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Monrovia Schools Added to Honor Roll

Monrovia High, Santa Fe Computer Science Magnet, and Plymouth Elementary have been named to the California Honor Roll. https://goo.gl/etyJvr

- Brad Haugaard 

Suicide Prevention Legislation Advances

Senate Bill 972, suicide prevention legislation authored by Senator Anthony Portantino, who represents Monrovia, has apassed the Assembly Education Policy Committee. SB 972 would require public, charter, and private schools to print the suicide prevention hotline number and/or text crisis lines on student identification cards for grades seven through all college institutions.

- Brad Haugaard 

Summer Entertainment in the Park

Saturday Concerts 7 – 8:30 p.m., Station Square Amphitheater (1601 South Myrtle)
July 7 - Nolan Shaheed Quintet, Jazz Band
July 14 - Bumptown, Old School/Disco/Latin Band
July 21 - Ocho-X, Jazz Band
July 28 - The Answer, Classic Rock Band
August 4 - Upstream, Reggae Band
August 11 - Cold Duck, Motown/Soul Band
August 18 - Kelley Huff Band, Country Band
August 25 - Boxcar 7, Jazz Band

Sunday Concerts 7 - 8:30 p.m., Library Park, Rotary Club Bandshell
July 8 - The Tom Nolan Band, Motown Band
July 15 - Alumni Acoustic, Classic Rock Band
July 22 - Soto Band, Top 40/Latin Band
July 29 - Ad & The Soul Co., Blues/Soul Band
August 5 - Just Dave Band, Country-Folk Band
August 12 - Nolan Shaheed Quintet, Jazz Band
August 19 - Disney Tribute Band, Children's Music
August 26 - Yachty by Nature, Yacht Rock Band 70s & 80s

Movies - Saturdays at about 8 p.m.
July 21 – Space Jam at Julian Fisher Park
July 28 – The Sandlot at Recreation Park
August 4 – Back to the Future at Library Park
August 11 – Coco at Kiwanis Park at Grand Avenue

Source: Becky Shevlin's excellent calendar

- Brad Haugaard

296-Unit Residential Complex Considered; Free Y Membership For Teens; Rebates for Water-Saving Devices; Etc.


Proposed 296-unit residential complex next to Station Square.

In his weekly update City Manager Oliver Chi reports ...

~ The Planning Commission will consider an application for a 296-unit multi-family housing project located just south of Station Square, at the northeast corner of Duarte and Magnolia.

~ The YMCA is offering free membership to teens 12-17 years old on June 1 through July 31. Teens can also enjoy Final Friday Teen Nights each month (June 29, July 27, and August 24). After closing at 8:30 p.m. on those days, the Y will chuck out all adults except staff and teens will have full-run of the place - pool, gym, teen fitness classes, karaoke, etc. - until 11 p.m.

~ The drought is still serious, but there are rebates available for water-saving devices, here: https://goo.gl/1CDWkm

~ Monrovia Area Partnership will celebrate its twelfth anniversary at  Julian Fisher Park (915 S. California Avenue) from  5-10 p.m. this  Saturday, June 16. The movie, Wonder, starts at 8:00 p.m. There will also be community booths and free food.

~  The Monrovia Historical Society's Steve Baker will again tell the history of Monrovia on four air-conditioned bus tours:

Tour 1: Northwest Monrovia, Saturday, June 23, 10 a.m.
Tour 2: Northeast Monrovia, Saturday, July 28, 10 a.m.
Tour 3: Southeast Monrovia, Saturday, Aug. 25, 10 a.m.
Tour 4: Southwest Monrovia, Saturday, Sept. 22, 10 a.m.

Tickets at the Monrovia Community Center ($40 per tour for Historical Society members; $50 for non-members), at the Community Center. Or, contact the Monrovia Historical Society (monroviahistoricalsociety1896@gmail.com, 256-3423).

