Monrovia Representatives Vote to Limit NSA Funds for Spying on Americans

Monrovia's congressional representatives, Grace Napolitano and Judy Chu, both voted in favor of an amendment to the Defense Appropriations bill, which would, according to this report, "have denied the NSA the ability to use funds for broad spying on Americans." The measure failed on a 217-205 vote. http://goo.gl/oUZK1Z

- Brad Haugaard

Pastor of Monrovia's Hope Unlimited Church on TBN

Hope Unlimited Church ( http://www.thehopeuc.com/ ), at Peck Road and Longden, reports today on Facebook that its pastor will be on TBN [Trinity Broadcasting Network] tomorrow night.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Reunites World War I Medals With Recipient's Family

While working in the Monrovia Police Department Property and Evidence Room, Property Officer Tom Carroll came across a box of unclaimed property from years past, containing, among other personal possessions, military medals from the United States Army, including a "Purple Heart" from World War I. The Purple Heart had been awarded retroactively in 1935 to Frank Q. Newton, who had been injured in 1919 while serving on the front lines, nearly 100 years ago.

The Purple Heart is the oldest military award still given to members of the United States Military and is awarded to those who have been wounded or killed while serving. Property Officer Tom Carroll, a United States Army veteran and recipient of the Purple Heart himself, immediately recognized the box that contained the medal and felt the importance of reuniting this military decoration with the family of the recipient.

Initially, he contacted the Purple Heart Foundation, the repository for information on Purple Heart recipients. Unfortunately, this attempt met with no success, as the foundation has only been in existence for just over fifty years. Tom then began searching law enforcement databases, but again, was unsuccessful. He then sought assistance from the Police Department's Technology Bureau Supervisor, Jim Emett, who began searching through public genealogical databases for information. He entered the name and army unit of Frank Q. Newton, searching his military records, and eventually was able to positively identify him, which ultimately led to identifying his living relatives.

Subsequent searches in law enforcement databases and contacting two other outside agencies finally revealed the recipient's family currently resides in Northern California. The family knew the story of their father receiving the Purple Heart, but had no idea his medals still existed, and they were amazed and grateful when they learned the medals would be returned to them. Property Officer Tom Carroll had the medals mounted in a shadow box for the family, and the medals were hand delivered to the family at the Los Angeles International Airport on July 23, 2013.

Frank Q. Newton served as a frontline Ambulance Wagoner in the European Theater during the First World War. He was severely injured from exposure to mustard gas while serving on the front lines for the United States Army. He died in 1975 in San Diego, California.

Source: Monrovia Police press release

- Brad Haugaard

Girders | Monrovia Journalist Dies | Chu: Not Enough Asians in Administration

~ Here are the girders that were transported through Monrovia, now in place as part of the 700-foot long San Gabriel River Bridge.

~ Star-News writer and Monrovia resident, Janette Lamb Williams, died unexpectedly at her home. http://goo.gl/AqSteQ Comment: I had the privilege to sit next to Janette at a party once and was impressed by her kindly good humor and wit. She was also a fine writer. I knew that whenever I read one of her articles that everybody would be treated fairly.

~ Congresswoman Judy Chu, who represents Monrovia, writes that she will be meeting with President Obama and complains that "there have not been any new high-level Asian American or Pacific Islander (AAPI) appointments to replace outgoing AAPI secretaries in his second term." She says that "the administration is missing an opportunity to fully reflect the diversity of our country in its leadership." http://goo.gl/lZzYnZ

- Brad Haugaard

AeroVironment Switchblade Drone Facing Competition

The 6-pound Switchblade drone, used by the Army and produced by Monrovia's AeroVironment, is facing competition. http://goo.gl/HxoJO

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Jumping at Moving Cars; Attack with Brick and Gun; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for July 18-21. - Brad Haugaard]

 

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.

