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Help Foothill Unity Center Distribute Food

Here's how to help Foothill Unity Center with its Thanksgiving Packing Day and Family Distribution events. Click here for more information.

- Brad Haugaard

Arroyo Over Monrovia by ... a Lot

Arroyo triumphed over Monrovia in football by ... are you sure you want to read this? Okay, don’t say I didn’t warn you ... 79 to 10. Ouch! link

- Brad Haugaard 

New Fake Grass at Monrovia High Field; Updated Sex Ed Rules; Etc.

At its next meeting (agenda: here) the Monrovia Board of Education will consider ...

~ Replacing the field turf at Monrovia High using upgraded materials with an 8-year warranty. Link

~ Adopting modified district rules on sex education. Link and link

~ Adopting a memo of understanding with USC to have its education students - as part of their education, I take it - assist Monrovia teachers. Link

~ Add a course in cultural geography. Link

- Brad Haugaard

Halloween Approaches!


Top: This incredible pirate ship (on Hillcrest just east of Madison) is getting ready for Halloween night. Bottom: This dentist (on Foothill just west of Myrtle) is getting ready for the day after. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Dinner at Rudy’s Mexican Food

Dinner at Rudy’s Mexican Food at the corner of Myrtle and Colorado. Got the two-item combination with beef taco and chicken enchilada for $10.95. Very tasty. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Statements of Candidates for Monrovia School Board

Here are links to statements from each of the four candidates for the Monrovia Board of Education, in the order I received them:

Maritza Travanti
Terrence Williams
J. Christian Holt
Selene Lockerbie

There are two seats being contested, so you can pick two.

- Brad Haugaard

Frank Jansson Library Dedication



- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police: He Kept Her Trapped in a Store Attic; Car Shot at on Freeway; Lime Bike Theft Thwarted; Lots of Car Batteries Stolen; $1,000 of Alcohol Stolen; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for October 11–17. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 472 service events, resulting in 99 investigations.

Vandalism / Trespassing – Suspect Arrested
October 11 at 1:52 a.m., a caller reported hearing glass break in a newly constructed apartment complex in the 200 block of W. Pomona. Officers responded and discovered a window had been shattered on one of the new, unoccupied apartments. Officers entered the unsecure apartment and found a male subject trespassing inside. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Violation of Restraining Order – Suspect Arrested
October 11 at 10:50 a.m., a resident in the 200 block of W. Palm reported hearing a loud banging noise and a female subject yelling in the apartment next to her. Officers responded and located the female subject. Her ex-boyfriend had been hitting his fist on her front door, attempting to speak with her. He was taken into custody after it was discovered he was in violation of a restraining order.

Residential Burglary
October 11 at 1:12 p.m., a resident in the 300 block of W. Cypress returned home from work and discovered her house had been burglarized while she gone. One of the doors had been forced open and the house was ransacked. A small amount of money was taken. This investigation is continuing.

Fraud
October 11 at 6:01 p.m., a resident in the 200 block of Bradoaks received a call from his bank, asking about unusual purchases made on his credit card. There were $3,000 worth of purchases made on his card that he did not make. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
October 11 at 7:07 p.m., a resident in the 300 block of Wildrose walked outside his home to go to work and discovered someone had stolen tools from the back of his work truck sometime during the night. The tools were not locked to the truck. This investigation is continuing.

Petty Theft
October 11 at 7:46 p.m., security for a store in the 1600 block of S. Mountain reported a male subject had just run out of their store pushing a new lawn mower without paying for the merchandise. The subject entered a black truck and drove away. Officers arrived and searched for the suspect, but could not locate him. This investigation is continuing.

Petty Theft / Vehicle Tampering
October 12 at 8:38 a.m., residents from the 200 block of Ivy, 700 block of Wildrose, 100 block of N. Sunset, and the 100 block of N. Myrtle walked outside their homes to go to work and discovered someone had stolen their car batteries sometime during the night. This investigation is continuing.

