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Monrovia Loses to San Marino :-(

Ouch. San Marino over Monrovia in football, 49-14. http://goo.gl/YrQz9h

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council To Consider Issuing $52 Million of Water/Sewer and Street Bonds

The main item at the next Monrovia City Council meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/Uqk9Mx ) is a decision about issuing about $52 million in bonds, $13.9 million for street repairs and another for $38.9 million for sewer and water system repairs.

According to the staff report ( http://goo.gl/BiVnhK ), Monrovia has 170 lane miles of streets, and about 65% of those streets are deficient.

Also ...

"Our water system was first developed around a century ago, and many of our critical pipes/water mains are over 90 years old. In calendar year 2014, we had to repair 171 water leaks throughout our system."

And ...

"[W]e have sewer lines that are aging and failing. During the first six months of 2015, we have had 5 sanitary sewer overflows due to pipe failures/deferred maintenance."

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Rudy's Mexican Food


Dinner last night at Rudy's Mexican Food, on Myrtle at Colorado. I got a taco and enchilada combo for $9.50, and a beer for $8.50 (I know that's a lot, but it was a big beer. I didn't drink it all.) The food was good and the service was quick.

- Brad Haugaard

Join in Make A Difference Day

Make a Difference Day, meet at 8 a.m. on Oct. 24 at Library Park. Sponsored by the Volunteer Center of San Gabriel Valley and dedicated to performing a variety of community improvement projects throughout Monrovia and the San Gabriel Valley. To register, contact Yenier Leyva at yenier@vcsgv.org, or call 256-8187.

- Brad Haugaard

Bigger Taco Bell | Monrovia's Hong Kong Supermarket Being Replaced | Goodbye Oak Tree

~ The Taco Bell/Pizza Hut combo on Huntington is being remodeled, but the Pizza Hut part is going away.

~ Hong Kong Supermarket, on Duarte Road, is being replaced by Good Fortune Supermarket.

~ An oak tree on the 200 block of Melrose Avenue had to be removed. The applicant provided an arborist report saying the tree in the front yard "is in advanced and irreparable decline and it should be removed immediately."

Source: http://goo.gl/jEo3IK

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Vs. San Marino | Some Chance of Rain

~ Can Monrovia fend off San Marino in football? http://goo.gl/9bGYOd

~ 40% chance of rain Friday, trailing off to 20% Saturday through Monday. http://goo.gl/VnR5SB

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Drugs, Drugs, Drugs

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Highlighted Activity for October 12-14. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 437 service events, During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 437 service events, resulting in 67 investigations.

Warrant Arrest
October 13 at 12:35 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 500 block of West Huntington when he saw a male adult subject to the rear of a closed business digging in the trash. He stopped and contacted the subject. A computer check revealed three warrants for the subject’s arrest, with the highest bail set at $40,000 for a drug charge. The warrants were confirmed and the subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Possession of a Controlled Substance/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspects Arrested
October 13 at 7:53 p.m., officers were dispatched to the Santa Anita Wash at the railroad tracks on the report of two suspicious males loitering in the area. When officers arrived, they contacted two homeless adult male subjects. During a pat-down search for the officer's safety, a syringe and methamphetamine was found on one of the subjects and a pipe for smoking methamphetamine was found on the other. Both subjects were arrested and taken into custody.

Warrant/Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
October 15 at 2:17 a.m., an officer responded to a business parking lot in the 1600 block of Mountain on the report of a suspicious male subject walking through the parking lot, picking up discarded receipts, as well as digging them out of the trash. Officers arrived and located the subject, who was in possession of several receipts printed from the business that day, possibly to fraudulently claim he was returning an item with a receipt. A computer check revealed a warrant for the subject’s arrest; he was arrested and taken into custody. The suspect attempted to hide methamphetamine in the backseat of the police car. The suspect was also charged with possession of a controlled substance.

Driving Under the Influence/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspects Arrested
October 15 at 2:46 a.m., an occupied suspicious vehicle was reported in the 600 block of North Canyon with its engine running. Officers arrived and found a male and female sitting in the car. The female appeared to be trying to hide something under her seat when the officers approached the vehicle. The driver had a pipe for smoking methamphetamine sitting next to him and was showing signs of being under the influence of a controlled substance. Both occupants were removed from the vehicle and field sobriety tests were conducted on the driver. The driver was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia. A search of the vehicle revealed a syringe that the female was attempting to hide, as well as burglary tools. The female subject was also arrested and both were taken into custody.

Geyser At Monrovia's Monroe Elementary School

There are some postings on Facebook showing a large geyser (maybe going 60 feet up) next to Monroe Elementary School from what is apparently a broken water pipe.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Newspaper Open House

The Monrovia-based San Gabriel Valley Newspaper Group - which includes the Star-News and San Gabriel Valley Tribune - will hold an open house at its new office from 6-8 p.m. on Oct. 28. at 605 E. Huntington Drive. Connect with editors and reporters, meet new staff members and hear about new journalism initiatives. Refreshments will be served. http://goo.gl/XUEw0H

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Man Dies in Hiking Accident

24-year-old Monrovian Christian Agudelo died after falling from a cliff in the Angeles National Forest. http://goo.gl/9NsBo3

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's AeroVironment Gets Army Contract

Monrovia's AeroVironment has been awarded an $18.5 million Army contract to supply drones, drone parts and servicing to foreign militaries. http://goo.gl/7fkQ5K

- Brad Haugaard

Safety Ambassadors at Monrovia Train Station



Metro Gold Line has stationed safety ambassadors at some of the new stations, including Monrovia, to prepare local communities for more frequent test trains. There are also safety ambassadors at Arcadia, Duarte and Azusa stations. They show people the proper way to cross rail intersections and hand out information on Metro services and programs and take feedback from the community.

Train Safety Tips:

  • Use designated crossing areas and wait for the walk/crossing signal.
  • If the gates are down, do not attempt to go around them.
  • If a train is coming, be sure to stay behind the yellow warning stripes.
  • Always stop, look, and listen for trains before crossing the tracks, and be sure to look both ways.
  • Never race a train to a crossing.
  • Never climb railroad vehicles or walk on the tracks.
  • Before starting across the tracks, be sure there’s room to get completely across.

Source: Metro press release

- Brad Haugaard

Rehab Plans for Old Monrovia Train Station; Water Use; Community Feud; Neighborhood Movie; Etc.

A few items from City Manager Oliver Chi's weekly update ( http://goo.gl/0NXiEf ):

~ The city has received proposals for how to rehab the old Monrovia Train station to be part of the new Gold Line station area. City staff is considering the proposals and will propose one of the bidders for council consideration in November.

~ This September Monrovia used 33.8% less water than in September 2013.

~ The city is going to install a better audio and video system for the City Council Chambers. http://goo.gl/hJOZqf

~ Monrovia Public Library Foundation will host a "Community Feud" fundraiser on Sunday, Nov. 8, from 1-3 p.m. Build your own team of co-workers, friends, or family members, or just watch. For details call Library at 256-8274, or visit MPLF website at http://www.monrovialibraryfoundation.org .

~ Calvary Chapel Monrovia is renting space in Library Park from 6-10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 16 for a free screening of "The Neighborhood," a documentary about four gang members who turned their lives around and all became pastors. Also, food and music.

~ Oops. Buildings at the City Annex need work, but they are painted with old, now illegal, lead paint, which must be removed using special safe techniques.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Suspect Arrested in Beating; Bicyclist Without a Light Arrested; Violence Against Girlfriend; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for October 8-11. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Traffic Stop/Resisting and Delaying a Peace Officer – Suspect Arrested
October 9 at 8:34 p.m., an officer was on patrol in the area of California and Cypress when he observed a bicyclist riding at night without a light. When the officer attempted to detain the subject, he fled into the backyard of a nearby residence. Officers quickly set up containment of the area, and the Foothill Air Support Team helicopter responded to assist. The suspect was found hiding inside of a trashcan in the yard. The suspect was arrested and taken to a hospital for medical clearance for a puncture wound he received jumping over a fence. The suspect was determined to be a juvenile. He was medically cleared, booked for the charges, and then released on a citation to appear in court. The juvenile was released to the custody of his mother.

Welfare Check/Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
October 9 at 10:17 p.m., officers were dispatched to Palm and Ivy regarding the welfare check of a subject lying on the ground. An intoxicated male was found lying flat on his back. Monrovia Fire Department paramedics responded to the scene to medically evaluate the subject. The subject was determined to be intoxicated. He was arrested for public intoxication and taken into custody. He was held for sobering.

Domestic Violence/Kidnapping – Suspect Arrested
October 10 at 4:01 a.m., officers responded to the report of a domestic violence incident in progress in the 200 block of East Los Angeles. The reporting party said the suspect and victim were leaving the area in a vehicle. Officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle as it was leaving the location. The male suspect and female victim are boyfriend and girlfriend. The victim told officers that her boyfriend grabbed her and put his hand over her mouth, causing a visible scratch to her face. When the victim tried to break free, he threw her down onto the grass. The suspect then picked up the victim and forced her into the vehicle against her will, causing her to hit her head. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody. He was held pending his court appearance.

Battery with Great Bodily Injury – Suspect Arrested
October 11 at 7:38 a.m., an officer responded to a hospital regarding a victim that had been battered during the night at Shamrock and Olive. The victim was involved in an altercation and was extremely intoxicated at the time of the incident. In the morning, he went to the hospital because of eye swelling and head pain. His recollections were vague, but he was diagnosed with a fractured eye socket and a minor bleed in his brain by the medical staff. A detailed investigation identified the suspect, who was located and admitted to striking the victim. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
October 11 at 5:32 p.m., a domestic violence incident was reported in the 200 block of North Shamrock. During an argument, the suspect placed his hand on the victim's neck causing a minor injury. The suspect left the residence before police arrived, but he was located at a park in the 700 block of East Lemon. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
October 12 at 1:36 a.m., police received a call reporting a vehicle that was driving erratically in the area of Mountain and the 210 Freeway. Officers arrived and found the vehicle parked in a business parking lot in the 1600 block of South Mountain. The occupant in the vehicle was obviously intoxicated and admitted to driving while drunk. The driver was arrested, taken into custody, and held for a sobering period.

Former Monrovia Mayor Bob Bartlett Has Died

Former Monrovia Mayor Bob Bartlett died Sunday. He served as mayor for 13 years ( http://goo.gl/Jp322l ). Both current mayor, Tom Adams, and former mayor, Mary Ann Lutz, posted their condolences on Facebook.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Representative's Franchise Bill Signed Into Law

Legislation by Assembly Majority Leader Chris Holden to protect the investment of small business franchisees by strengthening their rights has been signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown. AB 525 protects franchise owners from unreasonable interference by corporations ensuring franchisees can operate their businesses, transfer the franchise to a qualified heir, and renew their contracts. Source: Holden press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Interfaith Thanksgiving Program | Country Music & BBQ | Kids Concert

~ All Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Program, "Hand in Hand: Together We Must Overcome," Thursday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 726 Shamrock Ave., Monrovia. Various faith traditions in Monrovia coming together in prayers, songs and music. An interfaith choir will sing. Pot-luck finger food reception. For information, call 215-2704

~ Stompin' Country Music and Western Line Dancing and BBQ Supper, Saturday, Nov. 14 6 to 9 p.m. at St Luke's Episcopal Church, 122 S. California Ave. Line dancing cued by local caller/instructor Bill Berry. Singer/banjoist Pam Kaye, dance group The Tap Chicks, a ukulele group led by Kelly Lauer, guitar duets by Kevin Ashe and Les Eisel, and more. Proceeds benefit parish community service efforts and the building fund. Order $25 tickets soon at brownpapertickets.com.

~ San Gabriel Valley Choir Company Kids in Concert at St Luke's Episcopal Church, 122 S. California Ave. Saturday, Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m. Tickets $15, Students/Seniors $10, and Kids under 12 are $5 ($20/$12/$5 at the door).

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School Board to Consider How to Educate Expelled Students, Etc.

California law requires school districts educate expelled students, so the Monrovia School Board will consider at its next meeting (agenda: https://goo.gl/tTMzU1 ) adopting the county's plan, here: https://goo.gl/FF8RHw

The board will also consider proclaiming October 18-24 as America's Safe Schools Week, and October 23-31 as "Red Ribbon Week - Respect Yourself. Be Drug Free."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Bethel AME Church Holding Sock and Blanket Drive

Bethel Monrovia AME Church is holding a Thanks-Living sock and blanket drive to help those who need help in town. The kick-off service is Oct. 11 at 11 a.m. and the church (at 148 W Lime Ave., at the southeast corner of Lime and Primrose) will receive items through Nov. 14. For more information contact lchurchmonrovia@gmail.com or call 930-1120

- Brad Haugaard

Open Water Board Meetings | Help Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center

~ A bill by Assemblymember Chris Holden to expand access to mutual water companies' board meetings through teleconference and internet streaming was signed by Governor Jerry Brown today. AB 1077 strengthens the Mutual Water Company Open Meeting Act by requiring all shareholders to be guaranteed, at a minimum, the right to teleconference into any meeting and prohibiting the water company's board from meeting exclusively in executive session. Source: Holden press release

~ If you would like to host a food drive to help Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center provide food for low-income families in the San Gabriel Valley, please email Albert at albert@foothillunitycenter.org

- Brad Haugaard