 

Non-Injury Traffic Collision – Vehicle vs. Pedestrian

July 18 at 7:43 p.m., a driver came to the police department lobby to report a traffic accident in the 400 block of Foothill.  The driver reported he was traveling east on Foothill in the number two lane, when an unknown male subject walking on the sidewalk jumped into the street and into the side of his vehicle.  The driver stopped to see if the subject was hurt, but the male subject ran and fled the area.  The driver came to the police department to report the accident.

 

Loitering Complaint / Probation Violation – Suspect Arrested

July 19 at 2:33 p.m., officers were dispatched to a business in the 700 block of East Huntington regarding a complaint of a subject loitering.  The subject was contacted and a computer check revealed a warrant for violation of probation.  The subject was arrested for the warrant and taken into custody. 

 

Robbery – Cell Phone

July 19 at 9:58 p.m., a robbery was reported in the 100 block of West Olive.  The victim was walking with family members while texting on her cell phone.  The suspect walked up to the victim, pushed her and took her cell phone.  The suspect then fled the area.  The investigation is continuing.

 

Strong-Arm Robbery  

July 20 at 3:20 a.m., the victim of a robbery that had just occurred came to the police department lobby to report the crime.  The victim was walking at the corner of Mayflower and Duarte, when he heard someone walking up behind him.  He turned around and a suspect behind him threw a brick at him, but missed.  Two other suspects then ran across the street and all three began fighting with the victim. 

 

The victim fought with the subjects until one of them broke away from the fight and produced a small automatic handgun.  The suspect told him to put his stuff on the ground and leave.  The victim put his phone and wallet on the ground and ran.  The suspects took his belongings and fled the area.  The suspects were wearing hooded sweatshirts with the hoods pulled up.  The investigation is continuing.

 

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested

July 21 at 2:24 a.m., an officer on patrol stopped a vehicle in the area of Duarte and Fifth Avenue for a vehicle code violation.  He contacted the driver and observed symptoms of intoxication.  Through investigation, the driver was determined to be under the influence and was arrested and taken into custody. 

 

Grand Theft Auto

July 22 at 12:18 a.m., officers responded to the 500 block of East Lime Avenue on the report of a grand theft auto that had just occurred.  Officers immediately searched for the victim's vehicle, but they did not find it.  According to a witness, a black sedan was seen driving very slow in the area when the vehicle was stolen.  As the victim's vehicle was being driven away by the suspect, the black sedan followed it.  The victim's vehicle was last seen traveling south on Shamrock from Lime.  The victim said her vehicle was left unlocked and she has accounted for all of her keys.  The victim's vehicle is a brown,1996 Honda Accord.  The investigation is continuing.

Sniffing Volcanoes with Drones from Monrovia Company

Alaskan scientist using Raven drones from Monrovia's AeroVironment to sniff volcanoes. http://goo.gl/2LVxW8

- Brad Haugaard

Which College Will Scoby Sign With? | Unemployment Rates for Monrovia and the State

~ Speculation about what college Monrovia running back Kurt Scoby will choose. Arizona State? http://goo.gl/93bVQ

~ Unemployment dips in California, but is up a bit in Monrovia (Patch: http://goo.gl/ZRYkI ). Comment: What bugs me about news reports I've seen on employment numbers (here's a Star-News report, too: http://goo.gl/TE7K9 ) is that they don't address the main criticism: the claim that employers are switching to part-timers to avoid Obamacare mandates. For example, if you fire one full-timer and hire two part-timers, you are "adding jobs," but I don't think that is exactly good news. I hope the criticism is wrong, but I'd like to hear it addressed. Are more hours being worked or not?

- Brad Haugaard

School Board: Labor Union Agreements, Budget

At its July 24 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/te7hl ), the Monrovia School Board will decide whether to approve agreements with the Monrovia Teachers Association (agreement here: http://goo.gl/n97Pj ) and the California School Employees Association (agreement here: http://goo.gl/uPSVj ).

