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Kidnapping Arrest / Volleyball Loss

Monrovia man arrested in kidnapping case. http://goo.gl/HI4RM
 
Wildcat volleyball team loses to La Reina. http://goo.gl/s1czA
 
- Brad Haugaard

Veterans Day



Veterans Day ceremony at Library Park. I'm a Cold War vet, so if you are planning a war I can recommend that as the best kind.
- Brad Haugaard

ReNEWabottle / Schools to Charge Rent / Nick Bueno

RECYCLED BOTTLE ~ Naked Juice, of Monrovia, is introducing a 100-percent post-consumer recycled plastic bottle for its fruit and vegetable juices. The company is calling it the "reNEWabottle" and estimates it will reduce new plastic consumption by 7.4 million pounds per year. http://goo.gl/Bplaz


RENTAL FEE ~ The Monrovia Unified School District plans to charge organizations for using its facilities. http://goo.gl/73tQR


NICK BUENO ~ A profile of Monrovia High School quarterback star Nick Bueno. http://goo.gl/qTQev



- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Loses to Cerritos / Runner in Jennerstown / MHS Salutes Vets / Council Agenda

CERRITOS MOST BUSINESS FRIENDLY ~ Cerritos has been named the most business friendly city in LA County with a population under 60,000, beating out Monrovia, which was also a finalist. The award was given by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp. http://goo.gl/nMdY5
 
RUNNER IN JENNERSTOWN ~ Monrovia lonnng-distance runner, 56-year-old John Radich, has passed through Jennerstown, Pennsylvania, in his quest to run from the Pacific to the Atlantic. He hopes to cool his feet in the Atlantic later this month. http://goo.gl/PTjUX
 
MONROVIA HIGH SALUTES VETS ~ California National Guard Captain Robert Parry raised a flag flown in Afghanistan over Monrovia High School. http://goo.gl/UHlv6
 
COUNCIL AGENDA ONLINE ~ The agenda for the November 16 City Council meeting is now online. You can see it here: http://goo.gl/t8ywD
 
One item on the agenda that caught my eye was a proposal to spend $8.3 million to make improvements to parks throughout Monrovia. I was amazed how much things cost. For example, at Canyon Park, for "Nature Center fencing and display repairs" and "Entry station exterior renovation," it would cost $150,000. Wow! However, it seems unlikely the renovations will proceed in the near future because the report indicates that: "Presently, there is insufficient funding to complete these projects...." http://goo.gl/0fYbs
 
- Brad Haugaard

Church Team Back from Mexico Orphanage

A team from First Presbyterian Church of Monrovia has returned safely from San Juan Bosco Orphanage in Tecate, Mexico, where team members painted the medical clinic, played with the children, gave the orphanage $700 and delivered several months worth of toiletries and cleaning supplies.
 
Source: http://goo.gl/2SdNE
 
- Brad Haugaard

Antonovich Warns of 'Rocky Future'

Michael Antonovich, the Los Angeles County Supervisor who represents Monrovia and much of the San Gabriel Valley, is warning that local governments may be in for serious trouble. On Twitter he writes this series of posts:
 
"California's projected deficit has ballooned to $25.4 billion -- a direct result of budget being built on a house of cards.
 
"This deficit will severely impact every county, city and school district in the state.
 
"We are all in for a rocky future -- especially if the state expects the federal gov't to come to its rescue by just printing money
 
"The State and all local gov'ts will be forced to review all labor agreements and commit to provide only funded mandated programs"
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Report - Nov. 4-9

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for November 4-9. - Brad Haugaard]
 
During the last six day period, the Police Department handled 433 service events, resulting in 85 investigations.  Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events:
 

Vehicle Burglary
November 4 at 9:55 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the 300 block of West Central on a vehicle burglary report.  The victim, a perfume distributor, told the officer that someone had broken into his vehicle overnight and had stolen his perfume supply from his vehicle.  The suspect smashed a rear window of the vehicle to gain entry.  The victim's vehicle was parked in his complex.
 

Grand Theft Auto
November 4 at 10:56 a.m., an officer responded to the 100 block of North Fifth regarding a stolen vehicle.  The victim reported his 2005, green, Ford truck was stolen during the night.  The victim has accounted for all sets of keys.
 

