Historic Monrovia Carriage House Being Moved

Carriage house being taken apart.

After months of planning and work, the last remaining vintage carriage barn in Monrovia has been moved (in pieces) to its new home in the 900 block of N. Norumbega, where it will be put back together. Slideshow of the process at the bottom of the page here: http://www.mohpg.org/

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Schools Fundraiser | Memorial Day Ceremony

~ Monrovia Schools Foundation celebration on Thursday, May 16, 5:30-6:30 p.m., with dinner at Monrovian Restaurant. Price $35 per person. Call 471-2006 for info and reservations.

~ Memorial Day ceremony Monday, May 27, 10 a.m. at Live Oak Memorial Park, 200 E. Duarte Rd. All welcome.

- Brad Haugaard

50% Chance of Rain in Monrovia

Fifty percent chance of rain today in Monrovia. Thirty percent tomorrow. http://goo.gl/KRfex

- Brad Haugaard

Chastity Fellows | Monrovia Birthday Party

~ Feature story on Monrovia High runner Chastity Fellows. http://goo.gl/fTdlM

~ Monrovia's 127 birthday celebration. May 18. Pancakes, pop stars, music, more. Library Park. Details: http://goo.gl/Bla26

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School Board: Summer School for Paying Chinese Students, Etc.

Among other things, at its May 8 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/Dqw41 ), the Monrovia School Board will ...

~ Have a closed session for evaluation of superintendent, collective bargaining stuff and a personnel issue.

~ Consider entering in to an agreement with a company (and picking up a few bucks in the process) to provide paying Chinese exchange students from Shanghai with an American summer school program ( http://goo.gl/FY2Ml ). And if you are interested in hosting a Chinese student: http://goo.gl/vDZcs

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School Attendance Slips Slightly

According to a report that will be presented at the School Board's May 8 meeting, attendance at Monrovia schools slipped .13 percent since last year (lower attendance equals less money from the state). http://goo.gl/QTV4g

- Brad Haugaaard

Lunch at London Gastropub

Lunch at London Gastropub, on Myrtle in Old Town. Got the Crispy Chicken sandwich ($9), the Avocado Eggroll ($9) and an Diet Coke $2.50), Plus tax and tip. Delicious and generous portions. I like spicy and everything was.

- Brad Haugaard

Fire-Safe, Water-Wise Gardening | Health Fair | Bears at City Hall

~ Free fire-safe, water-wise gardening class, 9 a.m.-noon May 4 (Saturday) at water district office, 602 E. Huntington Drive, Monrovia. Call 443-2297 to reserve a spot. http://goo.gl/Adhgy

~ Health and Wellness Fair, 10 a.m., May 4 (Saturday) at Monrovia United Methodist Church, 140 E. Palm. Details: http://goo.gl/26q5z

~ "I Love Monrovia" stuffed teddy bears on sale at City Hall. http://goo.gl/xUEyk

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council: Hire $3 Million Station Square Consultant | Emergency Resident Phoning Service | Dispute with Firefighters | Etc.

At its May 7 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/tmYJo) the Monrovia City Council will ...

~ Consider hiring IBI Group for up to $2,988,367 to do design work of the public improvements within the Station Square Transit Village. It will provide "consultant services related to the planning, design, architecture, engineering and construction administration of the public improvements within the Station Square Transit Village Planned Development Area." http://goo.gl/E3IlU

~ Consider awarding a three-year contract with Nixle for $9,995.00 per year to provide the fire department with a system that allows the city to auto-call residents on their home or mobile phones, useful during large scale emergency incidents.

~ Consider authorizing the city manager to settle or deny lawsuits against the city for $25,000 or less. http://goo.gl/9jluJ

~ Meet in closed session regarding a legal dispute with the city's firefighters' union. It will also discuss labor negotiations with the police and firefighters in the closed session. http://goo.gl/XFiMY

- Brad Haugaard

Top Monrovia Priorities

At its May 7 meeting the Monrovia City Council will consider adopting a Monrovia Citywide Strategic Plan for 2013-2015 ( http://goo.gl/nwX20 ). Here are the priorities:

The Top Priorities/ Major Goals are:
Economic Development
Environmental Stewardship
Historic Preservation
Infrastructure and Facility Maintenance
Long-Term Fiscal Responsibility
Public Safety

The other objectives and priorities are:
Community Participation
Gold Line
Monrovia Area Partnership
Quality Professional Staff
Youth and Senior Services

