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Monrovia Y Announces Its Honorees

On Facebook, the Santa Anita Family YMCA in Monrovia has announced its honorees for its Red Envelope Gala on September 26. They are:

- Sandra Mejia - Cathy Hotchkin Humanitarian Award
- Monrovia Memorial Hospital - Business of the Year
- Terry Hotchkin - Volunteer of the Year

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Rudy's Mexican Food


Lunch at Rudy's Mexican Food at Myrtle and Colorado. Got the Carne Asada Plate ($8.65) with an iced tea. Very good. Cut up the steak and made tacos. 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council: New Fire Training Tower; Report Crimes Online; Etc.

At its August 6 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/ECJC1x ), the Monrovia City Council will ...

~ Consider replacing the existing three-story training tower at fire station 102 with a new four-story tower. The new tower will cost $716,765 and its associated equipment $153,228. Monrovia would split operational costs with Arcadia and the thing would be paid for by a Homeland Security grant. http://goo.gl/9yywwn

~ Consider spending $25,110 to buy an online reporting system so residents can file lower priority police reports from their home or business computers, thereby reducing the time officers spend preparing these types of reports and allowing officers to remain in the field to handle higher priority calls. http://goo.gl/tIJU1O

~ Consider spending $79,862 to buy two firefighter survival mobil props. Paid for by a Homeland Security grant. http://goo.gl/qD5qNK

~ Consider spending $122,055.00 to replace bad sewer line on Ridgeside Drive. http://goo.gl/uE1K2z

~ Consider paying Karen Warner Associates $46,015 for an update of the city's Housing Element, part of Monrovia's General Plan. http://goo.gl/seujuC

~ Have another closed session meeting about police and fire negotiations.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Unveils New Interim Website


The City of Monrovia launched an interim website on August 1, 2013 as part of a larger redesign process approved by the City Council in July 2013.

The interim site serves as the first step in the design process.  The site currently features most of the content from the old site, with some pages are still under construction.  All website content will be uploaded to the interim site over the next few weeks.

The redesign process allows for the City to offer information on programs, services and access to public information in a way that is more streamlined for residents, visitors and businesses logging on to www.cityofmonrovia.org

The new, customized design will be incorporated into the site September 2013.  Once completed, it will feature micro-sites for each City Department, a mobile-specific site for those accessing the website on a smartphone or tablet, email subscriptions, an emergency alert ticker, a Google-optimized search engine, social networking integration, rotating banner images, photo album slideshows, and the customized design for branding and marketing.

Aha Consulting, an Oregon-based website firm that specializes in government websites, is hosting the interim site and designing the new website.

Source: City of Monrovia press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Petty Thefts, Delusions, Burglary

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for July 29–31. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 449 service events, resulting in 72 investigations.

Commercial Burglary / Petty Theft with Prior - Suspect Arrested

On July 29, at 4:29 p.m., officers were dispatched to a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain regarding a shoplifter in custody. A male suspect was being detained for stealing over $500 worth of merchandise and using a booster bag. A computer check revealed he had several prior thefts with convictions. The suspect was arrested and charged with burglary and petty theft with a prior.

Mental Evaluation / Warrant – Suspect Arrested

On July 31 at 4:00 p.m., an officer stopped a male in the 100 block of East Lemon, who had been reportedly bothering several store owners by walking in and out of their stores behaving oddly. A computer check revealed the subject had minor warrants out of Los Angeles. While the subject was being booked he was having delusional thoughts and began banging his body against the wall and the bars of the jail. The subject was taken to a hospital, where he was held for mental evaluation.

Residential Burglary

On July 31 at 8:21 p.m., an officer responded to the 500 block of West Foothill regarding a residential burglary. The victim went home after work and noticed someone had been in the home. She was unable to say what was taken. The suspect (s) entered through a front unlocked window. There were no signs of forced entry found.

Scout Gathers Food for Unity Center

The Star-News supplement, The Weekly Star, has a nice article today about Boy Scout Garrett Coombs, who organized a pancake breakfast held at the Monrovia Knights of Columbus building, for his Eagle Scout project. Coombs accepted non-perishable foods as payment for breakfast. The food is being donated to the Foothill Unity Center.

-Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Basketball Camp

Santa Anita Family Y reports on Facebook that it still has spaces for its Basketball Camp, August 5-8, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The camp is taught by Isaiah Fox and Bertram Hall. Isaiah played at the University of Arizona and professionally overseas. Bertram is a Y staff member and plays for Azusa Pacific.
 
- Brad Haugaard

Who to Call If You Dig Up Mastodon Bones

Here's an interesting Monrovia company. Its website says Paleo Solutions is "an environmental consulting firm specializing in paleontological and archaeological resources management." I guess they help if you dig up saber-tooth tiger bones while grading a road or something. http://goo.gl/KWpdwt

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's STAAR Surgical Reports Strong Earnings

STAAR Surgical of Monrovia, which makes replacement eye lenses, today reported revenue of $18.2 million for the second quarter of 2013, up 14 percent compared to $15.9 million for the second quarter of 2012. http://goo.gl/gHXeFn

- Brad Haugaard

Will Feds Mess With Monrovia's Water? | Shooting at the Repo Man

~ Might the federal government interfere with Monrovia's supply of water from the mountains? http://goo.gl/U62uYu

~ Man arrested in Monrovia county area. Suspected of shooting at the car repo man. http://goo.gl/3kjWcj

- Brad Haugaard

Produce in the Park | Monrovia PD Looks for Robber

~ Produce in the Park this Saturday, August 3, 9-11 a.m. in Library Park at the corner of Lime and Myrtle. See what's been growing in your neighbor's gardens.

~ Monrovia Police look for armed robber who robbed Duarte store. http://goo.gl/87tunc

- Brad Haugaard

Virtual Public School Info Meeting In Monrovia

Capistrano Connections Academy, a tuition-free virtual public school chartered through the Capistrano Unified School District and available to students in grades K-12 , will host a free information session in Monrovia for families interested in learning about its online program. The session will take place on August 13 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Courtyard Monrovia - 700 W. Huntington Dr. In Monrovia. 
 
- Brad Haugaard

Dogwoods to Become Juvolicious

The old Dogwoods market on Foothill may soon have a new sign that says, "Juvolicious." The city's Design Review Committee will consider the sign at its next meeting ( http://goo.gl/JwhKOo ). According to its website, Juvolicious ( http://www.juvolicious.com/ ) is "a venture funded ecommerce company that purchases popular consumer products from manufacturers and wholesalers across the United States." It is also owned by the same folks who own Juvo Capital ( http://www.juvocapital.com/ ), whom I thought were going to move in there.

Comment: For some reason that name makes me thirsty.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Naked Juice Co. Removing 'All Natural' Label on Its Products

In response to a lawsuit, Naked Juice Co. of Monrovia, will remove the label, "all natural," from its veggie and fruit smoothies until the term, "natural," is better defined. http://goo.gl/5uXbwz

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Safety Tips - Kids and Hot Cars

Monrovia Police advice for National Heatstroke Prevention Day, July 31.

"Too many children die as a result of being left unattended in vehicles for any amount of time," said California Office of Traffic Safety Director Christopher J. Murphy. "These tragedies are 100 percent preventable."

A car's internal temperature can rise above 100 degrees even on cooler days and in 110 degree sun can reach 160 degrees in an hour. When the temperature is 100 degrees, even a half-hour in a vehicle can be enough heat to kill or severely injure young children. It is illegal to leave children unattended in a motor vehicle.

Tips:

- Never leave your child unattended in a hot vehicle, not even for a minute.

- Place a needed item for your next stop, such as your cell phone or purse, on the floor in front of your child's safety seat. This will help to remind you that your child is in the car when you retrieve the needed items.

- Set a reminder or alarm on your cell phone that reminds you to drop off your child at school or day care, or have a loved one call to ensure that the drop-off occurred.

- Ask day care providers to call if your child is ever late being dropped off.

- Develop a routine for exiting the car; check the backseat and lock all doors and the trunk every time.

- Always lock your car doors and do not give children access to keys or keyless entry devices.

- Teach your children that cars are never to be used as a place to play.

- If your child is missing, be sure to check all vehicles and trunks.

- If you see an unattended child in a hot vehicle, call 911 immediately.

