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Monrovia's STAAR Surgical Company Partners With European Clinic

Monrovia's STAAR Surgical Company, a developer and manufacturer of implantable lenses for the eye, has announced a Strategic Cooperation Agreement with Vista Oftalmólogos, a 49-clinic ophthalmology group serving Spain, France, Portugal and Morocco with more than 200 eye doctors and 1,000 employees. https://goo.gl/zQGRKZ

- Brad Haugaard

Fish Dinners for Lent

Monrovia Knights of Columbus Lenten Fish Dinners every Friday starting March 8 to Good Friday, April 19, from 5:30-8 p.m. $12 for adult fish dinner, $6 for child fish dinner, and $6 for grilled cheese (sandwich, I guess). 130 W. Pomona Ave., Monrovia. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Santa Fe Seventh Grader Wins Spelling Bee - Moves On to Regional Contest

Santa Fe Computer Science Magnet School seventh-grader Jose Dawis spelled out “flauta” to take first place in his school’s 2019 Spelling Bee and ensure he will move on to the Los Angeles County Scripps Regional Spelling Bee on March 9. https://goo.gl/KbcHmz

- Brad Haugaard

Here's What's Going Up at Chestnut and Magnolia


The construction at the corner of Chestnut and Magnolia will be a 16,349 square foot 10-unit industrial condominium complex and the first industrial condominium development to be built in the City since 1980. The project was approved by the Planning Commission in April...of 2008, according to Community Development's Over the Counter blog: https://goo.gl/Rif97C

- Brad Haugaard

Wedding Thief Makes off With Gift Cards and Cash

A wedding crasher (he's on video - Do you know him?) stole gift cards and cash from a Monrovia bride and groom during their wedding reception. https://goo.gl/XuesWW

- Brad Haugaard

Info for Parents on Kindergarten

There will be a meeting to introduce parents to the various kindergarten programs Monrovia Schools offers. It'll be Monday, March 18, at 6 p.m at the Monrovia Unified District Office, 325 E. Huntington Dr. https://goo.gl/q1CVNs

- Brad Haugaard

Anniversary of New Monrovia Literacy Van

On Facebook, Monrovia Reads reports that one year ago it launched a new Mobile Literacy Van, which visits each elementary school in the Monrovia Unified School District each week.  As of Feb. 6 the stats for the van are:

Books Checked Out: 2, 407
Library Cards Issued: 144
Outreach Visits: 168
People Visiting Van: 6, 036

- Brad Haugaard

Citrus Ranks Among Top Schools for Hispanics


For the 12th consecutive year, Citrus College, which serves Monrovia, has been recognized as one of the nation's top community colleges by Hispanic Outlook on Education, a national monthly magazine. This year, it ranked Citrus 25th out of the nation's more-than 1,100 community colleges for the number of Hispanic students receiving degrees and certificates. The college also ranked 32nd for total enrollment of Hispanic students.

- Brad Haugaard

Free Neighborhood Conference

Monrovia Area Partnership (MAP) will hold its free 10th Annual Neighborhood Conference on Saturday, April 6, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Second Baptist Church, 925 S. Shamrock. Workshop Topics: Neighborhood Treasures, upcoming development, de-escalation simulations with Monrovia Police, history, active shooter training, renewal updates. For further information contact MAP staff at 932-5563 or map@ci.monrovia.ca.us. Details: https://goo.gl/P67uoE

- Brad Haugaard

Frontier Building to Become Self Storage; We're Still Way Low on Water; Sidewalk Poetry; Wine Walk

Former Frontiers building remodeled as self-storage, offices, retail.

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

~ The company, Overton Moore Pacific, plans to convert the current Frontier Building on Lime Avenue to a mixed-use self-storage project with 550 self-storage units, 4,470 square feet of ground floor retail/commercial space, and 1,247 square feet of ground floor office space. The Development Review Committee will consider the project in May.

~  The Main San Gabriel Basin Watermaster reports that while higher-than-average rainfall has helped our groundwater level, it is still extremely low. We're still short around 52.9 billion gallons.

~  A growing amount of personal property stored on the west side of the Monrovia Public Library has been removed and is being stored at the Monrovia Police Department. Police posted a 72-hour notice on the property and when it elapsed on February 20, no one had relocated or moved the items. The Homeless Outreach Team tried to figure out whom it belonged to, without success.

