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Film Festival in Monrovia | MHS Track Over Temple City | Extreme Couponing | Monrovia Today

~ The Chamber of Commerce reports on Facebook that new member, EFC Films, is bringing a film festival to Monrovia. Action On Film International Film Festival comes to town August 17-25. The Chamber says the event attracts more than 20,000 guests each year for a week-long celebration of film-making and writing. There will be a screening more than 700 films from filmmakers worldwide at the Krikorian Theater, plus daily seminars, symposiums, celebrity dinners, mixers, and a black-tie dinner and awards show. For more information, contact Nina at (626) 325-3406. http://goo.gl/31RMV
 
~ Monrovia High's boy's and girl's Track teams who defeated Temple City Thursday. The boys won by a score of 112-24 and the girls won by a score of 106- 30. The Wildcats will be running against South Pasadena this Wednesday at 3:15  at MHS. "Come out and cheer them on as they run for the League Championship." http://goo.gl/B7iGG
 
~ Extreme couponing. Learn about it at the library, this Saturday, 1-4 p.m. http://goo.gl/OCElE
 
~ The April-June edition of the Monrovia Today magazine is out. You can see an online version here: http://goo.gl/tpzGJ
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Assemblyman Gets Probation and Fine for Gun-in-Airport Incident

Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who represents part of Monrovia, has received three years probation and must pay a $2,215 fine for bringing a gun into the Ontario airport. ( http://goo.gl/KBHbW ) Donnelly posted a link to this article himself on his Facebook page. He added:


I am grateful to all of you who have supported us through this whole ordeal. Your prayers, your phone calls and your notes of encouragement have meant the world to Rowena and our entire family. This personal battle is over, but the war to restore our liberties, restrain our government and rebuild our economy rages on.


- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Careful Who You Challenge to Fight, Robbery Suspect Whacked with Cue Stick, Plus Burglaries and Batteries and More

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for March 22-25. - Brad Haugaard]
 
Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.
 
Residential Burglary
March 22 at 12:32 p.m., police responded to a residential burglary in the 300 block of Norumbega.  The resident was away from the home for approximately 2 hours.  When she returned, she found a screen had been removed from a window and the house had been burglarized.  The investigation is continuing.
 
Attempt Residential Burglary
March 22 at 5:44 p.m., an attempt residential burglary was reported in the 400 block of South Canyon.  The resident found a screen on one of the windows of the home had been cut; however the suspect(s) did not gain entry.  Investigation continuing.
 
Residential Burglary
March 22 at 7:22 p.m., a resident living in the 300 block of Norumbega returned home and discovered his residence had been burglarized.  The suspect(s) pried open the back door and made entry to the home.  They ransacked the home and took the resident's jewelry.  Investigation continuing.
 
Grand Theft Auto
March 22 at 10:27 p.m., police were dispatched regarding the report of a stolen vehicle in the 800 block of West Colorado.  The resident parked her new, black, 2011 Kia Optima on the street in front of her house.  She locked the doors and went into her home.  She went back outside at approximately 10:25 p.m. and saw that her vehicle was gone.  There are dealership paper license plates on the vehicle from Kia of Covina.  Investigation continuing.
 
Challenging to Fight
March 23 at 5:13 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 1700 block of Alamitas.  A caller advised police that a large group of teens from Duarte were outside threatening a girl who resides there.  Officers detained a group of juveniles from Duarte High School.  The conflict stemmed from the reporting party posting rude remarks about the girls on a social network site.  She had challenged the girls to come to her residence to fight. Races were mixed and no gang associations were noted.  A complaint will be filed with the court once the investigation has been completed. 
 
Commercial Burglary - Suspect Arrested
March 23 at 7:51 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 500 block of West Huntington regarding a female subject who had stolen some items and exited the store.  An officer arrived and saw the female running from loss prevention officers.  The female was detained with the stolen items and no means to pay for them.  She was arrested and taken into custody.
 
