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Monrovia Schools Budget a Bit Better

At the Sept. 11 School Board meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/mNKGme ) the board will receive a report saying the district's ending balance for unrestricted general funds for the 2012-13 year is better than projected - $10,130,664 in the kitty as opposed to $9,745,122 projected, or $385,542 more than estimated. Details: http://goo.gl/FhLA2P

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Back-to-School Nights


Source: School Board agenda

- Brad Haugaard

Holden Architect-Protection Bill Goes to Governor

The State Legislature today gave final approval to Assemblymember Chris Holden's bill to end disputes over architects' designs. The Assembly voted 75 to 0 on amendments taken earlier in the Senate. AB 630 now goes to Governor Brown for signature. Holden represents Monrovia.

AB 630 safeguards an architect's drawings or plans by clarifying that a person can only use the plans or drawings if they have written permission. Architects currently face a challenge preventing those who are not authorized to use their work from using it again and again.

Source: Holden press release

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Chang Thai Bistro


Lunch at Chang Thai Bistro just north of Olive on the east side of Myrtle. Got the Kang Ka Ree (chicken curry) lunch special for $6.95 and a beer ($5.95), plus tax and tip. It came with a very nice soup. I've had this dish several times over the years and never been disappointed. Nice. 

- Brad Haugaard

Former Monrovia Mayor Has Close Encounter with Lightning | Monrovia vs. Ayala

~ While on his Canada-to-Mexico bike ride, former Monrovia mayor and current school board member Rob Hammond had a mini adventure: "While we are in the deluge lightning hits the tree behind us and sends the tree crashing into and blocks the road. This will not be boring."

~ It's Monrovia High vs. Ayala High (of Chino Hills) tomorrow at 7 p.m. at MHS. Here's the San Gabriel Valley Tribune's take on the game: http://goo.gl/nQgGye

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Opening Cooling Centers for Heat Alert Weekend

The Los Angeles County Health Officer has declared a Heat Alert as high temperatures have been forecast for the East San Gabriel Valley on Thursday, September 5 through Sunday, September 8.

Precautions should be taken, especially by individuals who participate in outdoor activities, older adults, caretakers of infants and children, and those sensitive to heat. Everyone should remember to take special care of themselves, children, the elderly, and pets. When temperatures are high, prolonged sun exposure may cause dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.

Cooling Centers are available:
Monrovia Community Center
119 W Palm Avenue, Monrovia, CA 91016
Friday, September 6, 8:00am - 8:00pm
Saturday, September 7, 12:00pm - 12:30am
Sunday, September 8, 9:30am - 8:00pm

Additional tips for those who must work or exercise outdoors:
- Drink water or electrolyte-replacing sports drinks often; do not wait until you are thirsty
- Ensure that cool drinking water is available
- Avoid drinking sweetened drinks, caffeine, and alcohol
- Avoid drinking extremely cold water as this is more likely to cause cramps
- Allow athletes or outdoor workers to take frequent rests
- Pay attention to signs of dehydration which include dizziness, fatigue, faintness, headaches, muscle cramps, and increased thirst.  Individuals with these symptoms should be moved to a cooler, shaded place and given water or sports drinks. More severe signs of heat-related illness may include diminished judgment, disorientation, pale and clammy skin, a rapid and weak pulse, and/or fast and shallow breathing.
- Coaches, teachers, and employers should seek immediate medical attention for those exhibiting signs of heat-related illness.

Source: Monrovia press release

Monrovia Police: Car Stolen, Torched; Stealing Audio System - While It's Playing; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Sept. 2–4. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 464 service events, resulting in 75 investigations.

Vehicle Vandalism

September 3 at 4:57 a.m., police dispatch received a call from a pedestrian reporting a vehicle parked in a parking lot in the 100 block of East Lemon with all of the windows broken out. An officer responded and it appears to be an act of vandalism.

Grand Theft – Suspect Arrested

September 3 at 8:32 p.m., a business in the 300 block of West Huntington called and reported a suspect inside the store had reached around a counter and removed an iPhone that was playing the store music. Once the music stopped, employees looked at the store security film and saw that the suspect was still inside the store, in line, and they called police. When the suspect left the store, he was detained by an officer outside and arrested for the theft.

Domestic Violence / Grand Theft Auto Recovered – Suspect Arrested

September 4 at 4:39 a.m., the victim of a recent domestic battery incident that occurred on August 31 called to report her car had been stolen. The suspect had battered his girlfriend, hitting her three times in the face, causing her right eye to swell shut and a half inch laceration above her eye. The suspect fled the location and is wanted by police for the battery charges. The victim reported that the vehicle had been taken from the front of her house. Approximately 30 minutes later, the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department responded to the report of a vehicle on fire. They located the woman's vehicle, which had been set on fire in the county area of Duarte. The boyfriend/suspect in the domestic battery had a key to the vehicle.

