New Technology in Lawn Signs

I was interested to see at a Monrovia house this combination of old-tech (lawn sign) and new-tech (Facebook,Twitter and QR code). Note: I'm not commenting one way or another on the candidate (I know nothing about him), just the technology.

- Brad Haugaard

U.S Army Buys Switchblades from Monrovia Firm

The U.S. Army is increasing its order for Switchblade drones from Monrovia's AeroVironment by $5.1 million, for a total $10 million order. http://goo.gl/Uz3Yx

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Beats Bishop Amat | USO Show Pix

~ Monrovia over Bishop Amat in baseball. http://goo.gl/8Hr14

~ Some pictures from Saturday's USO show in Library Park. http://goo.gl/5Mz3P

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Track Successes

The Monrovia High team of Kia Smith, Danielle Curry, Jasmine Thomas and Skylar Buchannan won the CIF Southern Section Track Division 3 4x100 meter relay championship last Saturday at Mt. Sac. "This is the second championship for the girls in the last three seasons." Also, Michael Harris broke the school record in the Triple Jump by two feet, jumping 47'6". This was the fourth longest jump in the Southern section and ninth best in California. Other top finishers were Skylar Buchanan, third in the 100 meters, fourth in the 200 meters and fifth in the long jump; Sabrina Thomas, fifth in the Discus and eighth in the Shot Put; Roberto Merkell, fifth in the High Jump; and Amanda Mansoorbakht, eighth in the 800 meters. http://goo.gl/04eWX

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Man Arrested in Murder Case | Hong Kong Market Opening | Spelling Bee Video | Power Outage

~ Monrovian Chauncey Hollis, 41, has been arrested in connection with the murder of Altadena resident Edward Santana. http://goo.gl/AQJdl

~ Hong Kong Market to open on Duarte Road in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/8Adbw

~ Video of Citywide Zom-bee Spelling Bee winners. http://goo.gl/llKc9

~ Hour-long power outage caused by unknown object striking power equipment. http://goo.gl/vkXue

- Brad Haugaard

New Wasp Drone from Monrovia's AeroVironment

AeroVironment has come out with the new, smaller, 2.8-pound Wasp AE drone, which carries a color and infrared video camera.

"Wasp AE completes our fully digital family of small unmanned aircraft systems and incorporates the advanced capabilities of Puma and Raven into a smaller, lighter and more portable package for rapid deployment and minimal logistics support,” said Roy Minson, AeroVironment senior vice president. http://goo.gl/L5zTL

- Brad Haugaard

Portantino Supports Legislator Pay Cut | Xencor B-Cell Medicine in Clinical Trials

~ Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, said he would not object to a five percent pay cut for legislators. http://goo.gl/L05WK

~ Monrovia-based Xencor and Germany's MorphoSys AG have enrolled patient enrollment in the phase 1 clinical trial evaluating MOR208, an "anti-CD19 antibody with a proprietary modification to the Fc portion, that is being developed to treat B-cell malignancies."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia vs. Bishop Amat

Monrovia High to battle Bishop Amat in baseball. http://goo.gl/U0WyO

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Over Chino in Baseball :-)

Monrovia beats Chino in first baseball playoff match. http://goo.gl/0Zbpp

- Brad Haugaard

Did Assembly Approve Bill as Rebuke to Monrovia Assemblyman? | Church Fiesta | Monrovian Arrested

~ The State Assembly has approved a bill by Democratic Assemblywoman Norma Torres that would require people caught with guns in airports to be taken into custody. Would this have anything to do with Republican Assemblyman Tim Donnelly (who represents part of Monrovia) taking a gun into Ontario Airport, apparently by accident? Torres says no. http://goo.gl/EUmiF and http://goo.gl/D9Tv6

~ Immaculate Conception Church Fiesta will be held Friday-Sunday May 25-27. "Fun, Food, Games, Raffles, Concerts, and much more!" http://goo.gl/m7O8y

~ Monrovian arrested in connection with beating at Dodger Stadium. http://goo.gl/M2W5W

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Watching His Car Drive Away, Beating Because of Phone Pictures, Contributing to Delinquency of Minors, Etc

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for May 17-20. - Brad Haugaard]

 

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.

