Clues in Monrovia Library Lead to Marriage Proposal

Treasure hunt through Monrovia library ends with marriage proposal. http://goo.gl/j9xTL

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Visits Local Businesses | Fire Department Gets Smart Classroom | Gold Line Gets Award | Monrovia Day Details

~ According to the City Manager's weekly report, Monrovia ~ Economic Development staff members are visiting Monrovia businesses to learn what they're looking for, what they need, and how the City can help now or later. Also, Monrovia has the greatest economic potential along the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension because of "the vast area of land slated for development." http://goo.gl/tvwVK

~ Monrovia Fire Department is one of 21 sites throughout the County that will be outfitted with a “Smart Classroom” for training. Using Homeland Security grant funds, Monrovia will receive new Cisco technology that will allow for real-time, interactive training with other fire departments throughout the region. Details here: http://goo.gl/tvwVK

~ Gold Line Construction Authority gets second award for its website. http://goo.gl/UftIg

~ Details on upcoming Monrovia Day events. http://goo.gl/hbG6T

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia loses Baseball Championship to Temple City :-(

Monrovia loses to Temple City. TC wins second consecutive Rio Hondo League baseball championship. http://goo.gl/mwsjj

- Brad Haugaard

Portantino de-Branding Bill Clears Assembly

A bill to help women to leave prostitution by helping them get rid of their tatoo branding received overwhelming, bi-partisan approval in the state Assembly – 72 to 0 – today.

The bill, by Assemblymember Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, now goes to the Senate.

Current free tattoo removal programs are limited to former members of gangs; this bill will expand the program to allow for young prostitutes between the ages of 14 and 24 to take part in the tattoo removal programs. The existing program is federally funded, so no state funds will be used to support this measure.

Source: Portantino press release

- Brad Haugaard

Tips from Monrovia Police to Prevent Vehicle Burglaries

Thieves look for easy and inviting targets when it comes to selecting
a vehicle to burglarize or steal from. It is up to you to make every
effort to prevent your car from being targeted. Here are some basic
tips that will make your vehicle a little less inviting to a thief:

- Most importantly - LOCK your vehicle!
- Always park in well-lighted areas.
- Install motion lights in your driveway.
- Install and use a vehicle alarm.
- DO NOT leave valuables in plain view.
- Leave all items of value at home if possible.
- Look around when you park. Notice anyone or anything suspicious?
Write down license plates and descriptions. Alert on-site security
or staff and call the police.

Many auto burglaries or thefts from cars occur right in a residential
driveway, and too often it is because the vehicle was never locked.
Suspects will often target cars that are left unlocked, walking up and
down a street trying car doors all the way. Take the time to secure
your vehicle.

Other thieves target victims by watching what is placed inside a trunk
or hatch. If you plan on stopping by the gym, park, or elsewhere after
work, take the time before you leave to place your belongings safely
in the trunk. Don't wait until you park to then transfer your laptop,
purse, bag, or briefcase to the trunk. Thieves may be watching and
targeting your car.

These are just a few tips to help prevent you from becoming a victim
of vehicle burglary. Be proactive, look around, and most importantly,
don't hesitate to call the police if you see something or someone
suspicious.

Source: Monrovia Police newsletter

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Suspect Accidentally Calls Cops on Self, Runaway, Molester Back to Prison

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for May 7-9 – Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 435 service events, resulting in 93 investigations.

Vehicle Burglary

May 8 at 4:20 a.m., dispatch received a 9-1-1 call from a cell phone. When the dispatcher answered, she could hear an open line with suspicious background noises. The noises varied from the sound of something being dragged, to papers being shuffled through, to a door chime from a vehicle. The dispatcher used GPS to plot the location of the cell phone to the 500 block of King Street. Officers responded to the area and located a female subject hiding in a vehicle. She had stolen property from at least three different vehicles in her possession, two of which were locked. It appears the suspect accidentally dialed 9-1-1 while she was burglarizing cars. Investigation continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision – Vehicle vs. Pedestrian

May 7 at 12:50 p.m., officers responded to a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian in the area of Ivy and Walnut. When officers arrived, they found a subject in the street who had been riding a motorized scooter. The subject was riding east on Walnut and failed to stop for the stop sign at the intersection. He was struck by a motorist traveling south on Ivy. The subject suffered a deep laceration to his left leg, but was responsive and appeared to be okay. He was taken to an area hospital to treat his injury.

Commercial Burglary

May 9 at 5:00 p.m., two male Armenian suspects, one in his 20's and the other in his 40's, stole $500.00 worth of wire from the Home Depot. An employee obtained a vehicle description and license plate number. Investigation continuing

Critical Missing Person

May 9 at 8:06 p.m., a 12-year-old girl was reported missing from her foster home in the 500 block of East Walnut. Earlier that day, she was caught stealing money from another foster child. She said she did not want to live at the location and apparently ran away. She is not from the area and has no connection to anyone locally. Patrol and Special Enforcement Team officers conducted an extensive search. Officers went door-to-door attempting to locate the missing girl or witnesses, but the subject was not located. She was entered as a missing person in the computer system and a teletype was sent to notify surrounding agencies. During the investigation, it was learned that the missing girl had been entered into the system as a runaway from a group home and has an outstanding protective custody warrant. Investigation continuing.

