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Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Cancelled

Today's tree lighting ceremony and Christmas parade have been cancelled, due to rain. City Councilwoman Becky Shevlin reports that there is the "possibility of a smaller tree lighting ceremony next Wednesday evening."

- Brad Haugaard

Sheriff's Department Looking for Suspect in Double Murder

The LA County Sheriff's Department is looking for Nimrod Perez Guerrero, 33, in connection with the murder of a woman and her daughter, whose bodies were discovered Wednesday at an apartment complex on Colorado Boulevard, across from Monrovia High School. Guerrero is considered armed and dangerous. If you have any information about the suspect, contact the LA County Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at 323 890-5500, or anonymously at 800 222-8477.

- Brad Haugaard

Christmas Puppy Village at Hope Unlimited Church

Hope Unlimited Church will have a Christmas Puppy Village (good photo opp) on Sunday, Dec. 23 at its two Christmas services, at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. The church is at 1900 Walker Ave, Monrovia. Walker is a block south of Duarte Road on the east side of Myrtle. Details: https://goo.gl/S7iMcJ

- Brad Haugaard

A Musical Production of A Christmas Carol

Centre Stage will present a musical production of A Christmas Carol, Dec. 13-16 at IFGF Church, at the corner of Palm and Primrose. Details: https://goo.gl/t5CaVy

- Brad Haugaard

YMCA Winter Wonderland

A winter celebration with games, activities such as gingerbread house building, and raffles. Friday, Dec. 14, 5:30-8 p.m. at the Santa Anita YMCA, 501 S. Mountain Ave.

- Brad Haugaard

Christmas Caroling Dinner

First Presbyterian Church (Myrtle and Foothill) will hold a Christmas Caroling Dinner Wednesday, Dec. 12 from 6-7:30 p.m. Wear ugly sweater or jammies. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Woman and Girl Killed Near Monrovia High School

An woman and juvenile female were killed in the 800 block of Colorado Boulevard (near Monrovia High School) today at about 1:30 p.m., according to the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department (LASD).

UPDATE: The victims were found in a house. The girl had not shown up for school for several days and the bodies were discovered when police went to investigate. https://goo.gl/eJN3cX

UPDATE 2: LASD reports that the victims were "a female Hispanic adult and a female Hispanic juvenile," and that there is "no suspect information at this time."

Here is the original LASD notice:

DATE: Wednesday, December 5, 2018

TIME: 1:30 P.M.

LOCATION: 800 block of West Colorado Boulevard, Monrovia

VICTIMS: Female adult, Female Juvenile

SUSPECT(S): Unknown

UNIT: LASD Homicide Bureau – Lieutenant Alfred

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Detectives are responding to the 800 block of West Colorado Boulevard, Monrovia, to assist Monrovia Police Department personnel investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a female adult and female juvenile.

The two victims were pronounced dead at the scene.

There is no further information at this time and the investigation is still on-going.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Now a 'Dementia Friendly' City

Monrovia has now become part of the Dementia Friendly America movement, which seeks to develop programming and resources for families that live with dementia.

The Monrovia program, developed by the Monrovia Provider’s Group, a network of for profit and non-profit organizations that provide support services for older adults and their families, was recently joined by a cross section of organizations representing businesses, educators, law enforcement, first responders, health care, the faith community, local government, community members and others to form a dementia committee, guided by Senior Helpers Community Relations Coordinator, Nathan Kirschenbaum, Alzheimer’s Los Angeles, Public Policy Manager, Kelly Honda and senior-focused individuals, including the Monrovia Public Library and Community Center Staff.

The committee's next meeting is at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, at Azusa Pacific University School of Nursing, at 606 E. Huntington Drive. For more information see the Dementia Friendly Monrovia Committee Facebook Page facebook.com/DementiaFM

- Brad Haugaard

Is Christmas Parade On or Off? Firefighters Raise $5,500 for Charity; Home Decorating; Help the USO; Toy Drive

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

~ The Christmas parade is scheduled for this Thursday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. but the weatherman is saying rain. The city will be monitoring the weather through the day to see if it will be okay to go ahead with the event. It'll post updates on its website: cityofmonrovia.org

~ Monrovia Fire & Rescue participated in the annual Fill the Boot program and collected $5,500 at the corner of Mayflower and Huntington for charity.

~ Applications for the Holiday Home Decorating Contest are available online here (https://goo.gl/LzWiRN) or at the Monrovia Community Center. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 14.

