Lunch at Jake's Roadhouse

Lunch at Jake's Roadhouse on Myrtle in Old Town. Got the Jalapeño Burger ($10.95) and a beer. Lots of jalapeños, guacamole, tasty and messy. The extra napkins were a big help. Plus, quick and pleasant service. $14.76 plus tip.

- Brad Haugaard

Democrats Endorse Mary Ann Lutz and Larry Spicer | Rockhounds

~ The organization, Foothill Community Democrats, has "overwhelmingly endorced both Mary Ann Lutz for re-election and Larry Spicer for election to the Monrovia City Council." That, according to its Facebook post.

~ Monrovia Rockhounds will present its 52th Annual Gem and Mineral Show on March 2 and 3, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Ayers Hall at the Arboretum. Details: http://goo.gl/hLIsa

- Brad Haugaard

Remodel | Women in Pain | Legend of Sara McGee

~ AW Collision Center of Monrovia renovates its building. http://goo.gl/3NRqw

~ Senator Carol Liu, who represents Monrovia, wants to designate September 2013 as Pain Awareness Month and September 13, 2013, as Women In Pain Awareness Day to draw public attention to "gender disparity in pain assessment and treatment in the United States." http://goo.gl/b74t9

~ Legend of Sara McGee. Wednesday March 20, 3-4 p.m. at Canyon Park Cabin. Learn about Monrovia's Rankins family and the Legend of Sara McGee as told by Park Ranger Hector Inzunza. Activities include a brief walk in Canyon Park after the story. For the whole family. Space is limited so sign up early. http://goo.gl/gBwVP

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council: Fourth of July Show, Family Festival Fees, Water Cleanup

Among other things, at its March 5, 7:30 p.m. meeting (agenda http://goo.gl/4ABjS ), the Monrovia City Council will consider ...

~ An agreement with Pyro Spectaculars for the production of the 2013 Fourth of July fireworks show. It'll cost $20,500. (Comment: Expensive but worth it. Beautiful show!) http://goo.gl/OxsTi

~ Whether Monrovia should forgive all the franchise fees Family Festival Productions owes the city for 2012 and waive all 2013 franchise fees for producing the Monrovia Family Festival? http://goo.gl/0Vg6p

~ How to comply with the federal government requirement that cities clean up water from rain storms. (Here's the staff report: http://goo.gl/IrCZh ). Staff is recommending that the city work with other local cities and either "watch, support, or protest the Clean Water, Clean Beaches Fee Initiative." I believe that's the tax LA County suggested a while ago, got slammed for, and took back to the drawing board.

- Brad Haugaard

Report on Monrovia's Operation Safe Neighborhood

Stats for Operation Safe Neighborhood

At the March 5 meeting of the Monrovia City Council, Police Chief Jim Hunt will recommend continuing the Operation Safe Neighborhoods Program ( http://goo.gl/OMcBR ). He listed "a number of significant events over the past year from the City’s Operation Safe Neighborhoods and Gang Task Force efforts." Here are some, from Hunt's report:

- On September 15, 2012, Monrovia Nuevo Varrio gang members drove by a house in the 100 block of East Los Angeles Street and shot at subjects sitting on the front porch. They struck a   female adult with a shotgun round. The victim was not a gang member. Monrovia officers were  handling a loud party call nearby and heard the shots. Officers responded to the location while other officers checked the freeway for the suspects. Officers located the suspect vehicle on the 210 freeway and followed it south on the 605 freeway. The suspects tossed the shotgun out on the 605 freeway. Three gang members were in the vehicle and were arrested. The shotgun was recovered. The victim survived her injuries and the suspects are being prosecuted for attempted murder.

- Chaplain Jerry Johnson responded to the death of a sixteen year old teenager who had committed suicide on July 11, 2012. He counseled the family and assisted with the process of dealing with the coroner. Chaplain Johnson also counseled the young lady’s boyfriend who arrived on the scene. On his return, he met with the officers who had responded to deal with the initial call.