~ Organizers of the Reducing Crime and Keeping California Safe Act, which Monrovia has advocated for, have gathered enough signatures to qualify it for the November 2018 ballot. It would reclassify currently "non-violent" crimes, such as rape of an unconscious person, sex trafficking of a child and 14 other serious crimes, as "violent" to prevent the early release of inmates convicted of these crimes. It would also stop the early release of violent felons, expand parolee oversight, strengthen penalties for parole violations, change theft laws to restore accountability for serial thieves and organized theft gangs, expand DNA collection to include those convicted of drug, theft, domestic violence and other serious crimes. Details: https://keepcalsafe.org/

- Brad Haugaard

Bronson - Good Side Kick Dog

Bronson (A459074) is a very affectionate, lovable dog. He is a good side kick, and likes to be only a few paws away at all times. He has been on a few Wiggle Waggle Wagon field trips and volunteers report he is energetic and friendly to people of all ages. He loves going for walks, runs, and is looking for a new best friend. Come visit Bronson at the Pasadena Humane Society today.    
 
The adoption fee for dogs is $130. All dogs are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated before going to their new home.
 
New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA Animal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet.

View photos of adoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org. Adoption hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.

- Brad Haugaard 

Where Are The Black Black Bears?


I’ve seen a lot of black bears in Monrovia but I’ve never yet seen a black black bear. Most of them are just brown, except this blonde one, which I saw today near a crowd of people in Canyon Park. So why call them “black bears?”

- Brad Haugaard 

School Board: Replace Natural Gas Buses With Diesel? New Playground Equipment at Monroe, Plymouth; Etc.

At its next meeting (agenda) the Monrovia School Board will consider, among other things ...

~ Swapping out five buses powered by compressed natural gas for five buses powered by diesel. Cost, $853,762. Link

~ Replacing playground equipment at Monroe and Plymouth Elementary schools due to continued growth. Link

~ Adopting a 2018-19 budget of $54,105,387, up from $51,219,116 for 2017-18. Next year revenue is expected to slip to $53,817,727. Link

~ Taking on a mentor paid for by a grant from Cotsen Foundation for the Art of Teaching. "The purpose of the grant is to transform good teachers into great teachers. This transformation occurs through a program in which proven educators receive coaching and mentoring to achieve the highest levels of teaching excellence." Link

~ Hiring the architectural firm NAC Architecture, Inc. for $135,840 to update the district's master facilities plan. Link

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Cafe X2O


Dinner at Cafe X2O, on the north side of Foothill just west of Melrose. Got the Chicken Kebab over spinach instead of over rice (an extra $2) for $14 and an iced tea for $3.  Very good. Note: people sometimes smoke hookahs here, so you may catch a whiff. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Carnival Tomorrow at Calvary Road Church


Carnival tomorrow,Saturday, June 9, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Calvary Road Baptist Church, 319 W. Olive. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police: $50k in Jewelry Stolen from Backpack; Sprinkler Theft; Power Tool Theft; Employment Scam; Drunks and Drugs; Pharmacy Robbery; And So Forth

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for May 31 – June 6. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 464 service events, resulting in 76 investigations.

Shoplifting / Warrants – Suspect Arrested
May 31 at 9:45 a.m., a male subject entered a store in the 100 block of W. Foothill and removed merchandise from a shelf. He ran out of the store without paying for the merchandise. Officers were called and apprehended the subject as he was running east on Foothill. The merchandise was returned to the store and the suspect was arrested. A computer check revealed he had multiple warrants for his arrest from previous crimes.

Violation of Court Order
May 31 at 1:58 p.m., a resident in the 900 block of W. Foothill reported her ex-husband had just been in her front yard in violation of a restraining order. When officers arrived, the male subject was gone. This investigation is continuing.

Petty Theft
May 31 at 2:51 p.m., a resident in the 300 block E. Olive walked outside his home and discovered someone had stolen several sprinklers from his front yard garden. He told officers this was the second occurrence. This investigation is continuing.

