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No One-Way Streets for Ivy and Primrose - for Now; Big Rocks and Low Groundwater; Homeless Count; Neighborhood Treasures; Wet Basement

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

~  Monrovia has been denied funding for its "ACTV Monrovia" proposal, which would have installed protected bike lanes and a pedestrian walking paths on (primarily) Primrose and Ivy, making them one-way streets, "to better connect all parts of Monrovia with Old Town and Station Square." Chi said, "staff will continue searching for funding options."

~ Though the LA Regional Water Board has told Monrovia to do groundwater testing at its park-and-ride lot at Station Square, there are problems: "We have repeatedly run into boulders bigger than cars, which has damaged drilling equipment." Also, "groundwater levels have fallen dramatically." Instead of drilling down to 220 feet, "we've found that we are not hitting groundwater until we get down past 300 feet underground."

~  If you would like to participate in Monrovia's homeless count, there will be an orientation session at the Community Center  (119  W. Palm Ave.) at 8 p.m. on Jan. 22. The  count is expected to begin at 9 p.m.

~ The next Neighborhood Treasure to be considered by the Art in Public Places Committee is Francisco Gutierrez and his son, Felix Gutierrez. Francisco opened a cement business in 1925 and did a lot of work in town, including the sidewalks around the former Monrovia Plunge swimming pool. Felix, started a newspaper called Mexican Voice, and asked why Mexican volunteers were considered "white" by the World War II draft board, but "colored" by Monrovia Plunge, school districts, and neighbors.

~  If you are wondering about the storage pods adjacent to the Historic Museum, they are to store stuff from the Historic Museum basement while repairs are being made to the basement, which has been subject to flooding.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Staar Surgical Expects 37% Annual Growth; 42% Growth for Last Quarter

Monrovia's STAAR Surgical, manufacturer and marketer of implantable lenses and companion delivery systems for the eye, estimates its sales for its fourth quarter - which ended December 28, 2018 - will have increased approximately 42% over the same period for 2017. Total net sales for the fourth quarter are expected to be approximately $31.2 million and total net sales for fiscal 2018 are expected to be approximately $124.0 million, representing approximately 37% growth over fiscal 2017. https://goo.gl/WGzvH8

- Brad Haugaard

Auditions for 'Long After Crystal Night' Feb. 2-4

Auditions for The Jewish Federation's JFed Players' Spring 2019 production of Long After Crystal Night, will be held on Feb. 2, 3, and 4 at the Jewish Federation, 114A Lime Ave., Monrovia, with performances in late April.

Long After Crystal Night by John Herman Shaner, takes place over several days in the life of the Seymour Goldstein household in Beverly Hills, in 1983. Seymour has attended a meeting to determine whether Jewish militants from the Jewish Defense League should be allowed to speak to his B'nai B'rith lodge. The ramifications of this meeting will cause everyone in the family, and those close to it, to confront their roots and question their lives, their history, their future, their motivations, the depths of their assimilation, their relationships with each other and ultimately their personal courage and convictions. Full of humor and emotion, the climax is compelling and satisfying, a play about Everyman for Everyman.

Audition dates and times:
Sunday, Feb. 3, 1:00-3 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 4, 7:00-9 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 5, 7:00-9 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 7, 7 p.m. (if needed for call-backs)

Contact the Jewish Federation at (626) 445-0810 for more information.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Fire in Wheelbarrow; Meth Nudist; Lottery Ticket Switches; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Highlighted Activity for December 27 – January 2, 2019. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 368 service events, resulting in 78 investigations.

Fraud
December 27 at 3:59 p.m., a resident in the 100 block of N. Alta Vista called to report she was the victim of a phone scam. She received a phone call from an unknown phone number and the person on the other end claimed to be her grandson. The caller told her he needed money, which she sent via gift cards. The victim later learned the subject on the phone was not her grandson.

Traffic Collision
December 27 at 6:15 p.m., a vehicle collision was reported in the 800 block of E. Foothill. From a stop, one motorist moved forward and rear-ended the stopped vehicle in front of them. Information was exchanged and the motorist at fault was issued a citation.