~ The Library's Veterans Resource Center is partnering with the American Legion Women's Auxiliary to support the USO and local military personnel who are hospitalized. They need: white socks for men and women, coloring books for adults, coloring pencils, markers and pens, board games and card games for adults. There is a large yellow box in the Library lobby near the Circulation Desk for donations. For more information, contact Librarian Mabel Cross at 256-8294.

~ Monrovia Chamber of Commerce's Spark of Love Toy Drive will be on Dec. 13 at Jake's Roadhouse from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Entry price is an unwrapped toy for the Spark of Love Toy Drive. https://goo.gl/sQwXLC

- Brad Haugaard

Chipa: A Personable Cat

Chipa (A469091) is a beautiful 7-year-old cat with soft green eyes. She is gentle and eager to meet new people. Chipa will let you know how she is feeling through her purring and appreciates human affection. She enjoys relaxing throughout the day and would be the purrfect pet to cuddle with. Come meet her at the Neely Cat Center at the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA.

The adoption fee for cats is $75. All cats are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated before being adopted.

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

Santa's Monrovia Schedule

On Dec. 17-21 Santa Claus will drive down every street in Monrovia atop a decorated fire engine, passing out candy canes and escorted by a police car and a decorated public works sleigh.

If you'd like to ride along, assemble by 5 p.m. at Monrovia City Hall's back parking lot each night. Participation is on a first-come, first-served basis. Children 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Wear warm clothing.

Schedule:

Monday, Dec. 17 - East of Myrtle and north of Foothill.

Tuesday, Dec. 18 - West of Myrtle and north of Foothill.

Wednesday, Dec. 19 - East of Myrtle, south of Foothill, north of Duarte Road, to east city boundaries.

Thursday, Dec. 20 - West of Myrtle between Foothill and Huntington.

Friday, Dec. 21 - South of Huntington, west of Myrtle to Fifth Avenue, and to southern city boundaries. Also includes Valley Circle.

- Brad Haugaard

Christmas Tree Lighting and Holiday Parade

The Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Parade will take place this Thursday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. with the Tree Lighting Ceremony in Library Park, followed by the Holiday Parade at 7 p.m. The parade will travel north on Myrtle from Chestnut to Palm.

- Brad Haugaard

AeroVironment Moving Out of Monrovia to Simi Valley

Monrovia drone-maker AeroVironment, has reportedly moved its headquarters to Simi Valley, where it has most of its manufacturing, according to this article in the LA Times: https://goo.gl/ifdGmQ . All Monrovia employees are being given the opportunity to continue with the company in Simi Valley.

- Brad Haugaard

High Tech Ice Cream Comes to Monrovia


A new high-tech ice cream shop is coming to Monrovia. N2 Lab will be located on Myrtle just south of the 31 Flavors in the Vons shopping center. From a quick Internet search it appears N2 uses liquid nitrogen to cool its ice cream.

- Brad Haugaard 

Windmill on Denny's Replaced and Running.

It's not exactly Monrovia, but the windmill has been replaced on top of the Denny's restaurant at the corner of Huntington and Santa Anita in Arcadia. It's happily going 'round and 'round. Good for them not to let an icon like that fall apart!

If you are not familiar with the history, that building used to be a Van de Kamp's restaurant, which had a windmill as its icon.

- Brad Haugaard

Council to Review GoMonrovia and Street Vendors; Consider Honoring Pamela Fitzpatrick; Etc.

At its next meeting (agenda: https://goo.gl/9gBuEn) the Monrovia City Council will ...

~  Hold a study session to review the GoMonrovia transportation plan, and review regulations governing sidewalk sellers (like food trucks, I think). This is a special meeting at 5 p.m. if you want to attend.

~ Consider recognizing Pamela Fitzpatrick, who recently passed away, for her years of service and significant contributions to the community. This would include an Old Town bench with a plaque honoring her, and "a City Council Seat Recognition Plaque mounted on the very seat she sat in for every City Council meeting over the last 25 years." https://goo.gl/sL9K2r

~ Consider awarding a $12.1 million contract to Sully-Miller Contracting Company for the completion of the Monrovia Renewal North Section Infrastructure Improvements Project. The proposal would also set aside $1.8 million in case there are any unforeseen problems, and would also award a $1.4 million contract to Merrell-Johnson Companies to manage the process.  https://goo.gl/rog52H

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Basin 141

Dinner at Basin 141, a new sports bar at the southeast corner of Myrtle and Lime. Got the Black Angus Basin Burger for $13 and a happy hour beer for $4. The atmosphere is bright, lively and modern. Nice service and my burger was excellent. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police: Assault with Screwdriver; Credit Card Was Okay, Meth Wasn't; Package Stolen from Porch; Santa Swiped; Ex-Girlfriend Punches Ex-Boyfriend; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Highlighted Activity for November 23–28. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 341 service events, resulting in 69 investigations.

