were conducted, the suspect was arrested for DUI and grand theft auto. The vehicle was returned to the Lyft driver.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
October 26 at 10:49 a.m., a resident in the area of Huntington and California called to report a male adult walking into traffic. Officers arrived and located the subject. He displayed signs of intoxication. It was determined he was too intoxicated to care for himself or his own safety. He was arrested and held for a sobering period.

Wanted Person / Warrant / Trespassing / Assaulting Officers – Suspect Arrested
October 27 at 12:25 a.m., a sergeant was on patrol in the 1900 of S. Peck when he saw a known subject wanted by Arcadia Police Detectives to question as a possible suspect in a rape investigation. A computer check revealed he also had a warrant for his arrest and is on supervised parole for robbery. The subject refused to stop for the sergeant and fled the area.

Approximately ten minutes later, a female resident in the 100 block of E. Evergreen called to report a male subject entered her home through an unlocked door and was refusing to leave. He eventually left the residence and was located by officers on the roof of a home. The suspect was jumping from roof to roof on homes. The suspect fell as he attempted to jump across to another rooftop, causing injury to his ankle and side, but he climbed back up. The Foothill Air Support Team helicopter and additional officers from neighboring agencies responded to assist. The suspect ignored officers telling him to get down, but eventually jumped off one roof and was grabbed by an officer. He fought and kicked the officer several times, but was eventually taken into custody.

Vandalism / Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
October 28 at 2:18 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 800 block of E. Olive when he saw a suspicious vehicle parked in the parking lot of Recreation Park. He contacted the occupant and saw her hands had fresh green paint on them. He searched the area and discovered recent Halloween graffiti in green paint. The suspect admitted to the vandalism. The officer obtained consent to search her vehicle and discovered methamphetamine and a pipe for smoking methamphetamine. The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Theft of Mail Incidents
October 29 at 9:17 a.m., a resident in the 500 block of W. Duarte called to report ten mailboxes were vandalized at an apartment complex. At 11:05 a.m., a resident in the 800 block of W. Foothill called to report eight more mailboxes had been vandalized. In both incidents the community mailboxes had been pried open. The US Postal Service was notified of the thefts and will be taking over the investigations.

No-bail Warrant / Fraud / Possession of Controlled Substance – Suspects Arrested
October 29 at 7:43 p.m., an officer observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation and he conducted a traffic stop. Investigation revealed the front passenger had a no-bail warrant and was in possession of a controlled substance. A search of the vehicle revealed hundreds of copies of driver's licenses/identification cards and credit card information pertaining to other persons. The passenger was arrested for the warrant and being in possession of a controlled substance. The driver was arrested for identity theft.

Receiving Stolen Property / Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspects Arrested
October 30 at 2:21 a.m., a resident in the 700 block of W. Lemon called to report a suspicious vehicle driving in the area. Officers responded and eventually located the vehicle in the 800 block of W. Olive, traveling very slowly. The officer conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. There were four occupants in the vehicle. The investigation revealed the front passenger was in possession of a controlled substance. A search of the vehicle revealed property belonging to a residence nearby. All four subjects were arrested for receiving stolen property and one was also arrested for possession of a controlled substance.

Petty Theft
October 30 at 12:02 p.m., a victim called to report her vehicle was broken into at Canyon Park while she was hiking. The victim and her friend put their purses in the trunk and went for a hike. When they came back, they drove down to a coffee shop and found their purses were missing when they went to retrieve them. The officer looked at the vehicle and did not see any signs of forced entry. The investigation is continuing.

Meet New City Manager Dylan Feik Nov. 6


The community is invited to attend a Meet and Greet reception for the City of Monrovia's new city manager, Dylan Feik.

Meet & Greet with Dylan Feik
Monrovia Historical Museum
742 E. Lemon Ave., CA 91016
Wednesday, Nov. 6
6:30 to 8 p.m.
(Welcome remarks will begin at 7 p.m.)
Mr. Feik has local government management experience working in the cities of Knoxville, Iowa, and Auburn, California. Most recently, Dylan served as City Manager of Calistoga, located in California's Napa Valley. His extensive exposure to a variety of local government related disciplines includes specific expertise in labor negotiations, public works operations, and overseeing capital improvement projects. Dylan holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Kansas, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Weber State University.

The City hopes that you are able to attend this special occasion to welcome Dylan Feik. The event is completely free to the public, and parking will be available on Lemon Avenue. For more information, please call 256-8226.

Source: Monrovia City press release

- Brad Haugaard

Where, Oh Where, is a Monrovia Planning Department Word Game?

If you are bored, twiddling your thumbs and wondering when in the world somebody is going to come up with a word game that involves the Monrovia Planning Department (and who hasn't been wondering that?), well, wait no longer. The Planning Department has created a word search game just for you. You can print it out from this page: https://is.gd/DNYfpg

- Brad Haugaard

Who Are the Real Bad Guys - A Halloween Experiment

Monrovian Joshua Tasoff studied whether kids wearing "good guy" or "bad guy" Halloween costumes cheat more. You might be surprised at the results: https://is.gd/Qxy0Ob

- Brad Haugaard

Gusty Winds Expected Tonight, Tomorrow

The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory in effect from 11 p.m. tonight to noon on Halloween. Northeast winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected focused near hills and canyons in the San Gabriel Valley and some other locations. Gusts will make driving difficult and could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down. https://is.gd/bmXa4O

- Brad Haugaard

Beware the Utility Bill Scam! Youth Volleyball; Halloween; Youth Commission

In his first report, City Manager Dylan Feik reports:

~ There is a scam going around where someone calls to tell you if you don't pay your utility bill your water will be shut off. Feik says, "This is a scam, and residents should not pay anyone calling about their water bill, and should notify the police."

~  Registration (here: https://is.gd/e2ZfoR) is open for the Winter Season of the Youth Sports Program, featuring indoor co-ed volleyball. All 4th, 5th and 6th grade boys and girls may join. The season will run from Nov. 23 to Feb. 1, with practices held at the Mary Wilcox Youth Center (843 E. Olive Ave.) on Monday and Wednesday evenings, and games on Saturday mornings. Price is $35 for Monrovia Unified School District residents and students, and $70 for non-residents.

~ Old Town Halloween,  Thursday, Oct. 31 from 3-6 p.m., in Old Town and Library Park. Trick or treating, costume contest for youth, adult, group, family, and dogs, library activities,
activity and photo booth and more. https://is.gd/uPRgEH

~ 2019-2020 Youth Commission Board members are: Chair: Sebastian Laprsa, Monrovia High senior; Vice Chair - Matthew Angeles, Monrovia High senior; Secretary - Elizabeth Villoria, Inspire Charter School senior; Treasurer - Russell Wu, Monrovia High Senior; Member-At-Large - Benjamin Garcia, Seventh Grader at Clifton Middle School. https://is.gd/iCb8QW

- Brad Haugaard

Burrito: This Kitty is the Whole Tortilla!

Come meet a cat with a name as great as his personality: Burrito! And just like the food of the same name, Burrito is sure to be your favorite. This friendly 8-year-old guy is so excited to go home with you, he might just push his way out of the kennel. He’s ready and eager to find his forever home and have more space to run around.  He also loves food, and he’ll do pretty much anything for a tasty treat (just like most of us with burritos). Sure, taco cat is great, but Burrito cat is even better! Plus, he’s pretty handsome, and he knows it. He’s the whole tortilla, and more!

The adoption fee for cats is $90. All cats are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated before being adopted.

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 at pasadenahumane.org. Adoption hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

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

- Brad Haugaard

Red Flag Warning Tonight and Tomorrow

A Red Flag warning will be in effect from 10 p.m. tonight through 6 p.m. Monday for the San Gabriel Valley and other locations in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Gusts between 40 and 50 mph will be common across wind prone areas. Humidity is expected to decline rapidly tonight to as low as 5 and 10 percent, increasing fire danger. https://is.gd/MZmNdj

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia in 53-3 Victory Over La Canada

Monrovia victorious, 51-3, over La Canada. https://is.gd/hGV6nU

- Brad Haugaard

School District Asks Legislature to Restrict Marketing Vaping to School Age Children

The Monrovia School District has passed a resolution (https://is.gd/a5iN1u) asking the California State Legislature to "champion the health of our youth by supporting legislation that restricts marketing of vaping products to school age children."

The resolution cites a study published in the journal, Yale Medicine, citing the dangers of vaping, and concludes: "We respectfully ask you to champion this issue by submitting a bill before Governor Newsom banning the online and retail sales of all flavored e-cigarette and vaping products to school age children, launching an informative campaign telling the truth about these products, and finally, assisting school districts with funding to bring awareness to the youth of California."

Comment: The study published in Yale Medicine (https://is.gd/HqxfDA) and another article at the Johns Hopkins Medicine website (https://is.gd/L6ZCAT) seem to indicate that the main concern with vaping is that many vaping juices contain nicotine, so students are getting hooked on nicotine and may not even know it. The concern is with what is in some vaping juices, not with the vaping device itself. Perhaps legislation should simply prohibit sales of juices laced with nicotine to minors, which would be a logical extension of cigarette laws.

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Rudy’s

Dinner at Rudy’s Mexican Food, at Myrtle and Colorado. Decided to be adventurous so I got the Nopalitos con Puerco (cactus and pork) for $16.25 and a beer for $4.95. The cactus was good; not much taste, but that’s what the pork and sauce were for. 


- Brad Haugaard 

State Auditor Says Monrovia in Poor Financial Shape

The State Auditor lists Monrovia as No. 10 on a list of 18 California cities in bad financial shape. Mayor Tom Adams disputes the analysis, saying the city's indebtedness is almost entirely because of the Monrovia Renewal Project, which is replacing water and sewer lines, paving and sidewalks throughout the city. https://is.gd/L1GtH0

- Brad Haugaard

Citrus College Honored for Transfer Degrees

The Campaign for College Opportunity has for the fourth consecutive year recognized Citrus College, which serves Monrovia, as a state leader in producing transfer degrees.  The award is for  California community colleges and California State University campuses that have demonstrated success in implementing the state's associate degree for transfer pathway.

Citrus College is one of only 12 community colleges in the state to be named a 2019 Champion of Higher Education.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Suspects Should Have Clean Teeth; Joker at the Wrong House; Marijuana House Was Wired - Incorrectly

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for October 17-23. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 410 service events, resulting in 73 investigations.

Drunk in Public – Suspect Arrested
October 17 at 2:07 p.m., an employee from a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington called to report a subject causing a disturbance. Officers responded and contacted the subject in front of a business. The subject was found to be intoxicated and unable to care for his own safety. He was arrested and held for a sobering period.

Petty Theft
October 18 at 8:17 a.m., a resident in the 200 block of N. Canyon called police to report tools were taken from his vehicle. The vehicle was left unlocked and sometime during the night, someone entered the vehicle and removed the tools. Investigation continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
October 18 at 8:27 a.m., a resident in the 800 block of W. Walnut called police to report his vehicle had been stolen. The victim parked and locked his red, 2016 Kia Sol in his apartment carport the night before. When he returned to his vehicle in the morning, it was missing. Officers conducted an investigation and located the vehicle in the 800 block of W. Chestnut. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
October 18 at 2:04 p.m., an employee from a business in the 400 block of W. Huntington called to report a theft of electronics. A witness told the employee a female and male subject entered the store and removed electronic toothbrushes from a shelf. Both subjects exited the store without paying for the merchandise. They fled in a vehicle prior to law enforcement being notified. Investigation continuing.

Residential Burglary
October 18 at 6:01 p.m., a resident in the 100 block of N. Madison called police to report a neighbor’s home was being burglarized by four male, African American suspects wearing hoodies and masks. The witness saw the suspects attempting to break into the home and confronted them. The suspects ran from the location and fled the area in a white Hyundai. The investigation is continuing.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
October 18 at 10:00 p.m., an officer was patrolling the area of Duarte and Alta Vista when he saw a bicyclist riding at night without a bicycle light. He stopped the cyclist, and a computer check revealed he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody for the warrant.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
October 18 at 10:38 p.m., an officer was on patrol at Station Square when he saw a male subject who appeared in need of assistance. After contacting the subject, he was found to be too intoxicated to care for his own safety. He was arrested and held for a sobering period.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision
October 19 at 12:49 a.m., a caller reported a motorist that collided into a parked car in the 800 block of E. Foothill and fled the scene. Officers searched for the suspect, but were unable to locate him. This investigation is continuing.

