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Happy Easter, Monrovia!

"He has risen." http://goo.gl/HRqDp

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council: Police and Fire Labor Negotiations | Re-Redevelopment? | Shaw Vacancy

At its April 2 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/4Me5H ), the Monrovia City Council will ...

~ Have a closed-door meeting with its labor negotiator about the Monrovia Firefighters Association and Monrovia Police Officers Association. No details. http://goo.gl/5az4W

~ Consider whether to support a Senate bill in Sacramento that would sorta replace the now-defunct redevelopment. http://goo.gl/LJmJK

~ Hear a report on "Vacancy Caused by the Resignation of Councilmember Clarence Shaw." http://goo.gl/A3gRQ

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School Board Appoints Interim Superintendent

The Monrovia Board of Education has appointed 26-year district veteran, Deborah Collins, as its interim superintendent since former Superintendent Linda Wagner has left to take over Anaheim schools. http://goo.gl/a4zd2

- Brad Haugaard

Red's Drive Thru

The little gas station at the corner of Stedman and Foothill is now Red's Drive Thru, a small convenience store with sodas, candy, coffee, and so forth. It's clean and nice. I got an ice cream bar. I hope it is able to make it.

- Brad Haugaard

Main Building at Monrovia Rail Maintenance Yard Begun


Crews working on the Gold Line maintenance yard have started work on the foundation for the main building. Here crews are building the foundation for the "blow-down pit" that will allow maintenance crews to clean under the light rail vehicles.

Source: Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority press release

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Big Shrimps

Lunch at Big Shrimps, just east of Myrtle on the north side of Colorado. Got the tilapia lunch special ($4.99) and an iced tea ($1.75), plus tax. Good deal and very tasty.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia-Temple City Baseball Photos

Photos from the Monrovia-Temple City baseball game: http://goo.gl/QCoKI

- Brad Haugaard

Jose De Juan Exhibit | Scoby to Play for Monrovia | Open Seats on School Board



"The Kingdom," By Jose De Juan

~ Artist Jose De Juan's exhibit "Our Shared Light," runs through May 4 at Segil Fine Art, 110 West Lime.

~ Running back Kurt Scoby enrolled at Monrovia High. Plans to play in the fall. http://goo.gl/vjtDN

~ Two open Monrovia School Board seats in November. http://goo.gl/JQMGL

- Brad Haugaard

Paragon Trucking Moves to Monrovia

Former School Board candidate Terrence Williams has moved his company, Paragon Trucking, to Monrovia. Paragon "delivers excess cargo from China to businesses throughout Southern California." http://goo.gl/dMQRQ

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Stolen Purse, Meth, and Bears Encouraged With Beanbags

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for March 25-27. - Brad Haugaard]
 
During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 438 service events, resulting in 74 investigations.
 
Petty Theft from a Vehicle
March 27 at 3:48 a.m., a resident in the 300 block of South Mountain came to the police department to report her purse had been stolen from her vehicle.  She reported that she was walking to her parked vehicle when she saw two male Hispanics, wearing backpacks, walk away from her vehicle.  After she got into her vehicle, she realized that she left the passenger window down and her purse was gone.  Investigation continuing.
 
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
March 27 at 3:57 p.m., an officer was conducting an area check for the petty theft suspects from the above incident, when he observed a male subject walking in the 900 block of Valley View.  As the officer approached in his police vehicle, the subject walked up a driveway.  He then walked back down the driveway, where he was contacted by the officer.  The officer checked the area where the subject was standing on the property and found a methamphetamine smoking pipe.  The subject stated he threw it on the ground when he saw the police.  The subject was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia.
 
Bear Incident
March 27 at 6:21 p.m., police responded to a residence in the 800 block of Crescent Drive on the report of a bear entering the home.  The resident's mother had cooked lunch and left it on a table with the windows open.  A bear caught the scent of the food, ripped out the doggie door and entered the home through it to get at the food.  The resident's dog alerted the man, who came downstairs to find the bear inside his home.  The resident immediately went upstairs and locked himself and his dog in his bedroom and called police.  The man looked out his window and saw a second bear in his yard.  Police officers arrived along with an animal control officer and the bears were encouraged back into the hillside with beanbags rounds.  The officers advised the resident on the safety issue of the doggie door and methods to reduce bear attractants at the home.      
 