Drug Activity – Suspect Arrested
November 23 at 8:53 a.m., a caller requested a welfare check for a male transient lying on the sidewalk in the 400 block of N. Alta Vista. Officers arrived and located the subject. He admitted to having methamphetamine and a pipe in his possession. He was arrested.

Vandalism
November 23 at 9:44 a.m., a vandalism incident was reported in the 1800 block of California. The door to a business was vandalized with a marker. This investigation is continuing.

Assault with a Deadly Weapon
November 23 at 17:45 p.m., police responded to the report of an assault in the 100 block of W. Walnut. Two subjects were involved in an argument. The argument escalated and one of the subjects was stabbed multiple times with a screwdriver. The victim was transported to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect fled the scene prior to officers arriving, but has been identified. This Investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto – Suspect Arrested
November 23, at 8:16 p.m., an employee of a business in the 200 block of E. Duarte reported a disturbing subject that was inside a vehicle and would not leave the premises of the business. Officers arrived and located the vehicle and the subject sitting inside. The vehicle was discovered to be stolen, and the subject was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
November 24 at 4:12 a.m., a caller reported an occupied vehicle stopped in lanes of traffic in the 900 block of W. Duarte that had been there for approximately 30 minutes. Officers responded and contacted the driver. The subject showed symptoms of intoxication. After field sobriety tests were conducted, the driver was arrested for driving under the influence.

Drug Activity
November 24 at 4:14 a.m., an employee of a gas station in the 700 block of W. Huntington called to report a customer possibly using a stolen credit card at one of the gas pumps. Officers responded and located the subject. While there was no evidence of credit card fraud, the subject had a warrant for a drug offense and was in possession of a large amount of methamphetamine. The subject was arrested.

Critical Missing – Located
November 24 at 15:34 p.m., officers responded to the report of a missing person. A resident who suffers from dementia walked away from her home in the 100 block of S. Myrtle. An extensive search was conducted, and the woman was located.

Violation of Domestic Court Order – Suspect Arrested
November 25 at 10:34 a.m., a resident in the 1200 block of Sherman reported a disturbing subject that was at the residence in violation of a court order. There was a valid domestic violence restraining order on file and the subject had previously been served. Officers arrived and located the subject in question. She was arrested and transported to the Monrovia Jail for booking.

Vehicle Burglary
November 25 at 3:51 p.m., a victim called to report his vehicle was broken into while it was parked in the parking structure of an apartment complex in the 700 block of W. Duarte. The suspect smashed a window and stole a Garmin GPS. This investigation is continuing.

Petty Theft
November 26 at 1:13 p.m., a victim called to report the registration tab was stolen from his vehicle. The vehicle was parked in the 200 block of W. Lemon. This investigation is continuing.

Petty Theft
November 26 at 4:48 p.m., a victim called to report a package was stolen from the front porch of his residence in the 500 block of Date Court. This investigation is continuing.

Petty Theft
November 26 at 6:18 p.m., a resident in the 1600 block of S. Mayflower reported Christmas decorations were stolen from her front yard. A large inflatable Santa sleigh and snowmen were taken while the victim was at work. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
November 26 at 8:00 p.m., an employee from a cell phone store in the 600 block of W. Huntington called to report two suspects had entered the business and stole two Apple phones. The phones were secured by anti-theft cables that the suspects broke. The suspects fled the area in a black, four-door, Mercedes Benz prior to the police arriving. The suspects were described as male Blacks wearing dark clothing. This investigation is continuing.

Attempt Robbery – Suspect Arrested
November 27 at 8:56 a.m., a victim called to report she was walking in the 1200 block of S. Magnolia when a subject approached her and attempted to grab her cell phone away from her by pushing her. Officers arrived and located the subject. He was positively identified by the victim and arrested.

Grand Theft
November 27 at 9:51 a.m., a grand theft was reported at a business in the 100 block of W. Foothill. A subject entered the establishment and stole several bottles of high-end alcohol, then exited the store without paying for the merchandise. He fled the area prior to the police arriving. This investigation is continuing.

