Monrovia's AeroVironment Flies Solar Drone Nine-Plus Hours

Monrovia's AeroVironment held a successful test flight of a solar-powered prototype version of the company's Puma drone. The flight lasted 9 hours, 11 minutes -- "significantly longer than the flight endurance of small UAS being used in the field today." http://goo.gl/6wcqQv


- Brad Haugaard

Gourmet Dog Restaurant Opens in Monrovia

S'Links gourmet hot dogs on Myrtle in Old Towm has quietly opened its doors. http://goo.gl/9H6nxR

- Brad Haugaard


- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Officer in Crash

Monrovia police officer in crash while heading to detain robbery suspects. http://goo.gl/YtCqkz

- Brad Haugaard

Country Music in the Park Sunday

Summer concert at the bandshell in Library Park, this Sunday, August 11, 7-8:30 p.m. Blackstar (Country).

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Schools Labor Talks

At its August 14 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/poRu4y ) the Monrovia Board of Education will get a couple lists of what its labor unions want to talk about. Here are the lists for Monrovia Teachers Association ( http://goo.gl/HkXuSC ) and for California School Employees Association ( http://goo.gl/Z4l7Wm ). Other stuff, too.

- Brad Haugaard

Old Chevy Stolen in 2011 Shows Up | Monrovia Wildcats Car Wash | Rotary BBQ

~ A 1960 Chevrolet Impala that was stolen in April 2011 from a Monrovia business has been found at an alleged Quartz Hill chop shop. http://goo.gl/oDjRlp

~ Monrovia High Wildcats Band and Colorguard car wash, Saturday, August 10, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Walgreens on Foothill in Monrovia.

~ Rotary Club of Monrovia Old West BBQ and Casino night at Monrovia Community center, Sept. 7. Call 893-3580 for tickets. $70 per person. Proceeds benefit local Rotary projects. http://goo.gl/1Mgmcu

- Brad Haugaard

FAA Certifies Drone by Monrovia's AeroVironment

The Puma drone, made by Monrovia's AeroVironment, has been certified by the FAA for non-military use. http://goo.gl/RO7LVF

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Sena

Lunch at Sena, on the west side of Myrtle just south of  Lime. Got the very popular Short Rib Tacos ($8) and an iced tea ($2.75). Plus tax and tip. Delicious!

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Patch Editor Resigns

Monrovia Patch Editor Nathan McIntire has announced that he is resigning as editor and is moving to a teaching job this fall. http://goo.gl/M5eL1B

Comment: I wish you the best, Nathan! I think you did a great job in the difficult, whipsaw environment of a start-up company trying to create something new and make money in the very tough local-news market.

- Brad Haugaard

Domestic Violence Bill by Monrovia's Assemblymember Goes to Governor

Assembly Bill 139, by Assemblymember Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia, has been approved in the State Legislature following concurrence vote today in the Assembly. The measure now goes to the Governor for signature.

AB 139 clears up a technicality to provide more funds for local domestic violence shelters. The bill stipulates that those convicted of domestic violence must pay a minimum $500 fee - not a fine - after they are granted probation. This clarification is important because it would clear up confusion over the $500 payment and ensure funding for local domestic violence programs.

"Funding domestic violence shelters is critical. Clarifying the payment to be a fee would assist judges, collecting agencies and counties disburse the proper funding to the state and local shelters," said Assemblymember Holden.

AB 139 unanimously passed both Houses and received support from domestic violence shelters throughout the state, as well as various women's organizations.

Governor Brown now has 30 days to sign or veto AB 139. If signed, AB 139 would go into effect January 1, 2014.

Source: Holden press release

- Brad Haugaard

Vacation Home Security Tips From Monrovia PD

A few precautions to keep your home safe while you are away.

Be cautious of who you tell about your vacation. Its okay to let a trusted neighbor know when and where you are going, just don't broadcast it to your whole neighborhood. And don't post the fact that you are going on vacation on social network sites for anyone to see; a friend of a friend of your friend just could be a burglar.

Also, take a few steps to make potential burglars believe someone is actually home. Hook up a timer to lights, televisions and radios, so they go on and off while you are away. Adjust the time setting to your normal routine. Make sure that everything is locked up and secure before you head out; double check sheds, windows, garage doors, and any other opportunistic locations. Have the post office hold your mail or have a trusted neighbor collect your mail for you, as well as your newspaper. Don't allow newspapers to stack up in your driveway; an obvious clue to thieves that no one is home.

