Video Report on Monrovia K-Rails | Police Merit Pay Okay | Thanksgiving for Kids

~ ABC video report on K-rail being installed to prevent flood damage after fire. http://goo.gl/sGOscn

~ Monrovia Police can get merit pay increases now. http://goo.gl/lKwJn3

~ Thanksgiving Bookfeast for children 4 years old through fifth grade at the library. Nov. 23 , 2-3 p.m. http://goo.gl/diA2Y9

- Brad Haugaard

Citrus Dental Assisting Program Gets 7-Year Accreditation

The Registered Dental Assisting Program at Citrus College, which serves Monrovia, has been accredited for another seven years by the American Dental Association. The employment rate for graduates of the program is at 85 percent and the dental student's average pass rate on the State Board Exam is 100 percent on the written exam and 93 percent on the practical exam - the state average is 80 percent.

Source: Citrus College press release

- Brad Haugaard

Robledo Predicts Monrovia Will Lose Championship

Sports reporter Fred Robledo is predicting San Dimas will beat out Monrovia for the Mid-Valley Division football championship. http://goo.gl/G31dcD

Comment: Booo!

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Residents Give Opinions on Train Station | Holiday Home Decorating | Blood Pressure

~ Report on meeting to get Monrovians' opinions on Gold Line station project. http://goo.gl/2NXjWk

~ If you'd like to enter the holiday home decorating contest, deadline to apply is Friday, December 13. Details ( http://goo.gl/CGg3lH ); application form ( http://goo.gl/yzGwPB ).

~ Blood pressure screenings for seniors 50 years and older on the second Tuesday of each month (next would be Dec. 10), from 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m., at the Community Center, 119 West Palm Avenue.  Call 256-8246 for details.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Machete Robbery; Meth Suspect Calls Police; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Nov. 7–10. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.

Commercial Burglary

November 8 at 1:40 p.m., a male suspect walked into a business in the 500 block of West Huntington and went straight to the jewelry section. He immediately began to stuff his pants with jewelry and then ran out of the store. Store security followed the suspect and called police. Officers arrived and saw the suspect riding a bicycle south on Mayflower. When the suspect saw the officers, he jumped off the bike and ran through a condominium complex and out of sight. Officers attempted to surround and contain the area, but the suspect was not located. The investigation is continuing

Petty Theft / Warrant – Suspect Arrested

November 8 at 6:55 p.m., a petty theft was reported at a business in the 500 block of West Huntington. Loss prevention personnel had detained an adult female outside the store after they observed her place several items inside her purse. She paid for a couple of items, but did not pay for the more expensive items she had concealed in her purse. Officers responded and upon further investigation, discovered the suspect also had an outstanding warrant for theft. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Methamphetamine – Suspect Arrested

November 9 at 1:07 a.m., police dispatch received a phone call from a male subject at a hotel in the 900 block of East Huntington. He stated that several armed men had broken into his hotel room and he was barricading himself in the bathroom. The subject was ranting and seemed incoherent. Officers arrived on scene and surrounded the location. They called to the subject and told him to exit the hotel room. He did not respond immediately and was acting strange, but he eventually exited the room. The subject was determined to be under the influence of a controlled substance. Officers made a protective sweep of the hotel room and no other subjects were in the room. The officers discovered methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in the room. The subject was arrested.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested

November 9 at 1:08 a.m., an officer observed a driver make several vehicle code violations and conducted a traffic stop. When contacting the driver, the officer suspected the subject had been drinking. After investigation, the subject was determined to be driving under the influence and was arrested.

Shots Heard

November 8 at approximately 1:29 a.m., dispatch received numerous calls reporting two loud bangs, possibly shots heard, in the area of the 200 block of North Myrtle. No further information was given from any caller. At the time officers were working two separate crimes and both locations reported hearing the possible shots. An extensive area search was conducted with negative results.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested

November 10 at 1:25 a.m., a family disturbance was reported at a residence in the 500 block of South California. Officers arrived and determined that during an argument, the male subject grabbed the female by the jacket and pushed her against the wall. No injuries occurred. The male subject was arrested for domestic violence.

Armed Robbery

November 10 at 6:04 p.m., a robbery was reported at the skate park in the 800 block of East Olive. Three male Hispanic suspects, ages 16 to 20 years old, were at the skate park when one of the suspects confronted the victim with a machete and demanded the victim's laptop computer and wallet. The suspects fled the area in a silver Honda Civic, heading southbound on Shamrock towards Huntington. Officers responded and searched the area, but the suspects were not located. The investigation is continuing.

Special Enforcement Team Activity

On November 8, while on patrol, Special Enforcement Team officers cited one subject for drinking alcohol at a park in the 300 block of South Myrtle.

- Brad Haugaard

NBA and NBPA Donate to World Vision for Philippines Relief

The National Basketball Association and the National Basketball Players Association have joined to make a $250,000 contribution to World Vision to support relief efforts in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan. World Vision has its operations office in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/GTp6YL

- Brad Haugaard

Newspaper Apparently Drops Monday Editorial Page

The Pasadena Star-News, the daily newspaper that covers Monrovia, has apparently dropped its Monday editorial page. I thought it might just be a temporary expedient last Monday, but today, again, it is gone. The paper had earlier dropped its Saturday editorial page.

- Brad Haugaard

Cookbooks at Friends of Monrovia Library Store

The Friends of the Monrovia Public Library has acquired a large cookbook collection from a professional cook, now on sale in the Friends' Store in the library. Examples: "The Joy of Cooking," "Larousse Gastronomique," and "The Gourmet Cookbook." New selections will be added weekly through December. From one dollar up. Proceeds benefit the library. The Friends' Store is open Monday-Wednesday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday-Saturday noon to 5 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Honoring Vets at Monrovia's Library Park

Celebrating Veterans Day at Library Park.

