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Lunch at Jake's Roadhouse


Lunch at Jake's Roadhouse. Got a Polish sausage sandwich ($9.45) and an iced tea ($1.59). Plus tax and tip. Nice. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Canyon Park Featured on KPCC | School Board Honors Maddox

~ Monrovia Canyon Park was recently featured on KPCC as a place to take out-of-towners when they come to visit. You gotta scroll down a bit: http://goo.gl/hjDw2g

~ Video of Monrovia School Board honoring Coach Ryan Maddox for a good season. http://goo.gl/f2mx5f

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: BMW Stolen, Partly Stripped; Drugs; Theft; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for January 13-15. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 373 service events, resulting in 89 investigations.

Grand Theft Auto / Vehicle Recovered
January 13 at 6:17 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 400 block of East Greystone.  The victim parked her vehicle, a 2006 BMW, in front of her residence in the evening.  When she returned to her vehicle the following morning, she discovered the vehicle was missing and called police.   Later that day, El Monte Police Department advised that they had recovered the vehicle in their city.  The vehicle was partially stripped.  The investigation is continuing.

Petty Theft - Suspect Arrested
January 13 at 10:11 a.m., loss prevention from a business in the 500 block of West Huntington called police to report a theft.  A male adult subject walked into the business and selected a pair of desktop speakers and jeans.  He took the items into the dressing room and removed the tags.  The subject left the store without paying for the merchandise and fled on a bicycle.  Loss Prevention followed the suspect, called police, and waited for officers to arrive.  The officers recovered the property and arrested the suspect.

Family Disturbance / Under the Influence of Drugs - Suspect Arrested
January 13 at 6:26 p.m., officers were dispatched to a house in the 800 block of West Olive regarding a family disturbance.  When they arrived, they discovered the 28-year- old male resident was causing the disturbance.  He was determined to be under the influence of a controlled substance and was in possession of methamphetamine and a smoking pipe, as well.  He was arrested and taken into custody.

Domestic Battery - Suspects Arrested
January 14 at 7:19 p.m., a male and female were reported to be fist fighting and yelling at each other in the middle of the street in the 500 block of East Cherry.  When officers arrived, they detained both subjects.  The two had been in a relationship for 15 years and it was determined they had been fighting each other equally.  A computer check revealed the female also had a no-bail warrant for her arrest.  Both suspects were arrested and held for court.

Vehicle Burglary
January 14 at 11:00 p.m., a subject staying at a local hotel in the 700 block of West Huntington went to their locked truck and discovered the left rear window shattered.  The doors were still locked, but the victim's black leather briefcase had been taken from the rear floorboard.  The victim had parked his truck earlier that night and went into the hotel.  The investigation is continuing.

An officer checked the hotel parking lot discovered a second vehicle with a shattered rear window and the doors still locked.  Officers attempted to contact the owner, but were not successful.  At 12:31 a.m., the owner contacted the police to report the vehicle burglary.  The victims said they parked their vehicle at 8:15 p.m. and then went shopping.  Three men's suits were taken from the rear hatch area of the vehicle, below the shattered window.

Outstanding Warrant / Under the Influence of Narcotics - Suspects Arrested
January 15 at 8:08 p.m., officers were dispatched on the report of subjects trespassing inside a vacant house in the 100 block of East Cypress.  When they arrived, they located a male and female subject.  The female was found to have an outstanding warrant for her arrest and the male was determined to be under the influence of a controlled substance.  Both subjects were arrested and taken into custody.

Violation of Domestic Violence Restraining Order - Suspect Arrested
January 15 at 10:23 p.m., an officer stopped a vehicle at Peck and Camino Real.  A computer check of the male driver had a domestic violence restraining order to stay away from the female who was sitting in the passenger seat.  The male was arrested for violation of the restraining order and taken into custody, where he was held until court the next morning.

No-Bail Felony Burglary Warrant - Suspect Arrested
January 16 at 1:53 a.m., an officer observed a male subject he recognized walking into a convenience store at Huntington and Mountain.  He knew a no-bail warrant had been issued for the subject for felony burglary.  The officer confirmed the outstanding warrant and waited for assisting officers to arrive.  The suspect was arrested and taken into custody without incident.

Brio Closes Retail Shop - Moves to Warehouse


Brio Electric Bikes, which was on Olive just east of Myrtle, has apparently closed it's doors. However, it is now located in a warehouse and is open by appointment only, according to its website: http://goo.gl/wGatla . Thanks to Brad Hori for the tip.

- Brad Haugaard

Glendora Fire Seen from Monrovia


There is smoke billowing into the air east of Monrovia at about 6:45 this morning. View from Pavilions parking lot.

Update: People on Twitter say it is at Colby Ridge located above Glendora.

Update 2: A Star-News editor writes that homes are endangered.

Update 3: Glendora schools closed. ABC report: http://goo.gl/lhDrRU 

Update 4: Three people in custody. http://goo.gl/ODq7uJ

Update 5: the city of Monrovia has sent two firetrucks to help with the fire.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Albertsons Supermarket Closing

The Monrovia Planning Department reports that the Albertsons supermarket on East Huntington will be closing in February. Details: http://goo.gl/DNTQOw . A web search suggests that Albertsons is closing a lot of stores.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Fire (and Rescue) Department to Get New Logo

Proposed new logo. Comment: I like it! Classy.

At its next meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/TX1W1V ), the Monrovia City Council will consider adopting this new logo for the Fire Department.

In his report ( http://goo.gl/JGfuYv ) Fire Chief Christopher Donovan writes that the Fire Department also performs rescues, and the new logo emphasizes that.