Recovered Stolen Vehicle

May 10 at 12:28 a.m., a resident in the 600 block of Hacienda reported that a male subject parked a vehicle in front of her house, left the door open and ran northbound down the street. Minutes prior to the resident's call, Sheriff's deputies were in pursuit of a similar vehicle, which had been stolen the City of Rialto. The deputies lost the vehicle in the area of Evergreen and Buena Vista. Officers responded to the location on Hacienda and searched the area, but were unable to locate the suspect. The vehicle was confirmed to be stolen. Investigation continuing.

Detective Bureau Case Follow-Up

A case of child molestation was brought to the attention of the Monrovia Police Department Detective Bureau and an investigation was launched. The child molester in this case started molesting his 15-year-old second cousin many years ago. The suspect was arrested, charged and convicted for the ongoing molestation, and he was sentenced to 18 months in prison in April of 2010.

The suspect in this case was released in early 2012, and he reestablished a relationship with the victim. The victim is now over the age of 18, but the suspect was specifically ordered by the judge in this case to not contact the victim when he was released. Monrovia Police Detectives went to a location in the City of El Monte and arrested the suspect for violation of court order. He was brought before the judge and sentenced to 3 years in State Prison.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Gang Member to be Sentenced

A  Monrovia gang member who shot and paralyzed a 16-year-old will be sentenced.  http://goo.gl/u226a

 
- Brad Haugaard

New Monrovia Doggy Day Care Center | Pie Contest

~ Wonder Dog Ranch, a new doggie day care center, has opened in Monrovia at 220 Taylor Street (a couple blocks south of Duarte Road just off of Myrtle). http://goo.gl/mr8MU

~ A pie contest to help battered-women programs. http://goo.gl/dxCe1

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovian is New Arcadia High Principal | Memorial Day

~ Monrovian takes over as principal at Arcadia High. http://goo.gl/2hXLH

~ Monrovia city and school offices will be closed on Memorial Day, May 28. A Memorial Day Program will be held in Monrovia's Live Oak Memorial Park. http://goo.gl/GKW6r

- Brad Haugaard

Patch Websites Doing Better Financially

AOL, the owner of the Patch websites, such as Monrovia Patch, reports that "Patch grew traffic and advertisers over 40% year-over-year and revenue over 100% year-over-year." http://goo.gl/DZXxy

Comment: Is Patch going to make it? I'm still dubious, but I hope it does. The country needs local journalism and this is one of the great experiments in providing it in the Internet age.

- Brad Haugaard

Deadline to Be On Monrovia Board or Commission

If you would like to be on a Monrovia board or commission, applications are due Thursday by 6 p.m. Turn them in at the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 415 S. Ivy. Applications available at City Hall or online at www.cityofmonrovia.org

- Brad Haugaard

Dueling Pancake Breakfasts in Monrovia

This Saturday, May 12, both the Monrovia Fire Department and Centre Stage are holding pancake breakfasts. The Fire Service Day Pancake Breakfast is at Station 101, 141 E Lemon, from 7â€"11 a.m. and Centre Stage's Pancakes & Popstars (with carnival games and auction items) is at First Presbyterian Church at Foothill and Myrtle from 8 a.m.â€"1 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Baseball Championship: Monrovia vs Temple City

It'll be Monrovia vs Temple City for league baseball championship. http://goo.gl/Q4k3i

- Brad Haugaard

AeroVironment's Tom Herring Becomes Monrovia Company's Chief Operating Officer

Monrovia's AeroVironment creates Chief Operating Officer position and promotes Tom Herring to fill that role. http://goo.gl/U2zwI

- Brad Haugaard

AeroVironment Wins Seattle Airport Contract | Monrovia High's Ranking | Recent Filming | Unitek | Candidates

~ Monrovia's AeroVironment has won an $8.8 million contract to install electric chargers at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. http://goo.gl/K0pHG

~ Monrovia High is 1,083-best high school in the country, and 217 within California. http://goo.gl/YELqT

~ Recent filming in town. http://goo.gl/lH2Jz

~ Monrovia's 3M Unitek today launched the Unitek Treatment Management Portal, "an advanced orthodontic software platform that combines the latest in digital model imaging with state-of-the-art interactive technology to enable customized treatment planning for orthodontic patients." http://goo.gl/3EL0r

~ Assembly district candidate's forum. http://goo.gl/p9Qwk

- Brad Haugaard

Barbecue for Babies at Monrovia's Recreation Park

Help impoverished babies with cleft lips and palates to receive the special baby bottles they need. Come to the Barbecue for Babies on May 30 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Recreation Park on the corner of Shamrock and Olive in Monrovia. This effort is supported by Kiwanis of Monrovia.

While in language school in Guatemala, School Superintendent Linda Wagner first encountered the need for help for cleft lip babies in Guatemala. There, cleft lips and palates are often not fixed due to the cost of these specialized surgeries. As a result, children and adults grow up disfigured and malnourished. Touched by the significant need to help these children at the earliest possible age, Dr. Wagner began fundraising to provide these specially designed baby bottles to babies in the hospital in Guatemala. Last year, Monrovians funded more than 100 bottles and 6 life altering surgeries for these babies in need. 

You can help by attending the barbecue or  by simply sending a check to pay for a baby bottle. The bottles are purchased from a medical distributor and cost $25 each. 100 percent of the proceeds go directly to the purchase of the baby bottles.

Contact: Linda Wagner, linwagner1@dslextreme.com. Make checks payable to The Kiwanis Foundation and mail them to Kiwanis Foundation, c/o Linda Wagner, 710 S. Myrtle #340, Monrovia, CA 91016.

Source: press release

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovian Losing Weight for $10,000 Prize

Rich Marshall of Sonic Automotive in Monrovia is part of a weight-loss team competing online for a $10,000 prize. http://goo.gl/WdmHF

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Honorees, Pancakes, Volunteers, Donnelly

Winners of Monrovia Police Department awards (details: http://goo.gl/jPqeh ). Top Row (L to R): Officer Richard Schneider, Officer John Jefferson, Detective Heath Harvey, Sergeant Nicholas Manfredi, Officer William Burkhalter. Bottom Row (L to R): Agent Javier Leon, Communications Operator Mary Taylor, Agent Luis Villalobos, Officer Gerald DeHart. (Thanks to Alexis Newell for the pix). 

~ Monrovia Fire Department pancake breakfast, May 12, 7-11 a.m. http://goo.gl/qgco2

~ The city is looking for people to help along the Fountain to the Falls race route. Volunteers will receive a special volunteer shirt. If you are interested, contact Lisa Hansberger at lhansberger@ci.monrovia.ca.us or at 626.256.8230.

~ Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who represents part of Monrovia, has introduced Assembly Joint Resolution 38, "urging Congress and the President to fully reimburse the State of California for funds spent to incarcerate illegal alien felons within the state prison system." http://goo.gl/3FvAB

- Brad Haugaard

Betty McWilliams New Executive Director of Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center

Betty McWilliams, new Executive Director

Foothill Unity Center Deputy Director Betty R. McWilliams has been chosen from a field of over 20 candidates to assume leadership of the organization effective June 4. She succeeds Joan E. Whitenack, who is retiring after nearly 17 years as head of the agency. 

As a key member of the Center's management team for 14 years, McWilliams has played a pivotal role in its growth into one of the most effective nonprofit agencies in the area. In partnership with Whitenack, she led the expansion of its program service area from three cities to eleven, now providing services to more than 4,000 unduplicated very low income local families and homeless each year. She was instrumental in securing the Center's federal designation as Community Action Agency for the Foothill Area and in the success of its major annual fundraising event, the Golden Plate Awards Dinner. In addition to overseeing the Center's day-to-day operations, McWilliams has helped to develop many of its client programs, including Health Services, Pet Food Bank, Senior/Disabled Home Delivery, case management and much more. She has also been instrumental in the planning and execution of its annual Back to School, Thanksgiving and Holiday Distributions. Prior to joining the Center, McWilliams served as Executive Director of the Pasadena Senior Center for six years and held other administrative positions in the private sector.

"After a months-long search and the review of a strong field of final candidates, Betty emerged as the hands-down choice of our Executive Search Committee," said David Steinmeier, President of the Center's Board of Directors. "As Foothill Unity Center enters a new era of helping local families in need, we are fortunate and proud to have Betty's exceptional leadership skills, seasoned experience, caring and passion at the helm."

NOTE: A retirement party for Joan Whitenack is planned for Thursday evening, June 28, 5 – 8 p.m. at the Double Tree Hotel in Monrovia. For information and reservations ($10 per person), contact Barbara Rolf at the Center, 626.358.3486 or email barbara@foothillunitycenter.org

 

Source: Press release

 

- Brad Haugaard

MAD Town Council to Meet in Monrovia

Representatives of unincorporated areas of Monrovia, Arcadia and Duarte (the "MAD Town Council") will hold its first in-Monrovia public meeting, Wednesday, May 16, at 7 p.m. at Plymouth Elementary School (1300 Boley St.). Representatives of the LA County Supervisors Office, LA County Sheriff's Department, Monrovia Police and Fire Departments, and Highway Patrol will be available to answer questions.

Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard