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AeroVironment Building 'Air Squadron' Drones

Monrovia's AeroVironment is building drones that can be launched from armored ground vehicles and sorta hang out in the air until they spot a target, then attack. link

- Brad Haugaard

Fellowship Monrovia Adding Fellowship Pasadena

The rapidly-growing church, Fellowship Monrovia, which meets at Monrovia High School, plans to expand into Pasadena. The pastors for the Pasadena campus of the church - which will meet at John Muir High School in northwest Pasadena - will be Michael and Faith Field. link

- Brad Haugaard

SpaceX Rocket Launch Over Monrovia


A SpaceX Falcon 9 taking off from Vandenberg Air Force Base was visible in the western night sky from Monrovia about 7:30 p.m. today. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Freeway On-Ramp Sign Misspelled

CBS News notes that the eastbound 210 Freeway on-ramp at Huntington Drive has a sign that points to "San Bernadino." Of course I don't need to tell you that it is actually "San Bernardino." link

- Brad Haugaard

October Events at Monrovia Library

Here's what's happening at the Monrovia Public Library this month: link

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Over South Pas 41-0

Monrovia Wildcats football walks over South Pasadena 41-0. link

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School Board to Recognize Students, Employees of the Month

At its next meeting (https://goo.gl/fCKJkF) the Monrovia Board of Education will ...

~ Congratulate Monrovia High student David Bughman on being recognized as a "Commended Student" by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

~ Congratulate Monrovia High student Alexandra Fraire on being recognized as a "National Hispanic Scholar" by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

~  Congratulate these employees of the month for October:
- Amy Martinez, School Office Manager - Canyon Early Learning Center
- Angeline Arias, Special Education Teacher - Canyon Early Learning Center
- Tom Rosenstein, Teacher - Canyon Oaks High School
- Claude Mallory, Head Custodian - Monrovia Community Adult School
- Samar Abi Saad, Adult Ed Teacher - Monrovia Community Adult School

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Chipotle


Lunch at Chipotle, on Huntington in the Huntington Oaks shopping center. Got a Carnitas Bowl for $7.50 plus $2.10 for guacamole and an iced tea for $2.05. I pushed the lettuce aside a bit so you could see the good stuff but it’s still hard to see. Very fresh, tasty and filling. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police: Suspicious Customer - Wearing Ski Mask; Alcohol Problems; Ex-Boyfriend vs Boyfriend; Woman vs Power Pole; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Highlighted Activity for September 27 – October 3. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 408 service events, resulting in 100 investigations.

Possession of Methamphetamine – Suspect Arrested
September 27 at 4:54 a.m., a caller reported a suspicious male subject sitting in a parked car in the 600 block of W. Foothill. Officers responded and located the subject. They found him to be in possession of methamphetamine and a syringe loaded with narcotics. The suspect was arrested.

Commercial Burglary
September 27 at 6:17 a.m., a caller reported finding a stack of receipts on the sidewalk in the 100 block of S. Myrtle that belonged to a business on that block. Officers responded to the business and found the front door unlocked with an employee sleeping inside. An investigation revealed a suspect had entered the store while the employee was asleep and stole $50 from the cash register, along with the receipts. This investigation is continuing.

Possession of Burglary Tools / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
September 27 at 6:29 a.m., an employee of a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain reported a suspicious male subject inside their store, wearing a ski mask. Officers responded and contacted the subject. He was found to be in possession of burglary tools, and a computer check revealed he had a warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Commercial Burglary / Grand Theft Automobile
September 27 at 7:32 a.m., an employee at a business in the 100 block of Melrose arrived at work and discovered the front window of the building had been shattered. An investigation revealed that tools, paychecks, computers and the company van were all stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
September 27 at 8:21 a.m., a caller reported a male subject urinating and defecating on the sidewalk in the 100 block of W. Lemon. Officers responded and contacted the subject. A computer check revealed he had a warrant for his arrest. The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
September 28 at 12:05 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 2600 block of S. Myrtle when he saw a motorist commit a traffic violation. The vehicle was stopped and the driver was determined to be intoxicated. After field sobriety tests were conducted, the driver was arrested for DUI.

Petty Theft
September 28 at 8:21 a.m., an employee of a business in the 100 block of S. Myrtle reported that a customer stole her cellphone while she was distracted helping other customers. Officers responded and searched for the suspect, but could not locate him. The investigation is continuing.

Fraud
September 28 at 6:23 p.m., a caller in the 100 block of W. Lime reported he had sent $2,300 to a person he met on a website in order to secure a rental property. After sending the money, he discovered the advertisement was fraudulent. This investigation is continuing.

Petty Theft
September 28 at 10:19 p.m., a caller reported a petty theft in the 100 block of W. Walnut. She had returned to her vehicle from the Street Fair and discovered someone had rummaged through her unlocked vehicle. The suspect stole her purse from the front seat. The investigation is continuing.

Fighting in Public / Open Alcohol Container in Public – Suspect Cited
September 29 at 12:26 a.m., while patrolling a bar in the 400 block of S. Myrtle, officers witnessed two male subjects fist fighting in the back alley. The officers were able to stop the fight and both subject refused to prosecute one another. One of their friends had an open alcoholic drink outside the bar in the alley, so he was issued a citation.

