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Monrovia Assembly Member Sponsoring Law to Combat Prostitution

Assembly member Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia, is co-sponsoring Assembly Bill 1147 to help "professionalize the massage therapy industry and reinforce local control over these businesses," some of which "are fronts for prostitution and increasingly, human trafficking." He said the measure addresses problems created by an earlier law that "failed to keep out the bad actors and restricted cities that wanted to keep illicit businesses out of their communities."

Source: Holden press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Trader Joe's Says No - Again - to Portland

After some Portland, Oregon, residents objected to having a Trader Joe's in town, Monrovia-based Trader Joe's said, okay, it wouldn't open there. At that point Portland tried to get the company to reconsider. But the answer again is no. http://goo.gl/gY6YR9

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Over South Pasadena in Baseball, Softball :-)

~ In baseball, Monrovia over South Pasadena 16-2. http://goo.gl/XMtzyl

~ In softball, Monrovia over South Pas 12-0. http://goo.gl/pT3441

- Brad Haugaard

Peter Pan at Monrovia High

Performance of Peter Pan at Monrovia High, May 2, 3, and 4. Details: http://goo.gl/cHQoLT

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Tree Trimming Schedule

The latest tree trimming schedule for Monrovia. Here are the streets ( http://goo.gl/gA2Hst ) and here is a map ( http://goo.gl/h5kSg1 ).

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Elementary School Artists

Photo of a mural at Monrovia elementary school of Winslow Homer's painting, Snap the Whip. http://goo.gl/38q1sj

- Brad Haugaard

Double Delight Exhibit at Monrovia Gallery


Sunshine Rose" 12x16, oil by Dee Kirkham

A new exhibit called "Double Delight" at Segil Fine Arts (110 West Lime) will feature new paintings by Dee Kirkham and Linda Brown. The exhibit runs from May 3-31.
 
-  Brad Haugaard

Fire at Monrovia Plumber

Correspondent Robert Parry reports there was a fire at a plumbing business at Alta Vista near Chestnut. Photo by Robert Parry.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Stolen Catalytic Converters; Stolen Credit Cards; Drunk and Breaking Potted Plants

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for April 17-20. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of a Drug Paraphernalia / Petty Theft – Suspect Arrested
On April 17 at 8:41 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 500 block of West Huntington regarding a petty theft. The suspect was seen selecting merchandise and walking towards the exit doors. He placed the items down, exited the store, and returned a few minutes later. He picked up the items, selected additional items, and walked into the dressing room, where he concealed some items on his person and then exited the store without paying. He walked to another business and was detained by officers. Officers recovered store merchandise from inside the bathroom. During a search of the suspect, officers located heroin and syringes. The suspect was arrested.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
On April 17 at 10:37 p.m., an officer stopped a subject on a bicycle in the area of Myrtle and Huntington for traveling on the sidewalk with no lighting device. During the investigation, the officer determined the subject was under the influence of a controlled substance. He arrested the subject.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
On April 18 at 3:14 a.m., an officer noticed a subject near the front doors of a closed business in the 400 block of West Huntington. The officer approached to investigate, and during the investigation, the subject was determined to be under the influence of a controlled substance and was arrested.

Attempt Grand Theft Auto
On April 18 at 4:10 a.m., a resident in the 700 block of Bonita heard someone trying to start his vehicle. He went outside and discovered a male subject inside his vehicle. He confronted the suspect, who reached into a bag he had his lap. The victim left to call police. When he returned, the suspect had fled. Officers responded and conducted an area search for the suspect, but he was not located. The suspect is described as a male Hispanic in his 20’s, 5'5” tall, with grey hair and a mustache. The investigation is continuing.

Warrant – Suspect Arrest
On April 18 at 5:03 a.m., during the area check for the attempt grand theft auto suspect, officers contacted a subject in the 300 block of West Huntington. During the contact with the subject, they discovered he had a no-bail warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Theft from a Vehicle
On April 18 in the early evening, two residents reported to police that the catalytic converters were stolen off their vehicles. The thefts occurred in the 1600 block of South Myrtle and the 700 block of West Foothill. In both incidents, the residents started their vehicles and heard a loud noise coming from underneath, which led to the discovery of the missing catalytic converters. The investigations are continuing.

Resisting Arrest / Drunk in Public / Vandalism – Suspect Arrested
On April 19 at 12:08 a.m., officers responded to a park in the 300 block of South Myrtle regarding two subjects fighting. When the officers arrived, a witness pointed out one of the subjects involved in the fight. The other had left the location. As the officers approached the suspect, he ran from them toward a residence. As he ran, he smashed through a fence and broke some potted plants. The suspect was uncooperative and was determined to be intoxicated. He was arrested and taken into custody for the above listed charges.

Recovered Stolen Vehicle
On April 19 at 4:18 p.m., an officer on patrol in the area of Fifth and Huntington observed a suspicious person walking away from a vehicle. He ran a computer check on the vehicle plate and it returned as a stolen plate. The VIN number on the vehicle returned as a stolen vehicle out of Arcadia. A replica pistol was found in the vehicle that was painted to resemble an actual pistol. The investigation is continuing.

Receiving Stolen Property – Suspect Arrested
On April 19 at 4:20 p.m., an officer on patrol contacted a suspect in the area of Primrose and Olive who was in possession of a stolen cell phone and fraudulent gift cards. The cell phone was stolen out of Pacoima. The gift cards were magnetically coded with different numbers than the numbers on the front of the cards. Additionally, the suspect had a small piece of paper with several credit card numbers and expiration dates. The suspect was arrested for receiving stolen property and the investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested
On April 20 at 8:37 p.m., a driver called dispatch to report he was following a possible drunk driver at Myrtle and Huntington. Officers located the vehicle and stopped it at Primrose and Walnut. Officers contacted the driver and he appeared intoxicated. After investigation, the driver was determined to be driving under the influence of alcohol and was arrested.

Vehicle Burglary
On April 21 at 5:00 a.m., a resident in the 200 block of West Walnut walked outside his home to his vehicle and discovered it had been burglarized during the night. He had parked it the night before at about 10:00 p.m. and locked the doors. The victim's wallet was taken out of the vehicle. The investigation is continuing.

Monrovia “Fountain to the Falls” Race Coming Up

The Fountain to the Falls Run/Walk is a 7 mile out-and-back race, from the Library Park Fountain to the Canyon Park Waterfall, and is offered in cooperation with the Santa Anita Family YMCA.  This fourth annual race will be held on Saturday, May 10, at 7 a.m.  First through third place awards will be given for each age category.  The race is limited to 400 participants and advance registration is required.  No race day registration will be accepted.  The $35 entry fee (a registration fee is added to each entry) includes a t-shirt.  Registration will only be accepted on-line at www.active.com.  No late starts or unregistered participants will be permitted.  Registration will be accepted through Thursday, May 9, or until filled.  Any reprint of this information is not official race information.  For additional information, please contact the Department of Community Services at (626) 256-8246

Source: City of Monrovia Press Release
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Church at Hollywood Bowl

A report on Fellowship Monrovia's (and two other churches') Easter service at the Hollywood Bowl. http://goo.gl/bZ7AuF

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Wine Club | Legal Graffiti

~ A feature story on Monrovia's Wine of the Month Club. http://goo.gl/jjFXge

~ Last year the Monrovia Association of Fine Arts sponsored Monrovia high school students in their desire to paint graffiti ... legally, on canvases. Video here: http://goo.gl/lzzvvN

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Battle of the Bands

Monrovia High School's tenth annual Battle of the Bands is  Friday, April 25, at the Louise K. Taylor Performing Arts Center at Monrovia High School. The program, featuring MHS musicians, starts at 6 p.m., and tickets are $5. Jazz, pop, rock, indie music. Many musicians who continue to perform throughout California and beyond first performed at the Battle of the Bands. Some are returning to where their musical roots were first grounded. All proceeds go to for MHS PTSA senior scholarships.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Schools: Common Core; Writing with Legos; Salary Increase; Inhumanity; Honorees; Dollars for Books

At its April 23, 7 p.m. meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/dorZbu ) the Monrovia School Board will ...

~ Consider adopting a plan for how to spend $1,192,914 in Common Core funds from the state. The district has to have a plan to receive the money. http://goo.gl/6PZvJB

~ Get a report on summer school classes. I'm particularly interested in "Creative Writing with Legos." http://goo.gl/8Iw25o

~ Consider granting a 1.8% salary increase to school employees, retroactive to July 1, 2013. http://goo.gl/Jg9k0p

~ Consider adopting a resolution "in remembrance of man's inhumanity to man" and affirm the district's "commitment to the teaching of tolerance, understanding, and the appreciation of the diversity in our schools and community" http://goo.gl/PAEhg5 . Comment: Well, good, but be careful, School Board, the sexism police will be after you for using "man's inhumanity" instead of "people's inhumanity."

~ Honor for outstanding service: Beth Gromer, Instructional Aide, Mayflower Elementary School; Jennifer Pratt, Teacher, Mayflower Elementary School; Margarita Hernandez, Playground Aide, Santa Fe Middle School; Eric Johnson, Teacher, Santa Fe Middle School.

~ Receive $1,200 from the Monrovia Schools Foundation to buy library books.

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at the New Del Taco

Lunch at the new Del Taco, right across from Target, on Huntington. A beautiful new building with indoor and outdoor seating. I got the number six combo, two tacos, a drink and fries for $5.45. Sometimes I like these crunchy gringo-style tacos, and these were good.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Thief Swaps Bikes; Slap on the Buttocks; Domestic Violence; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for April 14-16. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 428 service events, During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 428 service events, resulting in 88 investigations.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
On April 14 at 6:15 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 1100 block of Royal Oaks regarding the boyfriend of the reporting party being intoxicated and refusing to leave. Officers arrived and contacted the subject. A computer check was run on the subject and it was discovered that he had an outstanding warrant. He was arrested for the warrant. The subject complained of difficulty breathing. Monrovia paramedics responded and he was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Theft of a Bicycle
On April 14, the theft of a bicycle was reported in the 300 block of West Colorado. The victim reported that someone took his black, BMX bicycle with aqua colored hubs from the rear yard. The suspect left behind a mountain bike. The investigation is continuing.

Theft from a Vehicle
On April 15 at 7:48 a.m., a theft from a vehicle was reported in the 800 block of West Walnut. The victim parked her vehicle in her assigned parking spot the day before. She returned to her vehicle in the morning and discovered her cell phone, money, registration, and a pair of sunglasses were missing. She had left the vehicle unlocked. The investigation is continuing.

Sexual Battery
On April 15 at 8:47 a.m., a female subject was walking to her vehicle, which was parked in the 1200 block of South Mayflower. As she neared her vehicle, she heard someone behind her and felt someone slap her buttocks. The suspect kept going southbound on the sidewalk, riding his skateboard. The suspect is described as a male Hispanic, 18 years old, light complexion, 5'7" tall, thin build, wearing a zipped up, light-colored, hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans. The victim came to the police lobby to report the incident. An area check was made by officers, but the suspect was not located. The investigation is continuing.

Attempt Grand Theft Auto
On April 15 at 10:29 a.m., a Monrovia High School security employee saw a male subject standing near a vehicle in the school parking lot. The employee knew the vehicle belonged to a student and thought the subject might be a parent. As he walked toward the vehicle, the subject ducked down behind the car and then ran west, jumping over a fence onto Madison. Police were called as the student/owner of the vehicle was located. Apparently, the suspect had made entry and was trying to hotwire the vehicle. The suspect is described as a male Hispanic, late 40's, heavyset, wearing a burgundy shirt and denim shorts. The investigation is continuing.

Delaying an Officer – Suspect Arrested
On April 15 at 2:53 p.m., an officer on patrol in the 300 block of West Huntington saw a juvenile subject who matched the suspect description from a sexual battery that occurred earlier in the day. He contacted the subject and found him to be in possession of tobacco products. The subject provided unverifiable information to the officer. The juvenile was arrested and brought to the station. A detective was notified and spoke with the juvenile. The juvenile was later released to his parents with a citation for the tobacco offense and delaying an officer. The investigation is continuing.

Spousal Battery / Violation of Restraining Order / Warrants – Suspect Arrested
On April 16 at 2:56 a.m., an officer responded to the 1300 block of South Primrose on the report of domestic violence. The female victim said her boyfriend punched and slapped her several times in the face and head. She did not have any visible injuries and declined medical treatment. Investigation revealed the male subject was previously served with a domestic violence restraining order, and he also had two outstanding warrants for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor / Furnishing a Minor with Alcohol and Marijuana / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
On April 16 at 6:39 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a business in the 300 block of West Huntington regarding a juvenile problem. When the officer arrived, he observed a male and female consuming alcohol to the rear of the location. Upon contact, he learned the male subject was 20 years old and the female was 17 years old. The male adult was found to be in possession of marijuana. The investigation revealed the male adult had furnished the female juvenile with alcohol and marijuana. He also had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. The subject was arrested and taken into custody for contributing to the delinquency of a minor and for the warrant. The female juvenile was taken to her residence, where she was released to the custody of her father.

Monrovia High Baseball Tied for First

Monrovia 9-6 over San Marino in baseball. Now in a tie for first place with San Marino and Temple City in the Rio Hondo League.  http://goo.gl/Fu12iL
- Brad Haugaard

Friends of Monrovia Library Book Sale

The Friends of the Monrovia Public Library Spring Sale will be held on May 16-17.  Books, CDs, DVDs, Books on Tape and Library Merchandise. Sale Hours: Friday: noon to 5 p.m.;   Saturday: noon to 3:45 p.m. Saturday Only:  The “$3.00- a- Bag Sale” from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center: SOS for Helpers

Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center needs volunteers to help unload mail trucks full of food during the 2014 Letter Carrier Food Drive, May 10.  Call 358-3486 for more information. 

- Brad Haugaard

Poppies in Early Monrovia

History: Planting poppies along Monrovia roads: http://goo.gl/dSqcKk

- Brad Haugaard