According the a Facebook posting by the City of Monrovia, Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, who represents Monrovia, "toured Monrovia neighborhoods and key projects on Thursday, including the construction of the Gold Line, Sherman Avenue, the High Tech Corridor and Old Town Monrovia."
She also stopped in at Monrovia Bakery to congratulate the owners, who are retiring, on their 42 years running the store.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia High Video Team Wins First Place in State
The Monrovia High Video Team has taken first place in California. http://goo.gl/mhJCm
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Police: Accident on Huntington
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for April 4-7. - Brad Haugaard]
Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.
Traffic Collision
April 4 at 2:17 p.m., a traffic collision was reported in the 700 block of East Huntington. A vehicle was exiting a business parking lot and the driver failed to yield to a vehicle traveling west on Huntington, striking the rear of that vehicle. That vehicle was then pushed into the raised center divider and it struck a concrete light pole, knocking the pole over. No one was injured and the driver who failed to yield was issued a citation for the traffic violation.
Monrovia Police Looking for Texting Drivers
As part of April's Distracted Driving Awareness Month campaign, the Monrovia Police Department will be actively ticketing those texting or operating hand-held cell phones while driving in the month of April. Drivers who break the law and place themselves and others in danger will be cited with no warnings. The current minimum ticket cost is $159, with subsequent tickets costing at least $279. Last April, over 57,000 tickets were issued statewide for texting and hand-held cell use. There were nearly 450,000 convictions in 2012. Whether it's a ticket or a collision, as the campaign theme states, "It's not worth it!"
Distracted driving is a serious traffic safety concern that puts everyone on the road at risk. In recent years, hundreds have been killed and thousands seriously injured in California as a result of collisions that involved at least one driver who was distracted. Nationally, an estimated 3,331 died in 2011. As a result, law enforcement across the state, including the Monrovia Police Department, are increasingly cracking down on cell phone use and texting. This April will see over 225 local agencies, plus the CHP, conducting zero tolerance enforcements.
"We all know that talking on our cell phones while driving is distracting, but that doesn't stop some people from continuing to do it," said Monrovia Police Department Sergeant Daniel Verna. "This effort is intended to educate our community about the dangers of cell phone use while driving. We hope that once people see the statistics and realize the danger involved, they will change their driving habits to help protect themselves, their families, and others on the road."
Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. Younger, inexperienced drivers under 20 years old have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes. In addition, studies show that texting while driving can delay a driver's reaction time just as severely as having a blood alcohol content of a legally drunk driver.
Studies also show that there is no difference in the risks between hands-free and hand-held cell phone conversations, both of which can result in "inattention blindness," which occurs when the brain isn't seeing what is clearly visible because the drivers' focus is on the phone conversation and not on the road. When over one third of your brain's functioning that should be on your driving moves over to cell phone talking, you can become a cell phone "zombie."
To avoid a distracted driving ticket or crash, Monrovia Police Department offers drivers the following tips:
- Turn off your phone and/or put it out of reach while driving.
- Include in your outgoing message that you can't answer while you are driving.
- Don't call or text anyone when you think they may be driving.
Distracted driving is a serious traffic safety concern that puts everyone on the road at risk. In recent years, hundreds have been killed and thousands seriously injured in California as a result of collisions that involved at least one driver who was distracted. Nationally, an estimated 3,331 died in 2011. As a result, law enforcement across the state, including the Monrovia Police Department, are increasingly cracking down on cell phone use and texting. This April will see over 225 local agencies, plus the CHP, conducting zero tolerance enforcements.
"We all know that talking on our cell phones while driving is distracting, but that doesn't stop some people from continuing to do it," said Monrovia Police Department Sergeant Daniel Verna. "This effort is intended to educate our community about the dangers of cell phone use while driving. We hope that once people see the statistics and realize the danger involved, they will change their driving habits to help protect themselves, their families, and others on the road."
Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. Younger, inexperienced drivers under 20 years old have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes. In addition, studies show that texting while driving can delay a driver's reaction time just as severely as having a blood alcohol content of a legally drunk driver.
Studies also show that there is no difference in the risks between hands-free and hand-held cell phone conversations, both of which can result in "inattention blindness," which occurs when the brain isn't seeing what is clearly visible because the drivers' focus is on the phone conversation and not on the road. When over one third of your brain's functioning that should be on your driving moves over to cell phone talking, you can become a cell phone "zombie."
To avoid a distracted driving ticket or crash, Monrovia Police Department offers drivers the following tips:
- Turn off your phone and/or put it out of reach while driving.
- Include in your outgoing message that you can't answer while you are driving.
- Don't call or text anyone when you think they may be driving.