 

- Brad Haugaard

Local Jewish Federation Raising Money for Haiyan Victims

The Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys has opened a Philippines Typhoon Relief Fund to raise money for those affected by Typhoon Haiyan.

If you'd like to contribute you can mail, call or drop-off contributions at the Jewish Federation (Attn: Typhoon Haiyan Relief, 550 S. Second Avenue, Arcadia, CA 91006 or call 445.0810). Donate online here: http://goo.gl/A8hCFS

The Federation will absorb administrative costs so 100% of all donations go directly for aid. For more info call 445.0810 or email federation@jewishsgpv.org.

- Brad Haugaard

E Coli Outbreak May be Linked to Trader Joe's Salads

An E Coli outbreak may be linked to Trader Joe's prepared salads: Field Fresh Chopped Salad with Grilled Chicken, and Mexicali Salad with Chili Lime Chicken. Trader Joe's is based in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/FzvmQT

- Brad Haugaard

Vets Day Food and Celebration

~ A whole list of restaurants offering meal deals to vets. Including lots of locals, such as: Applebee's, Chili's, Olive Garden, Starbuck's, Outback, BJ's, Denny's, California Pizza Kitchen. http://goo.gl/VHiJyz

~ There will be a Vets Day celebration at 11 a.m. in front of the Library.

Comment: Happy Veterans Day my fellow vets!

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Gets Top Seed for Playoffs

The Monrovia Wildcats were given the No. 1 seed in the Mid-Valley Division for the playoffs. They'll go against Sierra Canyon this Friday. http://goo.gl/J1qlQB

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's World Vision Ships Supplies to Philippines; Plans Major Relief Effort

The first relief flight by Monrovia's World Vision - loaded with emergency supplies - will arrive in Manila, the Philippines, tomorrow, Monday. The initial shipment includes 5,000 blankets and 3,000 plastic sheets to be used to help survivors build temporary shelters.

As the death toll climbs and the devastating impact of Typhoon Haiyan becomes evident, World Vision is launching one of its largest relief operation in the country's history, mobilizing staff across the country to respond to nearly 400,000 people affected by the disaster. World Vision has launched a multi-million dollar fundraising appeal to help meet the needs of the response.

More: http://goo.gl/c94PW7

- Brad Haugaard

Crash on 210 in Monrovia | Monrovia History

~ Seven hurt in 210 freeway crash this morning in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/B6mVS2

~ In case you were curious, the Monrovia Library's Heritage Room wants you to know that Monrovia is a General Law city. Now you know. Details: http://goo.gl/YWnY71

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Relief Organization Prepares for Typhoon Haiyan | Gunshots?

~ World Vision - a Christian relief agency based in Monrovia - is preparing for super typhoon Haiyan, which is expected to hit Vietnam and Laos after smashing up the Philippines. World Vision works in 56 districts in Vietnam, supporting some 71,500 children through its sponsorship program, and in Laos, it works in 24 districts, supporting more than 40,000 children. http://goo.gl/WsJdaF

~ Several people have reported to me (Brad) that they heard one or two loud explosions last night, about 2 a.m. Saturday, in north Monrovia. Some thought it sounded like a gunshot or perhaps a transformer exploding.

- Brad Haugaard

Aztec Hotel Owner Applies for an Extension

The Aztec Hotel owner is asking the Monrovia Planning Commission for a one-year extension that would allow a restaurant in the building - not yet operating - to serve alcohol and to have up to three live musicians. City staff recommends the request be granted. Planning Division Manager Craig Jimenez writes in the staff report: "Over the past year, some restoration work on the building has been completed, however, the focus has been on other parts of the property." http://goo.gl/tgqTf4

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Over San Marino :-) | Vets Day in Library Park | Black Alumni Dinner-Dance

~ Monrovia wins over San Marino tonight in football, 62-21, to win Rio Hondo league title. http://goo.gl/SxNbKA

~ Veterans Day ceremony at Library Park, tomorrow, Nov. 9, at Library Park at 9 a.m.

~ Monrovia Duarte Black Alumni Association dinner-dance fundraiser Nov. 9. Details: http://goo.gl/Wl5SUD

- Brad Haugaard

Honoring Retiring Monrovia School Board President; Salary for Behavior Intervention Specialist

At its Wednesday, Nov. 13, 6:45 p.m. meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/adg8b2 ), the Monrovia Board of Education will ...

- Honor retiring Board President Chris Rich for his eight years as a member of the Board of Education.

- Consider setting the salary range for a Behavior Intervention Specialist at $6,890 to $7,554 (per month, I guess, thought it doesn't say). What's a BIS do? "Administers programs and services for behaviorially or emotionally disturbed students." http://goo.gl/gE4mWd

- Brad Haugaard

Help Monrovia's Centre Stage | Christmas Tree and Parade | E-Waste | Handel's Messiah

~ Monrovia's Centre Stage was recently burglarized of about $30,000 of lighting and audio equipment. If you'd like to donate to help it out, here's how: http://goo.gl/Ae1vZr

~ Christmas tree lighting and parade, Thursday, Dec. 5, at 6 p.m. in Library Park. Parade starts at 7 p.m. Comment: It's a fun small-town event.

~ E-waste recycling Dec. 7 and 8, Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. near the corner of Pomona (the south-side freeway access road) and Myrtle. They'll take devices you can plug in, but not light bulbs, batteries and hazardous waste. More details here: http://goo.gl/rzoGFP

~ First Presbyterian Church of Monrovia, at Myrtle and Foothill, will present Handel's Messiah Christmas Concert on Dec. 8th at 7:30 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard