Valley Cities Say: Finish Gold Line

Foothill cities want Azusa-to-Claremont segment of the Gold Line completed. http://goo.gl/QWbW7

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Senator's Forum: Insurance in an Era of Climate Change

On Friday, June 28, State Senator Carol Liu, who represents Monrovia, will host a public forum titled "Insurance in an Era of Climate Change" with keynote speaker Dave Jones, California Insurance Commissioner. From 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Donald R. Wright Auditorium, Pasadena Central Library, 285 E. Walnut St. Pasadena. Register here: www.ucsusa.org/insuranceca

Panelists will discuss the latest climate information, its impact on California homeowners insurance in high-risk areas, and how insurers, policymakers, and consumers can identify the best methods to resist the impacts of climate change.

Forum speakers include:

- Susanne Moser, Ph.D., Director and Principal Researcher of Susanne Moser Research & Consulting in Santa Cruz.

- Anthony L. Westerling, associate professor in the School of Engineering at the University of California, Merced.

- Stephen Bushnell, product director at Fireman's Fund Insurance Company.

- Andrew Logan, director of Ceres' Oil & Gas and Insurance Programs.

Source: Liu press release

- Brad Haugaard

What's Up With the Aztec Hotel?

It appears there has been a management change on the Aztec Hotel refurbishing project.

I had heard the new Mayan Bar and Grill at the Aztec Hotel would open a while ago, but then things seemed to come to a halt. The restaurant manager announced on Facebook that he had been let go, and city Planning Division Manager Craig Jimenez tells me that the company refurbishing the building has hired a new general manager for the project. He adds that the city hasn't heard much lately but there does seem to be some progress as, "A building permit was issued to construct a new wall along the north property line and building and mechanical plans for the public restrooms have been submitted into plan check."

- Brad Haugaard

Highest Sales Tax Revenue Ever for Monrovia | Goodbye Animal Control? | Counselors for Oklahoma

~ Monrovia City spokeswoman Jennifer McClain writes on Twitter that the city Finance Department "reports highest sales tax revenue generated ever last year" at $9.44 million.

~ Monrovia Police could eliminate its animal control division. http://goo.gl/Y6CMA

~ Monrovia-based World Vision will provide counselors and play therapists to work with child survivors of last month's deadly tornados in Oklahoma. http://goo.gl/8L3n8

- Brad Haugaard

Does Patch Face a 'Do-or-Die" Year?

Financial news provider, Bloomberg, reports that AOL's Patch local news websites, which would include Monrovia Patch, may face a "a do-or-die year in 2013," and if it has a chance to succeed it may require sharp cuts and dramatic income increases. Patch has shown revenue increases, but will it be enough? http://goo.gl/9m1pp

Comment: I wish you well, Patch. AOL is the only company doing large-scale local news, something the country needs. And besides, what fun is it playing baseball if there isn't another team for me to play against.

- Brad Haugaard

Eat a Steak for Monrovia's Unity Center

Tonight (June 18), Clearman's North Woods Inn, at Huntington and Rosemead, will contribute 10% of its total sales from 5 to 9 p.m. to Foothill Unity Center. Enjoy a steak and take a bite out of hunger for local families in need.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Assemblyman's First Bill Becomes Law

Assemblyman Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia, reports on Facebook that Governor Jerry Brown has signed Holden's first bill (AB72 http://goo.gl/L240b ), a housekeeping measure that provides that those elected to water districts will take office at noon on the first Friday in December following their election. Opinion: Good!

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School Board to Meet With Search Firm About Superintendent Search

The Monrovia Board of Education will hold a closed meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/ESPKq )this Wednesday, June 19, to discuss a new superintendent with the headhunter company that is helping it out, Education Leadership Services ( http://goo.gl/1U94o ).

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Pooping on Classroom Floor; Cellphone Photo Helps ID Suspect; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for June 13-16. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.

Indecent Exposure

June 13 at 8:14 a.m., a female subject reported an incident of indecent exposure that occurred in the 800 block of West Foothill. The female victim was approached by a male suspect who asked for directions to a location in Arcadia and then exposed himself to her. The female went back to her residence and called police.

Officers responded and conducted an area check, but could not find the suspect. The suspect is described as a clean-cut, male Hispanic, approximately 20 years old, short curly black hair, clean shaven, 5'9" tall, medium build, wearing a gray sweater and blue jeans. The investigation is continuing.

Warrant – Suspect Arrest

June 13 at 3:45 p.m., an officer on patrol observed a vehicle parked in front of a residence in the 200 block of West Colorado with a door open into traffic. A male subject was walking to and from the vehicle, back and forth. The officer recognized the subject and knew he had an outstanding warrant for possession cocaine out of Pasadena Police Department. The officer detained the suspect and arrested him for the warrant.

Hit and Run Felony Traffic Collision

June 14 at 3:41 p.m., a red pickup truck was southbound on Mayflower, turning east on Evergreen, when the driver suddenly turned west onto Diamond, instead. He turned into the path of a vehicle and was pushed onto the front yard of a residence on Diamond. One of the vehicles hit a pole that fell on the victim's vehicle. The suspect vehicle fled west on Diamond to Los Robles, where the driver and passenger abandoned it.

As the driver and passenger were fleeing from the vehicle, a witness took their picture with a cell phone. The officers recognized the passenger from the photo and went to the passenger's residence. The driver was identified, and his passport and personal papers were found in the truck. The driver was entered into the wanted persons system. The investigation is continuing.

Petty Theft

June 14 at 9:23 p.m., a vendor at the Monrovia Street Fair was working in the 600 block of South Myrtle and was tearing down her sales location. She looked up and saw a male suspect running away with her cash bag, where she put the night sales receipts and money. She screamed, and several subjects who had just exited the theater chased the suspect, but were unable to catch him. They saw the suspect drop the money bag and they picked it up. The money was returned to the vendor. Officers responded, but the victim refused to prosecute since her money had been recovered.

Burglary – Suspect Arrested

June 14 at 10:47 p.m., officers responded to an alarm call at a preschool in the 1000 block of South Canyon. They arrived and checked the area. The Foothill Air Support helicopter responded and located a vehicle parked near the school. Officers checked the vehicle and detained a subject who claimed he was there trying to sleep. A computer check revealed the subject had a felony warrant for his arrest. A responsible party for the school arrived and officers continued to check the school.

During their search, they located an unsecured second grade classroom. They checked the classroom and found someone had made entry and defecated on the floor. There was a rubber floor mat missing, which was located outside the classroom with a footprint on it. Officers checked the footprint against the shoes worn by the subject they had detained, and the print matched. Further investigation led to the suspects arrest for burglary.

Hit and Run Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested

June 15 at 11:15 a.m., police were dispatched to a hit and run traffic collision at the corner of Primrose and Palm. A female driver hit the stop sign at the southwest corner and drove to her residence a few houses down. She was positively identified by a witness, and when officers went to her house, they discovered she was under the influence of alcohol. The suspect was arrested.

Criminal Threats – Suspect Arrested

June 15 at 2:35 p.m., officers responded to the 800 block of West Olive regarding a family disturbance. They spoke to the suspect's mother, who told them he had threatened to kill her with a knife. The suspect was inside the house with his girlfriend. After some negotiation, the suspect allowed the officers inside the residence. The suspect was arrested for criminal threats and brought to the Monrovia Police Department jail.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested

June 16 at 2:49 a.m., an officer observed a vehicle traveling east on Huntington at California, swerving in the lane. She conducted a traffic stop and noticed the driver appeared to be under the influence. After further investigation, the driver was arrested for driving under the influence.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision

June 16 at 4:00 a.m., a driver was traveling south on Myrtle at Duarte Road when he collided into a building after knocking an Edison pole down. It appears the driver lost control after approaching the railroad tracks. The driver exited the vehicle. When a witness approached and asked if he needed the police, he said no and fled on foot. Police responded, but the driver was not located. The witness described the driver as a male Hispanic with spiked hair, suffering from a facial wound. The investigation is continuing.

Warrant Arrest

June 16 at 11:59 a.m., an officer was returning from El Monte Police Department and was at Peck & Bayse when he stopped a male subject on a bicycle for a vehicle code violation. A computer check revealed the subject had an outstanding warrant out of El Monte for domestic violence. The officer also located a methamphetamine pipe in the subject's pocket. The suspect was arrested.

Panera Bread Joining Restaurant Row

Panera Bread, Smashburger and Chipotle will replace the now-torn-down Acapulco restaurant on Huntington. http://goo.gl/dgMpB

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center Needs Help For Back-to-School Project | Firefighters Over Police

~ Foothill Unity Center will be providing back-to-school uniforms, shoes, socks underwear, backpacks, school supplies, haircuts, and even dental and vision screenings to about 1,800 children. $80 will equip one child but any amount is appreciated. Donate here: http://goo.gl/HjVcM

~ Fire Department over Police in Battle of the Badges basketball. http://goo.gl/gazYR

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Train Maintenance Yard Pictures

Some pictures of the new Gold Line maintenance yard in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/A62Q6

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Council: Web Site, Budget, Assessments, Appointees

At its June 18 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/EPCRR ), the Monrovia City Council will consider, among other things ...

- switching to a new company to build its website after a Monrovia firm was unable to complete the site. The new deal will cost the city $22,600. Aha Consulting, Inc. of Lake Oswego, Oregon, "is one of the leading providers of web-based open source solutions for local government agencies. http://goo.gl/wr7GH

- a budget for fiscal years 2013-15. http://goo.gl/n9n6I

- public comments on the proposed Fiscal Year 2013-2014 Citywide Lighting and Landscaping Maintenance District assessment. Actually looks like its a few bucks lower than before. http://goo.gl/aKVty

- public comments on the proposed Fiscal Year 2013-2014 City of Monrovia Park Maintenance District assessment. This one's up a whisker, though. http://goo.gl/UCJkc

- a list of people for various boards. http://goo.gl/WWB6U

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Cafe Mundial

Lunch at Cafe Mundial, next to the Boxx Jewelry clock on Myrtle. Got the fillet mignon pizza for $16 and an iced tea for $2.15, plus tax and tip. There were cheaper pizzas for $13. Very tender beef. Good.

