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A Bit of Rain for Monrovia Later This Week?

60% chance of showers in Monrovia this Thursday, 80% Friday. https://goo.gl/0qMTb8

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Bike Thefts; Shoplifting; Drunk Driving; Stolen Gun; Home Burglary

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for March 31 - April 3. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Prowling/Receiving Stolen Property – Suspect Arrested
March 31 at 12:14 p.m., an officer observed a suspicious subject riding a bike in the 800 block of West Foothill. The officer saw the subject looking down driveways and into the windows of a business. He was also seen removing identifying stickers from the bike he was riding. Upon contact, the suspect said the bike belonged to his friend and he was returning it, but he could not tell police where his friend lived. The suspect was arrested for prowling and receiving stolen property.

Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sales/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia/Receiving Stolen Property – Suspect Arrested
March 31 at 1:03 p.m., an officer stopped a vehicle for a vehicle code violation. During a consent search of the passenger, a large amount of methamphetamine was found on his person. A consent search of the vehicle revealed a backpack which contained a scale, packaging material and stolen property. The passenger said the backpack belonged to him. The passenger was arrested and taken into custody for the above listed charges and the female driver was identified and released.

Theft of Bicycles
March 31 at 11:05 p.m., a resident in the 200 block of W. Palm Avenue called police to report a theft. The resident had returned home to find two bicycles had been stolen from the backyard of the home. The investigation is continuing.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
March 31 at 11:50 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Mayflower and Huntington regarding a family disturbance. They contacted the subjects, and during a computer check, they found the female subject had an outstanding warrant for her arrest. She was arrested, taken into custody and held pending her court appearance.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
April 1 at 6:23 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington regarding a suspect who reportedly walked out without paying for merchandise. The suspect was located nearby and detained for investigation. Several items of store merchandise were located on the subject. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence/Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested
April 1 at 6:52 p.m., officers responded to a non-injury traffic collision in the 600 block of Huntington Drive. When they arrived they spoke to both parties. It was determined that one of the drivers had been drinking, and after a DUI investigation was conducted, the driver was arrested for DUI. The driver was held for a period of sobering.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
April 1 at 10:55 p.m., a suspicious person was reported near a business in the 700 block of W. Huntington. Officers arrived and located the male subject who, upon identification, was found to have an outstanding warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody for the warrant.

Possession of Stolen Gun – Suspect Arrested
April 2 at 1:24 a.m., officers responded to the report of a disturbance in the 1100 block of Royal Oaks. When police arrived, they saw two subjects walking away from the area, one was carrying a backpack. The subject tossed the backpack when he saw the officers. The officers detained the subjects and searched the tossed backpack. Inside the backpack, they located a stolen handgun, a loaded magazine outside of the handgun, and the identification and other property of the subject who tossed the backpack. The subject was arrested for possession of a stolen gun and taken into custody.

Injury Traffic Collision
April 2 at 6:40 p.m., officers were dispatched to an injury traffic collision at the intersection of Mayflower and Duarte. A driver ran the red light at Duarte and Mayflower and he struck a vehicle headed south on Mayflower. The three elderly occupants in the vehicle were injured and were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
April 3 at 3:16 a.m., officers observed a vehicle driving erratically and with mechanical defects. The vehicle stopped in the 100 block of W. Huntington and officers contacted the driver. The officers determined the driver had been drinking, and after they completed their investigation, the subject was arrested for driving under the influence.

Vehicle Burglary
April 3 at 10:06 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported at an apartment complex in the 600 block of Linwood. The victim parked his vehicle in the rear carport the day before at 2:00 p.m. When he returned to his vehicle the next morning at 9:50 a.m., he found his rear passenger window smashed out and his wallet missing. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary
April 3 at 9:39 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 400 block of Bella Vista Drive. The home was broken into sometime between 5:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., while the resident was out. Several windows and a rear door were left unlocked. The home was ransacked. The victim is unsure of the loss and will contact police once it has been determined.

Monrovia's AeroVironment Names New CEO

Monrovia-based AeroVironment has named Wahid Nawabi as its Chief Executive Officer, effective May 2. Current CEO, Tim Conver, is retiring but will continue to serve as chairman of the board of directors. http://goo.gl/dnCkNy

- Brad Haugaard

An Open Letter and Plea to the Monrovia Community

Fellow Monrovians,

If you believe as I do that the Hillside Wilderness area - which Monrovia purchased 16 years ago and which you are still paying off through your taxes - should finally be fully opened to all of us as originally promised, I'd urge you to come to the Monrovia City Council tomorrow night and say so. I'll be there.

The Council will be considering a measure (details: http://goo.gl/HW15y0 ) that would facilitate the opening of the Cloverleaf entry point to the Wilderness Preserve, and while I strongly support the measure I do not believe it is a slam dunk.

I say this because Mr. Thomas Seuss, a resident who has led opposition to opening the trailhead for many years, has emailed people (I was forwarded a copy of the email) to object to the measure on Tuesday's agenda, so I do not believe it will simply pass routinely and I think it would be very helpful for the City Council to hear that there are people who favor the measure.

The meeting is Tuesday, tomorrow, at 7:30 p.m. in City Hall (415 South Ivy Ave., at the northwest corner of Lemon and Ivy, a block east of Myrtle). There are little speaker cards available when you enter. Fill one out for item AR-1 (see full agenda here:  http://goo.gl/wqksZB ) and give it to the city clerk at the front of the council chambers. She'll call on you when the item comes up. Then say what you have to say, but, you know, be polite.

It is best to come in person, but if you really can't make it, you can contact the mayor and city council members using the email addresses on this web page: http://www.cityofmonrovia.org/citycouncil/page/meet-city-council

Background:

Why the Cloverleaf entry point is so important: http://goo.gl/bs2s5J

A bit of history (Note that this is from 2014): http://goo.gl/WeJSe1

Gratefully,

Brad Haugaard

Homelessness in Monrovia Parks

More on Monrovia's plan to address homelessness in its parks. http://goo.gl/e2QNLb

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council To Consider Opening Cloverleaf Access Point to Wilderness Area; Friday Night Fair Operator


At its next meeting ( http://goo.gl/wqksZB ) the Monrovia City Council will consider purchasing easements from two property owners (for $175,000 each) to open the Cloverleaf access point to the Hillside Wilderness Area. The city will also spend between $50,000-$100,000 to install gates and locking mailboxes for the residents, to put in a water fountain and perform trail upgrades. Money to pay for the easements and improvements would come from the current Hillside Wilderness Preserve fund, from savings the city is seeing from refinancing the bonds for the wilderness area at a lower interest rate, and from $165,000 that accrues annually until 2031 as the city pays down the bonds. http://goo.gl/HW15y0

~ At a 5 p.m. study session, the council will discuss the Friday Night Street Fair Operator Assessment Process. http://goo.gl/E6vF5H

Comment: I have been nagging about the Cloverleaf access point for years, and I am happy to see this measure finally on the agenda. Assuming it is adopted by the City Council, it means the Cloverleaf entry point to the Wilderness Area will finally be open to hikers and bicyclists, as was promised years ago. This, in turn, means that for practical purposes the amount of trail area more than doubles.

What do I mean by, "for practical purposes?" Well, imagine a loop trail with the far side of the loop high up the side of a mountain. You hike way up the mountain, then way down the other side of the loop, which circles around towards where you started. BUT! Just as you are about to get back to where you started, you encounter a locked gate and you have to turn around and climb all the way back up the mountain and then all the way back down the way you came.

So, most non-super-athletes will hike to the top of the loop then turn around and come back down the same way they went up, meaning that one half (or more) of the loop is "for practical purposes" not really available to any but super athletes. This is precisely the problem that opening the Cloverleaf gate solves.

Thank you, Oliver Chi and city staff for the work you have done to finally bring this before the City Council. And please, City Council. Please approve it.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Over San Marino in Baseball

Undefeated San Marino defeated by Monrovia. http://goo.gl/IuqxIv

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Jim's Burgers


Dinner the other night at Jim's Burgers on Duarte Road in the shopping center at Fifth. Got an Avocado Cheeseburger for $5.25 and a medium iced tea for $1.10. Good price, quick service, fresh, and a generous amount of avocado. 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Over La Canada in Baseball

Monrovia High defeats La Canada High 8-4 in baseball. http://goo.gl/iOECwe

- Brad Haugaard

Uh, No - Trader Joe's Is Not Closing

If you've heard that Monrovia-based Trader Joe's is closing its stores, not to worry - it's an April Fools Day joke: http://goo.gl/TrbYXM

Speaking of April Fools jokes, here's a good Monrovia one: http://goo.gl/KfM84Z

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Track and Golf

South Pas beats Monrovia in track ( http://goo.gl/bBNv4o ), but Monrovia beats them at golf ( http://goo.gl/z39c7I ).

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia vs. San Marino

Monrovia vs. undefeated San Marino in baseball. http://goo.gl/tpwA75

- Brad Haugaard

Citrus 12th in Degrees to Hispanic Students

Citrus College, which serves Monrovia, has been ranked 12th out of more than 1,100 community colleges in the United States in awarding associate degrees to Hispanic students according to "The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education," a biweekly publication that reaches more than 50,000 readers. This is the ninth consecutive year the college has been included on the magazine's Top 50 list, and its highest ranking to date. Last year, the college was ranked number 22. Source: Citrus press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Four Catalytic Converters Stolen; Stolen Credit Card Used Fast; Drug Bust; Shoplifting Arrest

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for March 28-30. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 446 service events, resulting in 94 investigations.

Theft From a Vehicle
March 28 at 8:51 p.m., a theft from a vehicle was reported in the 100 block of Sutter Creek. The victim had locked the doors of her vehicle and went inside the residence of a friend she was visiting. While she was inside the residence, her son entered the vehicle to get his backpack and failed to lock the doors when he exited. When they returned to the vehicle to leave, she noticed her purse was missing. She then drove home. Before the officer arrived at her house, she had found out that someone had already used one of her credit cards at a gas station at Huntington and Monterey. The investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
March 29 at 1:58 a.m., an officer stopped a vehicle at Foothill and Canyon for a vehicle code violation. The driver displayed signs and symptoms of alcohol use. The investigation revealed the driver was too impaired to drive a motor vehicle safely. He was arrested and held for a sobering period.

Stolen Vehicle
March 29 at 6:34 a.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 400 block of North Canyon regarding a stolen vehicle report. The vehicle taken is a silver, 2004 Cadillac Escalade. The vehicle was taken sometime between 11:00 p.m. on March 28 and 6:30 a.m. on March 29. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
March 29 at 8:29 a.m., an officer on patrol in the area of Magnolia and Colorado was flagged down by a resident. The resident told the officer that someone had stolen the catalytic converter from her vehicle during the night. The vehicle is a 2009 Honda Element. The vehicle was parked on the southwest corner of Colorado and Magnolia at the time of the theft. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
March 29 at 12:09 p.m., an officer responded to a theft of a catalytic converter from a residence in the 100 block of N. Highland. The vehicle, a 2005 Honda Element, was parked on the street. The investigation is continuing.

Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
March 29 at 3:59 p.m., a possible drug sale taking place at a park in the 300 block of S. Myrtle was reported to police. An officer arrived and detained a subject matching the description. Further investigation revealed the subject was in possession of methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He was arrested without incident.

Grand Theft
March 29 at 8:28 p.m., a grand theft from a vehicle was reported in the 700 block of W. Hillcrest. The victim parked his vehicle in front of his residence in the evening. When he returned to his vehicle the next morning and started it, the vehicle made a loud noise. A mechanic checked the vehicle and found that someone stole the catalytic converter from the vehicle. A grand theft report was completed and the investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
March 29 at 9:16 p.m., a grand theft from a vehicle was reported in the 300 block of W. Lime. The victim parked and secured her vehicle on the street in front of her house. When she returned to her vehicle the next morning, she started the engine and realized something was wrong based on the sound of the vehicle. A mechanic told her someone had stolen her catalytic converter from her vehicle. A grand theft report was completed and the investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting – Suspects Arrested
March 30 at 7:38 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington regarding three subjects concealing merchandise on their person. Loss prevention personnel reported they were preparing to exit the store. Officers arrived and detained three suspects that exited the store without paying for the merchandise they had concealed. All three suspects were arrested for shoplifting.

