Will Gold Line Stop at Azusa for Foreseeable Future?

It appears the staff of the Metro feels the Gold line will not be extended past Azusa to Claremont until around 2050 ... maybe.

Gold Line spokesman Habib Balian says that Metro staff "assumes the Foothill Extension to Claremont won't be fully funded until all other Measure R projects are completed and the Measure R debt service is paid off. They anticipate that will occur around the year 2050, and then 'because we are priority project,' the extension to Claremont would 'likely' be first in line for funding.

Habib adds, "This contradicts the 2008 initiative, when the project was clearly defined from Pasadena to Claremont - a key point of the Congress Members letter [ http://goo.gl/PR1wE ], as they urge Metro to correct this error in the upcoming Expenditure Plan."

Source: Gold Line press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Over Chino | Police vs. Fire

~ Monrovia Wildcats score 6-2 win over visiting Chino in a CIF-Southern Section Division 4 first-round baseball playoff game. http://goo.gl/m0Tqy

~ Monrovia Police vs Monrovia Fire in basketball. http://goo.gl/uP7KW

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Website Hacked to Stop Global Warming

Checking this morning I find that the Monrovia City Website has been hacked and the pages replaced with this message to "stop global warming!" (I guess Monrovia being recognized as a green city was not good enough for them.) If you'd like to see for yourself: http://www.ci.monrovia.ca.us/ or http://www.cityofmonrovia.org/

Opinion: Some unsolicited advice. Apparently Warwick, Rhode Island, was similarly hacked (according to LatinHackTeam's Twitter comment) so maybe the folks there, who now have their website up and running, know a good solution: http://www.warwickri.gov/

Update: The city site is back online
   

- Brad Haugaard

Getting Ready to Pour Concrete in June for Gold Line Bridge

Reinforcing steel is being added to the Gold Line freeway bridge form for the major concrete pour in June. Over 500 tons of rebar will be installed to support the main superstructure and cross beam. http://goo.gl/0TNjd

- Brad Haugaard

Free Calendars at Monrovia Fire Department | Fourth of July | Death on 210 | CPR | Brush Clearance

Fire Department calendars available.

~ Free 2012 fire department calendars still available. Pick one up at Fire Department headquarters at 141 E. Lemon. http://goo.gl/LJt8O

 

~ If you would like to contribute to a bang-up Monrovia Fourth of July celebration, click here: http://goo.gl/pCFWe

 

~ Pasadena man dies on 210 Freeway in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/wSw90

 

~ Spend ten minutes to learn CPR from a Monrovia firefighter. June 7 from 9:00 a.m. to noon in front of the library. http://goo.gl/LJt8O

 

~ Brush clearance tips here: http://goo.gl/LJt8O

 

- Brad Haugaard

Local Congress Members Say Gold Line Should Develop Comprehensive Plan

Congress members Judy Chu, Adam Schiff, and Grace Napolitano have written to the Gold Line suggesting that "Metro should develop a comprehensive spending plan to implement a truly regional transportation system" before a measure goes on the November ballot "to make permanent the Measure R half-­cent tax." The issue, according to the Congress members, is that Measure R says the Gold Line should go out to Claremont but only provides funds for it to go out to Azusa.

Source: Gold Line press release

- Brad Haugaard

Watch Out! Monrovia Police Looking for Unbuckled Seat Belts

The Monrovia Police Department will be participating in the 2012 National Click It or Ticket campaign, May 21-June 3, during which there will be "maximum high-visibility seatbelt enforcement both day and night."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Hero Cop Rescues Family, Burglary From Car, Fraud and Stolen Property

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for May 14-16. - Brad Haugaard]

 

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 482 service events, resulting in 90 investigations.

 

Vehicle Burglary

May 14 at 10:16 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 300 block of North Alta Vista.  The victim had parked his vehicle on the street.  Suspect(s) smashed the rear windows on the vehicle and stole tools and computer parts from inside.  A witness saw an older, dark blue or green, 4-door vehicle leaving southbound from the location at the time of the burglary.  Investigation continuing.

 

Fire Assist

May 15 at 3:19 p.m., police responded to a fire assist call in the 1600 block of Encino.  The first officer arrived on scene and saw smoke coming from a structure.  He started evacuating the building, but did not get a response from one of the units.  The officer heard a woman screaming from the second story.  He entered the smoke filled apartment and was able to work his way upstairs and reach the adult female and four children.  He led them down the stairs and out of the building to safety.  The officer was treated for smoke inhalation, but was able to return to work.

 

Detective Bureau Case Follow-up

 

Search Warrant Service - Fraud / Receiving Stolen Property - Suspects Arrested

Monrovia detectives received a call from an out-of-state company fraud investigator who had identified a commercial account that had been compromised.  The suspect was ordering expensive merchandise on the companies account and was having the shipments delivered to an address in Monrovia.  A Search Warrant was served on the address by detectives.  The location was occupied by a male and a female adult.  The search did not uncover additional company property, but marijuana and a syringe were found in the house, along with several smoking pipes.  The female was charged with grand theft, receiving stolen property and possession of a syringe.  The male was arrested for possession of more than 28.5 grams of marijuana.

Support Monrovia School | Tiger Mosquito | New Unity Center Director | Obama Not Paying Your Gas Bill

~ Support Bradoaks School. Buy a yogurt with this coupon tonight. http://goo.gl/mvWcb

~ Oops. Tiger mosquito is back, next door in El Monte. http://goo.gl/NX6m7

~ Feature about new Foothill Unity Center Executive Director Betty R. McWilliams. http://goo.gl/AkLC6

~ President Obama is not paying your utility bill. Watch out for scammers who say he will and ask for personal info. http://goo.gl/Awme3

- Brad Haugaard

Drone Made by Monrovia's AeroVironment May be Fitted With Warhead

Marine Corps wants to wed AeroVironment's Switchblade drone with an explosive warhead to produce a kamikaze-type drone. http://goo.gl/m6TpX

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Days Activities

Video of the Saturday activities (and a bit of history) for Monrovia Days, May 19. http://goo.gl/MYrPn

Also, here is the dunk-tank schedule and victims (May 19: 100 block of W. Palm Ave.):

1:00-1:10 p.m. - Police Chief Jim Hunt
1:15-1:25 p.m. - MHS Principal Darvin Jackson
1:30-1:40 p.m. - Mayor Pro Tem Joe Garcia
1:45-1:55 p.m. - Council Member Becky Shevlin
2:00-2:10 p.m. - Mayor Mary Ann Lutz
2:15-2:25 p.m. - City Spokesman Dan Bell

- Brad Haugaard

Schedule for Monrovia Days

http://goo.gl/MrqP5

- Brad Haugaard

Escape From Burning Monrovia Home | Green Dot Hit By Competition | Breastfeeding Support Group

~ Monrovia mother and four children escape from burning house. http://goo.gl/effzt

~ The stock of Monrovia's Green Dot Corporation, which provides prepaid credit cards, has been down lately (3.26 percent today), apparently in response to other financial companies with deep pockets getting into the prepaid card biz. http://goo.gl/a0e3v

~ Creative Woman (aka Wizard of Bras) is sponsoring a free breastfeeding support group Wednesday, May 16, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the store, at the corner of Myrtle and the freeway.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Assemblyman, Senator, Slam Governor's Budget

Monrovia's state senator, Bob Huff, and one of it's assemblymen, Tim Donnelly, slammed Governor Brown's revised budget ...

Huff: “Despite an 11% unemployment rate, two million Californians out of work, and California being ranked the worse state in the nation to do business 8-years in a row, the Governor and Democrats have no proposals to help grow the economy or to help our small business community.” http://goo.gl/Kpeua

Donnelly: "The Governor's May Budget Revision is unbelievable, but not surprising. He continues to increase spending by $12.4 billion in the midst of nearly $16 billion deficit and he relies on the taxpayers to cover the bill. Worse yet, he is using scare tactics to try to bully people into approving another tax hike." http://goo.gl/oJo96

-Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Head Bang iPhone Snatch, Burglary, Burning Banner, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Ay 10-13 – Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.

Petty Theft / Possession of Methamphetamine / Suspect Arrested

On May 10 at 3:51 p.m., an officer responded to the 1600 Block of South Mountain regarding a suspect detained for theft. The suspect had entered the store with the intent to purchase items but determined they were too expensive. The suspect had the ability to pay for the items. A search of the suspect's wallet revealed a usable amount of methamphetamine. The suspect was arrested for petty theft and possession of methamphetamine.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested

On May 10 at 7:39 p.m., officers responded to 1800 block of Eighth Avenue, regarding a family disturbance. When officers arrived, they found the victim, the father, and two children waiting outside the residence. Through the investigation, it was determined that the wife was the primary aggressor and was arrested. An emergency protective order was requested by the father. The wife was arrested for domestic violence.

Petty Theft with Priors / Parole Hold / Suspect Arrested

On May 10 at 10:06 p.m., an officer responded to the 500 block of West Huntington regarding a suspect in custody for shoplifting. A computer check revealed the suspect had three or more prior petty theft arrests and was on parole. The suspect was arrested for petty theft with priors and a parole hold was obtained.

Failure of Yield / Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol

On May 10 at 10:28 p.m., an officer observed a vehicle weaving. He attempted a traffic stop, but the driver failed to yield and continued on. The driver went north on Grand to Sierra Vista where he pulled over just shy of his residence. The driver was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence and failure to yield.

Grand Theft Auto

On May 11 at 8:48 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen in the 600 block of East Colorado. The victim had parked his vehicle, a red, 2005 Honda in front of his residence. The following morning he discovered the vehicle missing. Investigation continuing.

Critical Missing

On May 11 at 12:30 p.m., a report was received regarding a missing juvenile who was seen on a bus in Monrovia. Officers conducted an investigation and determined that the missing juvenile returned to her mother's home in Los Angeles. Officers were able to confirm with Department of Children and Family Services that the juvenile was safe and in her mother's custody.

Residential Burglary

On May 11 at 2:47 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 600 block of West Walnut sometime between 7:00 a.m. and 2:20 p.m. When the victim returned they found the screen off of the front window. A lap top computer, TV and other electronics were stolen. Investigation continuing.

Strong Arm Robbery

On May 11 at 7:59 p.m., officers responded to 600 block of West Huntington, regarding a robbery. The victim, a customer, was sitting at a table using his laptop and had his black, iphone on the table. The suspect entered the store, looked around as if he was going to buy coffee. He walked behind the victim, pushed the victim's head down onto the table with one hand while he grabbed the iphone with the other hand. The suspect then walked out and fled on foot. The suspect is described as a male, black, early 20's, 6'3", medium build, light complexion wearing an over sized T-shirt, white pants, and had corn roll hair style. Investigation continuing.

Arson

On May 12 at 7:44 p.m., an officer responded to the 900 block of East Lemon to investigate a fire at the school. The door of classroom 13 was on fire. Apparently a school banner was suspended in the air, above classroom 13. As the banner burned to the ground, it caught the classroom door on fire. The fire was extinguished immediately and structure damage was minimal. The investigation is continuing.

Possession of Controlled Substance

On May 13 at 12:35 a.m., an officer stopped a vehicle for a lighting equipment violation. A subsequent investigation revealed marijuana and several ecstasy pills inside of the locked glove box. Both suspects were arrested.

Grand Theft Auto

On May 13 at 10:34 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen in the 400 South Magnolia. The victim parked his vehicle in front of his house. The vehicle is a 2000, Honda, Civic. Investigation continuing.

Grand Theft Auto

On May 13 at 4:42 p.m., an officer responded to the 200 block of Kruse regarding a stolen vehicle. The victim parked his vehicle on the street in front of his house. The vehicle was a 2008 black GMC truck. The keys were not accounted for. Investigation continuing.

Theft / Receiving Stolen Property – Suspects Arrested

On May 13 at 12:56 p.m., Arcadia Police Officers interrupted a theft in progress occurring at 3000 block of Peck Road. Arcadia Police officers detained two suspects pending Monrovia Police Department's arrival, as the theft occurred in Monrovia's jurisdiction. An officer handled the investigation and discovered the suspects jumped over the wall at a facility and stole boat parts. The suspect's pick up truck was also loaded with other property suspected to be stolen from other locations. Officers took custody of the suspects. Investigation continuing.

Special Enforcement Team Weekly Activity

Parole Violation

On May 11 at 7:19 p.m., the Special Enforcement Team officers stopped a vehicle in the 2600 block of Peck Road after observing it parked by a school. The officer saw one of the occupants enter the school grounds. During the stop it was determined the subject was a sex offender and was on parole. Parole was notified and violated his parole for being on school grounds.

- Brad Haugaard

Napolitano to Speak to Monrovia Democrats

Congressional candidate, Grace Napolitano, will speak to the Foothill Community Democrats at the Peach Cafe at 7 p.m. May 24. Napolitano, who is the FCD's endorsed candidate, is running to represent the 32nd Congressional District, which includes part of Monrovia. http://goo.gl/Qx2tx

- Brad Haugaard

New Roof for Monrovia's Immaculate Conception Church

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church is getting a new roof. http://goo.gl/4vZaF

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Hero Dog | Bridge Almost Ready for Concrete | Huff on Budget

~ Dog protects Monrovia teen from rattlesnake. http://goo.gl/8t91n

~ Gold Line reports that "the I-210 Bridge formwork is almost ready for concrete. The architectural form-liners are nearly all in place and reinforcing steel is being installed." http://goo.gl/OQUH7

~ Video: Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, reports that there the budget gap California faces is worse than anticipated and that there are "a bunch of" tax initiatives up for consideration. http://goo.gl/9wMBn

- Brad Haugaard

Panera Bread? | Police Need Help | Gymnastics | Personnel Budget | Volunteer

~ From the rumor department: No confirmation at this point, but there is talk that the old Acapulco restaurant is going to be a Panera Bread.

~ Police need help identifying disabled woman. http://goo.gl/RQ62J

~ Club Champion Gymnastics to open in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/bGpuE

~ Details of the budget of the Monrovia Schools Personnel Commission. http://goo.gl/TVYK3

~ Mayor Mary Ann Lutz reports that Amanda Aguliar of Monrovia is Congressman Dreier's 2012 Youth Volunteer of the Year.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Has Unexpected Increase in Graffiti | Assessment Increase? | Oak Tree Money | Equipment Maintenance | Chaplains | Recycling

At its Tuesday, May 15, 7:30 p.m. meeting (agenda summary here: http://goo.gl/h2aJT ), the Monrovia City Council will ...

~ Hear a report that there have been "unanticipated increases of graffiti" during fiscal year 2011-12 and so monthly graffiti removal costs have increased more than expected. City staff recommends that the city allow an additional $12,469.50 this fiscal year to pay graffiti removal company William Marino Enterprises.

~ Consider setting a public hearing about raising the citywide landscape and lighting assessment fee (currently about $56.23 for a typical single family dwelling) by the increase in the consumer price index, for a maximum rate increase of $10.89.

~ Consider applying for some of the $2.5 million grant money being offered by LA County to plant oak trees in areas hit by tree loss in the recent windstorm.

~ Consider paying an additional $44,320 for this fiscal year to Parking Company of America (which does equipment maintenance for Monrovia).

~ Welcome Monrovia Police Department Chaplains Jonathan Landon, Terrence Brown and Jerry Johnson, who will be introduced by Police Chief Jim Hunt.

- Brad Haugaard