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Windstorm Damage in Monrovia


Pretty messy around town. Traffic lights out. Trees down. Traffic on Huntington jammed up. Here is a tree down at Mayflower and Chestnut. More here: http://goo.gl/58jY3

Christmas-y Events in Monrovia

~ Tonight, Christmas tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. at Library Park, followed at 7 p.m. by the "Santa, Snowmen and Song" parade along Myrtle. http://goo.gl/C0SIi UPDATE: Oops! The tree that was to be lit was blown over, so no tree lighting.


~ A nice roundup of seasonal events in Charlotte Shamadan's column in the Star-News: http://goo.gl/3ZPPM


~ Including (from Charlotte's column) a presentation of Handel's Messiah at Monrovia's First Presbyterian Church at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 4. [I love trying to sing Messiah, but was never really able to get a Handel on it.]


- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Schools Closed - Power Outage | Library English Program

~ Monrovia school are closed today because of massive power outages, School Board member Alex Zucco reports on her Facebook page. Also, the School District is reporting it on its page ("Due to wind damage and power outages all schools is cancelled today. Students and teachers please stay home today."): http://goo.gl/56JNC


~ Feature story about Monrovia Library's Conversational English program. http://goo.gl/T5MYX


- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Senator Upset Over Possible Criminal Releases

Senator Bob Huff is upset that Governor Jerry Brown is going ahead with his plan to shift prisoners to county jails or put them on probation. He said there are "over 500 felony crimes which will no longer lead to prison," including ...
 
- Vehicular manslaughter while under the influence (not involving gross negligence) (Penal Code § 191.5(c)(2)),
- Felony child abuse (pursuant to Penal Code § 273d),
- Elder financial abuse (various subdivisions of Penal Code § 368),
- Street gang recruiting (Penal Code § 186.26),
- Assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury (Penal Code § 245(a)(1),
- Hate crimes (Penal Code § 422.7),
- Practicing medicine without a license (Business and Professions Code § 2052),
- Nearly all of the drug crimes, including sales of drugs to children and manufacturing methamphetamine (various Health and Safety Code sections),
- Violations of the Gun Free School Zone Act (Penal Code § 626.9),
- Threats of harm against elected officials (Penal Code § 76),
- Insurrection (Military and Veterans Code § 455),
- Female genital mutilation (Penal Code § 273.4),
- A second violation of domestic violence protective order (Penal Code § 273.6),
- Identity theft (Penal Code § 530.5),
- Knowingly giving/selling a firearm to a person prohibited from possessing a firearm because he or she was committed to a mental institution (Welfare and Institutions Code § 8101),
- Participation in an act of lynching (Penal Code § 405b),
- Willfully and intentionally (or with reckless disregard for the risk of great bodily injury or death of any person) emitting an air contaminant that results in unreasonable risk of great bodily injury or death of any person (Health and Safety Code § 42400.3),
- Mortgage fraud (Penal Code § 532f),
- Bribing electors to vote or not vote (Elections Code § 18521).
 
 
- Brad Haugaard

Portantino to Attend Court Hearing on Whether to Force Assembly to Make Its Records Public

Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, plans to attend a court hearing Friday in Sacramento Superior Court stemming from his efforts to force the Assembly to make its budget records public.
  
Portantino said, "The public has a fundamental right to know how its money is being spent and it is outrageous that the Assembly refuses to adopt and adhere to the California Public Records Act. There is no greater abuse of power than to shun accountability and disrespect the citizens of our great state by conducting the people’s business in secret."
 
He has introduced a House Resolution to change Assembly Rules to require transparency and an Assembly bill that would force the legislature to comply with the same open government rules that every agency in the state follows.

"I am hoping that the court forces the Assembly to finally release all budgets so that we can finally shed some light on how our taxpayer dollars are being spent," Portantino said.
 
