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Monrovia Chamber Honors Citizens

The Monrovia Chamber of Commerce has announced the winners of three awards. They are:


~ The Iris Award, Citizen of the Year will be presented to Karen Sutherland

~ The Monroe Award for Business Person of the Year will be presented to Rutilio Castrellon, Rudy's Mexican Food.

~ The Dick Lord Award for outstanding contributions to the Chamber will be presented to Gloria Huss, Monrovia Floral. 




- Brad Haugaard

Arrest in Monrovia Almost-Kidnapping Case

Police have made an arrest in the Monrovia attempted kidnapping case. http://goo.gl/8qtDP and  http://goo.gl/hZZ4Z and http://goo.gl/yDsOh

Monrovia Fire Department: Rescues from Vehicles and Canyon Park

Monrovia Fire Department responded to 76 emergency calls between Oct. 25, 2011 and Nov. 1 Here are some:

Traffic Collision - At 9:45 a.m. on October 29 Monrovia fire units responded to a traffic collision with victims trapped. The incident was at Foothill and Alta Vista with three vehicles involved. Upon arrival, fire personnel determined that there was one patient with minor injuries and a second patient trapped in a vehicle with possible life threatening injuries. Fire personnel performed extrication of the trapped victim by removing the right side of the vehicle. The victim with minor injuries was transported to Arcadia Methodist Hospital for evaluation. The victim with possible life threatening injuries was transported to Huntington Memorial Hospital Trauma Center for further evaluation and treatment.

Solo Vehicle Accident - At 2:46 a.m. on October 30, Monrovia Fire Units responded to the report of a vehicle accident where the vehicle had exited the freeway with one person trapped. The accident presented a challenging extrication of the patient, since the vehicle was on its side. Monrovia Firefighters used heavy equipment to remove the roof of the vehicle to gain access to and rescue the trapped occupant. The victim was treated on the scene by Monrovia Fire Paramedics and transported to Huntington Memorial Hospital Trauma Center for further evaluation and treatment.

Canyon Park Rescue - At 9:19 a.m. on October 30, Monrovia Fire Department, assisted by Arcadia Fire, responded to a canyon rescue in Canyon Park. Engine 101, Truck 101, Patrol 101, Sq101, and ARC Engine 107 were all dispatched. The incident involved a 54-year-old female who had fallen at the base of the waterfall. Her injuries prevented her from being able to walk. Fire units treated her injuries, secured her in our rescue basket, and wheeled the patient out of the canyon by foot. The patient was stabilized and transported to Arcadia Methodist Hospital. The entire rescue was performed over a two-hour time period.
 
 
- Brad Haugaard

Photo Conversation Pieces from Monrovia Suicide?

Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa said people may have snapped pictures of the suicide on Myrtle Avenue last Saturday to create an "electronic conversation piece."
 
He said, "I have to presume that some earnestly felt that there was some journalistic value in taking the pictures (although most professional news outlets forswear the use of such images), yet based on the rumors that followed, it seems most others simply wanted the picture as an electronic conversation piece."
  
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Manager Says Goodbye

[Statement from Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa in his weekly report.]

"This week, I was appointed by the Glendale City Council to become their next City Manager, effective January 3, 2012.
It is awfully bittersweet to leave this job, this organization and this community. Over the nearly 19 years that I've worked here, and over the last 7½ that I've had the privilege of being City Manager, I've gotten to know many, many amazing people. Giving and kind neighbors in the community, visionary Mayors and City Councilmembers, and dedicated and expert professional staff and employees - all of these folks comprise a city that is, pound-for-pound, one of the best in the state.
 
"Whether it is building a new library, planning the redevelopment and future growth of our town, or simply making it through the Great Recession, Monrovia's can-do spirit and consistency make it a truly special place.
 
"Thank you, Monrovia, for a wonderful run."