 

Burglary Residential

On May 17 at 10:24 a.m., a victim reported a residential burglary that occurred in the 1100 block of Orange.  Someone entered the residence through a window and went through the victim's jewelry, but nothing was missing.  Investigation continuing.

 

Vehicle Burglary

On May 17 at 11:51 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 100 block of Colorado. The victim parked and locked his vehicle on the second level of a parking structure.  When he returned, the vehicle was still locked, but his backpack containing clothing was missing from the backseat, along with a cell phone, which was in the center console.  Investigation continuing.

 

Conspiracy / Strong Arm Robbery - Suspect Arrested

On May 17 at 9:12 p.m., police received a call from a female subject in the 900 block of Monterey.  She reported that her 17-year-old brother returned home and was bleeding, but he couldn't remember anything.  Through investigation, police learned he had been battered by several male subjects.  Monrovia Fire Department paramedics arrived and treated the juvenile.  

 

After leaving the location, officers received information on the identity of one of the suspects.  They learned that one of the suspects beat up the victim because of pictures he had on his cell phone.  Officers went to the suspect's house to speak to him and subsequently arrested him.  The suspect admitted to his involvement.  He was later released to his parents.

 

Contributing to the Delinquency of Minors - Suspects Arrested

On May 17 at 10:08 p.m., officers responded to a park in the 400 block of North Grand regarding juveniles hanging out in the park after it was closed.  Officers arrived and located two male adults, who are known gang members, with four female juveniles.  Their vehicle was parked on the street and contained alcohol, with a number of open containers.  The female juveniles were picked up by the parents and the two adults were arrested for contributing to the delinquency of minors.  

 

Grand Theft Auto

On May 18 at 11:26 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 1300 block of Peck Road.  The victim's son used his father's car and went to a business.  While he was there, unknown persons stole the car, a grey, 1990 Toyota Camry.  Investigation continuing.

 

Warrant Arrest / Domestic Violence Restraining Order - Suspect Arrested

On May 18 at 3:47 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 600 block of Cloverleaf regarding a domestic dispute.  The female resident's husband, who was recently arrested for domestic violence, was back at her house, and she believed he had turned off the power to the house.  Officers arrived and were speaking to the woman when they observed a male subject running from the location, attempting to hide in the brush on the hillside.  Officers contained the area and apprehended the suspect without incident.  

 

The suspect was the husband, and he had been drinking alcohol.  He had not yet been served the restraining order, and the wife did not witness him at the power box.  He was arrested for an outstanding warrant, served with the restraining order and taken into custody.

 

Grand Theft Auto

On May 20 at 4:15 a.m., officers responded to the 400 block of Pearl regarding a grand theft auto in progress.  The victim woke up and remembered he had left the keys in his vehicle.  He went outside to get the keys and saw his vehicle driving away toward Norumbega.  An area search was made by officers, but the vehicle was not located.  The vehicle is a red, 1993 Chevy Suburban with black flames on both sides.  It has guitar detail on the rear window, chrome rims, and had guitar equipment inside.  Investigation continuing.

 

 

Special Enforcement Team Weekly Activity

 

Fraudulent Registration Tabs / Defrauding Department of Motor Vehicle - Suspect Arrested

On May 15 at 9:00 p.m., Special Enforcement Team officers stopped a vehicle with fraudulent registration tabs.  The driver was arrested for making false registration tabs and defrauding the Department of Motor Vehicles.

 

Gang Injunction Served

On May 16, Special Enforcement Team officers conducted a pedestrian stop at Shamrock and Almond on a known gang member.  He was field interviewed and served the gang injunction.

 

Possession for Sales / Transportation of a Controlled Substance - Suspect  Arrested

On May 17 at 2:02 p.m., the Special Enforcement Team conducted a traffic stop in the 1000 block of Magnolia.  A canine officer was requested from Irwindale Police Department.  The canine had a positive alert on the right front passenger seat.  A search of the seat revealed a hidden compartment inside that contained approximately half a pound of heroin.  The driver was arrested for possession for sales and transportation of a controlled substance.