Another precaution you can take is to turn off the ringer to your phone. An unanswered phone might tip off a prowler that you are away. Don't leave a message on your answering machine announcing your vacation to callers. If you have a home security system, call your company and let them know you will be on vacation and notify local law enforcement, as well, so they can keep an extra eye on your home while you are away.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Vacuum Theft, Meth and Shotgun, Tag Switching, Grand Theft Generator

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for August 5-7. - Brad Haugaard]

 

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 263 service events, resulting in 47 investigations.

 

Felon in Possession of a Firearm / Possession of a Short Barreled Shot Gun / Child Endangerment / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia / Possession of Burglary Tools – Suspects Arrested

On August 6 at 11:34 a.m., an officer observed a suspicious vehicle in the 900 block of East Huntington. As the driver was being detained a computer check revealed he had an outstanding warrant.   All subjects in the car were detained and a small child was also in the car. A search of the car revealed an unloaded sawed off shotgun, used methamphetamine pipes, burglary tools, a credit card reader and a large quantity of credit cards fraudulently made. The driver and passenger were arrested.   A referral was made to the Department of Children and Family Services regarding the child, who was released to the grandparents.   

 

Commercial Burglary / Petty Theft with Priors - Suspect Arrested

On August 6 at 2:42 p.m., a male adult suspect entered a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain and selected a quantity of merchandise.  He was observed switching UPC tags and then went to the register, paying a lower price for the items. He was detained by loss prevention outside the store. A computer check revealed he had prior theft convictions.  He was taken into custody and charged with burglary and petty theft with priors.

 

Commercial Burglary

On August 6 at 4:44 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 600 block of West Huntington drive regarding theft.  A male adult entered and walked directly to the area of the store where an expensive robot vacuum product is displayed. The suspect took one of the vacuums and then walked directly out of the store without making any attempt to pay. The suspect got into Silver, Honda CRV and fled with another male. An employee stated these vacuums are a popular theft item from their stores and they were going to consider locking them up. Officers checked the area for the suspects but they were not found. The investigation is continuing.

 

Injury Traffic Collision vs. City Property

On August 6 at 11:28 p.m., officers were dispatched to the intersection of Myrtle and Lime regarding a traffic collision that just occurred.  They found a black BMW 328i had collided into the stone monument (wishing well) on the northwest corner of Lime and Myrtle. Both the vehicle and memorial were heavily damaged. The driver, a 64 year old woman from Pasadena, sustained injuries to her face and hands and was taken to Arcadia Methodist Hospital for treatment. No one else was injured in the collision. The cause of the collision is still under investigation.

 

Grand Theft - Property

On August 7 at 9:37 a.m., dispatch received a call of a stolen "Ingersoll-Rand" generator taken from and unlocked, fenced area in the 200 block of Taylor. No suspect(s) were seen.  The investigation is continuing. 

 

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested

On August 7 at 10:49 p.m., an officer was dispatched to Cypress and Ivy regarding a suspicious male subject looking into vehicles.  The subject was contacted and through investigation, it was determined he was under the influence.  He was arrested and taken into custody.

AOL Closing Many of Its Patch News Websites

AOL has announced that it will close, sell or find partners for about 300, or about a third, of its Patch local news websites ( http://goo.gl/ne4EzL ) but CEO Tim Armstrong reportedly said there is "zero probability" that Patch as a whole would be shut down ( http://goo.gl/yUNRUU ). Monrovia has a Patch news site.

- Brad Haugaard

Next Up - White Christmas | AeroVironment in Slides

~ Following the professional production of The Music Man at the Monrovia High Auditorium (aka Louise K. Taylor Performing Arts Center), next on the agenda is White Christmas, according to Monrovia columnist Charlotte Schamadan, who writes in the Star-News supplement, The Weekly Star. She said it should open in early December.

~ A cool slideshow of the history of Monrovia's AeroVironment. http://goo.gl/x4W3Gh

- Brad Haugaard

Help Choose New Monrovia High, Santa Fe Principals

If you have children at Santa Fe Middle School or Monrovia High School, School Board member Alex Zucco writes on Facebook that you can help select a new principal for your school by giving your thoughts on August 8 at 7 p.m. at the Santa Fe Library and August 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Monrovia High School Library. No RSVP needed - just show up.

- Brad Haugaard