And the goals to address as funds become available are:
Hillside Preserve and Management Plan
Planned Development (PD) Zone Review
Regional Employee Group Negotiations

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Mini Makeover | Dam Drones | Lots of Looks | Toasty Days

~ "Mini of Monrovia" Mini Cooper dealership gets bold new look. http://goo.gl/pQtAM

~ US Geological Survey using Raven drones from Monrovia's AeroVironment to monitor environmental changes following a dam removal. http://goo.gl/NCj2t

~ This April MonroviaNow.com had a record 10,985 page views, up from the previous record - the previous month, March - of 9,832. Now if only that translated into money. ;-)

~ More warm. Could get up into the mid-90s tomorrow and Saturday. http://goo.gl/jQVHq

- Brad Haugaard

Have a Safe Cinco - Tips From Monrovia Police

Tips from Monrovia Police Department on how to have a safe Cinco de Mayo celebration.

If you are hosting a party for Cinco de Mayo:

- Remember, you can be held liable and prosecuted if someone you serve is involved in an impaired driving crash.
- Make sure all your guests designate a sober driver in advance or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers.
- Serve lots of food and include lots of non-alcoholic beverages at the party.
- Keep the phone numbers for local cab companies handy and take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving impaired.

If you are attending a Cinco de Mayo Celebration Party:

- Designate a sober driver before the party begins and give that person your car keys.
- If you do not have a designated driver, call a cab, sober friend, or family member to pick you up.
- Never let a friend leave your sight if you think they are about to drive drunk.
- Always buckle up.

Alcohol not only dangerously impairs your driving skills, it impairs your judgment. If you see a friend under the influence of alcohol - don't let them get behind the wheel.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Child Abuse Investigation, Running a Red While on Parole, Burglaries, Resisting Arrest, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for April 29 – May 1. - Brad Haugaard]

  

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 487 service events, resulting in 77 investigations.

 

Parolee at Large – Suspect Arrested

April 29 at 9:15 a.m., an officer stopped a vehicle at Shamrock and Lime for speeding and running a red light.  A computer check revealed the 43-year-old, male driver was a parolee at large on parole for grand theft auto.  After being issued a citation for the traffic violations, he was arrested and taken into custody.

 

Child Abuse – Suspect Arrested

April 29 at 12:58 p.m., an officer was dispatched to an elementary school in the 200 block of Jasmine regarding a child abuse report.  School staff notified the police after a child reported the abuse to her teacher and said she was afraid to go home.  The 10-year-old girl was whipped and punched several times by her mother, resulting in the child receiving multiple bruises.  Officers investigated and eventually arrested the mother for causing corporal injury to a child.  The Department of Children and Family Services took custody of the child.

 

Violation of Restraining Order – Suspect Arrested

April 30 at 2:54 a.m., a female subject called police reporting her boyfriend was outside her home at the front door.  She claimed to have a valid restraining order against the subject.  Officers located and detained the subject at a gas station at Foothill and Madison.  A computer check revealed the subject had several outstanding warrants.  He was arrested on the warrants, and a report regarding the restraining order will be sent to the District Attorney for filing consideration.

 

Residential Burglary

April 30 at 6:57 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 200 block of Madeline.  A real estate agent arrived at the home, which is currently for sale, and noticed the front door ajar; she called police.  Officers responded and checked the house for possible suspect(s), but no one was located inside the home.  The property inside the home had all been moved to the center of the living room, including the refrigerator.  The lockbox was missing and there were no signs of forced entry found.  The investigation is continuing.

 

Resisting and Delaying a Peace Officer / No-Bail Warrant – Suspect Arrested

May 1 at 1:55 p.m., an officer on patrol observed a wanted suspect in the area of Palm and Shamrock.  When the suspect saw the officer, he ran west and into the school yard of Clifton Middle School in the 200 block of South Ivy Avenue; he ran through the school gym.  Responding officers set up containment of the area and advised school staff at Clifton and Tzu Chi Preschool to lock their facilities down.  Clifton students had already gone home for the day.  A search was begun.

 

A resident in the 200 block of East Foothill called and reported a subject matching the suspect description had run into their garage.  Officers responded and checked the residence, but the suspect had fled the garage out a side door and over a wall.  He fled north onto Foothill and out of sight.  The schools were advised to release their lock down once officers were convinced he was out of the area. 

 

The suspect eluded officers for several hours, but at 5:36 p.m., he was located in the area of Jasmine and Palm.  A perimeter was set up and the Foothill Air Support helicopter responded to assist in the search.  After several attempts to evade officers, the suspect finally surrendered and was arrested for the no-bail warrant and for resisting and delaying officers.