Domestic Battery – Suspect Arrested
November 27 at 3:27 p.m., a victim called to report that while at his residence, which is in the 100 block of N. Primrose, his ex-girlfriend punched him in the chest during an argument. Officers arrived and conducted an investigation. After speaking with all parties involved, it was determined the ex-girlfriend was the primary aggressor and she was arrested.

Driving Under the Influence/Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested
November 28 at 2:01 a.m., a caller reported a traffic accident in the 200 block of E. Evergreen. Officers arrived and located a subject sitting in a vehicle, which had struck several parked vehicles. The driver showed symptoms of intoxication. After field sobriety tests were conducted, the driver was arrested for driving under the influence.

Grand Theft Auto
November 28 at 7:12 a.m., a victim called to report his vehicle was stolen from his residence in the 300 block of E. Walnut. This investigation is continuing.

Violation of Domestic Court Order – Suspect Arrested
November 28 at 2:15 p.m., an officer saw a subject enter a property in the 200 block of E. Lime. The officer had knowledge that the subject was already served with a domestic court order. Officers contacted the subject, verified the domestic court order and arrested him.

Battery
November 28 at 10:25 p.m., a caller reported a fight between two tenants in the 600 block of W. Olive. Officers arrived and contacted the two subjects. Both parties desired prosecution and signed private person arrest forms. There were no independent witnesses. Both subjects were arrested and issued citations for battery.

Area Police Departments Form Task Force to Combat 'Street Takeovers'

Due to recent street takeover and sideshow events happening in area San Gabriel Valley cities, local police agencies have come together to form the West San Gabriel Valley Traffic Task Force. The WSGV Traffic Task Force consists of members from the Arcadia, El Monte, Alhambra, Sierra Madre, San Marino, and the Monrovia Police Departments. Officers assigned to the Task Force will work proactively to combat street takeover and associated events in and around the West San Gabriel Valley. There will be zero-tolerance for any unlawful activity.

Over the coming days, the Task Force will be deploying resources to monitor events associated with the anniversary of the death of Paul Walker. We encourage anyone attending memorial events to participate in a lawful manner. Any unlawful activity will result in zero-tolerance enforcement. This includes enforcement in public parking lots such as shopping or business lots.

Source: Arcadia Police press release

- Brad Haugaard

Big New Developments Planned Near Train Station; Award for Low Water Landscaping; Park-and-Ride Closing Temporarily; Etc.

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

~  Three large new residential/commercial development projects are in the works for the area around the Monrovia train station. Together they will cover more than 9.8 acres, with 1022 residential units, roughly 1335 parking spaces, and more than 17,000 square feet of commercial space. They are:


  • The Alexan Project, at 1625 S. Magnolia Avenue. Details: https://goo.gl/wfgGbR
  • The Arroyo at Monrovia Station - Pomona Avenue between Magnolia and Primrose Avenues. An information meeting will be held on Dec. 3, at 6 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall (130 W. Pomona Ave.). Details: https://goo.gl/GLsZT6
  • 123 Pomona, at 123 W. Pomona Avenue. There will be an information meeting on Dec. 10, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. at the Monrovia Public Library Community Room. Details: https://goo.gl/oaGBg9

City Manager Oliver Chi has a more detailed discussion which should hopefully be posted here (https://goo.gl/aOqX7O) very shortly.

~ Monrovia has developed a sustainable landscape recognition award. Winners will be recognized by the City and receive a $25 credit on their water utility bill. Details in the coming month. Questions? Contact Caroline Velarde at 303-6601.

~ The Park-and-Ride lot next to Station Square Park at the southwest corner of Myrtle and Pomona Avenue will be closed from Nov. 30 - Jan. 15 for state-mandated environmental groundwater testing.

~ On Dec. 4 the city will unveil the Chief Stevens Memorial Plaque in honor of Chief Harry Alford Stevens. The event will be at Monrovia Fire Station 101 (141  E. Lemon Ave.) on Tuesday, Dec. 4, at 4 p.m. On Dec. 4, 1934, Chief Harry A. Stevens lost his life while patrolling the wind-battered areas of Monrovia when his vehicle was struck by an electric-powered streetcar.

~  To celebrate 20 years of Harry Potter, the Library will hold a Yule Ball with Harry Potter themed music, crafts, games, trivia, a costume contest, and more. Saturday, Dec. 15, noon to 4 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard