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City Beat News

City Beat, a joint City, KGEM and Chamber of Commerce video production, is now airing on cable stations 3 (Time Warner) and 6 (Champion). This month's topics:
 
* The Sustainability Expo, featuring an interview with Heather Maloney of the City's Environmental Services Staff
* The Formative Years Program with Police Lt. Jaime Alfaro
* Business Development, featuring the newest corporate residents on Huntington Drive - Living Spaces, Henry's Market and Kohl's Department Store.

Air Times: http://tinyurl.com/27rgtjq


- Brad Haugaard

Where in Monrovia?


Another one of my Monrovia paintings. The location of this one shouldn't be hard to guess.

- Brad Haugaard

Students Designing Super Fuel-Efficient Car

Monrovia High students are designing a super fuel-efficient car to enter the Shell Eco-Marathon in Texas next year. Last year MHS came in 18th out of 34 vehicles. Details here:
http://tinyurl.com/2walh66

Did Argument Lead to Fatal Crash?

Did an in-car argument lead to the fatal crash that killed a Monrovia woman?

http://tinyurl.com/2emwcok

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovian Rises Above Polio

An inspiring story of a Monrovia polio survivor who didn't let it defeat him, but has taken up para-triathlons, in which he races in a wheelchair, hand-propelled cycle, and swims.

http://tinyurl.com/2gy3m3f

- Brad Haugaard

City Manager: Sacramento Fiddles While Rome Burns

I don't think Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa is a fan of the state legislature. This comment is from his weekly report:

"Among the issues and bills Monrovia tracks are the Bell-related disclosure pieces of legislation and Prop 22. The Bell legislation is mostly political grandstanding by the Legislature - the proof? A bill that would have required the Legislature to live under the same rules as those being imposed on cities died a quiet death in the Senate. A budget 90 days late, and they fiddle while Rome burns..."

http://tinyurl.com/29h2k57

- Brad Haugaard

Is LA Times Investigating Monrovia, Other Cities?

From Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa's weekly report:

"Seeing as the Bell-scandal is the gift that keeps on giving, the LA Times is now requesting a great deal of information from (I believe) all cities. Specifically, the paper wants - going back to January 1, 2005 - all redevelopment agency documents relating to legal services, lobbying services, any professional services contracts over $10,000 a year, bond counsel and bond underwriting fees, any maintenance services contracts over $100,000 a year. They also want detailed information on our towing contractor. Luckily, we have much of this information on hand because our own local gadflies make similar types of requests. Still, this is a pretty tall order."

http://tinyurl.com/29h2k57

- Brad Haugaard

Cops at Friday Night Activities

The city has assigned two bicycle officers to patrol Library Park and the Pavilions shopping area because some juveniles "were acting as you would expect for teenagers to act - generally goofy and sometimes wild." That according to City Manager Scott Ochoa, who said in his weekly report that, "Much of this problem would be abated if parents would simply keep track of and supervise their kids."

http://tinyurl.com/29h2k57

- Brad Haugaard

In-N-Out Burger Approved for Home Depot Parking Lot

City Manager Scott Ochoa reports that the Planning Commission has approved a proposed In-N-Out Burger, to be located in the Home Depot parking lot along Evergreen Avenue. He estimates that "by July 2011, we should all be enjoying delicious burgers, fries and shakes. Good work by our Community Development Department to keep this project moving forward!"

- Brad Haugaard

Do It Yourself Monrovia Tour

This has probably been around for a while, but I never noticed. The Monrovia Historic Preservation Group has an audio/print package you can buy guiding you around the historic homes in town.

Details here: http://www.mohpg.org/tours/

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Reads Spaghetti Western Dinner

Monrovia Reads is holding a fundraising dinner October 7 at the Doubletree Hotel (824 W. Huntington Drive). Social at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. Cost is $30, attire is western and casual, and you gotta let them know you are coming by October 4. Call Call Joanne Spring (626) 358-1952 or Diane Delmatoff (626) 303-6600, or you can print out this PDF reservation form and send it in: http://tinyurl.com/2fjjmmr

- Brad Haugaard

Pix of Monvoria's First Game on New Field

Lots of football action photos:

http://monroviaweekly.com/featured/monrovia-dedicates-new-field-of-dreams/

- Brad Haugaard

A Couple Items on Sept 22 School Board Meeting

If you are interested in seeing what the school district has negotiated with the teachers and other school employees, see the bottom two links.

