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Winners of Monrovia's Home Decorating Contest

A list of the winners of Monrovia's home decorating contest.

Best Still Display, 1148 Orange Avenue

Best Outdoor Display, 333 Norumbega Drive

Best Window Display, 620 Hacienda Drive

Most Effective Use of House Lighting, 214 South Alta Vista Avenue

Best Decorated Outdoor Tree, 308 West Lemon Avenue

Best Neighborhood Effort, 2514 Rochelle Avenue

Snowman Award, 163 Mauna Loa Drive

Children’s Choice Award, 248 Madeline Drive

Toyland Award, 911 Crescent Drive

Holiday Spirit Award, 424 East Walnut Avenue

Judges Award, 315 North Alta Vista Avenue

Best Decorated K-Rail, 748 North Crescent Drive

Tim McKeehan "Best of Season" Award, 309 North Madison Avenue

- Brad Haugaard

Santa Touring Monrovia


Santa and his helpers are touring Monrovia. Here is his schedule: http://goo.gl/a1AwwI

- Brad Haugaard

Yuletide Blend | Monrovia Chamber Motor-Assisted Bike Raffle

~ Monrovia's Live Oak Vineyard Church (1307 S. Myrtle) will sponsor a "Yuletide Blend" with Terry Butler and Smitty Price this Friday, Dec. 20. $10 donation at the door (kids 12 and under are free) will support World Vision's Philippine relief efforts.

~ If you want a motorized bicycle, the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce is raffling one for $10 per ticket. Details: http://goo.gl/kFeknP

- Brad Haugaard

Patch Websites May Still Continue | Businesses Concerned About Myrtle Closure

~ AOL is denying a New York Times report that its Patch news websites are going to be closed. Monrovia has a Patch website. http://goo.gl/Ui1uq9

~ Business owners concerned about five-month closure of Myrtle (near Duarte Road) for Gold Line work. http://goo.gl/tb1VZ7

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Unity Center Needs Volunteers

Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center needs volunteers this Friday and Saturday for its holiday food and toy distribution at the Arboretum in Arcadia. On Friday Dec. 20 and Saturday, Dec. 21. For details and to sign up, call 358-3486.

- Brad Haugaard

Rain on Thursday? | Monrovia Company's Website Redesigned

~ You might not want to wash your car until Friday. Sixty percent chance of rain Thursday. http://goo.gl/VKFH7C

~ Monrovia's CouponMountain.com, an on-line coupon website, is being redesigned. http://goo.gl/lYvxuB

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Stealing Internet Connection ... and a Car; Car Hits Bicyclist; Trying to Video Girl in Restroom; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for December 12-15. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.

Vehicle Burglary
December 12 at 1:33 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported at a business parking lot in the 700 block of East Huntington. The suspects broke a window on the victim's vehicle and took a laptop computer bag containing a small camera and paperwork. The suspects are described as two male Hispanics that were seen leaving the area in a primer black Honda Prelude. The driver is described as heavy set with a shaved head. The second suspect was wearing a Raider's hat, t-shirt and gloves. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary / Grand Theft Auto - Suspect Arrested
December 12 at 12:05 a.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 400 block of East Walnut regarding a residential burglary. One of the three residents had returned home and discovered the suspect's computer hooked up in the house. Another one of the residents recognized the computer as belonging to a neighbor, who had been arrested two days prior for trespassing at the same location. Officers went to the suspect's residence, but he was not at the home.

At 2:40 a.m., Monrovia dispatch received a call from Ventura California Highway Patrol reporting they had a suspect in custody after a pursuit. The suspect was driving a vehicle belonging to one of the victim's of this burglary. The victim was unaware the vehicle had been taken. It appears the suspect, the victims' neighbor, broke into the residence, used the victims' Internet connection, took one of the resident's car keys, identification, a pair of slippers, and drove off in the vehicle. The suspect left behind his computer and a pair of pants. The CHP confirmed the suspect was driving with shorts on and slippers. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody by CHP.

Colorado Commons Vandalism - Juvenile Suspect Arrested
Over the last several months, the police department has been receiving reports of vandalism to the Colorado Commons parking structure believed to be committed by juveniles who are being left unattended at the Friday Night Street Fair. The suspects have been spraying fire retardants all over the parking lot, in the elevators and on the stairwells.On Friday, December 12, police assigned an officer to extra patrol the location. The officer arrested a juvenile suspect he observed spraying a fire extinguisher in the elevator. The juvenile was taken into custody, charged for the vandalism, and his parents were contacted.

The Monrovia Police Department would like to take this opportunity to remind parents that they will be held financially responsible for the vandalism committed by their juvenile children. Police ask that you please supervise your child at the Friday Night Street Fair and do not leave them unattended.

Injury Traffic Collision - Vehicle vs. Bicyclist
December 14 at 11:30 a.m., an officer responded to the area of Colorado and Magnolia regarding a traffic collision involving a bicyclist. Two bicyclists were riding eastbound on Colorado and had stopped for the stop sign. A vehicle heading northbound on Magnolia had also stopped for the stop sign. The driver of the vehicle did not see the bicyclists and as they were crossing the intersection, the driver of the vehicle hit the rear tire of one of them, knocking the bicyclist off the bike. The Bicyclist sustained minor injuries.

