This Halloween pirate ship, complete with music, mist and pirates, is just west of McKinley on Hillcrest.
- Brad Haugaard
Video Interviews With Monrovia School Board Candidates
If these written interviews ( http://goo.gl/Bez0h ) with Monrovia School Board members were not enough for you to make up your mind who to vote for, here are a set of video interviews from Ralph Walker at KGEM:
Janeane Lechuga Covarrubias http://goo.gl/DsyLa
David Dale Crabtree http://goo.gl/6kjz8
Ed Gililland http://goo.gl/h8Zr4
Rob Hammond http://goo.gl/RsDVu
Ed McCarthy http://goo.gl/EJq6z
Terrence G. Williams http://goo.gl/VTZrs
Bryan J. Wong http://goo.gl/fnXvq
- Brad Haugaard
Place a Hold Online on a Monrovia Library Book
Here's a new video on how to place a hold on a Monrovia Library book online. http://goo.gl/bTY61
And here is the actual library catalog if you want to give it a try: http://goo.gl/4uedC
- Brad Haugaard
Gun Group to Challenge Portantino's Open-Carry Law
A gun-rights group is planning to challenge the No-Open-Carry law authored by one of Monrovia's assemblymen, Anthony Portantino. http://goo.gl/PlL8P
- Brad Haugaard
Partial Freeway Closures Ahead
Partial closures of 210 eastbound from Halloween night through the evening of Nov. 11. Closures will start no earlier than 10 p.m. and end by 1 p.m. the following day. No full-freeway closures are anticipated. The construction crew is working on either end of the bridge, where it is anchored to the ground. The abutments.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia School Board Candidates
Here are all the Monrovia School Board candidate interviews (alphabetical by last name) from Patch. You can open them all side-by-side in tabs using my little tool, OpenUpper.com, and clicking "Open checked," or you can open them one by one here:
Janeane Covarrubias http://goo.gl/FdJ4k
David Crabtree http://goo.gl/hY0Uu
Ed Gililland http://goo.gl/EkCiY
Rob Hammond http://goo.gl/V0fbl
Ed McCarthy http://goo.gl/4J6Yz
Terrence Williams http://goo.gl/N1Pqa
Bryan Wong http://goo.gl/llWwB
- Brad Haugaard
Janeane Covarrubias http://goo.gl/FdJ4k
David Crabtree http://goo.gl/hY0Uu
Ed Gililland http://goo.gl/EkCiY
Rob Hammond http://goo.gl/V0fbl
Ed McCarthy http://goo.gl/4J6Yz
Terrence Williams http://goo.gl/N1Pqa
Bryan Wong http://goo.gl/llWwB
- Brad Haugaard
Halloween Ship
- Brad Haugaard
Man Shoots Himself on Myrtle
Man reportedly shoots himself on Myrtle near Library Park. http://goo.gl/EhqqB and http://goo.gl/lf0hS
- Brad HaugaardMonrovia's McCarthy in Sports Illustrated
Monrovia's Ellis McCarthy makes Sports Illustrated Player of the Week. http://goo.gl/Vc4xk - Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Dia de los Muertos | Home Depot Helps
~ Dia de los Muertos at Live Oaks Park in Monrovia Wednesday. http://goo.gl/mQT6v
~ Home Depot helps out VFW http://goo.gl/939Oq
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Over San Marino in Football :-)
Monrovia beats San Marino 43-7. With a score like that I cringe and feel a bit embarrassed for the losing team. But San Marino didn't give up and scored its 7 points in the fourth quarter. Good for them.
Full story: http://goo.gl/Oi1Xw
- Brad Haugaard
Gold Line Wins Court Cases Brought by Monrovia Landowner
The Metero Gold Line won a court ruling in a case brought against the line by a Monrovia property owner who doesn't want to sell his land for a rail maintenance yard.
According to the Gold Line press release, "the ruling released today denies the petitioner’s request that the court invalidate the Construction Authority’s certification of a Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) for the project."
Also, the news release says that, "To date, the petitioner has initiated six lawsuits against the Construction Authority and City of Monrovia in an attempt to stop the eminent domain process for his property. The lawsuits have ranged from alleging a secret conspiracy, to challenging the ability of board members to sit on the Construction Authority board, to claiming the Construction Authority is not legally permitted to conduct design-build procurements."
More here: http://goo.gl/6OsRP
- Brad Haugaard
Lunch at Wang's Place
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia High Schedules Grand Opening
Monrovia High schedules grand opening on Nov. 16 to celebrate its renovations and to open the Louise Taylor Performing Arts Center. (Taylor was the former superintendent.) http://goo.gl/dQrff
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Teachers Endorse Candidates | Football vs. San Marino | MHS Reunion | Green Dot
~ Monrovia Teachers Association endorses Ed Gililland, Byron Wong and Terrence Williams. http://goo.gl/Hg2eF
~ A look at the upcoming Monrovia-San Marino football game. http://goo.gl/6tmz3
~ Monrovia High all-class reunion Oct. 30 at the racetrack. It's a fundraiser to send the Wildcat Symphonic Band to Carnegie Hall. http://goo.gl/mtWUT
~ Monrovia's Green Dot will work with GE Capital Retail Bank and Walmart to expanded the Walmart MoneyCard prepaid cards. http://goo.gl/UbPM8
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia City Council to Consider Allowing Gates on a Residential Project
At its Nov. 1 meeting, the Monrovia City Council will consider whether to allow Bowden Development to put gates at both entrances of a recently-completed, 7-unit residential development between 1122 and 1126 South Magnolia Ave. and 239-247 West Cypress Ave. City staff is recommending allowing the variance. Details: http://goo.gl/q5X3y
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's State Senator: Governor on the Right Path
Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, said he supports "raising the mandatory retirement age for all new employees and the adoption of a hybrid risk-sharing plan." He said he thinks the governor "is on the right path." http://goo.gl/oMDgw
- Brad Haugaard
Support Monrovia Girls' Tennis | Water-Smart Gardening
~ Have dinner at T. Phillips to help the Monrovia High Girls' Tennis team. (Thanks to Alex Zucco on Facebook). Details: http://goo.gl/N7tdw ~ An evening workshop on water-efficient gardening, Nov. 2. Details: http://goo.gl/gLWhs - Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's AeroVironment Unveils a new Police Drone | Green Dot Has a Great Third Quarter
~ AeroVironment unveils a new police and public-safety drone. http://goo.gl/DR9cl and http://goo.gl/799sU
~ Monrovia's Green Dot Corporation had a very nice third quarter. http://goo.gl/ibIlR
- Brad Haugaard
Gold Line Works Around State Supreme Court Roadblock
Working on the Gold Line bridge at Santa Anita Avenue.
The Metro board has freed money for continued Gold Line rail line work, kind of outflanking a State Supreme Court decision.
As you may recall, the court froze redevelopment agencies until a lawsuit is settled, but since the Gold line needed to lock up property from the Monrovia Redevelopment Agency for a maintenance yard before it would qualify for more money, the court order meant it was stuck. But now the Metro board has taken that into consideration and decided to free up some of the cash. Gold Line spokesman Habib Balian writes:
"Earlier today, the Metro board approved an important amendment to our funding agreement, affording the Construction Authority access to $208 million of the approved $735 million total project budget, an increase of $103.6 million from the original terms.
"Having access to the funds allows the Authority to provide Kiewit Parsons Joint Venture an Interim Notice to Proceed for the Pasadena to Azusa design and preconstruction work, maintaining our current schedule of construction completion in 2015."
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia PD: Stealing a Stethoscope, Craigslist iPhone Snatch, After-School Fires, DUI, Etc.
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Oct. 20-26, 2011 - Brad Haugaard]
During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 583 service events, resulting in 114 investigations. Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events:
Public Demonstration
On October 21, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) conducted a demonstration in the 600 block of West Huntington protesting Trader Joe's. There were approximately two-hundred supporters in attendance. The demonstration began at 12:00 noon, and at 12:30 p.m., they walked through the Huntington Oaks shopping center and proceeded to the Trader Joe's Corporate Office in the 800 block of South Shamrock. They held a rally there for nearly an hour. At that time, the group was approached by officers from the police department and instructed to leave per Penal Code Section 602(a) at the request of Trader Joe's security, and the group eventually dispersed. The remainder of the time they stayed on the church grounds, where they had permission to stand.
Grand Theft Investigation
On October 23 at 12:16 p.m., a female subject called police and reported that she had just been robbed of her cell phone. When officers arrived, she stated that she had advertised her IPhone on Craigslist for sale. She met with the potential buyer at Mayflower and Huntington. When she handed the cell phone to the subject, he took it and ran east across Mayflower and out of sight. Officers responded and checked the area, but met with negative results.
Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested
On October 23 at 3:26 p.m., officers responded to the report of a male adult drinking alcohol while driving through a business parking lot in the 300 block of West Huntington. Officers arrived and arrested the driver for driving under the influence and his vehicle was stored.
Commercial Burglary
On October 23 at 11:04 p.m., a car with three occupants pulled up near a gas station at Shamrock and Huntington. A male subject ran into the store and took a case of beer and ran directly out to the waiting car. The clerk obtained the license plate of the car. An officer went to the address the vehicle was registered to and waited until the car returned. The officer was able to detain the suspect, and the stolen property was located. The witness positively identified the suspect and the vehicle. Based on investigation, only one suspect was charged and held.
Vandalism
On October 24 at 10:16 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 1300 block of South Primrose regarding vandalism. They arrived and found gang graffiti on the sidewalk at the northeast corner of Primrose and Montana, and on the limit line on the street. The graffiti was written in black spray paint. Graffiti removal was notified.
Vandalism
On October 24 at 4:34 p.m., additional gang graffiti was reported in the 1100 block of South Primrose. Graffiti removal was notified.
Residential Burglary
On October 25 at 6:00 a.m., a resident in the 800 block of California left their house. When they returned at 5:00 p.m., they found their home had been burglarized. The suspect gained entry by climbing through an unlocked second floor window. Two laptop computers and thumb drives were stolen. Investigation continuing.
Vehicle Burglary
On October 25 at 6:26 a.m., an employee of a restaurant in the 500 block of West Huntington reported that someone had broken into a customer's vehicle. An officer responded and found a rear window had been shattered. A green backpack containing documents and a stethoscope was taken. No witnesses. Investigation continuing.
Residential Burglary
On October 25 at 9:54 a.m., officers responded to an apartment in the 700 block of Monterey regarding a burglary. The victim had left an hour earlier and returned to find a bedroom window open and a laptop missing. The suspect(s) removed the window screen and forced the lock to gain entry. Investigation continuing.
Vehicle Burglary
On October 25 at 1:17 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the intersection of Alta Vista and Chestnut on the report of a vehicle burglary. The victim said his vehicle was broken into the day before, between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m., but he was unable to report it then. The suspect(s) broke the driver side window and removed a clipboard from the front seat which contained $200 in cash. No witnesses were located. Investigation continuing.
Illegal Fire Setting
On October 25 at 3:57 p.m., Monrovia Fire Department advised they were responding to a small fire on the tracks in the 1400 block of South Alamitas. Officers responded to assist. It was determined that someone set fire to some trash. The fire was put out. A similar fire was reported at the same location a week prior. No witnesses were located, but indications are that it may be school kids that are causing these fires after school. Extra patrol will continue in the area. Investigation continuing.
Burglary
On October 26 at 9:28 a.m., an officer responded to a business in the 500 block of West Huntington regarding a theft that had just occurred. When the officer arrived, the reporting party told him a female subject who had been wandering in the store walked out and the anti-theft alarm went off. The reporting party saw the female get into a vehicle and leave, but was able to obtain the license plate number. A check of the video and the sales floor indicated the female had taken five Android eReaders valued at $1150 dollars. Investigation continuing.
Shots Heard
On October 26 at 6:39 p.m., dispatch received numerous calls of shots heard over a wide area of the north end of town. The majority of calls seemed to indicate the shooting occurred somewhere in the area of 400 to 600 blocks of Norumbega. Pasadena's helicopter responded and searched the area with ground units. Officers searched along the wash and door-to-door in the area for over an hour, but were unable to locate the source of the gunfire. No witnesses or suspects were located. Investigation continuing.
Residential Burglary
On October 26 at 8:30 a.m., a resident who lives in the 400 block of North Primrose left her home. When she returned at 10:15 p.m., she found someone had forced her back door open. It appears that nothing was stolen. The suspect may have been scared off when a motion detector lamp activated when the door was forced open. Investigation continuing.
Monrovia's AeroVironment is Hot | No Bodybuilding at MHS | More Democratic?
~ Monrovia's Aerovironment is among the companies in the Aerospace & Defense Industry with the highest growth in Earnings Per Share. http://goo.gl/A7YVH
~ No bodybuilding competition at Monrovia High, school board decides. http://goo.gl/nkmTY~ Redistricting could make San Gabriel Valley lean more Democratic: http://goo.gl/tm8Ig
- Brad HaugaardShots on Norumbega | Monrovia's McCarthy Great Player, Nice Guy | Boot Camp Video | Trader Joe's Stays Quirky | Drug Roundup | Bartlett vs. Hammond | City Website Changes
~ Gunfire heard on Norumbega. A reader reports that she heard the sounds "while I was out on my walk tonight. It really freaked me out." http://goo.gl/vTjYC and http://goo.gl/CgBZN
~ Ellis McCarthy. Not only is he a top 50 football recruit, he is "one of the most mild-mannered, polite, friendly students at Monrovia (Calif.)." http://goo.gl/VkoYn
~ "Disturbing" video of conditions at the Pasadena boot camp of Kelvin McFarland, a Monrovia resident. http://goo.gl/d3QTm
~ Monrovia's Trader Joe's tries to keep things quirky as it expands. http://goo.gl/KTiZc
~ On Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Monrovia PD and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will be at the Community Center (119 W. Palm) to collect potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. http://goo.gl/8EJWw
~ More on Bartlett withdrawing his endorsement of Hammond. http://goo.gl/XA633
~ The domain name for the City of Monrovia's web site has been changed from the rather obscure www.ci.monrovia.ca.us/ to the easier-to-remember http://www.cityofmonrovia.org/ .
- Brad Haugaard
Report on Make a Difference Day | La Cañada over Monrovia :-(
~ A report on Make a Difference Day. http://goo.gl/kTNer
~ La Cañada over Monrovia in water polo, 27-0. http://goo.gl/e6O5r
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's Unity Center Needs Help | Hidden Freeway Signs
~ With holiday events coming up, Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center is looking for volunteers. Needed: Thanksgiving food (non-perishable and frozen turkeys), volunteer time, fulfill children's gift wishes, funds. For more information contact Raina Martinez at 626 358-3486 or raina@foothillunitycenter.org
~ Freeway signs hidden at the corner of Magnolia and Chestnut. http://goo.gl/1Xest
- Brad Haugaard
Opinion: In Defense of Trader Joe's
There is a lame commentary over at Monrovia Patch today ( http://goo.gl/EG8fa ) criticizing Monrovia's Trader Joe's. (I intend no criticism of Patch, by the way, as it is simply doing its job by providing a forum for the writer to express herself on a local topic.) Anyway, the writer lays into Trader Joe's because it "had not agreed to pay the penny extra a pound for tomatoes" to benefit tomato pickers in Florida.
So, right off, the writer ignores what even the workers' union itself stated in its own press release just a few days ago: that Trader Joe's has already agreed to pay an extra penny a pound for tomatoes. It just isn't going to sign the union's contract.
And frankly, I don't understand what the whole issue has to do with Trader Joe's at all.
Unless there is something I'm missing, Trader Joe's does not employ the tomato pickers, so why don't the workers ask their own employers for an extra penny a pound for tomatoes and then their employers can pass the cost along to Trader Joe's and other buyers? Why should Trader Joe's pay someone else's employees? What would you think if employees at the supermarket where you shop demanded that you pay extra money directly to their union? And what if you -- sweetheart that you are -- agreed, but then your word wasn't good enough for them so they demanded that you sign a contract to that effect?
Further, the writer of the opinion piece completely ignored Trader Joe's response ( http://goo.gl/M0OGG ). But if just half of what the company says is true, it is even more justified in rejecting a contract that it should not feel obliged to sign even under the fairest of circumstances.
Here is just one of the six points Trader Joe's makes:
"The draft agreement contains a requirement that Trader Joe’s somehow will pay the total premium whether or not the supply of Florida Tomatoes is sufficient to meet our demands or regardless of where we actually buy the tomatoes. This, of course, is a ridiculous requirement to which no serious business would agree."
So... if Trader Joe's buys tomatoes in Texas it has to pay workers in Florida!?
I beg your pardon?
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Assemblyman Seeks to Overturn Dream Act | Women Pilots Talk
~ Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who represents part of Monrovia, is collecting voter signatures to try to overturn the Dream Act, which allows undocumented students to compete for state money. http://goo.gl/FMBJD
~ Hear the stories of women pilots (including Amelia Earhart) from members the San Gabriel Chapter of the Ninety-Nines, a women pilots organization. Nov. 1, 6:30 p.m. at the Library Community Room. Details: http://goo.gl/7Dwik
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovian Invents Quick Collapsing Goalposts
Monrovian solves problem of celebrating fans knocking down goalposts and getting hurt. http://goo.gl/mUX2t
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia - Football Goliath? | Top Band | Flame Broiler
~ Is Monrovia a football Goliath? http://goo.gl/O81iz
~ Monrovia High has the top band. http://goo.gl/2WAIZ
~ Monrovia Flame Broiler is now open. Near Sprouts. http://goo.gl/sa17T . And here's the menu: http://goo.gl/PW2VI
- Brad Haugaard
Pink Firefighters
Next week, the Monrovia Fire Department will be participating in the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month by wearing pink t-shirts. The crews have been given permission to wear the special pink t-shirts while on duty to raise awareness of the disease and support cancer awareness. It was the idea of the Monrovia Firefighter's Association. http://goo.gl/KAi9u - Brad Haugaard
Halloween Costume Tips From Monrovia FD
~ When choosing a costume, stay away from billowing or long trailing fabric. If you are making your own costume, choose material that won't easily ignite if it comes into contact with heat or flame. If your child is wearing a mask, make sure the eye holes are large enough so they can see out.
~ Provide children with flashlights to carry for lighting or glow sticks as part of their costume.
~ Dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper are highly flammable. Keep these and other decorations well away from all open flames and heat sources, including light bulbs and heaters.
~ It is safest to use a flashlight or battery-operated candles in a jack-o-lantern. If you use a real candle, use extreme caution. Make sure children are watched at all times when candles are lit. When lighting candles inside jack-o-lanterns, use long fireplace-style matches or a utility lighter. Be sure to place lit pumpkins well away from anything that can burn and far enough out of the way of trick-or-treaters, doorsteps, walkways and yards.
~ Remember to keep exits clear of decorations, so nothing blocks escape routes.
~ Tell children to stay away from open flames. Be sure they know how to stop, drop and roll if their clothing catches fire. (Have them practice stopping immediately, dropping to the ground, covering their face with hands, and rolling over and over to put the flames out.)
~ Use flashlights as alternatives to candles or torch lights when decorating walkways and yards. They are much safer for trick-or-treaters whose costumes may brush against the lighting.
~ If your children are going to Halloween parties at others' homes, have them look for ways out of the home and plan how they would get out in an emergency.
Source: http://goo.gl/KAi9u
- Brad Haugaard (from Monrovia Fire Department)
Monrovia's STAAR Surgical Doing Well | Make a Difference Day
~ Monrovia's STAAR Surgical, which makes implantable eye lenses, reported third quarter revenue of $15.3 million, 16 percent more than the third quarter of 2010. http://goo.gl/oTGGR
~ Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa wants everybody to pitch in for Make a Difference Day this Saturday. He quotes Shakespeare, "How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in weary world." http://goo.gl/KAi9u
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia City Councilman Unhappy About Handicapped Spaces
Monrovia City Councilman Tom Adams is apparently unhappy with the city's Pavilions supermarket. This comment was posted on the Internet service "foursquare."
- Brad Haugaard
Enrollment Up at Monrovia Schools | No Redevelopment Money for Schools - Yet | Agenda
~ Enrollment for Monrovia Schools is unexpectedly up for October. The district was predicting a loss of 112 students but instead gained 122.
~ Not only is the transfer of Monrovia property to the Gold Line on hold pending the outcome of a lawsuit by cities against the state's new rules on redevelopment, but now the Monrovia School District reports that the same hold is preventing any redevelopment money from coming to the schools. http://goo.gl/blZGR
~ Here is the agenda for the next School Board meeting, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. at the district offices: http://goo.gl/khUOZ
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Chevy Dealer's Salesmen to be 'Prince Charmings'
The owner of Sierra Chevrolet is going to Disneyland to learn how to turn "car salesmen into personable Prince Charmings." http://goo.gl/XF8Ni
- Brad Haugaard
Lunch at Los Gueros
- Brad Haugaard
Protesters March to Trader Joe's Monrovia HQ
The Florida labor group wants Trader Joe's to pay an extra penny a pound for tomatoes it picks, to benefit the pickers. Trader Joe's says it is already doing that but won't sign the agreement because "the agreement that Trader Joe’s has been asked to sign is overreaching, ambiguous and improper."
Details from both sides at these links:
~ Coalition of Immolakee Workers: http://goo.gl/rEisD
~ Trader Joe's response: http://goo.gl/M0OGG
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's STAAR Surgical - Making Money
Monrovia's STAAR Surgical expects revenue to be up 16 percent for third quarter. http://goo.gl/23DnT
- Brad Haugaard
Bridge Work | Maranatha Over Monrovia? | Walmart Employees Get Sick
Working on the 210 Gold Line bridge abutments.
~ Star-News Sports Writer picks Maranatha over Monrovia in football. http://goo.gl/XVIFL
~ Walmart employees get sick after handling money. http://goo.gl/I9tem
- Brad Haugaard
$7.3 Million Army Contract for Monrovia Company | Prolacta Collects $100k for Breast Cancer Research
~ Monrovia's AeroVironment gets a $7.3 million Army contract for support services for its Puma drone. http://goo.gl/bNjKS
~ Prolacta Bioscience of Monrovia has collected more that $100,000 since October 2010 for breast cancer research. http://goo.gl/oZhNZ
- Brad Haugaard
More on Monrovia Crime Mapping
The Monrovia Police Department has taken a step forward to better inform the public about crimes that are occurring in the City by making their crime data available online to the public. Any resident with access to the Internet can map out and analyze recent crime activity in their neighborhood. CrimeMapping.com also offers free Crime Alerts which help keep the community well informed by distributing incident reports via e-mail to anyone that subscribes to the system. Monrovia residents and business owners can now stay up to date regarding what is happening near their home, work or child's school. The fifteen crime types displayed are those most often requested by the public and include such reported incidents as robbery, assault, burglary and theft. Citizens can turn crime types on and off depending on what they are interested in learning about and activity can also be queried by date as there is a rolling ninety days of information available at CrimeMapping.com. Simple reports and charts which help depict current trends can be instantly accessed based on a buffer distance
or the visible map area. CrimeMapping.com has proven effective in reducing crime by increasing the number of eyes and ears out there aware of local activity. The department will be able to use CrimeMapping.com live at community meetings to help provide reliable crime information and encourage citizens to report offenses. You can access CrimeMapping.com through a link on the City of Monrovia website. The department also has a link to an informative video that explains how to use all the features on the crime map. To learn more about crime mapping visit the website at www.cityofmonrovia.org. - Brad Haugaard (from city press release)
or the visible map area. CrimeMapping.com has proven effective in reducing crime by increasing the number of eyes and ears out there aware of local activity. The department will be able to use CrimeMapping.com live at community meetings to help provide reliable crime information and encourage citizens to report offenses. You can access CrimeMapping.com through a link on the City of Monrovia website. The department also has a link to an informative video that explains how to use all the features on the crime map. To learn more about crime mapping visit the website at www.cityofmonrovia.org. - Brad Haugaard (from city press release)
Monrovia PD: Investigation of Mayflower Shooting, Purse Tug of War, 'Everyone's Going to Die', Drugs, Alcohol, Etc.
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Oct 13-19. - Brad Haugaard]
During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 551 service events, resulting in 91 investigations. Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events:
Vehicle Burglary
On October 13 at 9:49 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported at a hotel parking lot in the 300 block of West Foothill. During the investigation, the officer checked video surveillance of the location. He observed a male Hispanic subject approach the victim's vehicle and enter through the passenger door. The window had been left cracked open and the suspect reached in and unlocked the door. He then removed the car stereo and a cell phone, which was left on the passenger seat. The suspect was last seen getting into a tan SUV and leaving the area. The investigation is continuing.
Homicide Investigation
On October 14 at 5:18 a.m., the Monrovia Police Department received a 911 call from a resident in the 200 block of North Mayflower reporting a shooting. The Monrovia Police Department responded to the location and discovered a 63-year-old male had been shot inside the house. The Monrovia Fire Department also responded. The victim was pronounced deceased at 5:29 a.m. The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Homicide Bureau was called and assumed the primary investigative responsibility with the Monrovia Police Department's detectives assisting. There were no arrests made in the case and the case will be presented to the District Attorney's office for filing consideration once the investigation is completed.
Attempt Strong-arm Robbery
On October 14 at 1:29 p.m., an attempt robbery occurred at a fast food restaurant in the 300 block of West Huntington Drive. A female subject was sitting by herself inside the location with her purse on the table in front of her. A male Hispanic in his late teens entered the restaurant, approached the female and grabbed her purse. The female immediately grabbed her purse, as well, and the two were struggling for it. The female was pulled to the ground during the struggle, at which time the suspect gave up and ran outside. A witness followed the suspect outside and saw him get into the rear passenger side of a newer-model, blue, 4-door Nissan Altima, driven by a male black. The suspects fled east on Cypress, out of sight. The suspect had facial hair and was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with "Monrovia" printed on the front in white, as well as black shorts and black Vans type shoes. Officers, including the Special Enforcement Team and the Foothill Air Support helicopter, searched for the suspect vehicle, but it was not located.
Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested
On October 15 at 12:40 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 900 block of West Duarte regarding a possible drunk driver. The reporting party followed the vehicle off the freeway and informed dispatch of his direction of travel. Officers located the vehicle in the 900 block of West Duarte, and after investigation, determined the driver to be under the influence. The driver was arrested.
Medical Assist / Drug Overdose
On October 15 at 1:42 a.m., officers responded to a medical assist in the 300 block of North Encinitas and found the victim had overdosed on Heroin. He was transported to a hospital for treatment. Officers recovered drug paraphernalia, along with Heroin, which was next to the victim when they arrived. He was charged with possession of a controlled substance, being under the Influence of a controlled substance, and possession of a syringe.
Traffic Collision / Driving Under Influence - Suspect Arrested
On October 15 at 4:30 a.m., a traffic collision occurred in the area of Mountain and Olive involving a possible drunk driver. Officers arrived on scene and determined the driver was intoxicated and he was arrested for driving under the influence.
Mental Evaluation
On October 15 at 12:50 a.m., a subject entered a night club in the 300 block of South Myrtle without paying and immediately became aggressive with the patrons. Security guards had to physically remove him from the location. When officers arrived and contacted the subject, he was extremely delusional and continued to exclaim that everyone was going to die. The officers detained the subject and he was taken to a hospital, where he was held for 72-hour mental evaluation.
Medical Assist / Air Rescue - Monrovia Falls
On October 16 at 2:00 p.m., a medical assist was requested for a female adult that was hit in the head with a rock at Monrovia Falls. Monrovia Fire Department paramedics responded and handled the call. Police were called back to the falls regarding a 49- year-old male subject that decided to climb above the falls to find the subject(s) that dislodged the rock. The male subject got stuck on a ledge and could not go up or down. The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department responded with a helicopter and removed the male subject from the rocks.
Embezzlement
On October 19 at 9:52 a.m., the victim/owner of a business in the 300 block of West Maple and a witness came into the lobby of the police station to file an embezzlement report. On October 14, they found a piece of paper in their copy machine that had been altered to the benefit of a female employee. They became suspicious, conducted audits, and put together packages of checks from different banks that had been altered to the benefit of the same employee. The employee has defrauded the company of a large sum of money. The investigation will continue.
Video of Monrovia Company's Killer Drone
A very impressive demo video of the new Switchblade killer-drone by Monrovia's AeroVironment. http://goo.gl/UFv10
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia School Board Candidates' Forum
Candidates at the Monrovia School Board forum. (Candidate on the left whose tag you can't see is Hammond.)
The atmosphere was friendly as seven candidates for three open Monrovia School Board seats gave statements and answered questions at a forum run by the League of Women Voters at Monrovia's Open Door Church of God in Christ Wednesday night.
There were no obvious divisions among the candidates in terms of how they felt the district has been doing or where they felt it should be going and nobody made any absurd, impossible-to-fulfill promises.
The incumbents, Ed Gililland and Bryan Wong, basically ran on their records and blamed the cuts they made - especially for librarians and the Regional Occupational Program (ROP) - on budget cuts from the state, and none of the other candidates challenged that assessment.
The challengers - (in order of their seating) Rob Hammond, Ed McCarthy, Terrance G. Williams, Janene Lechuga Covarrubias, and David Dale Crabtree - ran on their credentials, enthusiasm, and ideas.
Okay, here is my attempt at a summary of the candidates positions:
~ Hammond hammered on - and reminded people that he was hammering on - the need to address the district's financial troubles by persuading more parents to send their children to Monrovia schools. The logic here is that the state pays districts based on the number of students attending, so, more students, more money. And to persuade parents, he wants to improve the music, art and vocational programs. And he spoke of his community involvement, including being a founder of the Monrovia Reads program.
~ McCarthy said he has children in the district, and wants to see parents and teachers come together to benefit "every last child."
~ Williams said he has been involved for 18 years with the district, and has a child at Clifton Middle School, has been involved in the PTSA, as a school site council member, in sports and mentoring. He said the board should represent the district geographically, and he would bring diversity in that way. Also, he said he doesn't want teachers to raise children, but that parents should partner at home with what teachers do in school.
~ Covarrubias is also a Clifton parent and is deeply involved there. She said she has spent 20 years in business and is a fourth generation Monrovian. She wants all parents to feel welcome to be involved in schools, all students to be challenged to their full potential and prepared for life, and for all employees to feel worthwhile. She said the district's decision to lay off librarians was a factor that made her decide to run for the board, and while she didn't say it was a wrong decision, she did say the decision is "worth revisiting."
~ Crabtree is a retired educator. He taught chemistry, computer, and mathematics, and was a principal. He said he has written grants and has improved student achievement levels.
~ Incumbent Ed Gililland talked about rising test scores and the "huge number" of awards the district has won. And, oh, by the way, he is not interested in pursuing any other city or state office.
~ Incumbent Bryan Wong said he is the most senior board member, although he is only finishing his second term. It is a "young board." He said Monrovia has "successes other districts envy." Enrollment is up and "our test scores are up over 800 during most difficult financial times district has ever seen."
Some noteworthy comments:
Gililland - "I want every school to score over 900. Every school. I want the best schools in the state. I'm not satisfied with the best in the San Gabriel Valley or LA."
Williams - (Would he hire back librarians who were layed off?) "Yes, I will. We need librarians." And the Regional Occupational Program? "ROP is a necessity. Period. Just like librarians. Period."
McCarthy - "We need to give kids more laptops so they can go on the net and look up any kind of books, so we can cut out money spent on libraries." He suggested that "we can buy more iPads in place of librarians."
Covarrubias - (in contrast) "Last year's decision to close the libraries was very frustrating. It is what got me sitting here."
Crabtree - (Would he support a parcel tax to fund the schools?) "I'm not opposed to a parcel tax, but that is for the voters to decide." But, he said, "I don't think it could pass at this time." He was the only candidate to not oppose a parcel tax. Everyone else was firmly against a tax, at least in the current economy.
Hammond - When he asked the Monrovia Teachers Association about its relationship with the district, the answer was always, Good. And that, he said, is an excellent reflection on the district's negotiating teams.
Wong - The ROP was not cut by choice, and not because the program was failing. The opposite is true. It was very successful, so it was one of the last things the district cut, and when funding becomes available it will be one of the first things to be added back.
Best intentionally funny line (from Crabtree): "I grew up in rural South Dakota, and went to a one-room country school. I was always at least second in my class. There were two of us in my class."
Best unintentional funny line (no name, I don't want to embarrass someone for a slip of the tongue): "Monrovia is the best city in town." Amen to that!
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Drones in Afghanistan | Band Fundraisers | Mayor Endorses Holden | Crime on a Map
~ Drones made by Monrovia's AeroVironment saw action in Afghanistan. http://goo.gl/zOeSv
~ A couple Wildcat Band fundraisers, at Jakes' ( http://goo.gl/7DEYb ) and a household-items donation fundraiser with Goodwill ( http://goo.gl/A9p2L ).
~ Mayor Mary Ann Lutz endorses Chris Holden for Assembly. http://goo.gl/0HBFM
~ See Monrovia crime on a map. http://goo.gl/plWGQ
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's Assemblyman Selected as Assembly Democrat of the Year
Sacramento's "Around the Capitol" blog has named Monrovia's representative, Anthony Portantino, as its Assembly Democrat of the year, as selected by its readership: http://goo.gl/ACm7P
Portantino said: "From the back bench, it feels pretty good to know that folks inside the capitol know that sunshine is just around the corner. I’m honored that this little fight has garnered independent support and verification. Rumor has it that the Speaker has increased Assembly budgets by $20, excluding mine of course, so that members can buy sunscreen in the wake of the Times and Bee court date. In a belt tightening exercise, I heard it was announced that there is only enough money in the kitty to pay the lawyers so Assembly staff will have to fend for themselves and purchase their own sunscreen. Seriously, this is a pretty cool thing to have happened, thanks from me, my staff and the good residents of the 44th AD."
The blog also called Senator Bob Huff and Assemblyman Tim Donnelly "compelling" nominees in their categories.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's STAAR Surgical Winning Japanese Regulatory Approval
Monrovia's STAAR Surgical, which makes implantable contact lenses, has passed regulatory hurdles to selling its "Toric ICL" in Japan, which, a company spokesman says, "brings us much closer to final approval." http://goo.gl/6n57w
- Brad Haugaard
Partial Freeway Closures Until Oct. 28
The Gold Line folks are warning there may be partial lane closures on the eastbound 210 near Santa Anita from now through Friday, October 28. If so, they will begin no earlier than 10 p.m. and last no later than 1 p.m. the following day. No total closures. They'll be unloading steel cages to fit in the 18 foundation holes that will anchor the west end of the bridge. There'll be another 18 for the east end of the bridge. After inserting the steel cages they'll pour concrete.
- Brad Haugaard
Florida Tomato Workers to Picket Monrovia's Trader Joe's
A Florida workers-group plans to picket at Trader Joe's Monrovia headquarters at 1 p.m. this Friday "to express their growing impatience" and attempt to persuade the company to sign a contract controlling how much it pays for tomatoes. The contract would also control the company's "supply chain transparency," would enforce on it a "Code of Conduct," and would require "third-party verification," according to a press release from the Florida-based Coalition of Immokalee Workers.
According to CIW spokesman Oscar Otzoy, Trader Joe's already says "that it will only buy from Florida tomato growers abiding by the Fair Food Code of Conduct" and "that it is already paying a penny per pound 'Fair Food Premium' to improve tomato pickers wages. But," Otzoy adds, "we have seen no proof of that."
- Brad Haugaard
Wrestling Bears in Monrovia Park - Yawn, More Bears
Mama Bear: Back off!
With heads down, huffing and puffing as we rode our bikes to the top of Monrovia Canyon Park today, we came within 20 feet of a mama and baby bear wrestling in the middle of the road before I glanced up.
"Wait!Wait!Wait!Wait!Wait!" I yelled to my biking buddy.
I snapped some shots as the bears ambled off the road, and then we made our way to the top and I took another picture from above, but mama bear looked like she was getting a bit grumpy (as you can see above), and we were getting a bit nervous, so when the bears decided to check out the nature center, we skittered down the hill.
- Brad Haugaard
New Monrovia Retail Boutique | Switchblade | Killed Man Identified | Rally at Trader Joe's HQ
~ Michelle's Upscale Resale Boutique has opened in the Paragon building on Myrtle. It sells "new and gently worn designer items handpicked for style and quality." http://goo.gl/Lkx5i
~ A Wired Magazine story about the Army getting the Switchblade mini killer-drone, made by Monrovia's AeroVironment. http://goo.gl/RoFDS
~ Man shot in Monrovia identified as David Wesley Blair from Tennessee. http://goo.gl/o7CjJ
~ Labor organization plans rally at Trader Joe headquarters in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/AADN2
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's McCarthy in All American Bowl
A full story about Monrovia's Ellis McCarthy playing in the Army All-American Bowl in Texas. http://goo.gl/fGGe1 - Brad Haugaard
Taste of Old Town Photo Essay | Townloop and Monrovia High
~ A photo-report on Sunday's Taste of Old Town Monrovia. http://goo.gl/IIyHt
~ Monrovia School Board member Alex Zucco reports that Monrovia High is working with Townloop.com, which offers local deals and then hands over 20 percent of the proceeds to local schools. You can sign up here: http://goo.gl/S9Qp2 .
- Brad Haugaard
Historic Oops! | Precautions from Monrovia FD | Halloween Movie
~ City Manager Scott Ochoa writes that even though the city made a mistake in not giving its historic preservation staff a chance to review the remodeling of a Victorian house at 222 Grand Avenue, "were it not for the conscientiousness of the new owners, the structure could have quite literally required demolition because of the extensive water and termite damage." But Ochoa said "it is a mistake not to be repeated."
~ The Fire Department wants you to be aware of trees that may overhang your house and drop leaves which can build up and create a fire hazard.
~ The City of Monrovia is hosting a Halloween-themed movie night in Julian Fisher Park, showing "Despicable Me" at 7 p.m. in English with Spanish subtitles.
Source: http://goo.gl/uM71O
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia City Manager: Don't Panic About Released Prisoners
In his weekly report City Manager Scott Ochoa writes that "now is not a time to panic" about prisoners being released - because the state doesn't have money to keep them locked up - because they "are classified as non-violent offenders." Rather, he says, "now is a time to 'harden the target' and be vigilant - participate and/or activate Neighborhood Watch groups, don't invite property crimes-of-opportunity by leaving valuables in your unlocked car, etc." He said Police Chief Jim Hunt will give a presentation at Tuesday's city council meeting. http://goo.gl/KKx98
- Brad Haugaard
Man Airlifted from Monrovia Park | Dental Office to Open
~ Man airlifted from Monrovia Canyon Park. Woman hit with rock. http://goo.gl/HsfIe
~ Monrovia Modern Dentistry opening Nov. 15. http://goo.gl/ecHd8
- Brad Haugaard
Fellowship Monrovia Holds Preview Meeting
- Brad Haugaard
Setting Up for Taste of Old Town
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's State Senator Gets Hacked
Monrovia State Senator Bob Huff had his Twitter account hacked to send out a weight-loss ad.
- Brad Haugaard
Volunteer at Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center | Downsizing and Leaving | No Haunted Park
~ Foothill Unity Center needs volunteer help with the holiday distributions coming up. Details: http://goo.gl/WCJSt
~ Downsizing Monrovia pest control company moving to El Monte. Says economy is bad, too much government regulation, Gold Line is coming through. http://goo.gl/LkcLP
~ No haunted Monrovia Canyon Park this year. http://goo.gl/t5x6P
- Brad Haugaard
Half Off on Books | Taste of Monrovia Coming Up | Dollar Off
~ Half price on books with a black dot on the spine, at the Monrovia Friends of the Library store (in the Library). http://goo.gl/JQDU2
~ A dollar off at the new "$40 or Less" store with this coupon. http://goo.gl/0M7mw
~ And don't forget Taste of Monrovia (sample food from local restaurants) this Sunday, October 16, from 5-8 p.m. You'll need tickets. Details: http://goo.gl/HVxu8
- Brad Haugaard
Rally for School Board Candidate Williams
- Brad Haugaard
Chase Bank Construction Proceeds
- Brad Haugaard
Lunch at Monrovia Pizza Co.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's McCarthy to Visit U of Oregon
Monrovia football lineman Ellis McCarthy will be visiting the U. of Oregon to see if he wants to be a Duck. http://goo.gl/c7nCS
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovian Shot to Death in Home
Monrovia PD reports man killed on Mayflower, in home across from
school. http://goo.gl/uYT74 and http://goo.gl/W2cUh and http://goo.gl/WWr5m
Monrovia 47, La Canada 2 :-)
Monrovia WAY over La Canada in football. http://goo.gl/JjVQz
Some pictures: http://goo.gl/2veBq
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia to Replace 54-Year-Old Pump
Monrovia will have to replace a pump for the city's water system that was installed in 1957. The new pump will handle 3,500 gallons of water per minute and use less power. http://goo.gl/aADHK
- Brad Haugaard
Walk-to-School Report | Monrovia CompUSA to PetSmart | Downsize Sale | On to Broadway!
~ A report on Monrovia's walk-to-school day. http://goo.gl/j5431
~ Former CompUSA turning into a PetSmart. http://goo.gl/V2umK
~ Raidex (140 W Pomona Ave.) having downsizing sale this Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. http://goo.gl/jlUmy
~ Monrovia High theater instructor planning New York trip for students during Spring Break. They'll see some Broadway shows. http://goo.gl/8E2f5
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia PD: Rumor that there are More Residential Burglaries by Gangs is False
Information currently circulating around town that specific neighborhoods are experiencing an increase in residential burglaries perpetrated
by criminal street gangs is false.
Monrovia city officials recently received emails from residents alleging a presumed epidemic of burglaries in a specific region of the city. The rumors further highlighted that these crimes were being perpetrated by an organized band of roving street gang members.
Police officials said this information is not true.
In fact, residential burglaries in Monrovia and in the region have dropped in the past year, said Monrovia Police Capt. Alan Sanvictores. Though burglaries
and crimes of opportunity may never be fully stamped out in a metropolitan community, residential burglaries that have occurred do not appear to be gang related or focused upon a specific area or neighborhood.
“Burglaries that have occurred in Monrovia, unfortunate though they are, show no signs or patterns of a specific area in Monrovia being targeted by a specific group of people,” Capt. Sanvictores said.
Over the past year, the Monrovia Police Department has made arrests for residential burglaries. Throughout the Monrovia Police Department’s investigative process, none of the apprehended suspects have been found to have any gang affiliations.
If residents see something suspicious in their neighborhood, they are encouraged to call 911, the Monrovia Police Department main line at (626)256-8000 or the mobile hotline at (626) 357-CELL (2355).
To find out whether any criminal activity has occurred in your neighborhood, view the police reports online at www.cityofmonrovia.org. These reports are updated
weekly.