Public Intoxication / Medical Assist
October 19 at 2:00 a.m., an officer was on patrol near the 400 block of S. Myrtle when he saw a male subject lying face down in the alley. The subject was found to be extremely intoxicated and paramedics were called. He was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment.

Driving Under the Influence / Traffic Collision
October 19 at 10:37 a.m., Monrovia Fire personnel called police to report a solo traffic collision in the 3300 block of S. Peck. When officers arrived, paramedics had the unconscious driver out of the vehicle. The driver smelled of alcohol and there were two empty liquor bottles in the vehicle. A witness said the vehicle was parked along the west curb of peck and slowly drove over the center divider into the wash fence on the east side of Peck. The driver was transported to a hospital, where blood was drawn. A complaint will be filed with the District Attorney’s Office.

Public Intoxication / Delaying Officers – Suspects Arrested
October 19 at 11:59 p.m., two officers were conducting a check at a bar in the 400 block of S. Myrtle. They discovered several male subjects yelling at one another in the street about to fight. Half of the group fled when they saw the officers and others stayed behind. Two of these subjects were too intoxicated to care for their own safety or the safety of others and they were taken into custody. One of these subjects resisted arrest and delayed officers. The suspects were arrested and held for a sobering period.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
October 20 at 4:14 a.m., a resident in the 100 block of Fowler reported a male subject with no shirt, wearing a joker mask and attempting to open her locked front door. As officers were responding, the resident advised the subject gave up on opening the door and was lying on her front porch. Officers arrived and found the subject was heavily intoxicated. He thought he was at his family's house. He was arrested for public intoxication and held for a sobering period.

Injury Traffic Collision
October 20 at 11:20 a.m., a caller reported an injury traffic collision in the area of Magnolia and Olive. Officers responded and spoke with both drivers. A vehicle was traveling north on Magnolia and was struck by a vehicle traveling west on Olive that failed to yield at the stop sign. One of the drivers complained of pain, but refused medical treatment. The driver at fault was issued a citation.

Warrant / Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
October 20 at 11:58 a.m., an officer stopped a bicyclist for a traffic violation at Chestnut and Monterey. During the stop, he learned the subject had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and found to be in possession of a small amount of methamphetamine, which was hidden in his socks.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
October 21 at 12:32 a.m., an officer was patrolling the area of Huntington and Mayflower when he saw a motorist drive through a solid red light. He stopped the vehicle and found the driver to be intoxicated. After field sobriety tests were conducted, the driver was arrested for DUI. He was taken into custody and held for a sobering period.

Grand Theft Auto – Suspect Arrested
October 21 at 12:07 p.m., an officer on patrol in the 2000 block of S. Myrtle observed a suspicious vehicle. A computer check on the vehicle revealed it was a felony vehicle stolen during an armed robbery in the Los Angeles Police Department's jurisdiction. The vehicle was stopped and the driver matched the suspect description. She surrendered without incident. The suspect was also found to have a no-bail warrant out of Burbank Police Department. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Grand Theft Auto
October 23 at 10:09 a.m., a resident in the 100 block of S. Mayflower called to report his vehicle had been stolen. The victim parked his vehicle in front of his residence the day before and when he returned, his vehicle was gone. The vehicle was entered into the stolen vehicle system. The investigation is continuing.

Illegal Indoor Marijuana Cultivation
October 23 at 6:02 p.m., a caller reported a strong odor of marijuana in the 400 block of Norumbega. Officers arrived and were able to see equipment consistent with marijuana cultivation through a garage window. The tenant stepped out of the residence to speak with the officers and admitted to having a marijuana grow inside the home. She gave officers permission to enter the home. Officers entered and located numerous plants and cultivation equipment. The Fire Department, HAZMAT, and a building inspector responded to the location. The building inspector red-tagged the house due to illegal and unpermitted wiring. The investigation is continuing.

Monrovia Baskin-Robbins Owners Honored as 'Operators of the Year'

Baskin-Robbins has named Arun and Binny Malik of Monrovia as its 2019 Operators of the Year.

Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc., the parent company of Dunkin' and Baskin-Robbins, named Arun and Binny Malik of Monrovia, California, as the 2019 Baskin-Robbins Operators of the Year at its recent awards ceremony at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston. Each year, the award is given to an outstanding franchisee who excels in all areas of operating outstanding Baskin-Robbins restaurants.

"With two Baskin-Robbins shops, Arun and Binny foster a strong 'People First' culture through employee recognition, new crew member training and window readiness training," said Jason Maceda, senior vice president for Baskin-Robbins U.S. and Canada. "They ensure their crew are comfortable in their roles and empowered to make decisions that positively impact the business."

"This duo never settles for good enough," added Jonathan Biggs, vice president of operations for Baskin-Robbins U.S. and Canada. "They are always willing to make changes to improve and invest in the equipment, tools, and training to enable their team members to consistently deliver an excellent guest experience. They are exceptional operators who are committed to developing new stores, while at the same time continuing to establish their existing stores within the local community."

"We have to share this award with our employees," said Arun Malik. "Our team members are responsible for promoting the brand and providing superior customer service in our shops. We're so honored to accept this recognition on their behalf."

"Without the dedication and cooperation of everyone on our team, we wouldn't excel at what we do," added Binny Malik. "The Baskin-Robbins Operator of the Year award belongs to everyone in our organization."

Source: Dunkin' Brands press release

- Brad Haugaard

Make A Difference Day Oct. 26

If you'd like to volunteer to be part of Make a Difference Day, Oct. 26, 8 a.m. to noon, as an individual or as a group, sign up here https://is.gd/r8bJB4. Contact Penny Arroyo at 755-1636 for information on large group registration. Some of the projects are:  Installing and replacing smoke detectors, painting city Christmas Tree fencing, park beautification and clean-up.

- Brad Haugaard

Red Ribbon Week Starts Tomorrow

Wednesday begins National Red Ribbon Week and the Monrovia Police Department will tie red ribbons around light poles in front of public buildings and will wear red wristbands to send the message that we do not want people to become victims of drug addiction. The week is in honor of Enrique Camarena, who served in the Marines, became a police officer, and joined the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, where he worked undercover in Mexico. Later he was kidnapped and tortured to death.  Within weeks of his death family and friends launched Camarena Clubs in Calexico, Camarena's hometown, and pledged to lead drug-free lives, wearing red badges and ribbons in his memory.

- Brad Haugaard

Daphne: Shy But Good at Playing

Hello! I’m Daphne, and I get to tell you all about ME! I’m a 2-year-old puppy and I'm kinda shy around new people, but I really like them! I love sunshine and cuddling and yummy treats. OH! And I really love small dog playgroup time! It is sooo fun. It’s where I, Daphne, get to play with other small doggies. We run around pouncing, barking and sniffing! We play bow and of course we take turns being chased and being the chaser. I’m super good at playing! Let's become forever play friends over a game of hide-and-seek!

The adoption fee for dogs is $140. All dogs are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated before going to their new home.

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 at pasadenahumane.org. Adoption hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

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

- Brad Haugaard

Cheap Appliances at New Lowe's Outlet in Monrovia

Lowe's Outlet, a store for new but dented or scratched appliances, will have its grand opening today at the site of the old Osh store at Monterey and Huntington. https://is.gd/Ii7gsR

- Brad Haugaard

Number of Monrovia Students Slightly Higher than Expected

At its next meeting (agenda: https://is.gd/FyFFoJ) the Monrovia Board of Education will ...

~ Get an enrollment report that shows the number of students is 5,407, actually a bit higher than the 5,350 projected eaarlier. https://is.gd/d2E6iQ

~ Consider buying a Paxton/Patterson Learning
System for Santa Fe Computer Science Magnet School for $81,877. https://is.gd/LaOraI

~ Participate in the clinical training of University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine students in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (https://is.gd/swbzIs), and in the clinical training of New York University Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development students in the field of Speech-Language Pathology (https://is.gd/Ed1irm).

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Victorious Over South Pas

Friday Monrovia sailed to a 49-7 win over South Pasadena. https://is.gd/uF2kkm

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Church’s Chicken

Dinner at Church’s Chicken at Huntington and Shamrock. Got the “3Pc Mixed” with a biscuit, fried okra as a side, and an iced tea for $8.79. Okay, keeping in mind that we’re not talking health food here, the chicken and iced tea were good, the okra was an experiment and was okay though I confess I’d probably get fries if I ordered it again. And good price. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia High's Homecoming Game Tonight Will be Broadcast

If you can't make it to Monrovia's homecoming game against South Pas this evening, it will be broadcast here: https://is.gd/mZCM0X

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High's Coffee Roaster Program Makes Evening News


Here's an ABC7 video report on Monrovia High School's Roasters coffee cart program where special education students learn skills that could get them jobs. https://is.gd/aNbg6t

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovians Invited to Arcadia Woman's Club Holiday Fashion Show

Arcadia Woman's Club invites local residents to its holiday fashion show, "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," on Saturday, Nov. 9, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., in the historic clubhouse at First and Diamond Avenues. Vendors will display boutique items, there will be door prizes, silent auction items, opportunity drawings, and no-host wine and champagne. Tickets are $50 per person and reservations may be made by contacting Joyce Platt at 574-1303 or jgn4paws@pacbell.net.

- Brad Haugaard

Professional Video of Monrovia Schools Programs

A professional video description of Monrovia schools' programs.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Hot Coffee Rolls Car; Woman Arrested in Package Theft; Marijuana Farm Busted; Drunks, Too

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for October 10-16. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 370 service events, resulting in 86 investigations.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision
October 10 at 4:09 p.m., a caller reported a traffic collision at the intersection of Fifth and Huntington. An officer arrived on scene and conducted an investigation. One of the drivers fled the scene on foot. A witness was able to identify the driver who fled. The investigation is continuing.

Rollover Non-Injury Traffic Collision
October 11 at 6:19 a.m., a rollover traffic collision involving a single vehicle was reported at Fifth and Huntington. Officers responded and located the vehicle, but the driver was not inside. Officers checked the area and found the driver walking away from the scene. He admitted to being the driver of the vehicle, but he left the scene because his license was suspended. He said he spilled hot coffee on himself and jerked the steering wheel, causing the vehicle to hit the center divider. The appropriate action was taken against the driver.

Fraudulent DMV Registration Tabs – Suspect Arrested
October 11 at 9:54 p.m., an officer was patrolling the 100 block of W. Pomona when he located an illegally parked vehicle occupied by one male subject. The vehicle had homemade DMV registration tabs attached to the license plate. The owner admitted to affixing the false tabs to the plate. He was arrested and later released with a citation.

Wanted Person / Weapon Offense – Suspect Arrested
October 12 at 12:34 a.m., a caller reported a suspicious vehicle parked in the 200 block of Kruse that was occupied by a male and female subject. Officers arrived and contacted the occupants. A computer check revealed the male subject was wanted by Los Angeles County Probation. He was also in possession of a dagger, which is a dangerous prohibited weapon in California. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
October 12 at 2:32 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 1200 block of S. Myrtle when he saw a male subject stumbling in the street. He stopped the subject and found he was heavily intoxicated and unable to care for his own safety. He was arrested and held for a sobering period.

Theft of Mail/Packages – Suspect Arrested
October 12 at 4:52 p.m., a caller reported a female subject wearing a green hoodie that stole packages from a residence in the 100 block of W. Colorado. The witness contacted the owner, who confirmed the packages were stolen. Officers arrived and detained a female matching the description and the property was recovered. The suspect was positively identified. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
October 12 at 8:53 p.m., an employee from a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington called police to report a female subject that concealed clothing items inside her purse and exited without paying for them. Officers arrived and located the female as she was leaving. The employee placed the female under private person’s arrest. The subject was arrested for shoplifting.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
October 12 at 10:30 p.m., officers were dispatched to a business in the 900 block of E. Huntington regarding an intoxicated subject inside. Officers arrived and located the subject. The subject was too intoxicated to care for himself and he was arrested for public intoxication. He was held for a sobering period.

Driving Under the Influence / Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested
October 12 at 11:36 p.m., multiple witnesses reported a hit and run traffic collision at the intersection of Greystone and Canyon. The suspect vehicle fled the scene of the collision. Officers arrived and located the vehicle at Greystone and Myrtle, which had damage and was still occupied by the driver. The driver displayed symptoms of intoxication. After field sobriety tests were conducted, the driver was arrested for DUI and held for a sobering period.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
October 13 at 7:22 p.m., a caller reported a male and female subject yelling at one another in the street at Hillcrest and Stedman. Officers responded and found the female had driven away and the male subject stayed behind. While officers were still in the area, the female subject returned. She was found to be heavily intoxicated while driving. After field sobriety tests were conducted, she was arrested for DUI. She was taken into custody and held for a sobering period.

Illegal Indoor Marijuana Cultivation for Sales
October 13 at 9:30 p.m., a caller reported seeing an open door to a building in the 300 block of W. Chestnut. Officers responded and found a large, multi-room marijuana grow and processing center with all stages of growth and processing. The Fire Department, building inspector, and detectives responded. The building was red-tagged due to illegal and dangerous unpermitted wiring and watering systems indoors. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto / Stolen Vehicle Recovered – Suspect Arrested
October 14 at 10:05 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 700 block of W. Huntington when he saw a suspicious vehicle. A check on the license plate revealed it was reported stolen out of San Jose. There was a male subject sleeping in the vehicle. The subject was detained and an investigation was conducted. The occupant was the suspect listed on the original stolen vehicle report. The suspect was arrested and the vehicle was recovered.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
October 14 at 10:08 a.m., an employee from a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain called to report a subject who was in the store concealing merchandise. As he exited the business, a loss prevention employee stopped him. Officers arrived and accepted a private person’s arrest on behalf of the loss prevention employee. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Residential Burglary
October 14 at 11:37 a.m., a resident in the 100 block of James Town called to report their home had been burglarized. Officers arrived and checked the interior of the residence. The master bedroom exit door was shattered. The home was ransacked and items were missing. The investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
October 15 at 2:31 p.m., a witness called to report an injury traffic collision at the intersection of California and Evergreen. One motorist failed to stop at a red light and collided into another motorist. One of the parties had a complaint of pain and was treated by Monrovia paramedics at the scene. The driver at fault was issued a citation.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
October 15 at 5:12 p.m., a caller reported a male and female subject arguing in the 1800 block of Encino. Officers arrived and located the two subjects outside a residence. The investigation revealed they are in a dating relationship and live together. The female complained of pain to hear neck and head. She was treated at the scene by Monrovia paramedics. Officers determined the male was the aggressor and he was arrested for domestic violence and false imprisonment.

Injury Traffic Collision
October 16 at 11:40 a.m., a caller reported an injury traffic collision at the intersection of Myrtle and Walnut. Officers arrived and saw a vehicle that had driven into an open trench, but just the front tires were in the trench. The driver was still in the vehicle and he complained of pain to his knees. Monrovia Fire Department personnel arrived and were able to get the driver out of the vehicle. He was treated at the scene for his injuries. The vehicle was removed from the trench.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
October 16 at 9:25 p.m., a caller reported a couple arguing inside a residence in the 300 block of Prospect. During a verbal altercation, the girlfriend tore the boyfriend's t-shirt and as she did, she scratched his back. The boyfriend sustained lacerations to his back. He was medically treated at the scene. The girlfriend was arrested for domestic violence and taken into custody.

Giant Spiders Invade Library



Either the library is getting ready for Halloween or somebody needs to call pest control. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Big 'M' on Monrovia Hillside Cleaned Up

Gem City Images has a great picture of the cleaned-up Big M on the hillside above Monrovia. https://is.gd/aMibGk

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Get Money for Traffic Enforcement

The Monrovia Police Department received a $55,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety for a one-year enforcement and education program. The money will fund various activities intended to reduce deaths and injuries on California roads.

"We are committed to keeping everyone safe on the road. We believe through the enforcement of driving and DUI laws, we will reduce injury traffic collisions in Monrovia," said Lt. Daniel Verna.

The grant-related activities are for the 2020 federal fiscal year, which runs from Oct. 1, to Sept. 30, 2020.

Funding from the Office of Traffic Safety will be used for numerous programs, including:

  • DUI/driver's license checkpoints.
  • Patrols specifically looking for suspected alcohol and/or drug-impaired drivers.
  • Patrols targeting violations of California's hands-free cell phone law and vehicle code violations by drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians that put other roadway users at risk.
  • Patrols targeting the primary causes of crashes in Monrovia - speeding, unsafe turning, and right-of-way failure to yield violations.
  • Patrols specifically looking for seat belt and child safety seat violations.
  • Traffic safety education presentations for youth and community members on distracted and impaired driving, bicycle and pedestrian safety.  DUI Logo
  • Serving warrants to multiple DUI offenders.
  • Creating "Hot Sheets" identifying repeat DUI offenders.
  • Officer training to identify suspected impaired drivers and conduct sobriety tests. 
"Getting in a vehicle remains one of the most dangerous things we do," OTS director Barbara Rooney said. "We must continue to work with our partners in law enforcement to shift that realization and make traveling on our roads safer."

Source: Monrovia Police press release

- Brad Haugaard

Board of Supervisors Renews $20,000 Reward for Information About Shooting Two Years Ago

More than two years ago Monrovian Oscar Garcia was shot and killed by a man police say look like this drawing.

The LA County Board of Supervisors has renewed its $20,000 reward for information about the killing. If you know anything about the suspect, contact the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500, or to report anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

Source: https://is.gd/I8OjVw

- Brad Haugaard

Video About Monrovia Measure K Tax Measure



The City has created a video, here (https://is.gd/mxYf7o) explaining why Monrovians should vote for Measure K, which would raise Monrovia's sales tax from the current rate of 9.5 percent to the maximum legal rate of 10.25 percent.

In brief, the logic is this:

The maximum allowable sales tax under California law is 10.25 percent, and city officials are convinced that there will be more measures on the county ballot to raise sales tax.

However, if Monrovia raises its tax first, and raises it to the maximum permitted level, any new sales taxes approved by the county won't apply to Monrovia. We won't have to pay it because we're already paying the maximum, and we're paying it to the city, not the county, so we get to keep 100 percent.


Comment

While I don't think increasing taxes is generally a good thing for reasons I won't go into unless someone begs me, in this case I'm going to vote for this tax for the reasons the city has given.

However, for your own consideration I want to point out a few possible negatives that occur to me.

1. If there are no more county sales tax measures on the ballot then Monrovia would be left with a higher sales tax than cities that have not increased their sales tax.

That seems correct, but how likely is it? I'm inclined to agree that there will be more sales tax increases on the county ballot.

2. What is to prevent the state from raising the 10.25 percent sales tax limit?

Probably nothing, but if the state raises the sales tax limit I suppose Monrovia is still better off because this measure would still keep more Monrovia money in Monrovia.

3. Suppose we pass this measure but then benefit from some new county sales tax. Might the cities that end up paying the new tax file lawsuits claiming they are being unfairly burdened by having to raise money that is being distributed even to cities - such as Monrovia - that are not paying the tax?

I'm no legal expert but that seems possible, and I've no idea how the courts might rule.

- Brad Haugaard

Taste of Old Town Coming Up; Be On a City Commission; Nominees Wanted.

In his latest report (https://goo.gl/aOqX7O) Interim City Manager Brad Dover reports:

~  A Taste of Old Town Monrovia is coming up on Sunday, Oct. 20, from 5 to 8 p.m. It showcases Old Town merchants and restaurants and lets you sample a variety of foods and beverages up and down Myrtle Avenue in one  evening. Purchase tickets here: https://is.gd/yeZgYD

~  There is a vacancy on the city's Community Services Commission. If you are interested in the position submit an application (here: https://is.gd/FOOHfy) by 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18. For questions contact the City Clerk's Office at 932-5599.

~  Monrovia Chamber of Commerce wants nominees for its annual awards, the Iris Award (Citizen of the Year); Monroe Award (Monrovia Businessperson of the Year); Service to the Chamber Award; Military Service and Stewardship Award (A person who works to assist either veterans and/or veteran causes; and the new Pam Fitzpatrick Award (Advocate for building a stronger business community). Nomination form here: https://is.gd/RSc56D .Questions? Contact the Monrovia Chamber at 358-1159 or email sc@monroviacc.com.

~  Senator Anthony Portantino is looking for nominees for his Women in Business awards. Nominees should be "outstanding women for their contributions to economic growth, non-profit impact, and business development in the 25th Senate District." Nomination info here:  https://is.gd/5OJvF3

- Brad Haugaard

Flower - Classic Kitty

Cats come in all different colors and patterns, and they’re all beautiful, but Flower is a kitten who embodies the beauty of a classic gray tabby. Oh sure, she’s cute and adorable and playful and all the things kittens are. But have you ever met a kitten who can be bouncing around one minute, and then perfectly pose for a photo the next? We can’t guarantee that she’ll be a star on social media, but Flower has all the makings of an internet celebrity (only she seems like the type to stay humble and never forget her fans who were with her from the beginning). One day, when Flower is a beautiful full-grown cat with tons of followers, we can say “we knew her when”!

The adoption fee for cats is $90. All cats are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated before being adopted.

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 at pasadenahumane.org. Adoption hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

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

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Water District Recieves Water Conservation Award

Director of Government and Community Affairs Patricia Cortez and Conservation Coordinator Elena Layugan accept the 2019 WaterSense Partner of the Year Award on behalf of the district.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recognized the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (based in Monrovia) with a 2019 WaterSense Partner of the Year Award for its efforts to defeat water waste in 2018. https://is.gd/eJRmf5

The district was honored as a 2019 WaterSense Partner of the Year winner for spreading the water-efficiency message through public education and awareness while transforming the marketplace to include WaterSense labeled products, new homes, and certification programs.

- Brad Haugaard

We Will Rock You at Taylor Performing Arts Center

The play, We Will Rock You, at the Taylor Performing Arts Center (Monrovia High Auditorium) at 7 p.m. on October 25, 26 and Nov. 1, 2.  The story of a group of Bohemians who struggle to restore the free exchange of thought, fashion, and live music in a distant future where everyone dresses, thinks and acts the same. Musical instruments and composers are forbidden, and rock music is all but unknown. Tickets here: https://is.gd/erAvU6

- Brad Haugaard

Men's Evensong Invitational

St. Luke Episcopal Church in Monrovia will present its 16th annual Men's Evensong Invitational on Sunday, Oct. 20, at 4 p.m. The church is at 122  S. California Ave. at Foothill Boulevard in Monrovia.

The performance will spotlight the men of the choir and guest singers. Music will include William Dawson's There Is a Balm in Gilead and the Phos Hilaron and St. Luke's Preces and Responses, both written by the church's Music Director, Kent Bennett Jones. The cantor will be the Rev. Neil Tadken, Rector of St. Luke's.

An offering will be taken, and a wine and cheese reception in Guild Hall will follow the program.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council to Endorse Sales Tax

Not surprisingly, since it came up with the plan, the Monrovia City Council will endorse tax measure K (https://shrtm.nu/Cvqe) at its next meeting.


The point of the tax is to raise to the legal limit Monrovia’s sales tax, thereby preventing the county from grabbing the money. If the county then passes a new sales tax Monrovia wouldn’t have to pay it.


- Brad Haugaard 

Dinner at Mooyah Burger

Dinner at Mooyah Burger recently. Got The Paleo burger- lettuce instead of a bun, two patties of beef, bacon and avocado - for $10.57, fries for $3.29, and an iced tea for $2.49. (Those are the regular prices; I had a coupon.) The lettuce bun was different but good. Nice meal.

- Brad Haugaard

'FrankenMass' Choral Concert Nov. 2

The San Gabriel Valley Choral Company will present "FrankenMass," a Halloween spin-off choral concert, on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, at California and Foothill.

The concert will be a presentation of the parts of the Mass from diverse  musical eras and disciplines, featuring works from the Middle Ages through 20th century, including Guillaume de Machaut’s 14th Century “Ite missa est” (the Mass is ended), possibly the first piece of its kind formally set to music. Other selections will be “Kyrie” from Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem; “Gloria” from “Missa Kenya” by Paul Basler (described as fusing Kenyan music with 20th century classical forms); “Credo” by Joseph Haydn; a Renaissance era “Sanctus” from “Mass for 3 Voices” by William Byrd composed in the time of Queen Elizabeth I; and the haunting “Agnus Dei” from Gabriel Fauré’s “Requiem” composed in the late 19th Century. There is also a prelude to the Mass, “Asperges me” by 16th Century Portuguese composer Filipe de Magalhãesa, typically sung during the Pascal season due to its themes of requesting cleansing and blessing.

SGVCC's Artistic Director is Ukranian-born conductor Dr. Alexandra Grabarchuk, who holds a doctorate from the UCLA Department of Musiciology. Sharing conducting and rehersals is Associate Advisor, Dr. David Rentz, an Associate Professor of Music at Chaffey College who has taught and conducted choral ensembles at such universities as Yale and the Claremont Colleges.

Tickets are $20 for general admission, $15 for seniors and students, and $5 for children under 12. Advance tickets may be purchased at www.sgvccsingers.org, or by sending checks payable to: SGVCC, 2648 E. Workman Ave., Ste. 3001 #312, West Covina, CA 91791. Tickets purchased online by Nov. 1 will be eligible for a $5 discount. Tickets will also be available at the door.

- Brad Haugaard

Camou Pleads Not Guilty In Suspected Amanda Custer Killing

 Robert Anthony Camou, 28, of Monrovia, has pleaded not guilty in the disappearance and suspected murder of Monrovian Amanda Kathleen Custer. https://shrtm.nu/ytMa


- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police: Arrest in Mississippi Rape; iPhone and iWatch Thieves; Window Smash Burglaries; Drunks Sobered, DUIs Arrested; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for October 3-9. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 385 service events, resulting in 78 investigations.

Vandalism / Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
October 3 at 10:01 p.m., a citizen called police to report a female subject in the 100 block of W. Palm that had just damaged a light on the exterior of the Monrovia Community Center and was banging her fists on parked cars. Officers responded and located the female subject, who was found to be heavily intoxicated. The witness positively identified the female suspect as the one who caused the damage. She was arrested and taken into custody, where she was held for a sobering period.

Receiving Stolen Property – Suspect Arrested
October 4 at 11:07 a.m., a victim of theft called to report their vehicle was broken into that morning, but they had not reported it to police. As they were driving in the area of Violet and Palm, they saw a male subject with their stolen makeup bag that had been taken from their vehicle. Officers responded and detained the suspect. A search of his person revealed he was also in possession of a credit card and checks that were taken out of another vehicle. The suspect was arrested.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
October 4 at 11:30 p.m., an officer on patrol in area of Peck and Duarte stopped a vehicle for unsafe speed and observed symptoms the driver was under the influence. After field sobriety tests were conducted, the subject was arrested for DUI and held for a sobering period.

Warrant / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
October 5 at 1:03 p.m., officers were dispatched to a 9-1-1 Hang up call in the 800 block of W. Duarte. When they contacted the female resident, she claimed she didn't mean to call 911, she only intended to make her boyfriend think she was, and that he'd left the location already. Officers entered the apartment to check on the welfare of the occupants and found a male subject passed out on a couch. When they contacted him, he provided a false name in order to avoid arrest for a warrant. They also found a methamphetamine pipe in his pocket. The subject was arrested.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
October 5 at 4:34 a.m., officers were clearing a call near Foothill and Mountain when they observed a vehicle run through the stop sign at the intersection. An officer responded and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. When he contacted the driver, he observed symptoms of intoxication. After field sobriety tests were conducted, the driver was arrested for DUI and held for a sobering period.

Grand Theft
October 5 at 11:47 a.m., officers responded to a business in the 600 block of W. Huntington regarding a theft of electronics. The suspect fled on foot, heading west on Huntington. Employees described the suspects as two male Hispanics in their late 20's, both wearing hoodies. They grabbed an iPhone and three iPhone watches, and then fled on foot through the parking lot. Officers responded and searched the area, but were unable to find the suspects. The investigation is continuing.

Petty Theft – Suspect Arrested
October 5 at 4:28 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington regarding a suspect cutting security sensors off clothing. The suspect exited the store with the stolen clothing and was detained by officers. The suspect was arrested for petty theft and released on a citation to appear in court on the charges.

Wanted Person – Suspect Arrested
October 5 at 9:11 p.m., an officer on patrol conducted a traffic stop in the 1400 block of S. Mountain for an equipment violation. A computer check on the driver showed he was a wanted person out of Mississippi for a rape charge. They advised they would extradite. The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Receiving Stolen Property / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
October 5 at 11:24 p.m., an officer on patrol stopped a bicyclist at Myrtle and Duarte for an equipment violation. The bicyclist was carrying a large box containing an unopened computer. The subject was not able to give a good accounting for how he was in possession of the computer. The box had Walmart stickers on it, so the officer went to Walmart to inquire if it had been stolen. The investigation revealed the computer had been stolen from Walmart, probably minutes before the traffic stop. The subject was arrested for receiving stolen property. During the search incident to arrest, a methamphetamine pipe was found in his pocket. The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Public Intoxication / Warrants – Suspect Arrested
October 6 at 1:28 a.m., officers were dispatched to a call reporting an intoxicated person knocking on an acquaintance's door. Officers located the subject and determined he was too intoxicated to care for his own safety. He was arrested for public intoxication and provided a false name to officers in the field. It was later discovered that he had two no- bail warrants under his true name, which were added to his charges.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
October 6 at 2:26 p.m., an officer on patrol observed a vehicle parked in a no-parking zone in the 400 block of W. Huntington with the driver standing in the number two lane of traffic. The driver entered the vehicle and headed west on Huntington. The officer conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and found the driver showed symptoms of intoxication. After field sobriety tests were conducted, the driver was arrested for DUI. She was taken into custody and held for a sobering period.

Vehicle Burglary
October 6 at 9:46 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 700 block of N. Canyon. The victim parked her vehicle and went hiking in Canyon Park. When the victim returned to her vehicle a couple hours later, she found the passenger-side window had been shattered and her purse, which she had left in the vehicle, was missing. The investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
October 6 at 5:16 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 600 block of N. Canyon. The vehicle was parked on the street. When the victim returned a short time later, the front passenger window had been shattered and items left in the vehicle were missing. The investigation is continuing.

Theft
October 6 at 7:29 p.m., a theft was report at Julian Fisher Park in the 900 block of California. The victim fell asleep while lying down in the park, and when he awoke, he noticed his cell phone had been stolen. The investigation is continuing.

Commercial Burglaries
October 7 at 5:31 a.m., officers responded to a business in the 900 block of W. Huntington regarding an alarm activation. Upon arrival, they found one of the windows to the business had been smashed. No suspects were located. As the officers canvassed the area, they located five other businesses along W. Huntington where the windows had been smashed and the businesses where burglarized. The businesses where in the 500, 600 and 900 blocks of Huntington. At two of the locations, the suspects attempted to gain entry to the safes, but were not successful. The investigations are continuing.

