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A Bit More Rain for Monrovia?

Fifty percent chance of showers this coming Tuesday. http://goo.gl/CXl59H

- Brad Haugaard

5/10K Race to Benefit City of Hope

Runners are queuing up to participate in the second annual 5/10K road race to benefit the City of Hope medical research center on Saturday, April 18, just before the 57th Annual Mt. SAC Relays – which have been drawing world-class athletes for decades.

This year the event will include both 5K and 10K races, and runners will finish in the stadium before family, friends and athletes competing in the Mt. SAC Relays, which typically attracts more than 15,000 viewers. A portion of each registration fee goes to City of Hope, a leading research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases located next door in Duarte. For more information or to register please visit www.runmtsac.com

Source: Press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Warn of Distracted Driving

To save lives and educate all Californians, especially young drivers, about the dangers of distracted driving, the California Office of Traffic Safety and more than 200 law enforcement agencies statewide, including the Monrovia Police Department, are working on increased education and enforcement efforts for National Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April and California Teen Safe Driving Week, the first week of April.

"Driving takes your full attention and any distraction can have deadly, dangerous consequences," said Sergeant Daniel Verna of the Monrovia Police Department. "Imagine driving four or five seconds while blindfolded. That can be the effect of looking down to send a text message. In the average time it takes to check a text message - less than 5 seconds - a car traveling 60 mph will travel more than the length of a football field." Throughout the month of April, traffic enforcement will focus on educating the public about the dangers of driving distracted.

The urge to read or answer an incoming message when we hear the text sound can be almost overwhelming. OTS is using a message of "Silence the Distraction" in new public service announcements aimed at getting drivers to turn off their phones while driving so they won't be tempted. "No text, call, or social media update is worth crashing," said OTS Director Rhonda Craft. "With an average of less than a second to react to an urgent situation, drivers need to have all their attention on the roadway."

While distracted driving can take on many forms and affects all road users, young drivers are at a greater risk. During "California Teen Safe Driving Week," April 1-7, Impact Teen Drivers will focus on educating teens that their number one killer - reckless and distracted driving - is 100% preventable. "People are realizing that everyday behaviors, such as texting or reaching for a dropped item, can be lethal when done behind the wheel," Kelly Browning, Ph.D., Executive Director of Impact Teen Drivers, said.

"Each of us must drive responsibly, keeping full attention to the task at hand - DRIVING. If you have teenagers in your family who are driving, make sure they understand driving laws," Sergeant Verna added. "The collective goal with this month-long campaign is to change the behavior of all drivers. That change begins with education."

Source: Monrovia Police press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Robotics Team Advances to World Championship

Kings and Queens and their robot, Sir Lancelot.

The ten Monrovia High School students of the "Kings and Queens" robotics team and their purple robot "Sir Lancelot" qualified to advance to the 2015 FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics World Championships for a second year in a row as a result of their excellent performance at the West Super-Regional Robotics Tournament held in Oakland this past weekend.  The three-day tournament brought together the 72 top teams who were winners of state and regional competitions from 13 western states.  The Monrovia team is one of four qualifiers from the Los Angeles area who will be among the 128 top teams from around the world to compete at the World Championships which will be held at the historic Union Station in St. Louis April 22-25.  Only 35 U.S. teams who competed in last year's World Championship have earned the right to come back again this year.

The Kings and Queens team, four seniors, one sophomore and five freshmen, designed and built their own 18 by 18 inch robot from t-slot channel, Plexiglas, and formed aluminum to compete in the annual FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) robotics competition. The Kings and Queens are well known in the FTC community for their driving skill, unique robot designs, their signature costumes of purple velvet gold-embroidered renaissance dresses and gold tiaras for the girls and fur-trimmed black velvet jerkins with purple capes and gold crowns for the boys, and their supporter's cheer of Huzzah! every time they score points.

Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Boys & Girls Club Open House


Boys & Girls Club of the Foothills invites community members to visit this Friday during its open house. The Club will be open all day, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tour the facilities and learn more about its life-changing work with our youth. 600 S. Shamrock Avenue. RSVP to anavar@foothillsbgc.org

- Brad Haugaard

Merengue To Open in Five Weeks | Easter Egg Hunt | After-School at Plymouth | Tech Incubator Program | Historic Preservation Surveey

From City Manager Oliver Chi's weekly report:

- Merengue Bakery & Cafe should open in its new location at 417 South Myrtle Avenue in about five weeks.