- Brad Haugaard (from press release)

Monrovia 'Pocket Park' | Dinner for the Band | Lee Murder Trial | Unity Center

~ The Monrovia City Council will hold a special meeting tomorrow (Dec. 1) to consider buying 601 Los Angeles Avenue to be a "pocket park." http://goo.gl/INjt0
 
~ Help the Wildcat band and color guard. Have dinner tonight at Rubio's with this flyer. http://goo.gl/b4wrH
 
~ Prosecution rests in Felicia Lee murder trial. http://goo.gl/21Aum
 
~ Foothill Unity Center reports that it will be distributing food to 2,000 low-income area families. Executive Director Joan Whitenack said, "Over the past three years, the number of people coming to us for help has doubled - and stayed there." Visit foothillunitycenter.org to see how you can help.
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Firm Connected With Fraud, Money-Laundering

A man has been sentenced for fraud and money-laundering through multiple entities, including a "bogus debt collection agency" in Monrovia.  Details: http://goo.gl/0B3Fn
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Company Makes iPhone Welding App | Open House Burglaries

~ Need to do welding? There's an app for that from a Monrovia company. http://goo.gl/6vgNF

~ Suspect arrested in Monrovia on suspicion of burglaries at open houses in Glendora and points east. http://goo.gl/FcSLb

- Brad Haugaard

South Pas Mayor Pro Tem Running for Assembly in Monrovia's District

South Pasadena Mayor Pro Tempore Michael Cacciotti has announced he will run for the State Assembly in the new 41st District, which includes Monrovia, Pasadena, South Pasadena, East Pasadena, Altadena, Sierra Madre, San Dimas, La Verne, Claremont, Upland, San Antonio Heights, Falling Springs and the Los Angeles National Forest.

Cacciotti is a deputy attorney general for the California Department of Justice and a member of the South Pasadena City Council.  He has twice served as mayor. He is an environmental advocate, has been an advisory board member on the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy since 2001 and a governing board member on the South Coast Air Quality Management District, representing the Eastern region of Los Angeles County.  He was a volunteer at St. Vincent's Meals on Wheels for over a decade, currently volunteers at South Pasadena's Senior Center, and has served as a youth (AYSO), high school, and college soccer coach for more than 30 years.  He has lived in the district for almost 20 years.  He and his wife, Annie, live in South Pasadena with their labrador retrievers.
 
- Brad Haugaard (from press release)

Garrison Back Coaching Monrovia | STAAR Can Sell Lens in Japan

~ Former Monrovia football coach Steve Garrison is back with Monrovia. http://goo.gl/qpU9H
 
~ STAAR Surgical of Monrovia has obtained permission from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare to sell its Visian Toric in-the-eye lenses in Japan. http://goo.gl/0L8nQ
 
- Brad Haugaard

Possible Freeway Lane Closures | Carols at Monrovia First Presbyterian | Felicia Lee Murder Trial

~ Some eastbound 210 lanes may be closed at times between now and Dec. 10 for construction of the Gold Line bridge near Santa Anita Ave. If so, the closures will be from no earlier than 10 p.m. through no later than 1 p.m. the following day. The construction crew will be pouring concrete for the support columns.


~ Christmas Carols by Classical Masters at Monrovia First Presbyterian Church. http://goo.gl/7oKoB


~ Monrovia PD officer testifies in Felicia Lee murder trial. http://goo.gl/QRrLe


- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia PD: Suspects Simulate Guns But Get Nothing, Fake $100 Bills, Wrong Way on to the Freeway, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Nov. 21-27. - Brad Haugaard]
 
Following are the highlighted issues and events for November 21-27, 2011.  To see a complete listing of crimes reported, go to the City of Monrovia website at www.cityofmonrovia.org and click on the crime mapping link.
 
Burglary / Criminal Threats - Suspect Arrested
On November 21 at 11:45 a.m., a resident in the 1300 block of South Primrose found a male subject rummaging through clothes in her garage.  The suspect told the resident he was running from the police, and if she contacted the police, he would be back to hurt her.  He fled the area and the victim called police.  Officer responded and located the suspect.  The suspect was positively identified by the resident.  He was arrested for the charges of burglary and criminal threats.
 
Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested
On November 21 at 9:26 p.m., officers responded to the report of a drunk driver in the parking lot of a restaurant in the 600 block of West Huntington.  Upon arrival, officers saw the vehicle traveling east on Huntington.  They stopped the vehicle for several traffic violations in the 600 block of West Huntington.  After investigation, the driver was determined to be under the influence and was arrested for DUI.  The vehicle was stored.
 
Grand Theft from Vehicle
On November 23 at 7:43 a.m., a resident in the 200 block of Highland reported that someone had broken into his vehicle.  His vehicle was parked in the driveway and was broken into sometime after 9:00 p.m. the previous night.  The officer found all of the vehicle doors were unlocked and there were no signs of forced entry to indicate a burglary.  A laptop computer worth about $1000.00 was taken.  No witnesses or suspects were located.  Investigation continuing.
 
Petty Theft from Vehicle
On November 23 at 12:35 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Lotone Street regarding theft from a vehicle.  The female victim reported her vehicle was parked in the driveway at 9:30 p.m. the night before.  In the morning, she discovered her Bluetooth earpiece was missing from the center console.  She checked the rest of the vehicle and discovered that her black faux fur coat was missing from the trunk.  All doors were unlocked and there were no sign of forced entry.  The investigation is continuing.
 
Grand Theft from Vehicle
On November 23 at 1:41 p.m., a male subject came into the police department lobby to report a theft of checks from his vehicle.  He had parked his vehicle in the street in front of his residence in the 500 block of West Scenic Drive.  The crime had occurred sometime during the night.  He had several money orders in the center console that were made out to a business and he thought he had locked the doors, but there were no signs of forced entry.  Investigation continuing.
 
Attempt Robbery
On November 23 at 9:52 p.m., officers responded to the 800 block of Mountain View regarding an attempt robbery.  Five juveniles were talking on the corner of Mountain View and Mountain when a white Honda occupied by three male black suspects pulled up. Two of the suspects exited the vehicle and approached the juveniles.  They simulated handguns under their shirts, demanded money and electronics, and threatened to shoot the juveniles.  The third suspect, still sitting in the vehicle, suddenly revved the engine of the car.  The two suspects then returned to the vehicle and they all fled, abruptly, without any property.  Investigation continuing.
 
Driving Under the Influence / Hit and Run Traffic Collision - Suspect Arrested
On November 24 at 7:14 a.m., a traffic collision occurred in the 100 block of North Fifth Avenue and the driver ran from the scene.  When officers arrived, they conducted an area search and observed a subject who matched the description of the driver walking in an alley.  The subject ran, but was detained in a nearby yard.  The suspect was positively identified as the driver involved in the collision by witnesses.  The driver is a 17-year-old juvenile who had been drinking.  The juvenile was arrested, cleared medically, and later released to a parent on a citation.
 
Commercial Burglary / Forgery - Suspects Arrested
On November 25 at 9:00 a.m., dispatch received a call from the manager of a retail business in the 500 block of West Huntington.  The manager was reporting a female suspect attempting to purchase merchandise with counterfeit 100 dollar bills.  Officers conducting extra patrols in the area responded within minutes and detained a female suspect inside the store.  A second suspect who had selected merchandise and left without paying was detained in her vehicle.  During the investigation, both suspects were found to have additional counterfeit bills in their possession.  A receipt for another store in the same shopping center was discovered on the suspect who was sitting in the vehicle.  Officers checked the second business and discovered that both suspects had also made purchases there using counterfeit 100 dollar bills.  The suspects were arrested and taken into custody.
 
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs / Possession of a Controlled Substance / Warrant - Suspects Arrested
On November 25 at 2:57 p.m., an officer observed a subject at a red signal heading south on Mayflower at Huntington.  The left turn signal turned green and the driver suddenly turned into the left turn lane and cut off several vehicles.  The officer stopped the driver, and through investigation, the driver was determined to be under the influence of a controlled substance and was arrested.  During a search of the vehicle, officers located a small plastic case containing two plastic baggies of methamphetamine and one baggie of marijuana.  There was a passenger in the vehicle that had an outstanding warrant for her arrest.  The passenger was also arrested.
 