 

Warrant - Suspect Arrested

On May 18 at 7:40 p.m., Special Enforcement Team officers arrested a known gang member for two misdemeanor warrants in the 1200 block of South Myrtle.

Pix of Monrovia Parade | Green Dot Deal | Gold Line Backing Off Parking Promise?

~ Pictures of the Monrovia Day Parade. http://goo.gl/XAHMa

~ Monrovia's Green Dot has signed a deal with Dollar Tree to distribute Green Dot's prepaid credit cards. http://goo.gl/oaUma

~ Arcadia is worried that the Gold Line may not build as substantial a parking center at the train station as originally indicated. Hmmm, I wonder if there are Monrovia implications here. http://goo.gl/enlpC

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Mayor Gets Dunked

Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz gets well soaked at the dunk tank at the Monrovia Days celebration.

Scenes from Monrovia Days

Old Seagrave fire engine, in need of restoration; Monrovia Reads bus; Boy Scouts, etc.

- Brad Haugaard

"Tommy," Monrovia's 1917 Seagrave fire engine, was purchased after the La Vista Grande hotel fire in 1916. Fire Chief George C. King asked the city leaders for a more effective fire apparatus. The city authorized the purchase of this 350-gallon, six-cylinder Seagrave motor-pumping continuous pumping hose and chemical truck for $5,000. In 2003 Monrovian Susan Motander tracked down the truck in Nevada and bought it for $4,000, then donated it to the Monrovia Fire Department. With citizen contributions, help from Coachcraft Auto Body, and from Brian Soash of Foothill Towing, "Tommy" will be restored to its original state.

Second Monrovia Fountain to Falls Race Gets Started

Runners approach Myrtle and Hillcrest in the second annual Fountain to the Falls race. The beginning of Monrovia Days events.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Math Instructor Loses Battle with Cancer

Monrovia High math instructor Ricardo (Ricky) Martin passed away Friday, May 11, after a courageous battle with brain cancer. He taught mathematics since 2006. "Mr. Martin's daughter specifically requested that Monrovia High School students know that her family deeply thanks them for being in her father's life and making his life so meaningful." http://goo.gl/czAVw

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School Board to Consider Contract with Web Hosting Company

At its Wednesday, May 23, 7 p.m. meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/jvFte ), the Monrovia School Board will, among other things, consider a web hosting contract with School Loop for $13,974 a year, of which the district will pay $5,589.

Opinion: I complained about the cost of this as originally presented and am glad to see it is now $8,184 less. Though I think $13,974 is still far too high, this is significantly better.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Assemblyman to Unions: Bring it On! | Huff on Budget

~ The Service Employees International Union California is opposing the reelection of Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who represents part of Monrovia ( http://goo.gl/0FTXD ). On his Facebook page Donnelly writes: "If you stand up for common sense and living within our means, the unions will target you for removal from office. Bring it on!"

~ Video: Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, is not impressed with the Governor Brown's May Budget Revision. http://goo.gl/mMMGU

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Starlight Express

Lunch at Starlight Express Chinese Food in the Pavilions center. I got the two-item combo with teriyaki chicken, and tofu with green beans for $8.03. Very generous, especially with the chicken. Tasted fine.

- Brad Haugaard

Will Gold Line Stop at Azusa for Foreseeable Future?

It appears the staff of the Metro feels the Gold line will not be extended past Azusa to Claremont until around 2050 ... maybe.

Gold Line spokesman Habib Balian says that Metro staff "assumes the Foothill Extension to Claremont won't be fully funded until all other Measure R projects are completed and the Measure R debt service is paid off. They anticipate that will occur around the year 2050, and then 'because we are priority project,' the extension to Claremont would 'likely' be first in line for funding.

Habib adds, "This contradicts the 2008 initiative, when the project was clearly defined from Pasadena to Claremont - a key point of the Congress Members letter [ http://goo.gl/PR1wE ], as they urge Metro to correct this error in the upcoming Expenditure Plan."

Source: Gold Line press release

- Brad Haugaard