How to Help Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center

A cheat sheet for how you can help Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center for the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. http://goo.gl/UKXnj

 

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Church's Chicken

I noticed that the KFC on Foothill in Arcadia is gone, so thought I'd check out an alternative, Church's Chicken on Huntington at Shamrock. Got a two-piece spicy. Crunchy breading and quite tasty. Maybe not super healthy, but tasty.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Veterans Day Celebration

Veterans Day celebration in Library Park. Including a Nisei Congressional Gold Medal winner from one of the very-highly decorated ethnic Japanese (Nisei) units that fought in Europe during World War Two. Also, the unveiling of a plaque honoring Korean War vets.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Wins Rio Hondo Title :-)

Monrovia High defeats South Pasadena in football, 34-22, winning fifth consecutive Rio Hondo title. http://goo.gl/MgcBE

- Brad Haugaard

Will Your Street Be Paved? | Buying Radios and Computers

At its Nov. 15 meeting ( http://goo.gl/a76wy ) the Monrovia City Council will ...

~ Consider paying Copp Contracting $523,172.50 for the fiscal year 2011-2012 to do street resurfacing. Streets to be repaved:

- Walnut Ave. from Monterey Ave. to Fifth Ave. – 2,740 Linear Feet

- Sunset Place between Violet Ave. and Foothill Blvd. – 2,270 Linear Feet

- Bella Vista – 433 Linear Feet

- Stedman Place from Foothill Blvd. to Hillcrest Blvd. – 2,760 Linear Feet

- Encino Ave. from Duarte Road to south City Limits – 765 Linear Feet

- Fifth Ave. from Colorado Blvd. to Chestnut Ave. – 1,140 Linear Feet

- California Ave. from Duarte Road to Hurstview Ave. – 485 Linear Feet

- Wildrose Ave. from Canyon Blvd. to California Ave. – 430 Linear Feet

~ Consider buying portable radios and accessories from Motorola for $148,686.88, and ruggedized Panasonic mobile computers from CDCE Engineered Solutions for $64,935.13, and paying Day Wireless $7,472.00 to install the lot. Mostly paid for by a grant from Uncle Sam. http://goo.gl/V1TbI

- Brad Haugaard

New Monrovia City Manager by May 2012?

Regarding City Manager Scott Ochoa's own replacement (he's moving on to Glendale), Ochoa estimates that if Monrovia hops on it, "it is conceivable that the new city manager could begin in Monrovia as early as May 1, 2012." He adds: "A worst case scenario might be a July 1, 2012, start date." Also, he says it could cost up to $27,000 for a headhunter firm, plus $60,000 to $90,000 (through next May) to pay for an interim city manager. All of it paid for by not having to pay him. http://goo.gl/VsHCu

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia PD: Slipping From the Second Story | Lightless Bike to Drug Bust | Grand Thefts

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Nov. 3-9. - Brad Haugaard]

 

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 504 service events, resulting in 107 investigations.  Following are the highlighted issues and events.   To see a complete listing of crimes reported, go to http://www.crimemapping.com/map/ca/monrovia for crime mapping.

 

Arson - Suspects Arrested

On November 3 at 3:43 p.m., police received a call reporting smoke coming from the railroad tracks at Monterey Avenue.  An animal control officer was near the tracks and saw three juveniles leaving the tracks near the smoke.  Officers responded and were able to detain the three juveniles.  During the investigation, the officers were able to determine that the juveniles not only set this fire, but were also responsible for four previous fires set on the tracks over the past several weeks.  The juveniles were brought to the station and Juvenile Hall was notified.  Juvenile Hall requested the juveniles be cited and released. 

 

Grand Theft Auto - Suspects Arrested

On November 4 at 12:41 a.m., an officer observed a suspicious vehicle eastbound in the 500 block of West Huntington.  A license plate check revealed the vehicle was stolen.  The officer stopped the vehicle in the 100 block of East Evergreen and detained four occupants.  The vehicle was part of a sting operation through the California Highway Patrol's Taskforce for Regional Auto-theft Prevention (TRAP).  CHP was notified and responded to the scene.  CHP TRAP officers took the suspect into custody and stored the vehicle.  Two other occupants were arrested, one for a misdemeanor traffic warrant and the other for a no-bail warrant out of Monrovia.  The fourth person complained of chest pain and was taken to a hospital.

 

Driving Under the Influence / Traffic Collision - Suspect Arrested

On November 4 at 2:28 a.m., officers responded to the 1800 block of Ninth Avenue regarding a traffic collision.  A driver hit a parked vehicle.  The driver was determined to be intoxicated and was arrested for driving under the influence.

 

Medical Assist

On November 4 at 7:45 p.m., a woman was sitting on the window sill of her second floor apartment in the 400 block of East Foothill and fell from the window onto the patio below.  When officers and paramedics arrived, she was conscious and was able to tell the officers she had not been pushed; she simply lost her balance and fell.  Neighbors were questioned and said they did not hear any disturbance from the apartment.  At this time, no foul play or crime is suspected.

 

Hit & Run on Private Property

On November 5 at 3:51 a.m., officers responded to the 100 block of East Huntington regarding a hit and run collision.  An employee who works night hours came out to his car to find it had been struck and shoved up onto the walkway from the parking lot area. He did not know when the incident occurred and no suspects were observed.  There was white paint transfer found on the car.  Apparently, the suspect cut through the parking lot and struck the car, then fled the scene.  An area check was conducted, but the suspect vehicle was not located.

 

Drug Activity / Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Suspect Arrested

On November 5 at 10:29 p.m., an officer stopped a bicyclist for not having lighting equipment at night.  During the contact, the bicyclist admitted to having drugs and a pipe on his person.  The suspect was patted down and found to be in possession of methamphetamine and a drug pipe. The suspect was arrested.

 

California Highway Patrol Activity in Monrovia / Driving Under the Influence /   Pursuit - Suspect Arrested

On November 6 at 8:29 p.m., the CHP was involved in a pursuit of a suspected drunk driver.  The suspect exited the 210 Freeway at Myrtle and the pursuit eventually terminated in an alley behind a bar in the 1500 block of South Myrtle.  The suspect fled on foot, but was apprehended by CHP Officers in the 100 block of East Pomona.  The CHP did not request Monrovia Police Department's assistance during this incident.

 

Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested

November 6 at 10:11 p.m., an officer on patrol observed an intoxicated subject behind the wheel of a stopped vehicle that was blocking the roadway in the 500 block of West Chestnut.  The engine was running and the driver told the officer he had driven from El Monte.  The officer arrested the driver for driving under the influence.  The suspect's criminal history revealed he had three other DUI arrests within a 10-year period.  The suspect was charged with felony driving under the influence.

 

September 29, 2011, Vehicle Burglary - Suspect Arrested

On November 7, an officer on patrol in the 600 block of East Huntington recognized a suspect wanted for vehicle burglary.  The suspect was with two other subjects.  The officer detained the subjects and subsequently arrested the wanted suspect.  The vehicle burglary occurred on September 29, 2011, at an apartment complex parking structure in the 100 block of West Colorado.  Fingerprints were lifted at the scene from the vehicle and a suspect was identified.  The detective assigned to the case notified patrol of the suspect's identification and the suspect was located on November 7.

 

Vehicle Burglary

On November 9 at 5:17 a.m., a caller reported his vehicle broken into overnight.  The vehicle was parked in a parking lot in the 700 block of West Huntington.  The vehicle had been locked and secured. 

 

Petty Theft from a Vehicle

On November 9 at 8:11 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 1300 block of South Primrose regarding a theft from a vehicle.  The victim reported that he parked his vehicle in his driveway at approximately 4:00 p.m.  He left the vehicle unlocked and the windows were cracked about 2 inches on both sides.  Overnight, the suspect(s) entered the vehicle and took his wallet, which was left in the driver side compartment. 

 

Graffiti Vandalism

On the morning of November 9, three locations called to report vandalism that had occurred overnight.  The locations had been vandalized with similar graffiti.  The vandalism occurred in the 500 block of Fallen Leaf, 600 block of South Shamrock and the 100 block of East Chestnut.  Investigation continuing. 

 

Grand Theft Auto Recovery

On November 9 at 4:42 p.m., an officer drove by a suspicious vehicle parked in the 300 block of Genoa.  He conducted a DMV check on the vehicle's plate and it returned as stolen out of Sacramento on November 6, 2011.  The vehicle was recovered.

 

Driving Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance - Suspect Arrested

On November 9 at 5:35 p.m., a caller reported a subject who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs trying to start his vehicle at Myrtle and Foothill.  A second caller reported the subject drove off east in his vehicle.  Officers responded, located the vehicle and stopped it east of Myrtle.  The investigation revealed the subject was under the influence of a controlled substance and he was arrested and taken into custody.

 

Grand Theft Auto

On November 9 at 8:33 p.m., a 2005, 4-door, white Chevy Silverado was reported stolen from the 800 block of Bonita.  The crime occurred between 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

 

Grand Theft Auto

On November 9 at 8:50 p.m., a 2000, white Honda Civic was reported stolen from the 500 block of West Huntington.  At 10:40 p.m., an officer located the vehicle parked in the 600 block of West Huntington.  The vehicle's engine was cold when it was found.  It appeared the suspect(s) took the vehicle for a joyride, ransacked it, stole a toolbox and the vehicle's registration, and abandoned the vehicle.

New Monrovia Restaurant | Cheap Car Charger

~ Cafe LuMar plans to open on East Colorado in December, serving "homemade baked goods, crepes, sandwiches, and salads." And, "Croatian imported goods." http://goo.gl/4uypL

~ Nissan and Sumitomo plan to use Monrovia's AeroVironment to bring a low-cost (starting at $9,900) electric car charger to the U.S. market.  AeroVironment will be the wholesale and retail distributor, and the preferred installer. http://goo.gl/wLXc4

- Brad Haugaard

Christmas on Myrtle

Christmas decorations are going up on Myrtle.

- Brad Haugaard

Comment on Monrovia Elections | The Unknown Film | Gold Line Video

~ Comment on the School Board Election

A word for the winners: Congratulations!