A wanted person's entry was made into the law enforcement computer system and the suspect was observed by Claremont police officers later that same day. A chase ensued. Monrovia Special Enforcement Team officers and detectives from the West San Gabriel Valley Anti-Crime Task Force responded to assist Claremont officers. Seeing the police presence at his home, the suspect surrendered to officers. The investigation is continuing.

Monrovia's AeroVironment Gets $6.6 Million Army Order

Monrovia's AeroVironment gets $6.6 million Army order for killer drones. http://goo.gl/x8UIBf

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Supports Completion of 710 Freeway

Monrovia City Council supports completing 710 Freeway gap in South Pasadena. http://goo.gl/vXWuOh

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Congresswoman Condemns Syria, Wants to Know What You Think

Congresswoman Judy Chu, who represents the top edge of Monrovia, condemns the Syrian regime and promises that her "top priority in the days to come is to deliberate on the facts as we know them, and deliver a vote for the best course of action for the American people and the world." ( http://goo.gl/Z74Bns ).

She'd also like your opinion on what to do about Syria, here: http://chu.house.gov/survey

- Brad Haugaard

Mt. Sierra College Picks Up New Property

Mt. Sierra College will get a new home on the southwest corner of Huntington and Myrtle, caddy-corner from its current location. http://goo.gl/n7ofsr


- Brad Haugaard

AeroVironment to Work on Long-Flying Drone | Antonovich: Keep Felons in Jail

~ Monrovia's AeroVironment is joining a military research program to develop a medium-altitude long-endurance drone that can launch from smaller ships. For observation and striking. http://goo.gl/7xkv9d

~ County Supervisor Michael Antonovich, who represents Monrovia, calls for reducing early-release of violent offenders and sex offenders. http://goo.gl/Woxd5R

- Brad Haugaard

Hot for a While | Monrovia Football Rated on Top

~ Gonna stay hot in Monrovia for a bit according to The Weather Channel. 96 tomorrow, 97 Thursday, 96 Friday and 92 Saturday. http://goo.gl/jVcV97

~ CIF-Southern Section football polls say Monrovia is tops in the Mid-Valley. http://goo.gl/3HhwiA

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Arrest Man in Black; Roll-Over Accident; Battery; Etc.

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

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.

Theft From a Vehicle

August 29 at 12:20 p.m., a theft from a vehicle was reported in the 200 block of North Mayflower Avenue. The vehicle was broken into sometime between August 28 and August 29. The vehicle was left unlocked and the suspect(s) took the vehicle registration and an insurance card from inside. The investigation is continuing.

Stolen Vehicle Recovered

August 29 at 7:24 p.m., a caller reported a vehicle that had been parked in the 600 block of Fig for several days and provided the license plate. A computer check of the plate revealed the vehicle had been reported stolen to the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department on August 26. The vehicle is a beige, four-door, 1999 Lincoln Continental. An officer was dispatched to recover the vehicle.

Wanted for Burglary – Suspect Arrested

August 29 at 7:27 p.m., police responded to the report of a 50-year-old male subject dressed in all black, pacing to and from an ATM machine in the 500 block of West Huntington. An officer responded and located the subject. A computer check revealed the subject was wanted for burglary by the West Covina Police Department. It was confirmed that the subject was still wanted and he was arrested and later released to West Covina Police Department.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested

August 30 at 1:51 a.m., an officer observed a vehicle commit a vehicle code violation heading westbound on Huntington. He stopped the vehicle at Santa Anita. During the investigation, the officer determined the driver was driving under the influence and he was arrested for the charge.

Commercial Burglary – One Suspect Arrested

August 30 at 10:23 a.m., two suspects entered a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain and separated. One suspect selected several smoke alarms, while the other exited the store, drove his vehicle to the garden area and waited for the suspect inside the store to exit. The suspect who selected the items walked out the front entrance without paying for them. As loss prevention officers responded and approached the suspect, the other suspect in the vehicle yelled out that he was being followed. The suspect with the items tossed them into the waiting vehicle, jumped in and both suspects fled.

Officers responded to take a report on the burglary and recognized the suspects from the store security cameras. One of the suspects was later seen by officers at a park in the 300 block of South Myrtle and he was arrested. A want was entered into the law enforcement computer system for the arrest of the second suspect, the driver. The investigation is continuing.

