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No More Freeway Closures Anticipated


No more freeway closures for Gold Line bridge anticipated. Gold Line spokesman Habib Balian:
I am ... pleased to announce that the I-210 Bridge temporary false-work is now complete and work has begun on the form-work for the superstructure. The false-work construction took several months and required more than 20 full eastbound closures of the I-210 Freeway. Skanska has done an outstanding job to complete a very challenging element of the overall project, under conditions that are much less than ideal. Above, you can see the tremendous work that has been done over the last eight months. The photo ... provides a unique perspective, looking down on the deck of the false-work where the superstructure will be formed and placed over the next several months.
- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Popeyes


Lunch at Popeyes at Huntington and Magnolia. Fast food for sure. It's kind of like KFC with Cajun overtones. Got the jambalaya. Okay. Stole some of my wife's chicken and fries. Think of KFC food but with some mild spice.
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Senator Slams 'Sham' Budget

In this video State Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, slams a "sham budget" and a secretive legislative approval process. http://goo.gl/pBPf7

- Brad Haugaard

Manzanar Author to Speak at Monrovia Library

On April 14 at 1 p.m. the author of "Farewell to Manzanar," Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston, will speak at the Monrovia Library about the three years she spent in a United States internment camp during World War II. http://goo.gl/JRuXX

- Brad Haugaard

No Hunger Games for Bradoaks Students | Art Award Winners

~ Monrovia School District cancels field trip for Bradoaks students to see Hunger Games: http://goo.gl/RJvMO
 
~ Monrovia Association of Fine Arts awards Donna Baker its Renaissance Award and Betsy Matz wins the Hearts in the Arts award. http://goo.gl/zPJ9o
 
- Brad Haugaard

Police Pick up Trophy | Tiger Mosquitoes | Monrovia Today | World Vision

~ The Monrovia Police Department has a new trophy for its cabinet. On March 12, Councilmember Larry Spicer and Police Chief Jim Hunt went to the annual California Police Chief Symposium in Sacramento to pick up the department's James Q. Wilson Award. 
 
~ Invasive Asian tiger mosquitoes are back. They're little black and white guys. Last reported in El Monte, South El Monte, and unincorporated area just south of Duarte. They seem to be reviving as the weather warms. If you see any, call San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District at (626) 814-9466 ( http://goo.gl/kQGVP ).  And here's a flyer: http://goo.gl/wAUxW
 
~ The April-June edition of Monrovia Today is on the way, heading for your mailbox.
 
~ Monrovia's World Vision says food running out in African country of Niger. http://goo.gl/nc5qp
 
- Brad Haugaard

Children's Slide to be Removed from Monrovia's Library Park

The children's slide will be removed from Library Park by next Thursday, according to the City Manager's weekly report ( http://goo.gl/kQGVP ). Here's why:

Unfortunately we have been informed by our playground equipment contractor that the slide in Library Park has a manufacturer's defect and must be taken out.  It seems that without some sort of covering around the top of the "bigger kids" slide, it makes it too easy to climb up the slide, which is potentially dangerous for small children.  The slide is closed now, and will be removed by the contractor next Thursday, March 29.  In addition, a dying Silver Maple tree, located at the edge of the playground area, will be removed as well.  We are looking at replacing the tree, as well as the slide (with a piece of equipment that is compatible).  Whatever happened to the good old days when getting cuts and bruises in the playground was all part of the fun of being at the park??

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Police Look for D Man, Meth, Gun Safety


[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for  March 19-21. - Brad Haugaard]



During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 403 service events, resulting in 93 investigations.  


Possible Vehicle Tampering

March 20 at 4:39 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 700 block of West Chestnut regarding possible vehicle tampering.  The reporting party noticed a subject sticking his head into a vehicle in a carport and believed the subject was looking for something to take.  When the reporting party confronted the subject, he walked out of the carport area and out to the street.  The subject fled on foot, dumping his bicycle, when an officer arrived in the area.  The officer ordered the subject to stop, but he ran.  Containment was established, but the suspect was not located.  The suspect is described as a male Hispanic, mid-twenties, dark shirt, dark blue basketball-style shorts, shaved head with a tattoo of the letter "D" on the top of his head.  Investigation continuing.


Possession of Narcotics - Suspect Arrested

March 21 at 3:36 a.m., an officer on patrol observed a suspicious subject riding a bicycle in the area of Magnolia and Palm.  When the officer attempted to stop the subject for a traffic violation, the subject tried to evade the officer.  The subject was detained in the 200 block of West Palm.  During a consent search of the subject, a baggie of methamphetamine was found in the subject's shoe.  The suspect was arrested.


