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Watch Out! Monrovia Police Watching for Drunk Drivers During Thanksgiving Holiday

Officers from the Monrovia Police Department's DUI Enforcement Team will be deploying this weekend to stop and arrest alcohol and drug-impaired drivers in the Department's ongoing traffic safety campaign. DUI Saturation Patrols will deploy during the Thanksgiving Holiday in areas with high frequencies of DUI collisions and/or arrests.

"This is a zero tolerance crackdown so 'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over'," said Sergeant Daniel Verna.

In California, this deadly crime led to 774 deaths in 2011 because someone failed to designate a sober driver. DUI can impact the economy in addition to the pain and suffering of those immediately affected. Conservatively, a fatality has a $1.4 million impact, an injury has a $70,000 impact, and a crash that only damages property averages nearly $9000.

"California's roadways are much safer today than they were just a few years ago. The Monrovia Police Department will be keeping the pressure on through enforcement and public awareness so that we can continue saving lives and prevent injuries," said Sergeant Verna.

Funding for this program comes from a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Report Drunk Drivers, Call 911!

Source: City of Monrovia press release

- Brad Haugaard

Myrtle Avenue Christmas Decorations Up


Myrtle Avenue is now all decked out for Christmas. And it's not even Thanksgiving yet. 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Restaurants Close to Opening


I stopped by the old Acapulco restaurant site on Huntington, where three new restaurants are set to open. A worker said the SmashBurger is set to open on Dec. 6. Panera Bread looks finished and has an "opening soon" sign out. Chipotle looks like it's getting close but there is still a little bit of work to do.

- Brad Haugaard

Catch the Bus to Watch Monrovia vs. Paraclete | Work at Old Blockbuster?

~ If you'd like to go watch Monrovia High take on Paraclete this Friday, but don't want to drive to Lancaster, Monrovia School Board member Alex Zucco suggests the "Wildcat Rooter Bus." For $8, she writes, "you can hop on the Wildcat Rooter Bus and have MHS do the driving. Email Mr. McGinnis (kmcginnis@monroviaschools.net) by Weds., 11/27 at 4pm. Kids must be accompanied by adult -- see you in the high desert!"

~ A correspondent writes that there is remodeling going on at the old Blockbuster building at the corner of Foothill and Stedman. I'll see if I can find out what's happening there.

UPDATE: Planning Division Manager Craig Jimenez responds: "An interior demo permit was recently issued, so that’s what was probably observed.  I believe that the owner is preparing the space to help facilitate future leasing.  City staff has fielded a considerable number of inquiries about the space  from various businesses, but to date, I don’t know that a lease has been signed.  What I do know is that the City has not received any applications for business license yet.  Stay tuned."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Hall Closed | Health Care Help

~ Monrovia City Hall will be closed for Thanksgiving and Friday.

~ Covered California seminar at the Monrovia Library, Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m. to noon, including application process review, and, in segment two, sign-ups (limited to 20). To register, call or stop by the Library Adult Reference desk by Dec. 6. Phone is 256-8274.

- Brad Haugaard

How to Dedicate a Monrovia Park Bench

Want to dedicate a Monrovia park bench or table to a loved one? Here's how: http://goo.gl/hWyghq

- Brad Haugaard

Car Accident in Monrovia

Picture of a car accident yesterday in front of the McDonalds at Huntington and Mayflower. http://goo.gl/hcnQDk

- Brad Haugaard

Christmas Performances in Monrovia


~ A professional performance of Irving Berlin's "White Christmas," Dec. 6 at 8 p.m., Dec. 7 at 2 and 8 p.m., and Dec. 8 at 5 p.m. at the Taylor Performing Arts Center (aka Monrovia High Auditorium). Details: http://goo.gl/02HIg4

~ "Winter Portrait" will be performed by San Gabriel Valley Choral Company Dec. 21, 7:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church at Myrtle and Foothill. "A festive, musical collection of seasonal favorites and choral gems including music by Sweelinck, Rutter, Balser, and Baker. With a holiday sing-along and special guest brass quintet, The Oakwood Brass Conspiracy, it's a musical portrait to stir up your holiday cheer." Advance tickets ($15 for gneral admission, $10 for seniors 65+ and for students, $5 for children under 12) at sgvccsingers.org or by calling 253-7248. At the door: $20 for gneral admission, $12 for seniors 65+ and for students, $5 for children under 12.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Football - No Worries About Lancaster Cold | Food Distribution

~ The Monrovia High football team is not worried about playing in the cold against Paraclete, this Friday at 7 p.m. in Lancaster. http://goo.gl/EluyfF

~ Some 1,500 low-income families got a Thanksgiving food box with a meat and the makings for a traditional dinner from Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center. The food was distributed at the Arboretum today.

- Brad Haugaard

Is Duarte a Devil's Island for Jesuits?

Okay, this isn't about Monrovia, but it's right next door. I stumbled upon an article about the decline of the Jesuit order within the Catholic church, and came upon a curious comment about how conservative Jesuits are being exiled to "an obscure Catholic hospital" in Duarte. (I assume this refers to Santa Teresita Hospital.) Here's the quote: "Duarte, California, is becoming the Devil's Island for Jesuits who don't conform to the order's liberal regime." http://goo.gl/HkaoKk

- Brad Haugaard

Handel's Messiah at Monrovia's First Presbyterian Church

Handel's Messiah - and other Christmas choral pieces - will be performed on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at Monrovia Presbyterian Church (Myrtle and Foothill) by more than 60 voices coached by Dr. Peter J. Green - Chair of the Visual & Performing Arts Division and Professor of Music at Glendale Community College - The choir will be accompanied by harpsichord, organ, small orchestra and soloists. There will be child care and a reception with food afterward in the church basement and a free-will offering to support future Christmas and Easter concerts.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Kicking Out Car Windows - From the Inside; Strong Arm Robbery; Drunk Driving; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Nov. 21-24. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.

No-Bail Felony Warrant - Suspect Arrested
November 21 at 12:38 p.m., a resident in the 500 block of South Magnolia called police and reported a male subject in their alley who they knew had a warrant for his arrest.  Officers arrived, detained the subject, and a computer check revealed the subject did have an outstanding, no-bail felony warrant for his arrest for a past drug offense that he failed to answer to in court.  He was arrested and taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested
November 22 at 12:55 a.m., officers stopped a vehicle for committing several traffic violations. When officers contacted the female driver, they noticed that she exhibited signs of intoxication. Through investigation, she was determined to be driving under the influence and was arrested.

Violation of Domestic Violence Protective Order / Felony Vandalism - Suspect Arrested
November 22 at 9:41 p.m., officers responded to Almond and Shamrock regarding an altercation between a male and a female subject.  When officers arrived, it was determined the subjects involved were boyfriend and girlfriend.  The female subject was trying to get the male subject out of her vehicle.  He was refusing to get out and began kicking the doors and windows from inside the vehicle, vandalizing the car.  The female has a Domestic Violence Protective Order against the male.  The male subject was arrested for felony vandalism and for violating the Domestic Violence Protective Order.

Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested
November 23 at 9:40 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the area of Duarte Road and California when he saw a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed heading east on Duarte through the posted 25 miles per hour Metrolink construction zone.  He saw the vehicle swerve off the road, passing vehicles on the right, and then it turned south on Shamrock.  The vehicle was stopped and the officer could smell a strong odor of alcohol.  He conducted field sobriety tests and determined the driver was driving under the influence.  A computer check revealed the driver's license was currently suspended for DUI.  The driver was arrested.

Strong Arm Robbery - One Suspect Arrested
November 23 at 6:02 p.m., a male victim called police and reported he had just been robbed in the 400 block of East Duarte Road.  The victim was walking to work on Duarte Road with his headphones on when two male subjects passed by him.  After they passed, the two subjects ran back up behind the victim and grabbed him.  They pushed him into a parking lot, where one suspect held him, while the other suspect took his cell phone and wallet from his pockets.  The suspect took cash from the wallet, threw it on the ground, and then both suspects ran west on Duarte Road.  A description of the suspects was broadcast, and an officer in the area detained two subjects at California and Duarte that matched the description.  The victim was able to positively identify one of the suspects and he was arrested.

Driving Under the Influence / Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Suspect Arrested
November 23 at 11:18 p.m., an officer stopped a vehicle on Live Oak, just west of Myrtle.  Through investigation, the male driver was determined to be under the influence of drugs and was arrested.  A vehicle search revealed several syringes and a baggie containing a powdery white substance, later determined to be methamphetamine.  He was arrested for the above listed charges.

Felony Driving Under the Influence Traffic Collision / Public Intoxication - Suspects Arrested
November 24 at 2:17 a.m., officers responded to the area of Hillcrest and Madison on the report of a traffic collision.  They arrived and saw a front fender on the street and a vehicle with two female occupants that had collided into a parked vehicle.  The driver was taken to a hospital, but refused medical treatment.  The passenger was slightly hurt, scraped knees and forehead, but also refused medical treatment from paramedics.  The driver was arrested for felony driving under the influence traffic collision. The passenger was arrested for public intoxication.

