Monrovia City Council Will Let April 9 Election Fill Vacancy

The Monrovia City Council has decided not to replace Clarence Shaw, who resigned from the council, since the election for new council members is in just a few days, on April 9. http://goo.gl/rwMxt

- Brad Haugaard

Library Book Sale May 17-18

Mark your calendar. The Friends of the Monrovia Public Library Spring Sale will be held Friday, May 17 and Saturday May 18, from noon to 5 p.m., in Library Park and in the Library Community Room. The $2 a Bag Sale is Saturday from 3-5 p.m. All proceeds benefit the Monrovia Public Library.

More than 5,000 books will be for sale, 90% donated by the public. Prices for regular books and media range from 25¢ to $2. Book sellers are welcome but no scanners are permitted.

- Brad Haugaard

Pictures of Aztec Hotel

More pictures of the Aztec Hotel. http://goo.gl/qcrFD

- Brad Haugaard

Pro Wrestling in Monrovia

Quintessential Pro Wrestling debut show is on Friday, April 19 at 8 p.m. at The Monrovia Masonic Center, 204 West Foothill Blvd. Tickets: $15 at the door. http://goo.gl/DD8d3

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Treasurer Steve Baker Named to Citrus Foundation Board

Monrovia City Treasurer Steve Baker has been named to the Citrus College Foundation Board of Directors.

A Monrovia resident since his early childhood, Baker attended Citrus College, where he was involved in the college’s Performing Arts Program. He was elected City Treasurer in 2005 and re-elected in 2009. Baker also serves as Monrovia’s official city historian and is currently chair of the Santa Anita YMCA Board of Directors.

“The Citrus College Foundation is very fortunate to have Steve as one of its newest members,” said Citrus College Foundation President Tom Gerfen. “He is highly respected for his fiscal expertise and civic leadership, both in Monrovia and in the San Gabriel Valley region.”

As one of the Foundation’s newest board members, Baker joins 21 directors who raise funds for scholarships and academic support programs that assist Citrus College students in their efforts to complete their college educations, enter the workforce, and transition to four-year colleges and universities.

“Steve Baker’s experience as Monrovia City Treasurer, along with his extraordinary sense of history will be a tremendous asset to the Citrus College Foundation,” commented Dr. Geraldine M. Perri, superintendent/president of Citrus College and executive director of the Foundation. “As the college approaches its Centennial in 2015, I am confident he will have a valuable role in helping the Foundation connect with both current and potential donors, as well as other members of the community.”

Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Girl Thought Lost; But Not; Sex Offence; Billy Club Bust; DUI Suspect on Wrong Freeway; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for March 28-31. - Brad Haugaard] 

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.

Critical Missing Person – Subject Located

March 29 at 12:31 p.m., a ten-year-old female was reported missing from the Immaculate Conception Church when staff noticed the girl was not with the other children participating in an Easter Ceremony.  After an extensive search by police, the girl was located at home with her family in Duarte.  She had left the assembly area and told her parents she was not needed.  The parents did not confirm this and did not tell anyone they were leaving the event with the child.  The mother then took the child to a dentist appointment and did not return home until after the appointment; they were then located by police.     

Sex Offense

March 29 at 3:09 p.m., a female subject called police to report a sex offense she had observed.  She reported she was walking on Mountain when she went to say hello to a male subject she knew.  The male subject was in his car.  When she approached the vehicle, she saw he was masturbating.  She walked away from the car and called the police. The female subject was uncooperative with dispatch when asked about her knowledge of the subject.  Officers conducted a search of the area, but the subject was not located.  The suspect is described as a thin, male African American and the vehicle as a black sedan.    

Injury Traffic Collision

March 19 at 4:32 p.m., several vehicles collided at Foothill and Myrtle after a vehicle sped up to get through the red light.  The vehicle struck another vehicle that failed to clear the intersection prior to turning left.  Minor injuries were reported.  

Domestic Battery – Suspect Arrested

March 29 at 10:45 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 600 block of East Almond regarding a male and female subject fighting.  Upon arrival, officers learned the male subject had forced the female onto the front seat of a vehicle and had taken her cell phone.  The male subject was determined to be the aggressor and was arrested for misdemeanor domestic battery. 

Weapons Offence / Warrants – Suspect Arrested

March 29 at 11:50 p.m., an officer contacted a male and female occupant of a vehicle parked in a remote area behind a restaurant in the 800 block of West Huntington.  The officer observed a wooden billy club in plain view on the backseat.  The male occupant said he manufactured the weapon from an old piece of furniture.  He commented that he grew up in a tough neighborhood and possessed it for his protection.  The male subject was also found to have three outstanding warrants.  He was arrested and taken into custody for the weapons offence and warrants.

Family Disturbance / Resisting and Delaying a Peace Officer – Suspect Arrested

March 29 at 12:10 a.m., officers responded to the 100 block of West Hillcrest regarding a family disturbance.  The officers determined the male subject had been drinking alcohol and had argued with family members.  He became angry and injured himself by punching out a glass window, causing lacerations to his hands.  Paramedics were requested and when they arrived, the subject yelled at them and threatened one of them by saying he could kill them.  He stood up and charged toward them.  Officers attempted to stop the subject and he fought with the officers.  The subject was arrested for delaying an investigation and resisting arrest. 

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested

March 29 at 1:45 a.m., officers observed a vehicle straddling lanes on the onramp to the westbound 210 Freeway from Myrtle.  The vehicle was stopped and the driver was contacted.  She thought she was on the 710 Freeway.  Through investigation, the driver was determined to be driving under the influence and was arrested.

Discuss Local Topics With Assemblymember Holden

Assemblymember Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia, will have an open discussion on issues that affect the district - ranging from transportation to business to education - on Thursday, April 18, 5:30-7 p.m. at his district office at 600 N. Rosemead, Suite 117, Pasadena. "Bring your ideas and we will supply cookies and coffee." RSVP: 351-1917.

- Brad Haugaard

Happy Easter, Monrovia!

"He has risen." http://goo.gl/HRqDp

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council: Police and Fire Labor Negotiations | Re-Redevelopment? | Shaw Vacancy

At its April 2 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/4Me5H ), the Monrovia City Council will ...

~ Have a closed-door meeting with its labor negotiator about the Monrovia Firefighters Association and Monrovia Police Officers Association. No details. http://goo.gl/5az4W

~ Consider whether to support a Senate bill in Sacramento that would sorta replace the now-defunct redevelopment. http://goo.gl/LJmJK

~ Hear a report on "Vacancy Caused by the Resignation of Councilmember Clarence Shaw." http://goo.gl/A3gRQ

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School Board Appoints Interim Superintendent

The Monrovia Board of Education has appointed 26-year district veteran, Deborah Collins, as its interim superintendent since former Superintendent Linda Wagner has left to take over Anaheim schools. http://goo.gl/a4zd2

- Brad Haugaard

Red's Drive Thru

The little gas station at the corner of Stedman and Foothill is now Red's Drive Thru, a small convenience store with sodas, candy, coffee, and so forth. It's clean and nice. I got an ice cream bar. I hope it is able to make it.

- Brad Haugaard

Main Building at Monrovia Rail Maintenance Yard Begun

Crews working on the Gold Line maintenance yard have started work on the foundation for the main building. Here crews are building the foundation for the "blow-down pit" that will allow maintenance crews to clean under the light rail vehicles.

Source: Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority press release

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Big Shrimps

Lunch at Big Shrimps, just east of Myrtle on the north side of Colorado. Got the tilapia lunch special ($4.99) and an iced tea ($1.75), plus tax. Good deal and very tasty.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia-Temple City Baseball Photos

Photos from the Monrovia-Temple City baseball game: http://goo.gl/QCoKI

- Brad Haugaard

Jose De Juan Exhibit | Scoby to Play for Monrovia | Open Seats on School Board

"The Kingdom," By Jose De Juan

~ Artist Jose De Juan's exhibit "Our Shared Light," runs through May 4 at Segil Fine Art, 110 West Lime.

~ Running back Kurt Scoby enrolled at Monrovia High. Plans to play in the fall. http://goo.gl/vjtDN

~ Two open Monrovia School Board seats in November. http://goo.gl/JQMGL

- Brad Haugaard

Paragon Trucking Moves to Monrovia

Former School Board candidate Terrence Williams has moved his company, Paragon Trucking, to Monrovia. Paragon "delivers excess cargo from China to businesses throughout Southern California." http://goo.gl/dMQRQ

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Stolen Purse, Meth, and Bears Encouraged With Beanbags

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

 

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 438 service events, resulting in 74 investigations.