Here is the agenda for the School Board meeting, to be held Wednesday, Sept. 22, 7:30 p.m. in the Board Room.
http://www.monroviaschools.net/1565101210165146553/lib/1565101210165146553/092210agenda/webagenda.pdf
And this is a summary of agreements for the year 2009­-2010 between California School Employees Association (CSEA) and the Monrovia Unified School District. Board will vote on whether to approve this.
http://www.monroviaschools.net/1565101210165146553/lib/1565101210165146553/092210agenda/8_3.pdf

And this is a summary  of  agreements  for  the  year 2009-­2010 between Monrovia Teachers Association (MTA) and the district. Board will vote on whether to approve this.
http://www.monroviaschools.net/1565101210165146553/lib/1565101210165146553/092210agenda/8_4.pdf
Interesting that this item says the district intends "to continue pursuing an alternative revenue compensation model (such as revenue sharing model)." Hmm.
- Brad Haugaard






MHS Colors and First Game on New Field

The School Board toured the not-yet-complete MHS campus this afternoon with the builder, who had incorporated a fair amount of red to echo the Spanish tiles on the older buildings, but red is, um, Arcadia High's colors. That and a few other comcerns. O-kay, well, I think we'll get some Wildcat green in there. The board and city council then joined while School Board President Bryan Wong (with MHS Principal Darvin Jackson) cut the ribbon to innaugurate the new field. Then, first game on new field - Wildcats vs. Arcadia. UPDATE: Wildcats win 34 - 7.





- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Woman Killed in Car Accident

Volvo flipped over on 210, struck guard rail.

http://www.insidesocal.com/sgvcrime/2010/09/monrovia-woman-dies-in-solo-ca.html


UPDATE: Star-News now says "San Gabriel woman," so I guess not from Monrovia. Report says CHP officer quoted a witness as saying victim was hurrying home after drinking in a bar in order to get some sleep before attending a DUI class.


http://www.sgvtribune.com/news/ci_16094322


- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Schools Face "Formidable" Budget Cut Decisions

School district warns that state budget crisis threatens programs.
http://www.monroviaschools.net/monrovia/site/default.asp
- Brad Haugaard

Car Chase Through Foothill Cities

Man and woman arrested after car chase through Monrovia, Pasadena, Sierra Madre and Arcadia.

http://www.insidesocal.com/sgvcrime/2010/09/alleged-monrovia-gang-members-1.html

- Brad Haugaard

History of Monrovia Airport

I never knew that Monrovia had "the friendliest little airport in the country." Or any airport, for that matter. Here's a review of a book that recounts those days.

http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_16092865

- Brad Haugaard

Chris Shevlin to Receive Humanitarian Award

The Santa Anita Family YMCA is honoring Chris Shevlin, husband of City Council Member Becky Shevlin, for his contributions to Monrovia.

http://tinyurl.com/26kd3c6

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Report - Sept. 9-15

[From the Monrovia Police Department's weekly Neighborhood Watch Report. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven day period, the Police Department handled 596 service events, resulting in 105 investigations.  Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events:


Residential Burglary

September 10 at 11:23 a.m., officers were dispatched to a residential burglary in the 800 block of Bonita.  The suspects entered the apartment through an opening near a window air conditioner.  Once inside, the suspects ransacked the apartment and then left through a window.  Investigation continuing.


Vandalism

September 11 at 1:45 p.m., the window of a white commercial Isuzu truck was broken out near Peck and Altern.  A similar incident occurred involving a neighbor's vehicle recently where the damage appeared to be caused by a BB gun.  Investigation continuing.


Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested

September 11 at 11:04 p.m., an officer on patrol in the area of Duarte and Myrtle noticed a vehicle pull over to the side of the road.  The rear passenger opened the door and began to vomit.  The officer stopped to investigate and noticed the passenger had been drinking.  During the investigation, the driver was determined to be under the influence, also, and was arrested.


Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested

September 12 at 1:52 a.m., an officer was driving south on Myrtle and noticed a vehicle in front of him almost strike the curb.  The officer stopped the vehicle and spoke with the driver.  During the investigation, the officer determined the driver was under the influence.  He was arrested and taken into custody.


Petty Theft - Suspects Arrested

September 12 at 1:50 p.m., loss prevention from a business in the 500 block of West Huntington called and reported subjects shoplifting in the store.  Officers responded and detained the subjects as they exited through the doors.  Loss prevention officers placed two of the subjects under private person's arrest for petty theft.  They were taken into custody.  One of the suspects was later released on a citation and the other held on an outstanding warrant.


Assault with a Deadly Weapon

September 13 at 8:15 a.m., an officer responded to a middle school in the 200 block of East Palm regarding two juveniles involved in a fight.  The investigation revealed that the two students had exchanged words on an internet site.  The suspect saw a picture of the victim that appeared as though he was displaying a gang sign.  The victim denied belonging to a gang, but the suspect sought him out.  When the victim left school, the suspect approached the victim and assaulted him.  The suspect was located and arrested.   


Drunk in Public / Receiving Stolen Property - Suspect Arrested

September 13 at 10:29 p.m., an officer responded to a call of an intoxicated subject on lower Myrtle.  Officers located the subject and arrested him for drunk in public.  The suspect was in possession of a stolen backpack, which was stolen from an elementary school earlier in the day.  The suspect also had a no-bail warrant for his arrest.


Noise Disturbance - Suspect Arrested

September 14 at 12:24 a.m., a resident in the 200 block of West Walnut complained that the occupants of a residence next to them where having a small, but loud, party and were preventing them from sleeping.  Officers responded and quieted the group, warning them to keep the noise level down.  The neighbor called back a short time later complaining of loud noise again.  The officers returned to discover the group was quite loud again.  The neighbor chose to make a private person's arrest of the responsible party and he was cited by the officer for violating the city's noise ordinance.


Vehicle Vs. Pedestrian Traffic Collision

September 15 at 7:31 a.m., as a mother and son were walking north across Colorado in the 800 block, the mother was struck by a vehicle traveling eastbound at approximately 25 miles per hour.  The driver claimed she did not see the pedestrian because of glare from the sun.  The mother was transported to a hospital for treatment.  She sustained a two-inch laceration on the back of her head, requiring stitches, and minor bruises and abrasions on both arms and elbows.


Burglary / Warrant - Suspect Arrested

September 15 at 11:17 a.m., an officer responded to a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain regarding a shoplifter in custody.  The subject entered the store carrying a book bag and proceeded to place two tools in the bag and exit the store without paying.  The suspect admitted he entered the store with the book bag with the intention of taking the tools.  He was charged with burglary and he also had an outstanding warrant, which was added to his charges.


Suicide

September 15 at 4:16 p.m., officers responded to the 200 block of El Sur regarding a medical assist.  On arrival, they found a male subject sitting in a chair on the porch with a gunshot wound to his head.  There was a revolver on the ground between his legs.  The investigation revealed the subject had been unemployed for two years and was renting a room at the location.  A neighbor reported hearing a large boom on Tuesday evening, which he believed was a vehicle backfiring or gunshot, but he did not call police.  The death was determined to be suicide, due to a self inflicted gunshot wound.


Possession of Marijuana

September 15 at 10:59 p.m., dispatch received a burglary alarm activation of a business in the 200 block of East Huntington.  Officers responded and observed a black Honda Civic with two occupants directly in front of the location.  As the officers approached, the vehicle sped away with no lights.  The description of the vehicle was broadcast and officers located the car at Myrtle and Duarte.  A traffic stop was completed and the female driver was determined to be driving under the influence of alcohol.  She was arrested for drunk driving and possession of marijuana in a vehicle.  There was no evidence of attempt burglary at the business where the call originated; it was determined to be the cleaning crew that set off the alarm.


Felony Vandalism / Felony Evading / Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Peace Officer - Suspects Arrested

September 15 at 11:20 p.m., dispatch received a call of a suspicious vehicle with two male and two female occupants in the area of Myrtle and Montana.  Officers arrived in the area, but did not locate the vehicle.  At 11:51 p.m., an officer spotted the vehicle and followed it.  The officer attempted a traffic stop but the driver failed to yield.  A pursuit ensued through the cities of Monrovia, Arcadia, Pasadena and Sierra Madre.  The Foothill Air Support helicopter responded and observed the suspect turning off all lights and parking on a small street in Arcadia. 

Officers located the vehicle and confronted the driver and passenger.  The female driver attempted to back away from the officers and pinned the vehicle against a tree.  She attempted to drive the vehicle toward one of the officers and then rammed into one of the police cars.  The suspects were taken into custody.  Further investigation revealed the suspects had been tagging graffiti at several locations in the city.  Investigation continuing.