Strong Winds in Monrovia Today? | Pro Wrestling | Runaway and Homeless Youth Month
~ Strong and gusty northwest to north winds today, peaking this afternoon and diminishing tonight. http://goo.gl/q9nSM
~ Pro wrestling poster. For April 19 in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/4dBYk
~ State Senator Carol Liu, who represents Monrovia, has introduced a measure to designate November 2013 as California Runaway and Homeless Youth Month, to "recognize the need for individuals, schools, communities, businesses, local governments, and the state to take action on behalf of runaway and homeless youth in California." http://goo.gl/WpvNj
- Brad Haugaard
~ Pro wrestling poster. For April 19 in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/4dBYk
~ State Senator Carol Liu, who represents Monrovia, has introduced a measure to designate November 2013 as California Runaway and Homeless Youth Month, to "recognize the need for individuals, schools, communities, businesses, local governments, and the state to take action on behalf of runaway and homeless youth in California." http://goo.gl/WpvNj
- Brad Haugaard
Friday Fireworks | Monrovia 6, Covina 0 in Softball
~ Those fireworks you heard Friday night were apparently a NASCAR race at Irwindale. http://goo.gl/BMpQc
~ Monrovia over Covina in softball. http://goo.gl/E0wj2
- Brad Haugaard
~ Monrovia over Covina in softball. http://goo.gl/E0wj2
- Brad Haugaard
Small Power Outage Reported in Monrovia
Southern California Edison reports that 13 Monrovia homes are without power. Problem is "equipment problems" and SCE is completing repairs and hopes to have everything up by 9 p.m. today. http://goo.gl/z7tid
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Lunch at Loteria
Lunch Tuesday at Loteria (formerly Enrique's Mexican Cuisine) at Colorado and Ivy. Tacos were 99 cents on the "Taco Tuesday" menu, so I got five little cochinita pibil (pork) tacos and a $2 iced tea. Very tasty.
- Brad Haugaard
Feature on Pitcher Adrienne Guerra | Endorsements
~ Feature on Monrovia High softball pitcher Adrienne Guerra. http://goo.gl/LRVb3
San Gabriel Valley Tribune endorses Spicer, Blackburn. http://goo.gl/Qk3Ba
- Brad Haugaard
San Gabriel Valley Tribune endorses Spicer, Blackburn. http://goo.gl/Qk3Ba
- Brad Haugaard
Prepare to Vote, Monrovia!
Election Day is Tuesday, April 9. Polling places will be open 7 a.m.- 8 p.m. Your polling place is on your sample ballot, but if you lost it, look here: http://lavote.net/LOCATOR/ .
Vote by Mail ballots may be dropped off at City Hall anytime before 8 p.m. on Election Day, or before 8 p.m. at any precinct on Election Day.
When the polls close, ballots will be counted at City Hall, which will be open to the public. Or, watch on KGEM, at the city website ( www.cityofmonrovia.org ) or right here on MonroviaNow.
Questions about the election? Call the City Clerk at 932-5505.
Source: This Week in Monrovia newsletter - http://goo.gl/ptn2f
- Brad Haugaard
Condos Planned for Corner of Olive and Ivy
Here are pictures of the condos planned for the corner of Olive and Ivy. http://goo.gl/GlRhQ
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Will Bridge Graffiti Force Freeway Closure?
Cleaning graffiti from new Gold Line freeway bridge may require freeway closure. http://goo.gl/5AGMd
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Police: Cold Case Murder Suspect Convicted, Etc.
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for April 1-3. - Brad Haugaard]
During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 482 service events, resulting in 88 investigations.
Commercial Burglary
On April 1 at 1:00 p.m., dispatch received a call regarding a theft that occurred in the 500 block of West Huntington. A male suspect entered the business and selected merchandise and walked into the dressing room. The suspect then cut security sensors off the merchandise and concealed them on his person. The suspect was seen exiting the business and getting into the driver's side of a vehicle. Further investigation led to a residence in Covina, where the vehicle was located and the stolen property was recovered. Suspect is still outstanding. Investigation continuing.
Vandalism –Suspect Arrested
On April 1 at 10:22 p.m., officers responded to the rear parking lot in the 100 block of South Myrtle regarding a male subject vandalizing a dumpster. Officers arrived and detained a subject that fit the description. The officer contacted the witness and conducted a field show up. The witness positively identified the subject and the subject was arrested for misdemeanor vandalism.
Mental Evaluation
On April 2 at 6:33 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 1800 block of South Peck Road regarding a male subject trying to hurt himself. The male subject was detained and taken to a hospital, where he was placed on a 72 hour hold for mental evaluation.
Trespass / Receiving Stolen Property – Suspect Arrested
On April 2 at 10:00 p.m., officers responded to the 300 block of West Huntington regarding subjects loitering near the front door of the business, possibly panhandling. They contacted a known subject that has a "No Trespass" authorization against him. A pat down search revealed he had a stolen GPS from a vehicle. The suspect was arrested for receiving stolen property and trespassing.