 

Petty Theft from a Vehicle

March 27 at 3:48 a.m., a resident in the 300 block of South Mountain came to the police department to report her purse had been stolen from her vehicle.  She reported that she was walking to her parked vehicle when she saw two male Hispanics, wearing backpacks, walk away from her vehicle.  After she got into her vehicle, she realized that she left the passenger window down and her purse was gone.  Investigation continuing.

 

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested

March 27 at 3:57 p.m., an officer was conducting an area check for the petty theft suspects from the above incident, when he observed a male subject walking in the 900 block of Valley View.  As the officer approached in his police vehicle, the subject walked up a driveway.  He then walked back down the driveway, where he was contacted by the officer.  The officer checked the area where the subject was standing on the property and found a methamphetamine smoking pipe.  The subject stated he threw it on the ground when he saw the police.  The subject was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia.

 

Bear Incident

March 27 at 6:21 p.m., police responded to a residence in the 800 block of Crescent Drive on the report of a bear entering the home.  The resident's mother had cooked lunch and left it on a table with the windows open.  A bear caught the scent of the food, ripped out the doggie door and entered the home through it to get at the food.  The resident's dog alerted the man, who came downstairs to find the bear inside his home.  The resident immediately went upstairs and locked himself and his dog in his bedroom and called police.  The man looked out his window and saw a second bear in his yard.  Police officers arrived along with an animal control officer and the bears were encouraged back into the hillside with beanbags rounds.  The officers advised the resident on the safety issue of the doggie door and methods to reduce bear attractants at the home.      

 

 

Detective Bureau Case Follow-up

 

Attempt Grand Theft Auto / Identity Theft / Forgery - Suspects Charged

On February 26 at 2:35 p.m., police responded to a business in the 800 block of East Central regarding a fraud 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. Both suspects were arrested and bonded out after being booked.

 

On March 26, 2013, both suspects were arraigned in court.  The detective assigned to the follow-up investigation presented the case to the District Attorney.  The case was filed and both suspects were charged with identity theft, forgery (three counts), and attempt grand theft auto.  The suspects were remanded into custody.

Easter Weekend Services in Monrovia

In alphabetical order:

~ Calvary Chapel Monrovia (123 W. Pomona Ave., near Myrtle next to the freeway). Good Friday at 6 p.m. Easter at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., and 11 a.m.

~ Calvary Road Baptist Church (319 West Olive Ave.) Easter Sunday 10:45 a.m.

~ Fellowship Monrovia (Monrovia High Performing Arts Center) - Good Friday 7 p.m.; Easter Sunday 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

~ First Baptist Church (Encinitas and Palm) - Easter Sunday 10:55 a.m.

~ First Presbyterian Church (Myrtle and Foothill)- Good Friday Service and Concert March 29 at 7:30 p.m.; Easter Sunday 10 a.m.

~ Immaculate Conception (726 Shamrock Ave.) - For Holy Day services call parish office at 358-1166.

~ Live Oak Vineyard Church (1307 S. Myrtle) - Good Friday service at noon. Easter morning service 10 a.m.

~ Monrovia United Methodist Church (140 E Palm Ave) - Call church at 303-2783.

~ New Beginnings Family Church (2780 Peck Rd.) - Good Friday at 6 and 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 6 p.m. and Easter Sunday services at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and noon.

~ Restored Life Fellowship (Wild Rose Elementary School 232 Jasmine Ave) - 9:30 a.m. Easter Sunday.

~ St. Luke's Episcopal Church (Foothill and California) - Good Friday 12:10 and 7:30 p.m., Holy Saturday 12:10 p.m. and 7 p.m., Easter Sunday 10 a.m.

My apologies if I missed any. If so, let me know and I will add them right away.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Old-Time Phonograph Collector

Monrovia old-time phonograph collector, Jim Constantian, has a phonograph that cost more than a Model T when the two were new in 1926. A nice feature story about Jim is in this morning's "The Weekly Star," a supplement included in the Star-News but not on line at the moment.

- Brad Haugaard

Video: Monrovia Man Meets Bear ... In His House | Inside New Aztec Restaurant | Schools Hire Headhunter Firm

~ Video: Monrovia man meets a bear ... in his house. http://goo.gl/cSWbz

~ Pictures of the inside of the new restaurant going in at the Aztec Hotel. http://goo.gl/fi2WJ

~ School Board hires a search firm to find new superintendent. (Linda Wagner is taking over Anaheim schools). http://goo.gl/1pF7K

- Brad Haugaard