Commercial Burglary
March 24 at 6:36 p.m., a business in the 400 block of West Huntington called to report a theft that had occurred a half hour earlier.  A male Hispanic and a female Hispanic entered the store.  While the male subject bought beer and paid for it, the female selected other items.  She attempted to remove the security tab, but was unsuccessful.  The security sensor went off when she walked out the door with the items.  They fled the location in an older, black, Jeep Cherokee with paper license plates.  Investigation continuing.
 
Robbery
March 25 at 1:40 a.m., police received a call from a local bar in the 1500 block of South Myrtle reporting that three male suspects had robbed them.  Officers responded and the Foothill Air Support Team helicopter assisted.  The suspects were described as about 5'10", early 20's, wearing black clothing and black baseball caps with bandanas covering their faces.  One of the suspects had a handgun, which may have possibly been a toy replica.  One of the suspects removed the business owner's wallet from his pocket, which contained his ID and cash.  
 
Before the suspects could exit the business, a patron struck the suspect holding the gun with a cue stick, causing him to fall to the floor.  Another patron tried to take the gun away.  As this was going on, another patron struck the other suspect in the head with a beer bottle.  The suspects ran out the side door into the alley and out of sight.  Investigation continuing.
 
Residential Burglary
March 25 at 8:57 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 900 block of Genoa.  The Burglary occurred some time between 7:00 and 8:45 p.m.  Entry was made through a rear door, which was pried open with an unknown tool.  Two laptop computers and one empty safe were taken.  The investigation is continuing.
 
Trespassing / Obstructing and Delaying a Peace Officer / Criminal Threats - Suspect Arrested
March 25 at 9:18 p.m., officers were dispatched to a business in the 100 block of West Foothill regarding a male subject trespassing.  When officers arrived, the suspect locked himself in a bathroom at the location for several minutes, but eventually came out.  The suspect became verbally abusive with officers and refused to obey their commands.  He was arrested at the location for trespassing and obstructing and delaying an officer.  The suspect was uncooperative during the booking process and threatened to kill one of the officers.  The suspect was additionally charged for criminal threats.
 
Spousal Abuse - Suspect Arrested
On March 25 at 10:59 p.m., a family disturbance was reported in the 500 block of West Duarte.  Officers arrived and found the female subject/victim had visible injuries after being assaulted by her common-law husband; he was arrested at the location for spousal abuse.  The incident was reported to the Department of Child and Family Services because the children were present.  An Emergency Protective Order was issued and served to the suspect while he was confined at the Monrovia Jail.
 
Spousal Battery - Suspect Arrested
March 26 at 12:40 a.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 200 block of West Colorado regarding spousal battery.  The investigation revealed that a boyfriend and girlfriend were arguing over information placed on a social network site.  The male alleged his girlfriend hit him in the head and the female alleged her boyfriend threw a shoe at her.  Based on the officers investigation, he determined the female to be the primary aggressor and she was arrested for spousal battery.

Three Monrovia City Manager Candidates

Monrovia is down to three candidates for city manager position. http://goo.gl/xn2Nq
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Old Homes Tour

Monrovia Old Homes Tour is coming up. See information on tickets and a slideshow of the homes here: http://goo.gl/appy8

- Brad Haugaard

Accident at Huntington and Hwy Esplanade



A report from correspondent Brad Hori ...
This happened just feet in front of us Sunday at 1:15 PM at Huntington Dr and Hwy Esplanade. We were in the turn lane. One car was flying through the red and t boned a black Jeep going S into the shopping center and hit the white car waiting to turn N on Hwy Esplanade. It just started to rain an hour before.

I forgot to mention how funny it is when they block off the street and all cars are diverted up Hwy Esplanade. All cars will turn left on to Maple (my street) only to find out its a cul-de-sac. Some go up to King St and make the same mistake before finding their way on to Chestnut.
Thanks Brad!

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Senator on the Budget Process | Monroe Cottage

~ Video: Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, in his weekly Capitol Comment, on the budget process. He predicts a balanced budget based on all taxes and no cuts.

