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Monrovia School Board Member Disappointed at the State Limiting Schools' Disciplinary Powers

Monrovia School Board member Alex Zucco is apparently not happy with Governor Jerry Brown signing a law that limits the use of "willful disobedience" as a reason to suspend students. Zucco writes on Twitter: "So much for 'local control' - heavy sigh." http://goo.gl/Yf00f8

Comment: I am with you on that, Alex. Slowly - and sometimes not so slowly - local authority is being usurped by the state and federal governments.

- Brad Haugaard

And Yet More Monrovia Bears



I saw these bears, a mom and cub, hanging out in an oak tree about a half hour ago in north Monrovia. To avoid helicopters I refrained from calling the TV news. 
- Brad Haugaard

Le Gourmand Restaurant Coming to Monrovia


Le Gourmand, a new market/cafe, is coming to Monrovia. Just south of Lime on the west side of Myrtle. It is still being fixed up but this window sign says: Gourmet Market & Café. Specialty Items, Home, Gift Baskets, and More.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Over Los Altos :-)

Monrovia wins tight football game over Los Altos. Monrovia 27, Los Altos 25.

Update: Full story http://goo.gl/rQ820f

- Brad Haugaard

Too Much Fuss About Monrovia Bears?


Old picture of bear in our back yard.

I'm curious.

It seems whenever a bear is sighted in Monrovia we have sort of a media stampede, like today. Helicopters and whatnot. But bears - for better or worse - are really getting to be rather commonplace here and I'm wondering if maybe the media isn't overdoing things a bit.

What do you think?

- Brad Haugaard

Attend Citrus, Make More Money | Poppy Paint at Train Yard | Development of Station Square

~ PayScale, Inc. has recognized Citrus College, which serves Monrovia, as one of the nation's top 10 public two-year colleges based on alumni earning potential, and fifth among California's 112 community colleges in this category. The report, released September 10, 2014, encompassed data collected from 349 public and private institutions and included early-career and mid-career median salaries for alumni who earned associate degrees. Overall, public community colleges out-performed private career colleges in terms of associate degree-only graduate salaries. Source: Citrus press release

~ The canopy frames at the Gold Line Operations Campus in Monrovia received a California Poppy color paint job this week. Comment: Nice, though I'm not sure I'd call the color "California Poppy." http://goo.gl/6IUCxM

~ Samuelson & Fetter received approval for a 261-unit apartment complex as a part of Monrovia's Station Square. http://goo.gl/sI2acu

Got Lunch at Rigo's Deli Mini Mart


Got lunch at Rigo's Deli Mini Mart, at Mayflower and Foothill. The place with the cow. Got the roast beef sandwich with egg, except they didn't have any egg, so roast beef, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado and jalapeños for $6.35. It is pretty tight quarters so I took it to go. Also got a small watermelon juice ("sandia" on the menu) for $2. Pity about the egg but it was still a really great sandwich. The watermelon juice was fresh-made in front of me. Excellent! And I didn't know you could fill these cups up into the lids!

- Brad Haugaard

Another Monrovia Bear

Yet another bear in a backyard. Overhead shot, so I'm assuming that is the helicopter we've been hearing. http://goo.gl/1vQqDR

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia QB Asaph Zamora | Dumping Fines | Workers Quit Vynl Tech

~ Feature story on Monrovia quarterback Asaph Zamora. http://goo.gl/7llM7H

~ Governor Jerry Brown has signed a bill that will "increase the fines imposed upon those convicted of damaging, vandalizing or illegally dumping on property maintained by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy" to $1,500. The conservancy includes a bit of the San Gabriel Mountains. AB 1767 was authored by Assemblymember Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia.

~ Workers say they had to quit Monrovia company Vynl Technology when they couldn't show they were in the country legally. http://goo.gl/OBAPoI

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Marijuana; Old Acquaintance at a Bad Time; Shaking Motor Home

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for September 22-24 . - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 404 service events, resulting in 53 investigations.

Marijuana Grow Discovered 
On September 24 at 6:40 p.m., Special Enforcement Team officers investigated the report of a possible marijuana grow in the 100 block of East Colorado. The Special Enforcement Team obtained a search warrant for the location and confirmed a moderate-sized hydroponic marijuana grow. The investigation is continuing.

Prowling 
On September 24 at 11:30 p.m., an officer responded to the 1200 block of Los Robles regarding a prowler. The caller reported that someone was knocking on the windows of her residence. The victim was not expecting anyone. She was extremely scared and dispatch directed her to take her phone and go into her bathroom and secure the door. Officers responded and located a subject in the backyard of the victim’s property. The subject located was an adult male and he was acting very strange, but was not under the influence. He claimed to know the female resident and said he was homeless. The resident confirmed she did know the subject from years ago when he lived across the street. She had no idea why he was at her residence. The subject claimed he had been chased there by gang members. The area was searched extensively and no one else was located in the area. The subject was identified and strongly advised to leave and not return. The victim did not want prosecution.

Family Disturbance / Warrants – Suspects Arrested 
On September 25 at 1:15 a.m., dispatch received a call reporting someone screaming from a motor home parked in the 700 block of East Lemon. The caller indicated they could see the motor home shaking as though subjects were fighting inside. Police arrived and located the vehicle. The subjects were not fighting, but both had outstanding warrants and were arrested.

Monrovia Police Find 150 Marijuana Plants in Warehouse

Monrovia Police found an indoor hydroponic marijuana farm at a warehouse near the corner of Colorado and Ivy last night. Lt. Nels Ortland said the warehouse was very well organized and had about 150 plants. He said police found the farm after an anonymous tip, but as there was nobody at the location when police arrived, they are still working to connect the farm with whomever is responsible.

- Brad Haugaard

Chu Says Obama Interested in Making San Gabriel Mountains a National Monument

Representative Judy Chu says President Obama is interested in the possibility of turning the San Gabriel Mountains into a National Monument. http://goo.gl/vcPk66

- Brad Haugaard

Citrus College Celebrates 100 Years

Citrus College, which serves Monrovia, will begin its centennial year celebrations with public festivities on Saturday, October 11, 2014, at the Citrus College stadium, including an All-Class Reunion, Centennial Celebration special events and activities, and the Homecoming Game.

The All-Class Reunion and Luncheon is open to all Citrus Union High School and Citrus College alumni from every graduating year.  Registration begins at 11:00 a.m. with lunch served at noon.  For $19.15, alumni luncheon attendees will receive lunch and a special pin commemorating the event.  Guests may register online at www.citruscollege.edu/100 or by calling the Citrus College Foundation at 626-914-8825.
 
At 2 p.m. will be free-to-the-public events - including a car show, food trucks, face painting and other children’s activities, a business expo and Citrus College historical exhibits.

The day’s celebrations will conclude with the Homecoming Game at 6 p.m. The Citrus College Fighting Owls will face the Bakersfield College Renegades. During the halftime show, Citrus College student musicians and singers will perform a tribute in honor of America’s veterans.

Citrus College was founded on June 5, 1915, under the leadership of Dr. Floyd S. Hayden. It opened with 27 students and became the first community college to be established in Los Angeles County and the fifth in California. The institution was established due to an innovative trend in higher education that was being adopted across the nation, in which high schools were allowed to add two years of postgraduate work, approximating the studies prescribed in the first two years of college.   This allowed a growing number of high school graduates to advance their educational goals, acquire new marketable skills, and achieve greater prosperity.

Source: Citrus College press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's AeroVironment Receives $22 Million Order | Cute Bear

~ Monrovia's AeroVironment receives $22 million RQ-12 Wasp AE Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems order for United States Marine Corps. http://goo.gl/FXe3xH

~ A Southern California Edison worker encounters a bear (cute one, too) in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/fkq6Ic

- Brad Haugaard

Weekend Closure of Mountain/Duarte Intersection

The intersection of Mountain Avenue and Duarte Road will be closed to through-traffic starting this Friday, Sept. 26 at 9 p.m. until Monday, Sept. 29 at 5 a.m. However, the intersection will temporarily re-open on Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon during the City of Duarte's Route 66 Parade.

From Monday, Sept. 29, through mid-October, there will be work on the medians along Duarte Road for approximately two weeks with at least one lane of through-traffic open in all directions.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Education Fundraisers

~ Car Wash fundraiser for Gifted And Talented Education program at Pep Boys parking lot at Huntington and Primrose, Saturday, Sept. 27, 9 a.m. to noon.

~ McTeachers Night to support Bradoaks Elementary, at the McDonalds at Huntington and Mayflower. Tonight, Wednesday, from 5-8 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia vs. Los Altos | Mauna Loa Killing | Pacific Plate | Wine & Dine

~ Sports writers think Monrovia will do well against Los Altos. http://goo.gl/FPTXmd

~ More on woman killed on Mauna Loa Avenue ( http://goo.gl/CzWnpE ). Boyfriend charged with murder ( http://goo.gl/FritKb ).

~ A Taste of Old Town Monrovia, Oct. 19, 5-8 p.m. will also include craft beers by Monrovia's Pacific Plate Brewing Company. Tickets $50 in advance, $60 at the door. Proceeds to local youth programs.

~ Wine & Dine raffle tickets for $10 each. You could win an $1,100 gift basket. Tickets at Monrovia Chamber of Commerce and The Dollmakers' Kattywompus. All money goes to the Monrovia Kiwanis Club and the Monrovia Chamber.

