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Monrovia Police Search for Man in Sex Case

Monrovia Police looking for man in sexual battery case. http://goo.gl/In9sOS

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Schools: Rosier Budget; Local Control

At its Wednesday, July 23 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/iD9L5W ) the Monrovia School Board will consider ...

~ Approving a revised budget, which looks a bit rosier than before. Director of Fiscal Services, David Conway, reports that "District revenues for 2013-14 came in higher than anticipated." http://goo.gl/hEvb5B

~ Modifications to a 72-page "Local Control Accountability Plan" at the request of the LA County Superintendent of Schools. Opinion: There is something a bit bizarre about school districts having to submit 72-page documents to a higher authority in the name of "local control." http://goo.gl/MnKnqR

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Burger Basket


Lunch at Burger Basket, at the corner of Mayflower and Duarte Road. Got the fish and chips combo for $6.65 plus tax.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Pubs Host 'Crawl for a Cure'

Four Old Town pubs will host "Crawl for a Cure," a July 26 fundraising evening for the upcoming Relay for Life of Monrovia. All four hosts will be offering special pricing on menu items, and participants can win "Relay Swag" at each stop.

Registration and wristbands for a $30 donation will be available at the first stop. Crawlers are invited to wear purple to show their support of Relay for Life.

The pub crawl will begin at 4 p.m. at Sena, 409 S. Myrtle Ave., then proceed to London Gastropub, 419 S. Myrtle Ave., and T. Phillips Ale House, 601 S. Myrtle Ave. The evening will end at Gem City Grill, 115 E. Olive Ave. For more information, contact Michele Metcalf, (626) 241-3506, or Mike Laban, (626) 627-5230.

The Monrovia Relay for Life benefiting the American Cancer Society will be held from 9 a.m. Saturday, August 16, to 9 a.m. Sunday, August 17, at Recreation Park, 500 S. Shamrock Ave. For details and team sponsorship and signup forms, visit relayforlife.org/monroviaca.

- Brad Haugaard

'No Reportable Action' On Opening of Monrovia Hillside Preserve

I've been tracking the city's progress in opening to the public the Hillside Preserve ( http://goo.gl/BqEbdI ) and more recently the Cloverleaf access point to the preserve. The preserve was bought in large part by a bond issue paid for by the residents of Monrovia with the promise that they would have access to the area. Now, more than 14 years later, it is not fully open. In April there was a report ( http://goo.gl/gd39xf ) that the Cloverleaf access point might be opened in July. Since it is now well into July I thought I'd ask about it. Here is what I got back:
Good afternoon Mr. Baugaard,
Thank you for reaching out to me and I appreciate your community support.  City staff continues to work on the future opening of the Cloverleaf access point in the Hillside Wilderness Preserve.  There is no reportable action or proposed opening date at this time, but I would be happy to notify you when a firm date is set.
Thank you,

Tina Cherry
Community Services Director
City of Monrovia

- Brad Haugaard

Real Estate Agent Helps Monrovia Men

Real estate agent helps "low-functioning" Monrovia men find housing. Looking for work for them, too. http://goo.gl/rjCewG

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Making Fake Credit Cards; Runaway; Meth and More

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for July 14-16. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 383 service events, resulting in 52 investigations.

Grand Theft
On July 14 at 2:01 p.m., a grand theft in the 700 block of West Huntington Drive was reported to police. Construction is being done on the street and at the end of the work week last week, the construction crew covered the open trenches with two steel plates. When they arrived at work the next week, the plates were gone. Each sheet is 4 feet by 8 feet and they are worth $1000 each. The investigation is continuing.

Juvenile Problem
On July 15 at 8:40 p.m., officers responded to a home in the 400 block of Royal Oaks to look for a female juvenile who had run away from the residence. A description was obtained and the female was located a few blocks away. Officers counseled the juvenile, returned her to her residence and spoke with the parent. Approximately three hours later, the parent phoned police, reporting she and the juvenile had argued and the juvenile had left the residence again. Officers again located the juvenile, and after speaking with her, determined she needed to be held for mental evaluation. She was taken to a hospital, where she was held for observation and treatment.

Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspects Arrested
July 16 at 3:50 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 300 block of Beechworth regarding a suspicious male subject sleeping in a vehicle. When officers arrived, they saw a male subject lying in the backseat of a vehicle. The subject reached for a purse on the floor, as if he was attempting to conceal it. He told the officers the purse belonged to a female that was with him, but she was currently visiting a friend at one of the residences. The male subject was arrested on an outstanding warrant. A search of the purse revealed methamphetamine and pipes. While officers were dealing with the male subject, the female who owns the purse returned and approached the officers. She was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and an outstanding warrant.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
On July 16 at 7:52 p.m., officers responded to the report of suspicious subjects in a park located in the 400 block of North Grand. Officers arrived, located the subject and determined he was under the influence of a controlled substance. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Detective Bureau Case Follow-up - Grand Theft Auto – Felony Charges Filed
On July 12 at 7:19 p.m., Special Enforcement Team officers observed a suspicious vehicle and driver in the area of Encino and Huntington. They followed the vehicle until it drove into a driveway in the 1800 block of Encino. A check of the license plate revealed the vehicle was stolen. The officers approached the car and driver, but the driver ran inside the house at the location and hid. The suspect was eventually located and arrested. During the course of the investigation, another stolen vehicle was found at the location. Interviewing the residents revealed another suspect at the home, and both suspects were arrested. After follow-up by the Detective Bureau, the case was taken to the District Attorney and felony charges were filed.

Grand Theft / Forgery/ Receiving Stolen Property – Five Felony Counts Filed
On July 14 at 9:30 a.m., Monrovia Special Enforcement Team officers provided information about a subject with a no-bail warrant for his arrest to the San Gabriel Valley Anti-Crime Task Force, which has an officer from Monrovia Police Department assigned to it. The task force tracked the wanted subject to a location in Pasadena. During the contact with the wanted subject, he was found to be in possession of credit card blanks and stolen credit card numbers. A second room at a different location was determined to be involved, so Monrovia Police Department Forgery/ Fraud Detectives responded and searched the room. A credit card embossing machine was also found. After questioning, it was determined the suspect had been making fake credit/gift cards using illegally obtained account numbers.

The suspect was arrested and booked. The case was presented to the District Attorney’s office and five felony counts were filed. It was the great collaborative work by task force members, Special Enforcement Team members, and detectives that brought about this successful apprehension, arrest and filing.

State of Monrovia Football

A look at the state of Monrovia football. QB Asaph Zamora "has been brilliant." http://goo.gl/5UI7Sn

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Church Distributing School Supplies

First Presbyterian Church of Monrovia is collecting school supplies for its 14th annual school supply distribution in August. The church will be distributing everything from backpacks to boxer shorts.

- Brad Haugaard

New Leaders at Monrovia Companies

~ The board of Monrovia's Everlert, Inc. has appointed Darin Shaw as Chief Executive Officer and President of the Board of Directors. Shaw previously held the position of in-house legal counsel of the company's subsidiary, Totalpost Services, Inc. The company provides ink cartridges in the U.S. postage meter industry. http://goo.gl/zXMknD

~ Monrovia's Xencor, Inc. has appointed Kurt Gustafson to its board of directors. Currently, Gustafson serves as executive vice president, chief financial officer and principal accounting officer at Spectrum Pharmaceuticals. Xencor is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing engineered monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, asthma and allergic diseases, and cancer. http://goo.gl/hJKUQF

- Brad Haugaard

Open House to Discuss Monrovia's Station Square

The City of Monrovia will hold an open house on Wednesday, July 30, 6-8 p.m. in the Library to discuss what's going on with the Station Square project. Station Square is the development surrounding the Metro Gold Line station that will open in 2016 on Myrtle just above Duarte Road. The meeting will include a project discussion, photo renderings, and the opportunity to ask questions of staff from all areas of the project.

Source: City news release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Carrying Knife Into Police Station; Speeding Past a Police Car; Trying to Drive Without Front Tires

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for July 10-13. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Attempt Grand Theft Auto
July 10 at 9:15 p.m., officers responded to the 200 block of West Lemon regarding an attempt grand theft auto. The victim parked her vehicle outside her garage off a rear alley. She left the vehicle unlocked with the window open and walked away for approximately 15 minutes. When she returned to the vehicle, she found the door open and the ignition had been punched. No suspects were seen or heard. The investigation is continuing.

