- Brad Haugaard
Lunch at Philly's Best
- Brad Haugaard
Help Monrovia Win $100k for Schools
A Monrovia home is number five - in the top 24 finalists - in the national Patch home decorating contest. If it gets enough votes and becomes number one, Monrovia schools will win the $100,000 prize. According to Monrovia Patch Editor Nathan McIntire, you can vote once a day between now and Jan. 8. At this writing Monrovia has 166 votes, and the leader has 535. Here's where to vote: http://deckthehouse.patch.com/
- Brad Haugaard
Celebrate Monrovia High's Championship
The Monrovia High Football Championship Celebration will be held Thursday, January 12. The parade starts at 5 p.m. from the school to Library Park, with a rally to follow. Mayor Mary Ann Lutz says on her Facebook page: "Come out and celebrate a great achievement by our High School Football Team!" http://goo.gl/B4Fm1
- Brad Haugaard
Gold Line Will Ask Court to Reverse Its EIR Ruling
The Gold Line will ask the court to reverse its ruling that an Environmental Impact Report was inadequately done. It says the ruling - which involves the Monrovia property the rail line wants for a maintenance yard - was based on "erroneous facts." Here is its press release:
The Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority (Construction Authority) announced today that it will request reversal of a court ruling released this morning, because it was based on erroneous facts. The ruling released today “vacates” a previous ruling that had validated the Construction Authority’s certification of a Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIR), which, among other things, found the Monrovia maintenance and operations (M&O) facility site environmentally superior to another site in the City of Irwindale. At issue in today’s ruling was the adequacy of the alternatives reviewed in the SEIR for the M&O facility.
While rejecting one of the arguments made by the petitioner - that the number of alternatives reviewed in the SEIR was insufficient – the ruling found, incorrectly, that the alternate site in Irwindale evaluated in the SEIR was not feasible because of its location. The ruling stated that the site was “located beyond the terminus of Phase 2A [Pasadena to Azusa] of the project.” In fact, the site in Irwindale, just south of the I-210 Freeway, is directly adjacent to the Phase 2A (Pasadena to Azusa) alignment.
“The basis of today’s ruling is quite confusing to us, as it seems to be based on a factual inaccuracy — that the alternative site evaluated for the M&O facility was outside the Pasadena to Azusa project area,” said Construction Authority CEO Habib F. Balian. “In fact, the alternative site evaluated in Irwindale not only sits directly along the project alignment, it also meets all other requirements set for the M&O facility. In the end, it was just found to be environmentally inferior to the Monrovia site.”
After a thorough, year-long process, that included multiple public meetings and hearings, the Construction Authority Board of Directors certified the SEIR, identifying the Monrovia M&O site as the preferred site, in January 2011.
“It is our hope that when the court understands that the Irwindale alternative site is located adjacent to the Pasadena to Azusa alignment , it will conclude that the Authority’s SEIR complied with CEQA’s requirements regarding analysis of project alternatives,” said Balian. “It is an unfortunate error, but it is one we trust the court will correct as quickly as possible.”
The Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension from Pasadena to Azusa is a $735 million project funded by Los Angeles County’s Measure R. The light rail extension is being overseen by the Construction Authority and is currently under construction. The project is on schedule to be completed in 2015, extending the Metro Gold Line light rail line from its current terminus in Pasadena along the Foothills of the San Gabriel Valley. The extension includes six stations in the Cities of Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte, Irwindale and Azusa. During the four year construction project, the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation estimates that the project will generate nearly 7,000 jobs and $1 billion in economic output for the region.
Monrovia New Year's Eve Party Preview
Preview article of Monrovia's planned New Year's Eve party on Myrtle. http://goo.gl/SHozx
- Brad Haugaard
More Monrovia Police: Arrested While Selling Meat; Commercial Break-In; Theft from Vehicles
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for December 26-28, 2011. - Brad Haugaard]
During the last seven-day period, December 22 -28, 2011, the Police Department handled 434 service events, resulting in 72 investigations. Following are the highlighted issues and events for the weekdays listed above.
Theft From Vehicles
On December 26 at 6:32 p.m., theft from two unlocked vehicles was reported. The thefts occurred from vehicles that were parked in a driveway in the 500 block of Terrado between Thursday night and Friday morning, December 22 to 23. The victims delayed reporting the crimes because they thought they may have misplaced the items. The items stolen were gift cards, checks, and a wallet. Investigation continuing.
Commercial Burglary
On December 27 at 7:37 a.m., an officer went to a business in the 200 block of East Foothill regarding the report of a burglary. The owner told the officer they closed at 12:00 a.m. and secured the location. He arrived the next morning at 7:30 a.m. and saw broken glass inside and the cash register was beeping. The front window had been broken. He checked the cash register and saw the small amount of cash kept there for the next day was missing. The business surveillance video shows a male Hispanic suspect, 5'8", about 150 pounds, wearing all black, punch the front sliding service window and pulled himself inside. The suspect took money from the register and then left the location out of the same window. Investigation continuing.