Shoplifting / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
December 27 at 9:02 p.m., an employee of a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington reported an adult female subject had taken clothes into the fitting room, concealed them, and then left the store without paying for the merchandise. Officers arrived on scene and detained the subject outside the store. The merchandise was returned and the subject was arrested for shoplifting. She was also found to be in possession of a pipe that had been used to smoke methamphetamine. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Injury Traffic Collision
December 27 at 9:17 p.m., an officer responded to the report of a traffic collision in the 1500 block of S. Mountain. Both vehicles had been stopped for a red light, when the motorist in the back rolled forward and bumped the vehicle in front. A passenger in the front vehicle complained of neck pain and was transported to a nearby hospital.

Warrant / Possession of Methamphetamine – Suspect Arrested
December 28 at 1:54 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 300 block of S. Myrtle when he saw a male subject he recognized from previous contacts. A computer check revealed the subject had a warrant for his arrest, so he was detained. During a search incident to arrest, the subject was also found to be in possession of methamphetamine. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Grand Theft
December 28 at 3:11 p.m., a grand theft was reported in the 1600 block of S. Mountain. The victim parked his truck in a business parking lot and went inside the business. When he returned, he discovered several tools had been taken from the bed of his truck. Investigation continuing.

Burglary
December 28 at 3:14 p.m., the manager of a business in the 2100 block of S. Myrtle reported that several storage units had been broken into and burglarized. The loss is still being determined. Investigation continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
December 28 at 5:33 p.m., a resident in the 700 block of N. Canyon called to report his locked vehicle had been broken into while it was parked on the street. One of the windows was smashed and his wallet was taken. Investigation continuing.

Non-Injury Traffic Collision
December 29 at 12:42 a.m., an officer responded to the report of two motorists that had collided into one another in the 700 block of S. Monterey. Both drivers exchanged insurance and license information. The driver at fault was issued a citation.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
December 29 at 12:58 a.m., officers were dispatched to a business in the 500 block of S. Myrtle regarding a female subject in the bar that was heavily intoxicated, smoking in the bar and was refusing to pay her bill. Officers contacted the subject and found she was too intoxicated to care for her own safety. She was arrested and held for a sobering period after she paid her bill.

Fire Assist / Code Enforcement Response / Warrants – Suspects Arrested
December 29 at 9:08 a.m., several callers reported smoke coming from a building in the 800 block of S. Myrtle. Monrovia Fire Department and officers responded. The fire was coming from a make-shift fire pit inside a wheel barrow that was sitting on a piece of carpet on the property. As officers were arriving, two subjects started walking away from the property quickly. They were detained and, after further investigation, arrested for warrants and possession of smoking paraphernalia.

There were several other subjects hanging out on the property and sleeping in tents. Once on the property, officers observed spliced electrical wires laying on the ground that were coming from a power source and were next to a pool of water on the ground. Code Enforcement responded to the location and the entire property was red-tagged and deemed unsafe to occupy. Edison also responded and shut off the power to the property. The investigation is continuing.

Indecent Exposure / Possession of Methamphetamine – Suspect Arrested
December 29 at 7:07 p.m., a guest at a motel in the 1100 block of E. Huntington called police to report a male subject loitering and exposing himself in the motel parking lot. Officers responded and contacted the subject. He was detained and also found to be in possession of methamphetamine. He was arrested for indecent exposure and possession of a controlled substance.

Violation of Restraining Order
December 29 at 8:24 p.m., a resident in the 200 block of W. Cherry reported her ex-girlfriend was at her home in violation of a restraining order. Officers responded to the home, but the subject was gone. The resident reported the subject has violated the order several times since it was obtained a few weeks prior. This investigation is continuing.