Driving Under the Influence / Public Intoxication – Suspects Arrested
September 29 at 2:16 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 900 block of W. Duarte when he saw a motorist traveling without headlights on at night. The vehicle was stopped and the driver was found to be intoxicated. After field sobriety tests were conducted, the driver was arrested for DUI. There was a passenger in the vehicle who was too intoxicated to care for their own safety, so this person was arrested and taken into custody as well.

Vehicle Burglary
September 29 at 10:11 a.m., the owner of a business in the 2600 block of S. California arrived at work and found the business utility truck had been burglarized. The suspect forced entry into the vehicle and took several tools sometime during the night. This investigation is continuing.

Vandalism Gang Graffiti / Warrant – Suspects Arrested
September 29 at 7:07 p.m., a caller reported witnessing a male subject writing gang graffiti with a marker at the train station in the 1700 block of S. Myrtle. The caller watched the subject write on several different objects from Myrtle to California. An officer responded and the subject was stopped and arrested. He was with a female subject who was found to have a warrant for her arrest. She was arrested and taken into custody as well.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
September 30 at 2:23 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 3300 block of S. Peck when he saw a motorist commit a driving violation. He stopped the vehicle and found the driver to be intoxicated. Field sobriety tests were conducted and the driver was arrested for DUI. There were three passengers in the vehicle who were all too intoxicated to care for their own safety if left alone. They were taken into custody as well.

Wanted Person – Suspect Arrested
September 30 at 4:48 p.m., the owner of a business in the 100 block of E. Foothill reported a suspicious vehicle parked in the parking lot. The vehicle was occupied by a female subject. Officers arrived and contacted the subject, who they recognized as being wanted by the Monrovia Police for residential burglary. She was taken into custody.

Domestic Violence / Vandalism
October 1 at 1:02 a.m., a female resident in the 500 block of Almond reported an incident of domestic violence and vandalism. She was at home with her boyfriend when her ex-boyfriend showed up and hit her, then chased her new boyfriend down the street. The ex-boyfriend returned and broke the front window of the victim’s house, then left the area. Officers searched the area for the suspect, but did not locate him. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Automobile
October 1 at 2:23 a.m., the owner of a business in the 2600 block of S. Myrtle reported two subjects just stole his vehicle from the business parking lot. He heard the engine to his vehicle start and saw the suspects driving away in his car. Officers arrived and searched for the stolen vehicle, but were unable to locate it. The investigation is continuing.

Domestic Violence
October 1 at 2:58 a.m., a resident at a hotel in the 900 block of W. Huntington reported her boyfriend just left the hotel after hitting her several times. Officers arrived and searched for the male subject, but were unable to locate him. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital for minor injuries. This investigation is continuing.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
October 1 at 10:48 p.m., an officer was patrolling the 400 block of W. Duarte and saw a subject he recognized from previous contacts sitting on the ground in front of a liquor store. A computer check revealed the subject had several warrants for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Petty Theft
October 2 at 8:06 p.m., an employee of a business in the 200 block of E. Foothill reported someone had stolen his house and car keys. He had placed them in an unlocked private office at the beginning of his shift earlier in the day, and at the end of his shift they were gone. Several people had access to the office. This investigation is continuing.

Public Intoxication
October 3 at 7:43 p.m., officers responded to a welfare check of an adult male on the ground in the area of Foothill and Primrose. Officers arrived and found the subject was intoxicated and unable to care for his own safety. The subject was arrested for a being drunk in public and held for a sobering period.

Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
October 3 at 9:19 p.m., an officer stopped a vehicle for traffic violations at Shamrock and Cypress. A search of the vehicle revealed the male adult driver was in possession of methamphetamine. He was arrested and his vehicle was stored.

Driving Under the Influence / Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested
October 3 at 11:57 p.m., a female subject collided with a power pole and brought down several power lines, blocking all lanes of Huntington Drive. The female was taken to a hospital, where she refused any chemical tests. Southern California Edison responded to repair the power.

Monrovia School Board Candidate Forum

A School Board Candidates’ Forum will be held Oct. 9, at 7 p.m., at the Monrovia Unified School District board room. The address is 325 E. Huntington Dr.  The event is hosted by the Monrovia Teachers Association and will be moderated by the Pasadena League of Women Voters. Anyone attending will have an opportunity to hear the candidates’ views and pose questions.

Source: City of Monrovia press release

- Brad Haugaard

Apparent Drunk Crash Shuts Down Huntington Drive

About midnight last night a woman, apparently drunk, ran into a tree that took out a power pole in the 900 block of East Huntington Drive and temporarily shut down part of Huntington Drive. link

- Brad Haugaard

15th Men's Evensong Invitational Oct. 21

St. Luke the Physician Episcopal Church will hold its 15th annual Men's Evensong Invitational on Sunday, Oct. 21, at 4 p.m. The church is located at 122  S. California Ave. at Foothill Boulevard in Monrovia. The performance will spotlight men of the choir, along with guest singers. Music will include Craig Courtney's Ukrainian Alleluia and the Phos Hilaron and St. Luke's Preces and Responses, both written for this group by the church's Music Director, Kent Bennett Jones. Cantor will be the Rev. Neil Tadken, Rector of St. Luke's. An offering will be taken, and a wine and cheese reception will follow the program.