Several words for the rest: Be not discouraged! I think Covarrubias and Williams, in particular, were strong, passionate candidates, but you guys were up against two incumbents on a board that has done a truly outstanding job, and against a generally popular former mayor. It could hardly have been a tougher battle, but you are good and there will other opportunities in the future. Don't give up.

~ Come to the Library for a film, the title of which you can only find out by calling the library. http://goo.gl/9eEZq

~ A 15-minute video to learn about the transformation that has occurred around the Phase 1 Gold Line stations, as well as what is being planned around the future stations. http://goo.gl/9CwcF

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Election Results: Hammond, Wong, Gililland, and Montgomery

11:06 - Joanne Montgomery retains her seat on the Citrus College Board of Trustees.

11:04 - Rob Hammond, incumbent Bryan Wong and incumbent Ed Gililland are the new Monrovia School Board members.

10:45 - Hammond still on top, with Wong switching places with Gililland for second place, and Gililland taking third. But look how close these two are. A mere four votes difference.

9:56 - It seems clear Hammond's long history in city government, and service as mayor, is paying off for him. He's even ahead of the incumbents.

9:54 - Hammond, Gililland and Wong still strongly ahead, as is Montgomery for Citrus College Board.

9:37 - Pretty ridiculous. Still no new numbers.

8:56 - Early voting, but still, I'm surprised at McCarthy's strength. I'd have thought Williams would be ahead of him. Crabtree very low. It didn't seem he put a huge amount of effort into his campaign.

Early voting: Hammond, Gililland, Wong winning. Montgomery ahead for Citrus College.

I'll be updating this page thoughout the evening. Reload the page occasionally to see the latest, or if I'm not fast enough for you, click on the source links below.

Monrovia Board of Education (top three vote-getters win)
Lechuga Covarrubias: 849
David D Crabtree: 230
Ed Gililland: 1,402 
Rob Hammond: 1,444
Ed McCarthy: 599
Terrence Williams 816
Bryan J Wong: 1,411

Precincts: 18 of 18 reporting
Source: http://goo.gl/UF7dp

Citrus Community College Board
Bruce A Carter: 1,070
Joanne Montgomery: 1,704

Precincts: 17 of 17 reporting
Source: http://goo.gl/I1WmG

- Brad Haugaard

Vets Day in Monrovia | Prayer Breakfast | Engineers Like Huff

~ Monrovia's annual Veterans Day commemoration will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 11, at the Armed Services Memorial in front of the Monrovia Public Library in Library Park. The public is invited.

 

~ Forty-Sixth Annual Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, "Achieving Your Life's Dreams," Friday, Nov. 18, 2011 at 8 a.m. Speaker is Damon Colaluca of the Santa Anita Family YMCA. Details: http://goo.gl/JOqKQ

 

~ Senator Bob Huff (who represents Monrovia) has been named Legislator of the Year by the American Council of Engineering Companies. http://goo.gl/ng9bT

 

- Brad Haugaard

Harley Dogs (not Hogs) in Old Monrovia, Etc.

At the link, check out the doggy Harley commercial (now airing) featuring Old Town Monrovia. Also, details on other filming in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/Uv0uI

 

- Brad Haugaard

Foothills Unity Center Executive Director Whitenack Retiring

Foothills Unity Center Executive Director Joan E. Whitenack has announced her retirement, according to the organization's newsletter.

The newsletter article says: "She has been instrumental in generating millions of dollars of foundation grants for the Center, expanded operations to serve a client base that grew from 300 to over 4,600 families, and increasing food distribution from 50,000 to 4,230,000 pounds a year. Facilities have expanded dramatically, from a single 900 square foot location to three sites in Monrovia and Pasadena."

Opinion: She's excellent and will be a tough one to replace.

 

- Brad Haugaard

The Other Monrovia Has An Election Today, Too

Monrovia, California, isn't the only Monrovia having an election today. Monrovia, Liberia, is having a presidential run-off. http://goo.gl/8Iz9F

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Election Today

Vote today for Monrovia School Board  (top three vote-getters win) and Citrus College Board (one candidate wins).
If you are unsure of where to vote, check here: http://www.lavote.net/LOCATOR/
Monrovia School Board Candidates:
Janeane Lechuga Covarrubias
David Dale Crabtree
Ed Gililland
Rob Hammond
Ed McCarthy
Terrence G. Williams
Bryan J. Wong
Citrus College Board of Trustees:
Bruce Carter
Joanne Montgomery
- Brad Haugaard

No Monrovia Kidnapping - a Hoax

The story of the attempted kidnapping of a Monrovia boy was a 'hoax.' Suspect released. http://goo.gl/nWfu3

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Restaurant Goes Green

A video report on how Monrovia restaurant Something Healthy - which has mighty tasty sandwiches, by the way - is going green. With host Dan Bell, of the City Manager's office.

http://goo.gl/fWZWF

 

Opinion: Ya know, I'm not sure what the big attraction is to hosting video on Vimeo (as is this video). YouTube works fine for me but all Vimeo ever does  is jerk and stall. I hope everybody else gets better results with it.

 

- Brad Haugaard

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. 

Source: http://goo.gl/vtcps

- 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