Also, the board will hear a report on the district budget prepared by Director of Fiscal Services David Conway, who has some kind words for the state: "This is the first state budget in nearly a decade that is truly balanced, without using accounting gimmicks, funding shifts or increased deferrals of state apportionments." http://goo.gl/kWz1V

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Rigo's Mexican Food

Lunch at Rigo's Mexican Food, at the corner of Foothill and Mayflower. Got the Caldo de Mariscos ($10.95) and iced tea ($1.50). It is a seafood and veggie soup. Came with tortillas and, of course, chips. Very nice!

 

- Brad Haugaard

Bright New Paint Job for Mini Mall

The mini mall at Mayflower and Foothill has a new paint job. You are unlikely to miss it. 

 

- Brad Haugaard

Construction on Gold Line Maintenance Yard | Music Man

~ Work on the Monrovia Gold Line maintenance yard proceeds.

~ Professional production of The Music Man, tonight at Monrovia High. Get tickets here: http://goo.gl/kHory

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Water is Fine | Jazz Cats | E Waste | Cancer Research | Art Walk

~ Monrovia reports its water quality "comes through with flying colors." Report here: http://goo.gl/j1EbR

~ This Sunday, July 21, 7 p.m. at the Library Bandshell: "Gem City Jazz Cats."

~ E Waste Recycling at Monrovia Park N Ride (corner of S. Myrtle and W. Pomona Ave.) Saturday and Sunday, July 27-28, 9-3 p.m.

~ Monrovia's bigShrimps restaurant is helping Karly Adair raise money for Leukemia and Lymphoma research. You can help, too. http://goo.gl/x0bVB

~ Summer Art Walk along Myrtle in Old Town Saturday, July 27, 7-10 p.m. Art for sale, galleries open, art demonstrations, live music.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovian Nominated for Emmy Award

According to the East Lime Avenue Facebook page, Monrovian Mike Roth has received an Emmy nomination for his cartoon, The Regular Show. "This is his fourth nomination, one of which resulted in a win last year!" Here's Wikipedia on The Regular Show: http://goo.gl/BXX74

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Says: Watch Out for Giant Beams!

Commuters and residents are advised that 130-foot concrete beams for the Metro Gold Line Extension will be transported through the City of Monrovia between Friday, July 19 and Tuesday, July 23.

The beams will be used for the construction of the San Gabriel River Bridge. Most of the 21 beams will be transported during off peak hours between 4 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. starting on Friday and ending on Tuesday, and are not expected to cause significant impact to residents and businesses. However, three beams will be transported through Monrovia between the hours of noon to 2 p.m. on Friday.

"Based on the alternatives evaluated by Public Works, Gold Line and their contractors, this route and delivery times will result in the least impact to our community," City Manager Laurie Lile said.

All trucks carrying the oversized loads will exit Westbound 210 at Myrtle onto West Central Avenue, on Central to Mayflower Avenue, turning left to Duarte Road and traveling on Duarte Road into the City of Duarte.

Drivers on the road during this time are asked to be mindful of pilot cars and traffic controls in the area.

Source: City of Monrovia press release

- Brad Haugaard

Burglars Hitting Cars in North Monrovia | Big Crane

~ Burglars targeting cars in north end of Monrovia. http://goo.gl/jbUQW

~ Big crane being used to upgrade power lines at north end of Encinitas. http://goo.gl/egBB7

- Brad Haugaard

Music at the Aztec

The San Gabriel Valley Choral Company invites the choral community of Southern California to join in singing a preview of its upcoming season. With selections by Mozart, Ramirez, Gibbs, Lauridsen, Orban and more, this will be a supernatural afternoon of music from all over the globe, presented in the stunning ambiance of the historic Aztec Hotel in Monrovia, where the SGVCC will perform in October the first concert of its 2013-2014 season. Included is an afternoon workshop on Saturday, August 10, where Artistic Director Zanaida Robles will lead the singers on an exciting tour of several selections of the season’s repertoire, and an optional Sunday morning (August 11) performance of a spiritual at a Monrovia church service. There will also be an optional group dinner Saturday evening. Online registration of $35 is being accepted at www.sgvccworkshop.eventbrite.com. For more information, please contact choralcompany@gmail.com or 626-579-2433.

The Saturday, August 10 workshop will be held from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. and will include the following repertoire: Mozart’s Requiem; “Kyrie” from Misa Criolla by Ramirez; “Blow Blow Thou Winter Wind” by Rutter; the spirituals “Every Time I Feel the Spirit” by Dawson and “Great God Almighty” by Gibbs; and Gilbert & Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance. The optional Sunday morning session will be from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Monrovia. Registration includes score rental, refreshments, and two free tickets to any 2013-2014 season concert. The registration deadline is July 31. Whether you’re looking for a choir to sing in or you are just seeking an afternoon of making great music, the SGVCC welcomes you to its workshop.

Artistic Director Zanaida Robles is on the faculty of Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA) while pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral music at the University of Southern California (USC). As a DMA Teaching Assistant at USC, she directs the USC Thornton University Chorus. Ms. Robles also directs Discovery Camerata and served for three years as director of the MusicUNTOLD Chorale. She has prepared choirs for performances with such artists as Josh Groban, Kristin Chenoweth, Audra McDonald, and Wayne Brady.

Founded in 1995 by Dr. Thomas M. Miyake of California State University, Los Angeles, the SGVCC is a non-profit choir based in Monrovia, CA. The group’s repertoire has included music from the Renaissance period to recent works of the 21st century. Along with more traditional selections, music performed has featured avant-garde, jazz, gospel, Broadway musical revues, and staged productions. More information about the chorale and the concert season can be found at www.choralcompany.org.

Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard 

Outside Dining Approved for New Monrovia Hot Dog Joint

Monrovia's Design Review Committee has given the okay for outside dining to S'Links, a gourmet hot dog joint that will be opening soon at 630 South Myrtle. Here are some pictures (if you have a Facebook account) of the work going on in the building to get ready for the opening: http://goo.gl/tCvuc

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Mailbox Theft, Bank Fraud, Cars and More

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for July 15–17. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 475 service events, resulting in 82 investigations.

Attempt Mail Theft

July 15 at 1:58 p.m., a resident in the 500 block of Sombrero reported that a male White subject in a silver Honda Passport, or similar vehicle, drove on the wrong side of the street to his mailbox and attempted to open it. Due to a similar incident, the victim had replaced their traditional mailbox with a security mailbox and the suspect was not able to open the mailbox. The suspect realized he had been seen and fled the area. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto

July 16 at 1:48 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 600 block of West Duarte Road. The vehicle was actually taken a week earlier, but the victim waited to report it because she thought it might be a family member who took the car and they would return it. When the family member refused to return the car, the victim reported it as stolen. The vehicle taken was a 2004 Volkswagen Beetle. The LoJack system on the vehicle was activated and El Monte Police Department located the vehicle. A short time later a possible suspect, the victim's brother, came forward and admitted he had taken the vehicle. El Monte Police Department arrested him.

Vehicle Burglary

July 16 at 2:30 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from a business parking lot in the 1600 block of South Mountain. The victim is an employee of the business and the theft occurred the previous day about 5:30 p.m. The loss was an iPod, black Ray Ban glasses and a Bank of America checkbook. That day, the victim saw a silver Acura SUV with two suspects who had jumped into the Acura and left quickly. The vehicle entered the 210 Freeway. The victim followed the vehicle on the freeway, but lost sight of it. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto – Motorcycle

July 16 at 2:57 p.m., a black, 2009, Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle that had been locked in a parking lot in the 100 block of West Huntington Drive was taken by unknown suspect(s). The theft occurred between 6:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. that day. The investigation is continuing.

Fraud

July 16 at 4:08 p.m., a male Hispanic suspect entered a bank in the 100 block of West Foothill and attempted to withdraw cash from an account that had just been opened over the Internet. The funds in the account had been fraudulently deposited from another recently opened account. The suspect provided a fraudulent California identification card. The bank became suspicious and called the police.