Non-Injury Traffic Collision
December 29 at 8:28 p.m., a traffic collision was reported involving two motorists that had just collided in the 1500 block of S. Myrtle. Officers responded to investigate. One of the vehicles needed to be towed and the other was driven away. The driver who was found to be at fault was issued a citation.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance
December 29 at 9:23 p.m., a caller reported his 30-year-old brother was at their mother's home in the 100 block of W. Cypress and was under the influence of methamphetamine. Officers arrived and found the subject to be in need of medical care due to the narcotics. Paramedics responded and transported the subject to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Possession of Methamphetamine – Suspect Arrested
December 29 at 11:47 p.m., an officer was patrolling the 700 block of E. Huntington when he saw a motorist commit a driving violation. He stopped the vehicle and contacted the driver, who was subsequently found to be in possession of methamphetamine. The driver was arrested and taken into custody.

Grand Theft Auto
December 30 at 11:13 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 300 block of W. Huntington. The victim parked his vehicle in front of a business at 6:00 a.m. and went into the business. He returned to his vehicle at 11:00 a.m. and discovered it was missing. The investigation is continuing.

Petty Theft of Lottery Tickets
December 30 at 6:43 p.m., a petty theft of lottery tickets was reported at a business in the 700 block of W. Huntington. An adult male suspect entered the business and attempted to purchase the lottery tickets with a debit card. When he was told the lottery tickets must be purchased with cash, he switched old lottery tickets he had in his possession for new ones and fled the location without paying for the tickets. Investigation continuing.

Injury Traffic Collison
December 30 at 8:16 p.m., a caller reported a traffic collision that occurred in the 800 block of E. Foothill. A motorist traveling east on Foothill collided into parked vehicles. The driver complained of pain and was treated at the scene by Monrovia Paramedics. There were no signs of impairment for the driver.

Petty Theft of Lottery Tickets
December 31 at 12:43 a.m., an employee from a business in the 300 block of W. Huntington called to report a petty theft. An adult male entered the business and attempted to purchase lottery tickets with a debit card. When the subject was told the lottery tickets must be purchased with cash, he switched old lottery tickets he had in his possession for new ones and fled the location without paying. This was the second incident involving similar circumstances. The investigation is continuing.

Petty Theft
December 31 at 11:24 a.m., a resident in the 700 block of S. Myrtle called to report several items had been taken from his unlocked vehicle. This occurred sometime during the night. Investigation continuing.

Non-Injury Traffic Collision
December 31 at 2:31 p.m., a traffic collision was reported in the 700 block of E. Cypress. A motorist was traveling east on Cypress and slowed due to traffic. The motorist was rear-ended by another vehicle. The party at fault was issued a citation.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
December 31 at 3:13 p.m., an employee at a restaurant in the 400 block of S. Myrtle called to report a customer that was yelling at employees. Officers arrived and contacted the subject. The subject was found to be too intoxicated to care for her own safety. She was arrested for public intoxication and held for a sobering period.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
December 31 at 10:23 p.m., an officer on patrol in the 400 block of W. Duarte saw a male subject that appeared to be intoxicated. The officer detained the subject and found the subject to be too intoxicated to care for his own safety. He was arrested and held for a sobering period.

Domestic Battery
December 31 at 11:06 p.m., police dispatch received a call reporting that a male was attempting to take a female's purse in the 400 block of S. Myrtle. Officers arrived and determined the two were a couple and they were involved in an argument. During the argument, the male battered the female, but did not cause any injury. The male subject fled prior to officers arriving. An Emergency Protective Order was obtained for the victim and the investigation is continuing.

Public Intoxication – Suspects Arrested
January 1 at 12:12 a.m., police dispatch received several calls regarding disturbances in the 400 block of S. Myrtle. Officers arrived and arrested three subjects who were found to be too intoxicated to care for their own safety. They were transported to the Monrovia Jail for booking and held for a sobering period.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
January 1 at 2:45 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 100 block of N. Melrose when he saw a vehicle driving without headlights. A traffic stop was conducted. Field sobriety tests were completed and the driver was arrested for DUI. He was later released with a citation to appear in court.

Vandalism
January 1 at 12:48 p.m., a resident in the 400 block of N. Canyon called to report her vehicle had been vandalized. The victim’s vehicle had two smashed windows, nothing else was tampered with and no items were missing. Investigation continuing.

