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Donate Shoes for Monrovia Football

Monrovia High School Football is holding an Angel Bins shoe drive fundraiser. Donate new or slightly used shoes. Pair them by tying the laces together or rubber banding them together. The team will be collecting on Saturdays 9/10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the student parking lot, and at the first home game on Friday 9/9.

- Brad Haugaard

Leading Up to Monrovia's Zip Code Day - We Have an Ambigram!

The Monrovia Community Development blog ( http://goo.gl/lhg1D2 ) has some interesting background information on zip codes, leading up to Monrovia's Zip Code Day on 9.10.16 in Library Park (lots of details here: http://goo.gl/EEWpnN ) . Did you know, for instance, that Monrovia's zip code is an ambigram? That means it is the same if you turn it upside down. Cool!

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's AeroVironment to Sell Drones to Australian Military

Monrovia's AeroVironment is going to sell some of its Wasp drones to the Australian military.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Assault With Knife; Stealing Car Seats; Bicyclist With Improper Lighting; Drunks and Drugs

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for September 1-4. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Grand Theft Auto
September 1 at 6:45 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 800 block of Genoa Avenue. The victim reported his 1992 Honda was stolen from in front of his home sometime during the early morning hours. The investigation is continuing.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
September 1 at 12:44 p.m., a suspicious subject was reported under the 210 Freeway at Mayflower. Officers arrived and determined the subject was extremely intoxicated and could not care for himself. The subject was arrested and held for a sobering period.

Grand Theft Auto
September 1 at 10:42 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 500 block of W. Huntington. The vehicle is a green, 1998 Honda Civic. The investigation is continuing.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
September 2 at 5:23 a.m., officers were dispatched on the report of a suspicious vehicle in the area of Linwood and Alta Vista. The officers located and contacted the driver, who worked for a transportation company. The female passenger was intoxicated and did not know where she was or where she was going. She was determined to be too intoxicated to care for her own safety. The subject was arrested and held for a sobering period.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
September 2 at 6:49 a.m., a domestic dispute was reported at a parking lot in the 1500 block of S. Myrtle. Officers arrived and contacted a female subject who was involved in the dispute. The investigation determined that no crime had occurred, but the female subject was discovered to have an outstanding warrant for her arrest. She was taken into custody and held pending her court appearance.

Grand Theft
September 2 at 11:45 a.m., a grand theft was reported in the 900 block of S. Fifth Avenue. The victim parked and locked her vehicle in a hotel parking lot. When she returned to the vehicle, she found the third row seats had been stolen. Forced entry was made through a rear window. The investigation is continuing.

Warrant / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
September 3 at 4:19 a.m., an officer on patrol stopped a bicyclist riding at night without the proper lighting equipment. A computer check revealed the subject had multiple warrants for his arrest. The subject was arrested and taken into custody. During a search of his property, the officer located drug paraphernalia, which was added to his charges.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested
September 3 at 9:39 a.m., an officer on patrol in the 700 block of W. Duarte Road stopped a vehicle for a vehicle code violation. The investigation determined the subject was driving under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested and held for a sobering period.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
September 3 at 4:09 p.m., police responded to the report of a subject lying on the sidewalk near a business in the 300 block of W. Huntington. Officers were dispatched and contacted the subject, who was determined to be too intoxicated to care for himself. The subject was arrested and held for a sobering period.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
September 5 at 9:56 p.m., a resident in the 200 block of E. Cypress called police to report that his neighbor lost control of his vehicle, hitting his fence and colliding into his tree. Officers arrived, contacted the subject and observed symptoms of intoxication. The investigation determined the subject was driving under the influence of alcohol and he was arrested and held for a sobering period.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
September 4 at 9:22 a.m., a vehicle was reported at a gas station at Huntington and Shamrock with a driver that appeared intoxicated. As officers arrived, the vehicle left the gas station and failed to stop for a stop sign. The vehicle was stopped and the driver was determined to be driving under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested and held for a sobering period.

Robbery / Assault with a Deadly Weapon
September 4 at 5:31 p.m., staff from a local hospital called police to report an assault victim that came into the emergency room for treatment. Officers responded to investigate and determined the victim had been assaulted and robbed. The victim sustained lacerations and contusions to the face. The weapon used was the suspect's foot. The suspect is known to the victim and the investigation is continuing.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
September 5 at 9:56 p.m., officers responded to the 700 block of W. Huntington regarding a male subject running in and out of traffic and acting strange. When officers arrived, the subject tried running in and out of traffic to avoid contact. Officers detained the subject and determined he was under the influence of a controlled substance. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Vandalism / Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspects Arrested
September 5 at 1:59 p.m., graffiti vandalism in progress was reported in the 100 block of W. Maple Avenue. When officers arrived in the area, four male juveniles were located that matched the description of the suspects. One of the juveniles admitted to tagging graffiti nearby, one had marijuana on his person, and one had prescription medication, marijuana and a scale on his person. Three of the subjects were arrested and the investigation is continuing.