~ Profile of the "Monroe Cottage," built by Monrovia founder William N. Monroe. http://goo.gl/03qvV

 
- Brad Haugaard

The Best-Selling Item at Monrovia-Based Trader Joe's Markets Is ...

The CEO of Monrovia-based Trader Joe's says his favorite product (because it is the customers' favorite) is Charles Shaw wine (aka "Two-Buck Chuck"). It is the stores' best-selling product. http://goo.gl/NwFSD

- Brad Haugaard

Hot Rods for Monrovia's Unity Center

Hot rodders help Foothill Unity Center. Some nice car pix at the link. http://goo.gl/kH0Dj
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School Board May Adopt Official Paint, Allow Pay-by-Work for Baseball League, Etc.

At its March 28 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/TbR9B ) the Monrovia School Board will consider, among other things, ...
 
~ adopting Dunn-Edwards as the standard paint for the district. Yeah, really. Because it matches the paint used on the new construction. http://goo.gl/ef3Lq
 
~ revising its recently adopted policy on charging for the use of school facilities to allow in-kind work as payment. http://goo.gl/vEFrn
 
~ signing a memo of understanding with the Monrovia Youth Baseball League allowing it to take advantage of the previous item by letting the league to use school facilities if it works on the school fields. http://goo.gl/O2rlt
 
~ adopting a three-year technology plan (July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2015). http://goo.gl/1iwjO
 
~ instituting bus fees ( http://goo.gl/5IvHX ) and rules regarding staff use of mobile cellular devices ( http://goo.gl/8fvsG ).
 
- Brad Haugaard

Gold Line Prep Work in Monrovia | Astronomy

~ Some prep work for the Gold Line maintenance yard will take place March 26 (Monday), 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. that will affect    Duarte Road (along the railroad tracks) from Mayflower Avenue to Mountain Avenue, and the railroad grade-crossings at Mayflower Avenue, Magnolia Avenue, Myrtle Avenue, California Avenue, Shamrock Avenue, and Mountain Avenue. http://goo.gl/KuP4c
 
~ Astronomy on the sidewalk in Old Town. http://goo.gl/dajEy
 
- Brad Haugaard

No More Freeway Closures Anticipated


No more freeway closures for Gold Line bridge anticipated. Gold Line spokesman Habib Balian:
I am ... pleased to announce that the I-210 Bridge temporary false-work is now complete and work has begun on the form-work for the superstructure. The false-work construction took several months and required more than 20 full eastbound closures of the I-210 Freeway. Skanska has done an outstanding job to complete a very challenging element of the overall project, under conditions that are much less than ideal. Above, you can see the tremendous work that has been done over the last eight months. The photo ... provides a unique perspective, looking down on the deck of the false-work where the superstructure will be formed and placed over the next several months.
- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Popeyes


Lunch at Popeyes at Huntington and Magnolia. Fast food for sure. It's kind of like KFC with Cajun overtones. Got the jambalaya. Okay. Stole some of my wife's chicken and fries. Think of KFC food but with some mild spice.
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Senator Slams 'Sham' Budget

In this video State Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, slams a "sham budget" and a secretive legislative approval process. http://goo.gl/pBPf7

- Brad Haugaard

Manzanar Author to Speak at Monrovia Library

On April 14 at 1 p.m. the author of "Farewell to Manzanar," Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston, will speak at the Monrovia Library about the three years she spent in a United States internment camp during World War II. http://goo.gl/JRuXX

- Brad Haugaard

No Hunger Games for Bradoaks Students | Art Award Winners

~ Monrovia School District cancels field trip for Bradoaks students to see Hunger Games: http://goo.gl/RJvMO
 
~ Monrovia Association of Fine Arts awards Donna Baker its Renaissance Award and Betsy Matz wins the Hearts in the Arts award. http://goo.gl/zPJ9o
 
- Brad Haugaard

Police Pick up Trophy | Tiger Mosquitoes | Monrovia Today | World Vision

~ The Monrovia Police Department has a new trophy for its cabinet. On March 12, Councilmember Larry Spicer and Police Chief Jim Hunt went to the annual California Police Chief Symposium in Sacramento to pick up the department's James Q. Wilson Award. 
 