- The City's Annual Easter Egg Hunt and Healthy Kids Day will be held this Saturday, April 4, at 10 a.m. in Recreation Park. Registration for the Egg Hunt will begin at 9:45 a.m. Arts and crafts, face painting, carnival games, a book giveaway, refreshments, wellness activities, music, activities for various ages, and a visit by the Easter Bunny.

- The city is making "good progress" in starting an after-school sports program at Plymouth Elementary. "Based on our current discussions, we should be able to work out program logistics within the next several weeks."

- The city wants to develop a science and technology incubator program and has been talking with Oak Crest Institute of Science and with representatives from a firm called Lab Launch.

- If you'd like to take the historic preservation survey, here it is: http://goo.gl/1pw17A

- Brad Haugaard

Montgomery Named 'Woman of the Year for Monrovia'


Mrs. Joanne Montgomery, president of the Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees, was recently honored by Assembly Member Roger Hernandez as Woman of the Year for Monrovia at a special awards ceremony on Saturday, March 28.

Montgomery was chosen as one of this year’s honorees because of her ongoing service, leadership, advocacy, and commitment to the city in which she lives. For 32 years, she served the Monrovia Unified School District as an elementary school teacher, working with the district’s gifted and talented education program.  She was also a master teacher for several universities and served on numerous school committees.  Her many honors include a Teacher of the Year award.

In 1998, Mrs. Montgomery was appointed to the Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees to fill a vacancy.  She was later elected to the board in 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011. She is also a member of the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce Business Education and Community Outreach Network (BEACON), the Duarte Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, and represents the Board of Trustees on the Citrus College Foundation Board.

Source: Citrus press release

Monrovia's Chris Wong - Soccer Player of the Year

Star-News names Monrovia's Chris Wong as its 2015 Soccer Player of the Year. http://goo.gl/iqAV1h

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: 13-Year-Old Hit By Vehicle; Car Chase; Drunk in Public; Bike Crash; Wallet Swiped

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for March 26-29. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Injury Traffic Collision
March 26 at 2:53 p.m., an officer on patrol was driving northbound on California when he approached a traffic collision that had just occurred. The two vehicles collided in the intersection at California and Huntington. One of the vehicles was heading northbound and the other southbound. The vehicle heading northbound turned to continue west on Huntington, but did not yield to the vehicle traveling south on California and was struck. There were no major injuries; however, the occupants of one vehicle, including four children ages 2 through 7, were taken to a hospital for examination.

Injury Traffic Collision – Vehicle vs. Pedestrian
March 27 at 11:07 a.m., police responded to the report of an injury traffic collision. A 13- year-old boy was crossing Foothill at Mountain when a driver failed to see him and struck him as the driver turned. The driver had been stopped, and the contact was as he accelerated from a stop. The boy had no visible injuries, but complained of pain to his leg. He was taken to a hospital for examination. The mother of the boy was contacted and responded to the hospital.

Drunk in Public – Suspect Arrested
March 28 at 2:38 a.m., officers on patrol in the area of California and Huntington observed a male adult who appeared to be passed out in the park. They approached the subject to conduct a welfare check and discovered he was intoxicated. The subject could not stand and was having trouble communicating. He was arrested for being drunk in public and taken into custody, where he was held for sobering.

Outstanding Warrant – Suspect Arrested
March 28 at 2:45 a.m., an officer observed a vehicle driving erratically and conducted a traffic stop to investigate. As the officer approached the vehicle, they observed the rear passenger moving around in the back seat and appeared to be reaching for something. The rear passenger was found to be trying to hide an open alcoholic beverage container. The driver had an outstanding, no-bail warrant, and the female passenger had medical conditions that required paramedics to respond for treatment. The driver was arrested for the warrant and the vehicle was stored.

Solo Bicycle Injury Accident
March 28 at 9:27 a.m., a bicyclist was riding in the number two westbound lane of Huntington when he lost control of the bicycle and fell, injuring himself. He said he hit a rut in the street. He had scrapes and some swelling above his right eye. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Trespassing – Suspect Arrested
March 28 at 5:20 p.m., an officer observed a subject picking through the trash and throwing it on the ground by a restaurant in the 900 block of West Huntington. He contacted the man and told him he could not pick through the trash. The manager of the restaurant came out and told the man he was not allowed on their property. The manager said he had warned the subject many times for leaving trash on the ground in the patio eating area. He was asked to leave by the manager. He refused and began yelling profanities at the manager. The man was arrested for violation of the trash picking ordinance and for trespassing.

Drunk in Public – Suspect Arrested
March 28 at 10:05 p.m., an officer on patrol saw a male subject lying on the ground at the intersection of Peck Road and Live Oak. The officer stopped to check on the subject’s welfare and determined the subject was intoxicated. The subject had difficulty standing on his own and did not know where he was at. He was arrested for being drunk in public and held for sobering.

Petty Theft From a Vehicle
March 29 at 10:45 a.m., a petty theft from a vehicle was reported in the 500 block of South Mountain. The victim's were at the park walking their dogs. They went back to their car and it would not start. The husband left his wallet on the front passenger seat of the car and walked away to look for a phone. The wife went back into the park with the dogs to find shade. She saw two subjects, a male and female Black, walking on the sidewalk. The male opened their car door, reached inside and the subjects ran. The male victim's wallet was taken. A search of the area was made for the suspects, but they were not located. The investigation is continuing.

Stolen Vehicle Recovered
March 29 at 1:29 p.m., a 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe was reported abandoned in the 1400 block of South Primrose. The caller said the truck had been parked at the location for approximately 2 months. A computer check revealed the vehicle had been reported stolen. The vehicle was dusted for prints and then released to the owner in the field. The investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Pursuit / Felony Assault on a Police Officer – Suspects Arrested
March 29 at 10:13 p.m., police received a call reporting a vehicle burglary in the 100 block of South California. The owner of the vehicle confronted a female suspect sitting inside his truck, ransacking the contents of his vehicle. The female fled on foot as the victim was on the phone with police. As officers arrived to search the area, they saw a grey Honda Accord in the area of Shamrock and Lemon, where the suspect was last seen. The vehicle was occupied by two male Hispanics and was traveling with no lights on. As soon as the driver saw the police unit, he fled south on Shamrock, failing to stop at a posted stop sign at Colorado. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle, but the suspect vehicle failed to yield and a pursuit ensued. The suspect vehicle entered the eastbound 210 Freeway and was pursued into the City of Azusa with the assistance of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's helicopter.

The suspect vehicle eventually drove down a dead end street. He made a u-turn and rammed into two police vehicles, trying to get away. Two suspects were taken into custody. The driver sustained facial and head injuries from the collision. He was taken to the hospital for treatment. One officer sustained minor injuries from the collision. He was medically treated at the hospital and released. The suspects are facing multiple felony charges.

Monrovia Mayoral Finances; Schubert this Good Friday

~ An article in the Star-News about the financial contributions to the Monrovia mayoral candidates: http://goo.gl/S7Imli

~ This Friday. April 3, Good Friday, at 7:30 p.m., Schubert Mass in G with choir and orchestra at Monrovia First Presbyterian Church (Foothill and Myrtle) http://goo.gl/Wg1YF6

View Jupiter tonight with Monrovia's Sidewalk Astronomers

Jane Houston Jones of Monrovia's Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers, reports that it looks good for viewing the moon and Jupiter tonight at 7-9 p.m. at Library Park at the corner of Myrtle and Lime.

- Brad Haugaard

Candidate Austin Corrects Candidate Contributions

Note: Mr. Scott Austin, who is running for city council, responds below to my article here ( http://goo.gl/cxfvPJ ) regarding the contributions he has received, and he copies and notates the posting with his corrections (below). I am happy to clear up this matter. The information I originally posted was from Mr. Austin's campaign as filed with the City Clerk's office. Following is Mr. Austin's letter. - Brad Haugaard


Mr. Haugaard,

Too bad your message admits that there could be duplications in my contributions but you didn’t take the time to get the correct information before posting so fair to all candidates.  I have no problem sharing my contributions of which I'm grateful and proud to have their support.  I’d appreciate you showing the corrections with strike throughs and comments as shown below.  The net overstatement is $6,120.61 -- incorrectly overstated by 30 percent!

Thank you for your assistance with this matter.

Scott Austin

Alhambra Firefighters Political Action Committee (Alhambra) $2,500
California Professional Firefighters Political Action Committee (Sacramento, non-monetary gift for printing lawn signs – 02/05/2015) $1,210.61
duplicate of above California Professional Firefighters Political Action Committee (Sacramento – 02/10/2015) $1,210.61
Daniel Haro (Alta Loma, CA) $100
David Brinker (Akron, OH) $200
Debbie Austin $28.52
Debbie Austin (loan) $3,000
Debbie Austin $1,000
Donna Baker $200
Firefighters for Better Government Political Action Committee (Camarillo, CA) $2,500
Joe & Paula Costantino (DPO, AE) $200
Karen Suarez $200
Mary Ann & Cory Lutz $250
Michael Cacciotti (South Pasadena) $100
Monrovia Firefighters Issues Committee (02/02/2015) $3,000
not a valid PAC and not received Monrovia Firefighters Association Local 2415 (02/06/2015) $3,000
Natalie Park (South Pasadena) $100
Pasadena Firefighters Local 809 (Sacramento – 01/17/15) $1,000
Pasadena Firefighters Local 809 (Sacramento – 02/26/2015) $2,000
duplicate of above  Pasadena Firefighters Local 809 (Sacramento – 02/28/2015) $2,000
Pasadena Firefighters Local 809 (Sacramento – 03/05/2015) $2,000
Samuel LaSala $100
Thomas Alan Suess $100
Thomas Fouser $100
United Firefighters of Los Angeles City Local 112 Political Action Committee (LA) $500
Victor Castellanos $500

Dinner at Sena


Dinner recently at Sena, on the west side of Myrtle in Old Town. Got the Kobe Truffle Cheeseburger ($12) off the March Specials Menu, and a beer ($4). Very nice but I think my favorite is still the short rib tacos. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Video Interviews With Monrovia Mayoral and City Council Candidates

Video interviews with the Monrovia mayoral and city council candidates, by KGEM and Beacon Media.

Mayor
Leonard Holen
Mary Ann Lutz
Tom Adams

City Council
Becky Shevlin
Chris Zeigler
Clifford DeCosta
Gloria Crudgington
Jordan Kittleson
Robert Parry
Stephen Grollnek

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Comes From Behind to Defeat Temple City

Monrovia came from far behind, scoring six times in the seventh inning, to defeat Temple City, 8 to 6. http://goo.gl/nbfP0Z

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Rotary Sponsors Race-Prep Sessions | Stress Reduction | Goodbye to Dr. Green

~ Monrovia Rotary Club is sponsoring a series of training sessions to prepare for the Fountain to the Falls run on May 9. Rotarian Lynda Linforth, a personal trainer and owner of Trainer on the Run, will guide participants for an hour walk and will share run/walk tips. First session is this Saturday, March 28 at 10 a.m. on the southeast corner of Foothill and Myrtle. If you are interested, email Julie Roybal at jroybal@orionrisk.com.

~ A stress reduction group for women over 50 is forming in April, with sessions to be held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church. The fee-based group will be facilitated by Dr. Jean Williams, a therapist with over 30 years' experience in treating those suffering from stress-related problems and mood disorders. Dr. Williams says the program can be especially meaningful for women who have experienced a significant loss or been a caretaker of a loved one with a chronic illness. For more information, contact Dr. Williams at wjeanw90@gmail.com

~ Monrovia's First Presbyterian Church will say good bye to Dr. Peter Green and thank him for 20 years of music ministry at the church this Sunday, March 29, following the worship service.

Did Monrovia Have the First 100 Plus Temperature for the Year in the Nation?

The Weather Channel Tweets: Unofficial high of 100ºF reported in Monrovia, CA today; if verified, would be 1st 100º high in the USA in 2015.

Comment: Hmmm. Warm but I don't think that warm.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Failed Escape to Mexico; Smoke 'of an Unknown Origin'; Man and Woman Fight

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for March 23-25. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 447 service events, During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 447 service events, resulting in 75 investigations.

Outstanding Warrant – Suspect Arrested
March 23 at 11:41 a.m., a male subject was trying to board a flight to Mexico. He was stopped by I.C.E. and a computer check was made on the subject. He was found to have an outstanding warrant for his arrest out of Monrovia. An officer responded and brought the subject back to the Monrovia Police Department, where he was booked on the warrant.

Vehicle Tampering
March 24 at 1:20 a.m., a female resident in the 400 block of Stedman called to report a male suspect wearing dark clothing and a hooded sweatshirt inside their vehicle in front of their house. The woman’s husband ran outside to confront the suspect, but the suspect ran to a waiting vehicle, possibly a 4-door Honda Civic or Accord, and fled the area. The investigation is continuing.

Stolen Vehicle
March 24 at 7:24 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 400 block of South Sunset. The vehicle is a 1991, black, Toyota, pickup truck. The vehicle was stolen sometime during the night. The investigation is continuing.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision
March 24 at 6:57 p.m., an officer responded to a business parking lot in the 300 block of West Huntington regarding a hit and run collision that just occurred. The suspect vehicle was described as a white, 1993, Honda Accord. An area check was conducted for the vehicle, but it was not located. There were no injuries and the investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary
March 24 at 7:23 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 400 block of Oakcliff on the report of a burglary that just occurred. The suspect was seen leaving the location and getting into a waiting vehicle. The suspect was described as a heavyset, male Hispanic in his 20s. Both suspects had heavy beards. The vehicle was described as a gray, 4- door Nissan. A small amount of cash was taken from a purse inside the location. The investigation is continuing.

Identity Theft / Fraud – Five Suspects Arrested
March 25 at 11:48 a.m., police responded to a hotel in the 900 block of West Huntington regarding suspects using a fraudulent credit card to rent a room. When the officers arrived at the suspect’s room, they found stolen mail and other evidence to indicate the suspects were committing identity fraud. Five suspects were arrested. During the initial entry to the room, the officers were exposed to smoke of an unknown origin. They began to feel lightheaded and experienced heart palpitations. They were taken to the hospital to be checked out.

Domestic Violence – Suspects Arrested
March 25 at 10:29 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 500 block of South Mountain regarding a male and female subject in a verbal argument. When the officer arrived, he saw the male and female involved in a physical fight and requested assistance. The subjects were separated and paramedics were called out for visible injuries. Through investigation, the officers learned the subjects are in a dating relationship with each other and are living out of their van. The male subject had injuries to his face, was bit on the hand, and was sprayed with pepper spray by the female. The female also had visible injuries. Both subjects were taken to the hospital for treatment. After getting checked out by a doctor, both subjects were arrested for domestic violence.

Drone Made by Monrovia Company to be Manufactured in India

The Raven drone, made for the military by Monrovia-based AeroVironment, is set to be made in India, according to Bloomberg Business. http://goo.gl/jiVWWV

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Trying to Get After-School Program at Plymouth; Parade for High School Winners; Firefighters Save Life; Canyon Park Program is 'Best'

In his weekly report, City Manager Oliver Chi reports ...

- That Monrovia offers an after school sports program at every elementary school in town except Plymouth. "Last year, we approached the principal at Plymouth Elementary school and asked if she would like us to implement the program on her campus. Staff was told by the principal at that time that she would survey her parents and let us know. We ultimately were unable to get authorization from Plymouth Elementary to offer our after school sports program on their campus." Chi said the city has asked again. He said, "We will continue to pursue the matter..."

- A parade is scheduled for this Thursday, March 26, at 5 p.m. to honor the Monrovia Boys Soccer Team, Girls Individual Wrestling CIF Southern Section Championship, and a member of Monrovia High School's Girls Wrestling Team, who won her CIF division wrestling title. The parade will start on Myrtle at Colorado and will run north to Library Park and should conclude no later than 5:45 p.m.

~ On March 11, 2015, at approximately 11:24 a.m., the Fire Department responded to 715 E. Huntington Dr. (24 Hour Fitness) regarding a fall involving a 70 year old man. "As our team approached the patient, we noticed that CPR was being performed by off-duty Probationary Firefighter Kyle Eden and Fire Cadet Guiseppe Brandonisio." The man went into full cardiac arrest but responded to the responders efforts, and was taken to Arcadia Methodist.

- The Canyon Park Volunteer Program has been selected as a "Best of the Best" by the California Parks and Recreation Society (CPRS) District XIII and will be honored on March 26 in Diamond Bar.