Commercial Burglary
January 2 at 10:15 a.m., a business owner in the 2600 block of S. Myrtle called to report that sometime during the night the rear door to the business was pried open and a laptop and two monitors were taken. Investigation continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
January 2 at 2:36 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 300 block of W. Duarte. The victim called to report that sometime during the past week his motorcycle was taken from a parking space at his complex. The investigation continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
January 2 at 4:26 p.m., a traffic collision was reported in the 200 block of W. Primrose. A motorist was traveling east on Colorado and stopped at the intersection of Primrose. A pedestrian was running south on Primrose and crossed the intersection at Colorado while outside the crosswalk. Neither the pedestrian nor the vehicle saw one another and both entered the intersection at the same time. The pedestrian was struck by the vehicle and suffered an abrasion to one of his arms. He was transported to a local hospital. Investigation continuing.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence
January 2 at 5:00 p.m., a motorist collided into two parked vehicles in the 200 block of E. Cypress. When officers arrived, the vehicle was in the middle of the intersection of Cypress and Sherman and the driver was located outside the vehicle on the ground, face down. He admitted to driving the vehicle. Numerous beer bottles were seen inside the vehicle. The driver was taken to a hospital for treatment. The investigation is continuing.

‘Bird Box’ House Attracts Tourists to Monrovia

A Monrovia house featured on the Netflix show, Bird Box, has become a minor tourist attraction. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Volunteer Your Sewing Skills




Monrovian Laura Tartaglione is looking for someone to assist her nonprofit organization, HonorBands.net, which creates the bands to honor fallen law enforcement officers, by sewing 28-30 wristbands like the one above. If you’d like to help you can call her at 626 353-2554.

- Brad Haugaard 

Sidewalk Vendors Coming to Monrovia; Recycle Your Christmas Tree; History of Robert Kennard

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

~  Expect to see sidewalk vendors in Monrovia.  Beginning Jan. 1, all cities and counties in California are required to allow sidewalk vendors to sell food and other products from a mobile cart or stationary (but temporary) stand on any city sidewalk or in any city park. The city is planning to institute some minimal regulation that the state will allow. Details: https://goo.gl/LG12jS

~  Through Jan. 12 you can recycle your Christmas tree by placing it on the curb during your regular trash collection day. Remove all decorations.

~  On Martin Luther King Day, Jan. 20, from 1-2 p.m., the Monrovia Historical Museum (742 E. Lemon) will host a program on Monrovia's Robert Kennard, founder of the oldest African-American architecture firm in Los Angeles. Details and registration: https://goo.gl/1ULuEf

- Brad Haugaard

Walking Tour of Downtown Monrovia

Walking tour of downtown Monrovia on Saturday, Jan. 5, at 10 a.m. $5 per person and the tour lasts about two hours. Eight city blocks. Meet at the southeast corner of Palm and Myrtle. No RSVP is necessary.

- Brad Haugaard 

New Year’s Eve on Myrtle



Party until just after midnight. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Cozy Cat Wants an Affectionate Owner


Cozy (A445435) is so friendly. She cannot get enough affection! When staff and volunteers open up her kennel door she immediately rushes over and starts rubbing against the visitor’s arm and purring, eager for attention. She’s looking for an owner who doesn’t mind some cuddle time after they come home from work, and who would enjoy a cat companion on the couch. Visit 6-year-old Cozy at the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA today.

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

Lunch at Popeye’s


Lunch at Popeye’s, Cajun style fast food near the corner of Huntington and Magnolia. Got the Cajun Fish Combo with cole slaw and an iced tea for $8.29. This is definitely fast food and for fast food it was fine. 


- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police: Assault with Spit; Gift Card Scam; Woman (and Dog) Rescued; Shoplifting With a Gun; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Highlighted Activity for December 20 – December 26. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 405 service events, resulting in 74 investigations.

Traffic Collison
December 20, at 11:59 a.m., a traffic collision was reported in the 900 block of S. Mountain. A vehicle failed to yield to oncoming traffic and collided into an approaching vehicle. The party at fault was issued a citation.