Drug Activity – Suspect Arrested
May 31 at 7:41 p.m., an officer was patrolling the 1800 block of W. Duarte when he saw a subject who appeared suspicious. He stopped to speak with the subject and discovered he was an admitted gang member and he was in possession of drug paraphernalia. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Public Intoxication / Resisting Arrest – Suspect Arrested
May 31 at 8:59 p.m., residents in the 200 block of E. Colorado reported a male subject lying on their front lawn. Officers arrived and contacted the subject, finding him to be heavily intoxicated and unable to care for himself. As they attempted to take the subject into custody, he began fighting with the officers, causing minor injuries to the officers. The subject was arrested.

Shoplifting
May 31 at 10:43 p.m., an employee at a store in the 1600 block of S. Mountain reported that a male subject had entered the store and began removing power tools from a shelf. He left the store without paying for the merchandise and fled in a vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Fraud
June 1 at 1:25 p.m., a resident in the 100 block of Cherry reported that he was the victim of internet fraud. He had responded to an ad for employment in which he received a check to deposit in his personal account. He was then required to send money to numerous people from his account and could keep the remainder of money from the check; however, after the money was sent, he discovered the check he received was fraudulent. This investigation is continuing.

Petty Theft
June 2 at 1:17 p.m., a resident in the 900 block of W. Hillcrest walked outside his home and discovered someone had stolen the license plates off his vehicle sometime in the morning or during the night. This investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting
June 2 at 2:23 p.m., a male subject entered a store in the 500 block of W. Huntington and removed speakers from a shelf. He left the store without paying for the merchandise, and when confronted by security outside the store, he dropped the speakers and fled the area. This investigation is continuing.

DUI – Suspect Arrested
June 3 at 12:48 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 2600 block of S. Myrtle when he saw a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. He stopped the vehicle and found the driver to be intoxicated. Field sobriety tests were conducted and the driver was arrested for DUI.

Traffic Collision / DUI – Suspect Arrested
June 3 at 2:32 a.m., a motorist was traveling east in the 700 block of E. Foothill when he lost control of his vehicle and collided with a parked car and a gate. Officers arrived and found the driver to be intoxicated. After field sobriety tests were conducted, the driver was arrested for DUI.

Shoplifting
June 3 at 10:55 a.m., a female subject entered a store in the 500 block of W. Huntington, removed items from a shelf and left the store without paying for the merchandise. She was stopped outside the store by officers and taken into custody for shoplifting. The merchandise was returned to the store.

Vandalism
June 3 at 12:59 p.m., the owner of a restaurant in the 100 block of E. Lime arrived to work and discovered someone had cut his decorative outdoor string lights. The lights had not been cut when the business closed the night before. This investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
June 3 at 7:46 p.m., a male subject entered a store in the 500 block of W. Huntington and used plyers to remove security tags from merchandise, then left the store with the items. Store employees stopped the subject outside the store and recovered the merchandise. Officers arrived and took custody of the subject. He was found to be in possession of a pipe that had been used to smoke methamphetamine.

Drugs for Sale / ID Theft / Possession of Stolen Property – Suspects Arrested
June 3 at 10:20 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 400 block of W. Duarte when he saw a motorist commit a driving violation. He stopped the pickup truck and contacted the driver. The driver did not have a license and was found to be in possession of heroin for sale. A search of the vehicle revealed reported stolen property and identification belonging to several different people. The female passenger and the driver were both arrested.

Public Intoxication / Battery – Suspects Arrested
June 3 at 11:37 a.m., a caller reported seeing two male subjects fighting in front of the Monrovia Community Center in the 100 block of W. Palm. Officers arrived and contacted both subjects. One was heavily intoxicated and unable to care for his own safety and the safety of others. After further investigation, it was determined he was the aggressor. Officers arrested the intoxicated subject.

Domestic Violence
June 4 at 12:30 a.m., a resident in the 400 block of E. Walnut reported her ex-boyfriend had just shoved her to the ground and threatened her with a baseball bat. He fled the home when she called the police. Officers arrived and conducted an investigation. This investigation is continuing.

