Monrovia's Credit Rating Cut by Standard and Poor's

Standard and Poor's credit rating agency has cut Monrovia's credit rating to BBB-plus from A and put the city on negative outlook, meaning there may be further cuts in its rating. http://goo.gl/U7l62

Jack in the Box Proceeds

Looks as if framing is about done on the Jack in the Box that is replacing the old Pottery Barn. http://goo.gl/agRn1

- Brad Haugaard

Funny in Russian | Selena Gomez | Huff vs Tax Measure

~ "But It's Funny in Russian: My adventures in sitcom overseas." Workshop with author and TV writer John Vorhaus. Free. October 6, Library Community Room, 1-3 p.m.

~ Selena Gomez filming "Feed the Dog" in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/BG3ay

~ Video: Senator Bob Huff (who represents Monrovia) objects to a measure to raise taxes on business by more than $1 billion to pay for spending for scholarships. Huff said it would blow a $900 million hole in the budget. The measure failed. http://goo.gl/vJcX1

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Bank Robbery, Caught on Video, Theft from Unlocked Car, Knife in Library, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for August 30-September 2. - Brad Haugaard]

 

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.

 

Vehicle Burglary

August 30 at 7:58 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 400 block of Linwood.  The victim parked his vehicle in front of a residence at 8:00 p.m. in the evening and returned to it the next morning at 7:50 a.m.  When he returned to the vehicle, he found the door lock was punched.  A CD player and subwoofers speakers were taken.  Investigation continuing.

 

Bank Robbery

August 30 at 12:54 p.m., officers responded to a robbery at a bank in the 600 block of West Huntington.  The suspect handed the bank teller a note, money was given to the suspect, and the suspect walked out.  No weapon was seen.  The suspect got into a silver, 2010 Chevy Impala and drove away.  Surrounding agencies were notified.  The suspect is described as a male, Black, 5' 8" tall, thin build, thin moustache, thin goatee, wearing a red, white and black plaid shirt and dark sunglasses.  The investigation is continuing.

 

Grand Theft From a Vehicle

August 30 at 17:32 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 300 block of West Palm regarding a theft from a vehicle.  The victim parked her vehicle at 7:30 in the evening and did not lock it.  When she returned to her vehicle in the morning, she found her laptop computer, purse with cash in it and her wedding ring had been stolen.  Investigation continuing.

 

Theft - Suspect Arrested

August 31 at 9:30 a.m., a customer at a fast food restaurant in the 800 block of East Huntington left his briefcase full of valuables on the floor of the business and walked away briefly.  While the man's attention was away from his briefcase, a male suspect took the case, walked out of the business and drove away with it.  Through witness interviews, it was learned that the suspect possibly worked for a local business.  The manager of the business was contacted and was able to identify the suspect on video surveillance as one of his employees.  The suspect was contacted by phone and immediately returned with the briefcase.  He was arrested for the crime and the stolen property was returned to its owner.

 

Theft From a Vehicle

September 1 at 9:29 a.m., an officer on patrol in the 200 block of West Olive observed an unoccupied, parked vehicle with the front passenger door open.  He stopped and ran the license plate number, which returned to an address in the 200 block of West Olive.  The officer made contact with the owners of the vehicle.  They told the officer they had parked the vehicle the night before and had left it unlocked.  The loss from the vehicle was a cell phone charger, a bluetooth headset, and medication.  Investigation continuing.

 

Commercial Burglary - Suspect Arrested

September 1 at 2:14 p.m., loss prevention at a business in the 500 block of West Huntington reported a shoplifter in custody.  The suspect used a pair of scissors to cut tags and security sensors off merchandise and concealed the items on his person.  He then exited the store without paying and was detained by loss prevention.  The suspect was arrested and taken into custody. 

 

Grand Theft Auto

September 1 at 3:44 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 500 block of Diamond.  The victim parked his vehicle on the street in front of his residence in the evening.  He locked and secured the vehicle and went inside.  He returned to the vehicle at 5:00 a.m. the next morning and his vehicle was missing.  The victim went to work and did not report the crime until he returned home from work.  The vehicle is a gold, four-door, 1997 Honda Accord.  Investigation continuing.

 

Attempt Assault With a Deadly Weapon - Suspect Arrested

September 1 at 4:33 p.m., Monrovia Library personnel reported a subject with a knife chasing the library security guard.  Officers arrived and detained the suspect.  Apparently, the suspect became upset while trying to use the copier in the library and began yelling at library employees and patrons.  When the security guard tried to talk with the suspect, he pulled out a folding knife and began swinging it at the security guard.  The security guard held his baton in front of the suspect to keep him at bay.  Officers arrived and the suspect was arrested without further incident.