Source: Monrovia Police Department

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Ten People To Hold Him Down; Drunk Driving; Drugs; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for July 25-28. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.  To see a complete listing of crimes reported, go to the City of Monrovia website and click on the crime mapping link.  Sign up to follow us on twitter for police notifications.

Residential Burglary
On July 25 at 2:17 p.m., an officer responded to the 800 block of West Duarte regarding a burglary.  The victim left his residence at 9:30 a.m. and returned at 2:00 p.m.  He entered his residence and noticed his bedrooms had been ransacked.  The suspect(s) entered through an unlocked bedroom window.  The suspect(s) took 2 laptops, a checkbook and cash.  The investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol - Suspect Arrested
On July 25 at 8:00 p.m., an officer stopped a male who was talking on his cell phone while driving in the 1500 block of South Mountain.  Upon contacting the driver, he noticed signs and symptoms of alcohol use.  Through investigation, the driver was determined to be under the influence and was arrested.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol - Suspect Arrested
On July 26 at 2:46 a.m., an officer observed a female driving at the intersection of Myrtle and Central and talking on her cell phone. The officer stopped and contacted the driver who showed symptoms of intoxication.  After an investigation, the driver was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Possession of Controlled Substance / Possession of Paraphernalia use for Unlawfully Injecting Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
On July 26 at 10:43 a.m., while on routine patrol, an officer observed a female asleep behind the wheel of a parked vehicle in the 800 block of Orange. He stopped to see if she was okay and saw a syringe on her lap.   The driver was arrested for drug charges.

Violation of Gang Injunction / Resisting and Delaying a Police Officer – Suspect Arrested
On July 26 at 6:33 p.m., dispatch received a call of a disturbance in the 100 block of West Foothill.  When officers arrived the subject fled the scene and ran into a business.  A containment was established and the subject was located inside.  When the officers asked the subject to exit the store he refused.  The subject was later determined to be in violation of Monrovia’s gang injunction.  The subject was arrested for violation of court order and resisting and delaying a police officer.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance / Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
On July 27 at 4:01 a.m., officers responded to the 200 block of South Madison regarding a disturbance.  When officers arrived they discovered a male subject who was first lying in bed and was unresponsive.  After a few minutes, the subject became uncooperative and confrontational with paramedics.  The subject was displaying symptoms of being under the influence of a controlled substance.  It took 10 emergency personnel to hold the subject down.  The wife claimed the subject came home and appeared fine and stepped outside for a few minutes and returned in a psychotic state.  He broke a bedroom window and passed out and was unresponsive.  The subject was taken to Arcadia Methodist Hospital.  Officers located a small glass vial, which contained a liquid substance which tested positive for a controlled substance.  No injuries were sustained by any emergency personnel.

Vehicle Burglary
On July 27 at 4:22 p.m., an officer responded to the 300 block of Prospect regarding a vehicle burglary. Unknown suspect(s) smashed the window of the vehicle and stole a navigation system.   The investigation is continuing.

Petty Theft – Vehicle
On July 27 at 4:23 p.m., an officer responded to the 200 block of Linwood regarding a petty theft from a vehicle.  Unknown suspect(s) entered the unlocked vehicle and took the victims paycheck, I Phone charger and registration. The investigation is continuing.

Big New Monrovia Restaurant Building


The new restaurant building on the old Acapulco site, designed for four small restaurants, looks like it will dwarf the neighboring Chili's restaurant.
 
- Brad Haugaard

Another Monrovia Bear at Work


Caught this guy trash-can fishing this morning about 10:45 on Canyon near Scenic. When I say caught, I mean figuratively, of course.
 
- Bead Haugaard

Business Seminar on Obamacare and Your Business

How will Obamacare affect you and your business? A free seminar at the Monrovia Library, August 7, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. with speaker George Papacalos, regional sales executive for Kaiser Permanente. RSVP by August 5 to Korrine Ramirez, 358-1159 or kr@monroviacc.com. Hosted lunch by Cafe Mundial.

- Brad Haugaard

Development Around Monrovia Gold Line Station

An article about development around what will be the Monrovia Gold Line station. http://goo.gl/M06ojv

- Brad Haugaard