Embezzlement – Suspect Arrested
June 4 at 10:50 a.m., the security for a store in the 1600 block of S. Mountain discovered one of their employees had been taking money from the register over a period of time. Officers were called and after an investigation, the employee was arrested.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision
June 4 at 5:11 p.m., a resident in the 100 block of W. Palm walked outside her home and discovered fresh collision damage to her car, which had been parked on the street. Officers arrived to investigate. It appears the damage was caused by another vehicle and no note was left. This investigation is continuing.

Drug Activity – Suspect Arrested
June 4 at 7:34 p.m., an officer was patrolling the 500 block of W. Duarte when he saw a bicyclist commit a violation, so he was stopped. The bicyclist was found to be in possession of a pipe that had been used to smoke methamphetamine; he was arrested and taken into custody.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
June 4 at 8:44 a.m., a resident in the 1100 block of E. Lemon reported a male subject on the street in front of her house yelling. Officers arrived and found the subject, who was heavily intoxicated. Field tests were conducted and it was determined he was too drunk to care for his own safety; he was arrested and taken into custody.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
June 4 at 11:11 p.m., a resident in the 900 block of E. Royal Oaks reported a male subject lying half in their bushes and half on the sidewalk. Officers arrived and contacted the subject. He was heavily intoxicated and unable to care for his own safety; he was arrested and taken into custody.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
June 5 at 7:39 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 800 block of S. Shamrock when she saw a motorist driving while talking on their cellphone. She stopped the vehicle and contacted the driver. A computer check revealed the driver had a warrant for their arrest and was driving with a suspended license. The driver was arrested and taken into custody.

Armed Robbery
June 5 at 9:39 a.m., employees of a business in the 200 block of W. Foothill reported that two male subjects had just entered their store wearing gloves and masks, and they were armed with handguns. They took cash from the registers and multiple bottles of prescription opioids. The suspects fled the location. This investigation is continuing.

Mail Tampering
June 5 at 4:50 p.m., a resident who lives on Hidden Valley reported seeing two male subjects park their car in front of his driveway, then pry open his mailbox with a crowbar. No mail was taken. This investigation is continuing.

Fraud – Suspect Arrested
June 5 at 8:02 p.m., an officer was patrolling the 2600 block of S. Myrtle when he saw a motorist commit a driving violation. He stopped the vehicle and contacted the driver, who was found to be in possession of items connecting her with fraud. A computer check revealed she was on probation for welfare fraud. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Armed Robbery
June 5 at 11:32 p.m., a caller in the 800 block of W. Walnut reported seeing two male subjects with guns and masks, trying to take an occupied vehicle. The suspects fled the area as officers responded. Officers were not able to locate the suspects, who had stolen money from the victim inside the vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
June 6 at 12:22 p.m., a female subject entered a store in the 500 block of W. Huntington and took merchandise out of the store without paying. Store security detained the female and recovered their property. Officers arrived and took custody of the subject.

Shoplifting
June 6 at 4:40 p.m., a male subject entered a store in the 1600 block of S. Mountain and took merchandise out of the store without paying. Officers responded, but did not locate the subject. This investigation is continuing.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
June 6 at 5:49 p.m., an officer was patrolling the 1100 block of S. Mountain when he saw a motorist driving while talking on their cellphone. The driver was stopped and a computer check revealed they had a warrant for their arrest. They were arrested and taken into custody.

Grand Theft
June 6 at 6:47 p.m., an employee of a store in the 100 block of S. Myrtle had placed $50,000 worth of personal jewelry in her backpack, then went to work with the backpack. Sometime during the day, someone had taken the jewelry out of her backpack. This investigation is continuing.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
June 6 at 10:57 p.m., residents in the 100 block of Montana reported a female subject in the street, causing a disturbance. Officers arrived and located the subject. A computer check revealed she had multiple warrants for her arrest; she was arrested for the warrants and taken into custody. 

City Considering Making Primrose and Ivy One Way Streets; Etc.

Primrose one way south and Ivy one way north?