 
- Brad Haugaard

Board of Education election endorsements of Board of Education memberAlex Zucco

Re-Elect Gililland and Wong, Elect Covarrubias to Monrovia School Board
I have had the pleasure of serving on the Monrovia School Board for the past 2 years and encourage the voters to re-elect Board President Ed Gililland and Board Member Bryan Wong. I am also supporting Janeane Covarrubias. I  believe she would be a great addition to the Board and serve our community well.
Ed and Bryan each bring strengths that none of the other candidates offer; experience in school finances at the local, State and Federal levels. They also work through our many existing community partnerships, maintain a healthy cooperative relationship with all of our employee associations and show a deep understanding of how steady improvement in instruction and community involvement has lead to continued growth in Monrovia Schools. As we  enter 2012 and face the possibility of “trigger cuts” that could wreak havoc on our education community, we will have an even greater need for Ed and Bryan’s experience in navigating the uncertain future thoughtfully.
Ms. Covarrubias would bring her strong dedication to seeing that all of our students are challenged and parents are engaged. She brings a new perspective through her own experience in both private and public education and has good ideas for easing the transition to public. While the Monrovia Schools and community have formed many award-winning partnerships, having a new voice and resource for bringing new partners into our Monrovia “family” can only work to our schools' benefit. And finally, her own personal connections to Monrovia and her community involvement with organizations like the Monrovia Latino Heritage Society, Girl Scouts and our PTAs will bring a broader, more representative look to the Board.
Monrovia Schools have continued to perform well even in this financial meltdown.  That is a testament to our staff, students and their families. Monrovia is the only school district in our area to show an INCREASE in enrollment. This clearly demonstrates that the work done in our “world class schools” by our “world class students” is not going unnoticed, nor did it happen by accident. In order to continue our excellent forward progress, we must stay on message and avoid political grand-standing, personal agendas or using our Board as a spring board to higher State office. Now is the time to stay vigilant and ensure the good work continues to happen and send good people to represent Monrovia Schools.
Vote November 8th for Ed Gililland, Bryan Wong and Janeane Covarrubias.
Alex Zucco
Monrovia School Board Member

Sketch of Monrovia Kidnapping Suspect

Here is a sketch of the guy suspected in an attempted kidnapping in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/AensB
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Senator Honored by Lawsuit Abuse Group

State Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, has been recognized as "Legislator of the Year" by Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse. http://goo.gl/830DI
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Wildcats Over Temple City :-)

Monrovia over Temple City in football, 45-0. http://goo.gl/dSEsv
 
- Brad Haugaard

Attempted Kidnapping of Boy in Monrovia

Attempted kidnapping of 6-year-old boy reported. http://goo.gl/iCQgS and http://goo.gl/pfzq4



- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School Board: Should State Make It Easier for Schools to RaiseTaxes?

At its Nov. 9 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/JGmKs ), the Monrovia School Board will:

~ Consider whether to support a proposed state senate constitutional amendment that would allow school districts to raise parcel taxes by a 55 percent majority rather than the current two-thirds majority. http://goo.gl/ert5O

~ Discuss pushing the state to stop cutting school funding, to provide a less-volatile funding source ("revisit Proposition 13 and the property tax arena"), give districts maximum local control, and pony up years of money the state already owes districts. http://goo.gl/DIwGD

~ Consider refinancing a loan, bringing the interest rate from 5.3 down to 3.3 percent and saving $380,000. http://goo.gl/lzZA9

~ Consider creating two new positions, a Campus Supervisor job ( http://goo.gl/sMmhT ), which will replace a discontinued job and save the district $3,400 a year, and an "Instructional Assistant-Special Education" ( http://goo.gl/c7uEs ) which will be paid for by an outside funding source.
- Brad Haugaard



Man Who Shot Himself on Myrtle Identified

The man who shot himself in front of Library Park last week was 45-year-old Sue Chee Ng, of Allen, Texas. http://goo.gl/yCfmm
 
- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at The Flame Broiler


Tried the new Flame Broiler (next to Sprouts on Huntington). It is a rice bowl type restaurant. New, clean, and very fast. I got the chicken bowl, which was fine. Good place especially if you are in a hurry.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Unity Center Has Most Clients Ever, Needs Turkeys | McCarthy to USC?

~ Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center reports that while "we are barely into November, and we're on track to register the most client families ever for our Thanksgiving distribution. That has us talking turkeys. We're going to need more of those than ever before, too. (Or gift cards for them.) Our freezers in Monrovia and Pasadena are waiting. Call Joan at (626) 358-3486. http://goo.gl/pTfnL
 
~ USC really wants to get Monrovia defensive tackle Ellis McCarthy ( http://goo.gl/HEC70 ) and Monrovia coach Ryan Maddox would like to see them get him ( http://goo.gl/k4dO0 ).
  
- Brad Haugaard

SGV Tribune Endorsements for Monrovia Races

The San Gabriel Valley Tribune is endorsing:

~ Bruce Carter for Citrus College Board of Trustees. 

~ Ed Gililland, Terrence Williams and Bryan Wong for Monrovia School Board.

 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia is Most Business Friendly Small City in LA County

Monrovia has won the Most Business-Friendly City in LA County in the under-60,000 population category in the LA County Economic Development Corporation's 16th Annual Eddy Awards ceremony. http://goo.gl/1rAXH


The award was presented at a ceremony tonight.


Monrovia was up against four other finalists: Commerce, Duarte, Gardena and La Mirada.


Criteria LAEDC considered in selecting the winner were:


~ Demonstrated commitment to economic development as a priority

~ Excellence in programs and services designed to facilitate business entry, expansion, and retention

~ Economic development activity over the past three years

~ Competitive business tax rates and fee structures

~ Availability of economic incentives

~ Effective communication with and about business clients


- Brad Haugaard

Tree Festival to Support Monrovia Boys & Girls Club

A new charitable event, The Festival of Trees, will support Monrovia's Boys & Girls Club of the Foothills. The event, a long-time tradition in communities throughout the United States, will feature a display of Christmas trees and wreaths donated by individual and corporate sponsors, and decorated by local florists and artisans. Full-sized, fully-decorated trees, as well as wreaths and table-top trees, will be available through raffle tickets and a silent auction. Trees will be delivered the following day to the winners’ homes. Pasadena florist, Jacob Maarse, will decorate the grand prize tree. The event, also featuring the Citrus College Singers, dining and dancing, will be held from 6-10 p.m. on Dec. 3 at the Annandale Golf Club in Pasadena. For tickets or more information, call: 626-305-5353 or email foothillsfestivaloftrees@gmail.com.
 
- Brad Haugaard (from press release)

Two Monrovia Candidates for Citrus College Board of Trustees

In addition to the three seats open for the Monrovia School Board, there is also a contest for who will be the next Citrus Community College District trustee for area 5 (that's us). The choices are Bruce Carter, retired college professor, and Joanne Montgomery, the incumbent. Here are their websites:
Bruce Carter: http://goo.gl/pFlAZ
Joanne Montgomery: http://goo.gl/6MO3a

Remember, the election is this coming Tuesday, Nov. 8.
- Brad Haugaard

Moving a Drain for Gold Line | Burnett & Son | Miyachi Unitek



Moving a storm drain.

~ Moving a storm drain pipe and demolishing the old bridge's foundation to put in the abutments for the new Gold Line bridge near Santa Anita Avenue.

~ Burnett & Son Meat Co. is purchasing new x-ray packaging and contaminant detection systems. http://goo.gl/UHFGp

~ Spot-welding and music ministry. Jack Lantz of Monrovia's Miyachi Unitek. http://goo.gl/BkkLD

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia PD: Playing With Fire, Two Vehicle Roll-Overs, Myrtle Suicide, Pumpkin Throwing, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Oct. 27-Nov. 2. - Brad Haugaard]
 
During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 502 service events, resulting in 96 investigations.  Following are the highlighted issues and events.  To see a complete listing of crimes reported, go to crime mapping at http://www.crimemapping.com/map/ca/monrovia.
 
Trespassing - Suspect Arrested
On October 27 at 11:24 a.m., a 19-year-old male subject was placing pizza advertisements on the front door of houses when he came across an unlocked door in the 200 block of Sunset.  He decided to enter the home.  He was found loitering in the kitchen by the housemaid, and when discovered, he ran out of the house and out of sight.  Police responded and he was apprehended on the next street over, continuing his work.  He was placed under private person's arrest for trespassing.
 
Fire
On October 27 at 3:40 p.m., a fire was reported on the railroad tracks behind the 700 block of Montana.  Officers responded and discovered a cloth towel on fire.  They put out the fire.  Witnesses saw two junior-high-school-aged, male subjects, leaving the area of the tracks, walking west along the tracks out of sight.  Both had skateboards.  It is unknown if they were the subjects who started the fire.  Officers searched the area, but did not locate any suspects.
 
Attempt Burglary
On October 27 at 6:16 p.m., police were dispatched to a residence in the 200 block of North Myrtle.  The victim estimates the suspect attempted to enter the property between 8:15 a.m. and 5:35 p.m. on October 27.  A rear window screen was cut, allowing access to the door handle.  There was no loss.  The suspect may have been scared off prior to completing the burglary.  Investigation continuing.  
 
Residential Burglary
On October 27 at 7:19 p.m., an officer responded to the 500 block of East Olive regarding a burglary report.  The victim saw that her jewelry box appeared to be tampered with earlier in the week, but due to being in a rush, did not investigate further.  She later discovered that five gold rings and a bottle of Brandy were missing.  There was no forced entry or evidence discovered.  Investigation continuing.
 
Warrant / Gang Injunction Service - Suspect Arrested
On October 28 at 5:39 p.m., Monrovia Police Department received a call from San Gabriel Police Department advising they had a female in custody for a no-bail warrant out of Monrovia.  The female is a documented gang member named in the gang injunction, but had not been served.  Her warrant was for felony vandalism she had committed in the City of Monrovia.  An officer responded and served her the gang injunction papers and took her into custody for the warrant.  She was transported to the Monrovia Police Department jail.
 
Driving Under the Influence / Traffic Collision - Suspect Arrested
On October 28 at 10:02 p.m., an adult, male subject left a World Series party on Beechwood and collided with a parked vehicle; both vehicles were heavily damaged.  Police responded to the scene and the driver was determined to be driving under the influence.  He was arrested and taken into custody.
 
Traffic Collision
On October 29 at 4:57 a.m., police received the report of a traffic collision with a vehicle rolled over at Myrtle and Huntington.  A driver had grown impatient waiting at the traffic light and drove north on Myrtle to make a u-turn.  The driver failed to see an approaching vehicle and struck it.  The driver of the second vehicle lost control and the vehicle rolled over. Injuries were complaint of pain only and one person was transported to a hospital by paramedics.
 
Domestic Dispute / Suicide
On October 29 at approximately 12:01 p.m., officers responded to a disturbance in the 300 block of South Myrtle.  When officers arrived, they found a man holding a woman at gunpoint.  Officers immediately confronted the male suspect and ordered him to put the gun down.  The suspect then turned the gun on himself and took his own life.  The investigation revealed that the suspect was the woman's ex-husband and they had one child together.  The suspect had followed his ex-wife and child and had confronted them where the incident occurred.  The woman and child were not injured.  The investigation is continuing and is being conducted by the Monrovia Police Department Detective Bureau.
 
Outside Assist - California Highway Patrol
On October 29, a caller reported a drunk driver on the 210 Freeway, striking walls with his vehicle and driving on the rim of one tire.  Another caller then reported a traffic collision with the vehicle rolled over in the area of Myrtle and the 210 Freeway.  The driver had exited the freeway at Myrtle, striking the cement construction barricades.  He lost control of his vehicle and went through the fence for the freeway embankment.  The vehicle struck a large light standard with such impact it sent the light fixture flying off the pole and bent the pole severely.  The driver was found unconscious trapped inside his vehicle.  Monrovia Fire Department personnel responded and extracted the driver by cutting off the top of the car.  The subject was taken to a hospital by ambulance.  
 
Felony Vandalism
On October 30 at 2:53 a.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Magnolia and Genoa regarding a subject that was using a realty sign post to vandalize two cars.  On arrival, the officers found the suspect had fled.  Two vehicles parked on the street were heavily damaged.  A search was conducted for the suspect, but he was not located.  Investigation continuing.
 
Vandalism
On October 31 at 7:32 a.m., a school district employee called to report graffiti on their warehouse in the 400 block of Almond.  An officer responded and located the graffiti on the warehouse east facing wall and on a small retaining wall.  The graffiti is gang related and was written in black spray paint.  Investigation continuing.
 
Vandalism
On October 31 at 9:16 a.m., an officer on patrol in the 1200 block of South California was flagged down by a resident.  The resident reported that the north facing wall of a house had been vandalized with graffiti.  The graffiti is gang related and was written in green spray paint.  Investigation continuing.
 
Vandalism - Suspect Arrested
On October 31 at 9:45 a.m., a witness called police to report a male subject vandalizing a stop sign at Ivy and Walnut with yellow paint.  The witness stayed on the phone and helped direct police to the suspect's location, and the suspect was detained.  The subject was positively identified by the witness and arrested.  The reporting party was notified that they would be eligible for Monrovia Police Department's Stop Graffiti Bounty Program for reporting the incident that led to an arrest. 
 
Vandalism / Petty Theft / Curfew / Trespassing - Suspect Arrested
On November 1 at 2:10 a.m., officers responded to a call of three subjects throwing pumpkins in the 200 block of North Encinitas.  Officers discovered pumpkins broken up on several streets in the area, but no suspects were located.  At 3:33 a.m., a caller reported hearing someone throwing pumpkins in the area again.  Officers arrived and located a subject dressed in all black.  When officers attempted to detain him, he fled the area, jumping fences.  The 17-year-old male subject was eventually detained.  There were no other suspects located.  The suspect was arrested for the above listed charges.  He was eventually cited out and released to his mother.
 
Grand Theft Auto
On November 1 at 7:30 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 800 block of West Duarte regarding the report of a stolen vehicle.  The victim parked his vehicle in his assigned carport stall and locked it.  Sometime between 2:00 and 4:00 a.m., the vehicle was stolen.  The vehicle is a black, 1995 Nissan Maxima.  All keys are accounted for.  Investigation continuing.
 
Vehicle Burglary
On November 1 at 7:59 a.m., a subject from the same complex in the above incident approached the officer and reported that someone had broken into his vehicle.  This vehicle was parked across from where the stolen vehicle had been parked.  The vehicle was found with the trunk ajar and the two front doors open.  The loss was undetermined.  Investigation continuing.
 
Vehicle Burglary
On November 1 at 9:06 a.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 1000 block of Maurice regarding a vehicle burglary.  The victim reported that she parked her Lexus in the driveway at 6:00 p.m.  The vehicle was secured and locked.  She returned to her vehicle the next morning at 9:00 a.m. and saw the front passenger window smashed. She looked in the vehicle and noted her purse was missing from the front passenger seat.  The victim did not hear or see anything during the night.  Investigation continuing.
 
Vehicle Burglary
On November 1 at 9:57 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 1500 block of Pilgrim Way.  The victim parked his vehicle on the street in front of his house at 6:00 p.m.  The vehicle was secured and locked.  The victim returned to the vehicle at 9:00 a.m. the next morning and noticed the inside had been ransacked.  The stereo, navigation system and an iPod were taken.  The victim did not hear or see anything during the night.  Investigation continuing.
 
Vehicle Burglary
On November 1 at 10:07 a.m., a resident in the 300 block of Norumbega called police to report a vehicle break-in.  The vehicle was broken into sometime between 5:00 and 7:30 a.m. in the morning.  The victim's purse was taken from the vehicle.
 
Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance - Suspect Arrested
On November 2 at 1:47 a.m., a resident in the 900 block of South Primrose called police and reported unknown subjects on his roof.  Officers responded, but no subjects were located on the roof.  The officer noticed that the reporting party was displaying signs of drug usage.  After checking the subject further, the officer determined that he was under the influence.  The subject was arrested and taken to Monrovia Police Department, where he was charge with being under the influence of a controlled substance.