Monrovia Assembly Member's Truancy Bill Progresses

A bill by Assembly member Chris Holden to help school districts and counties collect and evaluate information on California's truancy crisis has been approved in the Assembly. Holden represents Monrovia. AB 1672 requires local School Attendance Review Boards to report student enrollment, absence and truancy rates, referrals to the district attorney and whether or not the student is doing better.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Looking for Sex Assault Suspect

On May 23, 2014, at 8:00 a.m., a female victim was walking in the area of Huntington and Canyon in the city of Monrovia. A lone male suspect approached the victim from behind.

The suspect wrapped his right arm around the victim's waist and with his left hand, grabbed her buttocks. The suspect said, "Hey baby," as he assaulted the victim. When the victim screamed for help, the suspect fled north on Canyon out of view.

The suspect is described as a male Hispanic, 19 to 21 years of age, 5'06" tall, 140 pounds, with short brown hair and brown eyes.

The Monrovia Police Department is seeking help from the public in identifying this suspect. Anyone with information about this incident or the identity of this suspect, please contact the Monrovia Police Department: 256-8000.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia-based Trader Joe's Is Favorite Market

Monrovia-based Trader Joe's is consumer's favorite market, according to a recent survey: http://goo.gl/XVRCrm

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Club Donates for Kids | Assembly Approves Holden Bills

~ Club Cure, of Monrovia High, has donated $150 to Children's Hospital of Los Angeles and $150 to Make a Wish Foundation.

~ Two bills by Monrovia's Assemblyman, Chris Holden, have been approved by the Assembly. AB 1586, approved 52-23, would move unemployed Californians to the front of the hiring line by requiring certain state contractors to give priority to workers who are receiving unemployment benefits or to workers who have exhausted unemployment benefits. AB 1921, approved 55-15, requires contractors doing business with the state in excess of $25,000 to provide records on how that money is being spent.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Fine Arts Awards

At its awards dinner, Monrovia Association of Fine Arts will honor Sal Perez, Monrovia High Art Teacher, Katie Gundersen, MAFA Board Treasurer, and first-grader Troy Hsiao for having his birthday guests contribute to MAFA instead of buying him gifts. Also, the Association will award art scholarships to: Annis Munoz, Canyon Oaks High; Sarah Hickey, Monrovia High; Taylor Figueroa, Monrovia High; Jonathan Walter Bailey, Monrovia High. The dinner is June 6 at the Monrovia Doubletree. Call 605-3148 for details and tickets.

- Brad Haugaard

Memorial Day Flyover over Monrovia

Memorial Day flyover by World War II era airplanes. I was kind of surprised to see German markings on a couple of them, though you can't make it out from this poor photo.

Update: Michael Sheehan has a better photo, and you can see the German markings: http://goo.gl/fbFprJ

- Brad Haugaard

Is This Your Missing Dog?

Whose puppy is this? Found near Bradoaks School in Monrovia. Wonder Dog Ranch is taking care of him: http://goo.gl/lBLY4X

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Reads Kicks Off Mobile Literacy Program

Monrovia Reads is kicking off its mobile literacy and recreation program with a visit to Greater Ambassador Church, 420 Monrovista, Thursday, May 29, 3:30-5 p.m. Reading, tutoring, sports, arts and crafts, board games, health and wellness, character development, guest speakers, etc. (City of Monrovia photo.)

- Brad Haugaard

Trader Joe's Hummus and Dip Recalled

Hummus and 5-layer dip from Monrovia-based Trader Joe's is being recalled. Possible listeria contamination: http://goo.gl/GLv2X1

- Brad Haugaard

Festival of the Foothills Today and Tomorrow at Monrovia's Immaculate Conception Church

Immaculate Conception Church, on Shamrock, is holding its Festival of the Foothills today and Sunday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and 1-11 p.m. Sunday. Live bands, rides, games, food and craft beer.

- Brad Haugaard

Myrtle Avenue Sunrise

I saw this sunrise from the Pavilions parking lot a couple months ago and painted it. It is looking east from the Starbucks toward Myrtle.

- Brad Haugaard

Picture of Paint n' Play Burglary Suspect

Picture of the man suspected of ransacking Monrovia's Paint n' Play: http://goo.gl/QqJjtS

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School District: Add Jobs? AP Classes; Governor's Budget

At its next regular meeting on May 28, 7 p.m. (agenda: http://goo.gl/g6zKre ), the Monrovia School Board will ...

~ Consider adding four new clerical positions to the district's Human Resources department. http://goo.gl/u547UJ

~ Hear reports on Advance Placement U.S. and European history and a K-5 math curriculum.

~ Hear about Governor Jerry Brown's budget proposal, which affects the schools. The report addresses the state's $74 billion unfunded liability for teacher retirement, establishing a rainy day fund, and the expiration of Prop 30 taxes. http://goo.gl/GLGedV

- Brad Haugaard

The Bear Went Over the Mountain

Video of a bear crossing Mountain Avenue. I can't quite place where it is on Mountain, but looks like it may be close to Foothill. http://goo.gl/9el7EC

- Brad Haugaard

Memorial Day Ceremony at Monrovia's Live Oak Memorial Park

There will be a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 26, 10 a.m. at Live Oak Memorial Park and Mortuary (200 E. Duarte Road) with the Upper San Gabriel Valley Allied Veteran's Council. All are welcome.

The local VFW Post 2070 maintains a Memorial Scholarship Fund to honor all those from the local area who have died while defending our country. Details: http://goo.gl/WPp1Vy

- Brad Haugaard