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Dam North of Monrovia Appears Low on Water



Cogswell Dam seems a bit low on water.

I took some pictures this weekend of the water level in Cogswell Dam - in the West Fork of the San Gabriel River in the mountains just north of Monrovia. The water appears to be way low. Friend Steve Scauzillo, environmental reporter for the Star-News, comments on it. "Pray for rain," he says. Here's another picture and Steve's commentary: http://goo.gl/xqx2m

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia State of City Video On-Line | Sutherland Honored | Snail's Pace

~ Mayor's State of the City video now on line. http://goo.gl/uqyCo

~ Monrovian Karen Sutherland honored by Chamber of Commerce. http://goo.gl/zb7gK

~ The Monrovia running store, A Snail's Pace, gets national recognition. http://goo.gl/EvfHO

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Hit-and-Run Victim Improving | Donnelly Honored | Police Investigate Stabbing

~ 12-year-old girl struck by car in Monrovia is improving. http://goo.gl/Cnn6M
 
~ Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who represents part of Monrovia, reports on Facebook that he was named State Legislator of the Year for 2011 by the California chapter of Concerned Women for America, an organization that fights for "Faith, Family and Freedom."
 
~ Police investigate Monrovia stabbing. http://goo.gl/n4YVD
 
- Brad Haugaard

Driver Arrested in Hit-And-Run | Girls Basketball | Tax Services

~ Driver who allegedly hit-and-ran after striking an 12-year-old girl has been arrested. Girl in critical condition. http://goo.gl/vCDHr
 
~ Monrovia High School girls basketball over South Pas. http://goo.gl/WYQ4Z
 
State Senator Carol Liu and others were at the Foothill Unity Center in Monrovia, CA to talk about free tax services that are available to working Californians. http://goo.gl/XLuDs
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's State Senator on Education Spending, Local School Authority,and Chiropractors


California education spending and its results.
~ State Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, said he created this scatter graph of school district spending versus student performance. He said: "If there is a connection between the two factors–in other words if more spending as a rule results in better student performance–there should be some kind of correlating line beginning in the lower left quadrant and ending in the upper right quadrant. But results do not show even a faint line from left to right. The dots are fairly random and it is difficult—if not impossible—to see a relationship between these two factors." http://goo.gl/X2BcD
~ Huff said he wonders if Governor Jerry Brown is coming around to the view that Sacramento should return authority to local school districts. He quotes Brown as saying it is important to "give more authority to local school districts to fashion the kind of programs they see their students need," and Huff responds that, "it is refreshing to see the governor arrive at this position. It is finally sinking in that state bureaucracies can no longer play school board." http://goo.gl/X2BcD
~ A Huff measure to stop chiropractors from treating allergies has been approved by the State Senate. http://goo.gl/ucPrK
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Looking For Car in Hit-and-Run on 11-Year-Old Girl


Monrovia Police looking for a car possibly of this make and model, a pearl white Infinity.
On Friday, January 27, at 3:51 p.m., the Monrovia Police Department received a call of an injury traffic collision at Huntington Drive and Canyon Blvd Officers determined an eleven-year-old female had attempted to cross the road and had been struck by a passing car. The child was injured and is now hospitalized. Investigators are still gathering evidence at this time. Witnesses observed a pearl white Infinity, possibly a 2004, j30 model or a similar vehicle, strike the child. The driver fled without stopping at the scene, continuing west on Huntington, south on Myrtle and then West on the 210 Foothill Freeway. 
Anyone with information about this collision please call the Watch Commander at the Monrovia Police Department. 626-256-8000.
Source: Monrovia City press release
- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Cafe LuMar


Lunch at the new Cafe LuMar, 136 E. Colorado Blvd. Clean and attractive, with paintings of Croatia on the walls. I got the roasted pork panini, added a bit of mustard to my taste and it was yummy and filling. Oh, also got a banana chocolate crepe for desert, which I can recommend highly!
- Brad Haugaard

Peek at the Sun at Monrovia's Library Park

The Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project outreach program will be at Library Park, at the northwest corner of Myrtle and Lime, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday, with a solar telescope and some handouts, like solar glasses. Come out and look at our nearest star.
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Black History Events

Black history events at Monrovia United Methodist Church ( http://goo.gl/lYoHP ) and at the Krikorian ( http://goo.gl/lgRQW ).
 
- Brad Haugaard

Trial Starts in Shooting in Unincorporated Monrovia

Trial begins in 2008 shooting of teen in unincorporated county area near Monrovia. http://goo.gl/Bu45E
 
- Brad Haugaard

Films at Monrovia Library

Film nights at the Library. Midnight in Paris, Jan. 30; Beginners, Feb. 6; The Help, Feb. 13. All at 6 p.m. Details: http://goo.gl/xon52
 
- Brad Haugaard

Getting Ready to Pour Abutments for Gold Line Bridge



Installing the form work for the southern bridge abutment. Late next week, crews are scheduled to pour concrete. http://goo.gl/h3WYP
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Green Dot Ends 2011 with Strong Quarter

Green Dot Corporation of Monrovia reported strong Fourth Quarter 2011 results: http://goo.gl/SyelT

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Oops! Wrong Address on Narcotics, Wrong Gift Cards, A Quiet Place to Smoke Weed, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for  January 23-25. - Brad Haugaard]


During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 392 service events, resulting in 81 investigations.


Suspicious Package

On January 23 at 1:41 p.m., officers responded to the 200 block of West Chestnut regarding a suspicious letter received by a local business.  A white powdery substance was contained within the letter.  Monrovia Fire Department, in coordination with Los Angeles County Fire and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Hazmat Teams, responded to recover the suspicious letter.  The substance was analyzed and tested positive as a narcotic substance.  The origination of the letter is under investigation and being handled by the Monrovia Police Department.


Possession of Stolen Property - Suspect Arrested

On January 24 at 11:30 a.m., an officer observed a bicyclist run a stop sign in the 900 block of Alta Vista.  After stopping the subject, he received consent to search.  During the search, he found the subject was in possession of several gift cards.  The names on the cards matched the names of victims from thefts that occurred earlier in the week in Monrovia.  The suspect was arrested for possession of stolen property and the investigation is continuing.


Trespassing - Suspect Arrested

On January 24 at 9:52 p.m., officers responded to an audible alarm activation at a residence in the 200 block of North Myrtle, which is a house that is under construction.  When officers arrived, it appeared as if someone had climbed through an unlocked rear window.  Upon closer examination, a wallet with identification was found inside the house. 


While officers were speaking with neighbors, they noticed a male subject walking nearby.  His head was down as if he were looking for something he had dropped.  The officers contacted him and discovered he was the owner of the wallet found in the vacant house.  This individual lives in the neighborhood.  He said he was looking for a place to smoke Marijuana, and he knew that the house was vacant.  He climbed through an unsecured window and activated the audible alarm, which caused him to flee and drop his wallet.  There was no evidence indicating the suspect entered the location to steal any property.  He was arrested for trespassing.


Possession of Burglary Tools - Suspect Arrested

On January 25 at 4:08 a.m., a resident in the 200 block of West Olive reported hearing suspicious male voices in the alley.  Officers responded and detained two subjects.  One of them was arrested for possession of burglary tools.  Nearby, the officers found a red and black, "Gary Fisher" brand, mountain bike that had been discarded.  The bike was taken as found property and the officers began attempting to locate its owner.  Investigation continuing.


Attempt Burglary

On January 25 at 9:03 p.m., an attempted residential burglary was reported in the 1000 block of Orange.  The incident occurred sometime between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.  An unknown suspect attempted to pry open the front door of the residence.  There was no loss.  Investigation continuing.