 

Residential Burglary

May 1 at 7:45 p.m., police responded to the 100 block of Los Angeles Avenue regarding a residential burglary.  The victim left for work at about 10 a.m. and her home was secured.  She returned home at around 7:45 p.m.  She went inside and noticed her jewelry box was missing and the bedroom window was broken and open; she called police.  No suspect(s) were located and investigation is continuing.

Holden Bill to Fund Infrastructure Approved by Committee

Assemblymember Chris Holden's bill to promote economic development and revitalize communities has been approved in the Assembly Local Government Committee. Holden represents Monrovia.

AB 294 creates a Joint Investment Partnership Program whereby the state can partner with local governments to invest in up to 25 critical infrastructure projects that an economic analysis determines will result in a net gain of general fund revenues over the life of the investment.

"California lacks an economic development plan and strategy to revitalize communities," explained Assemblymember Holden. "This bill creates a pilot program to reform the way public works projects are financed. It's part of the discussion on how best to revitalize California's communities."

All financing for public works projects would have to be approved by the Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (I-Bank). Among the public works projects that could be considered are city streets and county highways, sewage collection and treatment, water treatment, water supply and flood control, educational facilities, parks and recreation facilities and solid waste collection and disposal.

Source: Holden press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Baseball Hopes to Win Top Spot | Strong Financial Results for STAAR | Unitek's New Glue

~ Monrovia baseball striving for top spot in Rio Hondo league. http://goo.gl/xtQW5

~ Monrovia's STAAR Surgical reports strong first quarter 2013 financial results. http://goo.gl/K9qSy

~ Monrovia's 3M Unitek introduces new adhesive for orthodontics. http://goo.gl/PmHZf

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Population up to 36,943 | Fire Warning | City in Weatherman's Book

~ Monrovia population estimated to be up a half a percent since January 1, 2012, to 36,943. http://goo.gl/ErxOd

~ High fire risk warning. Hot, windy and dry. http://goo.gl/MHw33

~ Weatherman Dr. George Fischbeck includes Monrovia in his new book. http://goo.gl/YP31O

- Brad Haugaard

Clifton Shut for Burglar Search

Monrovia's Clifton Middle School shut down during search for burglary suspect. http://goo.gl/T1WVh

UPDATE: Suspect arrested: http://goo.gl/pWd9O

- Brad Haugaard

Spicer Petitions for Deborah Collins as School Superintendent

Councilman Larry Spicer starts petition in favor of Deborah Collins for Superintendent. http://goo.gl/cQemo

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Band and Color Guard Fundraiser at T Phillips

T Phillips is hosting a fundraiser for the MHS Band and Colorguard on Thursday, May 9th and will be giving back to our music program 15% of purchases with the attached flyer from 11 am to 9 pm. There will be Jazz performances by the Monrovia High Jazz Band (from 6:30-7:30 p.m.) followed by the  Gem City Jazz Cats (MHS Alumni).

- Brad Haugaard

Assembly Committee Approves Monrovia Assembly Member's Bill

The Assembly Health Committee has approved Assemblymember Chris Holden's (D-Pasadena) bill to give patients a choice in pharmacy health plans. Holden represents Monrovia.

AB 299 targets mail-order prescription mandates by prohibiting any mail-order pharmacy from entering into contracts with health insurance companies when the insured are required to purchase their medications from a mail-order pharmacy.

"Let's use some common sense here. The average consumer wants to have a choice in where he or she purchases prescription drugs," said Assemblymember Holden. "These plans shouldn't discriminate on where you buy your medications. Let the patient choose what works best for him or her - a local pharmacy or a mail-order pharmacy. I am especially concerned that seniors or those with complicated conditions such as cancer, hepatitis or HIV/AIDS have access to the pharmacist of their choice."

AB 299 follows reports earlier this year that health insurer Anthem Blue Cross was going to require thousands of its California patients with chronic diseases such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and HIV/AIDS to buy prescription drugs from a mail order pharmacy. Anthem has since backed off while they reevaluate the requirement. But Assemblymember Holden felt it was important to go ahead with the legislation to ensure consumers have a choice.

AB 299 is supported by several senior groups including AARP California and the California Senior Legislature, California Pharmacists Association, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Target and Walgreens among others.

Earlier, AB 299 passed the Assembly Business, Professions and Consumer Protection Committee. It now goes to Assembly Appropriations for fiscal consideration.

Source: Holden press release

- Brad Haugaard