Violation of Court Order
December 20, at 12:16 p.m., a victim came in to the Monrovia Police Department lobby to report receiving numerous text messages that were in violation of a restraining order. The investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collison
December 20, at 3:44 p.m., a caller reported a motorist rear-ended another motorist in the 3000 block of Peck. One of the drivers was transported to a nearby hospital for complaint of pain. The investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collison
December 20, at 4:27 p.m., a caller reported a motorist collided into a wall of a residence in the 300 block of S. Mayflower. The driver was reversing out of a driveway when she lost control and struck a near-by wall. She complained of pain to her back, but refused to be transported to a local hospital.

Shoplifting – Suspects Arrested
December 20, at 6:21 p.m., an employee at a business in the 100 block of W. Foothill called to report they were detaining a male and a female for shoplifting. Loss Prevention approached the subjects outside and detained them until the police arrived. Officers arrived and after conducting an investigation, they arrested and took both subjects into custody.

Domestic Battery
December 20, at 11:03 p.m., a resident in the 500 block of Almond called to report a domestic violence incident. The victim’s ex-boyfriend came to her house to talk, they began arguing and an altercation ensued. During the altercation, the ex-boyfriend spit on her and then left the location. Officers were unable to locate the male. The investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collison
December 21, at 12:24 p.m., officers responded to a traffic collision in the 700 block of E. Foothill. A motorist failed to yield for a red traffic signal and collided into another vehicle. Both parties involved complained of pain and were treated on scene by Monrovia Paramedics.

Grand Theft Auto
December 21, at 1:02 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen in the 3300 block of S. Peck. The victim parked his vehicle to the front of a business and went inside for approximately one hour. He returned to find his car missing. The investigation is continuing.

Fraud Report
December 21, at 1:56 p.m., a resident called to report she was a victim of fraud. The caller purchased gift cards from a business in the 100 block of W. Foothill. She later called a phone number she believed to be Ticketmaster to return concert tickets. The person she spoke with on the phone convinced her to purchase google gift cards in the amount of $400 and then give him the numbers off the back of the gift cards in order to receive a refund for the concert tickets. She did not receive a refund and she was out $400. The investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collison
December 21, at 6:02 p.m., officers were dispatched to a traffic collision in the 500 block of W. Colorado. A pedestrian was walking in a crosswalk when a motorist struck him. Monrovia Paramedics arrived on scene and treated the pedestrian. The pedestrian complained of pain to his legs, but refused to go to the hospital. The party at fault was issued a citation.

Vehicle Burglary
December 21, at 7:41 p.m., several customers of a restaurant in the 800 block of W. Huntington walked outside to their parked vehicles and discovered they had been burglarized sometime while they were dining. The suspects shattered several car windows and took holiday gifts that had been left in the cars. The investigation is continuing.

Possession of Methamphetamine - Suspect Arrested
December 22, at 8:29 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 100 block of W. Foothill when he saw two subjects acting suspicious. The officer stopped and talked with the subjects and further investigation revealed one of the subjects was in possession of methamphetamine. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Dog Rescue
December 22, at 11:36 a.m., officers responded to a residence in the 700 block of Genoa to assist an elderly woman who fell on the cement around her pool while attempting to rescue her dog from drowning. She yelled for help and a neighbor heard her and called the police. Officers located the female and rescued the dog from the pool. The dog's paw was entangled in a rope in the pool. The woman and the dog were treated on scene by Monrovia Paramedics.

Trespassing – Suspect Arrested
December 22, at 12:59 p.m., a property owner called to report his vacant house in the 300 block of Genoa was occupied by a male adult transient. Officers arrived and located the transient who was previously advised of the No Trespass order. The subject was arrested and issued a citation.

Petty Theft of Christmas Decorations
December 22, at 10:37 p.m., a resident in the 400 block of Hurstview reported a male subject had taken Christmas decorations from her front yard. After watching her home surveillance video, she saw a male subject take the decorations approximately two hours prior to discovering them missing. This investigation is continuing.

Public Intoxication - Suspect Arrested
December 23, at 1:49 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 400 block of S. Myrtle west alley when he saw a male subject yelling at other subjects. He was attempting to fight the subjects and the officer stopped him. He was found to be heavily intoxicated and unable to care for his own safety. He was taken into custody and held for a sobering period.