- Brad Haugaard

Support Monrovia High Marching Wildcats Band and Color Guard

Monrovia High Marching Wildcats Band and Color Guard is having a Car Wash / Bake Sale at Walgreens, 253 E. Foothill Blvd. in Arcadia, on Saturday Sept. 27 from 9 a.m. till 2 p.m. Suggested donation: $6 cars; $8 trucks and SUVs.    - Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Homicide Arrest; Hit and Run Arrest; Assault Victim Knocked Unconscious; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Highlighted Activity for September 18-21. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Vehicle Burglary
On September 18 at 7:08 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 700 block of West Huntington. Unknown suspect(s) broke into a sports utility vehicle sometime between 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., stealing a rear seat, a tool kit and a plastic hard hat. The vehicle was locked and secured with the alarm set. Access may have been gained through the rear window, but no pry marks were located. The investigation is continuing.

Commercial Burglary / Vandalism
On September 18 at 10:44 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the 2600 block of South Myrtle regarding a burglary. Unknown suspect(s) broke the automatic sliding gate at a City facility and then cut the lock to the storage container. They stole insulated copper wire from the container. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary
On September 18 at 7:26 p.m., an officer responded to the 1200 block of Encino regarding a residential burglary. The victim returned home at 4:00 p.m. and noticed two laptop computers missing. The backdoor was unlocked and the downstairs office was ransacked. The two laptops were taken from the kitchen table. The incident occurred between 10:30 a.m. and 4:00p.m. The investigation is continuing.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
On September 18 at 11:58 p.m., a resident in the 900 block of West Duarte reported a domestic dispute after she heard a female yell out for someone to call the police. Officers arrived and determined the couple had been arguing. The male subject pulled the female's hair, causing a contusion, and he poked her in the left eye with his finger, causing swelling and bleeding. The male subject was arrested and charged for domestic violence.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol / Hit & Run Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested
On September 19 at 12:48 a.m., police dispatch received several calls reporting a hit and run driver in the area of Central and Mountain in the city of Duarte. Witnesses gave a description of the driver and vehicle. Officer located the driver and stopped the vehicle in the 300 block of Linwood. The female driver was determined to be driving under the influence. The victim of the hit and run positively identified the female suspect as the driver of the vehicle who hit them. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department responded and handled the traffic collision investigation.

Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Narcotic Paraphernalia / Parole Hold – Suspects Arrested
On September 19 at 5:22 p.m., an officer responded to the 800 block of West Duarte Road regarding two suspicious subjects sitting in a vehicle in a business parking lot. Upon arrival, the officer heard the sound of fireworks. He pulled into the parking lot and contacted the subjects in the vehicle; no one else was in the parking lot. The subjects admitted to setting off the fireworks. The officer searched the vehicle for more fireworks and found syringes and a pipe used for smoking controlled substances. Both subjects were arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and one of the subjects had a parole hold issued for him.

Assault Report
On September 20 at 1:35 a.m., an assault was reported at a business in the 100 block of East Olive. The victim was pushed by two suspects, causing him to strike the back of his head on the floor. The impact from the fall caused the victim to be knocked unconscious for several minutes. The suspects fled the scene. The victim was taken to a hospital and the investigation is continuing.

Alarm Activation
On September 20 at 9:48 a.m., dispatch received an alarm activation at a business in the 100 block of South Ivy. Officers responded and found the entire building was not secured. The alarm was sounding, intermittently, and then fading off. The building was searched and was undisturbed. It was determined that the power source for the alarm system was low and causing the system to malfunction. The system was reset and the building secured.

Trespassing – Suspect Arrested
On September 20 at 9:40 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 100 block of East Pomona in reference to a disturbing subject demanding to get his vehicle released. The subject did not have a valid release form the Monrovia Police Department and was denied his vehicle. The subject refused to leave the tow yard and the police were called to the scene. Upon arrival, the subject was uncooperative with officers and still refused to leave the location. The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
On September 21 at 1:32 a.m., a family disturbance was reported at a residence in the 700 block of West Foothill. When officers arrived, they discovered a father was in an argument with his 17-year-old daughter. At some point, the father grabbed his daughter's arms and carried her from one room to another, leaving thumb impression marks on her biceps. He also struck her in the legs with his belt, leaving a welt mark. The father was arrested and taken into custody.

Homicide – Suspect Arrested
On September 21 at 3:08 p.m., Monrovia dispatch received a request to check on the welfare of a woman that lives in the 200 block of Mauna Loa Drive. Officers arrived and found a 47-year-old female adult dead inside a vehicle to the rear of the residence and the female’s 51-year-old boyfriend nearby. Monrovia police officers detained the male subject and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide investigators responded to the scene to conduct the investigation. The subject is in custody for suspicion of murder. The Coroner also responded to the location to complete their investigation.

Help Monrovia Baseball by Playing Golf


Monrovia Youth Baseball Charity League Golf Tournament, Oct. 24. Cost: $125. Heather Stokes writes: We are closing in on our 2nd annual Golf Tournament. This fundraiser will help us work on our fields, build some new fields, and more. If you are a golfer or you know a golfer or two, send them to http://www.mybl.org to sign up. See you on the greens. To be an event sponsor contact Jack Taylor at musipooh@aol.com or Marina Brusseau at msjrleag@gmail.com .
- Brad Haugaard