Tip of the Week: Gun Safety

Even if your family doesn't have a gun in the home, chances are that your child will come in contact with a gun at some time during his or her childhood. Relatives and neighbors own guns that are probably hidden, but children may find them.  Children are exposed to guns early on from television, cartoons and movies, arousing their natural curiosity.  The best safety measure for gun safety in the home is to avoid having one in your home. However, if you already own a gun or plan to purchase one in the future, following the guidelines below can help protect your family's health and safety. 



If you own a gun:


 Always keep your gun unloaded and locked up.


- Lock and store bullets in a separate location.


- Make sure children do not have access to the gun lock keys.


 


If you do not own a gun:


Talk with your children about the risk of gun injury outside the home in places where they may visit and play.


- Tell your children to stay away from guns when they are in the homes of their friends.


- Speak with the parents of your children's friends to determine whether or not they have a gun in the home.


- If they do, urge them to empty it out and lock it up.


Wind Damage Reimbursement Instructions

If you'd like to get reimbursed from Southern California Edison for damage during the recent windstorm, here are instructions: http://goo.gl/eYFoO
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Assemblyman: Job Loss as State Implements Cap and Trade

Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who represents part of Monrovia, writes on Facebook that he heard Lord Monckton (a British politician: http://goo.gl/D9W2X) testify that global warming is false at a hearing in Sacramento today. Here's Donnelly's comment:

Just listened to Lord Mockton eviscerate the Global Warming hysteria as a massive FRAUD. As California implements a Cap & Trade program under AB32 (administered by CARB), energy prices including gasoline prices will do nothing but rise, while businesses who fall under this regulation continue to flee this environmental extremist regime, costing us an estimated 485,000 jobs. Really made a compelling case that it is immoral to attempt to reverse the natural cycle of warning and cooling that has gone on for centuries.
 
- Brad Haugaard

Judge's Ruling Keeps Gold Line on Track | Huff: Cap College Bosses' Salaries | Beauty Queen

~ A ruling today by LA County Superior Court Judge Michelle Rosenblatt in the eminent domain case involving Monrovia and the Gold Line gives the line "full control over the property, and results in the Authority controlling more than 50 percent of the land needed for the project’s maintenance facility." With more than 50 percent control this means the funding will be released to keep the train track on track for completion in 2015. Source: Gold Line press release.
 
~ Video of Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, speaking in support of capping top California college system administrators' salaries. http://goo.gl/C5fjv
 
~ Miss LA County, Monet Bagneris, honored by Monrovia City Council. http://goo.gl/dRAlq
 
- Brad Haugaard

Four Arrested in Monrovia in Statewide Alcohol-and-Minors Sweep

From Monrovia Police Press Release:
 
Monrovia, California – Investigators from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) and Officers from over 90 local law enforcement agencies joined forces on Friday, March 16, 2012, in the largest Decoy Shoulder Tap Operation ever assembled in California.

The operation was conducted statewide for the first time ever. The task force operation resulted in 4 local arrests. Statewide over 300 adults were cited for furnishing alcoholic beverages to minors and
dozens more were arrested for other crimes, such as public drunkenness, driving under the influence, drugs, parole violations and outstanding warrants.

ABC Investigators and local law enforcement conducted a program called a Decoy Shoulder Tap Operation which can lead to the arrest of adults who purchase alcohol for people less than 21 years of age. Under the program, a minor under the direct supervision of a peace officer will
stand outside a liquor or convenience store and ask patrons to buy them alcohol. The minor indicates in some way he or she is underage and cannot purchase the alcohol.

The program is intended to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors. According to the American Medical Association, underage drinking can increase chances of risky sexual behavior and teen
pregnancy, juvenile delinquency, compromised health, and can result in unintentional injury and death.

- Brad Haugaard

Sparse Snow


The mountains above Monrovia looked like they were covered with a lot of snow from below, but when you got up into the hills a day later it was pretty sparse. This picture from a little below White Saddle.
- Brad Haugaard

Meeting about New Monrovia City Manager | Food for Easter | World Vision

~ Another closed session City Council meeting about a city manager. http://goo.gl/sBD3I
 
~ The deacons at First Presbyterian Church are teaming up with the Cub Scouts to collect food for seven needy families for Easter. http://goo.gl/qI4bD 
 
~ Monrovia's World Vision warns that more than 6 million people face food shortages in Niger. http://goo.gl/Ns4WV
 
- Brad Haugaard

Star-News Columnist: Local School Districts Like Vermin


Star-News columnist Frank Girardot compares local school districts (presumably including Monrovia) to "vermin" and "cockroaches" ( http://goo.gl/Ztbiy ) following a legal demand from the Star-News to 28 districts on teacher misconduct. Here is Monrovia's response: http://goo.gl/LWY8m


Opinion: I have stated this in other forums, but let me do so again: I understand the Star-News is within the law, and I believe the school districts should respond according to the law, and if the SN was following up on an allegation or even a vague suspicion, I would applaud this, but for the newspaper to burden already cash-strapped school districts with pointless administrative work (and thus extra costs) based on nothing but a whim strikes me as  very irresponsible. And to compare school districts to cockroaches ... oh, man! That is just way over the top.

Monrovia Police: Tool Burglary Binge, He Yelled Too Loud, Biting an Officer, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for March 15-18. - Brad Haugaard]
 
Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.
 
Burglary
March 15 at 7:56 a.m., police received a call reporting a burglary in the 600 block of West Duarte Road.  Suspect(s) entered a locked maintenance room located to the rear of an apartment complex.  There was no damage to the door.  The suspect took several power tools.  Investigation continuing.
 
Burglary
March 15 at 8:32 a.m., an officer responded to the 1800 block of South Eighth Avenue regarding a burglary report.  The suspect(s) entered a parking structure and broke into a locked storage locker by prying the latch that holds the lock.  The suspect took tools from the location.  Investigation continuing.
 
Burglary
March 15 at 8:35 a.m., dispatch received a call reporting a burglary in the 500 block of West Duarte Road.  The suspect(s) smashed the driver side window on a truck to gain entry and then took tools from inside the cab.  The truck was parked in a carport.  Investigation continuing.
 
Theft From a Vehicle   
March 15 at 10:54 a.m., a theft from a vehicle was reported in the 700 block of East Huntington.  The victim left her vehicle unlocked and went inside the business.  Suspect(s) entered the vehicle and took her purse, containing her wallet, keys and license.  The purse was left under the passenger seat.  Investigation continuing.
 
Attempt Burglary
March 15 at 4:58 p.m., an attempt burglary was reported in the 1800 block of South Eighth Avenue.  Suspect(s) entered a parking structure and broke into a locked storage locker by prying the latch that holds the lock.  The victim does not think anything was taken.  Investigation continuing.  
 
Suspicious Subjects / Possession of a Loaded Firearm in Public - Suspect Arrested
On March 15 at 6:03 p.m., officers responded to the 100 block of Montana regarding 6 to 7 suspicious subjects loitering in a carport area.  Police located and detained the subjects.  Upon further investigation, one of the subjects was found to be in possession of a loaded handgun; the subject was arrested for possession of a loaded firearm. 
 
Domestic Disturbance / Parolee at Large - Suspect Arrested
March 16 at 1:58 a.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 200 block of North Myrtle regarding a male and female subject yelling at each other, keeping their neighbors awake.  After contacting the two subjects, it was determined they were having a verbal argument only.  The male involved in the argument was found to be a parolee at large and he was immediately arrested and taken into custody.
 
Mental Evaluation
March 17 at 5:21 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 200 block of West Cypress regarding a male subject who had struck his mother and threatened to kill her.  He grabbed a knife and locked himself in a bathroom.  Officers attempted to speak to him and get him to come out of the bathroom, but he refused.  Officers eventually entered the bathroom and the subject surrendered himself without further incident.  He was taken to a hospital, where he was held for mental evaluation.
 
Curfew Violations - Suspects Arrested
On March 17 at 11:15 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 300 block of South Violet regarding a disturbance coming from a garage.  The officer arrived and found several unsupervised juveniles in the garage and evidence of alcohol consumption occurring.  The officer arrested five juveniles for curfew violation.  They were taken to the Monrovia Police Department, where four of the juveniles were cited and released to their parents.  The parents of the fifth juvenile were in Central California and unavailable.  East Lake Juvenile Hall was notified and per the probation officer, the fifth juvenile was taken to a detention alternative program.  The parents were advised by telephone.
 
Glendale Police Department Hit & Run Investigation - Outside Assist / Driving Under Influence - Suspect Arrested
March 18 at 1:11 a.m., Glendale Police Department was conducting a hit and run investigation in their jurisdiction and requested Monrovia Police Department check the registered owner's address.  The license plate of the suspect vehicle was registered to a residence in the 300 block of West Walnut.  An officer was put in position to watch the residence and observed the suspect vehicle arriving home.  The officer conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and discovered the driver was intoxicated.  The subject was arrested for driving under the influence, and Glendale Police Department was advised of the detention. 
 
Driving Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance / Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance / Weapons Violation - Suspects Arrested
March 18 at 1:50 a.m., an officer stopped a speeding vehicle in the area of Myrtle and Foothill.  The vehicle was occupied by three male adults.  Investigation revealed the driver and passengers were under the influence of a controlled substance.  During a search of the vehicle, the officer found a 26-inch wooden baton on the floorboard, wedged between the driver's seat and door.  The driver admitted ownership of the baton and said it was for his personal protection.  The three suspects were arrested for the appropriate charges.
 
Domestic Violence / Resisting and Delaying a Police Officer / Battery on a Police Officer - Suspect Arrested
March 18 at 9:17 a.m., officers responded for a second time to a family disturbance at a residence in the 400 block of Hurstview.  Upon arrival, they could hear a female yelling. Officers asked for the male subject to open the security gate and come outside.  The male subject complied.  The officer then asked the female to come outside.  As she was exiting the home, she tried to hit and kick at the male subject.  As the officers were attempting to detain her, the female subject began to struggle and bit one of the officers.  She was arrested and taken into custody.
 
Battery - Suspect Arrested
On March 18 at 10:38 p.m., a business in the 300 block of West Huntington called to report a battery.  An argument occurred between a male, off-duty employee and a female patron of the bar.  The female alleged she was punched in the face by the male and desired prosecution.  An independent witness was located by the officer and the victim's injury was consistent with her statement.  The victim made a private person's arrest and the suspect was taken into custody. 
 

Outlet Moving from Monrovia, Building in Azusa

The Outlet by E.L.S., a Monrovia discount store that is moving to make way for a Gold Line train maintenance yard, is building a new store facility in Azusa. http://goo.gl/85GGH
 
- Brad Haugaard

Gold Line Bridge Construction | Fighting With Your Neighbors?

~ Construction of the Gold Line freeway bridge near the Santa Anita off-ramp may require occasional closures of up to three lanes of the eastbound 210 between March 18-31. Closures will begin no earlier than 10 p.m. and end no later than 1 p.m. the following day.
 
~ An LA company that develops series for cable networks wants to pay $1,000 to feuding neighbors (homeowners only) for a TV show. The company will provide a professional mediator to find a solution. Email neighbortvshow@gmail.com (Oh rats! I'm getting along with my neighbors.) Source: press release
 
- Brad Haugaard

Cacciotti Platform | Huff in the News | MonroviaNow Top-Listed Monrovia News Site | Wine Tasting

~ Assembly candidate Michael Cacciotti, running in the 41st Assembly District to be  Monrovia's representative, lists his priorities as: "job creation, fiscal resourcefulness, 21st century transit, energy, and education systems." Here's his web site: http://www.michaelcacciotti.com/


~ Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, on NBC4's "News Conference" with Conan Nolan. http://goo.gl/KfHky


~ With a recent Google algorithm change, MonroviaNow is the first result for a search for "monrovia news," the third for "monrovia ca," and the sixth for a search on "monrovia." It is also the first news website listed for each of these search results. (This refers to a regular Google search, not a Google News search.) Update: Hmm. That the cause is the algorithm change is reasonable, but it is my assumption, and assuming is bad journalism. Forget the algorithm part; I don't know that part for sure.


~ Foothill Oaks Academy of Duarte (which includes the former Carden of the Foothills school of Monrovia) is having a wine tasting fundraiser. Details: http://goo.gl/yL8LK


- Brad Haugaard

Special Event Expo in Monrovia | Donnelly

~ Special Event expo at Monrovia's Courtyard Marriott April 29. http://goo.gl/pDoh8
 
~ Assemblyman Tim Donnelly's newsletter, focusing on a discussion with a manufacturer thinking of leaving California because it is "all stick and no carrot." Donnelly represents part of Monrovia. http://goo.gl/u8ri8
 
~ Donnelly wants plea deal on gun-at-airport incident. http://goo.gl/YkjQg
 
- Brad Haugaard