Public Intoxication - Suspect Arrested
December 23, at 1:56 p.m., a resident called to report a suspicious vehicle in the 1600 block of Pilgrim. Officers arrived and contacted a male and female who were sitting inside the vehicle. Both subjects were intoxicated and unable to care for their safety. Both subjects were arrested and brought to the Monrovia Police Department Jail for a sobering period.

Violation of Domestic Violence Restraining Order
December 23, at 2:52 p.m., a caller reported a disturbance at a residence between a male and female in the 200 block of W. Palm. Officers arrived and contacted the female at the residence. An investigation revealed the altercation was only verbal, however, there was a domestic violence restraining order against the male subject who left prior to the officers arriving. The investigation is continuing.

Vandalism
December 23, at 6:29 p.m., a vandalism was reported in the 1400 block of S. California. The owner of the rental home arrived at his vacant house and discovered someone had shattered the front window. It did not appear as if anyone could have gained entry into the home. This investigation is continuing.

Armed Robbery
December 23, at 8:09 p.m., an employee of a department store in the 500 block of W. Huntington reported the store had just been robbed. She reported the three adult male suspects entered the store and immediately starting loading merchandise into bags. After the suspects had the merchandise they wanted, they ran toward the exit doors but were stopped by store security. One of the suspects pointed a gun at the store security. The suspects left the store with the merchandise and fled in a vehicle. Officers searched the area for the suspects with the assistance of a police helicopter but were unable to locate them. This investigation is continuing.

Possession of Heroin - Suspects Arrested
December 23, at 9:06 p.m., a resident in the 800 block of E. Greystone reported a suspicious white van parked across the street from her house. She said the vehicle was occupied by two male subjects and a female subject she did not recognize and they were walking back and forth from the van to a neighbor's home. When officers arrived, all three subjects ran into the home. The owner of the home, who was on active probation, told his guests to not open the door. Officers left the home but soon thereafter stopped the vehicle for a violation. All three subjects were in the vehicle and had warrants for their arrest, and one was in possession of heroin. They were all taken into custody. LA County Probation issued a probation violation against the home owner for not complying with his conditions of probation.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
December 24, at 7:40 a.m., a female victim came into the Monrovia Police Department lobby to report a domestic violence incident that occurred in the 1700 block of Alamitas. The victim and her husband got into a verbal argument that became physical. The victim refused an Emergency Protective Order, did not want medical treatment, and did not want prosecution. Officers went to the residence to speak with the male half and he was subsequently arrested for domestic violence. Numerous firearms were confiscated from the home for safekeeping, per domestic violence statute.

Battery
December 24, at 11:15 p.m., a caller reported that a battery just occurred in the 600 block of E. Colorado. The victim and several witnesses were in the alley when a vehicle approached and tried to pass them, but couldn’t get through. The suspect exited the vehicle and began punching one of the subjects. The suspect fled in his vehicle prior to officers arriving. The investigation is continuing.

Resisting an Officer – Suspect Arrested
December 25, at 4:55 a.m., officers were dispatched to the parking lot of a hotel in the 900 block of S. Fifth regarding a male subject possibly breaking into a vehicle. Officers arrived and detained the subject who was in possession of a pry tool. When officers attempted to pat down the subject, he resisted and tried to break away. The subject tried spitting on officers as they took him into custody. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Vehicle Burglary
December 25, at 6:39 a.m., a resident in the 1600 block of S. Mayflower called to report her vehicle was broken into while it was parked in her garage. The incident happened sometime during the night and her purse was taken. The investigation is continuing.

Commercial Burglary
December 26, at 8:50 a.m., an employee in the 800 block of W. Foothill called to report his business was broken into sometime during the past two days. The suspect removed a hide-a-key store box from the unit and accessed the building that way. The suspect also cut the alarm wires and deactivated the alarm. A computer, USB drive, documents, copper wire and a 65” television were taken. The investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting – Suspects Arrested
December 26, at 1:55 p.m., security for a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington called to report a shoplifter. A male entered the business to steal. Loss Prevention approached the subject outside and detained him until the police arrived. Officers arrived and took the subject into custody.