Grand Theft Auto Recovery
On December 27 at 11:50 a.m., an officer on patrol saw a vehicle parked in the 100 block of East Camino Real that caught his eye. He checked the vehicle and a DMV check indicated it had been reported stolen. The stereo had been taken from the vehicle. Investigation continuing.
Vehicle Burglary
On December 28 at 4:15 a.m., officers were providing extra patrol to a parking structure in the 700 block of South Myrtle when they found a 2006 Mercedes convertible with the roof slashed. They located the owner and confirmed the vehicle had been burglarized between 7:00 p.m. and 4:15 a.m. A pair of sunglasses were stolen. Investigation continuing.
No-Bail Felony Warrant
On December 28 at 4:47 p.m., officers responded to the 700 block of Oakglade regarding subjects selling meat out of a truck. The officers located the vehicle and detained the subjects. Computer checks of the subjects revealed one of them is on parole for burglary and had a no-bail warrant for narcotics out of San Diego. He was arrested and taken into custody.
Residential Burglary
On December 28 at 5:09 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 200 block of East Los Angeles regarding a burglary. The victim had left home at 10:00 a.m. that morning and returned at 4:00 p.m. He went inside and realized someone had broken into the house. A window was broken out and was the point of entry for the suspect. Investigation continuing.
Monrovia Police: Stolen Wedding Ring, Vehicle Burglaries, Graffiti, Attempted Bike Swiping
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for December 19-21. - Brad Haugaard]
During the last seven-day period, December 15-21, 2011, the Police Department handled 465 service events, resulting in 105 investigations. Following are the highlighted issues and events for weekdays listed above.
Vandalism
On December 19 at 8:10 a.m., an officer was dispatched to an elementary school in the 100 block of West Duarte on a report of vandalism. The janitor at the school reported the outside gym walls had graffiti written on them in black spray paint over the weekend. The officer checked the graffiti and noted that it was gang related. The spray paint can was located. Investigation continuing.
Possession of Burglary Tools / Attempt Theft / Conspiracy to Commit a Crime / Prowling - Suspects Arrested
On December 19 at 3:27 p.m., officers responded to an apartment parking structure in the 700 block of South Myrtle regarding two subjects trying to steal a bicycle. Officers arrived and detained two suspects; one suspect was trying to cut the lock securing a bicycle and the other was acting as a look out. One of the suspects was in possession of burglary tools. The suspects were arrested and taken into custody.
Vehicle Burglary
On December 19 at 5:17 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported at an apartment parking structure in the 700 block of South Myrtle. The victim had parked her truck on the ground level near the entrance at approximately 8:45 a.m. When she returned to her vehicle at about 5:15 p.m., she saw the passenger side window had been smashed and her Garmin Navigation System had been stolen. Investigation continuing.
Vehicle Burglary
On December 20 at 6:58 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 500 block of West Duarte on the report of a vehicle break-in. The victim's vehicle had been broken into during the night and the stereo was stolen. Investigation continuing.
Grand Theft
On December 20 at 11:23 a.m., the victim of a grand theft came to the police department lobby to file a report. The victim lives in the 600 block of West Colorado. She told the officers she had placed her wedding ring in a jewelry box she keeps in the closet in early August. On November 11, she went to get the ring to wear it and found it was missing from the jewelry box. A construction company had been at the house doing work over the summer and had access to the entire house. Investigation continuing.
Vehicle Burglary
On December 20 at 11:42 a.m., an officer responded to a business in the 700 block of East Huntington regarding a vehicle burglary. The female victim reported that she parked and secured her vehicle and went into the gym to work out. When she returned to her vehicle, she saw the front passenger window had been smashed and her purse was stolen. Investigation continuing.
Grand Theft Auto
On December 20 at 12:19 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 500 block of Los Angeles Street. The victim reported his vehicle was taken sometime between 11:00 p.m. on December 19 and 11:30 a.m. on December 20. The vehicle is a silver, four-door, 1997 Honda Civic with a Monrovia parking permit on the rear bumper. All keys are accounted for and the investigation is continuing.
Burglary
On December 20 at 4:51 p.m., a burglary was reported at an apartment in the 500 block of West Duarte. Unknown suspect(s) entered a garage through an unlocked side door and stole two wallets from a vehicle. The theft occurred sometime between December 17 and 18. Investigation continuing.
Vehicle Burglary
On December 20 at 7:53 a.m., an officer responded to the report of a vehicle burglary in the 600 block of Vaquero. The victim told the officer his vehicle was broken into during the night sometime after 10:00 p.m. Nothing was disturbed or taken. No one was seen or heard and the investigation is continuing.
Vehicle Burglary
On December 20 at 2:52 p.m., the victim of a vehicle burglary came into the police department lobby to report that personal property had been stolen from his vehicle. The crime occurred at a hotel parking lot in the 900 block of West Huntington. The victim reported that the vehicle was locked, but there were no signs of forced entry. The items taken were gifts: an iPod, cash, gift cards, and a book.
Top State Court Ruling Could Complicate Completion of Gold Line
The California Supreme Court has ruled that the State of California can kill off redevelopment agencies ( http://goo.gl/M6ybp ). Monrovia has a very active redevelopment agency, which has agreed to sell land to the Gold Line for a maintenance yard. Patch editor Nathan McIntire has a good preliminary look at how this affects Monrovia: http://goo.gl/uuBnB
- Brad Haugaard
Judge Says Gold Line EIR Done Incorrectly
Judge tells Gold Line its Environmental Impact Report for the proposed Monrovia maintenance yard was done badly. Could cause delay in completion of the line. http://goo.gl/Kkhe7
- Brad Haugaard
Court Rules Against Family Festival Productions
Court rules against Monrovia's Family Festival Productions in breach-of-contract suit. Owner says he will appeal. http://goo.gl/UGuKh - Brad Haugaard
Monrovia History | State of the City | Wildrose Library
~ Historical Picture (Facebook): Clearman's Northwoods Inn in Monrovia, 1959. I know there is one on Rosemead, but never knew there was one in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/FMVkG
~ The Mayor's State of the City Speech is set for Jan. 24. http://goo.gl/JM0Qm
~ Wild Rose School has been able to expand its library thanks to a $50,000 grant from the Mervyn L Brenner Foundation. The Mervyn L Brenner Media Center now has more than 10,000 books, plus iPods and MacBooks. Source: Monrovia Today Magazine
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Canyon Park is 100 | Possible Freeway Closures | Job-Seeker Event
~ I hear on good authority that 2011 is the 100th anniversary of the founding of Monrovia Canyon Park. It's a little bit late, but Happy Birthday, Park!
~ Possible freeway closures on the eastbound 210 between now and Jan. 7 for construction of the Santa Anita Gold Line bridge. However, for-sure no closures on Jan. 2 (somebody was thinking). Any closures will be from 10 p.m. through no later than 1 p.m. the following day.
~ Friends of the Monrovia Public Library is sponsoring an all-day "Job Seekers" event from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7. http://goo.gl/TyEfp
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Football Players Win Awards | Friday Night Live Stays Alive
~ Monrovia High's Blake Heyworth shares MVP; Marquise Bias named Offensive Back of the Year. http://goo.gl/epEjs
~ City renews Friday Night Live, a program for teens during the Friday night street fair. http://goo.gl/Qm3f7
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Christmas Tree Disposal
I hope you let it stay up for a few days, but to dispose of your Christmas tree when you're ready, just put it on the curb between now and Jan. 13. Flocked and fire-retardant coated trees are okay, but no ornaments, tinsel, nails, plastic bags, lights, or tree-stands of any kind. It'll be picked up on your regular trash day. After Jan. 13, cut it up and put it in your green-waste container. http://goo.gl/kGuB4
- Brad Haugaard
Christmas Eve: A Son is Given
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 http://goo.gl/RJOmr
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's McCarthy Finalist for National Award | Help Patch Raise Money for Schools | Delivery Thefts
~ Monrovia High's Ellis McCarthy is a national finalist for the Anthony Muñoz Lineman of the Year award. http://goo.gl/97r1o
~ MonroviaNow's competitor, Patch, is having a contest with a grand prize of $100,000 to support local schools, winner based on the best decorated house in the country. You upload a photo of your decorated house and people vote on it. Patch is competition, but, well, 'tis the season for peace on earth and goodwill, and besides, it's for the schools. So, here's the upload site for Monrovia: http://goo.gl/WbLnO
~ There is some Internet chatter about thieves following UPS and FedEx trucks and swiping the delivered packages. One report was that it happened on Mountain just south of Foothill. It's unconfirmed, but couldn't hurt to keep an eye out.
- Brad Haugaard
Lunch at Noor's Indian Bistro
UPDATE: A profile of the restaurant in the Star-News: http://goo.gl/mCwNK
- Brad Haugaard
Feature on Nation's Top Fire Official, from Monrovia
Feature article on Monrovia's former fire chief, Ernest Mitchell Jr., who is now the nation's top fireman, heading the United States Fire Administration. http://goo.gl/jGtJB
- Brad Haugaard
Sing in Monrovia | Slow Down
~ The San Gabriel Valley Choral Company, which meets in Monrovia, is looking for new members. http://goo.gl/ZeoxB
~ If you are concerned about the speed people drive through your neighborhood, you can get a "Keep Kids Alive, Drive 25" sign at the city. http://goo.gl/utuNV
- Brad Haugaard
Fence Around Old Monrovia Train Station
Fencing has been added around old Monrovia train station. http://goo.gl/t6Isw - Brad Haugaard
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