Injury Traffic Collision / Outside Assist - California Highway Patrol
December 14 at 4:51 p.m., officers responded to the 900 block of South Fifth regarding a vehicle that had come off the 210 Freeway, eastbound, and came to rest on an oak tree by a parking area. The driver and two passengers received minor injuries. The collision was handled by the California Highway Patrol.

Surreptitious Video Recording of a Minor
December 15 at 3:05 p.m., the mother of a two-year-old girl came into the police lobby to file a report. She and other family members were eating at a restaurant located in the 100 block of West Foothill. Her daughter was with her and needed to use the restroom. The mother took her daughter to the restroom, but found it locked. She told her daughter in a loud voice that she would have to wait so the person in the bathroom might hurry. The door opened up and a male subject exited. The mother then walked her daughter into the restroom, and while there, she noticed an iPhone placed in the trap of the sink, facing the toilet. She looked at the phone's video and clearly saw the male subject who had just exited placing the phone to capture video of anyone using the restroom. The mother took the phone to the police station. An officer contacted the male suspect and he admitted to placing the phone to capture video of the two-year-old girl. Criminal charges will be filed against the suspect.

Traffic Collision / Vehicle vs. Pedestrian
On December 15 at 4:38 p.m., a traffic collision involving a pedestrian was reported in the area of Wildrose and Mountain. A vehicle was stopped heading west on Wildrose, waiting for traffic to clear. The driver looked north and then south, not seeing any other traffic, he started the turn without seeing the pedestrian who was crossing the street and struck the pedestrian. The victim, a 62 year old man, received abrasions and was complaining of pain. He was taken to a hospital for treatment of his injuries.

Forest Service Asking for Comments on Proposed Changes to Forest Fees Near Monrovia

The U.S. Forest Service is asking for comments on its plan to reduce the area for which it collects fees in the nearby San Gabriel Canyon area ( http://goo.gl/aszjNd ) to just the more heavily used areas right along the roads that follow the east and west forks of the San Gabriel River. (You drive up Azusa Canyon to get there.) The slightly-shaded part of this map (click to enlarge) shows the old fee-collecting area; the deep green is the proposed fee-collecting area. (If you are interested in other parts of the mountains, details here: http://goo.gl/cGuROm )

Comment: Hmm. This seems like just a cosmetic change since the new fee area seems to include virtually all the driving and parking areas. So, how exactly do you get to the no-fee area without parking in the fee area?

- Brad Haugaard

Christmas Food Distribution | Missing Pet Dog

~ Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center will hold a Christmas food distribution on Saturday, Dec. 21, from 9 a.m. to about 4 p.m. at the Arboretum in Arcadia, for approximately 1,300 low-income families, including more than 1,700 children, who are pre-registered with the center. Each family will take home a family-size food box with a meat and the makings for a traditional dinner. Families with children will also take home bags of unwrapped gifts specifically requested by their kids through the Center's Adopt an Angel program.

~ Have you seen this missing white German Shepherd? http://goo.gl/YPxe9t

- Brad Haugaard

What Is that Bunker Next to the Freeway?

The "bunker," outside and in. 

If you have driven on the south-side freeway-access road between Magnolia and Myrtle (Evergreen), you may have seen this bunker thingy. A couple of people have asked me what it is.

Well, Planning Division Manager writes that it is "a drainage structure being built to accommodate and infiltrate runoff from the freeway to meet the new storm-water requirements."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia House for Sale at About $5 Million | New Japanese Restaurant

~ Monrovia house for sale at almost $5 million. Looks pretty elegant. It even has a Japanese Teppanyaki Seafood Bar made in - no, not Japan - but ... Germany. http://goo.gl/n1egNs

~ New Japanese restaurant to open on Myrtle. http://goo.gl/fjPJeC

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Trustee Montgomery Becomes Citrus VP

At its annual reorganization meeting on Dec. 3, the Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees voted in new Board. Trustee Joanne Montgomery, who represents Monrovia and portions of Duarte, will serve as board Vice President.

Source: Citrus press release

- Brad Haugaard

Citrus College Registration Starting

Students at Citrus College, which serves Monrovia, can begin viewing their Spring Semester 2014 registration appointment times starting Monday, Dec. 16, and enroll in classes as soon as Tuesday, Jan. 7.

New students must submit an online application to the college, which is available at www.citruscollege.edu/ar.

Classes begin Wednesday, Feb. 19. Saturday classes start Feb. 22.

The schedule of classes is available at www.citruscollege.edu.

- Brad Haugaard

Miracle on Myrtle and More Holiday Events

~ Tonight, Miracle on Myrtle, by Fellowship Monrovia church. Library Park at 5 p.m.

~ Holiday benefit for Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center. Tomorrow, Dec. 14, from 5–9 p.m. at The Lodge at Sierra Madre, 33 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. Call 355–7801 for details.

~ Storytime at Monrovia Library, tomorrow, Dec. 14 from2–3 p.m. Good little boys and girls are invited to a special Christmas program filled with holiday stories, songs, short film, snacks and our traditional Bead Fusion craft ornament (younger children will need assistance with the craft). For ages 4 years to 5th grade.


- Brad Haugaard

Breakfast at LeRoy's


Breakfast at LeRoy's, on Huntington. I got two eggs with bacon and hash browns, $7.25, with coffee ($1.95). Plus tax and tip. Traditional American style food. They loaded me up with bacon. Come hungry. It's good.

-Brad Haugaard

Christmas Season Safety Tips from Monrovia Police

Tips from Monrovia Police on how to to keep your home safe during the Christmas season:

- Lock all of your doors and windows when you are not home. Leave any exterior lights on if they are not sensor activated.

- Make sure that all side gates are locked and secured.

- If you have an alarm system, activate it, even if you will be away for just a few minutes.

- If you have surveillance cameras affixed to the exterior of your property, make sure you periodically check them to ensure they are working properly.

- Ensure that all of your hedges and or bushes are trimmed from the front of your residence so that your house is not concealed from the street.

- Never leave old newspapers, mail or door leaflets piled up on the front steps of your residence.

- Never leave valuables in plain view from the outside.

- If you have valuables, please secure them in either a safe or safe deposit box at your local bank.

- Always take an active role in getting to know your neighborhood.

- Keep your eyes open to suspicious activity in your neighborhood and always do your part as a good witness. Never attempt to stop a crime; always call 911.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Honored as a 'Gold' City for Saving Energy

Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz wrote on Facebook that: "This afternoon the City of Monrovia was honored by the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, Southern California Edison and The Gas Company by naming it a Gold city with the Energywise Partnership. Over the past few years we have saved over a million kilowatts in our city by becoming more energy efficient - that means we're saving $!"

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Mom - and Daughter in Stroller - Hit by Vehicle; Possession of Broad-Tip Marker; DUI; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for December 9-11. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 368 service events, resulting in 78 investigations.

Vehicle vs. Pedestrian Traffic Collision
December 9 at 8:55 a.m., a traffic collision was reported at the intersection of Myrtle and Foothill.  A mother was pushing her daughter in a stroller south on Myrtle, crossing Foothill, when a vehicle traveling south on Myrtle turned east onto Foothill and struck them.  Both were taken to a hospital, the mother for complaint of pain and the daughter for evaluation.

Hazmat Spill
December 9 at 11:13 p.m., police received a call of a possible hazmat spill at a business location in the 100 block of Railroad.  Monrovia police officers established a perimeter, while Monrovia fire personnel responded and conducted an assessment of the spill.  Approximately 300 employees were evaluated at the scene, with about 100 receiving triage, and 7 were taken to local hospitals for treatment.

Trespassing / Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance / Resisting and Delaying a Peace Officer
December 10 at 1:17 p.m., officers responded to the 400 block of East Walnut regarding a subject seen going into a residence, which was later determined to be a neighbor's residence.  Officers responded and contacted the subject who appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance.  The subject resisted and struggled with officers as they attempted to detain him.  The subject was eventually taken into custody.  He said he entered the residence while the resident was away to get his computer.  The suspect was arrested for the above listed charges.

Minor in Possession of a Broad-tip Marker – Suspect Cited
December 10 at 7:29 p.m., two male juveniles were seen on the top level of a parking structure in the 100 block of West Colorado looking at the walls.  Officers arrived, questioned the subjects and discovered they were looking for a place to write graffiti.  One of the subjects was in possession of three broad-tip markers.  The juveniles were released to their parents.  The subject in possession of the markers received a citation to appear in court.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
December 11 at 12:30 a.m., a male subject was reported to have fallen asleep behind the wheel of his vehicle with the engine running at a gas station at Myrtle and Evergreen.  The vehicle was next to a gas pump with the hose still attached to the vehicle's gas tank.  When officers arrived, they discovered the male was heavily intoxicated and was determined to be DUI.  The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Monrovia City Council Agenda

At its Dec. 17 meeting, the Monrovia City Council will ...

- Hold a study session at 6 p.m. to take a look at the city's reserves, fees and charges. http://goo.gl/GLjlf0

- Have a light agenda (agenda: http://goo.gl/wJQJM8 )for the regular 7:30 p.m. meeting, mostly honoring community members and organizations, including: winners of the home decorating contest, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and Rebuilding Together, for their support of Make A Difference Day.

- Brad Haugaard

Alex Zucco Selected as New Monrovia School Board President | Final Tally on People Sickened from Food

~ Alex Zucco writes: "So excited and very honored to be have been elected Monrovia Board President for 2014...congratulations as well to our new Board VP, Ed Gililland, and our new Board Clerk, Rob Hammond."

~ The final tally on people affected by the problem of food contamination from food believed to have been sold at Trader Joe's (the chain is based in Monrovia) is 33 people sickened in four states, seven hospitalized. http://goo.gl/bMlFj3

- Brad Haugaard