Petty Theft
December 26, at 5:16 p.m., a victim in the 600 block of Linwood called to report a theft. Her unlocked vehicle, which was parked in front of her residence, was ransacked and items were missing. The investigation is continuing.

Hit & Run Traffic Collison
December 26, at 10:10 p.m., a resident in the 1100 block of Sesmas reported a motorist had just collided into his parked vehicle. The motorist turned off the headlights and fled the location. The investigation is continuing.

A Federal Overlay Over North Edge of Monrovia? Auditor says Monrovia Finances Fine

Yellow line shows how far proposed National Recreation Area would extend into Monrovia.

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

~ California Senator Kamala Harris recently introduced the San Gabriel Mountains Foothills and Rivers Protection Act (https://goo.gl/zzX1an), which would create a National Recreation Area in the mountains above Monrovia. City staff, wanting to figure out how it might affect the city, made "repeated attempts to obtain a map of the NRA (including through direct contact with Senator Harris' staff) [which] have resulted in staff being told that 'there is no map' of the boundaries of the proposed NRA."

Ah, but there is.

Chi writes that, "we can confirm that there is indeed a map of the proposed NRA associated with Senator Harris' legislation, and that the proposed measure ... does not seem to impact non-Federally owned land, however, it does create an additional overlay of Federal bureaucracy over the entire NRA area (including portions of Monrovia), and it mandates that within 3-years after the passage of the law, the Secretary of the Interior prepare a comprehensive Management Plan."

~  A draft Fiscal Year 2017/18 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report by auditors Lance, Soll, & Lunghard indicates - Chi reports - that  "the City has received a clean fiscal audit once again this year!  In addition, of particular note, I am happy to report that overall, the City's General Fund is healthy and structurally balanced, as we ended Fiscal Year 2017/18 with an ending fund balance of $6.5M, which is a positive net increase of $267,000." However, he says, changes in accounting rules require the city to record retirement benefits differently, which means the city "shows a negative net position of around $3.3 million."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovian Charlotte Schamadan Dies

Prominent Monrovian, Charlotte Schamadan, died Friday at age 69. She was involved in numerous community activities throughout her life, and never let her deafness hinder her. https://goo.gl/DAaoZr

- Brad Haugaard 

Merry Christmas! Monrovia


Nativity scene at Monrovia First Presbyterian Church.

- Brad Haugaard 

Christmas in Monrovia


I saw this beautiful nativity scene at a house at the corner of California and Colorado.

And also, if you want to see lights, Valmont Drive - the whole street - does it up right for Christmas. Drive up Norumbega and turn left onto Valmont. If you get to the bridge you’ve overshot.



And here’s a small taste of Valmont. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Lunch at T Phillip’s

Lunch at T Phillip’s, at Myrtle and Colorado. Got the Pulled Pork Quesadilla for $13 and a beer for $6.50. Cheesy, porky, and very tasty!

- Brad Haugaard 

Murder Suspect Also Uses Alias 'David Gonzalez'

Nimrod Perez Guerrero, aka David Gonzalez

LA Sheriff's Department reports that Nimrod Perez Guerrero, who is being sought in connection with the double murder of a woman and her daughter in Monrovia, also goes by the name David Gonzalez. https://goo.gl/5QaSYA

- Brad Haugaard



Monrovia Office Building Being Sold for $18 Million


The Huntington Oaks Office Center, at 1333 S. Mayflower Ave., is being sold for $18.5 million. https://goo.gl/DnSBo9

- Brad Haugaard

Bouncing Dog Looking for New Best Friend


Rexi (A468001) is a 4-year-old puppy who perks up as soon as you walk up to her kennel and will bounce up and down in excitement. She takes treats very gently from your hand and likes to be petted. Belly rubs are her favorite! She tends to lean into your arms for hugs and will lick your face to show how grateful she is to be around you. Rexi is looking for a new best friend 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