Missing Brown and White Dog

Missing dog. North Monrovia.

AeroVironment Drones in Somalia Accidents | Produce Exchange

~ Raven drones built by Monrovia's AeroVironment have apparently involved in accidents in Somalia. http://goo.gl/wDxr2

~ Produce in the Park produce exchange, Saturday, August 4 in Library Park, 9-11 a.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Portantino: 710 Freeway Would be Disaster

Assemblyman Anthony Portantino writes on Facebook that "710 freeway
would be a disaster for our region." The long-delayed 710 would run
through South Pasadena.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's World Vision Evaluates Relief Project for Rwanda Refugee Camp

Monrovia's World Vision, a Christian relief agency, is evaluating how it can provide nutritional support for children and sanitation to a relief camp in Rwanda for refugees fleeing fighting in the Congo. http://goo.gl/gWsNh

- Brad Haugaard

50s Music in Library Park this Sunday

The Wonderelles, 50s music, in Library Park this Sunday, August 5, 7-8:30 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Creating Online Neighborhoods

Monrovia's Neighborhood Services is promoting a social networking site called NextDoor.com, which people are using to:

- Find a new home for an outgrown bike
- Track down a trustworthy babysitter
- Quickly get the word out about a break-in
- Find out who does the best paint job in town
- Organize a garage sale
- Ask for help keeping an eye out for a lost dog

The city has launched seven neighborhoods, with seven more in the pilot phase. The largest so far has 47 members and calls itself the Monrovia Bears. The Wildrose neighborhood, which has 15 members, was the first to get started almost six months ago.

"I have used Nextdoor to welcome new neighbors, give away my couch and post information to keep our neighborhood looking good," said Heather Greer, a member of the Wildrose neighborhood. The founder of the Little Italy neighborhood, Christine Voyvodich, has gotten 21 of her neighbors to sign up.

Other online Monrovia neighborhoods include: Julian Fisher, Tree Streets, East Colorado, Sprouts, Mary Knoll, Monrovista/Hurstview, South Madison, Grand Avenue, Mayflower, Alamitas and 5th Avenue.

To find out more, attend the Neighborhood Conference next Saturday, August 11, at the Monrovia Community Center, 119 W. Palm Avenue, starting at 10 a.m. Free classes, meet city leaders and staff, receive a free lunch and raffle prizes, and learn how to get more involved in the creating the neighborhood you want.

Classes include: Monrovia Moving Forward, Making an Impact using Social Media, Unity in Diversity, Developing Leadership, Citizen Engagement, History of Monrovia, Developmental Assets for Kids, Code Enforcement, Social Services Panel, Disaster Preparedness, Government 101, and the Power of Presentation. Contact Neighborhood Services at (626) 932-5563 or email map@ci.monrovia.ca.us to get more involved.

Source: City of Monrovia press release

- Brad Haugaard

Preview of Gold Line Facility in Monrovia

Last night the Gold Line Construction Authority met with Monrovia homeowners and other future neighbors of the 24-acre, $120 million (capital cost) maintenance and operation facility. The meeting, which was attended by about 45 stakeholders and city of Monrovia officials, provided an overview of the Pasadena to Azusa project as well as an in-depth look at the 85% design submittal for the facility. Below, is the proposed site plan for the facility’s campus and the 85% design rendering of the facility’s main building.

Source: Gold Line press release

- Brad Haugaard

Concrete Poured for Gold Line Bridge

Report from Gold Line:

Last night, Skanska placed more than 600 cubic yards of concrete (64 truck loads) for the deck of the I-210 Gold Line Bridge. The work, which began in the late afternoon and was completed at 6:00 a.m. this morning, required a full eastbound freeway closure from 11 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

As with previous major concrete placements, this activity required significant coordination and orchestration. It also took the hard work of on-site crews to ensure the concrete was placed accurately and per plan. The deck is now covered with curing blankets and plastic, which will remain in place for approximately seven days.

Over the next several weeks, crews will begin the important process of removing the forms from the superstructure and finishing the exterior of the bridge. Although a typical activity, it will have greater importance because of the significant architectural design of the structure. First, crews will need to lower the falsework structure a few feet (this activity was accounted for in the falsework’s design). Then crews will have the working platform needed to remove the forms around the exterior of the superstructure and conduct the finishing work.