Mental Evaluation
July 12 at 2:16 a.m., a female subject walked into the police lobby carrying a knife and tried to open one of the lobby doors. Officers approached the door and ordered her to place the knife down on the bench; she complied. They tried to speak to her, but she ran out of the lobby screaming. She was quickly detained and was determined to be a danger to herself and others. She was taken to a hospital, where she was held for a 72- hour mental evaluation.

Stolen Vehicles Recovered / False Information to a Peace Officer – Suspects Arrested
July 13 at 7:19 p.m., Special Enforcement Team officers were on patrol in the 1200 block of Encino when they saw a suspicious vehicle pull into a residence and saw a known gang member exit the vehicle and run into an open garage. Officers stopped and discovered the vehicle was reported stolen. Further investigation revealed a second stolen vehicle on the property. Several subjects were detained and additional units responded. The subject that exited the vehicle was located. Property was located inside the second stolen vehicle that belonged to one of the other subjects on scene. A third subject gave false information to the officers. A total of three subjects were arrested and taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested
July 13 at 8:29 p.m., a vehicle driving in the area of El Dorado and 2nd Avenue drove by a Monrovia patrol car at a high rate of speed. The officer stopped the vehicle and discovered the driver was driving under the influence. The driver was arrested and taken into custody.

Vehicle Vandalism
July 13 at 9:45 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a business in the 900 block of West Huntington. A female subject received a phone call from her ex-boyfriend while she was at work and she hung up on him when she recognized his voice. The female has a restraining order against the ex-boyfriend. He then phoned back and asked for her again and a second employee told him she was unavailable. The victim went out to her vehicle later in the evening and found her tires had been slashed and something had been poured into her gas tank. The investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested
July 13 at 2:17 a.m., officers on patrol came across a parked vehicle that was missing one front tire and the other was flat. The driver was slumped behind the wheel and the vehicle was running. The driver was determined to be driving under the influence of alcohol and was arrested.

Thunderstorms? | Clarion Singers Concert

~ National Weather Service reports "threat of monsoonal thunderstorms late tonight through Wednesday" for the San Gabriel Valley. http://goo.gl/MxdIuc

~ The Clarion Singers. Choral concert including works by Purcell, Lassus, Rheinberger and Harris. Sunday July 20, 7 p.m., St Luke's Episcopal Church, 122 S. California Ave. No admission charge but a freewill offering.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Veterinarians Host Fundraisers for Relay for Life

Monrovia's Family Dog & Cat Hospital and Dr. Domotor's Animal House are hosting a series of events to raise funds for the August 16-17 Relay for Life of Monrovia. The relay will honor cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost, and fight the disease.

Family Dog & Cat Hospital, 136 West Lime Avenue, is selling $5 raffle tickets for three pet treatment baskets. The dental basket includes an exam, blood work, anesthesia and dental. A canine and a feline wellness basket each include an exam, nail trim, blood work and Revolution parasite protection. Tickets are available at the hospital, and winners will be announced at the Relay.

Dr. Domotor's Animal House, 135 West Foothill Boulevard, is holding three events. A Dog and Cat Bake Sale July 14 from 12 noon to 6 p.m. will feature homemade dog and cat treats. A Hand Dog Wash July 19 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon will offer a hypoallergenic shampoo and towel dry with shampoo and conditioner to take home for $7 per pet. All dogs must be on a leash. Dr. Domotor's will host a Yappy Hour on July 25 and August 1 from 5 to 6 p.m. Dogs and their humans can relax, unwind and enjoy a puptini (mocktails for the humans) and yappy hour treats. "Cover charge" is $7.

Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Troy Donuts and Burgers

Lunch recently at Troy Donuts and Burgers, a fast food place on the west side of Myrtle just south of Duarte Road. Got the Bacon Cheeseburger Combo for $6.29. Good price for a tasty burger, drink and fries.

- Brad Haugaard

Weekend Parking Fee for Monrovia Canyon Park Up a Dollar

Looks like the weekend and holiday parking fee for Monrovia Canyon Park has gone up by a dollar, to $6. http://goo.gl/6AQ1OG

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Council: Homeless in Park; National Recreation Area

At the next Monrovia City Council meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/6a2owZ ), there will be a report from the Committee on Homelessness and Park Conduct, and an update on the proposed National Recreation Area boundaries (which currently include part of Monrovia) by Interim City Manager Fran Delach. The Council earlier requested that the city be excluded from being part of the NRA.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Arrest for Making Honey Oil; Fight Over Headphones and Watch; Thief Can't Start Car; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for July 7-9. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 449 service events, resulting in 85 investigations.

Vandalism
July 7 at 7:51 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the high school in the 800 block of West Colorado on the report of vandalism. Campus security arrived in the morning after the 4 th of July weekend and discovered someone had written graffiti on the auto shop building. The investigation is continuing.

Attempt Grand Theft Auto / Vehicle Burglary
July 7 at 11:10 a.m., a resident in the 100 block of North Lincoln called police to report that someone had attempted to take his vehicle. The victim parked his vehicle on the street and secured it on July 3. When he returned to his vehicle on July 7, he discovered the driver side door lock was punched. The suspect tore the steering column apart, attempting to take the vehicle, but it appears they couldn't start it. The suspects took some welding books from inside the vehicle. The investigation is continuing.

Manufacturing of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Honey Oil – Suspect Arrested
July 7 at 3:24 p.m., an officer on patrol in the 100 block of West Greystone came upon a vehicle with the door left open. When he stopped and looked inside, he saw approximately 50 butane bottles and a pipe with possible honey oil on it. The driver of the vehicle could not be located and the vehicle was registered out of town. Due to the extreme hot weather and the butane bottles sitting in the sun, the Monrovia Fire Department was requested and responded to the scene. A resident from the 300 block of Stedman told officers the vehicle belonged to his son's friend, who was inside the house. The 19-year-old suspect was located and arrested for manufacturing honey oil.

Vehicle Tampering – Suspects Arrested
July 7 at 12:21 a.m., a resident in the 300 block of Fowler Drive saw two male subjects lift the door handle to his vehicle, checking to see if the door was unlocked. He chased the suspects, but wasn't able to keep up. A few minutes later, a security officer from an alarm company who was patrolling the 700 block of West Foothill saw the two males running. He called the police and then detained the suspects, who cooperated. The victim arrived just as officers arrived and placed the two under private persons arrest for vehicle tampering. The suspects were taken into custody.

Strong-arm Robbery – Suspect Arrested
July 9 at 6:35 p.m., officers responded to a business parking lot at Foothill and Myrtle regarding a robbery. Two male adults who knew each other began arguing in the shopping center parking lot. One of the subjects took the other subjects headphones and then demanded the subject’s wrist watch. The victim did not attempt to recover the headphones out of fear for his safety and attempted to walk away; however, the suspect wanted the watch and began hitting the victim, attempting to remove it from the victim's wrist. A bystander broke up the fight and the suspect fled in a vehicle with the victim's headphones. The victim was able to identify the suspect, and he was located and apprehended by police, as the vehicle was still in the area.

Registration Open for Monrovia Neighborhood Conference

Registration is now open for the Monrovia Area Partnership (MAP) Neighborhood Conference on August 9, where you can learn about what is going on in and around town. http://goo.gl/9sAaXP

Comment: Ya know, I think it would be good to record these sessions on video and post them online for those who can't attend.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia-Based Jewish Federation Supports Israeli Response to Rocket Attacks

The Monrovia-based Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys has issued a statement saying it and the Jewish community "unequivocally stand and support the Government of Israel and its right, and duty, to defend its citizens from the terror and continued rocket fire from Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other terror groups operating in Gaza. Over the past 48 hours days, Hamas and other terror groups in the Gaza Strip have indiscriminately fired over 150 rockets and mortars at civilians of Southern Israel[.]"

Source: Jewish Federation press release

- Brad Haugaard