False Imprisonment / Trespassing / Warrants – Suspect Arrested
October 12 at 1:43 p.m., a caller reported his ex-girlfriend was being detained against her will in the attic of a store in the 900 block of W. Huntington. Officers arrived and located a male and female subject in the attic of the store. They had been living in the store’s attic without permission for several months. When the male subject would leave, he would remove a ladder, trapping the female subject inside. A computer check revealed the male subject had several warrants for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Petty Theft
October 12 at 4:50 p.m., a caller reported someone had taken one of her credit cards from her wallet while shopping inside a store in the 600 block of W. Huntington. She had left her wallet inside her shopping cart and believes the suspect removed one of her cards when she wasn’t looking. The suspect used the card at a store in Arcadia to make a $1,500 purchase. This investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
October 12 at 8:29 p.m., security for a store in the 500 block of W. Huntington reported they were detaining a female subject inside their store for shoplifting. Officers arrived, and after an investigation was conducted, the subject was taken into custody. The stolen property was returned to the store. A computer check revealed the subject had a warrant for her arrest, as well.

Injury Traffic Collision
October 13 at 7:23 a.m., a traffic collision was reported at the intersection of California and Huntington. Officers responded to investigate. One of the drivers complained of pain and was transported to a nearby hospital. This investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
October 13 at 9:30 a.m., two residents of an apartment complex in the 1300 block of S. Alta Vista walked outside their apartments to go to work and discovered someone had burglarized their vehicles sometime during the night. The suspect shattered the car windows to gain entry and took dash cameras from both vehicles, along with other items. This investigation is continuing.

Mail Theft / Vandalism
October 13 at 6:22 p.m., a resident in the 500 block of S. Fifth discovered someone had damaged his mailbox sometime during the day and took mail. This investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting
October 13 at 6:55 p.m., an employee of a store in the 500 block of W. Huntington reported a male subject had just run out of their store with merchandise he did not pay for, then entered a van and left the parking lot. Officers arrived and searched for the suspect, but could not locate him. This investigation is continuing.

Public Intoxication – Suspects Arrested
October 14 at 2:36 a.m., a transportation driver reported he was parked in the 2100 block of S. Myrtle with a customer in his vehicle who was heavily intoxicated. An officer responded and found the subject was too intoxicated to care for his own safety, so he was arrested and taken into custody.

Assault with a Deadly Weapon
October 14 at 3:39 a.m., CHP reported a female driver was involved in a road rage incident on the 210 Freeway in Pasadena that led to her vehicle getting shot at while on the freeway. The victim also reported her vehicle was shot at again in the 100 block of W. Evergreen after exiting the freeway. The CHP advised that passengers in the vehicle were struck by bullets, so they drove to a nearby hospital. Officers went to the hospital to speak with the victims. The injuries were not life-threatening. This investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
October 14 at 4:13 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 1900 block of S. Myrtle when he saw a motorist commit several traffic violations. The vehicle was stopped and the driver was found to be intoxicated. After field sobriety tests were conducted, the driver was arrested for DUI.

Grand Theft Auto / Warrants – Suspect Arrested
October 14 at 8:12 p.m., a sergeant was patrolling the 200 block of Valle Vista when he saw a suspicious vehicle occupied by two subjects. A DMV computer check revealed the vehicle was stolen. When the occupants saw the police car, they exited the vehicle. The driver ran and was not located. The passenger was apprehended, and a computer check revealed he had several warrants for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Burglary
October 14 at 11:28 p.m., a caller reported he just discovered his storage unit in the 2600 block of S. California had been burglarized. Several tools were stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Petty Theft / Vehicle Tampering
October 15 at 8:30 a.m., a resident in the 1300 block of S. Fifth walked outside her home and attempted to use her vehicle, but it wouldn’t start. She discovered someone had stolen her car battery. This investigation is continuing.

Commercial Burglary
October 15 at 9:01 a.m., the owner of a business in the 2100 block of S. Myrtle arrived to work and discovered someone had forced one of doors to the building open. The business had been burglarized sometime over the weekend. A laptop and cell phones were stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
October 15 at 4:32 p.m., security for a store in the 500 block of W. Huntington reported they were detaining a male subject who had walked out of their store without paying for merchandise he had in his possession. Officers responded, and after an investigation, arrested the subject.

Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
October 15 at 7:34 p.m., a caller reported two motorists had just collided into one another in the 900 block of W. Huntington. Officers responded and contacted the drivers. One of the drivers was found to be intoxicated, and after field sobriety tests were conducted, he was taken into custody for DUI.

Injury Hit & Run Traffic Collision
October 15 at 10:39 p.m., a caller reported two motorists had just collided into one another at the intersection of Myrtle & Central, where the traffic signal lights were off due to high winds. When officers arrived, they found that one of the motorists had driven away without exchanging information, as required by law. The other driver was transported to a nearby hospital due to a complaint of pain. This investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana – Suspect Arrested.
October 16 at 3:10 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 300 block of Wildrose when he saw a motorist commit several traffic violations. The motorist was stopped and found to be under the influence of marijuana. After field sobriety tests were conducted, the driver was arrested for DUI.

Traffic Collision
October 16 at 11:59 a.m., a caller reported two motorists had just collided into one another in the 700 block of W. Huntington. Officers responded to investigate. The party at fault was issued a citation.

Possession of Stolen Property / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
October 16 at 2:52 p.m., a caller reported a suspicious male subject in the 400 block of W. Foothill, riding a bicycle and dragging a Lime rental bike alongside of him. Officers located and stopped the subject. The rental bike had its locking and GPS tracking device removed. The subject was found to be in possession of burglary tools and a pipe that had been used to smoke methamphetamine. A computer check revealed he was on parole. The subject was arrested.

Public Intoxication – Suspects Arrested
October 16 at 9:14 p.m., a caller reported a male subject in the 100 block of W. Foothill causing a disturbance. Officers responded and contacted the subject, who was found to be heavily intoxicated and unable to care for his own safety, so he was arrested and taken into custody.

Fraud
October 17 at 8:20 a.m., an employee of a business in the 700 block of E. Huntington reported someone had opened four Verizon accounts using the company’s tax ID. The company has received charges for the fraudulently opened accounts. This investigation is continuing.

Fraud
October 17 at 9:01 a.m., a resident in the 600 block of E. Colorado discovered someone had opened several credit card accounts, a bank checking account and an Edison account using his Social Security number. The resident did not give anyone permission to open these accounts. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft / Hit & Run Traffic Collision
October 17 at 11:15 a.m., an employee of a business in the 500 block of W. Duarte reported a male subject had run out of their store with over $1,000 worth of alcoholic beverages without paying. He fled in a vehicle and collided with a parked car. The suspect exited the vehicle and ran from the scene. Officers did not locate the suspect; however, through vehicle registration, they were able to identify the suspect, who is on parole and is now wanted.

Injury Traffic Collision
October 17 at 3:38 p.m., a caller reported a traffic collision at the intersection of Mountain and Royal Oaks. Officers arrived and contacted the drivers and passengers. One of the passengers complained of pain to her back; however, refused to be transported to a hospital.

Injury Traffic Collision
October 17 at 5:52 p.m., a caller reported a scooter just collided into the back of another motorist in the 800 block of E. Lemon. Officers arrived and found the driver of the scooter had minor injuries. He was taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

Aircraft Display at El Monte Airport

San Gabriel Valley Airport in El Monte will hold an Air Fair on Saturday and Sunday, Oct 27-28. There'll be aircraft displays, including war planes, helicopters, plus flybys. airplane rides, aerobatic rides, motion simulator demos; plus vintage and muscle cars, vendors and food. (Okay, okay, not strictly Monrovia, but it is the closest airport.) https://goo.gl/bkyCq9

- Brad Haugaard

Statement of Monrovia School Board Candidate Selene Lockerbie


Hello, my name is Selene Lockerbie and I am running for Monrovia School Board.

Monrovia teachers, civic leaders, community members, business owners and parents are supporting my candidacy because they know that I will bring a fresh, informed, and passionate perspective to the school board. I look forward to working with the other board members, superintendents, teachers, staff, and our state and federal legislators to improve our students’ scholastic futures.

