City Council Holds Off on Festival Decision

Monrovia City Council delays decision on eliminating fee for Family Festival. http://goo.gl/B4Hgm

- Brad Haugaard

Employers May Be Able to Collect $7,000 for New Hires | Spicer and Shaw Running

~ Monrovia Chamber of Commerce members may be able to collect up to $7,000 for hiring a new employee. The Chamber has partnered with the Foothill Workforce Investment Board to make available up to $7,000 reimbursement. Details: http://goo.gl/AyXXf

~ Larry Spicer and Clarence Shaw running for Monrovia City Council. http://goo.gl/ifv70

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Looking for this Guy

"On January 1, 2012, at approximately 0200 hours, the victim and his girlfriend were walking home from a New Years Eve event that was held in Old Town Monrovia. As they neared the intersection of Myrtle and Chestnut Avenues, they were approached from behind by three male subjects.

"Words were exchanged between the victim and the Hispanic male suspect. The victim was struck from behind and fell to the ground. The suspect repeatedly punched the victim in the head and face, causing serious facial injuries which require reconstructive surgery.

"I am seeking any information to identify the suspect in this crime."

Detective Rob Wilken at (626) 256-8000

Source: http://goo.gl/zzpUo

- Brad Haugaard

Get Gold Line Updates

Got a question about the Gold Line? You can walk in to the Monrovia office at 406 E. Huntington Drive, Suite 202, Mondays through Friday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Also, there is a 24-hour hotline - (626) 324-7098, the Construction Authority's Construction Updates webpage ( http://www.foothillextension.org/construction_phases/construction-updates/ ), email notices (sign up at http://www.foothillextension.org ), and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/iwillride

- Brad Haugaard

How to Help with Monrovia Homeless Count

Count Monrovia Homeless, Jan. 29, 30, 31, 6 p.m. to midnight for the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, so it can better serve homeless people. Sign up at theycountwillyou.org . Counters will meet at Monrovia United Methodist Church, 140 E. Palm.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: 14 Lawnmowers Stolen, Car vs. Bike, Drugs and DUI, Lost Boy Found in His Backyard

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Jan. 10-13. - Brad Haugaard]

 

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.

 

Commercial Burglary

On January 11 at 7:00 a.m., the owner of a business in the 1600 block of California arrived at work to discover the lock on the front gate had been cut and 14 lawnmowers were stolen from a side yard.  The last employee closed the business the night before at 5:15 p.m.  Investigation continuing. 

 

Traffic Collision / Vehicle vs. Bicyclist

On January 12 at 10:24 a.m., a driver stopped at a red light on the 210 westbound off-ramp.  When the light turned green, she began to make a right turn onto westbound Huntington, but did not look to her left to see a bicyclist was traveling west and had not yet cleared the intersection.  The bicyclist struck the front left fender of the vehicle, toppling him to the ground, causing no visible injuries; however, he was taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for complaint of pain.

  

Driving Under the Influence / Possession of a Controlled Substance - Suspect Arrested

On January 13 at 12:50 a.m., an officer stopped a motorist for a traffic infraction.  The officer determined the motorist was intoxicated and arrested the driver for driving under the influence.  After the suspect was arrested and taken to the jail, a booking search was conducted and a small bindle of cocaine was found in the suspect's jacket pocket.   The suspect was charged for the additional violation.

  

Driving Under the Influence / Traffic Collision - Suspect Arrested

On January 13 at 2:00 a.m., officers responded to a traffic collision in the 100 block of East Central.  When officers arrived, they discovered property damage at three different residences as a result of the collision.  Further investigation revealed the collision originated at the westbound 210 Myrtle off-ramp.  CHP arrived and took over the scene.  The driver was determined to be driving under the influence and he was arrested by CHP.  The suspect vehicle was a Chevy Silverado pickup truck.

 

Critical Missing Person Located

On January 13 at 1:08 p.m., police were dispatched to the 200 block of East Palm regarding a missing 9-year-old boy.  The grandparents reported the child missing after church.  The boy thought he saw his grandmother's car and ran to it.  He was not seen after.  Units searched downtown Monrovia and possible routes the child might walk.  He was found at home in the backyard playing.

Monrovia High's Ainsworth is Star-News Player of the Year | A Chilly Time Tonight

~ Monrovia High's Ge Vontray Ainsworth is the Star-News Player of the Year. http://goo.gl/ns19z

~ The National Weather Service is predicting that "temperatures are expected to drop below freezing in many areas during the next few nights. This will likely be the coldest weather of the season so far and could cause significant damage to crops and plants." ( http://goo.gl/xcTi1 ) For Monrovia, The Weather Channel is predicting a warmer but still shivering-cold 33 degrees tonight: http://goo.gl/YM6P5

- Brad Haugaard

Bicyclist Injured in Monrovia

Bicyclist injured in collision with minivan on Huntington. http://goo.gl/Vnv9L

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Temperatures Could be Below Freezing Tonight

Temperature could drop to 29 degrees, well below freezing, tonight. http://goo.gl/OBKUy

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Schools Gets Clean Audit; Reinstating Pay; No Taxes! Outstanding Employees

At its January 16 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/PykaT ), the Monrovia Board of Education will, among other things ...