 

Vehicle Burglary

September 1 at 9:49 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported at a business parking lot in the 800 block of West Huntington.  An employee of a business parked her vehicle in the parking lot and went in to work.  When she returned to her vehicle at 9:45 p.m., she found that someone had tampered with the driver's door.  Upon further inspection of the vehicle, the victim noticed the hood had been opened and it appeared someone may have tried to remove parts from the engine, but had abandoned their efforts.  No items were missing from the vehicle.  Investigation continuing.

 

 

Special Enforcement Team Weekly Activity

 

On August 29, Special Enforcement Team officers assisted patrol on a commercial burglary investigation at a business in the 500 block of West Huntington.  They arrived on scene and located two suspects running from the area.  The officers detained the suspects and one of them was identified as the theft suspect.  Both suspects were arrested by patrol officers, one for burglary and the other for being under the influence of a controlled substance.

  

On August 31, Special Enforcement Team officers arrested a known gang member for violating Monrovia's gang injunction.  The gang member was in the gang injunction safety zone after curfew and was in possession of marijuana. 

Best Pies in LA County from Monrovia Woman

Monrovia woman wins first place at LA County Fair for her pies. http://goo.gl/RmbFM

- Brad Haugaard

Cafe LuMar | HIV Summit | Freeway Closure

~ A feature story on Monrovia's Cafe LuMar. http://goo.gl/mTWuu

~ Reminder: Full closure of eastbound 210 Freeway tonight for Gold Line bridge work, from midnight to 5 a.m. It will also be closed same hours on Wednesday and Thursday, and on Sept. 9-13.

~ California Assemblymember Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, and City of Hope are teaming up with fashion designer and HIV activist Mondo Guerra for an HIV/AIDS Summit at 9 a.m. on September 12 at City of Hope, 1500 E. Duarte Rd., Duarte.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia YMCA to Honor 92-Year-Old Swim Coach

After 25 years of teaching the swimnastics class at the Santa Anita Family YMCA, Colonel Don Carver is hanging up his trunks.

Carver, who just turned 92 in March, will be honored for his weekly water workouts at a retirement celebration at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 7 at the Santa Anita Family YMCA, 501 S. Mountain Avenue. All are welcomed to attend the event, where he will receive a plaque and other certificates of recognition for his service.

"This class has helped keep me going for well over 25 years," Colonel Carver said. "I am thankful for the opportunity, and I’ve enjoyed the wonderful camaraderie with all the people I’ve encountered over the years."

Hundreds of people are expected to attend his retirement celebration on Sept. 7 to honor a man that has kept them healthy by leading the water exercises and keeping his "mermaids" – as he refers to those in his mostly senior group – kicking. Colonel Carver was born in Indiana on March 30, 1920. He served in the military for 23 years, during which time he was piloting cargo jets for the military and later flying government-contracted planes all over the world, including flying dangerous transport missions into Vietnam during the war. Carver has lived all over the world until he settled 1965 in Monrovia.

In 1984, Colonel Carver became a member of the YMCA, where played basketball and swam. His transition to teaching the swimastics class started in 1992 on a substituting basis to help a friend in need. But it wasn’t too long before he took the helm as the leading coach every Monday, Wednesday and Friday of the water aerobics class.

In 2000, Colonel Carver told the San Gabriel Valley Weekly – who wrote a story about his 80th birthday and his dedication to teaching at the YMCA – that he is fond of the class because it keeps him connected to people and keeps him healthy.

"I see a lot of people my age," the Colonel told the Weekly in 2000. "They get back to a certain age and let the old rockin’ chair get them and that’s it."

But the Colonel has not let age stop him from doing the things he enjoys. Aside from his time at the YMCA, he likes to play golf, swim at the Y, participate in the American Legion, plays basketball and baseball, has a USS Iowa membership, is an avid gin rummy player and is a fierce crossword puzzler.

"Col. Carver exemplifies what it means to serve others. During his decades of volunteering at the Y, he has helped countless people improve their health and enhance the quality of their lives," said Damon Colaluca, executive director of the Santa Anita YMCA. "At the Y, we believe that neighbors helping neighbors makes a community strong. Thank you Col. Carver for serving as a shining example of that belief." For more information about the event, contact Cheryl Reynolds at (626) 359-9244 or by e-mail at cherylreynolds@ymcala.org.

Source: YMCA press release

- Brad Haugaard

Students Talk to Astronauts | Staar Adds Leaders | Gangster Rock

~ Monrovia High students will talk to astronauts in space. http://goo.gl/UqazD

~ Monrovia's Staar Surgical adds leadership "as it builds a stronger foundation to drive growth opportunities." http://goo.gl/DbosT

~ Gangster Rock, at the Library. A Taiwanese film about a gangster who fights a record company and help the musicians. Sept. 6, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. http://goo.gl/uwBi2

- Brad Haugaard

Historic Monrovia Train Station

An historic picture of a Santa Fe train at the old Monrovia train station. Posted by Bill Mohr on Facebook.

 
- Brad Haugaard

Frustrating Copy Machine Leads to Arrest of Monrovian

Monrovian arrested at Library after reportedly brandishing a knife. He was said to be angry at the copy machine. http://goo.gl/3Utc6

- Brad Haugaard

Assemblyman Tim Donnelly Runs Down the Clock to Prevent 'Bad Laws'

Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who represents part of Monrovia, writes on Facebook that part of his legislative strategy in the last hours of the latest Assembly session was "to slow down the pace of bad laws being passed by running out the clock at midnight."

He cited a San Francisco Chronicle article that said those hours were "made a bit longer in the Assembly by Assemblyman Tim Donnelly ... who spoke - yelled, actually, and often drifted to unrelated issues - on seemingly every one of the hundreds of measures."

Donnelly writes:

"I believe we shouldn't just pass 550 bills, we should know what is in them, and sometimes the best way to do that is ask questions and spark a debate. I also hoped to slow down the pace of bad laws being passed by running out the clock at midnight. There were a number of bills that never made it to the floor due in part to this strategy along with the coordinated efforts of my colleagues."

- Brad Haugaard

Structural Work Done on 210 Bridge

All structural work is now completed on the Gold Line bridge over the 210 Freeway. http://goo.gl/mkMpW

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Loses to Ayala :-( | Haggler Bandit

~ Monrovia Football loses to Ayala 16, 15. http://goo.gl/0xbfP

~ Police look for Haggler Bandit, who struck in Monrovia and five other local banks. http://goo.gl/I778R

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School Up in STAR California Education Test Results

Here is a summary of the STAR California Standards Test results. Throughout the state, things have been improving ( http://goo.gl/pF4jj ).

Summary shows Monrovia schools are up in all CST categories:

- 2011: http://goo.gl/zMsXg
- 2012: http://goo.gl/y4C4L

Here are detailed results for Monrovia Unified in general:

- 2011: http://goo.gl/KfEoD
- 2012: http://goo.gl/WyTKf

And if you'd like to break it down by school, select a school then press "View Report":

- 2011: http://goo.gl/63xEX
- 2012 http://goo.gl/2SBYz

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council Agenda | 210 Closures | Huff on Education | Another Lawsuit Against City

~ The agenda of the Sept. 4 Monrovia City Council meeting. http://goo.gl/yWx69

~ Full closure of eastbound 210 Freeway to remove the supporting structure for the Gold Line bridge for up to eight nights, from midnight to 5 a.m. Sept. 4-6, and Sept. 9-13.

~ Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, complains that the Legislature is about to gut an old law that would require using "student test data to evaluate teachers -- something unions have long opposed despite wide public support." That and other comments on education. http://goo.gl/hHZeE

~ The family of an injured Clifton Middle School student suing the city for $36 million. http://goo.gl/e46ls

- Brad Haugaard

Remodeling of Old Antique Store on Myrtle

The old antique store across from the Library on Myrtle has been gutted and this poster high on the wall shows (I presume) what it will look like when it is done.

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Cafe Lori

Lunch at Cafe Lori, on the south side of Lime just east of Myrtle. Armenian food. Got a shawerma plate for $9.75 plus tax and tip. Shoestring-cut beef was different and good. Plus hummus, rice, salad and pita bread. Really good. I recommend this place!

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Football | More on Lawsuit | Flags Half Staff | MOPS

~ Tough opening test for Monrovia football. http://goo.gl/gHoKh

~ More on the $106 million lawsuit against Monrovia, with comments from the plaintiff. http://goo.gl/jwMne

~ City of Monrovia flags will be flown at half staff through Saturday, Septmeber 1 in memory of Neil Armstrong.

~ Mothers of Pre Schoolers (MOPS) group starting at Monrovia Presbyterian Church. http://goo.gl/fytLS

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Olympian Introduces Fellow Olympians, Endorses Romney

Monrovia Olympian Kim Rhode spoke at the Republican National Convention tonight, introducing fellow Olympians and commenting that she has seen America "falter" in the last few years. Drawing from a shooting metaphor, she said she believes the country is "off target" and needs the leadership of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, and "we need it now."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Chase Bank Robbed | Thunder in Monrovia | Huff Opposes Farm Lawsuit Bill

~  Monrovia Chase bank robbed today. http://goo.gl/Y7S9I

~ Verdugo Fire Communications Center reports thunderstorms from Pasadena to Monrovia, with calls of wires down and transformer fires. Also, National Weather Service has been tracking a cluster of strong thunderstorms over the San Gabriel Mountains, though it appears to be mostly on the desert side. http://goo.gl/aH3Zb

~ Video: Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff (who represents Monrovia) opposes a measure that would allow agricultural employees to sue employers for alleged violations of the state's occupational heat illness laws for outdoor employees, and make farmers jointly liable for the alleged violations of those laws by farm labor contractors. http://goo.gl/HcQAi

- Brad Haugaard