I am running to bring gender diversity, transparency, and the stakeholders’ voice to the board. My Educational Trifecta is: developmentally appropriate curriculum materials; better budget management that focuses resources on the schools, not bureaucracy; and innovative programs that entice enrollment in MUSD. I have three videos posted on my Facebook page, Selene Lockerbie for Monrovia School Board, that unpack these priorities in more depth.

I welcome the opportunity to support and expand our music and arts programs for all children, reinforce our Dual Spanish and Mandarin Language programs at Monroe and Plymouth, and bring vocational programs to the High School to offer students and families an option of a path to college or a respectable vocational career.

When you consider that I am a parent of school-aged children, who will be in this district’s public schools for seven more years, a community volunteer, a campus volunteer, and a Girl Scout leader you can be confident that your vote for me is the best investment for our children’s educational success.

Please vote for Selene Lockerbie for Monrovia School Board.

Planning Department Word Search

If you enjoy word search puzzles and urban planning, the Monrovia Planning Department has an activity for you. To celebrate Community Planning Month the department has published on its blog a word search puzzle in “plannerese.” Enjoy here

- Brad Haugaard 

Sex Abuse Lawsuit Against Monrovia School District Settled

Lawyers for a former Monrovia High student who said she was sexually abused by a security guard said she has reached a settlement with the school district in her lawsuit. link

- Brad Haugaard

Fall Festival Rescheduled; 'Unusually High' Typhus Outbreak; Library Auto-Renews Items; Garbage Law; New Tech Companies

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

~ Due to heavy rains and power outages the Fall Festival has been rescheduled for Saturday, Oct. 27, noon - 6 p.m. It will feature face painting, crafts, hay rides, and a community dog costume parade.  Questions? Call the Community Center at 256-8246.

~ The LA County Department of Public Health is warning of an unusually high number of flea-born typhus cases in downtown Los Angeles. Symptoms include: abdominal pain, backache, dull red rash, high fever of 105°F to 106°, hacking dry cough, headache, joint and muscle pain, nausea and vomiting.

~  The Monrovia Library is now automatically renewing most checked-out items for an additional 3 weeks. Exceptions include items on hold for someone else and specialty items such as a telescope or DVD.

~  All business and multifamily dwellings of five or more units, and all entities that generate four or more cubic yards of solid waste a week must adopt an organics program by Jan. 1, 2019. That's when a California law passed in October 2014 goes into effect. Through November the city will distribute notices to the 493 affected customers.

~  Two new tech companies have moved to Monrovia:  Quantum Screening and OCGene Therapeutics. Quantum Screening does saliva-based early detection diagnostics and OCGene Therapeutics develops cancer therapeutics.

- Brad Haugaard

Statement of Monrovia School Board Candidate J. Christian Holt


J. Christian Holt for Monrovia School Board

Serving the community and Monrovia schools for 19 years.

J. Christian Holt's goal is to help Monrovia School District improve:

  • Improving the budget 
  • Eradicate bullying 
  • Listening and Improving communication 
  • Reorganize, focus and fund special needs 
  • School wide maintenance

For the last 25 years I have happily lived in Monrovia with my wife and three daughters. We have had the pleasure of attending Bradoaks, Clifton, Santa Fe and MHS. Being a self employed financial advisor in Monrovia has afforded me the opportunity to be actively involved in my children’s education and coach soccer for 13 years.

I decided to run now because my three daughters are older, two in college and the other is a senior at MHS. It would have been irresponsible of me to consider this large responsibility when my children were young. My family is my number one priority, so I waited until they didn't need me as much. Everything I have done, was done as a family.

In 19 years building relationships with teachers, staff, parents and students. Not only with the english speaking community but the spanish as well. "I'm Bilingual".

I have held 12 different PTA positions, President for 5 year and School Site Counsel, Principle Nominating Committee.

Recipient of 5 different service awards. The most prestigious award was from the California Congress of Parents, Teachers and Students “Honorary Service Award” and was also awarded the Continued Service Award as well.

I’m proud of co- founding the Watchdogs in Monrovia. This is a program that pushes for the involvement of dad’s in their children’s schools.

I hosted and promoted for 10 years the Friends and Family 5K Walk or Jog. It promoted exercise, family, making new friends and most of all a positive community.

Currently working on a anti- bullying and student misconduct program.

Help Make A Difference.
If you would like to mail a contribution:
Holt 4 Monrovia School Board
432 W. Foothill Blvd. Monrovia Ca. 91016

Venmo Acct: Holt 4 Monrovia School Board
Campaign I.D. # 1410098

Oreo the Lap Dog Looking for a Home


Oreo (A466510) is a cute lovable Chihuahua. She starts off a little shy and hesitant, but she flourishes quickly into a loving lap dog. She gets along well with small dogs and people of all ages. She likes to be petted and held and she doesn’t mind being rocked like a baby, either! She is calm and mellow and looking for a loving new home. Come visit her at the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA. 

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

Statement of Monrovia School Board Candidate Terrence Williams


Dear Monrovians,

It has been an honor and privilege to serve our community as a Board Member. I take great pride in the role I have played in helping shape the future of every child in the Monrovia Unified School District.

Some of the accomplishments I am most proud of during my first term in office include, closing the achievement gap, increased high school graduation rate, the implementation of Code to the Future, creation of programs that provide pathways to offset college tuition, advocating for fully-funded Special Education, established broadcast capabilities for the entire school district, including the unincorporated area, inside the MUSD board meetings to keep the community more aware and involved with the school board, Directed in establishing the Dual Immersion programs, which include both Mandarin and Spanish, into Plymouth Elementary School (Mandarin) and Monroe Elementary School (Spanish), support of teen suicide prevention programs like Healing Connections, and continued collaboration with Board Members, teachers and staff to attract and retain the highest level of educators.

Education is not a “one-size fits all” proposition. Children learn at varied speeds. As a parent of both General and Special Ed children, who have and do attend Monrovia Schools, I know first-hand the issues that matter most to parents. I have worked hard the last 5 years to make the educational dream come true for our students. I humbly ask you to elect me to another term so that I may continue this important work.

Terrence G. Williams
www.Williams4Monrovia2018.com

Statement of Monrovia School Board Candidate Maritza Travanti


As a parent of a school-aged child, school volunteer, Hispanic female and a 28- year government professional, I am the best choice for the Monrovia School Board. As a Senior Policy Analyst with the IRS, I have the skills that directly translate to the duties of a board member such as data analysis, interpreting law, regulations, statutes, creating and reviewing budgets and drafting new policy.

Education every where is changing right before our eyes and I want to ensure Monrovia is on the cutting edge and preparing our children for a fast paced world. Education is not “One size fits all.” It is critical to have many viable options in place where students will feel inspired, focused on a pathway and feel a sense of readiness to embark on their future goals.

MUSD needs to attract and retain students by continuing to add programming that is attractive and beneficial in addition to becoming masters of the programs already in place such as the Dual Immersion, Code to the Future, STEM, Arts and curriculum that makes our graduating students competitive.

I will add new energy, a fresh perspective and a spirit of collaboration to ignite our community’s maximum education potential. 66% of all enrolled Monrovia students are Hispanic or Latino. The board is in dire need of someone that understands the challenges and barriers that exist with many of our students and families. I have the right qualifications and background to make the biggest impact and hope to earn your vote!

Power Outage Around Foothill and Myrtle

There's a power outage around Foothill and the west side of Myrtle, affecting the Vons shopping center and street lights. Edison is aware of the problem says 2790 customers are affected. https://goo.gl/GiwZY2

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Over La Canada 42-0 :-)

Friday's football against La Canada was another blowout. - 42-0. link

- Brad Haugaard

Power Outage Affecting East Monrovia

At 7 a.m. today a power outage that occurred during last night's thunder storm is apparently still affecting much of the east side of Monrovia, east of Myrtle.

- Brad Haugaard