~  The Footnotes program stamps poetry by local authors into sidewalks when they are repaired. The 2019 winners have been selected (https://goo.gl/U5XZzJ). Here is an example:

Library Park is the place to be
Children, dogs, and squirrels I see
A glance, I wave
A familiar face?
No, he wants my parking space

By Maria Ramirez

~ The 3rd Annual Wine Walk in Old Town will take place April 13, from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets go on sale March 1 at the Community Center, Charlie's House, PrimeLending, 3 Beauty Bar, Sauté, and Sunday's Old Town Bistro. If you spend $100 in one shopping/dining experience in Old Town, you can buy two pre-sale tickets for $35 each instead of $40. Show your receipt when purchasing tickets.

- Brad Haugaard

Bobo Looking for Seeing Eye Human

Bobo, the sweet blind Pit Bull, is seeking a seeing-eye human soulmate. Must love dogs and have lots of patience to show him around and orient to his surroundings. Someone with a soothing voice to reassure him that he’s safe and help him feel confident. Bobo is blind and hesitant at first, but with a little help he can figure it out and resume his dog duties. This 3-year-old boy loves affection from all of his staff and volunteer friends, enjoys laying on his doggy bed, and loves filling his tummy with yummy dog treats.

 

The adoption fee for dogs is $140. 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 

Monrovia Under Quarantine Because of Citrus Bug


It is now illegal to move citrus trees or other plants out of Monrovia, or to bring plants into town from other states or countries.

A press release from Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program explains:

“Due to the detection of an incurable plant disease called Huanglongbing (HLB) in Duarte, the California Department of Food and Agriculture has expanded the Los Angeles HLB quarantine area by 79 square miles to include the city of Monrovia. This quarantine means that it is illegal to move citrus trees and plant material out of the quarantine area and to bring citrus fruit or plant material into this area from other states or countries. “HLB kills all citrus trees it infects and is spread by a small pest called the Asian citrus psyllid as it feeds on leaves and stems of citrus trees. HLB is not harmful to humans or animals, but once a tree is infected, it will die and must be removed.     “Agricultural officials are in the Monrovia area and working to protect backyard citrus trees by inspecting them for the disease.”

Symptoms of HLB include blotchy, yellowing of leaves, yellow shoots, lopsided, small and bitter fruit, and premature and excessive fruit drop. 

Agriculture officials are working hard in the area to find and stop the disease. Please allow them to access your property.

Be sure to dry out citrus tree clippings or double bag them before removing the plant material from the property.

Control for ants on your citrus tree. Ants protect harmful pests like the Asian citrus psyllid. Place ant bait around citrus trees and follow the product’s label instructions. 

- Brad Haugaard

Educator Brings Clifton Audience to Tears

An educator known for her unconventional classroom tactics brought more than 700 Clifton Middle School students to tears on Feb. 14 with stories of how her “unteachable” students have blazed paths to college and successful careers. Full story: 
https://goo.gl/hFTfUK

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Scout to Place Wreath on Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Monrovia Troop 66 Star Scout and Senior Patrol Leader Willem Aponno will place a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, D.C, along with a group of eighth grade students from Arcadia Christian School. https://goo.gl/uHWNTn


- Brad Haugaard 

Help Monrovia Schools Plan the Future

If you are interested in giving your thoughts on Monrovia schools, he Monrovia School District will hold a series of three Local Control and Accountability Plan meetings, to which you're invited. Details: https://goo.gl/VHzNMQ

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Mayan Restaurant


Dinner at the Mayan Restaurant, in the Aztec Hotel at Foothill and Mayflower. Got the Seafood Combo for $19 and a beer at the happy hour price of $2.50.  It was a bit of work shelling, but worth it. Very tasty. Also, without our ordering it we were given a free, beautiful and delicious cheesecake dessert. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police: Bystander Thwarts Robbery; Hatchback Cars Burglarized in Canyon Park; Taser vs. Rock; Suspect Escapes on Skateboard; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Highlighted Activity for February 14 –20. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 355 service events, resulting in 79 investigations.

Grand Theft
February 14 at 11:15 a.m., a grand theft was reported at a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington. On February 13, two male subjects entered the business and went immediately to the menswear section. They selected jeans and polo shirts, threw them into a garbage bag and fled the location. The investigation revealed these two suspects have done this at other local stores and are known to loss prevention. The investigation is continuing.