- Receive the auditor's report, performed by Vavrinek, Trine, Day & Co., CPAs, of which the crucial paragraph says: "In our opinion, Monrovia Unified School District complied, in all material respects, with the compliance requirements referred to above that are applicable to the government programs noted below that were audited for the year ended June 30, 2012." http://goo.gl/tLeVk

- Consider an agreement for 2013-14 with employee groups to reinstate salary schedules prior to a three percent cut and reinstate the previous work schedule, getting rid of six furlough days. http://goo.gl/lnH7O

- Consider opposing a proposed county "Clean Water, Clean Beaches" tax that would cost the district about $65,631 a year. http://goo.gl/4qohc

- Join with the Chamber of Commerce to recognize these district employees for their outstanding service: Georgina Tadeo, Playground Aide, Plymouth Elementary School; Maria Akl, Teacher, Plymouth Elementary School; Maria Ornelas, Instructional Aide, Monroe Elementary School; Marlen Ordaz, Teacher, Monroe Elementary School.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Mayor Lutz Running for Reelection | Holden Introduces Water District Bill

~ Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz has announced on Facebook that she intends to run again for mayor. She writes: "I am proud and honored to serve as your Mayor for the past four years. Monrovia is an amazing place with amazing people who live and work here. I have decided to run for re-election for your Mayor. We have much work to do together. Join me in my recommitment to all Monrovians. Re-elect me as your Mayor on April 9, 2013!"

~ Assembly Member Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia, has introduced a bill that would change the date when members of municipal water districts take office to "noon on the first Friday in December succeeding their election" instead of January 1. http://goo.gl/ovsGG

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Sena

Lunch at Sena, on Myrtle, just south of Lime. Got the Pastrami on Myrtle from the lunch specials menu for $7, plus cost of an iced tea, which comes in a bottle, and tax and tip. This is a different and tasty take on the pastrami sandwich, with cheese, pickle and cole slaw. Good, but my favorite here is still the amazing carnitas burrito.

- Brad Haugaard

Near Freezing Nighttime Temperatures in Monrovia | Carne Asada Tampiquena | Pony League | iPad Mini

~ You might want to bring any sensitive outdoor plants in for a few days. Nighttime temperatures are down around freezing. http://goo.gl/SxbTk

~ Here is an item from the menu of the Mexican restaurant that is going in to the Aztec Hotel: "Carne Asada Tampiquena - A flavorful, grilled 8 oz. rib eye steak served with choice of black or pinto beans and cilantro infused rice topped with pico de gallo." Courtesy of Facebook.

~ Registration for Pony League baseball. http://goo.gl/DRRtX

~ Monrovia Chamber of Commerce will raffle off an iPad Mini on Friday January 25. Tickets are $10 each at the Chamber office. http://goo.gl/oMZPY

- Brad Haugaard

Friday Street-Fair Company Wants a Break from Monrovia on Fees

At its Jan. 15 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/zHbw4 ) the Monrovia City Council will consider, along with other stuff, a request from Family Festival Productions, which puts on the Friday street fair, that "the City Council forgive all outstanding franchise fees incurred during 2012 and waive all franchise fees due in 2013 for production of the Monrovia Family Festival."

Family Festival wants the adjustment because of "increasing insurance costs, a downturn in vendors and general financial hardship." The staff report says "the Contractor approached City staff in December requesting a waiver of an estimated $37,200.00 in future franchise payments and forgiveness of $16,575.00 worth of past-due franchise payments from 2012. In the past, leniency has been granted on payments. In 2009, the City Council voted to reduce the Contractor’s weekly franchise payment from $850.00 per show to $425.00 for a six month period. Eventually, the $425.00 was set as the franchise rate. Moving forward, the Contractor is asking the City Council consider further reducing the franchise rate through 2014 to $0."

City staff is recommending that the council "Waive past due fees and temporarily waive the franchise fees through 2013."

Source: http://goo.gl/c5mmb

- Brad Haugaard

Cheap Children's Books From Friends of Monrovia Library

In February the Friends of the Monrovia Public Library Bookstore will having a Children's Books Extravaganza, selling children's books for as little as a quarter and no more than $5. http://goo.gl/0AbLN

- Brad Haugaard