- Several weeks later, the team who works with MAGIC, Lt. Ortlund, Officer Bushmeyer and Chaplain Brown participated in an event addressing teenage suicide at Monrovia High School. This is one more example of how our personnel interact with the community regarding at-risk youth.

- The Monrovia Police Department was recognized by the California Regional Community Policing Institute with the Community Policing Finalist Award for the Operation Safe Neighborhoods program. This program which included innovative suppression, intervention and prevention components resulted in a 64% decrease in gang crime in Monrovia over the last five years.

- Brad Haugaard

Last Major Contract Awarded for Gold Line

At its meeting last night, the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority Board of Directors awarded a 48.7 million contract, the third and final design-build contract for the Foothill Extension light rail project from Pasadena to Azusa, to Webcor Builders, a California-based construction company with more than forty years of experience building similar projects.

The contract is for design and construction of parking facilities for Gold Line stations, as well as enhancements at and around the stations to improve connections for train riders arriving by bus, foot or bicycle. Webcor will start by working on the design for the parking facilities and station enhancements.

"Webcor provided the best value to the Construction Authority," said Habib F. Balian, CEO of the Construction Authority. "Following the evaluation process, they received similar high marks for their experience and technical proposal as their competition; however, their price was almost $8 million less. Bottom line, we were able to get an extremely qualified team for the best price."

With this contract awarded, the Construction Authority has awarded all contracts needed to complete the 11.5-mile Foothill Extension project. The first contract was awarded to Skanska USA for the Gold Line Bridge in June 2010. The bridge was completed on time and on budget, and turned over to the Construction Authority in December 2012. Foothill Transit Constructors, a Kiewit Parsons Joint Venture, was awarded the $486 million Alignment design-build contract in November 2011. They have nearly completed design for the light rail project, cleared the right of way of old track and vegetation, and are under construction on numerous bridges, crossings and the first of six stations.

Source: Gold Line press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Assemblymember Introduces Bill To Keep Mentally Disordered Offenders in State Custody

Assemblymember Chris Holden (who represents Monrovia) has introduced AB 1065 - supported by Los Angeles County - that would require an inmate who has been classified as a Mentally Disordered Offender, or Mentally Disordered Sexual Offender and served time for a crime where he or she was required to undergo treatment in a state mental facility, to remain under state supervision.

Under the state's prison realignment law that went into effect in October 2011, more than 12,000 parolees have been put on probation in LA County rather than state parole. To qualify, their last offense must have been non-violent, non-sexual, non-serious. But the law only applies to that last offense, not their entire criminal history.

"The state system is better equipped to handle these offenders than the counties which are being asked to take up the difficult task of supervising very dangerous offenders," Holden said.

Source: Holden press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: No Car for Fake Checks, Bank Robbery Suspect Awaits Trial

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Feb. 25-27. - Brad Haugaard]

 

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 454 service events, resulting in 78 investigations.

 

Fraud / Commercial Burglary

February 26 at 2:35 p.m., police responded to a business in the 800 block of East Central on the report of a fraud incident in process.  Two suspects walked into the car dealership to purchase a vehicle.  They each provided forged checks, and one provided an altered driver's license.  The salesman was suspicious and called police.  The suspects were arrested and taken into custody without incident.

 

 

Detective Bureau Case Follow-up

 

Chase Bank Robbery - Suspect Arrested for Series of Robberies and Awaiting Trial

On August 30, 2012, at 12:54 p.m., a lone male suspect entered Chase Bank located in the 600 block of West Huntington Drive.  He approached the business teller window and placed a demand note under the teller window.  The teller opened the folded note and realized it was a robbery note.  The suspect in this bank robbery is suspected of a series of other robberies in the San Gabriel Valley.  A similar vehicle and suspect description was obtained in the series, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation dubbed the suspect the "Haggler Bandit."  Information was obtained and the suspect was identified.