Commercial Burglary
October 7 at 12:04 p.m., an additional commercial burglary was reported at a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington. The reporting party came into work and discovered a window on the west side of the business had been smashed. When he looked around to see if anything was missing, he noticed a desk and a bookcase in the back of the store had been ransacked. He was missing an envelope from the desk that contained cash. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary
October 7 at 3:18 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 1900 block of S. Peck. The victim parked her vehicle in her attached garage and closed the garage door. The victim left her purse in the vehicle. When she came out the next morning, the purse was missing. The garage door was still closed, but the pedestrian door was unlocked. The investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
October 7 at 8:09 p.m., a motorcyclist was traveling west on Longden when the driver of a vehicle made a left turn in front of him and they collided in the intersection of Longden and Peck. The motorcyclist sustained minor scratches to his elbow and had complaint of pain to his wrist. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The driver of the vehicle was given a citation for the traffic violation.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
October 7 at 8:32 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Shamrock and Huntington regarding a male subject waving a knife at people passing by him. Officers located the subject and he was found to be under the influence of a controlled substance. The subject was arrested and held for a sobering period. He was then released on a citation to appear in court on the charges.

Grand Theft Auto / Stolen Vehicle Recovered
October 8 at 2:18 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from a parking lot in the 100 block of E. Colorado. The officer took a report and the vehicle was entered into the law enforcement stolen vehicle system. A short time later, the officer located the vehicle in a parking lot in the 100 block of W. Lime. The vehicle was recovered and removed from the stolen vehicle system. Investigation continuing.

Stolen Vehicle Recovered
October 8 at 8:25 a.m., a caller reported a vehicle near Shamrock and Maple that had been parked at the location for several days. An officer arrived, ran the license plate and found that the vehicle had been reported stolen to the Walnut Sheriff’s Department. The vehicle was recovered and removed from the stolen vehicle system. The Walnut Sheriff’s Department was notified.

Robbery
October 8 at 8:07 p.m., officers responded to the 1600 block of S. Mountain regarding an assault in progress. Officers stopped the suspect vehicle as it was fleeing from the scene. The investigation revealed the involved subjects met at the location for a drug transaction. When the suspect refused to pay, a verbal altercation ensued and the argument escalated into a fight. During the fight, one of the suspects produced what looked like a firearm, but ended up being a replica. One of the suspect's friends was returning from a nearby business and saw the fight. He also engaged in the fight. One adult suspect was arrested for robbery and one juvenile suspect was arrested for battery.

Domestic Battery – Suspect Arrested
October 9 at 10:43 p.m., officers responded to the area regarding a domestic violence incident. The investigation revealed that a husband and wife were in a verbal argument that escalated, and the husband punched the wife in the chest. The husband was arrested for domestic battery and taken into custody.

Pedestrian Safety Tips From Monrovia Police Department


Some pedestrian safety information the Monrovia Police Department would like you to know.

Here are a few questions you can ask yourself to improve your safety as a pedestrian and as a driver:

Do I always pay attention? As a walker, do I always stay on the alert for vehicles around me? As a driver, do I allow distractions to take attention from my primary responsibility of watching the road?

Do I assume too much? Do I think a crosswalk automatically protects me as a walker, or do I look all ways carefully and make eye contact with approaching drivers before crossing? When I’m driving, do I assume that a traffic signal will prevent pedestrians from crossing into my path?

Am I visible? As a pedestrian, am I careful to cross the street only where I’m visible to drivers, and to wear reflective clothing or use a flashlight when it’s dark? As a driver, do I use my headlights in bad weather, early morning and evening?

Do I look for signs of danger? As a walker, am I aware of busy and potentially dangerous intersections, and do I avoid those intersections if possible? As a driver, do I watch for children along the sidewalk and playgrounds, and do I slow down when children are present?

Do I know and obey traffic laws? As a walker, am I aware of busy and potentially dangerous intersections, and do I avoid those intersections if possible? As a driver, do I watch for children along the sidewalk and playgrounds, and do I slow down when children are present?

Do I know and obey traffic laws? As a walker, do I only cross streets at intersections and in marked crosswalks when possible? As a driver, am I aware that I must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and at intersections?

Source: Monrovia Police

- Brad Haugaard

YMCA Fall Festival Oct. 25


The Santa Anita Family YMCA, on Mountain, will hold its Second Fall Festival on Friday, Oct. 25, from 5-9 p.m.

"Dress in your best costume and show your imagination at our Pumpkin Carving and Haunted Gingerbread House contest. Come hungry and get a burger combo for $6, includes chips and a drink. All proceeds will go to our YMCA Piranha Swim Team."

Events:
Haunted Gingerbread House 5-6:30 p.m.
Face Painting 5-6:45 p.m.
Pumpkin Carving Contest 5-7 p.m.
Games 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Costume Contest 6-6:45 p.m.
Outdoor Movie 6:50 p.m. (bring chairs & blankets)
*Winners for the contest will be announced at the end

Pumpkin Carving Contest
$5 entry fee, includes 1 pumpkin
2 Categories: Spooky and Sweet
* Pumpkins are limited, must register in person the day of the event. Bring your own carving tools. Limited carving tools will be sold.

- Brad Haugaard

Luau at United Methodist Church

At the corner of Ivy and Palm.

- Brad Haugaard 

Try Out New Ballot Marking Devices at Library, City Hall

If you’d like to try out the new electronic Ballot Marking Device that’s going to be used in upcoming elections, you can do so every Saturday in October from noon to 5 p.m. at the Library; and every Monday through Thursday in October from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at City Hall. For questions call the City Clerk’s office at 932-5599. 


- Brad Haugaard 

Savy - A Pal for Your Dog


Do you think your dog is lonely during the day and might need a dog companion to cheer him up? Meet Savy! He loves other dogs. So much so that he participates in our Large Dog Play Group with other shelter dogs. He also was very well-behaved at our 21st Annual Wiggle Waggle Walk last weekend where he was surrounded by thousands of people and dogs. He’s a mellow fellow so when a dog would pass by he’d just look up in confirmation and go back to napping or having his belly rubbed. He also impressed his handler and showed he knows the words, “sit,” and “down.” He even knows “shake!” So come meet Savy today and give him a proper paw shake when you do.

 

The adoption fee for dogs is $140. Alldogs are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated before going to their new home.

 

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 at pasadenahumane.org. Adoption hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.


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


- Brad Haugaard