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Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center Needs Donations For Holidays | First Presbyterian Collects for Philippines

~ Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center is seeking donations of food, funds and volunteer time for its holiday season distributions. Funds may be donated online at foothillunitycenter.org. Food and checks may be dropped off weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 415 W. Chestnut Ave. Call 358-3486 for information.

~ First Presbyterian Church Monrovia (Myrtle and Foothill) is collecting for Philippines relief through Presbyterian Mission Agency: http://goo.gl/u4S4BJ

- Brad Haugaard

Community Services Director April Soash Retiring after 32 years in Monrovia

On Saturday, November 30, 2013, Monrovia Community Services Director April Soash retires from public service. Ms. Soash has served the majority of her career in the City of Monrovia, rising from a Recreation Supervisor in 1981, to Community Services Division Manager in 1990, Assistant Director in 1994 and finally to Director of the Community Services Department in 1996. Her official last working day is Friday, November 22.

Throughout her career, Ms. Soash has overseen the annual Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting in Library Park, the annual Spring Egg Hunt, Summer Concerts in the park, Halloween events and Canyon Park's Haunted Hikes, Summer Extravaganza, literacy and cultural programs at the Library, and the former Monrovia Soap Box Derby. She directed City rentals, contract classes, outdoor education programs, youth sports, shelters for emergencies, and published the quarterly Community Services brochure.

Over the past 32 years, she has served nine City Managers, five Mayors, and eighteen City Councilmembers, worked with four City Clerks, five City Treasurers, and seven City Attorneys, and attended over 776 City Council and Community Services Commission Meetings.

Ms. Soash has a Recreation Administration degree from Pepperdine University and has used that knowledge to its fullest extent in Monrovia. Her legacy can be seen in the new Public Library, the Wilderness Preserve, the Mary Wilcox Youth Center, and the Monrovia Skate Park.

Soash said, "So much of what I have done in Monrovia involves family. I met my husband here and raised my children here. I have loved the opportunities the City has brought me, and it has been an honor and privilege to serve Monrovia. I am excited to now focus my free time on my family."

Source: City of Monrovia press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Two Hours in the Dressing Room; Cell Phone Grabbing; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Nov. 18-20. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 468 service events, resulting in 88 investigations.

Robbery
November 18 at 3:40 p.m., a robbery occurred in the 1100 block of South Myrtle.  The victim was walking south on Myrtle with his cell phone in his hand and his head down.  The suspect walked past the victim, grabbed the victim’s phone out of his hand and ran north on Myrtle.  The victim chased after the suspect, but when the suspect verbally threatened to beat him up, he stopped.  The suspect is described as an African American male, 20 to 30 years old, short hair cut, a goatee, approximately 6 feet tall, average build, wearing a green hooded sweatshirt with yellow writing and possibly matching green sweat pants.  Investigation continuing.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
November 19 at 3:40 a.m., dispatch received a call reporting a subject having difficulty parking a vehicle on the street in the 500 block of East Walnut.  The caller stated that the person possibly struck a parked vehicle and drove up on the curb.  The driver got out of the vehicle and walked away.  

When officers arrived, they saw the parked vehicle with recent collision damage.  There were no other vehicles in the area that appeared to have damage caused by this vehicle.  As officers were taking pictures of the vehicle, the owner of the vehicle exited his residence.  The subject had a laceration over his left eye.  The subject started cursing at officers and displayed signs of intoxication.  There were no witnesses that could identify the suspect as the driver, and the vehicle was legally parked.  Officers took pictures of the vehicle and the suspect was arrested for being drunk in public.

Burglary / Possession of Burglary Tools / Grand Theft – Suspect Arrested
November 19 at 10:46 p.m., a female subject entered a business in the 500 block of West Huntington and selected several items of clothing and merchandise.  She entered the changing room, where she stayed for two hours.  When she exited the changing room, loss prevention personnel discovered several metal clothing sensors cut into pieces.  The suspect exited the store and walked to a fast food restaurant, where she entered the bathroom.  Officers arrived and when the suspect exited the bathroom, she was detained.  The wire cutters used to cut off the metal sensors were found in the bathroom, and the suspect was in possession of the stolen property.  The suspect was arrested.

Residential Burglary
November 20 at 6:58 p.m., police dispatch received a call from an alarm company reporting that the residential burglary alarm had activated at a residence in the 300 block of North Madison Avenue.  Officers responded and discovered a shattered rear sliding-glass door.  A search team entered and cleared the residence; no suspects were located inside.  The homeowner was contacted and indicated he was out of town. The investigation is continuing.

