Monrovia's First Presbyterian Puts Up Nativity Scene

I guess it is really the Christmas season. Monrovia First Presbyterian Church has its nativity scene up.

- Brad Haugaard

Four Nights of Freeway Closures

Four nights of full eastbound 210 Freeway closures, starting tonight (Monday, Dec. 10) and continuing through this Thursday. Full closure of all lanes begins at 11 p.m. and ends at 5 a.m. the following morning.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Falls Short in Regional Playoff vs. Madison High :-(

Monrovia football loses state regional playoff game against San Diego's Madison High School, 21-17.

Story: http://goo.gl/YCbHl

- Brad Haugaard

Listen to Monrovia vs. Madison Football

Listen to Monrovia vs. Madison football live here: http://goo.gl/xxpvi

- Brad Haugaard

Foggy Monrovia Morning

Fog advisory for San Gabriel Valley until about 10 a.m. http://goo.gl/1GRdF

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's World Vision Helps Typhoon Victims

Monrovia's World Vision, a Christian relief agency, reports that it is assisting thousands of families in the wake of a Philippines typhoon. http://goo.gl/7BXcg

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Schools: Major Water Damage at MHS Event Center; Yes, It Can Pay It's Bills ... For Now

At its 7 p.m. Dec. 12 meeting (agenda here: http://goo.gl/1PKa6 ), the Monrovia School Board will, among other things ...

~ Consider authorizing $115,111 to fix rainwater damage to the Monrovia High Event Center caused by over-pressurizing a heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit. http://goo.gl/QxncO

~ Affirm, as required by law, that it can pay its bills for the next four years. "However, due to probably flat State funding and estimates of continued declining enrollment, current budget projections show that the district may not be able to maintain a positive ending balance in 2015-16." http://goo.gl/fCTBQ

- Brad Haugaard

One More Week of Gold Line Bridge Construction, Reeds on Basket, Lane Closures

The basket-y reeds on the tops of the Gold Line bridge are now in place.

Also, the Gold Line should be completed by December 15. There could be up to four nights of lane closures until then. Lanes will be closed no earlier than 11 p.m. and reopen no later than 5 a.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovian Acquitted in School Sex Charges

A Monrovian who taught in Duarte schools has been acquitted on all charges of sexual abuse. http://goo.gl/2yFlT

- Brad Haugaard

Panda Express for Lunch

Went to Panda Express for lunch today (the one at Huntington and Monterey). Got the three-item entree for $7.88, plus the cost of drink and tax. Got Shanghai Angus Beef, Beijing Beef and Eggplant Tofu with noodles. Very good.

- Brad Haugaard

Rosemead Over Monrovia in Basketball :-( | Christmas Tamales for Science | Holden Swearing In

~ Rosemead over Monrovia in basketball. http://goo.gl/5a2bZ

~ Order Christmas tamales and help Monrovia High's Math and Science Academy. Here's the form: http://goo.gl/t1kfN

~ Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia in the Assembly, will have a local swearing-in ceremony this Sunday at 4 p.m. at Noor Terrace, 260 E. Colorado, Pasadena (located in Paseo Colorado). Reception at  4:30 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Pictures of Monrovia Holiday Parade

Pictures from Thursday night's holidays parade on Myrtle. Click them to get a bigger view.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's New Christmas Tree Lighted

After a few words from Mayor Mary Ann Lutz, the lighting of Monrovia's new Christmas tree. The old one was blown over by the super wind storm. The new one was donated by Home Depot. It is at the southeast corner of Library Park.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Fiscal State: Difficult, But We Have a Balanced Budget

Monrovia City Manager Laurie Lile explains the city's fiscal situation:

Our Current Condition: 

- Since 2008, we have reduced staffing by 17%, an equivalent of 47 positions, and cut $2 million in expenditures.
- These cuts came to our key services, like street resurfacing, the Monrovia Area Partnership, literacy services, community policing, building and engineering.
- Federal and State regulatory compliance has remained constant.  That means that we still have to comply with many government regulations, like Storm water, state realignment for prison releases, energy compliance measures, and shutting down Redevelopment.  These are things that cannot be ignored when we realistically discuss what the City should be focusing on.
- Redevelopment funding has been taken away, and we don’t expect it to come back any time soon.
- Sales tax revenue, the second largest revenue source to the City, has been down 25% over the past three years.
- Property taxes remain flat.
- The good news: Monrovia’s budget is structurally balanced.

Source: http://goo.gl/wL2XO

- Brad Haugaard

Tickets for Monrovia Playoff Game | Library Closed | City Manager, Mayor Explain 'Plan Monrovia'

~ Monrovia School Board member Alex Zucco reports on Facebook that tickets for the Monrovia High State Regional Playoff game at Friday's street fair, from 5-8 p.m. "We hope to be located at the south end of Myrtle Ave. near Olive Ave."

~ Monrovia Library will be closed on Thursday, Dec. 13. http://goo.gl/qcr16

~ Video: City Manager Laurie Lile and Mayor Mary Ann Lutz discuss "Plan Monrovia." Lile writes: "With 47 positions cut and $2 million fewer dollars, the City can no longer be all things to all people. We have to pick and choose -- what are the most important things for the City to focus on achieving, and what can the community achieve on its own?" Video here: http://goo.gl/AkFlo

- Brad Haugaard