- Brad Haugaard

A Review of Monrovia's Campout Program

The City Council will hold a workshop this Friday (Oct. 5) at 5 p.m. at City Hall to "Review and experience elements of the Canyon Park Family Campout program offered by the City of Monrovia’s Recreation Department." Details

- Brad Haugaard

Staples Confirms it is Closing





This is from a letter from Staples to its customers. Thanks to Todd and Maureen Sams for the tip.

- Brad Haugaard

Giant Mosquito Invades Monrovia City Council Meeting

This large mosquito - with city council voting rights - showed up at Tuesday's Monrovia City Council meeting. The mosquito was councilwoman Becky Shevlin, who dressed in the outfit to draw attention to the latest threat to the area - the Aedes mosquito, which can spread the Zika virus, dengue fever, yellow fever and chikungunya. More on the pest here: https://goo.gl/onH8PO

- Brad Haugaard

U.S. Air Force Buying Drones from Monrovia's AeroVironment

The U.S. Air Force has awarded a contract to AeroVironment to buy its Raven RQ-11B drones for $13 million. link

- Brad Haugaard

Cell Towers Going Away - City Hopes to Get Money While They're Still Needed; Fall Festival; Etc.


In his latest report (https://goo.gl/aOqX7O) City Manager Oliver Chi reports:

~  On Saturday, Oct. 13, from noon to 6 p.m., the city is hosting the Old Town Fall Festival, featuring face painting, fall crafts, hay rides, and a community dog costume parade. Questions? Call the Monrovia Community Center at 256-8246.

~ With 5G wireless technology looming, and less need for big cell towers and more need for smaller installations, Monrovia is negotiating with AT&T and T-Mobile to see if they'll buy out their contracts to use the tower at the Police Department (though they can cancel the lease for any reason with no penalties). That would let the companies use the tower at less cost while they still need it yet would give the city two lump sums of $200,000 to 250,000. Also, the city is working to streamline its process for permitting future 5G wireless small cell devices.

~ The Monrovia Historic Museum has had a problem with moisture and flooding in its basement, so the city is going to do some repairs to prevent the problem beginning Oct. 8.

~  Monrovia Fire Department will hold Fire Prevention Week activities from Oct. 8-13. On Saturday, Oct. 13, the Department will open Station 101 (141  E. Lemon Ave.) between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. There will be a Junior Firefighter Challenge, designed for kids to simulate firefighter drills, and firefighters will perform an auto extrication demonstration. Also, firefighters will visit all Monrovia Unified School District fourth grade classrooms.

~ There will be a Lyft Tutorial for Older Adults at the Monrovia Public Library Community Room today, Oct. 3, at 4 p.m. A light dinner included. Questions? Call Angela Cho at 932-5528.

~  Support Children's Hospital of LA through Monrovia Guild of Children's Hospital's annual fundraising luncheon. Tickets here: https://goo.gl/Raq9nn


~  In support of the Pink Patch Project the city had one of its police vehicles wrapped in pink. The point is to publicize life-saving benefits of early detection and intervention in the fight against breast cancer. Also, funds raised from the sale of Pink Patch Project items go for research, treatment and education to find a cure for breast cancer.

~  See all the "Footnotes" sidewalk poetry here (https://goo.gl/jEMR6n) The latest poem is by Gayle Montgomery, and has been installed on Lemon Avenue between the Fire Department and City Hall.

- Brad Haugaard

Staples Store on Mountain May Close

Monrovia’s Director of Community Development, Craig Jimenez, says he has also heard a report (sent to me by a reader also named Craig) that the Staples store on Mountain is closing soon, however he reminds me that the store is actually in Duarte, so the City of Monrovia is not involved. 

My correspondent says an employee told him the store could close as soon as this November. He also told me he had heard it may be replaced by a Harbor Freight. No confirmation on that. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Milton Wants an Athletic New Friend

Milton (A466445) has such a contagious smile! This 5-year-old sweetheart was found as a stray in Pasadena about 2 weeks ago. He is now here at the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA looking for a new owner. He’s an energetic boy who loves his visits to the social yard where he can play and run around. Are you looking for a new running partner? Hiking buddy? We think Milton would love an athletic new friend. Come visit him today.

The adoption fee for dogs is $130. All dogs are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated before going to their new home.

New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA Animal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet.

View photos of adoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org. Adoption hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.

- Brad Haugaard

Historic Tour of Old Monrovia This Saturday

This Saturday, Oct. 6, take a walking tour of downtown Monrovia. Cost is $5 per person and is sponsored by the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group. Walk from Palm Avenue to Olive Avenue and back. The tour takes about 2 hours. Meet at the SE corner of Palm and Myrtle Avenues at 10 a.m. link

- Brad Haugaard