Monrovia High Dance and Color Guard Wins

The Monrovia High dance team took first place at the Southern California Classic at Claremont High this weekend and the color guard took second place in the divisional championships at Marina High School. http://goo.gl/W8Thc

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Reunion - Class of '72

Monrovia High School's Class of 72 is planning its 40th reunion, called "On a Hot August Night," 6-11 p.m. on Saturday, August 4, at the Santa Anita Inn in Arcadia. Bonus Friday warm-up event August 3 starting at 5:30 p.m. $75 per person. Send to Shirley Slattery, P.O. Box 2112, Monrovia CA 91016, by May 31.

Alums can call Shirley Slattery at 626-387-3906 for more information or on Facebook at: MHS Class of 1972 - 40th Reunion

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Edged by Glendora in Girls Track; Boys Win

Glendora girls track team edges out Monrovia 90 to 89.5 in Mt. SAC Relays for team title.  But Boys win! http://goo.gl/SZtVo

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Assemblyman's Interest Rate Bill Approved by Assembly Committee

Assembly Bill 2048, by Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who represents part of Monrovia, was unanimously approved by the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee today. The bill would "ensure that interest rates will be calculated the same way for underpayments as it is for overpayments. When government owes taxpayers, it will then pay the same interest rate required of Californians who owe taxes." Source: http://goo.gl/29UP7

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Biking Under the Influence, Boxers Only, Burned by Marijuana, Traffic Injuries, Shoplifting, Etc

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for April 19-22. - Brad Haugaard]

 

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.

 

Driving a Bicycle While Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested

April 19 at 10:51 p.m., an officer was on patrol in the 900 block of West Huntington when he was flagged down by an employee from a hotel.  The employee reported a male subject who was at the hotel asking for free food and approaching guests asking them for money.  The officer searched the area and located a subject matching the description riding a bike without a light at night in the area of Encino and Alta.  The subject was detained and was determined to be riding his bike while under the influence.  He also had a small amount of marijuana on his person.  He was arrested and taken into custody.

 

Commercial Burglary

April 20 at 2:53 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain.  Loss prevention called to report a male Hispanic subject with a shaved head had stolen merchandise and fled the store through the exit doors without paying.  He was seen getting into a burgundy Ford vehicle with paper plates.  Officers responded to the area and made an area check, but the suspect was not located.  Investigation continuing.

 

Traffic Collision With Injuries

April 20 at 4:32 p.m., a traffic collision was reported in the 700 block of West Foothill.  A vehicle stopped to make a left turn into a driveway.  A vehicle following behind collided into the stopped vehicle, sending it into opposing traffic, where it collided with an oncoming vehicle.  As a result of the collisions, a fourth vehicle was also struck.  Two people were taken to the hospital for complaint of pain to their neck, back and legs.

 

Commercial Burglary - Suspect Arrested

April 20 at 5:44 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain regarding a female subject in custody for shoplifting.  The female suspect entered the store with a store shopping bag.  She selected several items and concealed them in the bag.  She then exited the store without paying for the items and was detained by store employees.  She was arrested and taken into custody. 

 

Drug Activity

April 20 at 9:32 p.m., a subject called to report that her tenants, who live in the 200 block of Jasmine, were badly burned.  The caller did not know how the male and female subjects were burned.  Through investigation it was revealed that the male subject was attempting to extract marijuana, which caught on fire.  He was walking out of the kitchen area with the burning container and the female subject walked into him, causing them to get splattered with burning extraction.  The subjects were treated by Monrovia Fire Department paramedics and taken to a hospital.  The male subject sustained first degree burns on his torso and arms.  The female subject sustained first and second degree burns.  Charges will be filed against the male suspect.

 

Parole Hold - Suspect Arrested

April 20 at 10:35 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 1800 block of South Peck Road for a second disturbance call on the same male subject.  The male subject had been involved in an altercation at the residence.  He had left the location earlier and was told by officers not to return.  He returned to the location and was causing another disturbance.  Officers arrived and learned the subject was on parole for assault with a deadly weapon and contacted the subject's parole officer.  The parole officer placed a parole hold on the subject and he was arrested and taken into custody.

 

Commercial Burglary

April 21 at 6:12 p.m., a burglary was reported at a business in the 300 block of West Huntington.  The victim reported that she left her business at 3:00 p.m. and everything was fine at the location.  She returned shortly after 6:00 p.m. and found that someone had entered through the roof and ransacked the business.  Investigation continuing.

 

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance - Suspect Arrested

April 22 at 3:05 a.m., a motorist reported that a male subject, wearing boxer shorts only, was sitting on Myrtle Avenue, south of Duarte.  Officers responded and located the subject, who was found to be under the influence.  The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.  Computer checks revealed the suspect had three warrants for his arrest.  

 

Disturbed Subject / Mental Evaluation

April 22 at 4:07 a.m., officers responded to a residence in the 800 block of West Duarte Road regarding a violent subject who had broken a window and cut himself.  The subject had been drinking heavily, and it appears he tripped, knocked over a dresser and fell through a window, cutting himself.  Monrovia Fire Department paramedics treated the subject, who was then taken to a hospital.  At the hospital, the subject stated he did not want to live anymore.  The hospital will complete a 72-hour hold for mental evaluation.

 

Grand Theft Auto

April 22, three vehicle thefts were reported in the morning hours that had occurred sometime overnight.  The thefts were from the 1100 block of South Primrose, the 100 block of Pomona and the 200 block of East Maple.  All of the vehicles were taken from the immediate area of the owners' residences.  The investigation is continuing.

 

Grand Theft From Vehicle

April 22 at 6:38 p.m., an officer responded to the report of theft from a vehicle in the 2000 block of South Peck Road.  The victim reported that he left his vehicle unlocked and someone took his military-issue flak jacket from the backseat of his vehicle.  Investigation continuing.

Monrovia Schools Community Budget Meeting

If you'd like to hear more about the Monrovia schools' financial woes - and give your ideas - there will be another community budget meeting, this one at Santa Fe Middle School gym (148 W. Duarte Rd.), April 25 at 7 p.m. http://goo.gl/O30Zw

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Movie Music concert

San Gabriel Valley Choral Company "Goes to the Movies" concert, May 9, 7 p.m. at Monrovia Presbyterian Church. Songs from favorite movies. "Solos, duets, small ensembles, and the full chorale." Directed by Alexander Ruggieri ( http://goo.gl/Qmyd6 ). Also, they're still looking for singers: http://goo.gl/BIlpp

 
- Brad Haugaard

Berdan Records Opens in Monrovia

Grand Opening of Berdan Records at Myrtle and Olive. http://goo.gl/ttSzR

 

- Brad Haugaard

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- Brad Haugaard

Helping Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center

How to help Foothill Unity Center help people who need food. http://goo.gl/MqeFE

 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Girls Named to All-Stars | Monrovia 0, La Canada 2 :-( | Portantino Visits Gables

~ The Star-News/Tribune has named three Monrovia girls to its All-Star Girl's basketball team for its All-Star Game. They are seniors Gina Henderson, Domynyque Johnson, and Kaela Barnes. http://goo.gl/PuOoo

 

~ La Canada shuts out Monrovia women in two-run game. http://goo.gl/4QetR

 

~ Assemblyman Anthony Portantino reports on Facebook that he visited The Gables, an assisted living community in Monrovia, where he discussed politics with many of the residents.

 

- Brad Haugaard

Will Transit Sales Tax be on November Ballot?