Island Luau at Monrovia United Methodist Church

5th Annual Luau, Sept. 24, 5:30 p.m. at Monrovia United Methodist Church, 140 E. Palm Ave., in the Fellowship Hall downstairs. $20 per person. Kids 5 and under are free. An evening of Polynesian food and entertainment, authentic island style buffet, live South Seas dance show, silent auction, fundraiser For more information call Pastor Alena Uhamaka at 303-2783.

- Brad Haugaard

City to Consider Spending $95,000 to Film Videos - But Will Be Reimbursed

At the Sept. 6 City Council meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/1ygrjg ) the council will consider a number of contracts related the Renew Monrovia (the city-wide sewer, water and sidewalk repair project), and will consider spending $95,000 to film police training videos. The city would have to pay the money but would then be reimbursed by the state: http://goo.gl/kNNDe6

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Loses to La Salle - Badly :-(

La Salle over Monrovia in football, 37-0. Ouch! http://goo.gl/iOjhAp

- Brad Haugaard

Pet Vaccination at Monrovia's Library Park

The Pasadena Humane Society will hold a low-cost pet vaccination, chipping and licensing event on Sept. 15 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Library Park. Details: http://goo.gl/lcJJfn

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Suspect Captured using GPS Tracker; Stoned; Loot Not Taken

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for August 29-31. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 405 service events, resulting in 68 investigations.

Vehicle Burglary
August 30 at 7:45 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported by a resident in the 1200 block of S. Alta Vista. The victim parked and locked his vehicle in the late afternoon the day prior. When he returned to his vehicle in the morning, he found it had been ransacked. There was no signs of forced entry. A pair of sunglasses and change was stolen. The investigation is continuing.

Felony Battery / Obstructing and Delaying a Peace Officer – Suspects Arrested
August 31 at 12:52 a.m., officers were dispatched to an apartment complex in the 500 block of E. Olive regarding two male subjects fighting. When officers arrived, the suspect had fled and the victim was lying inside one of the apartments with severe cuts to his head and back from glass. The investigation revealed the suspect went to the apartment and started a fight with the victim. During the fight, the suspect pushed the victim through a glass window and fled the scene. The suspect was also cut, as a trail of blood was found. Officers conducted a search, but the suspect was not located. The identity of the suspect was known. He is currently on parole and wears a GPS tracker. On September 1 at 12:49 a.m., State Parole was able to plot the wanted suspect's location to the 300 block of E. Walnut in Monrovia. Monrovia officers and the Foothill Air Support Team helicopter responded to assist in the search. Officers set up containment of the area with assistance from neighboring agencies. The suspect was located hiding in a shed in the rear yard of a residence. The suspect ran from the shed to an apartment complex in the 300 block of S. Canyon, where he entered an apartment through an open sliding glass door. The suspect then jumped out of an upstairs window and attempted to run, but was taken into custody. While the officers were taking the suspect into custody, his girlfriend showed up and became confrontational with the officers. The suspect was arrested for felony battery and his girlfriend was arrested for obstructing and delaying the officers.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
August 31 at 8:58 a.m., a suspicious person was reported in the 400 block of W. Colorado. The subject was not wearing a shirt and was acting strange. Officers responded and located the subject, who was determined to be under the influence of a controlled substance. He was also found to be in possession of methamphetamine and a methamphetamine pipe. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Found Property
August 31 at approximately 5:00 a.m., a resident in the 100 block of W. Cherry saw a suspicious person in the front yard of his apartment complex. The male subject was described as 25-30 years old, wearing black sweats and a grey hooded sweatshirt. The resident confronted the subject, who then left the area on foot. At approximately 9:45 a.m., the resident returned home and found two backpacks, a flat screen television, and a gardening tool by the property line wall that might have been left behind by the subject. There were no thefts of similar items reported to police so the items were stored and are being held as found property.

Gold Line Construction Authority Wins Awards For Rail Line

The Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority has recently been awarded with four distinguished industry awards for the nearly $1 billion, 11.5-mile Foothill Gold Line light rail extension from Pasadena to Azusa. They are: Outstanding Rail Project of the Year (American Society of Civil Engineers, Metropolitan Los Angeles Branch; Sustainability Excellence Distinction Award (Western Council of Construction Consumers); Exceptional Project Achievement Award (Western Council of Construction Consumers); Excellence in Dispute Avoidance & Resolution (Dispute Resolution Board Foundation). Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

Stock in Monrovia-Based AeroVironment Takes a Dive


The stock of Monrovia-based AeroVironment took a big dive today, dropping as much as 19 percent and closing down 16.95 percent ( http://goo.gl/GuFZxs ) after reporting first quarter earnings of $36.2 million compared to $47.1 million for the same quarter a year ago.  http://goo.gl/PUzyrQ

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Population Rises a Smidgeon

As of January 1 Monrovia's population is up an estimated 0.7 percent over last year. That's 277 more people, according to the state Department of Finance, for a total estimated population of 37,531. http://goo.gl/ZCbyjp

- Brad Haugaard

Camel at Monrovia Street Fair; SoCalGas Office Closing; Renew Books With a Text; Etc.

In his weekly report ( http://goo.gl/HGEFHJ ) City Manager Oliver Chi reports ...

~ The official launch of the Friday Night Street Fair is this Friday, Sept. 2. Raw Inspiration has lined up: A camel ride, a virtual fireworks (8 p.m. at the intersection of Walnut and Myrtle), Kids Night on the first Friday of each month; a Children's Stage with event featuring Samson the Hot Tub Bear; a community poll to see which school should get a $2,000 grant to establish a garden on their school campus; a changing booth; expanded farmer's market with flowers, fruits and vegetables, and fresh eggs. Plus a fish monger.

~ SoCalGas will be closing its Monrovia branch office on November 1.

~ You can renew your library books with a text message. Register your cell phone with the Library and you can use it to renew books or check your account status by texting commands such as: Renew all, Renew due, Status, Summary. Once registered text commands to 531-1446. Standard text message rates apply. For details contact the Library at 256-8274.

~ Use your library card to find a job. Go to http://www.monrovia.biblionix.com/catalog/ and click on the "Brainfuse JobNow" link. Expert resume help, live coaching, and more.

~ Water service lines have begun to be replaced throughout southwest and southeast Monrovia.

~ Drop by the Library in September to build using LEGO bricks provided by the Library. Every Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. Call 256-8274 for details.

~ Registration is open for the Monrovia Youth Sports program: flag football and cheerleading for 4th and 5th graders who attend Bradoaks, Mayflower, Monroe, Plymouth, and Wild Rose elementary schools. The program is designed to teach fundamental sports skills, teamwork, sportsmanship, and character development. Fee is $35 per participant. Contact the Monrovia Community Center (119 W. Palm Ave.) or call 256-8246.

- Brad Haugaard

Brad Drover To Be Monrovia Fire Chief

City Manager Oliver Chi has announced that it is, "my intention to name Brad Dover as our permanent Fire Chief. If you recall, Brad was named as the City's Interim Fire Chief a little more than six-months ago on February 12, 2016. Since that time, I have been beyond impressed with how he has approached the job, as he has served as a testament to our organizational mission and our values."   http://goo.gl/HGEFHJ

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Swiping Mom's TV; Dancing to Drugs; Gardner's Truck Stolen; Drunken Fight Between Best Friends; Breaking Door With Car; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for August 25-28. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
August 25 at 1:10 p.m., an officer was dispatched on the report of a female subject passed out on the sidewalk at Canyon and Lemon. As the officers arrived, the female was waking up. The officers determined she was too intoxicated to care for herself. She was arrested and held for a sobering period.

Shoplifting / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
August 25 at 2:05 p.m., loss prevention personnel from a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington called police to report a male subject inside the store, concealing merchandise on his person. Officers responded, observed the subject leaving the store and detained him. The officers located stolen merchandise and drug paraphernalia on his person. The suspect was arrested for the theft and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Grand Theft / Possession of Burglary Tools – Suspect Arrested
August 25 at 6:26 p.m., police received a report of a stolen bicycle that was taken from a business in the 400 block of W. Huntington. Officers responded and located the suspect and bicycle in the 1600 block of S. Primrose. The suspect was taken into custody as he was attempting to hide the bicycle. He was also found to be in possession of burglary tools, which was added to his charges.

Residential Burglary
August 25 at 7:03 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 200 block of W. Lime Avenue. The homeowner suspected her daughter had broken into her home and stolen a television. The homeowner desires prosecution. Officers were able to speak with the daughter by telephone and she admitted to breaking into the location and taking the television. The suspect was not in Monrovia, but said she would come to the station and turn herself in. The investigation is continuing.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
August 26 at 3:20 a.m., police received a call reporting a subject dancing in the street in the area of Alta Vista and Chestnut. The subject was located by officers in the 400 block of W. Huntington. He was determined to be under the influence of drugs and was arrested. He was also found to be in possession of a methamphetamine pipe, which was added to his charges.

Stolen Vehicle Recovered / False Personation / Possession of Altered Access Cards – Suspect Arrested
August 26 at 6:21 a.m., officers located a stolen vehicle in the 100 block of W. Foothill. The vehicle was unoccupied. They watched the vehicle and, after a short period of time, a suspect entered the vehicle and attempted to leave. The vehicle was stopped and the suspect was arrested. He provided a fraudulent California driver's license and name to the officers. His true identity was discovered through fingerprint identification. He was also in possession of numerous altered access cards. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
August 26 at 9:29 a.m., a silver, 2012 Honda Civic was reported stolen from the 800 block of W. Walnut Avenue. The vehicle was parked and locked in the driveway in the evening the night before. When the victim returned to his vehicle the next morning, it was missing. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
August 26 at 6:21 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 300 block of W. Huntington. The victim parked his vehicle, which contained gardening equipment, in front of a business and went inside the location. He returned a few minutes later and found his vehicle had been stolen. The vehicle is a red, 1987 Toyota pickup. The investigation is continuing.

Battery / Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
August 27 at 12:31 a.m., officers responded to a public parking lot in the 300 block of S. Myrtle regarding a fight. Officers arrived and found two intoxicated subjects. One subject sustained a laceration to his head and was taken to a hospital for treatment. He refused to press charges, claiming the subject was his best friend. The best friend was determined to be too intoxicated to care for himself and was arrested for being drunk in public. He was held pending detoxification.

Burglary Alarm / Commercial Burglary
August 27 at 4:21 a.m., officers were dispatched to a burglary alarm in the 100 block of W. Pomona. When officers arrived on scene, the fire department was already there. It appears the suspects used a vehicle to ram the rollup doors to the business, breaking a fire sprinkler, which began spewing out water. The fire department responded to this sprinkler activation. The burglary alarm then activated. The business owner responded to the scene and determined the water had not caused much damage, but several electronic items were stolen by the suspects. The investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
August 27 at 3:52 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 200 block of W. Cypress. The victim’s son called to report that someone had broken into his father's truck. The crime occurred sometime overnight and miscellaneous tools were taken from a locked toolbox on the truck. The investigation is continuing.

Battery – Suspect Arrested
August 28 at 6:59 p.m., a battery incident was reported at a business in the 600 block of W. Huntington. A store employee at the business called to report a subject in the bathroom that was refusing to leave the business. When the subject was confronted by a store employee, he assaulted the employee and fled the location. Officers located the suspect and he was placed under citizen’s arrest for battery. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Humane Society Has New President; Leadership School; Zootopia

~ The Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA, an animal welfare organization which serves Monrovia, has selected a new president and CEO, Julie Bank. Julie has been working in animal welfare for nearly 30 years, performing a variety of leadership roles. She has worked at large animal control organizations in New York, California, Arizona and, most recently, Oklahoma, where she served as Superintendent of Oklahoma City Animal Welfare. Bank was selected by the Board of Directors after a nationwide, months-long search to identify a successor for retiring CEO, Steve McNall. Source: press release

~ Attend the Monrovia Area Partnership Adult Leadership Academy, Thursdays at 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 8-Oct. 20 at the Monrovia Community Center. For ages 18 . Topics are: MAP, Monrovia & You; Connecting in the Community; Local Government; Public Health & Safety; Tools and Resources; Public Speaking & Facilitation Training; Putting Theory into Practice. Details: http://goo.gl/Cce6vc

~ Free screening of Disney's Zootopia, Saturday, Sept. 24, 10 a.m. at the Monrovia Public Library. Call 205-4308 or email movie@monroviaproviders.org for free tickets. Light refreshments, aging resources available.

- Brad Haugaard

Toasty Tuesday in Monrovia

The weather forecast is for 101 degrees tomorrow, Tuesday. Toasty! https://goo.gl/0qMTb8

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Trader Joe's May Proceed With Lawsuit Against 'Pirate Joe's'

A U.S. appeals court has ruled that a trademark lawsuit by Monrovia-based grocery chain Trader Joe's can proceed against a man who purchased the TJ's products and resold them in Canada at a store called "Pirate Joe's." http://goo.gl/m9nQtm

- Brad Haugaard

Two Monrovians On Women's World Cup Soccer Team | Walking Tour of Old Town

~ US Soccer reports that the United States 2016 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Team will include Monrovians Ashley Sanchez and Kate Wiesner. The World Cup will be held in Jordan http://goo.gl/Gzebvl

~ The Monrovia Historic Preservation Group will conduct another walking tour of downtown Monrovia on Saturday, September 3, at 10 a.m. The tour lasts about two hours, and participants will be walking a total of 8 city blocks during that time. Cost is $5 per person, and reservations are not necessary. Meet at the SE corner of Palm and Myrtle Avenues.

Dinner at Mimi's


Dinner the other night at Mimi's, at Huntington and Mayflower. Got the garlic brick chicken for $16.49 and a beer for $5.25.  I guess they put a brick on it to weigh it down while cooking. Very tasty. I liked it.

- Brad Haugaard