Monrovia Police Urges You to Buckle Up for Holiday Driving

During Thanksgiving time Monrovia Police Department reminds travelers to buckle up.

"The risk of being involved in a serious or deadly car crash increases when the number of cars on the road increases, and the long Thanksgiving weekend is one of the busiest travel times of the year," said Police Traffic Sergeant Daniel Verna. "So we want to remind everyone that your seat belts can save your life – and those you are traveling with."

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), seat belts saved almost 12,000 lives nationwide in 2011. Research shows that with proper seat belt use, the risk of fatal injury to front seat passengers is reduced by 45 percent, and the risk of moderate to serious injury is reduced by 50 percent.

Such a simple step can save a life, but too many lives are being lost because some have still not gotten the message. During the 2011 Thanksgiving period, 249 passenger vehicle occupants were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes nationwide. Fifty percent of those killed were not wearing seat belts. California witnessed 24 passenger vehicle occupants killed that same year, with 10 of those found to have died without using their safety restraints.

In 2011, 52 percent of the 21,253 passenger vehicle occupants killed in motor vehicle crashes were NOT wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. In California, 27 percent of the 1,597 vehicle occupants were killed while not using their occupant restraints; a total of 434 deaths.
Nationally in 2011, 62 percent of the 10,135 passenger vehicle occupants who were killed in nighttime crashes were not wearing their seat belts, compared to 43 percent during the daytime hours.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Sailor Helps With Philippines Relief


PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 24, 2013) Yeoman 3rd Class Dakota Hillman of West Minister, Md. and Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Kelly Southwick of Monrovia, Calif., assigned to the amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42), load supplies onto the ship during a vertical replenishment. Germantown and USS Ashland (LSD 48) along with embarked Commander, Amphibious Squadron 11, Naval Beach Unit 7 and elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit are in The Leyte Gulf in The Republic of the Philippines in support of Operation Damayan. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tony DeFilippo/Released)

Source: Navy press release

- Brad Haugaard

Video of Monrovia Prayer Breakfast | Shop Monrovia

~ Video of the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast is now on-line: http://goo.gl/8nG8Xb . The main speaker, Albert Tate, of Fellowship Monrovia, begins here: http://goo.gl/gCOeGR

~ Monrovia City Council names December as "Shop Monrovia" Month. http://goo.gl/77BEaW

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia In Semifinals with 41-6 Victory :-)

Monrovia advances to the semifinals of the CIF-Southern Section Mid-Valley Division playoffs with last night's 41-6 victory over Montebello. http://goo.gl/84yiKD

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Mimi's


Lunch at Mimi's. Got the bouillabaisse ($13.59) and a hot tea ($2.49). Plus tax and tip. With the cool weather and clouds, it seemed like a soupy kind of day.

- Brad Haugaard

Ann Roy - 102 Year Birthday


Department of Community Services Friendly Crafters group celebrated Ms. Ann Roy's birthday on Wednesday, Nov. 20.  Ms. Roy turned 102 years old on Wednesday, November 13.  A group of 20 fellow Crafters celebrated this special day with her, enjoyed cake, sang Happy Birthday and wished her well on this very special birthday. http://goo.gl/Crpvur

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Residents: Decorate Your K-Rail! And Houses, Too

There is a new contest category for the Monrovia Holiday Home Decorating Contest: Best Decorated K-Rail (That's those ugly concrete flood-control wall things around where the fire burned off. They need some decorating.)

Applications for the contest are available at the Monrovia Community Center, 119 West Palm Avenue, or on the City’s website at http://www.cityofmonrovia.org. Judging will take place Monday, Dec. 16.  Award winners will be recognized during the City Council meeting on Tuesday, December 17, at City Hall in Council Chambers.

The 13 judging categories are:
• Best Still Display
• Best Outdoor Display
• Best Decorated Outdoor Tree
• Best Window Display
• Holiday Spirit Award
• Most Effective Use of Lighting a house
• Toyland Award
• Children’s Choice Award
• Best Neighborhood Effort
• Snowman Award
• Judges Award
• Best Decorated K-Rail
• Tim McKeehan “Best of Season” Award

For more information, call the Department of Community Services at 256-8246.

Source: http://goo.gl/Crpvur

- Brad Haugaard

Update on E. Coli Outbreak | World Vision Opens Safe Space for Philippine Children

~ Update on E. coli outbreak suspected of coming from salads and wraps sold by Trader Joe's. Trader Joe's is based in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/mMpJzc

~ World Vision opened on Wednesday its first dedicated 'safe space' for 400 children affected by Typhoon Haiyan. World Vision's international office is based in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/NvmEvN

- Brad Haugaard