Monrovia Schools: Apple Core, Buying Bucks From the Fed, Outsourcing Computers

A few items on the July 11, 7 p.m. School Board meeting:

~ Monrovia School District staff, recognizing that the Apple iPad is a "core" (sigh) digital device, will be participating in the Apple Developer Program, which will let the school develop its own apps for the device. Assuming the board approves, it'll cost a big $250. http://goo.gl/TpAE8

~ The board will consider a contract with CSM Consulting to help the district get bucks from the federal government. According to the staff report, the company will cost the district $15,000 a year but has "traditionally provided the District about $250,000 annually in federal funds for Internet, telephone and network services." http://goo.gl/6RYZI

~ It will also consider outsourcing the district's computer servers, for $51,093.57, to Cache Valley Electric Company of Utah "to improve performance, dependability and reduce operational costs of our network services." http://goo.gl/A87wy

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Representatives React to High-Speed Rail Vote | Digital Storytelling

~ Video: Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, says the vote for raising money for a high-speed rail line is not planned out, will initially connect low-population Central Valley areas, and is just for Governor Brown's legacy. http://goo.gl/0Zutv

~ Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who represents part of Monrovia, didn't like it either. He wrote on Facebook that "This highly unpopular plan is more like a high speed train robbery."

~ Free digital storytelling workshop with DJ Phatrick, Saturday, July 28, 1-3 p.m., Library Community Room. The last in the "California Reads - Searching for Democracy Series," exploring the ramifications of the forced internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. http://goo.gl/ncKhF

- Brad Haugaard

210 Freeway Closures for Bridge Construction

There will be partial freeway lane closures on either the eastbound or possibly westbound 210 on some nights between July 8-21. Closures will begin no earlier than 10 p.m. and end no later than 1 p.m. the next day. For bridge construction.

- Brad Haugaard

Former City Manager Scott Ochoa's Housing Request

More on former City Manager Scott Ochoa's housing request. http://goo.gl/sojwv

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Troy Donut & Burger

Lunch at Troy Donut & Burger, on Myrtle about a block south of Duarte. I think it is under new management as last time I was here it was sooo dirty (chocolate shake all over the floor that nobody bothered to clean). Now it's clean. Got a chorizo burrito and Coke for just short of $6, and it was quite good! (I took a bite so you can see the inside.)

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Senior Activities: Ice Cream and Blood Pressure

~ Senior ice cream social Thursday, July 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Community Center. Featuring The Tap Chicks (senior dance troupe) and a mini health fair from 11 a.m. to noon with health experts from Methodist Hospital, Walgreens, New York Life and other local agencies. Free but reserve a spot by Friday, July 13 by calling the Department of Community Services at (626) 256-8246.

~ Free high blood pressure screening for those 50 years and older, hosted by Methodist Hospital, on the second Tuesday of each month, from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m., at the Community Center. For more information, contact the Department of Community Services at (626) 256-8246.


Source: http://goo.gl/RgBPQ

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Fire Department iPads | 'Off-Myrtle'

~ The Monrovia Fire Department will be buying iPads (thanks to a grant) that it will use for - among other things - fire inspections. "Instead of manually filling out forms to be later input into a database, all of the business information is updated electronically and automatically uploaded to the database."

~ City Manager Laurie Lile wants you to notice not only the businesses along Myrtle, but also the "Off-Myrtle" businesses, the "many great restaurants, shops and services on Walnut, Olive, Colorado, Lemon, Lime and Palm."

Source: http://goo.gl/RgBPQ

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Hillside Recreation/Preservation Area May Open in January

I am curious about what is happening about opening up the Hillside area (the preservation/recreation area the city purchased in the foothills), so I asked Monrovia's Director of Community Services, April Soash. Some questions and answers:

So, what's up with the Hillside area?

Currently staff is working with contractors to design the signage and gates for the various access points. The official opening of the access points will be once the gates and signage are in place. The timeline for the signage is approximately September for the design phase to be completed, then the signs will go into production. Each access point will be opened when all the work is completed, so some may open sooner than others.

Will the signs just be at the trailheads or will there be signs at various points on the streets directing people to the trailheads?