Attempt Burglary
November 4 at 2:56 p.m., an officer went to the 300 block of West Duarte regarding an attempt burglary.  The reporting party told the officer that someone had entered the laundry room and tried to break into the coin operated washers.  It appears the suspect used some type of flat screwdriver or pry bar in their attempt.  There was no loss other than the damage to the coin receptacles.
 

Burglary
October 5 at 7:50 a.m., an officer went to the 200 block of West Lemon on a burglary call.  The victim told the officer she secured her garage at 10:30 p.m. and went in the house.  She returned to the garage the next morning and saw the side door damaged.  She looked around and discovered some miscellaneous items missing from her garage.
 

Grand Theft
October 5 at 2:19 p.m., an officer responded to the 300 block of North Bradoaks regarding a grand theft.  The victim reported that he had three mini collectible firearms in a wooden display box stolen from his house last month.  He believes they were taken by a person who came to the house to work on his cable television.
 

Vehicle Burglary
November 5 at 10:45 p.m., a female subject parked and secured her vehicle in a parking lot across from a bar in the 300 block of West Foothill.  At approximately 2:30 a.m., the victim returned to her vehicle and discovered her right rear window was smashed and two purses had been taken from inside the vehicle.
 

Spousal Battery - Suspect Arrested     
November 5 at 10:57 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the area of Fig and Ivy regarding a suspicious person.  Upon arrival, the officer contacted a male subject who was standing in the intersection.  His mouth was bleeding.  The subject's wife was located west of the intersection.
 
The investigation revealed that the couple was driving westbound on the 210 Freeway, approaching the Myrtle off-ramp, when they got into a fight.  As they exited the freeway, the wife jumped out of the vehicle and ran to the corner of Central and Ivy.  The husband also exited the vehicle, chased her on foot and became physical with her.  Approximately four to five citizens came out of a house to help the wife.  One of the citizens punched the husband in the mouth and knocked him to the ground.  All of the citizens returned to their home without further incident.  The wife did not have visible injuries.  The husband was arrested for spousal battery. 
 

Warrants / Possession of Marijuana - Suspect Arrested
November 6 at 7:15 p.m., an officer observed a speeding motorist in the area of Myrtle and Live Oak.  He was attempting to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle when the driver immediately stopped and let out a passenger, who fled on foot.  The driver then continued on in the vehicle for a short distance, but then yielded at Live Oak and Tenth. The officer detained the driver at gunpoint until assisting officers from Monrovia and Arcadia Police Departments arrived.  A subsequent investigation revealed the driver had outstanding warrants and a small amount of marijuana in the vehicle.  The driver was also found to be a convicted child molester.  He was arrested and taken into custody.  The passenger was not apprehended and his identity is unknown.
 

Assault with a Deadly Weapon - Suspect Arrested
November 7 at 1:35 a.m., officers responded to a bar in the 300 block of South Myrtle regarding a fight in progress.  Upon arrival, officers located a victim with a head injury.  Witnesses provided a description of the suspect and the suspect vehicle, which was last seen southbound on Myrtle.  The Foothill Air Support helicopter was monitoring the police frequency and responded to the area.  The helicopter located the suspect vehicle entering the 210 Freeway, eastbound.  Monrovia police units were able to catch up to the vehicle and officers conducted a high-risk stop on Azusa Avenue, south of the freeway.  Officers from Azusa and Irwindale Police Departments arrived to assist and the suspect was taken into custody.  The suspect had kicked the victim in the head when he was lying on the ground.  The victim positively identified the suspect and he was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon.   
 

Possession of a Controlled Substance - Suspect Arrested
November 8 at 9:23 p.m., officers were patrolling a park in the 400 block of North Grand when they observed seven subjects near the base of some stairs.  They contacted the group and had additional officers respond.  While questioning one subject, the officers noted that he appeared to have something in his mouth.  Officers discovered he was attempting to conceal a baggie containing six foil-wrapped tabs of LSD.  The officers were able to recover the evidence without incident and the subject was arrested. 
 

Wanted Burglary Suspect Apprehended
Monrovia detectives issued a wanted person warrant for a burglary suspect.  The suspect is also the subject of recent allegations of drug sales near Monrovia schools.  On November 9 at approximately 1:30 a.m., an officer on patrol observed the wanted burglary suspect in the 300 block of Norumbega and was able to detain and arrest him.

Volleyball - Monrovia 3, Paloma Valley 0 :-)

VOLLEYBALL ~ Monrovia won its first playoff game against Paloma Valley 3-0. http://goo.gl/nlh11

- Brad Haugaard

Fire Department / Restaurant / Fun-Run / Less Gang Crime

A few items of interest from City Manager Scott Ochoa's weekly report:
 
BATTLE TO CONTROL FIRE DEPARTMENT? ~ City Manager Scott Ochoa said he believes a lawsuit by the president of the Monrovia Firefighters' Association is, in his opinion, "about control over the Fire Department. Folks have tried to make it about safety (remember the fracas over the grant-funded regional procurement of firefighter breathing apparatus?), but couldn't; they've tried to make it about ethics (the aborted D.A. investigation), but couldn't. This is about control and change in organizational culture. Thus, with apologies to the community for the ignominy of having this power-play play out in public, all I can offer is that sometimes these situations simply need to work themselves out."
 
JAPANESE RESTAURANT ~ Oto Oto, an authentic, upscale Japanese restaurant will open at the northeast corner of Huntington Drive and Fifth Avenue. He said that Oto Oto's parent corporation, Ramla Ltd., owns and operates more than 150 restaurants in Japan, and this Monrovia location represents their first venture into California and the U.S.
 
FOUNTAIN TO FALLS ~ The Community Services Department is preparing a "Fountain to the Falls" run for the 2011 Monrovia Days celebration. The run will begin at the Library Park Fountain, follow a more than 3.5-mile route up to the Canyon Park Falls, and then return to the park. Community and non-profit groups can use the fun-run as a fundraising vehicle. Contact the Community Services Department for more details.
 
LESS CRIME ~ Operation Safe Neighborhoods, a city-county gang effort, has "identified and served due process on a number of local gang members, while at the same time we are noting that long-time gang members appear to be avoiding Monrovia or, at least, trying to be inconspicuous - that is, not breaking the law. Either way is fine by us. Serious (Part I) crime continues to be down in Monrovia during this quarter."
 
Source: http://goo.gl/6bof
 
- Brad Haugaard

Hillsides / Green Dot / Cats / School Arts / Cheap Shopping

PICNIC AREAS ~ Monrovia hillside areas may get more visitor amenities such as picnic areas and parking. http://goo.gl/e8bDG
 
STOCK OFFERING ~ Monrovia's Green Dot corporation plans to launch $100 million public stock offering. http://goo.gl/n8bnj
 
FERAL CATS ~ Animal shelter reports overpopulation of feral cats, so neuter your kitties. http://goo.gl/1aOsx


ART PROGRAM ~ After-school arts program at Plymouth School. http://goo.gl/pOP3Q


CHEAP SHOPPING ~ Monrovia's CouponMountain.com has suggestions for cheap holiday shopping. http://goo.gl/e1jjR



- Brad Haugaard

Events: Veterans / History / Prayer / Santa

VETS DAY ~ Nov. 11. This Thursday is the Monrovia Veterans Day Ceremony held at Monrovia Library Park at 11 a.m.

NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY ~ Nov. 13. Monrovia Public Library will celebrate National Native American History Month and the rich traditions of the first Californians with the Costanoan-Rumsen-Carmel People. There will be dancing, drumming, storytelling and history. At the Library bandshell from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 13. No reservations necessary. For more information call 626-256-8274 and ask for Adult Services Reference. (Monrovia Library, 321 S. Myrtle Avenue, Monrovia). http://goo.gl/cvFhP

MAYOR'S PRAYER BREAKFAST ~ Nov. 19. The annual Mayor's Prayer Breakfast will be held at 8 a.m. on November 19 at the Doubletree Hotel at 924 Huntington Drive. Dr. John Mastrogiovanni of the Jesus is Lord Christian Center will speak on "Our Family, Our Community." It is a buffet breakfast. Cost is $25. RSVP by November 15 to the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce: 358-1159. http://www.monroviacc.com/

SANTA ~ Santa's getting ready to join us in Old Town Monrovia starting the Friday after Thanksgiving! Lots of free family fun for everyone. http://goo.gl/ca08C

- Brad Haugaard

Recall / Runner / Mayor / Volunteers

TRADER JOE RECALL ~ Monrovia's Trader Joe markets is recalling Cilantro Dressing, Spicy Peanut Vinaigrette dressing, Cilantro Pecan Dip and Spicy Thai Pasta Salad. Possibly salmonella in the cilantro. http://goo.gl/B6bAf
 
RUNNER REACHES PITTSBURGH ~ Monrovia runner John Radich is getting close to his goal of running across the country. He is now in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. http://goo.gl/F4du5
 
HISTORY ~ Second Monrovia mayor was also governor of New Mexico. http://goo.gl/dmpWc
 
HELP FOR THANKSGIVING ~ For Thanksgiving, the Foothill Unity Center of Monrovia needs food, volunteers, and adopters to make local kids' gift wishes come true. Email volunteer@foothillunitycenter.org. http://goo.gl/RPyyP
 
- Brad Haugaard

Christmas Decorations


Christmas decorations are going up. Whatever happened to poor old Thanksgiving?

- Brad Haugaard

Football: Wildcats 48, South Pas 7 :-)

Monrovia keeps rolling.

Story: http://goo.gl/B0kLj

Pictures: http://goo.gl/nYz4c

- Brad Haugaard

School Policies and Hate

At its meeting this coming Wednesday, the Monrovia School Board will consider adopting revisions to its Pupil Personnel Services Board Policies, including the following:
- Tobacco use
- Positive school climate (no bullying, etc.)
- Asthma management
- Child abuse prevention and reporting
- Suicide prevention and intervention
- School health services
- Hate motivated behavior
Opinion: The one item here that gives me the heebie jeebies is "Hate motivated behavior." While I sympathize with the motivation behind this item, I think it should be pulled and reworded because it appears that half the school population would be guilty within a week of setting foot on campus. Further, it seems to outlaw students' First Amendment right of free speech.
Specifically, it outlaws "discriminatory behavior or statements that degrade an individual on the basis of his/her actual or perceived race, ethnicity, culture, heritage, gender, sex, sexual orientation, physical/mental attributes, or religious beliefs or practices."
So ...
~ If there is a class that includes students of European descent and an instructor criticizes European immigrants' treatment of Native Americans, has the teacher made a discriminatory statement against those students' race, ethnicity, culture or heritage? Should that instructor be disciplined?
~ If a student tells Christian students that he dislikes the Christian church for its stand on homosexuality, will that student be disciplined for a discriminatory statement against those students' religious beliefs?
~ And if a Christian student tells a homosexual student that homosexuality is wrong, is that student going to be disciplined for a discriminatory statement against someone of a particular sexual orientation?
I could go on, but I really think the object is to encourage a POLITE exchange of ideas, not to prevent ideas from being exchanged.
Source: http://goo.gl/rysUN
- Brad Haugaard








More Students Going than Coming


Well, this is a bit concerning. It looks from this graph as if more students want to transfer OUT of Monrovia schools then want to transfer IN. This is a topic at Wednesday's School Board meeting (Nov. 10, 6:30 p.m.).

Here is the item: http://goo.gl/KyAkH

Here is the full meeting agenda: http://goo.gl/QBjFH
- Brad Haugaard

Where in Monrovia?


Kind of a slow news day (except remember the Kiwanis Club Magic Show at Clifton Middle School at 7 p.m. - doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets $10; call 358-8988. There may be some tickets for sale at the door), so ... Where was I? Oh yeah, slow news day so far, so here's one of my amateurish paintings. Can anyone guess where this is in Monrovia? Hint: somewhere north of Huntington Drive.
- Brad Haugaard

Oak-Killing Bug / Etc.

~ Oak-killing bug may spread here from San Diego County, http://goo.gl/ldJrH


~ AeroVironment receives customer service award. http://goo.gl/ljBx9


~ Off-duty Monrovia Police lieutenant spots stolen vehicle. http://goo.gl/0Ufc8


~ Boutique at First Lutheran Church, Nov. 6, 2010  8 a.m. - 1 p.m., 1323 So. Magnolia Ave. Monrovia. Baby blankets, accent blankets, tied quilts, aprons,  gift items, greeting cards, and Christmas items.



- Brad Haugaard

Refrigerator Bear and Burglaries

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for October 28 to November 3. - Brad Haugaard]
 

During the last seven day period, the Police Department handled 536 service events, resulting in 81 investigations.  Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events:

 
Residential Burglary
October 29 at 1:42 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Beechworth Avenue on the report of a burglary.  The victim left his garage door open.  The suspect took gardening equipment from inside and then fled the area.   
 

Bear Incident
October 30 at 3:12 a.m., an officer responded to the 1000 block of Norumbega regarding a bear incident.  The bear had entered the detached garage of a residence and forced entry into a refrigerator.  The bear took meat out of the refrigerator and left the location.
 

Grand Theft Auto Recovery - Suspect Arrested
October 31 at 4:39 a.m., an officer was patrolling in the 500 block of Sherman when he observed a suspicious vehicle occupied by two subjects.  The officer ran the vehicle's license plate and discovered it was reported stolen out of San Dimas.  The officer arrested the person in the driver's seat and completed an identification card on the passenger.  It was later determined the suspect had rented the vehicle and did not return it as agreed upon.  The owner then reported it stolen.
 

Driving Under the Influence / Suspect Arrested
November 2 at 2:11 a.m., an officer responded to the report of a suspicious vehicle driving around the area of Bradbury and Royal Oaks.  The officer located and stopped a vehicle for traffic violations that matched the description of the vehicle.  The driver was determined to be driving under the influence and was too impaired to drive a motor vehicle safely.  The driver was arrested and taken into custody.

 
Robbery / Witness Intimidation / Drug Activity - Suspects Arrested
November 2 at 6:32 p.m., the victim of a strong-arm robbery that occurred on Wednesday, October 27, called police.  He reported that he just saw the two suspects, who are known gang members, on Duarte Road.  He said they were threatening and following him as he was walking down Duarte Road.  Officers responded and conducted an area search for the suspects.  They located four juveniles at an elementary school in Arcadia.  One of the juveniles was wanted for the strong arm robbery, and was also found to be in possession of methamphetamine.  He was arrested for suspicion of robbery, possession of methamphetamine and witness intimidation.   A second juvenile suspect was arrested for witness intimidation.  The third juvenile attempted to run from officers, and the forth was found to be in possession of marijuana, both were arrested.  The juvenile wanted in the robbery was booked and taken to Eastlake Juvenile Hall.  The other three were cited and later released to their parents at the station.

 
72-Hour Mental Evaluation
November 2 at 7:46 p.m., a caller reported to police that her neighbor appeared to be under the influence of drugs.  She stated that he was in an argument with his girlfriend and he jumped through a living room window.  She reported that a piece of glass struck the girlfriend, who was bleeding.  Officers responded and detained a known gang member that threatened to kill himself.  He was detained and taken to a hospital, where he was held for 72-hour mental evaluation.


Vehicle Burglary
October 3 at 9:08 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported at a business in the 700 block of East Huntington.  The suspect smashed the window of the car and took items that were left visible from outside the vehicle.

 
Vehicle Burglary     
October 3 at 10:17 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported that occurred during the evening hours of October 2.  The crime occurred in the 200 block of North Primrose.

Mayor Mary Ann Lutz Honored


Frank Griffith, Corey Lutz, Mayor Mary Ann Lutz and Bob Harbicht

By Karin Crehan, Monrovia Chamber of Commerce Executive Director

It was my pleasure on Friday night to attend the San Gabriel Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America dinner to honor Mayor Mary Ann Lutz with the 2010 Distinguished Citizen Award.  Hosted by the San Gabriel Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America and Lucky Baldwin District Chairman and Arcadia City Council Member, Robert C. Harbicht.  This award is given to honor prominent area leaders who have a wide influence in the business and professional community, while serving as exemplary role models for our young people.  Mary Ann Lutz's contributions to the quality of life in our community and her commitment to youth and the values of Scouting make her a particularly appropriate honoree.

Speaking to a room full of community leaders you could certainly tell that Mary Ann was pleased with receiving this award, and her words clearly reflected the sentiment of Scouting, "The reason this award is so special is because of the organization that stands behind it.  I believe there is no better way to express it than by stating this: The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law."  Mary Ann has a personal connection to scouting as well, her four brothers were scouts and her nephew became an Eagle Scout two years ago, and she said, "I know personally how that achievement has changed his life."  She went on to highlight the positive results of Scouting and noted some Eagle Scout projects in our community included work in Canyon Park, painting and cleaning area schools, churches and community areas.  In addition, a current project will post identifying markers for historic walking tours in our community.

Mary Ann thanked everyone for attending and encouraged them to support scouting with their time, money and spirit!