- Brad Haugaard (from city press release)
Monrovia PD: Assaults, DUIs, Peeper, Shots Fired, Purse Snatch, Fire Extinguisher Sprayer, Etc.
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Oct. 6 -12. - Brad Haugaard]
During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 534 service events, resulting in 111 investigations. Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events:
Theft / Receiving Stolen Property - Suspect Arrested
On October 6 at 11:39 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a business in the 2000 block of South Myrtle regarding the theft of an iron grate from a sewer drain at the location. The officer went to the recycling center in the 100 block of West Duarte to see if anyone had tried to get money for the grate, but did not find the grate there. While walking back to his patrol unit, he observed a male subject pushing a cart with an iron grate on it. The grate weighed 125 pounds. During the investigation, the suspect admitted to stealing the grate. He was arrested and brought to the police station for booking.
Warrant Arrest - Suspect Arrested
On October 6 at 9:09 p.m., officers noticed a suspicious subject trying to hide from them as they were driving their patrol unit in the area of Alta Vista and Maple. The subject was contacted, identified, and found to have an outstanding narcotics warrant. He was arrested and taken into custody.
Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested
On October 6 at 10:08 p.m., officers responded to a gas station in the 800 block of East Huntington on the report of a male subject sleeping in his car. The officers arrived and found the vehicle sitting at one of the gas station pumps. The subject was passed out behind the wheel and the engine of his vehicle was running. The officers could smell the strong odor of alcohol emitting from the subject's breath. The suspect was determined to be under the influence and was arrested.
Non-Injury Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence
On October 7 at 2:14 a.m., a traffic collision was reported in the 2100 block of South Peck Road. An officer responded and determined the driver was under the influence of alcohol. The driver was arrested and taken into custody.
Non-Injury Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence
On October 7 at 3:05 a.m., an officer responded to the scene of a traffic collision and found the driver to be under the influence of alcohol. The reporting party had followed the driver from Hollywood. The driver was arrested.
Disorderly Conduct / Peeping
On October 7 at 6:27 a.m., a female subject was taking a shower at a residence in the 100 block of West Cypress. She observed a shadow across the street that appeared to be the silhouette of a male subject. She yelled out that she could see him and saw a male subject jump out from the darkness. She described the subject as a male Hispanic, unknown age, last seen getting into a smaller, white compact car. Officers conducted an area search, but could not locate the suspect. The investigation is continuing.
Shots Fired
On October 8 at 1:30 a.m., an officer reported hearing several shots fired east of his location at Ivy and Chestnut. He started in that direction immediately. Calls came in from the area of 200 East Colorado reporting shots fired, but no victim or suspect information was given. Officers were in the area very fast and the Foothill Air Support Team airship arrived quickly and began checking the area. No victims or suspects were located and no bullet impacts could be found. Area hospitals were also checked, but not victims had reported for treatment.
Weapons Offense - Suspect Arrested
On October 8 at 9:46 p.m., Special Enforcement Team officers were working an area regarding gang enforcement when they observed several subjects who appeared to be gang members walking in the area of the Monrovia/Duarte border, at California and Euclid. They turned their police unit around to contact the subjects, and as they did, they observed a white Chevy Lumina occupied by four young male subjects and people in the area were running away. Because of the suspicious circumstances, they decided to stop the car and investigate.
Upon contact, the occupants acted very strange. They were nervous and making statements about a friend who was stabbed at a location on California. During a pat-down search of one of the occupants, the officer located a loaded revolver. The suspect was arrested for possessing a concealed weapon and was taken into custody. The gun was determined to have belonged to a deceased person. The suspect was later transported to Eastlake Juvenile Hall.
Monrovia police were informed shortly after the stop that the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was investigating the stabbing of a young male subject by several other males at a party in the 2100 block of South California.
Strong-Arm Robbery
On October 8 at 7:17 p.m., an employee of a business in the 400 block of West Huntington was leaving for a break when a male subject grabbed her purse and pushed her to the ground, causing minor injury to her elbow. The suspect is described as a male Hispanic, wearing blue jeans, a dark hat, a Pendleton-type shirt, and white shoes. The victim did not require medical attention. Officers responded and made an area check, but were unable to locate the suspect or the stolen purse. Investigation continuing.
Vandalism
On October 9 at 1:56 p.m., officers located several locations in the City of Monrovia that had been vandalized with graffiti. Maroon, black, and green paint was found at each location. At the end of shift that same day, several other locations were discovered. Investigation continuing.
Assault With a Deadly Weapon
On October 9 at 11:55 p.m., an officer responded to Arcadia Methodist Hospital regarding a victim that checked himself in with a stab wound to his right thigh. An officer contacted the victim, who stated that he was standing in front of his house in the 200 block of West Cypress at about 11:00 p.m. and was drinking a beer. He was approached by two male subjects. One of the subjects asked the victim to share his beer. When the victim refused, one subject punched him in the face and the other stabbed the victim in his right thigh with an unknown sharp object. Both suspects ran westbound on Cypress.
The victim reported that he does not know the suspects. They are described as two male blacks in their twenties; one suspect was wearing a dark baseball cap with the letter "D" on it and the other was wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt. The victim's injury was minor and he was treated and released from the hospital.
Vehicle Burglary
On October 10 at 6:20 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported at a business parking lot located in the 500 block of South Mountain. One of the vehicle windows was smashed and cash and a GPS unit were stolen.
Assault With a Deadly Weapon - Suspect Arrested
On October 10 at 7:58 p.m., police received a call from Arcadia Methodist Hospital. They had a stabbing victim in the emergency room. The victim said he was drinking and playing cards with family members at a residence in the 800 block of West Olive. He began to argue with his cousin/suspect, which escalated into a physical fight. Family members broke up the fight and they separated.
A short time later, the suspect returned and began threatening everyone by brandishing a knife. The victim and suspect became involved in another physical altercation, after which, the victim noticed a deep laceration on his left wrist. The suspect's brother also suffered a cut on his finger as a result of his efforts to break up the fight. Officers went to the location and arrested the suspect without incident.
Theft
On October 10 at 8:16 p.m., police received a call reporting a victim chasing a suspect on foot in the area of Primrose and Lemon. The victim exited a building and saw the suspect stripping parts from his bicycle, which was locked in a bicycle rack. The suspect stole the front wheel, forks, handle bars, and seat. He ran southbound through a park and out of site. He was described as a male white, 20 years old, 6'4", thin build, dark curly hair, wearing a gray beanie, dark blue windbreaker, dark shorts, and he had a black backpack. Officers responded, but the suspect was not located.
Grand Theft Auto
October 11 at 6:25 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the 100 block of South Violet regarding a stolen vehicle. The victim parked his vehicle on Linwood at Violet in the evening and secured it. He returned to his vehicle in the morning and found it missing. There was no broken glass on the ground where the vehicle was parked, all keys were accounted for, and no one had permission to take his vehicle. The vehicle is a white, 4-door Honda Accord.
Grand Theft
On October 11 at 9:13 a.m., a victim reported the theft of a water-tank trailer from a construction site at the corner of Magnolia and Chestnut. The reporting party told the officer the trailer was stolen from the location during the night.
Suspicious Circumstances / HazMat Incident
On October 11 at 6:27 p.m., a caller reported a release of some type of chemical at a market located in the 300 block of West Huntington. The Monrovia Fire Department responded and advised they would be handling the incident as a bomb threat/HazMat incident. When officers arrived, they learned a male suspect, for unknown reasons, ran into the store and discharged a dry-chemical fire extinguisher. The building was evacuated. None of the occupants became ill or showed any sign of exposure to anything dangerous. The suspect was described as a male white, 25 yeas old, 5'10", with a thin build. He drove away in a peach colored, 2-door vehicle. The HazMat unit from the Los Angeles County Fire Department responded and determined the substance was non-toxic and the scene was cleared. Investigation continuing.
Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia / Warrant - Suspect Arrested
On October 12 at 8:14 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 300 block of West Colorado regarding suspicious subjects living in a shed. The officer arrived and contacted the subjects. He conducted a computer check on them and found the female subject had a warrant for possession of a controlled substance. A search of her property revealed she had a baggie of methamphetamine and a drug smoking pipe in a small pouch. She was arrested for the above listed charges.
Residential Burglary
On October 12 at 10:22 a.m., a resident in the 400 block of North Encinitas was called by his alarm company to report an alarm activation at his home. He responded to his home and saw the garage door and the rear door of his home were open. He then called police. Officers arrived, cleared the house and did not find anyone inside. The victim did a walk through with the officers, but could only determine an Ipad and a watch missing at this time.