 

On October 23, 2012, the series of robberies was presented to the District Attorney's Office by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Majors Team.  An arrest warrant for seven felony counts of robbery was filed against the suspect, including the Monrovia bank robbery, with a bail amount set at $415,000.00.  The suspect was located and arrested in Memphis Tennessee.  He was extradited back to California and interviewed by Pasadena Police Department Detectives.  He confessed to the series of robberies and now awaits trial.

Blockage on East Foothill Until 5 p.m. Today

The center lanes of East Foothill Blvd will be blocked from Mountain to Shamrock Ave both directions until 5p.m today to repair water utilities. Signs will be posted- please drive safely around work crews. http://goo.gl/xXYD2

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Staar Surgical: Revenue Is Up

Monrovia's Staar Surgical reports fourth quarter earnings for 2012 up one percent over fourth quarter 2011. http://goo.gl/STt6L

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Council Candidates Forum March 14

There will be a Monrovia City Council candidate forum at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 14 in the Council Chambers at the Monrovia City Hall. If you watch on KGEM, you can submit questions by calling 932-5550. The candidates are: Alexander Blacburn, Robert Parry, and Larry Spicer.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Mayor Calls for Budget Compromise

Mayor Mary Ann Lutz calls for a budget compromise in Washington. http://goo.gl/VjKqn

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Senator Wants South Pasadena Freeway-Path Houses Sold

Senator Carol Liu, who represents Monrovia, has introduced a bill allowing CalTrans to sell houses in South Pasadena, originally in the path of the proposed 710 freeway. She says this is okay because, "In the last decade attention has shifted to the construction of a tunnel, rather than a surface route." http://goo.gl/py5SC

- Brad Haugaard

More Parking at Aztec | City Council Race

~ The old shed comes down to make way for more parking at the Aztec Hotel.

~ On the City Council race front, former State Senator Dick Mountjoy to be Robert Parry's  Campaign Chairman, and Mayor Mary Ann Lutz is hosting an event for candidates Larry Spicer and Alex Blackburn. http://goo.gl/lGoHl

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Busting Up a Church; Beer Bottle vs. Rear Window; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Feb. 21-24. - Brad Haugaard]

 

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.

 

Outside Assist - La Verne Police Department Felony Pursuit / Traffic Collision - Suspect Arrested

February 22 at 1:54 p.m., the La Verne Police Department was in pursuit of a suspect who had just robbed a bank in their city.  The suspect exited the freeway and was driving west on Live Oak.  He attempted to turn north on Myrtle at a high rate of speed and lost control of his rental car, colliding into a big rig truck in the 3000 block of South Myrtle.  The driver of the truck was not injured.  The suspect attempted to flee the scene, but was apprehended by Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies who were in the area.  He was taken into custody by La Verne Police Department and then taken to a hospital.  Monrovia Police Department documented the traffic collision.  

 

Fight in Progress

February 22 at 1:55 p.m., a fight in progress was reported at a park in the 700 block of East Lemon Avenue.  The caller reported approximately 7 male teenage subjects fighting in the park near the baseball field.  Officers arrived and detained three of the subjects.  The subjects claimed they had been jumped by six male gang members who had fled in a grey or black BMW.  There were no injuries and no named suspects.  One of the subjects detained claimed he was a gang member, but his two brothers denied any gang involvement.  The three subjects did not desire prosecution.  They were identified and released.

 

Foot Pursuit / Suspended Drivers License / No Identification - Suspect Arrested

February 22 at 8:21 p.m., an officer stopped a vehicle in the 100 block of South Shamrock for a vehicle code violation.  When the vehicle stopped, the rear seat passenger fled from the vehicle and ran through several backyards.  A perimeter was set up and officers searched for the suspect, but he was not found.  The female driver and front seat passenger refused to identify the person who fled.  The driver did not have identification and was driving on a suspended driver's license.  She was arrested and the vehicle was stored.

 

Road Rage / Throwing a Substance at a Vehicle - Suspect Arrested

February 23 at 9:50 p.m., officers were dispatched to an incident of road rage in the 900 block of South Fifth involving two motorists.  The suspect motorist threw a 32 ounce beer bottle through the back window of the victim's vehicle while it was in motion.  The suspect was located and arrested.  No one was injured. 

 

Assault - Suspects Arrested

February 24 at 2:00 a.m., officers responded to the 400 block of South Myrtle regarding a battery investigation.  The involved parties had been drinking at a pub and eventually went outside and began fighting.  The investigation revealed that three male suspects punched and kicked one male victim, who had to be taken to a hospital for his injuries.  The victim sustained moderate facial injuries.  The three suspects were positively identified by witnesses and were arrested and taken into custody. 

 

Residential Burglary / Theft From a Vehicle

February 24 at 7:51 p.m., a burglary was reported in the 700 block of South Fifth.  The victim reported that unknown suspects entered his garage through the unlocked pedestrian door and entered his unlocked vehicle, which was parked inside the garage.  The suspects then took the victim's remote to the garage door from the vehicle.

 

Several hours later, the victim heard his garage door opening.  He went outside and saw two male subjects near the front of his house.  The two subjects immediately ran and the victim chased them to the 800 block of West Olive, where he lost sight of them.  Officers were dispatched and conducted a search of the area, but did not find the subjects.  Investigation continuing.

 

72-Hour Mental Evaluation

February 24 at 11:05 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 200 block of South Encinitas regarding suspicious circumstances.  When the officers arrived, they found a male subject inside of a church, destroying the interior by breaking furniture and smashing windows.  The subject was detained and determined to be suffering from mental illness.  He was taken to a mental health care facility, where he will be held for 72-hour mental evaluation.

Video: The Three Bears

More bears in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/xYZyE

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Senator Appointed to State Education Boards

Senator Carol Liu, who represents Monrovia, has been appointed to three state education boards that oversee school construction, instructional quality and school building finance. http://goo.gl/qPPqN

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School Open Houses

Tues, Mar. 19: 6:00 p.m. - Canyon Oaks High School / Mountain Park School
Wed, Mar. 20: 6:30 p.m. - Monrovia High School
Thurs, Mar. 21: 5:30 p.m. - Clifton Middle School
Thurs, Mar. 21: 5:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. - Santa Fe Middle School
Thurs, Mar. 28: 6:00 p.m. - Canyon Early Learning Center
Tues, April 9: 6:30 p.m. - Mayflower Elementary School
Tues, May 21: 6:30 p.m. - Bradoaks Elementary School

Source: http://goo.gl/PtpSl

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School Board Lectures State; Suggests 'Revisiting' Prop 13

At its Feb. 27, 7 p.m. meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/PtpSl ), the Monrovia School Board will consider sending a message ( http://goo.gl/pHwQz ) to the California state government:

- Stop cutting school budgets.
- Protect school funding for the future. "[R]evisit Proposition 13 and the property tax arena."
- Make sure there are no big gaps between students who get lots of money and others who don't get enough.
- Pay for the stuff you make the school districts do.
- Pay the money you owe to the districts on time.
- Make sure districts know how much money they will get before they have to decide on staffing.
- Give districts a reprieve on testing scores while they are transitioning from the old tests to the new ones.

Opinion: Fat chance, but I would love to see taxing authority returned to local school districts rather than having the districts dependent on whims of the state. I like decisions to be local, and when the state takes over financial control, the local school districts become increasingly like puppets whose strings are jerked in Sacramento and Washington D.C.

- Brad Haugaard

Parry Kicks Off Monrovia Council Race | Youth Leadership Summit | Suspect vs Cement Truck

~ Write-in Monrovia City Council candidate, Robert Parry, will kick off his campaign with a reception at 8 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday, Feb. 23) at Rudy's Restaurant in Old Town. Parry writes, "I anticipate making major announcements about endorsements and supporters."

~ The third annual Monrovia/Duarte Youth Leadership Summit. Details: http://goo.gl/CMHHU

~ A suspect in a La Verne robbery smashed into a cement truck in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/DRQQT

- Brad Haugaard