~ Invasive Asian tiger mosquitoes are back. They're little black and white guys. Last reported in El Monte, South El Monte, and unincorporated area just south of Duarte. They seem to be reviving as the weather warms. If you see any, call San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District at (626) 814-9466 ( http://goo.gl/kQGVP ).  And here's a flyer: http://goo.gl/wAUxW
 
~ The April-June edition of Monrovia Today is on the way, heading for your mailbox.
 
~ Monrovia's World Vision says food running out in African country of Niger. http://goo.gl/nc5qp
 
- Brad Haugaard

Children's Slide to be Removed from Monrovia's Library Park

The children's slide will be removed from Library Park by next Thursday, according to the City Manager's weekly report ( http://goo.gl/kQGVP ). Here's why:

Unfortunately we have been informed by our playground equipment contractor that the slide in Library Park has a manufacturer's defect and must be taken out.  It seems that without some sort of covering around the top of the "bigger kids" slide, it makes it too easy to climb up the slide, which is potentially dangerous for small children.  The slide is closed now, and will be removed by the contractor next Thursday, March 29.  In addition, a dying Silver Maple tree, located at the edge of the playground area, will be removed as well.  We are looking at replacing the tree, as well as the slide (with a piece of equipment that is compatible).  Whatever happened to the good old days when getting cuts and bruises in the playground was all part of the fun of being at the park??

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Police Look for D Man, Meth, Gun Safety


[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for  March 19-21. - Brad Haugaard]



During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 403 service events, resulting in 93 investigations.  


Possible Vehicle Tampering

March 20 at 4:39 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 700 block of West Chestnut regarding possible vehicle tampering.  The reporting party noticed a subject sticking his head into a vehicle in a carport and believed the subject was looking for something to take.  When the reporting party confronted the subject, he walked out of the carport area and out to the street.  The subject fled on foot, dumping his bicycle, when an officer arrived in the area.  The officer ordered the subject to stop, but he ran.  Containment was established, but the suspect was not located.  The suspect is described as a male Hispanic, mid-twenties, dark shirt, dark blue basketball-style shorts, shaved head with a tattoo of the letter "D" on the top of his head.  Investigation continuing.


Possession of Narcotics - Suspect Arrested

March 21 at 3:36 a.m., an officer on patrol observed a suspicious subject riding a bicycle in the area of Magnolia and Palm.  When the officer attempted to stop the subject for a traffic violation, the subject tried to evade the officer.  The subject was detained in the 200 block of West Palm.  During a consent search of the subject, a baggie of methamphetamine was found in the subject's shoe.  The suspect was arrested.


Tip of the Week: Gun Safety

Even if your family doesn't have a gun in the home, chances are that your child will come in contact with a gun at some time during his or her childhood. Relatives and neighbors own guns that are probably hidden, but children may find them.  Children are exposed to guns early on from television, cartoons and movies, arousing their natural curiosity.  The best safety measure for gun safety in the home is to avoid having one in your home. However, if you already own a gun or plan to purchase one in the future, following the guidelines below can help protect your family's health and safety. 



If you own a gun:


 Always keep your gun unloaded and locked up.


- Lock and store bullets in a separate location.


- Make sure children do not have access to the gun lock keys.


 


If you do not own a gun:


Talk with your children about the risk of gun injury outside the home in places where they may visit and play.


- Tell your children to stay away from guns when they are in the homes of their friends.


- Speak with the parents of your children's friends to determine whether or not they have a gun in the home.


- If they do, urge them to empty it out and lock it up.


Wind Damage Reimbursement Instructions

If you'd like to get reimbursed from Southern California Edison for damage during the recent windstorm, here are instructions: http://goo.gl/eYFoO
 
- Brad Haugaard