Gold Line spokesman Habib Balian reports in a press release that a proposal by LA Mayor Villaraigosa to extend the Measure R half-cent sales tax indefinitely (for mass transit) has begun its way towards landing on the November ballot. He writes that, "The first step for the proposed tax extension has already begun at the State. A bill (AB1446) is currently moving through the Assembly."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Library's 'Altered Books' | Crash Sends 2 to Hospital | Injured Student Returns to School | Huff on Budget Shenanigans | Cities Legal Fees | Bridge

~ Monrovia Library's "altered books." Some pictures. http://goo.gl/mJX4d

 

~ Crash sends two to hospital. http://goo.gl/Kwkrl

 

~ Hit and run victim returns to Clifton. http://goo.gl/rLQxo

 

~ Video: Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, on budget time "shenanigans" in Sacramento. He said the Senate is not following its own rules, and "the road to hell is paved with good intentions, but I'm not even sure the intentions are good." ( http://goo.gl/y0cyI ) And here he is again, speaking to the Senate: http://goo.gl/SrnRd

 

~ A list of how much LA-area cities spend on legal fees. Monrovia spends 1.8 percent of its budget on legal fees. Top is Signal Hill (4.3 percent); lowest recorded is Lakewood (0.3 percent). http://goo.gl/uHb8u

 

~ Concrete will be poured for the main crossbeam and lower sections of the Gold Line bidge superstructure next month. http://goo.gl/X7g8Q

 

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Casa Jimenez

Lunch at Casa Jimenez. On Mountain just in front of Home Depot. Got the Buritto Pollo with grilled chicken from the lunch menu. About $8.45 with drink. Window sign saying changed ownership. Nice mild food, but with some spicy salsas if you want to give it a kick.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Drones in Morocco | Lots of Lenses

~ Marines use drones from Monrovia's AeroVironment in training exercises with Moroccan military ( http://goo.gl/XOnWv ). Also, the Marine Corps is the first military service to adopt four different small drone systems from the company, at a price of $5.5 million ( http://goo.gl/rrswi ).

 

~ Monrovia's STAAR Surgical is celebrating a milestone - the number of its Visian eye-lens implants in patients worldwide has exceeded 300,000. http://goo.gl/RA8Pq

 

- Brad Haugaard

Young Monrovia Leaders

First ever Monrovia Area Partnership (MAP) Youth Leadership graduates, honored at the April 17 City Council meeting.

These young people participated in all-day training in leadership, getting involved in government and the community, problem solving and organizing.  Each youth partnered with a mentor from different agencies to help foster their work.

Congratulations to: Marvin Garcia, Erica Flores, Felicia Lay, Sara Santiago, and Brenda Evangs from the Youth Commission with their mentors Rudy Martinez and Tiffany Scott; Jessica Tang, Lawrence Spicer, Alexis Silva, and Paige Bullock from the Teen Advisory Board with their mentor Elizabeth Schneider; Savana Ayala, Cristian Lugo, Leslie Colin, and Edgar “Jr” Colin, from the Y-Life project with their mentor Ulises Gutierrez; Kourtney Mills and Priscilla Mendoza from the Boys & Girls Club with their mentors Monet Morris and Emily Samayoa; Perla Moreno, Jack Wallace, David Castillo, and Darwin Urzua from Quest Academy with their mentor Susan Hirsch; Jalen Masen, Diana Carolina, Sirena Aquino, and Khristina Suaraz from the Monrovia Unified School District with their mentor Samara Hirsch; and Ivana Peralta with mentor Monrovia Police Chaplain Terrence Brown.

- Brad Haugaard

Comedy Hypnotism at Monrovia High | Huff Bill Turned Down | How Much You Can Save if You Sell Your Car

~ Comedy hypnotism show at Monrovia High, 6-8 p.m. April 27 in the auditorium. "The Lino Esguerras Comedy Hypnotist Show." $10 at the door. Open to the whole Monrovia Community. http://goo.gl/9BRoA

 

~ The State Senate has voted down a measure sponsored by Monrovia's Senator, Bob Huff, that would have made it easier to get teachers out of the classroom when they are "under investigation for unprofessional conduct and/or criminal behavior." Instead, the Senate passed a different version which Huff says is "watered-down." http://goo.gl/IET8R

 

~ The Gold Line folks report that LA-area commuters could save approximately $916 a month ($10,989 a year) by using public transportation instead of owning a car ( http://goo.gl/WNsll ). Comment:  Well... Seems rather unrealistic to expect many LA-area people to give up their cars. Tell me instead how much people would save if they own a car AND use public transportation.

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Burglaries, and the Grandparents Scam

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for April 16-18. - Brad Haugaard]

 

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 451 service events, resulting in 93 investigations.

 

Residential Burglary

April 16 at 6:45 p.m., police responded to a residential burglary that occurred in the 600 block of Ranchito, sometime between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.  An unknown suspect(s) entered the location through an unlocked door.  Cash and a laptop computer were stolen.  The investigation is continuing.

 

Vehicle Burglary

April 18 at 6:30 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the 1800 block of Eighth Avenue regarding a vehicle break-in.  The victim's GPS was taken.  Investigation continuing.

 

Vehicle Burglary

April 18 at 6:44 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 800 block of East Lime.  The suspect(s) pried open a window on the vehicle and property was taken.  Investigation continuing.

 

Vehicle Burglary

April 18 at 7:55 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 1800 block of Eighth Avenue.  The victim's vehicle was broken into and property was taken.  Investigation continuing.

 

Residential Burglary

April 18 at 3:56 p.m., police responded to the report of a residential burglary in the 1500 block of Pilgrim Way.  The reporting party is house sitting, and when she arrived at the location, she found that someone had broken into the home.  Investigation continuing.

 

 

Tip of the Week: Grandparent Scam - Don't Be a Victim

The suspects in this type of scam will call an elderly person and pretend to be a grandchild or young relative of the victim.  They tell the elderly victim they are in some type of trouble and are in jail, and that they need bail money.  They ask the elderly person not to tell their parents.  A second suspect then calls pretending to be the police and proceeds to give the victim instructions on where to wire the bail money.  

 

The suspects target older folks, hoping they can gain an emotional and quick response to the "need" to help out the young relative, and many times it works.  The victims will quickly go to their bank, withdraw and transfer the money in an attempt to help, and by the time they realize the scam, the money has already been picked up by the suspects and is gone.

 

It is so important to spread awareness and to educate those that we know in hopes of preventing this crime from happening.  If you have a loved one, a friend, or perhaps a neighbor that is older, share this information with them and help keep them from becoming a victim.

Comment: Yes! Be careful. This happened to a friend. A variation is that the caller says the grandson/daughter needs emergency treatment after an accident and doesn't have the proper insurance. Please send money. Contemptible! - Brad

Monrovia Lab Files Drug Application with FDA

Monrovia's Xencor has filed "an investigational new drug application with the FDA for a novel monoclonal antibody that was optimized using Xencor's XmAb antibody engineering technology." http://goo.gl/c6e91

- Brad Haugaard

SoPas Over Monrovia in Swimming :-( | Forest Volunteer Opportunity

~ South Pas Boys and Girls Swim teams over Monrovia. http://goo.gl/H6baP

 

~ A volunteer opportunity to help restore the watershed along Highway 39 (road up to Crystal Lake), the Forest Service and Upper San Gabriel Valley Water District are sponsoring a couple work days (for which students can get credit). This Saturday and May 5. Details: http://goo.gl/e6yan

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Representative's Bill Would Require Teaching US Constitution

Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who represents part of Monrovia, "today presented AB 2546 before the Assembly Education Committee to require that our founding documents and the development of democracy and the U.S. Constitution be taught in public schools. The measure, which passed with bi-partisan support, will also require that a copy of the California Constitution must be available in the classroom for students." http://goo.gl/TW6y8

 
- Brad Haugaard