Monrovia Unity Center Back-to-School Giveaway

A report on Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center giving away back-to-school supplies to needy children at Santa Anita Park. http://goo.gl/WCj4ff

- Brad Haugaard

AeroVironment Gets Big Order | Tax Break | Ragtime

~ Monrovia's AeroVironment gets $13 million order from USArmy for Raven drone. http://goo.gl/7hdePv

~ Legislation by Monrovia Assemblymember Chris Holden to give service members a tax break when they are transferred to California was approved today by the Senate Governance & Finance Committee. AB 143, the Military Use Tax Exemption, would eliminate use taxes – a type of sales tax – on personal property purchased by an active duty military member who has been transferred into the state.

~ Rose Leaf Ragtime Club to meet at Wang's Place. http://goo.gl/0sZ6D1

- Brad Haugaard

AeroVironment Drones to be Made In India

Monrovia's AeroVironment is going to have some of its drones built in India. http://goo.gl/nIcGVz

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Mini Grand Opening | Teachers | Fiilm Fest

~ Mini of Monrovia is holding its grand opening Wednesday, August 21 from 5-9 p.m. British food, live entertainment, gifts and prizes. 1425 S. Mountain Ave.

~ The City of Monrovia reports on Facebook that yesterday, Mayor Mary Ann Lutz and Monrovia Schools Deputy Superintendent Darvin Jackson welcomed new teachers with a breakfast and bus tour of the city.

~ Action on Film Festival begins this Friday. Details: http://www.aoffest.com/

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Poll: Yes or Yes?

Yes or yes? The City of Monrovia's Plan Monrovia web page has a curious poll asking people to vote about the Station Square project (around the future Gold Line station). Here are the options:

Choose up to 2

[] I think this project will positively impact Monrovia economically!

[] I would like to add an economic idea.

Source: http://goo.gl/VfoqYT

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Rotary Needs Sponsors

Rotary Club of Monrovia is looking for sponsors for its annual Old West BBQ and Casino Night, on Sept. 7, which raises funds for Rotary's charitable projects. Table Sponsor $200, Cornerstone Sponsor $500, Event Sponsor &1,000. Call 893-3580 to help.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Teacher of Year | Networking

~ Monrovia teacher Kyle McClure has been named 2013 "All Star Teacher" by Assemblyman Chris Holden. http://goo.gl/8Fb7wT

~ Understand professional networking through LinkedIn. LinkedIn Basics, Sept. 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Library. Call 626-256-8274 to register. http://goo.gl/Gh7xSI

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Assault With Beer Bottle, Knocking on Doors, Drumk Driving

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for August 8–1. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.

Possession of a Controlled Substance / Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested

On August 9 at 8:45 p.m., an officer responded to the 600 block of East Huntington regarding a suspicious person in the bushes. Upon arrival, the officer observed a female sitting down near the bushes. Through investigation, it was determined she was under the influence of a controlled substance and in possession of methamphetamine. The suspect was arrested.

Robbery / Assault with a Deadly Weapon – Suspects Arrested

On August 9 at 3:24 p.m., officers responded to the 500 block of Linwood regarding a robbery that just occurred. The victim was walking when 4 male suspects arrived in an older model, blue or gray Ford Aero Star van. One of the suspects threw a 12 oz. beer bottle at the victim, striking his leg. The victim was not injured from the bottle. Another suspect grabbed the victim in an effort to pull him to the ground, while another suspect grabbed the victim's skateboard out his hands. All four suspects returned to the vehicle and fled with the victim's skateboard.

Later that evening, a Special Enforcement Officer observed a vehicle matching the description of a vehicle used in the robbery. The officer requested additional units to assist. The vehicle was stopped in the in the 1500 block of South Mountain. Officers were able to determine that the suspects in the vehicle were in fact the suspects involved in the robbery and located the stolen property inside. The suspects were arrested and held for bail.

Injury Traffic Collision – Officer Involved

On August 9 at 8:30 p.m., an officer responding code–3 to assist another officer was struck by another vehicle at the intersection of Magnolia and Huntington. As the officer stopped and cleared each lane, a vehicle that was traveling east on Huntington did not realize an emergency vehicle was approaching. As the patrol vehicle began to cross the last lane of traffic, it was struck on the right rear portion, causing the patrol vehicle to travel up the sidewalk and strike a small tree. Witnesses indicated the other vehicle failed to stop for the emergency vehicle when all other traffic on the road had yielded. The officer complained of pain, so he was taken by ambulance to a hospital and later released back to work.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested

On August 10 at 3:56 a.m., an officer was approaching the intersection of Graydon and Camino Real when he observed a vehicle run a stop sign. The officer conducted a traffic stop and noticed the driver appeared to be under the influence. The driver was arrested and taken into custody.

Violation of Court Order / Possession of Narcotic Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested

On August 10 at 8:20 a.m., an officer observed a known subject near 300 South Myrtle. The officer was informed this suspect has a restraining order, restricting him from being within 100 yards of a business. The suspect was seen within 100 yards of the business and was in violation of the court order. The suspect was contacted and during a search found to be in possession of a hypodermic syringe. The suspect was arrested and additionally charged.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol / Hit & Run Traffic Collision / Unlicensed Driver – Suspect Arrested

On August 11 at 3:16 a.m., a minor traffic collision occurred between two motorists near the intersection of Mayflower & Huntington. One driver fled from the collision scene and was followed by the other driver (victim) to an area in Temple City. The victim called Monrovia Police on his cell phone as he continued to follow the driver. The driver realized he was being followed by the victim and parked his vehicle. Both parties exited their vehicles and exchanged words. An officer responded to Temple City and contacted both parties. Through investigation, it was found that the driver who fled the scene was unlicensed, driving under the influence and in violation of a hit and run traffic collision. He was arrested and his vehicle was stored.

72 Hour Mental Evaluation

On August 11 at 4:46 p.m., a subject known to suffer from mental illness was running through a residential neighborhood knocking on doors. The subject's mother was following him in her vehicle and called police for assistance. The mother claimed her son is not taking his medication. An officer contacted the subject, confirmed his illness, and he was taken to a hospital for a 72 hour mental evaluation.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coach on Day One of Practice

Video: Monrovia Coach Ryan Maddox talks about the first day of practice. http://goo.gl/YZqf4j

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Students Slip-Up in School

Monrovia students follow the crowd and slip in core proficiencies. http://goo.gl/qaYueS

- Brad Haugaard

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