Welfare Check / 72-Hour Mental Evaluation

August 30 at 11:42 a.m., officers responded to a welfare check in the 800 block of Bonita Street. The subject was purposely hitting his head up against a wall. The subject was taken to a hospital and placed under a 72-hour hold for mental evaluation.

Disturbing Subject / 72-Hour Mental Evaluation

August 30 at 12:05 p.m., officers were dispatched to a business in the 1400 block of South Mountain regarding a disturbing subject. A female subject was swearing and yelling at customers at a business. Officers responded and the woman was taken to a hospital, where she was held for 72-hour mental evaluation.

Traffic Collision

August 30 at 3:02 p.m., a rollover traffic collision was reported in the area of Mayflower and Evergreen. A vehicle was crossing Mayflower, eastbound on Evergreen, when a northbound vehicle collided into the side, causing the vehicle to roll over. No one was injured.

Domestic Battery With Great Bodily Injury

August 31 at 12:17 a.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of Spanner regarding a possible burglary in progress. On arrival, they made contact with the victim, who had locked herself in a room, along with her parents. A check of the property was conducted, but the suspect had left.

The victim is dating the suspect, who had entered the house through a rear door that was left open due to the heat. The suspect argued with the victim and accused her of cheating on him. He then punched the victim in the face three times, just below the right eye, causing the eye to swell shut and a half inch laceration. A wanted person entry was made into the law enforcement computer system for the suspect. The investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect

August 31 at 2:11 a.m., an officer on patrol stopped a vehicle at Myrtle and Los Angeles for a vehicle code violation. The driver showed signs of intoxication. Through further investigation, the officer determined the subject was driving under the influence and arrested him.

Criminal Threats / Battery

August 31 at 10:18 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 800 block of East Lemon regarding a battery incident. The suspect had fled the location. After investigation, the officer determined the suspect criminally threatened and battered the boyfriend of his former girlfriend. The suspect was not located, but his identity and residence are known. A wanted person entry was completed for the suspect's arrest.

Monrovia Tests Mass Notification System

Monrovia will be conducting a test of the Nixle/911 emergency mass notification system at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 3, 2013. Residents will receive the following message:

"The City of Monrovia is conducting a test of their mass notification system. This is only a test. If this were an actual emergency, a text message and or email message may also be sent out to subscribers. To subscribe to get additional notifications from this agency, via text message or email, text your zip code to 888777, or sign up for free at www.nixle.com. For additional recorded information, please call 626-303-6610."

If you'd like to receive other important local info, you can sign up here: http://www.nixle.com

Source: City Facebook post

Comment: Well, we got a blank message on our answer machine this morning, so maybe it doesn't leave messages.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School Board Member, Former Mayor on Canada-to-Mexico Bike Trip



The bikes loaded for the trip.

Monrovia Board of Education member and former Mayor, Rob Hammond, took off this morning on a
Canada-to-Mexico bicycle trip. He has been practicing for this trip for months and is apparently driving to Canada and then will take off from there on two wheels. He writes: "We left this morning on time. Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers for safety."

His route is from Port Angeles, through Victoria BC, then south along US 101 and 1 to the US Mexican border.

- Brad Haugaard



Monrovia Assemblymember's Innovation-Promotion Bill Passes Legislature

A bill to expand the state's iHub innovation network has been approved by the Legislature and now goes to the Governor for his signature. Assembly Bill 250 is by Assemblymember Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia.

It establishes the California Innovation Hub (iHub) Program and creates an iHub Accelerator Fund in the state treasury to accept private sector funding to operate the program.

The fund will allow the state to compete for grant funding from the federal government, private sector and foundations to encourage innovation.

Source: Holden press release

- Brad Haugaard

Feature Story on Monrovia's Pacific Plate Brewing Co.

The Star-News puts Monrovia's new Pacific Plate Brewing Co. on the front page. Pacific Plate "chose to locate in Monrovia in part to avoid the red tape and expense of opening in L.A. and because the city was welcoming." http://goo.gl/NbTQhE

Opinion: The State of California should be required to write that line 400 times on a blackboard.

- Brad Haugaard

New Homes Being Built at Ivy and Olive

New homes under construction at Ivy and Olive. http://goo.gl/L0ygnT

- Brad Haugaard

Golf to Support Monrovia Youth Baseball League

Golfers, time to sign up for the Monrovia Youth Baseball League golf tournament, to be held October 25 at California Country Club in Whittier. Proceeds for snack bar renovations, field improvements, player scholarships. To sign up: Jack Taylor, 315-1103 or musipooh@aol.com. Sponsorship info: Fil Lujan, 297-6141 or fil801@gmail.com. Details: http://goo.gl/6QdGO2

- Brad Haugaard