Historical Museum Curator Leaves | Belly Dancers

~ Monrovia Historical Museum curator, Mark Sill, has left the museum, he and his wife Peggy having moved to Beaumont, California. The museum's "Museum Musings" says that, "His work over the last seven years has left our museum the center of many cultural events in Monrovia, as well [as] being known all over the San Gabriel Valley for its collection of artifacts and exhibits."

~ The former Bull Taco, on Lemon just east of Myrtle, will become The Diplomat, and hopes to have belly dancers. http://goo.gl/EYOqHp

- Brad Haugaard

Cinderella Movie at Monrovia Library

Free screening of Disney film, Cinderella, Saturday, April 9, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Monrovia Public Library. For tickets call 205-4308 or email movie@monroviaproviders.org. Light refreshments and information on aging. Presented by Monrovia Providers Group.

Addressing Homelessness in Monrovia; Expand Metro Parking; Concerts; Hotel; Shuttle; New Fire Engines; History Test; Beer Fest

In his weekly report ( http://goo.gl/0DC9yE ), City Manager Oliver Chi reported that ...

~ To address homelessness in city parks, Monrovia plans to install video surveillance cameras, develop police and park ranger patrols of parks, and streamline the city process of connecting the homeless with services. The City Council will discuss this at its April 5 meeting.

~ The city is talking with Metro about expanding the 350-slot parking garage at Station Square, which gets up to 70% full during peak hours.

~ The city has been talking with Levitt Pavilion of Greater Los Angeles & Pasadena about putting on a concert series at the new band shell in Station Square.

~ The city got five proposals in response to its request for proposals to build a hotel at the southwest corner of Myrtle Avenue and Huntington. Proposals were from Tharaldson Hospitality Development; Singpoli Group; Arbor Capital Group, Inc.; CFT NV Developments, LLC; CIBA Real Estate on behalf of Corinthian Development Company.

~ The experimental 5-10 p.m. weekend shuttle between the train station and Library Park carries 60-70 people a week, most on Friday evenings. The city will keep running the shuttle for a few more months to see how it works.

~ The city got two new fire engines manufactured by Kovatch Mobile Equipment. They're at Station 102. Also got a command truck. They're red.

~ Test your historical knowledge of Monrovia April 3 at the Monrovia Historical Museum (742 East Lemon Ave.) on Sunday, April 3, from 2-4 p.m. City Historian, Steve Baker will field questions. See if you can "Stump Steve." Also, hear about becoming a member of the Monrovia Historical Museum.

~ Monrovia Station Beer & Music Fest on Saturday, April 16 from 2-6 p.m. at Station Square Park. Over 30 beers from award winning breweries! Live music from Go Betty Go & the Delgado Brothers and food from local vendors. General Admission $45. Proceeds benefit the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce & Boys & Girls Club of the Foothills. Details and tickets: https://goo.gl/fjvze4

Story of Mt. Sierra's Move Across Monrovia

The story behind Mt. Sierra College's move across Monrovia. http://goo.gl/iSkzMn

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Library Offers Forgiveness

The Monrovia Public Library is celebrating National Library Week by forgiving any late fines you have on books, magazines, DVDs, music CDs and audio books.

- Brad Haugaard

State Bill Would Promote Water-Efficient Landscaping

The Water Efficient Landscaping Bill, AB 2525, by Monrovia's Assemblyman Chris Holden, has passed the Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee on a 9-3 vote. It would create the California Water Efficient Landscaping Program to encourage Californians to make their landscaping more water efficient. If the legislature allocates money for the program, there will be a residential turf rebate program, jobs program, and public education.

- Brad Haugaard