- Brad Haugaard

The Biggest Fig Tree in Monrovia

Perhaps you think the magnificent Morton Bay Fig tree in Library Park is the biggest in town. Good guess, but no cigar. According to the latest newsletter of the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group, the biggest is at the home of Michael and Janene Khanchalian, at the corner of Hillcrest and Melrose. Their tree is a "magnificent example of how large this type of tree can grow (not to mention the voluminous number of leaves it sheds daily!)."

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Pitcher Burkholder is Player of the Year

The Pasadena Star-News Player of the Year is Monrovia Pitcher Chris Burkholder. http://goo.gl/lZ3Ec

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's World Vision: $500 Million for Development Projects

World Vision, a Monrovia-based Christian humanitarian organization, hopes to raise $500 million by the end of 2015 to help 10 million people with the development of clean water projects; fighting diseases, like malaria; providing loans so families can get a hand out of poverty; protecting children from trafficking; and support and partnering with local churches. http://goo.gl/m9c0d

- Brad Haugaard

Gold Line Construction Authority vs. Metro

According to Construction Authority CEO Habib Balian, the Metro Gold Line Construction Authority board of directors has "unanimously voted to oppose Metro's proposed Amendment to the updated Measure R Expenditure Plan." Why? Because it ignores the updated cost for the Gold Line (Pasadena to Claremont) and "continues to evade the legislative mandate to complete the project to Claremont."

Source: Gold Line Construction Authority press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Sponsors Trip to Texas

Monrovia's Community Services Department is offering a San Antonio, Texas trip. Tour includes visits to the San Antonio River, Bandera, Sandy Oaks Olive Orchard and Paseo del Rio. You'll also enjoy the Fiesta de las Luminarias as you stroll along the San Antonio River, guided by more than 2,500 luminaries. Trip is Dec. 5-9, 2013. The $2,049 cost per person includes airfare, 4 breakfasts, 3 dinners, and all tours and transportation. For additional information, please contact the Department of Community Services at (626) 256-8246. http://goo.gl/Mg098

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Cars Unlocked, Not Smart; Weapon Waver; Yet More Bears

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for June 10-12. - Brad Haugaard]

 

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 487 service events, resulting in 84 investigations.

 

Theft From Unlocked Vehicles

June 11 at 1:19 a.m., police responded to the 300 block of East Hillcrest regarding suspects tampering with parked cars.  The caller observed two suspects in the area.  Officers responded and checked the area, but the suspects were not located.  Three vehicles in the area were found ransacked; all three vehicles had been left unlocked.  The suspects entered the unlocked vehicles and stole miscellaneous change and personal items.  Investigation continuing.

 

Bear Incident

June 11 at 12:37 p.m., a very large female brown bear broke out a window air-conditioner at a residence in the 800 block of Ridgeside Drive.  The female bear and her two cubs entered the home through the opening and ate cat food that was inside the house.  They made a large mess and exited out the same window.  

 

Officers arrived on scene and attempted to use beanbag rounds to persuade the bear back into the foothills, but unfortunately, her cubs had been startled and had run up a tree.  The mother took up a position to guard her cubs at the base of the tree.  Monrovia's Animal Control Officer and Department of Fish and Wildlife wardens were called in to assist to help ensure the bear incident was resolved without harm to anyone.  Fish and Wildlife wardens asked officers to leave the area so the cubs would come down.  Eventually the cubs came down and the mother bear and cubs returned back up into the foothills without further incident.

 

Weapons Offense

June 11 at 9:24 p.m., a black Toyota Yaris pulled up next to the victim at Primrose and Olive.  One of the occupants brandished a handgun toward the victim.  The victim called police and followed the vehicle.  The victim was able to get the license plate number of the suspect vehicle.  Officers responded to the area, but were not able to locate the car.  An officer contacted the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department and requested they drive by the residence of the registered owner.  The Investigation is continuing.

 

Driving Under the Influence / Hit and Run Collision – Suspect Arrested

June 11 at 11:18 p.m., a witness followed a drunk driver from Mountain and the 210 Freeway and called police.  The driver hit a parked car and a water main on mountain, just north of Foothill.    The driver left the car unattended on Mountain, just south of Foothill.  Officers were able to track down the driver and determined he was driving under the influence; he was arrested for the above listed charges. 

 

Grand Theft Auto

June 12 at 8:34 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from a business parking lot in the 3300 block of South Peck Road.  The victim parked and secured his vehicle, a red, 1989, Nissan pickup truck, in a parking stall.  When he returned to the vehicle, it was gone.  The vehicle was entered into the stolen vehicle system.