 
Detective Bureau Case Follow-up
 
Attempt Grand Theft Auto / Identity Theft / Forgery - Suspects Charged
On February 26 at 2:35 p.m., police responded to a business in the 800 block of East Central regarding a fraud in process.  Two suspects walked into the car dealership to purchase a vehicle.  They each provided forged checks, and one provided an altered driver's license.  The salesman was suspicious and called police. Both suspects were arrested and bonded out after being booked.
 
On March 26, 2013, both suspects were arraigned in court.  The detective assigned to the follow-up investigation presented the case to the District Attorney.  The case was filed and both suspects were charged with identity theft, forgery (three counts), and attempt grand theft auto.  The suspects were remanded into custody.

Easter Weekend Services in Monrovia

In alphabetical order:

~ Calvary Chapel Monrovia (123 W. Pomona Ave., near Myrtle next to the freeway). Good Friday at 6 p.m. Easter at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., and 11 a.m.

~ Calvary Road Baptist Church (319 West Olive Ave.) Easter Sunday 10:45 a.m.

~ Fellowship Monrovia (Monrovia High Performing Arts Center) - Good Friday 7 p.m.; Easter Sunday 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

~ First Baptist Church (Encinitas and Palm) - Easter Sunday 10:55 a.m.

~ First Presbyterian Church (Myrtle and Foothill)- Good Friday Service and Concert March 29 at 7:30 p.m.; Easter Sunday 10 a.m.

~ Immaculate Conception (726 Shamrock Ave.) - For Holy Day services call parish office at 358-1166.

~ Live Oak Vineyard Church (1307 S. Myrtle) - Good Friday service at noon. Easter morning service 10 a.m.

~ Monrovia United Methodist Church (140 E Palm Ave) - Call church at 303-2783.

~ New Beginnings Family Church (2780 Peck Rd.) - Good Friday at 6 and 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 6 p.m. and Easter Sunday services at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and noon.

~ Restored Life Fellowship (Wild Rose Elementary School 232 Jasmine Ave) - 9:30 a.m. Easter Sunday.

~ St. Luke's Episcopal Church (Foothill and California) - Good Friday 12:10 and 7:30 p.m., Holy Saturday 12:10 p.m. and 7 p.m., Easter Sunday 10 a.m.

My apologies if I missed any. If so, let me know and I will add them right away.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Old-Time Phonograph Collector

Monrovia old-time phonograph collector, Jim Constantian, has a phonograph that cost more than a Model T when the two were new in 1926. A nice feature story about Jim is in this morning's "The Weekly Star," a supplement included in the Star-News but not on line at the moment.

- Brad Haugaard

Video: Monrovia Man Meets Bear ... In His House | Inside New Aztec Restaurant | Schools Hire Headhunter Firm

~ Video: Monrovia man meets a bear ... in his house. http://goo.gl/cSWbz

~ Pictures of the inside of the new restaurant going in at the Aztec Hotel. http://goo.gl/fi2WJ

~ School Board hires a search firm to find new superintendent. (Linda Wagner is taking over Anaheim schools). http://goo.gl/1pF7K

- Brad Haugaard

Easter Egg Hunt | E-Waste Recycling | College Fair | Children's Day | Native Plant Tour

~ Saturday, March 30, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Recreation Park, 620 S. Shamrock Ave. Easter egg hunt, toddler, teen and family activities, music, arts & crafts, wellness activities, carnival games, spring bunny, face painting, demonstrations, and Monrovia Reads book distribution. Egg hunts free! http://goo.gl/mbZAj

~ Electronic Waste Recycling Event Saturday, April 6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Mt. Sierra College, 101 E. Huntington Dr. Also, ACTS Thrift Shop accepting donations of clothing, furniture, etc. For large item donations call 577-4477 for free pick up.

~ Mt. Sierra College Career Fair, 9 a.m. to noon, April 13. 101 E. Huntington Dr. http://goo.gl/kahg0

~ Dia de los Ninos, Children's Day, at the Library. http://goo.gl/MSnXT

~ Native Plant Garden Tour, including a home in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/6LEIu

Monrovia Over South Pas :-) | Holden Photo Contest

~ In baseball, Monrovia over South Pas 11-1.

~ On Facebook, Assemblymember Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia, writes: "I need your help with photos that reflect the unique nature of the 41st Assembly District. If you have a great shot of the mountains, or wildflowers or even an iconic building that represents your city, please send a high resolution jpg to my office at: assemblymember.Holden@assembly.ca.gov.

"My staff and I will choose 3 or 4 photos to post on our website and in return, I'll buy lunch for the winners. Take a look at my website: www.asm.ca.gov/holden and you'll see I need your help."

- Brad Haugaard

Casting Call from Monrovia Media Company

Casting call at new Monrovia company. http://goo.gl/nn5zA

- Brad Haugaard

Representative Judy Chu Picture



Congressional representative Judy Chu, who represents the north edge of Monrovia, posted this photo of herself on Facebook. She posted it without comment but I'm guessing it means she wants the Supreme Court to overturn California's Proposition 8, which defines marriage as between a man and woman.
- Brad Haugaard

Unemployment Up in Monrovia

Unemployment up to 9.6 in Monrovia in January. http://goo.gl/aoV17

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: TwoCars and Bus Collide; Robbers with PepperSpray; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for March 21-24. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.

Suspicious Vehicle / Warrants – Suspect Arrested

March 22 at 10:33 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Madeline regarding a suspicious occupied vehicle. While officers were checking on the subjects inside the vehicle, a resident contacted one of the officers. He advised the officer that a male subject with a backpack had left very quickly at the first sight of the patrol car. Officers checked the area and found the subject walking south on Mountain, north of Foothill. The subject was found to have three no-bail warrants, two for narcotics and one for burglary. The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Injury Traffic Collision / Unlicensed Driver

March 22 at 5:02 p.m., a three vehicle traffic collision occurred in the 3000 block of Peck Road. Two vehicles struck each other in the intersection. One of the vehicles continued on, striking an MTA bus. One passenger on the bus complained of pain. The drivers of the vehicles were not injured. One of the drivers was found to be unlicensed and was cited for the offense. The injured person on the bus declined medical treatment.

Petty Theft With Priors – Suspect Arrested

March 23 at 5:03 p.m., a suspect was observed leaving a business in the 500 block of West Huntington with bottles of cologne he did not pay for after he concealed them in a paper bag. He was detained by store loss prevention. Officers arrived, and the suspect was taken into custody without incident. He was determined to have a very long criminal history with numerous convictions and past prison time for theft.

Residential Burglary

March 24 at 4:27 p.m., officers responded to the 700 block of Ocean View regarding the report of a residential burglary. The point of entry was an unlocked kitchen window, and the loss was several items of jewelry taken from the master bedroom. The burglary occurred sometime between 4:00 p.m. on March 23 to 7:00 p.m. on March 24. A neighbor noticed a suspicious subject leaving the victim's driveway during the time of occurrence. The subject is described as a male white adult, very tall, wearing a white, long-sleeve t-shirt and jeans. The neighbor did not see the subject carrying anything. Investigation continuing.

Attempt Robbery

March 25 at 1:55 a.m., dispatch received a call reporting a robbery in the 200 block of Melrose. The victim was in front of his residence, smoking a cigarette, when a vehicle pulled up and the occupants asked him for directions. When the victim approached the vehicle, the occupants demanded money from him. The victim replied that he didn't have any money, and one of the suspects sprayed him in the face with pepper spray. The suspect vehicle then fled south on Melrose. The victim was treated at the scene and taken to a local hospital for an apparent allergic reaction to the pepper spray. The empty canister of pepper spray was recovered at the scene. The investigation is continuing.

Study Says AeroVironment Drones Safe to Fly at Night

Monrovia's AeroVironment, which makes small drones, and New Mexico State University's Physical Science Lab, have studied the safety of flying small drones at night in American skies and concluded that it's safe. http://goo.gl/lp6e5

- Brad Haugaard