Pasadena Star-News Introduces a Pay Wall

The Pasadena Star-News, the daily newspaper that serves Monrovia, has decided to introduce what is commonly known as a "pay wall" for its online edition, meaning that you can't access all of it - or more than a set number of articles - without paying. Paper newspaper subscribers will get it without further cost. Star-News President and Publisher Ron Hasse announced the move in today's newspaper.

Opinion: This is a risky move. Some newspapers have had success with it, but I suspect the successful ones are publications that publish critical and unique information that is not easily available elsewhere. Best wishes, Star-News!

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Church to Provide Two Prayer Breakfast Speakers; Plans to Open Sister Church in Ecuador

Fellowship Monrovia church will provide speakers at not one, but two local Mayors Prayer Breakfasts. Albert Tate, senior pastor, will speak at the Monrovia breakfast (Nov. 22), and Michael Fields, associate pastor, will speak at the Duarte breakfast (Nov. 27).

Also, the church hopes to open a sister church in Ecuador, and plans to expand locally to serve Duarte and Los Angeles areas.

Source: The Weekly Star, Nov. 21. http://goo.gl/qchCPd

- Brad Haugaard

Rain Causes Small Monrovia Power Outage | Toy Drive for Philippines

~ A small power outage in Monrovia this morning. Southern California Edison said it affected 23 customers and was caused by equipment damaged by rain. The crew is completing repairs. http://goo.gl/IwML3H

~ The Monrovia High Filipino club is hosting a toy drive to donate to needy children in the Philippines. Details: http://goo.gl/3NYqzr

- Brad Haugaard

Assemblyman Chris Holden Visits Monrovia's Canyon Oaks School


Assemblyman Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia, posts on Facebook: "Had a great time speaking with the high school students at Canyon Oaks School in Monrovia today."

Comment: Canyon Oaks is truly an amazing school. I did a story on its amazingness some years ago, which you can read here: http://goo.gl/NIRc6I

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center: Its Client Base Has Tripled in Five Years

In a fundraising letter, Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center notes that its "client base has more than tripled over the last five years," while "donations and grant funding remain significantly down. Our small staff has been stretched as far as it can go." The center is "the primary provider of food, case management/crisis help, and access to health care resources for 11 San Gabriel Valley communities." If you would like to donate money, you can do so here: http://goo.gl/baw8Sb

- Brad Haugaard

Is This Your Beagle?


Jen Havens is trying to find the owner of this female beagle found running around close to Foothill and Primrose. "She appears to be an unspayed adult (maybe 5 years old?). Not microchipped and no collar. If you have any idea where she belongs, text or call 626-673-7978."

Update: Jen writes: "Brad, thank you so much for posting on Monrovia Now! We think we found her owner because of your post :-)"

- Brad Haugaard

See's Candies Opens on Huntington Drive in Monrovia


A new See's Candies store has opened in the Huntington Oaks shopping center on Huntington Drive just in time for the holidays. Brad Hori writes that it is "conveniently sandwiched between Lindora  and Kirkland's Home." (Thanks, Brad!)

- Brad Haugaard

Rainy Days in Monrovia? | Home Gets Historic Status | Most Expensive Home

~ Good chance of rain during the next few days. 20% today, 60% tomorrow (Thursday), 30% Friday and 40% Saturday. http://goo.gl/j2jL1J

~ Home at 505 N. Alta Vista Ave. getting historic status. http://goo.gl/HWnCxN

~ Home listed for sale at almost $2 million, at 921 East Greystone. Looks like the most expensive home currently for sale in town. http://goo.gl/AfNoZi

- Brad Haugaard

Gravel Bags Available to Protect From Flooding

Gravel bags are now available to Monrovia residents impacted by the Madison Fire. Call the Public Works Department at 932-5575 to request gravel bags, which will be delivered upon request, Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. After hours, on weekends and during holidays, bags may be picked up at Fire Station 101 (141 E. Lemon Avenue).

Residents will need to fill the bags with gravel, which will be available at two locations within the neighborhoods affected by the fire. Residents should bring eye protection, gloves and a shovel to scoop gravel into the bags. Gravel is available at 443 Highland Place and 839 Crescent Drive in Monrovia.

For more information, please contact the City of Monrovia Public Works Department at (626) 932-5575.