Attempted Robbery
February 14 at 12:10 p.m., an attempted robbery was reported in the 1600 block of S. Myrtle. The previous night, the male victim was walking on the street and was assaulted by four unknown male suspects. The suspects tried to pull his backpack off of him and a bystander interfered. The suspects ran east and out of sight. Investigation continuing.

Shoplifting / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
February 14 at 5:52 p.m., an employee from a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain called to report a subject was being detained by loss prevention for shoplifting. Officers arrived and discovered the subject also had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
February 15 at 12:34 a.m., a caller reported a loud domestic dispute in the 700 block of W. Foothill. Officers arrived and contacted the subjects. An investigation revealed the couple were involved in an argument that escalated to them pushing each other, causing injuries. The male subject was determined to be the primary aggressor and was arrested for domestic violence.

Vehicle Burglaries
February 15 at 8:26 a.m., a subject called to report his vehicle was burglarized while he was inside Canyon Park. An officer responded and discovered that several other vehicles had also been burglarized. The suspects targeted hatchback vehicles, smashing the rear hatch window and rummaging for valuables while the owners were inside Canyon Park. Investigation continuing.

Suspicious Person / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
February 15 at 1:45 p.m., a resident called to report there were suspicious subjects loitering in the south alley in the 200 block of E. Chestnut. Officers arrived and contacted two subjects. A computer check revealed one of the subjects had several outstanding warrants for his arrest. He was arrested for the warrants.

Non-Injury Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
February 15 at 4:42 p.m., a traffic collision was reported in the 400 block of E. Foothill. The driver at fault was traveling at a high rate of speed and collided with the vehicle in front of him. His vehicle then spun out, went up a curb and sheared off a fire hydrant. Officers arrived and discovered the driver at fault was intoxicated. The officers conducted an investigation for driving under the influence and the driver was arrested for DUI.

Defrauding an Inn Keeper / Assault With a Deadly Weapon / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
February 16 at 4:12 p.m., police dispatch received a call from a hotel in the 700 block of W. Huntington. A subject was refusing to pay his hotel bill and refusing to leave the hotel room. The manager requested police remove him from the room. Officers asked the subject to leave the room, but he refused. A computer check of the subject revealed he also had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. Officers entered the room and found the subject standing just inside the door, holding a large rock. Officers told the subject to drop the rock, but he would not comply. One of the officers activated his Taser and the subject was taken into custody.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
February 17 at 2:17 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 100 block of W. Foothill when he saw a subject who appeared to be intoxicated and unable to care for himself. The officer detained the subject and confirmed he was in no condition to care for himself or others. The subject was arrested for public intoxication and held for a sobering period.

Warrant / Court Order Violation – Suspect Arrested
February 17 at 1:11 p.m., an officer was patrolling the 100 block of W. Palm when she saw a subject she knew had several warrants for his arrest and was in violation of a court order. The warrants were confirmed and the subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
February 17 at 1:13 p.m., an employee from a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington called police to report that a male subject concealed merchandise and left the store without paying for it. Officers arrived and detained the subject. The merchandise was recovered and the subject was arrested.

Vehicle Tampering
February 17 at 2:38 a.m., a resident in the 500 block of W. Duarte called to report that her unlocked vehicle was ransacked sometime during the night. The vehicle was parked in a rear parking lot of the complex. Nothing from the vehicle was missing. Investigation continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
February 18 at 7:45 a.m., a resident in the 1800 block of S. Peck walked outside his home and discovered someone had burglarized his vehicle sometime during the night. The suspect had shattered one of the car windows in order to gain entry. This investigation is continuing.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision
February 18 at 8:05 a.m., a customer at a coffee shop in the 600 block of W. Huntington walked outside the store and found a motorist had collided into his parked motorcycle and left without leaving a note. The damage was significant enough that the motorist should have known they collided into the motorcycle. This investigation is continuing.