In his weekly report (https://goo.gl/aOqX7O) City Manager Oliver Chi reports ...

~ The city is considering making Primrose Avenue one-way southbound and Ivy one-way northbound. The reason: to make room for bike lanes that are physically separated from regular traffic lanes and link Old Town with the train station. Chi writes that there would be no loss of parking, it would encourage traffic to move slower, and it would "facilitate the 'greening' of South Primrose Avenue and South Ivy Avenue." He said it could be paid for by a CalTrans Active Transportation Program grant. Chi said Metro likes the idea so much that it "has hired grant writers to prepare our overall ATP Cycle 4 Grant Funding application!"

Comment: One really simple and dirt cheap thing the city could do if it wants to encourage bicycling is to put at least one bike rack on either side of each block on Myrtle in Old Town, or even just around the corners on the side streets. Right now there are very few racks, except those reserved for LimeBikes.

~ The state is cutting off funding for the Veterans Resource Center at the library, but the city is going to pick up the funding so the center will remain.

~ Monrovia has hired a code enforcement officer to work on Friday, Saturday, and Monday to pull down signs that have been posted on utility poles, stop unpermitted construction, and look out for abandoned shopping carts, abandoned items in the public right of way, and unpermitted yard sales.

- Brad Haugaard

Citrus College Ranked High for Hispanics

Citrus College, which serves Monrovia, is ranked seventh out of more than 1,100 community colleges in the United States for awarding associate degrees to Hispanic students. Hispanic Outlook on Education recognized Citrus in its annual "Top 25 Community Colleges for Hispanics" issue. The publication has included Citrus in its ranking for the past 11 years. The college also ranked number seven in 2017.

Source: Citrus College press release 

- Brad Haugaard 

School Board Member Rob Hammond Honored for Cross Country Bike Ride


At an informal Welcome Home event at Jake’s Roadhouse on Myrtle, Mayor Tom Adams presented this award to School Board Member Rob Hammond (shown here) in honor of his Pacific to Atlantic bicycle ride that has so far raised more than $5,000 for the Monrovia PTA. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Shy Velvet Needs Home




Velvet (A455879) is a 4-month-old girl who just graduated from our foster program! She came in with some littermates in May and was one of the shyer kittens. She really blossomed in her foster home, coming out of her shell, playing with her siblings. She is still a bit timid but once she gets to know you, she becomes curious and playful. If you would like to foster a kitten like Velvet, email volunteer@pasadenahumane.org.
 
The adoption fee for cats is $75. All cats are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated before being adopted.
 
New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA Animal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet.

View photos of adoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org. Adoption hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia's AeroVironment Sells Its Electric Car Charging Business

Monrovia-based AeroVironment has agreed to sell its electric vehicle charging business, called "Efficient Energy Systems," for $35 million to a company called Webasto Group. https://goo.gl/ABJfNh

- Brad Haugaard

Photos of 2018 Monrovia Music Festival

A photo report on the 2918 Monrovia Music Fest at Gem City Images: https://goo.gl/ZyC5CH

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Baseball Loses Title Game

Monrovia loses to La Quinta in title game.  https://goo.gl/VFTxuN

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia May Consider ‘Protected’ Bike Lane System

At a 5 p.m. study session on June 5, the Monrovia City Council will examine the possibility of the city creating a “protected bike lane system” in Monrovia. The agenda (https://goo.gl/QghTxj) does not explain what that is but from earlier reading I believe it is a system comprised of bike lanes that are physically separated from regular traffic lanes rather than just painted on the roadways. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Missing Monrovia Man


From Monrovia Police: Richard Gebhardt 70 years old 5’11 163 Brown hair, Blue eyes.  Subject left his home at Leven Oaks 120 S Myrtle Ave last night unknown time, unknown clothing.  Known to wear button up shirts and black pants.  He’s known to frequent the Vons in Monrovia and the Walmart in Duarte.  If you see him please call the police at  (626)256-8000.

- Brad Haugaard 

Blood Drive Tomorrow at Clifton Middle School