The suspect was on the phone with someone during the delay at the teller window. He realized the police had been called and he then fled the location. The suspect had committed the same crime a week earlier and had received $800 in cash. Bank staff advised that this is a popular scam that has been occurring in Los Angeles County. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto

July 18 at 1:16 a.m., police responded to the report of a stolen vehicle from the 400 block of North Encinitas. A 1997 Honda was taken from the front of the residence. The investigation is continuing.

Detective Bureau Case Follow-up

Assault with a Deadly Weapon / Injury Hit and Run Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Charged

On July 6, the suspect driver in this case was involved in three incidents over a short period of time in three different locations, one in Monrovia. In the Monrovia incident, the suspect drove his vehicle around a bicyclist on Huntington and Mountain before intentionally striking him. The suspect was later arrested in Azusa. The California Highway Patrol handled two of the three incidents and the case was filed jointly at Pasadena Superior Court. The charges filed were three counts of assault with a deadly weapon, other than firearm; two counts of injury hit and run; and two counts of driving under the influence, resulting in injury. The suspects bail was set at $320,000.

Felony Evading / Hit & Run Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence / Gang Injunction Violation – Suspect Charged

On June 4, a driver failed to yield and evaded an officer attempting to stop him. The suspect made his way into the City of Duarte and drove into a cul-de-sac, where he exited his moving vehicle, injuring his foot. The suspect was taken to a hospital. He was determined to be under the influence of alcohol and drugs. The case was filed in Pasadena Superior Court and the suspect was charged with felony evading, misdemeanor hit and run, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and violation of the City of Monrovia's gang injunction.

Suspect Arrested and Charged for Thefts From Vehicles

On July 13, a resident in the 1000 block of Norumbega saw a suspect in her vehicle. The suspect, realizing he was seen, exited the victim's vehicle with her purse in hand. The suspect ran from officers and he was not located. A few hours later, a citizen reported a subject jumping over the wall adjacent to the wash into a backyard in the 200 block of Madeline. Officers responded to the house and spoke to a number of subjects.

Further investigation led to the issuing of a warrant for one of the subjects at the house on Madeline; he was located and arrested. He admitted to committing a number of thefts from vehicles. The case was filed in Pasadena Superior Court and the charges filed are one count of receiving stolen property and four counts of petty theft. Detectives were able to connect the suspect to five other theft cases. They were able to recover some of the property stolen and return it to their owners.

Monrovia Assemblymember: Boycott Florida

Press release from Monrovia's Assemblymember:

Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena) - with the backing of the California Legislative Black Caucus - said he would introduce a resolution calling for a repeal of Florida's "stand-your-ground" law and urging a boycott of Florida in the wake of the not guilty verdict in the shooting of Trayvon Martin.

"When I heard the verdict last weekend, I was disappointed and saddened. Another young black child is dead and nobody is being held accountable," said Assemblymember Holden. "It is a true nightmare scenario for every black parent in America, and a sad commentary on racial injustice in this country.

While sitting in a downtown Los Angeles courthouse waiting to be called for jury duty earlier this week, I thought 'What do we do now'? I urge the Department of Justice to investigate civil-rights charges against Zimmerman and it is my sincere hope that the tragic death of Trayvon Martin compels legislators in Florida and other states to put an end to stand-your-ground laws. I keep asking myself - didn't Trayvon Martin have a right to also stand his ground? What were Trayvon Martin's rights?

Until then, I plan to plan to introduce a Resolution on behalf of the California Legislative Black Caucus urging a boycott of Florida, and encouraging all organizations, businesses, and families who would normally do business with or travel to Florida to consider patronizing other states; it's just not safe to travel in Florida until the law is changed.

The death of Trayvon Martin is a tragedy that will reverberate across the country. My heart is heavy, but I continue to believe that a peaceful, lawful solution is the only answer. By boycotting Florida tourism, conventions, and conferences we send a clear message that the death of an unarmed black teenager cannot be tolerated."

Source: Holden press release

- Brad Haugaard