Assault with a Deadly Weapon – Suspect Arrested
February 18 at 10:23 a.m., a resident in the 400 block of W. Duarte reported her husband was yelling at her and she needed help. Officers responded and separated the two subjects to investigate. The investigation revealed the husband became angry with his wife and threw a glass jar at her, trying to hit her with it. She moved and the jar hit the wall behind her, breaking the jar. Officers arrested the male subject, who later bailed out of jail. A temporary emergency restraining order was obtained and served prior to his release.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
February 19 at 8:27 a.m., a resident in the 600 block of W. Foothill called to report a possible electricity theft involving an occupied vehicle. Officers arrived and contacted both occupants of the vehicle. The female occupant had two outstanding warrants for her arrest and she was arrested. The other occupant was released at the scene. No evidence was discovered to prove a theft of electricity.

Shoplifting / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
February 20 at 5:30 p.m., security at a store in the 500 block of W. Huntington called police to report a shoplifter that had just left their store with merchandise without paying. Officers responded to the area and apprehended the suspect. The property was recovered and returned to the store. The subject was taken into custody and a computer check revealed he also had a warrant for his arrest, which was added to his charges.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
February 20 at 6:47 p.m., a loss prevention employee from a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington reported a male subject that had just shoplifted from their store. Officers responded to the area, apprehended the subject, and the property was returned to the store. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Grand Theft Auto Recovery
February 20 at 10:45 p.m., while handling a call for service in the 300 block of W. Huntington, an officer ran an unrelated vehicle license plate which returned stolen out of Los Angeles. LAPD was notified, along with the registered owner, and the vehicle was recovered.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision
February 21 at 3:51 a.m., a resident in the 1200 block of S. Magnolia called to report a vehicle traveling northbound on Magnolia that collided into several parked vehicles. The driver exited the vehicle and fled from the scene on a skateboard. No other description was given. Officers searched the area, but did not locate the driver. Investigation continuing.

2018 'Breakout Year' for Monrovia's STAAR Surgical

Monrovia's STAAR Surgical Company, which makes and markets of implantable lenses for the eye, reported net sales of $124 million, up 37% from 2017. The company press release said that "2018 was a breakout year for STAAR." https://goo.gl/Rk4VNS

- Brad Haugaard

Freezing Weather Tonight

The National Weather Service has issued a freeze warning for LA County and the San Gabriel Valley, from midnight tonight until 8 a.m. Friday. 

Temperatures expected to drop to between 29 and 32 degrees. Bring in your sensitive plants and especially your pets!

- Brad Haugaard 

Goodbye Lime Bikes; Crime Up; Fire Department Calls Up; City Getting New Ambulance Company; Etc.


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

~  Lime Bikes are going away, but will likely be replaced by other bikes. Chi said Lime is getting out of the bikeshare biz to focus on scooters. All its Monrovia bikes will be removed by March 15. The city is considering replacing Lime with a bike program Lyft is developing, or an e-bike program available through the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments.

~ Monrovia crime is up. From 2017 to 2018 the city had a 7.3% increase in Part 1 (serious) crimes. He writes that "we saw an increase in both violent Part 1 crimes (3.0%) and non-violent Part 1 crimes (7.6%), and in addition, when we compare our 2018 crime numbers against calendar year 2015 (which is the year in which we recorded our historic low crime rate), Monrovia has seen a 31.2% increase in Part I crimes." He adds that there have been similar and greater increases in Part I crimes throughout LA County and in the State of California. He adds, "Law enforcement personnel have attributed these significant increases in criminal activity to the impact of State legislation that has been approved during the past few years, including AB 109, Proposition 47, and Proposition 57."

~ Monrovia Fire Department is also getting more calls for service, up 2.2% from 2017 to 2018. 4,364 in 2018 vs 4,270 in 2017. Since 2014 there has been a 15.9% increase in fire and rescue service, or 599 additional service requests annually.

~  Schaefer Ambulance, which serves Monrovia under contract with LA County, is going out of business. Care Ambulance, which provides ambulance services for several communities surrounding Monrovia, will fill in on an interim basis.

~ Monrovia has been awarded $500,000 from the Southern California Association of Governments to evaluate ways to optimize the GoMonrovia public transit program. Ideas include:  An employer transportation subsidy program, which would use GoMonrovia, and hiring specialists to further analyze GoMonrovia  data.

~ Council Member Gloria Crudgington recently had cancer surgery, and "all 21 lymph nodes that were removed during her surgery came back as being 100% cancer free." This is a strong indication that the cancer had not spread. In other words, good news.

- Brad Haugaard