Monrovia Sailor Honored | Story of Franklin | Ben Hur at First Presbyterian

~ Monrovian Steven Chester won the Sailor of the Day award aboard the USS John C. Stennis. http://goo.gl/JtFgNt

~ School teacher tells the story of how she persuaded Peanuts' cartoonist Charles Shulz to include a black character, Franklin, in the famous comic strip. http://goo.gl/dRxEnl

~ On Saturday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. Monrovia's First Presbyterian Church will present the classic 1925 silent movie, Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ, accompanied by a live pipe organ score by Randy Woltz. Suggested donation is $7. For more information call 358-3297 or email David@fpcmonrovia.org. http://goo.gl/NaJaJF

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School Board Agenda

School board agenda for Feb. 24. Big items are agreements with the various contractors fixing Monrovia High after the arson. Fortunately, it appears most of the cost will be covered by insurance. Agenda here.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Assemblyman Wants to Control Drones To Keep Bears' Heart Rates Down

Assembly Majority Floor Leader Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia, has introduced Assembly Bill 2148 to require the Department of Fish and Wildlife to develop guidelines for the use of drones over public lands managed by the department. His press release says that two years ago drones caused a stampede of bighorn sheep, and that drones have also "caused elevated heart rates in bears."

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Veranda Mediterranean

Lunch recently at Veranda Mediterranean restaurant, at Myrtle and Lime. I got the lunch buffet for $9.95 and an iced tea for $3. I liked the stuffed grape leaves and cucumber salad best and went back for seconds on those. 

  

- Brad Haugaard

A Video Ride on the Gold Line

Take a virtual (video) ride on the new Metro Gold Line train, from Pasadena to Azusa. https://goo.gl/z85pOb

- Brad Haugaard

Former Monrovia Maryknoll Sister Dies in New York

Sister Cecile Therese Burton, an educator and social worker who spent time in Monrovia starting in 1999, died after a long illness on Feb. 17, 2016 at Maryknoll Sisters Home Care in New York. She was 91 years old. She moved to Monrovia in 1999 and worked with an adult literacy program, taught piano and mentored at a local middle school to help children improve their reading skills. Source: Press release.

- Brad Haugaard

El Monte Defeats Monrovia Girl's Basketball :-(

Monrovia girls basketball loses to El Monte, 46-41. http://goo.gl/3eNnlw

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Mother With Young Child Attacked By Man With Knife

More on mother attacked by knife-wielding assailant as she arrived home at her Monrovia apartment with her two-year-old daughter. http://goo.gl/F7g725



- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Woman Stabbed - Unknown Assailant; Hitting and Running; Small Part of Honda Recovered; Car Vs. Tree

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for February 15-17. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 357 service events, resulting in 63 investigations.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision
February 15 at 6:26 p.m., officers were dispatched to the intersection of Shamrock and Huntington regarding a hit and run collision that had just occurred. The suspect vehicle was last seen traveling north on Shamrock and is described as a newer-model, dark-colored vehicle, possibly a Camry, driven by a female subject, possibly Hispanic, in her 40's. The vehicle was not located and the investigation continuing.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision
February 15 at 7:08 p.m., a second hit and run traffic collision was reported at the intersection of Shamrock and Huntington. The victim reported being struck from behind. The suspect vehicle fled south on Shamrock and was not located. The investigation continuing.

Mail Tampering
February 16 at 9:51 a.m., an incident of mail tampering was reported in the 500 block of Cloverleaf. Various mailboxes were opened by an unknown suspect. It is unknown if any mail was taken. The investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
February 16 at 9:59 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 400 block of East Foothill. The victim’s vehicle was parked to the rear area of the apartment complex. The suspect shattered the vehicles window and stole an iPad that was left inside. The investigation is continuing.

Found License Plate
February 16 at 7:06 p.m., a vehicle license plate was found in the 100 block of North Mountain Avenue in the street. A computer check revealed the license plate belonged to a Honda Accord that had been reported stolen to the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department earlier in the day. The Sheriff’s Department was notified.

Missing License Plate
February 16 at 9:07 p.m., a subject reported a Honda Accord parked on the street in the area of Mountain and Ocean View with no rear license plate. The owner of the vehicle was located and had not noticed his plate was missing. He did not know if it fell off or if it had been stolen. This was not the license plate found in the above incident.

Residential Burglary
February 16 at 9:30 p.m., a resident in the 500 block of La Casita Lane called police to report a burglary. An unknown suspect forced entry into her locked garage and stole property from inside. The investigation is continuing.

Lost/Stolen Cell Phone Recovered
February 16 at 10:03 p.m., a juvenile subject told his father that he lost his cell phone at school. The cell phone was tracked to a residence in the 400 block of Almond Avenue. Officers went to the location and eventually recovered the cell phone from a juvenile, who said he was holding it for a friend. The phone was returned to the rightful owner.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
February 16 at 2:30 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the area of Lotone and Heather Heights when he observed a vehicle commit a vehicle code violation. The officer conducted a traffic stop and contacted the driver. He immediately noticed signs of intoxication. The driver was determined to be driving under the influence. The suspect was arrested and held for sobering.

Traffic Collision/Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
February 17 at 6:04 p.m., officers were dispatched to the intersection of Huntington and Myrtle regarding a solo vehicle traffic collision. The vehicle was reported to have struck a tree. The investigation revealed the driver lost control of his vehicle in the rain and struck the tree. The driver was determined to be under the influence of alcohol and was arrested for DUI. The suspect was held for a sobering period.

Domestic Violence
February 17 at 8:18 p.m., officers responded to the report of two subjects fighting in the 300 block of West Huntington. The investigation revealed the couple, who are in a dating relationship, were involved in a verbal argument that turned physical. The female sustained an abrasion to her wrist, but refused medical treatment. The suspect was not at the location. The investigation is continuing.

Attempt Murder Investigation
February 17 at approximately 11:00 p.m., a 36-year-old woman arrived at her apartment complex located in the 200 block of South Madison in Monrovia. The victim was carrying groceries and her two-year-old daughter, when she was suddenly attacked from behind by an unknown assailant armed with a knife.

The victim suffered multiple stab wounds to her face, neck, arms, and back. The victim was taken to a local area hospital, where she underwent surgery for her injuries. She is reported to be in critical condition. The child was not harmed. This crime is being actively investigated and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Monrovia Police Department.

Police To Get Training On Mental Illness; Grand Opening of Train Station; Music in Old Town; Sidewalk Survey

In his weekly update, Monrovia City Manager Oliver Chi said ...

- Police Chief Hunt has developed a new four-hour training program for police officers to help them deal with those suffering from a mental illness.

- Another celebration at the train station. At around 11:30 a.m. on March 5 the Metro train will arrive at Monrovia's Station Square, and the city will officially cut the ribbon to open the Monrovia Gold Line Station to the public.

- BMW of Monrovia is paying to extend the Saturday evening music in Old Town through this July.

- There will be a sidewalk condition survey this week in the area bordered on the north by Colorado Boulevard, the south by the 210 Freeway, and on the the east and west by the city boundaries. You'll be able to tell the workers because a lot of 'em will be riding Segways.

- Brad Haugaard

Robotics Championship Coming to Monrovia High

The Regional Robotics Championships are coming to Monrovia High School on on Feb. 27. Top teams from the Los Angeles area, including from Monrovia High, which has one of the best programs in the region, will begin competitions at 10 a.m. in the Event Center. The event is free and all are welcome.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Garden Club Hosting Water Management Speaker

Monrovia Garden Club will hold its monthly meeting on February 23, at 7 p.m., with social time and refreshments at 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall at First Presbyterian Church, 101 E. Foothill Blvd. The speaker will be Wendy Wert from the Los Angeles Sanitation District, who will speak on water management, waste water, water conservation and composting.

- Brad Haugaard

Cell Phone Tracks Suspects | Showers Tonight?

~ Monrovia victim's stolen phone helps track down suspects. http://goo.gl/QO2yaL

~ 70% chance of showers tonight. https://goo.gl/0qMTb8

- Brad Haugaard

Bombing Closes Hospital Supported by Monrovia-Based World Vision

Monrovia-based Christian relief agency, World Vision, reports that bombing in northern Syria has closed a hospital it supports that specializes in maternal, newborn and children's health. Windows were shattered and the structure damaged, though no patients were hurt. http://goo.gl/rZjlAk

- Brad Haugaard

Unity Celebration Sponsored by Monrovia's Bethel AME Church

On Saturday, February 27, Bethel AME Church, Monrovia will host its second Annual Unity Celebration at the Monrovian Restaurant Banquet Room at 534 S. Myrtle Ave. Residents of Monrovia and surrounding areas are invited. Dinner tickets are $45 per person.

This event will showcase civic unity as well as honor a great embodiment of this theme, Former Mayor of Duarte, Lois Gaston, the First African American Woman to hold the position. She was named the 44th Assembly District Woman of the Year in March 2009 by Assemblyman Anthony Portantino. She has been a crisis mediator and strong community supporter for Monrovia and Duarte.

The special guest speaker will be Rev. Mark E. Whitlock, Jr. the pastor of Christ Our Redeemer AME Church in Irvine. The "Unity Celebration" will conclude with a Sunday worship service at Bethel AME Church, Monrovia with guest speaker Bishop C. Garnett Henning, the 112th Elected Bishop of the AME Church (Retired), on February 28, 2016 at 3 p.m.

For more information, sponsorship opportunities, or to purchase dinner tickets, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2nd-annual-unity-celebration-tickets-20532512297. This link is also accessible online at www.bethelmonrovia.com. Guests may also call the office to RSVP. If you have any questions or to purchase an ad, contact Bethel AME Church, Monrovia, at 930-1120 or at bethelchurchmonrovia@gmail.com.

- Brad Haugaard