Detective Bureau Case Follow-up
Murder - Suspect Sentenced
On August 29, 2004, a murder occurred in the South alley of the 200 block of West Olive at approximately 12:56 p.m. Two male gang members got into a verbal altercation with one gang member shooting the other and killing him.
This case went unsolved for many years and was assigned as a cold case to Detective Levin of the Monrovia Police Department. Detective Levin has been working with the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Homicide Bureau on this case. Through hard work and investigation by Detective Levin and Sheriff's Department investigators a suspect was identified in this case.
Investigators identified witnesses to this crime and worked to build enough information and evidence to file the case with the District Attorney's Office. The District Attorney's Office filed charges against the Monrovia Nuevo Varrio gang member who committed this crime.
After years of investigative work and good work by the District Attorney prosecuting this case, on April 2, 2013, the suspect was found guilty of first-degree murder along with the firearms enhancement. The suspect is facing a minimum of 50 years to life in state prison.
This case is an example of a terrific collaborative effort between Monrovia Police investigators, Sheriff's investigators, and the District Attorney's Office. Their work has resulted in the conviction of another violent gang member who victimized our community.
- Brad Haugaard
Holden Bill Requires Public Institutions Pay More for Food
Assemblymember Chris Holden's (He represents Monrovia) bill to help California farmers and boost the state's agricultural economy has been approved in the Assembly Accountability and Administrative Review Committee, particularly relevant in light of a recent news article saying that California's dairy farmers are being wooed by other states.
"It just makes sense to put California-grown crops, livestock and dairy first," said Assemblymember Holden. "When I read that dairy farmers were being lured by other states with friendlier business climates, I knew we were on the right track with this legislation. AB 199 will ultimately help the state by promoting job growth. It will also keep California funds in the state to pay California wage earners and support California families."
Under AB 199, public institutions such as prisons, Veteran's Homes or hospitals would have to give California agricultural products priority if the price is within 5% of the lowest out-of-state competitor. School districts would be required to purchase California grown products as long as they weren't more expensive.
Noelle Cremers with the California Farm Bureau testified, "California's farmers are incredibly pleased with AB 199 requiring California institutions to purchase California agricultural products. This bill will give more Californians that opportunity to experience the amazing variety of products grown in California."
"AB 199 has not only an economic benefit, but it also promotes the health benefits of buying locally. California food growers and food manufacturers adhere to the highest health and safety standards in the country, which means buying from them is also the safest and healthiest choice," concluded Holden.
AB 199 is supported by California Farm Bureau, California Dairies, Apple Commission, Western Agricultural Processors, California Association for Recreational Fishing and California Black Chamber of Commerce.
Source: Holden press release
Comment: I find this rather annoying. First the state makes life so miserable for businesses that they want to leave, then it offers goodies to politically-connected businesses to make up for the misery, and then, to top it off, the state pays for these goodies by forcing hospitals and others to pay up to five percent more for the food they buy. This is awful!
UPDATE: On reflection,The bill is slightly better than it was originally, when - if I recall correctly - schools also had to pay the extra money. Better, but still awful.
- Brad Haugaard
"It just makes sense to put California-grown crops, livestock and dairy first," said Assemblymember Holden. "When I read that dairy farmers were being lured by other states with friendlier business climates, I knew we were on the right track with this legislation. AB 199 will ultimately help the state by promoting job growth. It will also keep California funds in the state to pay California wage earners and support California families."
Under AB 199, public institutions such as prisons, Veteran's Homes or hospitals would have to give California agricultural products priority if the price is within 5% of the lowest out-of-state competitor. School districts would be required to purchase California grown products as long as they weren't more expensive.
Noelle Cremers with the California Farm Bureau testified, "California's farmers are incredibly pleased with AB 199 requiring California institutions to purchase California agricultural products. This bill will give more Californians that opportunity to experience the amazing variety of products grown in California."
"AB 199 has not only an economic benefit, but it also promotes the health benefits of buying locally. California food growers and food manufacturers adhere to the highest health and safety standards in the country, which means buying from them is also the safest and healthiest choice," concluded Holden.
AB 199 is supported by California Farm Bureau, California Dairies, Apple Commission, Western Agricultural Processors, California Association for Recreational Fishing and California Black Chamber of Commerce.
Source: Holden press release
Comment: I find this rather annoying. First the state makes life so miserable for businesses that they want to leave, then it offers goodies to politically-connected businesses to make up for the misery, and then, to top it off, the state pays for these goodies by forcing hospitals and others to pay up to five percent more for the food they buy. This is awful!
UPDATE: On reflection,The bill is slightly better than it was originally, when - if I recall correctly - schools also had to pay the extra money. Better, but still awful.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Fig Tree Birthday
Little did I know that anybody knew the birthday of the huge fig tree in Library Park.
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
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