- Brad Haugaard

AOL Mostly Sells Its Patch News Websites

A company called Hale Global is taking over the Patch family of news websites. Monrovia has a Patch website. AOL will keep a minority ownership. Hale specializes in turning around online media companies. http://goo.gl/Nlkv65

- Brad Haugaard

Panera Bread Holds Its Official Grand Opening


Panera Bread has been open for a while, but held its official grand opening today. Lots of city and Chamber if Commerce folks showed up. The company is going to be donating to Foothill Unity Center. 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Assembly Member Introduces Bill to Let More High School Students Take College Courses

Assemblymember Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia, has introduced AB 1451, which would expand opportunities for high school students to enroll in community college courses. It would also encourage students who need help passing the California High School Exit Exam and students who traditionally do not attend college. Details: http://goo.gl/ZW1yX6

Source: Holden press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Assemblyman Introduces Tax Hike Bill

Monrovia's assemblyman, Chris Holden, has introduced a bill into the legislature that could increase the taxes on employers in enterprise zones who do not pay their "qualified" employees over $2,000 a month. Because it is a tax increase, it will require a two-thirds vote. http://goo.gl/DtZEdX

- Brad Haugaard

Historic House No. 1 Goes on Sale in Monrovia

Real estate broker, Century 21 Adams & Barnes, notes that the house designated "Historic Landmark #1" is going on sale in Monrovia tomorrow. If I'm not mistaken, this house is at the corner of Primrose and Oaks. Here it is. http://goo.gl/DDxufv

- Brad Haugaard

Holden Bill on Mentally Ill Gets Bipartisan Support | Holocaust Survivor at Monrovia VFW

~ Assemblymember Chris Holden's measure to prevent last-minute dumping of seriously mentally ill inmates on county streets, passed its first committee test today. This measure passed with unanimous bipartisan support out of the Assembly Committee on Public Safety. Holden represents Monrovia. AB 1065 provides county probation departments with more time to identify, and plan for more intensive treatment and supervision of released offenders who were formerly classified as a mentally disordered offender.

~ Holocaust survivor to speak at Monrovia VFW Post. http://goo.gl/FMctKu

- Brad Haugaard

New Monrovia Restaurant: Copper Still Grill to Replace Sam's Kabob Room

A new restaurant called the Copper Still Grill will be going in at 608-610 S. Myrtle, the site of the former Sam's Mediterranean Kabob Room. At its next meeting the Monrovia Planning Commission was going to consider granting a conditional use permit for the restaurant to serve alcohol, but the floor plan isn't ready, so the item is being continued until the February 12 meeting. Sounds like a micro-brewery kinda place. http://goo.gl/SC5lZ6

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Drugs and Alcohol and Burglary Tools

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for January 9-12. - 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.

Possession of Burglary Tools – Suspect Arrested
January 9 at 8:20 p.m., dispatch received a call of a suspicious person on a curb in the corner of Beechworth and Prospect, wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt.  This area was subject to an attempt hot prowl burglary the week prior.  The suspicious person was located and found with components to a slide hammer in his pocket and gloves in his sock.  A slide hammer is a mechanic’s tool commonly use in vehicle burglaries.  The suspect was arrested for possession of burglary tools.

Drunk in Public – Suspects Arrested
January 9 at 11:30 p.m., officers responded to the 400 block of South Myrtle regarding the report of two intoxicated subjects.  The two subjects were located.  Officers determined them to be drunk in public and they were arrested and taken into custody.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
January 12 at 1:19 p.m., an officer was checking an area known for drug activity in the 600 block of West Lemon when he observed two subjects walking, nearby.  He recognized one of the subjects as an active gang member.  The officer stopped and spoke with both subjects.  The officer determined that one of the subjects was displaying symptoms of being under the influence of drugs.  The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

View from the Top of Newly Opened Clamshell Road

I went up to the top of the newly-opened Clamshell Road and took this video. It pans from the east, looking back towards the entryway off of Ridgeside Drive, then looks to the west, where the road descends towards the not-yet-open Cloverleaf entry point. It is a nice bike ride or hike.

Here is how to get there: http://goo.gl/CTvm1t

- Brad Haugaard

Hazardous Waste Pick-Up

Once a year Monrovians can get a household hazardous waste pick-up, according to Monrovia's Recycle News newsletter. They'll come get paint, batteries, TVs, old medicine and other stuff. Up to two 30-gallon trash bags and up to 10 items of e-waste. Call WM Curbside at 1-800-449-7587 to schedule a pick-up and for details.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School Board: Objecting to Erosion of Local Control; Congrats to Coach Maddox and Football Team; Etc.

At its Jan. 15 board meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/9QaCrg ) the Monrovia Board of Education will ...

- Consider sending a letter to the State Board of Education objecting to a proposed expansion of state control of local education. It is worded rather diplomatically, but I think that is the thrust of it. http://goo.gl/VIMK4e

- Congratulate the Monrovia High School Varsity Wildcat Football Team and its coaching staff, including Varsity Head Coach Ryan Maddox "as he expands his professional capacity at Monrovia High School."

- Receive an auditor's report for the 2012-13 fiscal year. http://goo.gl/8rAsqb

- Hear a report on technology in the district.

- Brad Haugaard

Fire Weather Watch in Monrovia Area

National Weather Service has the San Gabriel Valley and a bunch of LA County on Fire Weather Watch. "Moderate Santa Ana winds" and "extremely low humidity." http://goo.gl/jvswNX

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Claim Jumper


Lunch at Claim Jumper on Huntington. Got a Widow Maker Burger for $12.99, a cup of potato cheese soup ($4.99) and an iced tea ($2.89). Plus tax and tip. Very pleasant atmosphere and ... yikes! that's one huge burger! And after I ate the soup! It had everything, including bacon, avocado and a fried onion ring. Really great but more than I bargained for.

- Brad Haugaard