Child Endangerment - Suspect Arrested
On November 25 at 8:46 p.m., a Monrovia park ranger observed a juvenile stumbling through a park in the 300 block of South Myrtle.  He contacted the juvenile and determined he was drunk.  Officers and medics were requested as the minor was beginning to hallucinate.  The minor was taken to a hospital and his parents were contacted.  The investigation revealed the minor had been provided alcohol and marijuana by a 20-year-old, male subject.  There were several other adult males present who had also encouraged the minor to drink and smoke.  The adult male who provided the minor with the alcohol was arrested and admitted to providing the alcohol and a marijuana pipe, but he denied providing the marijuana.  He is charged with felony child endangerment and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.  The investigation regarding the other male subjects is ongoing.
 
Commercial Burglary / Felony Child Endangerment - Suspect Arrested
On November 25 at 10:36 p.m., loss prevention at a business in the 500 block of West Huntington reported a female suspect had stolen merchandise, left the store, and was driving away in a red vehicle.  An officer in the area observed the vehicle attempting to enter the 210 Freeway from Huntington going wrong-way up the exit ramp.  The officer was able to catch up and stop the vehicle.  The female suspect had a four-year-old child in the car with her.  The suspect was taken into custody and positively identified by the loss prevention officer.  He advised the officer that the female suspect had the child with her when she committed the crime.  During a pat-down search, a usable quantity of methamphetamine was found on the suspect and a search of the vehicle revealed a usable quantity of cocaine.  The suspect was charged with commercial burglary, felony child endangerment, and the related narcotics charges.  The suspect is the child's aunt.  The child's mother was contacted and the child was released to her. 
 
Medical Assist
On November 27 at 10:44 p.m., an officer responded to a medical assist of an elderly woman having difficulty breathing at a residence in the 400 block of East Olive.  The officer arrived and knocked on the door, but no one answered.  The officer made entry into the residence by forcing the front door open.  Upon entering, he located the woman, who was unable to answer the door, and assisted her until Monrovia Fire Department arrived.  The woman was taken to a hospital by ambulance for treatment. 

Portantino Honored for AIDS Work

Assemblymember Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, will be honored by the City of Pasadena Public Health Department with its Andrew Escajeda Humanitarian Award for his work to create greater community awareness about prevention, treatment and social services for HIV/AIDS.  For several years, Portantino has partnered with the Pasadena Public Health Department to offer free HIV testing and has also hosted the annual HIV/AIDS Action Summit at City of Hope Hospital in Duarte.

Portantino authored legislation that enables best-practice models of HIV counseling and testing and has led efforts to ensure that California receives its share of federal HIV funding. 
 
The ceremony, on Dec. 1, World AIDS Day, begins at 5:30 p.m. on the steps of Pasadena City Hall.
 
- Brad Haugaard (from press release)

Monrovia's Green Dot Jumps on Positive Rating


Monrovia's Green Dot Corporation, which provides prepaid charge cards, was rated as "Outperform," and its share prices have jumped. (Well, everything jumped today, but I guess Green Dot really jumped.) http://goo.gl/Oc39I
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia vs. Covina | Suo Boutique

~ A look at the Monrovia-Covina football rivalry. http://goo.gl/rQ7EU
 
~ Profile of Monrovia's Suo boutique. (At the bottom). http://goo.gl/dMYgF
 
- Brad Haugaard

AeroVironment and Mini Police Helicopter Drones

More on the possibility of Monrovia's AeroVironment making little police helicopter drones. http://goo.gl/4efsx
 
- Brad Haugaard

Christmas Already?


We went out to dinner tonight (Wang's Place) and saw Christmas decorations on houses (this one on Canyon) and in Old Town, and, of course, Christmas music at dinner (Oh, Holy Night, my favorite). Well, I hope Christmas saves all the retailers.

- Brad Haugaard

Secret Service Investigates Suspected Counterfeit Bills in Monrovia

Secret Service investigates suspected counterfeit-bill passing in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/Pdbxz
 
- Brad Hugaard

Monrovia Fire Department Collects for Kids


Firefighters collect cash to buy toys for kids who might not get them otherwise. Drop a few dollars in a firefighter's boot.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Football Over Whittier Christian :-)

Monrovia Wildcats scored 67 against 21 for Whittier Friday night. http://goo.gl/N2D20
- Brad Haugaard