Monrovia Mayor vs Mayor | Football vs. La Canada Tonight | School Board Candidates | Video Rental Store Still Around
~ Former Mayor Bob Bartlett withdraws his endorsement of Rob Hammond (also a former mayor) in Hammond's school board run. http://goo.gl/dZzS9
~ Preview of tonight's football game against La Canada. http://goo.gl/MWOdn
~ Overview of candidates in Monrovia School Board race. http://goo.gl/OkZEd
~ Monrovia's Video House, still standing despite market changes. http://goo.gl/wRnYt
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Patch Owner, AOL, Wants to Sell Out to Yahoo
AOL's stock price has slipped from the $19-20 range to around $13.
AOL, the owner of the Patch local-news websites - including the Monrovia Patch - is asking Yahoo to buy AOL. AOL CEO Tim Armstrong says combining some of AOL and Yahoo's operations could save money. AOL's stock price, as you can see above, has not been doing well the last few months. http://goo.gl/sDx85
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's McCarthy Selected for All-American Bowl | Meth Arrest | Bear Pool Party | Bradoaks Car Wash
~ U.S. Army All-American Bowl selects Monrovia football player, Ellis McCarthy. http://goo.gl/HnjpV
~ Monrovia woman jailed on meth charge. http://goo.gl/paQRn
~ I understand this bear pool party video was shot in Monrovia, though it doesn't say so. Cute. http://goo.gl/dqxp1
~ Car wash to benefit Bradoaks School. http://goo.gl/MmCfS
- Brad Haugaard
Cheaper Charger from Monrovia's AeroVironment
Nissan is offering a lower-cost electric car charging station (made by Monrovia-based AeroVironment) for charging its LEAF car at home. http://goo.gl/H0RT5
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Water Polo | Pictures of Plymouth Award
~ South Pas water polo team over Monrovia. :-( http://goo.gl/HL4sH
~ Pictures of Plymouth School receiving its award for fitness. http://goo.gl/691IS
- Brad Haugaard
Another Monrovia Bear - Yawn | Plymouth Wins Award | Folk-Pop Music
~ Another Monrovia bear report, this time on KCAL9. More like slides than film. http://goo.gl/0Sn6J
~ Good fitness wins Plymouth School $6,000. http://goo.gl/b32CW
~ Faith Hefty's folk-pop music first Friday of the month at Monrovia Coffee Co. http://goo.gl/3z7E9
- Brad Haugaard
New Monrovia Dentist Office | Green Dot Expands Biz | Search and Rescue
~ Monrovia Modern Dentistry office opening at Huntington Plaza Nov. 15. http://goo.gl/ZX9ex
~ Monrovia's Green Dot has joined with Blackhawk Network to sell Green Dot's prepaid credit cards through Blackhawk's many retail outlets. http://goo.gl/9M4K4
~ Monrovian Susan McCreary, volunteer with Sierra Madre Search and Rescue. http://goo.gl/WCFFI
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Hummingbird Wins Award | College Fair
~ Hummingbird drone by Monrovia's AeroVironment wins Popular Mechanics breakthrough technology award. http://goo.gl/ANxYM
~ Monrovia High will be having its college fair tonight (Oct. 11) at 7 p.m. for students in its event center. http://goo.gl/bDyrm
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Employment Seminar | Sacramento Stuff | Girls' Tennis | Art in Park | UPS Store | Halloween
~ Steps to Employment seminar at the library Oct. 18. http://goo.gl/9Zgx9
~ Governor Brown signs a bill by Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia. It allows door-to-door household hazardous waste collection programs. http://goo.gl/j8lse
~ Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who represents part of Monrovia, is unhappy that Governor Brown approved the DREAM Act. "California is billions of dollars in the hole ... Yet, he has found a slush fund of $42 million to hand to illegal aliens?"
~ You can support the Monrovia High Girls' Tennis team by printing this coupon and having a meal at Panda Express on Oct. 13. http://goo.gl/tIDgL
~ Community art in the park. http://goo.gl/DYwNK
~ A UPS Store has opened in the Paragon building on Myrtle. http://goo.gl/t8ZeV
~ Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee, Library Park, on Halloween. The first 50 registrants will receive a free pumpkin. Details: http://goo.gl/45IFX
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Grad Wins Nobel Prize
1961 Monrovia High grad, Thomas Sargent, has won a Nobel Prize in economics. http://goo.gl/V2o4i - Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Money for Energy Upgrades | Health Screenings | Fire and Deer Plants | Kid's Book Club | Philippines
~ If you are "income qualified," you may be eligible for money to upgrade your house with "residential energy saving devices" and to create jobs of low-income youths, who will - I take it - be installing the devices. Call Dan McConnell at City Hall - (626) 932-5504 - and ask about the GREEN (Green Residential Energy Efficiency Neighborhoods) grants.
~ Life Line health screenings on Friday, Oct. 14, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Single screenings from $35 to $60 and packages from $129 to $159, which include four screenings of the carotid artery, abdominal aortic aneurysm, peripheral arterial disease and atria fibrillation. To register, contact Life Line Screening at (888) 653-6441.
~ Information from Monrovia Fire Department on deer and fire resistant plants (scroll down after clicking here): http://goo.gl/AXbz9
~ A Kid's Book Club will be held on Monday, Oct. 10, at 3:30 p.m. The program, titled Animals, Animals, Animals, is for Kindergarten through first grade children. Register at www.monroviapubliclibrary.org or call the Library at (626) 256-8274.
~ There will be a free cultural Library program about the Philippines, with story, song, craft and film, on Saturday, Oct. 15, at 2 p.m. Treats, too.
Source: http://goo.gl/AXbz9
- Brad Haugaard
Governor Approves and Vetoes Portantino Bills
Governor Jerry Brown has signed one bill by Anthony Portantino - who represents part of Monrovia - and vetoed another. Brown signed the bill criminalizing openly carrying an unloaded handgun in public ( http://goo.gl/IsWCV ) and vetoed a bill designed to encourage college students to get federal loans ( http://goo.gl/XcCeV ). Brown said that could be left to the colleges.
- Brad Haugaard
Nominate a Great Monrovian | Football
~ Know some high-quality Monrovians? Nominate them for one of these three awards: Monroe Award, Iris Award, and Dick Lord Award. Details here: http://goo.gl/LR8b0
~ A look at Monrovia's (and other teams') chances in football. http://goo.gl/MrkKi
- Brad Haugaard
Change in Monrovia School Start Date for 2012
For the 2012 year, Monrovia schools will begin on August 13, pending ratification by the Monrovia Teachers Association. According to the report ( http://goo.gl/HROnG ), "The earlier start date is being recommended in order to accommodate the needs of secondary students to complete the first semester before winter break." [Thanks to Vicke Thrower and Alex Zucco for pointing that out to me. I had missed it.]
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia School Board Candidate Forum
There are quite a few Monrovia school board candidates this election (more than I've ever seen). Here's a good opportunity to get to hear them.
- Brad Haugaard
Shots Fired | Monrovia Over Paramount :-) | Governor Signs Gold Line Exception Bill
~ Shots fired on 200 block of E. Colorado Blvd. early Saturday morning. http://goo.gl/Gnz6v
~ Monrovia Wildcats beat Paramount in football. http://goo.gl/f3xUS
~ Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law a measure that will allow elected officials along the Gold Line to serve on its board. That had been challenged by a property owner fighting against having his property taken by eminent domain. http://goo.gl/v4sTT
- Brad Haugaard
Monday Freeway Closures | New Monrovia Church | School Board | Epilepsy Law Signed | Lawsuits
~ Monday, Oct. 10, there will be more lane closures for the 210 Freeway bridge so the construction crew can remove the big crane in the center divider. Up to three lanes will be closed on the 210 eastbound from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Oct. 11.
~ Here is what will apparently be the web page ( http://goo.gl/yhy9t ) of a new Monrovia church - Fellowship Monrovia - that will be founded by Albert Tate (currently a pastor at Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena). Website is clearly not quite ready for prime time, but these three videos by Tate are: http://goo.gl/BnknW
~ The next school board meeting is Oct. 12. I checked the agenda and there do not appear to be any killer items that will be discussed, but here's the agenda if you are interested: http://goo.gl/6vkHz
~ Senator Bob Huff's law permitting trained school employees to give emergency aid to epileptic students has been signed into law. http://goo.gl/LoIUG
~ More lawsuits filed against city to prevent eminent domain being used to take private property for a Gold Line maintenance yard. http://goo.gl/aLXIp
UPDATE on schools from Vickie Thrower:
Wanted to let you know that Alex Zucco emailed to let me know that there will be an announcement at the 10/12 School Board Meeting – the 2012/2013 School year will start on August 13, 2012. The end date of that school year will not be decided until this coming January.
Also, wanted to let you know that there is a School Board Candidate Forum scheduled for Oct 19th. I am the President of the Monrovia PTA Council and we are one of the Co-Sponsors of this event, being moderated by the League of Women Voters.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's Senator: Is California Neglecting the Trades?
State Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, thinks the idea that college is for everybody is mistaken and that California education has neglected the trades (wood shop and auto mechanics), apprenticeships, "and other hands on learning opportunities with actual businesses and industries." For the whole thing, scroll down to "Preparing students for an ever-shifting world" - http://goo.gl/PGNGi - Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Company Patents Hydrogen-Powered Airplane
Monrovia's AeroVironment has been issued a patent for a "hydrogen powered aircraft," invented by Paul B. MacCready, Bart D. Hibbs, and Kyle D. Swanson. http://goo.gl/YynxS
- Brad Haugaard
Three Bridge Foundations Done - Abutments Next
The three foundations for the Gold Line bridge near Santa Anita Avenue have been poured. Here's a report from Gold Line spokesman Habib Balian
"Early this morning, Skanska completed the last of three deep (110 foot deep, 11 foot diameter) foundations for the I-210 Bridge - a significant undertaking. Each deep hole was reinforced with 60-ton steel cages that had to be brought to the site in two large segments and permanently joined on-site. Once lowered into place, close to 450 cubic yards of concrete was poured into each reinforced hole – requiring 45 truck-loads of Irwindale-produced concrete. Most of this work was done late at night, from Midnight to 5:00 a.m., requiring multiple closures of the eastbound I-210 Freeway and coordination with Caltrans, CHP, City of Arcadia Police Department, and others.
"In addition to the fact that the amount of steel used in the three reinforcing steel cages is enough to circle the Santa Anita main racetrack three times, it is also interesting to note that what is intertwined into that steel makes each column "smart." As discussed in this article, wires were embedded into each reinforcing steel cage capable of sending electrical impulses through the foundation’s structure. In the event of an earthquake, these impulses will be utilized to identify if any damage has occurred to the foundations. This technology, called Time Domain Reflectometry, has been utilized in landslide prone areas to detect earth movement and is being used for the first time in a bridge with this project. Without this state-of-the-art technology, the only way to check the impact of an earthquake on the foundations would be to physically excavate them.
"Skanska will now focus on building the bridge abutments, or the ingress/egress points to the bridge on either side of the freeway. They will also start work on the three iconic, basket-themed columns (being built above the three deep foundations) that are certain to become the hallmark of the gateway bridge."
- Brad Haugaard
Lunch at Enrique's
- Brad Haugaard
No Bodybuilding Show at Monrovia High | Prayer Breakfast
~ No bodybuilding competition at Monrovia High because of scantily clad women. http://goo.gl/yZBpC . UPDATE: Or maybe the School Board will consider it: http://goo.gl/zC9kP
~ The 46th annual Mayor's Prayer Breakfast will be at 8 a.m. on Nov. 18, with Damon Colaluca of the Santa Anita Family YMCA will speak on "Achieving Your Life's Dreams." At the Courtyard by Marriott, 700 W. Huntington. $25 per person. RSVP to the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce - 626 358-1159 - by Nov. 14.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's STAAR Surgical - Double Digit Revenue Growth
Monrovia's STAAR Surgical has seen a big jump in its stock price, which appears to have begun when it reaffirmed back in early August that it expected "double digit growth in revenue." As you can see, its price has jumped from around $5 to up near $8 in just a couple months. http://goo.gl/GfXVo
- Brad Haugaard
Video of Gold Line Bridge Construction
Video of the 210 Gold Line bridge construction. Nothing really new but some nice footage of the construction in progress. http://goo.gl/fLiSe
- Brad Haugaard
Oil Painter's Work on Display at Monrovia Gallery
Sunday Morning
Oil paintings by artist W. Jason Situ on display at Selig Fine Art, 110 West Lime Ave. Oct. 8 - 29. Artist's Reception Saturday, October 8,5-7 p.m. Here's more of his work: http://goo.gl/cIsE0
- Brad Haugaard
Adams: Time to Buy a House | Monrovia Bikers | Audition to Sing
~ Monrovia City Councilman Tom Adams (speaking as a real estate agent) says now is the time to buy a house. http://goo.gl/cgcoc
~ Monrovia bikers win state titles. http://goo.gl/UF5qR
~ Audition to sing with San Gabriel Valley Choral Company at Monrovia First Presbyterian Church. http://goo.gl/o0YEm
- Brad Haugaard
Does Monrovia's McCarthy Favor USC?
Is football star Ellis McCarthy favoring USC? http://goo.gl/91gjX - Brad Haugaard
Monrovia PD: Bite Attack, DUI, Vandalism, Etc.
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department’s Neighborhood Watch Report for September 29 – October 5 – Brad Haugaard]
During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 518 service events, resulting in 114 investigations. Following are the last week’s highlighted issues and events:
Battery With Serious Bodily Injury / Resisting and Delaying a Peace Officer – Suspect Arrested
On September 29 at 8:41 p.m., callers reported a fight in the 400 block of Hurstview. Two male subjects were arguing and began to fight. The suspect moved aggressively toward the victim, and the victim struck the suspect once in the head to defend himself. The suspect then grabbed the victim and viciously bit the victim multiple times causing visible wounds that may require further treatment. Officers arrived and detained both subjects. While being detained, the suspect suddenly raised his arms in an attempt to go after the victim again and struck the officer in the face with his arm. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody without further incident. The officer was not injured.
Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
On September 30 at 1:58 a.m., officers observed a vehicle straddling lanes while sitting at the light on Duarte at Myrtle. They watched as the light cycled three times without the driver moving. The officers approached the car and observed the driver slumped over in his seat. They alerted the driver and he jolted awake. They told him to turn the car off, but he put it in neutral and the car rolled slowly back and bumped the police unit behind it. No damage was sustained after the slight bump between vehicles. The driver was determined to be under the influence of alcohol and arrested.
Fight in Progress
On September 30 at 2:37 a.m., callers advised dispatch a fight was in progress in the 300 block of Norumbega. Officers arrived and detained four subjects. They determined the subjects were family members and had been involved in a heated discussion, which resulted in one family member getting extremely upset. As they tried to get him back in the car they had been driving in, he resisted them. The investigation revealed that no crime had occurred and there were no injuries, and no one desired prosecution.
Commercial Burglary – Suspects Arrested
On September 30 at 8:52 p.m., police responded to a business in the 500 block of West Huntington regarding a burglary. Store loss prevention observed a male and female subject enter the store. The male subject selected a pair of shorts and put them on under his pants. He then left the store without paying. He went to a car outside the store and waited. The female concealed about $400 worth of jewelry on her person and entered the dressing room. Officers arrived and detained the male suspect, locating the stolen property. The female continued to shop and was seen removing tags and concealing more items. The female was detained inside the store. All of the items she had removed tags from were concealed in a bag she was carrying. Neither subject had money or any means of paying for the items. After review of the facts and interviews with the suspects, they were both arrested and charged with commercial burglary.
Vandalism
On October 4 at 11:12 a.m., a city employee reported vandalism at a park in the 300 block of East Lime. An officer responded and found the suspect(s) had written gang graffiti at several locations throughout the park. Investigation continuing.
Vehicle Tampering
On October 4 at 3:15 p.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 700 block of South California. The victim reported that her white Honda, which was parked in the rear carport, had been tampered with during the night.
Grand Theft Auto
On October 4 at 3:33 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 1400 block of South Shamrock regarding a stolen vehicle. The reporting party last saw the vehicle on Sunday, October 2. The vehicle is a Black, Chevy Silverado truck with no license plates on it.
Receiving Stolen Property – Suspect Arrested
On October 5 at 3:30 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on a subject at Foothill and Mountain for a traffic violation. The officer obtained consent to search the vehicle from the solo occupant. A Kindle electronic book was found, prompting a suspicious story from the driver. Evidence indicated the device belonged to a female subject from Duarte. The female subject was contacted and confirmed her Kindle was reported stolen to the Sheriff’s Department a week prior. The suspect was arrested for receiving stolen property.
Suspicious Circumstances / Possession of Narcotics Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
On October 5 at 4:50 a.m., an officer stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation at Foothill and Mountain. He contacted the two male occupants, who said they were from Covina. The subjects had no reason to be in the area at that time of the morning. The driver was driving on a suspended license and was found to be on parole for receiving stolen property. He had a large butcher knife in the door panel of the driver’s side door. The passenger was found to be in possession of a methamphetamine pipe. The vehicle was searched and the following suspicious items were found: A realistic-looking black pellet pistol, bandanas, a baseball bat, and both subjects had latex gloves in their possession. State parole was contacted. The passenger was arrested for possession of narcotics paraphernalia and the vehicle was impounded. Investigation continuing.
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