Gold Line Sketch; Gold Line Board Supports New Tax

~ Gold Line Spokesman Habib Balian reports that Artist Andrew Leicester, the design concept advisor for the 210 Bridge project, was asked to exhibit his sketch book for our project at the "Pages" Exhibition opening tomorrow night at the Pasadena Art Center College of Design. This is the latest sketch that Andrew created for the bridge just a few weeks ago. Details: http://goo.gl/Oy3Hv

~ Also, Balian said the Authority board has taken a position of support on Measure J, which would extend the county's half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements for 30 more years. He writes: "Even though the measure does not include funding to complete the Foothill Extension to Claremont, the board decided to support the measure because of the regional benefits it would provide by accelerating completion of many other transit projects."

Opinion: So, San Gabriel Valley residents are supposed to vote to continue taxing themselves for umpteen years to complete projects elsewhere in LA County but not to complete the Gold Line? And that after being promised that the Gold Line would go out to Claremont? And then being told, essentially, tough luck? I'm unimpressed, to say the least.

- Brad Haugaard

Flash Flood Warning for Monrovia Area

Flash flood warning for Monrovia and other foothills areas. Mostly a concern, it appears, near creeks. And in other areas, those living near burned-over hills. http://goo.gl/eX6KJ

- Brad Haugaard

Noisy Visitors at Monrovia Canyon Oark?

Apparently there have been some noisy visitors to Canyon Park.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Honda Stolen

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for October 8-10. - Brad Haugaard]

  

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 423 service events, resulting in 63 investigations.  

 

Grand Theft Auto

October 10 at 6:24 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from a business parking lot in the 1600 block of South Mountain.  The vehicle was taken sometime between 11:55 a.m. and 6:24 p.m.  The vehicle is a gray, 1999, Honda Civic hatchback.  Investigation continuing.

Tiger Mosquitoes Get Close | Coffee With Chris Holden

~ West Nile Virus carrying tiger mosquitoes are getting close to Monrovia. They have just been discovered near Live Oak and Santa Anita avenues in Arcadia. They have been found earlier in El Monte. http://goo.gl/AcBtZ

~ Monrovia Coffee with Democratic candidate for the 41st Assembly District, former Pasadena mayor Chris Holden, 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20. RSVP: 358.6796 or cmccallum50@yahoo.com . NOTE: Happy to promote any local candidate events, from either party, as long as it's happening in Monrovia. Just send me the details.

- Brad Haugaard

Rain Tomorrow in Monrovia? | Mini Power Outage

~ Forty percent chance of rain tomorrow and Friday. http://goo.gl/sQTAi

~ Southern California Edison reports that there is a power outage in Monrovia affecting 76 customers. It was caused by an equipment failure and is almost fixed. http://goo.gl/c5bE5

- Brad Haugaard

Job (The Bible One) on Myrtle

From the Things I Never Noticed Before Department, this cornerstone-like plaque on the south side of the Pinkberry building on Myrtle. It is Job 28:28, from the Bible:

And he said to man, The fear of the Lord - that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.

Anybody know any other cool, hidden things around town?

- Brad Haugaard

Donate Underwear or Food, and Volunteer

Make a Difference Day, Oct. 27 at Library Park, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sign up for a half day project, donate canned food or underwear (yes, really - unopened packages of socks or underwear for women and children victims of domestic violence). For information contact Jessica Kubel jessicakubel_sgv@yahoo.com

- Brad Haugaard

Christmas Tree Fundraiser | Freeway Lane Closures Tonight

~ Monrovia High School Band & Colorguard is having a Christmas Tree Drive with Oregon Christmas trees, cheaper than last year. Order by Nov 3. For details contact Cristina Samp, 626/388-3991 or cristinasamp@rocketmail.com, or Robin Hebert @ robin4mhsband@yahoo.com .

~ Tonight up to four eastbound 210 freeway lanes will be closed, 11 p.m. to 5 p.m. Slow lane will remain open.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Power Outage

Southern California Edison reports 64 Monrovia customers without power. Earlier it reported 1,066 without power. http://goo.gl/5R9qS

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Marijuana Patch on Colorado, Helping Despondent Man, Burglary Parolee Arrested for Petty Theft

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for October 4-7. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.

 

72-Hour Mental Evaluation

October 6 at 9:24 p.m., dispatch received a call from a distraught female subject who reported that her husband had possibly taken an overdose of pills and had expressed a desire to harm himself.  Officers and Monrovia Fire Department personnel responded to the 600 block of West Olive.  The man heard the approaching sirens and ran.  An area search was conducted with the help of the Foothill Air Support helicopter.  The subject was eventually found hiding in an empty lot west of Olive Park.  He was taken to a hospital, where he was held for mental evaluation.

 

Petty Theft With Priors / Possession of Methamphetamine / Parole Hold - Suspect Arrested

October 7 at 1:52 p.m., a business in the 700 block of East Huntington called police to report a shoplifter.  A female suspect entered the store and told the cashier she wanted to return some items, but that she needed to pick up a few more items first.  While in the store, the suspect selected several items from the shelves and concealed them in her purse.  The suspect paid for a few items that were in her basket, but she never paid for the items in her purse.  The suspect left the store. 

 

Employees confronted the suspect outside the store, and the suspect asked if she could pay for the items instead of being arrested.  An officer arrived at the store and took custody of the suspect.  Methamphetamine and syringes were found in her purse, along with the stolen merchandise.  Further investigation revealed the suspect is on parole for burglary.  The suspect was booked for possession of methamphetamine, petty theft with priors, and a parole hold.

 

Special Enforcement Team Weekly Activity: Cultivation of Marijuana

October 4, Special Enforcement Team officers conducted a search warrant for marijuana cultivation at a residence in the 900 block of West Colorado.  Nineteen marijuana plants were taken for evidence, along with other cultivation materials.  A revolver was taken from the residence for safe keeping.  The female at the location was arrested for cultivation of marijuana.

Stock of Former Monrovia Company, Green Dot, Drops 20 Percent

 

Former Monrovia company, Green Dot, was clobbered today by the stock market, falling more than 20 percent, apparently on news that Walmart and American Express have teamed up to offer a competing pre-paid card. http://goo.gl/J8C06

 

Green Dot moved out of town over the Labor Day weekend and is now located on North Halstead just off Foothill in East Pasadena. Near the  Best Buy.

- Brad Haugaard

Maddox on St. Francis Win | Trial in Alleged Sex Assault

~ Monrovia coach Ryan Maddox on the win over St. Francis in football. http://goo.gl/jHZx2

~ Trial begins for Monrovian accused in sexual assault at Duarte school. http://goo.gl/XmgF7

- Brad Haugaard

Copper Lamp Sued for Lack of Handicapped Parking

A man has filed suit against Monrovia's Copper Lamp, a liquor store on Foothill, charging it does not have handicapped parking. According to the Monrovia Weekly, John Ho has filed more than 100 similar lawsuits. Details: http://goo.gl/QyOHo

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Assemblyman Forms Political Action Committee

Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who represents part of Monrovia, writes on Facebook that he has started a political action committee, called the California Patriot PAC, "focused on electing Patriots to the CA State Assembly and State Senate." http://goo.gl/FwlWx

- Brad Haugaard