Source: City press release

- Brad Haugaard

Three New Monrovia Restaurants Coming on Huntington

New restaurants (at old Acapulco site) nearing completion: Panera Bread, SmashBurger and Chipotle. http://goo.gl/cZKfLz

- Brad Haugaard

Thoughts on Monrovia vs. Montebello | Xencor Delays IPO

~ The San Gabriel Valley Tribune sports writer Aram Tolegian gives his thoughts on the upcoming Monrovia vs. Montebello game. http://goo.gl/bFhznS

~ Monrovia based Xencor, a biotech firm, was planning to go public, but has delayed its initial public offering, citing poor market conditions. http://goo.gl/HyvQb2

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Attacking Grandma; Counterfeiting; Throwing Rocks at Car; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Nov. 14-17. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Hit and Run Traffic Collision – Vehicle vs. Pedestrian
November 14, 2013, at approximately 8:13 p.m., the Monrovia Police Department received a phone call reporting that a pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle near the intersection of Alta Vista and Cypress, and the suspect vehicle had fled the scene.

When officers arrived on scene, they located the victim and a witness.  The witness reported that a vehicle traveling west on Cypress Avenue made a left turn onto Alta Vista and failed to stop for the posted stop sign.  The driver of the vehicle lost control and made a wide left turn, drifting into the parking lane, where it struck a male adult who had been standing near a parked vehicle and was walking back to the sidewalk.  The victim was struck below the waist and fell onto the hood of the suspect vehicle.  The suspect abruptly stopped the vehicle at the west curb, ejecting the victim from the hood of the vehicle and onto the west sidewalk of Alta Vista.  The suspect put the vehicle in reverse and then sped away south on Alta Vista, out of sight.  The victim sustained minor lacerations to his upper and lower body, and his right ankle was fractured from the impact of the vehicle.

The suspect is described as a female Hispanic or African American in her mid-to-late 30s, and the vehicle is described as a newer-model, small-to-midsized, white, SUV-style vehicle.  The investigation is currently ongoing.  Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Monrovia Police Department Watch Commander.

Elder Abuse – Suspect Arrested
November 15 at 1:15 p.m., a 72-year-old female subject called police to report she was assaulted by her 22-year-old grandson.  He has been staying with her for the past 3 months.  The victim reported that she was choked and slapped by her grandson; she sustained visible injuries.  The grandson was arrested and an emergency protective order was issued for the victim.

Grand Theft Auto
November 15 at 5:07 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 1500 block of South Mayflower.  The victim parked and secured the vehicle in front of the location at 5:00 a.m.  The victim noticed his vehicle was missing at 4:30 p.m.  The vehicle is a grey, four-door, 1991 Honda Accord.  The investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence / Traffic Collision
November 15 at 7:13 p.m., a witness observed a vehicle run a red light at Foothill and Magnolia.  The witness followed the vehicle and phoned the police reporting a possible drunk driver.  Officers responded and located the vehicle near Mountain and Huntington.  The officers observed the driver swerving, straddling lanes of traffic, and then the driver abruptly sped up to pass a vehicle.  An officer activated their lights, but the driver did not respond.  After approximately 50 yards with the lights on, the officer activated the siren.  The suspect then abruptly moved to the curb.  His vehicle went over the curb and struck a tree.  The driver was taken to a hospital for medical treatment.

Forgery / Counterfeiting / Burglary – Suspect Arrested
November 15 at 8:48 p.m., loss prevention personnel from a business in the 500 block of West Huntington called to report an adult female trying to pass counterfeit currency inside their store.  Officers responded, but the female had exited the store and ran when confronted by loss prevention.  Officers arrived, located the female and detained her.  Washed currency, counterfeit currency, and ink used to make currency were found in the suspect’s purse.  She was arrested and taken into custody.  The Secret Service was contacted and the investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
November 15 at 11:42 p.m., a solo vehicle traffic collision occurred when a vehicle traveling west on Huntington Drive attempted to make a left turn onto Mountain Avenue and lost control.  The vehicle struck the curb on the west side of Mountain Avenue and flipped multiple times.  All four occupants sustained minor injuries; three of them were taken to a hospital for treatment.

Commercial Burglary – Suspect Arrested
November 16 at 5:30 p.m., a business in the 700 block of East Huntington called police to report a known subject who stole merchandise from their store.  When confronted outside the store, he returned the merchandise to employees and then ran.  Officers located and detained the suspect nearby.  The suspect was arrested and charged with burglary.

Grand Theft Auto – Suspect Arrested
November 16 at 10:02 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the area of Norumbega and Greystone when he passed a suspicious vehicle occupied by a male and female parked on the street in the 600 block of East Greystone.  After confirming that the vehicle had been reported stolen to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Temple Station, the officer immediately turned his car around, at which time he saw the occupants quickly exiting the vehicle.  The officer was able to detain both suspects until assistance arrived.  The male driver admitted to stealing the car, and was in possession of shaved keys.   The female was not aware the vehicle had been stolen.  The male suspect was arrested and the vehicle was returned to its owner.

Possession of Burglary Tools – Suspect Arrested
November 17 at 2:27 a.m., officers responded to a residence in the 700 block of Greystone regarding a suspicious person in the neighbor’s yard.  An officer arrived and detained the subject.  The subject stated he had gone into the yard to rewrap his foot. The subject was found to be in possession of a folding knife that included a window punch, a screwdriver, and a sparkplug tip.  He was arrested and charged with possession of burglary tools.

Vehicle Burglary
November 17 at 7:09 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported to police.  The victim parked his vehicle in the public parking lot at Lemon and Myrtle in the evening.  When he returned to his vehicle in the morning, he noticed several items missing from his vehicle and called police.  The investigation is continuing.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
November 18 at 12:05 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the area of Highland and Foothill when he observed a suspicious person.  The officer contacted the subject and through investigation determined he was under the influence of methamphetamine.  The officer arrested the subject for being under the influence of a controlled substance.

Felony Vandalism – Suspects Arrested
November 18 at 2:23 a.m., an officer investigated a vandalism involving a vehicle that was damaged by large rocks being thrown at it.  The suspects were not known at the time of the initial investigation.

Several hours later, an officer responded to a vehicle tampering call in the area of Monterey and Huntington.  When the officer arrived, he located and detained a 14-year-old male at the scene and a second male juvenile ran from the officer.  The officer coordinated a search of the area, and the second juvenile was located and detained.

The investigation revealed the two boys were the vandalism suspects from the earlier call, and both juveniles were arrested.  Both juveniles are from the Victorville area and were joy-riding in their parent's vehicle until it ran out of gas in Monrovia.  The boys told the officer they did not know the victim, but they thought it would be fun to throw rocks at the victim's vehicle.  The juveniles were arrested and later released to their parents on citations.

New Bike Shop Opens in Monrovia

Empire Bikes, a new bicycling shop, opens on Myrtle. http://goo.gl/g0iz0i

- Brad Haugaard

Prolacta Moving from Monrovia to Industry

Prolacta - a company that provides breast milk to premature babies - is moving from Monrovia to a new, larger facility in the City of Industry. It will shut its Monrovia facility when everything is set in Industry. Source: Star-News article that does not appear to be online.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Seminar on Making Your Own TV Show

If you want to have your own TV show, you may want to attend "So You Want to Host a TV Show?" with TV and radio producer, Ron Stark, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 7-9 p.m. at the KGEM TV office at 847 E. Olive in Monrovia. Seminar will cover: Name of show, type of show, developing the show, creating an audience and making a profit, target audience, promotion, marketing and advertising tactics, tracking advertiser results. KGEM number is 357-4974.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Band and Colorguard Win | Collection for Philippines | Christmas Light Exchange

~ The Monrovia High Wildcats Band and Colorguard reports on Facebook that "with the best band score in Monrovia history, the Marching Wildcats win 1st place in division 2A Band, Color Guard, and Drum Line at the Savanna Field Tournament. - at Savanna Field Tournament." Here's a Facebook video: http://goo.gl/Ccsb9z

~ Today, First Presbyterian Church of Monrovia will collect an offering for the Philippines and the victims of Typhoon Haiyan. Source: Facebook posting.

~  At the Monrovia Street Fair on Nov. 22, the San Gabriel Valley Energy Wise Partnership will offer SCE customers a new ultra-efficient light string in exchange for an old incandescent Christmas light string.  Bring your SCE bill to show eligibility.  Each qualifying customer can exchange one string of lights per household, while supplies last. http://goo.gl/DTZXvl

- Brad Haugaard

Old-Toy Buyers Coming to Monrovia

If you have old toys (mid 1970s or earlier) that you would like to have priced, or possibly sell, there will be a toy-collectors gathering at the Courtyard Marriott at 700 W. Huntington Drive on Nov. 20 and 21, Wednesday and Thursday, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission and parking. Call 561 628-1990 for questions about the kinds of toys they are looking for. Source: Ad in Saturday Star-News.

- Brad Haugaard