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NBA and NBPA Donate to World Vision for Philippines Relief

The National Basketball Association and the National Basketball Players Association have joined to make a $250,000 contribution to World Vision to support relief efforts in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan. World Vision has its operations office in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/GTp6YL

- Brad Haugaard

Newspaper Apparently Drops Monday Editorial Page

The Pasadena Star-News, the daily newspaper that covers Monrovia, has apparently dropped its Monday editorial page. I thought it might just be a temporary expedient last Monday, but today, again, it is gone. The paper had earlier dropped its Saturday editorial page.

- Brad Haugaard

Cookbooks at Friends of Monrovia Library Store

The Friends of the Monrovia Public Library has acquired a large cookbook collection from a professional cook, now on sale in the Friends' Store in the library. Examples: "The Joy of Cooking," "Larousse Gastronomique," and "The Gourmet Cookbook." New selections will be added weekly through December. From one dollar up. Proceeds benefit the library. The Friends' Store is open Monday-Wednesday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday-Saturday noon to 5 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Honoring Vets at Monrovia's Library Park


Celebrating Veterans Day at Library Park.
 
- Brad Haugaard

Local Jewish Federation Raising Money for Haiyan Victims

The Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys has opened a Philippines Typhoon Relief Fund to raise money for those affected by Typhoon Haiyan.

If you'd like to contribute you can mail, call or drop-off contributions at the Jewish Federation (Attn: Typhoon Haiyan Relief, 550 S. Second Avenue, Arcadia, CA 91006 or call 445.0810). Donate online here: http://goo.gl/A8hCFS

The Federation will absorb administrative costs so 100% of all donations go directly for aid. For more info call 445.0810 or email federation@jewishsgpv.org.

- Brad Haugaard

E Coli Outbreak May be Linked to Trader Joe's Salads

An E Coli outbreak may be linked to Trader Joe's prepared salads: Field Fresh Chopped Salad with Grilled Chicken, and Mexicali Salad with Chili Lime Chicken. Trader Joe's is based in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/FzvmQT

- Brad Haugaard

Vets Day Food and Celebration

~ A whole list of restaurants offering meal deals to vets. Including lots of locals, such as: Applebee's, Chili's, Olive Garden, Starbuck's, Outback, BJ's, Denny's, California Pizza Kitchen. http://goo.gl/VHiJyz

~ There will be a Vets Day celebration at 11 a.m. in front of the Library.

Comment: Happy Veterans Day my fellow vets!

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Gets Top Seed for Playoffs

The Monrovia Wildcats were given the No. 1 seed in the Mid-Valley Division for the playoffs. They'll go against Sierra Canyon this Friday. http://goo.gl/J1qlQB

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's World Vision Ships Supplies to Philippines; Plans Major Relief Effort


The first relief flight by Monrovia's World Vision - loaded with emergency supplies - will arrive in Manila, the Philippines, tomorrow, Monday. The initial shipment includes 5,000 blankets and 3,000 plastic sheets to be used to help survivors build temporary shelters.

As the death toll climbs and the devastating impact of Typhoon Haiyan becomes evident, World Vision is launching one of its largest relief operation in the country's history, mobilizing staff across the country to respond to nearly 400,000 people affected by the disaster. World Vision has launched a multi-million dollar fundraising appeal to help meet the needs of the response.

More: http://goo.gl/c94PW7

- Brad Haugaard

Crash on 210 in Monrovia | Monrovia History

~ Seven hurt in 210 freeway crash this morning in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/B6mVS2

~ In case you were curious, the Monrovia Library's Heritage Room wants you to know that Monrovia is a General Law city. Now you know. Details: http://goo.gl/YWnY71

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Relief Organization Prepares for Typhoon Haiyan | Gunshots?

~ World Vision - a Christian relief agency based in Monrovia - is preparing for super typhoon Haiyan, which is expected to hit Vietnam and Laos after smashing up the Philippines. World Vision works in 56 districts in Vietnam, supporting some 71,500 children through its sponsorship program, and in Laos, it works in 24 districts, supporting more than 40,000 children. http://goo.gl/WsJdaF

~ Several people have reported to me (Brad) that they heard one or two loud explosions last night, about 2 a.m. Saturday, in north Monrovia. Some thought it sounded like a gunshot or perhaps a transformer exploding.

- Brad Haugaard

Aztec Hotel Owner Applies for an Extension

The Aztec Hotel owner is asking the Monrovia Planning Commission for a one-year extension that would allow a restaurant in the building - not yet operating - to serve alcohol and to have up to three live musicians. City staff recommends the request be granted. Planning Division Manager Craig Jimenez writes in the staff report: "Over the past year, some restoration work on the building has been completed, however, the focus has been on other parts of the property." http://goo.gl/tgqTf4

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Over San Marino :-) | Vets Day in Library Park | Black Alumni Dinner-Dance

~ Monrovia wins over San Marino tonight in football, 62-21, to win Rio Hondo league title. http://goo.gl/SxNbKA

~ Veterans Day ceremony at Library Park, tomorrow, Nov. 9, at Library Park at 9 a.m.

~ Monrovia Duarte Black Alumni Association dinner-dance fundraiser Nov. 9. Details: http://goo.gl/Wl5SUD

- Brad Haugaard

Honoring Retiring Monrovia School Board President; Salary for Behavior Intervention Specialist

At its Wednesday, Nov. 13, 6:45 p.m. meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/adg8b2 ), the Monrovia Board of Education will ...

- Honor retiring Board President Chris Rich for his eight years as a member of the Board of Education.

- Consider setting the salary range for a Behavior Intervention Specialist at $6,890 to $7,554 (per month, I guess, thought it doesn't say). What's a BIS do? "Administers programs and services for behaviorially or emotionally disturbed students." http://goo.gl/gE4mWd

- Brad Haugaard

Help Monrovia's Centre Stage | Christmas Tree and Parade | E-Waste | Handel's Messiah

~ Monrovia's Centre Stage was recently burglarized of about $30,000 of lighting and audio equipment. If you'd like to donate to help it out, here's how: http://goo.gl/Ae1vZr

~ Christmas tree lighting and parade, Thursday, Dec. 5, at 6 p.m. in Library Park. Parade starts at 7 p.m. Comment: It's a fun small-town event.

~ E-waste recycling Dec. 7 and 8, Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. near the corner of Pomona (the south-side freeway access road) and Myrtle. They'll take devices you can plug in, but not light bulbs, batteries and hazardous waste. More details here: http://goo.gl/rzoGFP

~ First Presbyterian Church of Monrovia, at Myrtle and Foothill, will present Handel's Messiah Christmas Concert on Dec. 8th at 7:30 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Citrus College Honors Vets


In commemoration of Veterans Day, hundreds of students, faculty and community leaders gathered at the Citrus College campus to celebrate the men and women who have served the United States and helped preserve its freedoms at the eighth annual "Saluting Our Veterans" event on Thursday, Nov. 7.

Citrus College, which serves Monrovia, and Azusa Pacific University (APU) partnered with the cities of Glendora and Azusa to pay tribute to members of all branches of the U.S. military and celebrate the contributions they have made to preserving America's freedoms.

Source: Citrus press release

- Brad Haugaard

Laying Track at Monrovia Rail Maintenance Yard


Crews have begun installing six miles of light rail track at the $265 million Gold Line maintenance yard in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/Boulbp

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Sunday's Old Town Bistro


Lunch at Sunday's Old Town Bistro, on the east side of Myrtle just north of Colorado. Got the Chicken Marinara Sandwich for $8.95 and an iced tea for $1.95.  $11.88 with tax. Nicely seasoned sandwich and I left well fed. 

- Brad Haugaard

Sixth Monrovia Area Partnership Class Graduates


The sixth class of MAP (Monrovia Area Partnership) leadership academy graduates honored by the City Council.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Woman Arrested on Charges of Falsely Reporting Assault; 110 Years for Murder; Drunk Driving; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Nov. 4-6. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 447 service events, resulting in 88 investigations.

Grand Theft Auto
November 4 at 6:15 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 200 block of East Colorado. Unknown suspect(s) took the victim's white Honda Civic from the front of his home.  The victim did not know the license plate number of the vehicle because he had just bought the car the day before. The investigation is continuing.

False Report to an Officer/ Misuse of 9-1-1 – Suspect Arrested
November 4 at 8:37 a.m., Irwindale Police Department received a 9-1-1 call from a cell phone.  It was an open line, and the dispatcher could hear a female subject talking to a male subject, saying he had hurt her wrist, and then the phone went dead.  The Irwindale dispatcher called back and the female answered, whispering into the phone that the male subject was now in the shower and he had in gun in the bathroom with him.  The female stated he had hit her in the ribcage and was requesting paramedics. The subjects were at an address in the 500 block of East Colorado in Monrovia.  Irwindale advised Monrovia Police Department and officers responded and set up containment of the location.

Monrovia dispatch called the residence and the male subject answered the phone.  He was asked to step outside.  The subject complied and calmly walked outside with his hands in the air; he was detained without incident.  After a thorough investigation, it was determined that the female had made a false report to police.  She was arrested for making a false report to an officer and a false 9-1-1 call.

Driving Under the Influence / Failure to Yield – Suspect Arrested
November 5 at 7:25 p.m., an officer was on patrol near Chestnut and Fifth when he saw a vehicle driving south on Fifth with a flat tire.  The vehicle continued to Huntington and Fifth without pulling over.  The officer activated his lights and siren to get the driver to pull over, but the vehicle failed to yield and continued east on Huntington to Monterey, where the driver eventually pulled into a business parking lot.  The officer contacted the driver and determined the driver was intoxicated.  He was arrested for driving under the influence and failing to yield to an emergency vehicle.
 
Burglary Suspect Arrested and Charged
In June, officers took a report of a burglary from an apartment in the 1400 block of Alta Vista.  Several female subjects were mentioned as possible suspects, but the leads on the case needed to be followed up.  In October, Officers took a report of a burglary from a business in the 500 block of Huntington and the suspect was apprehended. The handling officer found the suspect he had in custody was listed as a possible suspect in the burglary from the apartment.

A burglary detective was then assigned to assist in the investigation and was able to produce more evidence and facts confirming the suspect in custody had, in fact, committed the burglary in June.  Due to the good work of both patrol personnel and the detective, two felony counts of burglary were charged against the suspect.

Murder Suspect Sentenced to 110 Years
In October of 2004, a male subject was murdered in an alley off the 200 block of West Olive, when the suspect shot the victim with a .22 revolver in the back of the head.  No witnesses initially came forward and the crime appeared to be gang related, so few potential witnesses were willing to admit any knowledge of the incident.  The case was not solved initially and was later assigned to a special task force assigned to the gang related crimes occurring in the city at the time.  A Monrovia Police Department detective was assigned to the task force and has worked relentlessly on the case for the past four years.

After the tireless work of many from the Monrovia Police Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office, the suspect, a documented gang member, was given a 110 year sentence on October 30, 2013. The success of the prosecution relied on hard work and new developments in the processing of DNA-based evidence.