Per the minimalist plan adopted by city council the signs will only be located at each one of the access points/trailheads and along the trail where necessary to note information on the endangered species of Braunton’s Milk Vetch.

Roughly how long after the signs are designed will they be manufactured and installed?

Staff is estimating by January 2013 everything will be in place.

Is any parking being added (or subtracted - by posting No Parking signs) around the trailheads?

The City Council adopted the minimalist plan which did not include any new parking and it did not include any directive for no parking signs.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Ex-Girlfriend Threats, Armed to the Teeth, Stolen Car

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for July 2-4. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 488 service events, resulting in 66 investigations.

Grand Theft Auto – Suspects Arrested
July 2 at 12:37 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of West Duarte Road to take a stolen vehicle report. A 1997 Honda Accord was stolen from the residence sometime between 7:25 and 11:18 a.m. The West Covina Police Department made a traffic stop on the vehicle and found three occupants inside. While investigating, they were able to establish that the vehicle did not belong to the occupants. They contacted the victim, who confirmed the vehicle was in fact stolen. The suspects were arrested.

Criminal Threats
July 2 at 2:33 p.m., a male subject who lives in the 900 block of West Colorado called police to report he was being threatened by his ex-girlfriend. She left a recorded message in which she stated she was going to kill him. The investigating officer was able to listen to the message. The victim desires prosecution and said he feels threatened and is fearful she will make an attempt to harm him. A wanted person entry was made in the system for the suspect. Investigation continuing.

Attempt Robbery
July 4 at 10:56 p.m., an attempt robbery was reported in the 100 block of Fig. A male victim was leaving his girlfriend’s house when he was confronted by a male, African-American suspect who asked him for money. When the victim said he did not have any money, the suspect began grabbing at the victim’s pockets. The victim hit the suspect several times. The suspect continued trying to reach into his pockets and the victim was hitting his hands away when the suspect grabbed hold of the victim’s left hand and bit him. The victim yelled out to his girlfriend, who came over and hit the suspect several times until he let go of the victim’s hand. The suspect then left the area walking south to Central and out of sight. The victim was treated at a hospital for his injury. Investigation continuing.

Happy Fourth, Monrovia!

The fireworks begin.

Update: WOW! I believe that was the best show I've seen yet! Amazing work! Art in the sky. This cell-phone shot does not do it justice.

Claiming Spots for Fireworks

Here is Library Park at noon. People have been claiming spots since at least 8 a.m. Should be a big night.

Monrovia Power Outage

Southern California Edison predicts an unplanned power outage will be corrected by 11 a.m. today. 23 Edison customers are affected. http://goo.gl/nzjTu

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School Board Member Rob Hammond's Exploding Mailbox

Former mayor (and current school board member) Rob Hammond, reports that his mailbox was blown up. He takes it rather lightly, writing on Facebook: "To my knowledge our mailbox never had a bad thought or acted negatively towards anyone."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Councilman Spicer Apologizes for Criminal Record

Monrovia Councilman Larry Spicer apologizes for criminal actions from years ago and Councilman Tom Adams accepts his apology. http://goo.gl/TS2sy

Monrovia Church Sponsors Pink Flamingo Hit Jobs

If you see a flock of pink flamingos in someone's yard, it's a fundraiser by the First Presbyterian Church of Monrovia Youth Group for summer camp. Pay $20 to buy a "hit" on another member of the congregation, who will wake up to a flock of 50 pink flamingos on his or her front lawn (or 100 flamingos for $30 - volume discount). Or, everyone except the pastor can buy protection - they call it "immunity" - for $30. http://goo.gl/ktPX1

Comment: "Hey! Nice yard ya got here, buddy. Be a shame should somebody plant a flock of pink flamingos in it."

- Brad Haugaard

Portantino Financial Reporting Bill Progresses in State Senate

A proposal by Assemblymember Anthony Portantino (who represents part of Monrovia) to update financial reporting for politicians and public officials was unanimously approved today by the Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee.

Each year politicians and public officials must file a Form 700 â€" Statement of Economic Interest, which gives the public a way to keep tabs on their outside financial interests.

Portantino said, "These forms haven't been updated in more than 35 years and are way out-of-date."

AB 2162 calls for restructuring dollar ranges in the Form 700 from 4 for investments, property and income, to 8 levels for investments and real estate, and 10 levels for income ranges.

Source: Portantino press release

- Brad Haugaard

Portantino Disaster Prep Bill Works Its Way Through State Senate

Assemblymember Anthony Portantino's bill to improve emergency and disaster preparedness was approved today in the Senate Energy, Utilities & Communications Committee. Portantino represents part of Monrovia.

AB 1650 requires public utilities to hold disaster preparedness meetings every two years with the counties and cities they service to improve readiness and better prepare for natural disasters. In addition, the California Public Utilities Commission will set standards for each utility to meet.

The bill goes to Senate Appropriations before going on to the full Senate later this summer.

- Brad Haugaard

Neighbors Charge Monrovia Councilman with Threats, Slurs | Senator Huff on Mortgage Bill

~ Neighbors say Monrovia Councilman Larry Spicer made threats and racial slurs. http://goo.gl/D54AJ

~ Video: Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, speaks against a mortgage relief bill he says is badly crafted. http://goo.gl/GcLmB

- Brad Haugaard

Full Closure Eastbound 210 at Midnight

Full closure of eastbound 210 for bridge construction tonight (July 2), from midnight to 5 a.m. starting at Baldwin Ave.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: He Breaks Their Picture, Cuts Himself, Then She Hits Him in the Face; Purse Snatch at Street Fair; Stealing from Cars

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for June 28 – July 1. - Brad Haugaard]

 

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.

 

Commercial Burglary – Suspect Arrested

On June 28 at 5:19 p.m., security personnel from a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain called to report they had a male suspect in custody for shoplifting. The suspect admitted to going to the location to steal merchandise. A pat-down search of the suspect revealed a key for a vehicle. Officers checked the parking lot and located the vehicle, and additional stolen property was found. The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

 

Vehicle Burglary

On June 29 at 10:05 a.m., an officer responded to the 1500 block of California regarding a vehicle burglary. The victim reported that someone broke into his vehicle sometime during the night and took property from his vehicle. He had parked and locked his vehicle, but left the driver's side window open approximately one and a half inches. It appears the suspect used this opening to unlock the vehicle and gain entry. Investigation continuing.

 

Strong-Arm Robbery

On June 29 at 9:30 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 100 block of East Colorado regarding a strong-arm robbery. The victim was at the Monrovia Street Fair sitting on a curb when a male suspect in his twenties, unknown race, wearing a black baseball cap, black shirt and tan shorts, ran by the victim, grabbed her purse from her and fled. The suspect ran east on Colorado. Several witnesses ran after the suspect, but were unable to catch him. The victim waited approximately 30 minutes before reporting the incident to police and the witnesses left the area prior to police arrival. The investigation is continuing.

 

Theft From a Vehicle - Suspect Arrested

On June 29 at 9:56 p.m., a theft from a vehicle was reported in the 600 block of East Cypress. The victim called police to report seeing someone in her vehicle. The suspect attempted to flee the scene, but the victim followed him and reported his location to police. Police arrived and took the suspect into custody. It appears that the suspect entered the victim's unlocked vehicle and removed coins, which were located in the suspect's possession. The suspect was charged with petty theft with a prior and is currently on parole. A parole hold was obtained.

 

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested

On June 30 at 2:34 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 100 block of Duarte and observed the driver of a vehicle throw trash out of the window. The driver was stopped for littering. During the investigation, the driver displayed symptoms of being under the influence. The driver was determined to be driving under the influence and was cited.

 

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested

On July 1 at 12:06 a.m., an officer noticed a suspicious vehicle parked along the curb in the 800 block of Alta Vista. The engine was running and the vehicle was occupied by a male subject who appeared to be asleep behind the wheel. The officer approached and contacted the subject. The driver was determined to be intoxicated and was arrested for driving under the influence.

 

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested

On July 1 at 3:14 a.m., a family disturbance was reported in the 300 block of East Wildrose. Officers arrived and detained a male and female subject. During an argument, the male subject broke a photo of the couple, cutting his finger. The female subject then struck the victim in the face, causing visible injury. The female suspect was arrested and taken into custody.