Source: Gold Line press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Exchanging Two $50 Bills for $200 | Fence Hopping Suspect Arrested | Unlocked Vehicle Thefts

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for July 30 - August 1. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 513 service events, resulting in 82 investigations.

Theft From a Vehicle / Residential Burglary
July 30 at 1:34 a.m., a theft from a vehicle was reported in the 800 block of Alta Vista.  The suspect(s) entered the victim's unlocked vehicle, which was parked in her driveway, and removed the garage door opener.  The suspect(s) then activated the remote to access the victim's garage door.  A vacuum and a storage bin with miscellaneous clothing were missing from the garage.  Investigation continuing.

Vandalism
July 30 at 4:23 p.m., an officer responded to a business in the 1300 block of South Myrtle regarding the report of vandalism.  Unknown suspect(s) etched graffiti into the glass window of the business.  Investigation continuing.

Theft From Vehicles
July 30 at 7:20 a.m. and 1:32 p.m., two petty thefts from vehicles were reported in the same area: the 500 to 600 blocks of West Palm.  Both vehicles were either unlocked or had the window slightly open.  In both cases, women's purses that were left in the vehicles were taken.  The purses contained small amounts of US currency and debit/credit cards. One of the stolen purses was later reported as found property at Violet and Foothill.  Investigation continuing.

Warrant / Resisting and Delaying a Peace Officer - Suspect Arrested
July 30 at 8:15 p.m., officers responded to the report of an intoxicated subject in the 900 block of Genoa.  When the officer arrived in the area, the suspect fled on foot, running through yards.  The suspect was identified and it was learned he had a felony warrant for his arrest.  After a lengthy search with the suspect eluding officers by climbing fences and running yard-to-yard, the Foothill Air Support Team helicopter was summoned and was able to locate the suspect hiding.  When he realized the helicopter had found him, the suspect tried to run again, but he was detained by officers and arrested without further incident.  The suspect was held for the warrant and resisting arrest.

Theft by Deception
August 1 at 6:06 p.m., a dark-colored Chevy Trailblazer parked in front of the office door of a car dealership in the 800 block of East Central.  A man exited the passenger door, the driver was never seen, and entered the cashier's office.  He asked the cashier if she could give him a $100 bill for two $50 dollar bills.  He handed her two $50 dollar bills and she gave him the $100.  It appears that he had secreted a $10 bill in his palm.  He quickly palmed the $100 bill and held up the $10 bill, shouting at the cashier that she only gave him ten dollars.  The cashier became nervous and took the $10 bill, while giving him another $100 bill.  The suspect then left in the waiting vehicle.  The suspect is described as a male Black, approximately 40 year old, 6'1", 200 pounds, black hair, wearing a blue hat, blue jersey with the number 23 on it, and blue shorts.  The investigation is continuing.

Assault - Suspect Arrested
August 1 at 10:36 p.m., an assault was reported in the 900 block of West Colorado.  The male victim's female friend was intoxicated and angry.  She hit him several times with a metal skillet.  He suffered lacerations, a broken finger, and pain on his head.  She was arrested without incident.


Detective Bureau Case Follow-up

Home Invasion Robbery
On July 15, 2012, a home invasion robbery occurred in the City of Monrovia.  Police are seeking help from the public in identifying the suspect.  A composite sketch of the possible suspect is available on the Police Department website Wanted Flyers section at http://www.ci.monrovia.ca.us/crime-info/police-wanted-flyers.

Free Dental Care Tomorrow

~ Free dental care tomorrow, August 3, in Monrovia. At the Foothill
Dental Group. Details: http://goo.gl/06L4z

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Staar Surgical Reports Total Q2 Revenue Down Compared to Q2 2011

Staar Surgical of Monrovia, which makes internal eye lenses, today reported that sales of its Visian ICL product in the second quarter ended June 29, 2012 increased 4% to $8.6 million. Total revenue was $15.9 million, down 2% from $16.3 million in the second quarter of 2011. http://goo.gl/uf1k9

- Brad Haugaard

Rite Aid Workers Authorize Strike

Rite Aid workers authorize a strike: http://goo.gl/rn6T1

There is a Rite Aid in Monrovia at 304 West Huntington.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Sketch of Home Invasion Suspect

Details on suspect in Monrovia home invasion robbery. Wanted poster http://goo.gl/jJvSj

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Assemblyman 'Appreciates' Chick-fil-A

Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who represents part of Monrovia, writes on Facebook that he had a very good experience and courteous service eating at Chick-fil-A today. Today was "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day," suggested by former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee in response to statements by the Boston and Chicago mayors that the company isn't welcome in their cities because of its stance for traditional marriage and against gay marriage.

- Brad Haugaard

School Supply Donations needed for Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center Back-to-School Program

"When a cute little nine year old girl comes up to you, smiling from ear to ear, and tells you, 'This is the best day of my whole life – EVER', and she can hardly wait until school starts – you know that you have made a difference in that child's life!" So says Betty McWilliams, Executive Director of Foothill Unity Center, Inc.

 

The Center will be preparing 2,000 children at its 14th Annual Back-to-School event at Santa Anita Park on Thursday, August 16. The families that come to Foothill Unity Center for food assistance do not have the funds to furnish their children with the items they need to return to school. Consequently, pre-registered K-12 grade students from qualified low-income families in Altadena, Arcadia, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Bradbury, Duarte, Irwindale, Monrovia, Pasadena, Sierra Madre and South Pasadena will be attending this event and receiving backpacks, school supplies, clothes/uniforms, socks, underwear, haircuts, as well as eye and dental exams.

 

Event Chair Kathy Valentine has determined that "it takes us about $50 to prepare a child for school, which is minimal because of our loyal supporters."  Monetary donations, however, are still needed as the number of children continues to climb.

 

The entire community shares in this annual effort, with more than 400 volunteers from businesses,  schools and community groups, that all have our heartfelt thanks for their participation. We want to give special thanks to our major contributors as well, including; CapitalSource Bank, Pasadena Independent Schools Foundation, Marshalls/TJX Foundation, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Tzu Chi Foundation, Vons Foundation, Wells Fargo and Xerox Corporation.  In addition, we are extremely grateful to our community partners who make this event possible, including: Santa Anita Park for use of its facilities; Citrus College Cosmetology Department for helping with haircuts and manicures; USC School of Dentistry for providing dental check-ups; Western University School of Optometry for furnishing vision screenings; Paint N'Play for art activities; Monrovia Reads for new books; and many, many more.

 

Checks may be mailed to: Foothill Unity Center, 415 West Chestnut Avenue, Monrovia, California 91016. For further information on Back-to-School Distribution needs and volunteer opportunities, call the Foothill Unity Center in Monrovia at (616)358-3486, in Pasadena at (626)584-7420, or view our website at www.foothillunitycenter.org.

 

Source: Unity Center press release

 

- Brad Haugaard

210 Eastbound Closure Tonight

Full closure of the 210 eastbound for bridge construction tonight from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Partial closures beginning at 9:30 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

MAD to Hold 65th Reunion

Monrovia-Arcadia-Duarte High School's Class of 1947 will hold its 65th
reunion luncheon on October 20, at the Monrovian Family Restaurant.
http://goo.gl/cfBHL

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Woman Publishes Book

Twenty-two year old Monrovian, Ashley Catherine Howie, publishes book, "The Butterfly Pendant." http://goo.gl/yrLHI

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Senator on Budget, Education

State Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, on the budget (he is
unimpressed), lack of education reform, and school health laws (not
impressed). http://goo.gl/l9x2J

- Brad Haugaard

20th Anniversary of Family Festival | Monrovia's Parasoft Wins 'Jolt' Award

~ This Friday is the 20th anniversary of the Friday night Family Festival along Myrtle Avenue in Old Town Monrovia. http://goo.gl/4ikmb

~ Monrovia's Parasoft Corporation, leader in helping organizations define and deliver defect-free software efficiently, has announced that its Parasoft Virtualize has received top honors in the Jolt product awards. The Dr. Dobb's Jolt Product Awards have been presented annually to products that have "jolted" the industry with their significance and made the task of creating software faster, easier, and more efficient. http://goo.gl/bXX0o

- Brad Haugaard