Detective Bureau Case Follow-up


Search Warrant - Suspect Arrested

A proactive investigation by patrol officers gave Monrovia Police Department's Detective Bureau enough information to secure a search warrant for a residence in the 200 block of West Olive, which was served on January 25.  The residents are suspected to be selling stolen property and narcotics from the residence.  As a result of the search warrant, detectives, assisted by Special Enforcement Team officers, found several items that have been listed in recent theft from vehicle incidents.  Special Enforcement Team officers stopped one of the primary suspects of the search warrant outside of the residence.  The suspect was carrying a quantity of packaged methamphetamine and was arrested and taken into custody.


Conditions inside the residence were reported to Monrovia Code Enforcement and the Department of Children and Family Services.  This warrant will hopefully net additional arrests.

Portantino Breast Cancer Bill Approved by Assembly

A health bill by Assemblymember Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, has been unanimously approved by the Assembly. The measure requires health insurers to provide information to women about when they should start being screened for breast cancer. The press release continues ...
 
“There has been a lot of confusion in recent years over when a woman should and shouldn’t begin receiving these screenings,” explained Assemblymember Portantino. “This measure cuts through that confusion and gives patients and doctors maximum flexibility.  It’s good for the patient and in the long run, good for the insurance provider.  Early detection helps save lives and certainly saves healthcare dollars.”
 
AB 137 also eliminates outdated guidelines to the Insurance Code that limits coverage for mammograms in younger women.  Instead of basing the need for mammograms only on a woman’s age, AB 137 allows doctors to order diagnostic tests based on a more complete list of risk factors that are part of today’s medical science.  The existing code requiring insurers to provide a baseline mammogram beginning at age 35, is now outdated. Many women who are at “high risk” for breast cancer often develop cancer in their 20’s and 30’s and should be screened at an earlier age.  AB 137 will allow doctors more control in when to order this diagnostic test.
 
AB 137 now moves to the state Senate for consideration later this session.
 
- Brad Haugaard

AeroVironment's HummingDrone passes DARPA Milestone

The itty-bitty hummingbird drone, developed by Monrovia's AeroVironment, has passed Phase II technical milestones set out by DARPA  (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency). http://goo.gl/S17bw

Gold Line Lobbies Feds | Monrovia's Green Dot to Release Prepaid AARP MasterCard | Financial Seminar

~ Gold Line lobbies Federal Government for money. http://goo.gl/ycZY2

~ Monrovia's Green Dot is coming out this year with a prepaid AARP MasterCard. http://goo.gl/NfJ5E

~ There will be a three-session seminar on Financial Literacy & Fitness at the Monrovia Library, 11:30 to 1 p.m. on Jan. 31, Feb. 7, and Feb. 15. Bring a lunch. Details: http://goo.gl/wJXRT

- Brad Haugaard

Honda Ad Filmed in Monrovia Airing

A Honda ad filmed in Old Town Monrovia has begun airing. http://goo.gl/QTXaI

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz' State of the City Speech

Full text of Mayor Mary Ann Lutz's State of the City speech: http://goo.gl/GRxhY


My take on the general tone of the speech: We're doing okay and will continue improving, but it's not going to be easy.


A few of her looking-ahead comments:


~  "We'll survive" the loss of redevelopment.


~  "We begin this new year optimistically, but with continued concerns."


~  "I can tell you, the County's ‘Most Business Friendly City' isn't going to miss any opportunity to stimulate jobs, attract business or reinvest in ourselves this year."


~ "If MAP [the award-winning 'Monrovia Area Partnership'] is now going to have to compete for limited General Fund dollars with other City programs, then something may have to give. More cutbacks may be needed, somewhere." But, she added, "we do not intend for MAP to go away."


~ ` Sales and property taxes are 'trending up,' but with the loss of redevelopment dollars, "we have a potential deficit of more than $1 million."


~ The city will be dealing with commercial recycling and waste-water runoff this year.


- Brad Haugaard

Gold Line Meeting Tonight

The Metro Gold Line Construction Authority will meet at 7 p.m. today here in Monrovia. Here's the agenda if you want to attend ( http://goo.gl/Iv3jB ) and the staff reports ( http://goo.gl/91RRg )
 
- Brad Haugaard