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Monrovia School Board: Salary Increase for Employees; Fixing the Grass; Ballot Initiative

At its March 26 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/ViSKvb ), the Monrovia School Board will ...

- Release its tentative agreement with its various labor groups, which is to give them a 1.8 percent salary increase retroactive to July 1, 2013. http://goo.gl/O1wosy

- Consider renovating the fields at Clifton and Santa Fe middle schools. New grass will cost $350,000 to $400,000, plus incidental costs. http://goo.gl/vx7FF2 Comment: Yikes! That's a lot of money for grass.

- Discuss a proposed ballot initiative that would prevent the state from redirecting or reducing local property tax revenue away from public schools. http://goo.gl/faJQ9h

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Izakaya Uppo

Lunch at Izakaya Uppo, a new Japanese restaurant about three doors up from Olive on the east side of Myrtle. Got the Uppo  Signature Ramen for $7.95 and an iced tea for $2.50. Plus tax and tip. That's a pork cutlet in the picture, by the way. It came with a little garden salad. Very nice for a cool day. 

- Brad Haugaard

Salsas Taqueria Replaces S'Links


The former S'Links Gourmet Hot Dogs, at the corner of Myrtle and Olive, is now Salsas Taqueria, and it's open. S'Links is moving, but I know not where. 

-Brad Haugaard

Fundraiser to Replace Equipment from Monrovia's Centre Stage | Bear Video

~ "The Lights of Broadway", a musical fundraiser to replace equipment stolen from Monrovia's Centre Stage, 7 p.m. tonight at Arcadia Christian Church, 1900 S. Santa Anita Ave., Arcadia. For information call Keely Milliken at 297-4758.

~ Another bear video. This one looks as if it was filmed on Hillcrest. http://goo.gl/oEnYsg

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Radio Shack Robbery | Baseball Loss to Rosemead :-(

~ Monrovia Radio Shack robbed. http://goo.gl/fmuUAB

~ Rosemead 4-2 over Monrovia in baseball. http://goo.gl/UBzJBW

- Brad Haugaard

Yappy Hour for Monrovia Dogs

Yappy Hour for dogs at The Dog Zone, 150 W Foothill (next to Pavilions) 5-7 p.m. Friday, March 21. Bring your social pup(s) for fun and snacks! Meet The Dog Zone crew, Two Dogs Petsitting, Beans The Whippet, Romping Dogs Dog Training, Pawmazing Pets Photography, get info on Bark For Life of Monrovia, etc.

- Brad Haugaard

Planned Apartments at Monrovia Train Station | Peach Cafe to Open for Dinners


~ Local developer Samuelson Fetter is proposing a five-story, 261-unit apartment building that will be right next to the Monrovia Gold Line station. Monrovia city staff held a preliminary review of the plan to give suggestions to the developer. http://goo.gl/VV5hnz (Photo from City of Monrovia)

~ With more nightlife, Peach Café (141 East Colorado) will begin opening for dinner. For the past eight years it has been open only for breakfast and lunch. http://goo.gl/VV5hnz

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council to Meet About Appointment of a New City Manager

The Monrovia City Council will hold a closed session meeting March 24 at 5 p.m. regarding the appointment of a city manager. http://goo.gl/uBjbn6

- Brad Haugaard

Support Monrovia Boy Facing Chemotherapy

Scott Stokes posts on Facebook about Joncee Troy Lenker, a seven-year-old Monrovia boy who will have to undergo chemotherapy following cancer surgery to remove an eye ( http://goo.gl/oRVFL4 ). Stokes writes: "If you can afford it, please purchase a fundraising shirt to show your support for this amazing kid and his family." Here is the link to purchase a t-shirt: http://goo.gl/r7pwPc

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Pub Crawl to Fight Cancer

Relay For Life of Monrovia is sponsoring a pub crawl to raise money to fight cancer. http://goo.gl/BOeq98

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Electricians Catch Robbery Suspect; Homeless Evicted from Roof of Church; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for March 17-19. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 439 service events, resulting in 87 investigations. 

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
March 18 at 2:14 a.m., an officer on patrol stopped a vehicle traveling the wrong way down a one-way street in the 100 block of West Lime. The 19-year-old male driver was intoxicated. Field sobriety tests were conducted and he was determined to be DUI. He was arrested and taken into custody. He was later released on citation to appear in court. 

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
March 18 at 2:26 a.m., an officer stopped a blue Jeep in the 400 block of West Colorado for failing to stop for a stop sign. He approached the male driver and smelled a strong odor of alcohol. Field sobriety tests were conducted and the male subject was determined to be DUI. He was arrested and taken into custody. He was later released on citation to appear in court. 

Altered Vehicle Registration Tabs / Outstanding Warrant – Suspect Arrested
March 18 at 12:55 p.m., a parking control officer working in the field saw a vehicle displaying altered registration tabs. An officer responded, confirmed the tabs were altered and stored the vehicle. On March 18, the registered owner of the vehicle came to the police department to dispute the claim. When a computer check was run on the registered owner, the registered owner was found to have an outstanding warrant and was arrested. The registered owner admitted to driving the vehicle, but did not admit to altering the tabs. The vehicle has not been registered since 2006. 

Outstanding Warrant – Suspect Arrested
March 18 at 8:50 p.m., an officer saw a subject he knew had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. The subject was standing at the corner of Foothill and Sunset. A computer check revealed the subject had a $30,000 warrant for his arrest for failing to appear in court on a charge of being under the influence of narcotics. The subject was stopped and arrested for the warrant, then taken to the Monrovia Jail, where he was booked and will be housed until his court appearance. 

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
March 18 at 9:41 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 400 block of North Magnolia on the report of domestic violence. When they arrived, officers contacted the female victim outside the home. She said her husband had just come home intoxicated and began yelling at her. He pushed her to the ground and started punching her, causing open wound injuries. Officers contacted the male suspect, who denied hitting his wife. The paramedics examined the victim, and the male subject was arrested for domestic violence. 

Residential Burglary
March 19 at 1:58 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 300 block of North Mountain. The resident left the location at 10:00 a.m. that morning, securing the property. The housekeeper arrived at 1:05 p.m. and found the master bedroom had been ransacked. The loss appears to be mainly jewelry. The suspect(s) appear to have entered the home through a rear door. The investigation is continuing. 

Robbery – Suspect Arrested
March 19 at 2:30 p.m., officers responded to the report of a robbery that just occurred in the 900 block of West Huntington. The victim was having her nails done at a local salon and had hung her purse on the back of a chair where she was sitting. The suspect entered the business and asked for the manager. When the employee left to get the manager, the suspect grabbed the purse and ran out the door. An employee began to scream and an electrician working outside the business heard the screams. He tried to stop the suspect by grabbing him. The suspect struck the electrician. A second electrician working at the location jumped in to help. Together, they detained the suspect until officers arrived. The suspect was taken into custody and held for bail. 

Trespassing – Suspects Arrested
March 19 at 8:56 p.m., the pastor of a church in the 100 block at California called police to report two homeless subjects, one male and one female, camping on the roof of the church. Officers arrived and successfully removed the two subjects off the roof. They removed blankets and all of their property off the roof, as well. The two were placed under private person's arrest for trespassing and taken into custody. 

Monrovia Menchie's Opens Saturday | Should Fed Administer Mountains for Recreation? | Xencor Revenue | Prison for Threats

~ The frozen yogurt chain, Menchie's ( http://www.menchies.com/ ) is opening a store this Saturday, March 22, at 606 West Huntington, between Chipotle and Smashburger. "The franchise is the fastest growing frozen yogurt chain with currently 391 locations globally and 20 opened locations in the Los Angeles market."

~ Representative Judy Chu is asking for comment on her proposed legislation to create a San Gabriel National Recreation Area administered by the federal Department of Agriculture. http://goo.gl/dCL6qM

~ Monrovia's Xencor reports that "revenues for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2013 were $1.7 million, compared to $2.4 million in the same period of 2012. Revenues for the full year 2013 were $10.2 million, compared to $9.5 million in the same period of 2012." http://goo.gl/mKALWy

~ Monrovian gets three years for threatening hospitals and schools. http://goo.gl/BgN6C3

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Seidner's Collision Center Donates Car to Needy Family

Seidner's Collision Center of Monrovia has presented a 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee, fully refurbished by Seidner's and equipped with new tires, and accompanied by a one-year State Farm insurance policy to a Foothill Unity Center client family.

The car was presented through Recycled Rides, a nationwide service project of the National Auto Body Council, which donates vehicles to families and service organizations. The program recruits insurers, paint suppliers, parts vendors and others to contribute. Recipients must have a valid driver's license; the ability to maintain the vehicle as shown by proof of income; a safe driving record; be in financial need; and must not already own a good working vehicle.

Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

Baseball: Diamond Bar over Monrovia :-(

Diamond Bar over Monrovia 7-2 in baseball. http://goo.gl/AVKNRK

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Plastic Bag Ban Discussion Postponed | Community Garden at St. Luke

~ At tonight's City Council meeting, an item on whether to ask city staff to draw up an ordinance restricting the use of plastic grocery bags was postponed until April 1. City Clerk Alice Atkins said Councilmember Blackburn "couldn't be in attendance tonight and didn't want to miss the discussion."

~ According to a post on the Nextdoor network, St. Luke's Church on Foothill is offering some of its land for a community garden. This is in the planning stages and there will be an open meeting this Saturday at noon in the parish hall.

- Brad Haugaard

Vets Bill by Monrovia's Assemblymember Approved by Committee

Legislation by Monrovia's Assemblymember, Chris Holden, to give veterans a stronger voice in college leadership was approved today in the Assembly Higher Education Committee.  AB 1557 has bipartisan support - 14 Democrats and Republicans co-authored the bill.

AB 1557 gives veterans permanent seats on the Board of Governors of the California Community College system by adding a student member who is a veteran or current member of the military. The bill also requires one of the existing 12 board seats to be held by a member or former member of the Armed Forces who has demonstrated expertise and leadership in the field of veterans' affairs.

"This bill is designed to give veterans a voice in college leadership," explained Assemblymember Holden. "As we wind down these wars, veterans returning to college face unique challenges and need a voice in their college leadership.  If campuses are not prepared to help these soldiers transition from combat to college, we run the risk of alienating thousands of returning vets."

Thousands of veterans are expected to fill the seats at California's public colleges and universities. Already the state's community colleges lead the nation with more than 44,000 vets enrolled - the largest number since World War II.

AB 1557 is supported by American Legion - California, AMVETS - California, California Association of County Veterans Service Officers, Veterans Caucus of the California Democratic Party, Veterans of Foreign Wars - California.

Source: Holden press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's S'Links Hotdog Restaurant Papered Up


It appears S'Links Gourmet Hotdogs, at Myrtle and Olive, is closed. (No! See update.) The windows are all papered up. Too bad. I liked their hotdogs. But, just a few doors up Myrtle, Izakaya Uppo, a ramen and yakitori restaurant, is now open. Thanks to Doran for the tip.

UPDATE: No, S'Links is not closing, just moving. Hooray! According to the Chamber of Commerce, the owners are putting a new restaurant in this location and moving S'Links elsewhere. Thanks to Keith Johnson for the tip.

-Brad Haugaard

Possible Shortage of Train Cars for Expanded Gold Line

Nice track you got there, Gold Line, but where are the trains? http://goo.gl/l0MNPL

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Fake Money; Stealing Cement; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for March 13-16. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events. 

Possession of Fictitious U.S. Currency / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
March 13 at 8:39 a.m., officers responded to the 200 block of North Grand on the report of a suspicious white truck that had been driving up and down the street and was now stopped in the neighborhood. Officers arrived and saw three occupants in the truck, the driver walked out from a rear yard. The driver said he was in the area to purchase an engine from a friend that lived in the back house. A female passenger denied having any identification, but a consent search of the vehicle revealed her wallet containing $1,300.00 in fictitious U.S. currency. She also possessed a methamphetamine pipe. She was arrested and taken into custody. The Secret Service was contacted regarding the fictitious bills. The other occupants of the vehicle were released. 

Grand Theft Auto
March 14 at 7:42 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 1900 block of South Peck Road. The vehicle is a four-door, white, 1994 Honda Accord and was stolen sometime overnight. The investigation is continuing. 

Recovered Stolen Vehicle
March 14 at 1:27 p.m., parking control ran the license plate on a vehicle parked in the 400 block of Lemon. It returned stolen out of Covina. The vehicle is a four-door, tan, 1994 Honda Accord. The investigation is continuing. 

Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
March 14 at 5:38 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 600 block of East Walnut regarding a male subject who was acting erratic. Officers arrived and located the subject in an alley by Shamrock. Their investigation revealed the subject was in possession of methamphetamine and a methamphetamine pipe. He was arrested and taken into custody. Ex-Felon with a Gun / Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspects Arrested March 14 at 10:47 p.m., dispatch received a 9-1-1 hang-up call from a residence in the 100 block of North May, with a possible dispute heard in the background. Officers arrived at the location and could hear a male and female arguing inside. When contacted, both subjects admitted to using cocaine and consented to a search of the residence. During the search, a stolen shotgun and methamphetamine was found. The male subject was determined to be an ex-felon. Both subjects were arrested. 

Foot Pursuit / Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Burglary Tools – Suspect Arrested
March 15 at 10:25 p.m., an officer on patrol in the area of Bradbury and Orange saw a male subject on a bicycle with a satchel over his shoulder. The subject was acting suspicious, looking at every residence as he passed. The officer attempted to contact the subject, and as he pulled up behind the bicyclist and turned on his emergency lights, the subject quickly rode away. The subject dropped his bike and the satchel, and then jumped a fence. The officer ran after the subject and was able to detain him. The subject was found to have methamphetamine, along with burglary tools in the satchel. The suspect was arrested. He also had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. 

Commercial Burglary – Suspects Arrested
March 15 at 2:45 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a business in the 500 block of West Huntington regarding three shoplifting suspects in custody, one male adult and two female juveniles. The three suspects walked into the store and began selecting merchandise. They went to the women’s department, where they concealed the merchandise in a blue leather purse one of the female suspects was carrying. After all the merchandise was in the purse, the females exited the store without paying for the merchandise. All three suspects were detained by loss prevention outside the store. Officers responded to the location and arrested the three suspects. 

Driving Under the Influence / Drunk in Public – Suspects Arrested
March 16 at 2:30 a.m., an officer stopped a driver in the area of Evergreen and Myrtle. After investigation, the female driver was determined to be driving under the influence and was arrested. The female passenger was also intoxicated and was arrested for being drunk in public. 

Residential Burglary
March 16 at 6:39 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 800 block of West Duarte Road. The neighbors called the victim because they noticed the doors at his residence were unsecured. The owner is in the process of fixing up the residence prior to moving in and the residence is vacant. It appears the suspects broke one of the garage door windows and unlatched the garage door. The suspect(s) then made entry into the residence and took tools and remodeling fixtures. The investigation is continuing. 

Petty Theft From a Vehicle – Suspect Arrested
March 16 at 9:25 p.m., an officer responded to a petty theft from a vehicle at a parking lot in the 1600 block of South Mountain. A male suspect was seen removing items from the bed of a truck in the parking lot. The suspect took bags of cement and power tools. The suspect then fled in a black Chevy Camaro. At 5:10 a.m., an officer from the Arcadia Police Department stopped the vehicle and arrested the suspect for possession of stolen property.

Monrovian Connor Sams Signs Letter of Intent for Northwestern

Connor Sams of Monrovia, has signed a letter of intent to continue his soccer career at Northwestern (Iowa) beginning in the fall of 2014.

Sams, the son of Todd and Maureen, is a 5-11 defender/midfielder from Monrovia High School in California. He has earned four letters and was a part of a 18-4-5 Monrovia team that won their league championship last season. Sams finished with six assists and was named a First Team All-Rio Hondo League as a junior and was an Honorable Mention as a sophomore.

A scholar-athlete all four years at Monrovia, Sams has also been named to the National Honor Society, National French Honor Society, and is a member of the California Scholarship Federation. Sams plans to major in Public Relations/Sports Management while at Northwestern.

"Connor is a smart and tough defender who can play centrally or on the outside," said head coach Dan Swier. "He has a strong soccer pedigree and will help us as we look for players who can replace the likes of Matt Dowie and Justin Lehman. Connor is a great addition to our program and our school."

Northwestern College is a NAIA school located in Orange City, Iowa.

Source: Press release

- Brad Haugaard