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Free Parent Workshop at Monrovia Community Center

Free parent workshop at Monrovia Community Center (119 W. Palm), May 21, 28, June 11, 18, 25. 9:30-11 a.m. Five-session weekly interactive group. Topics: family management, communication, family bonds, reducing child's risk of using alcohol and other drugs. Presented by Jewish Family Service of LA. To register, contact Alyssa at 577-7728 or at asnow@jfsla.org

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Police Discover About 40 Stolen Bikes; Shoplifting with a Stroller; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for May 15-18. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Vehicle Code Violations – Suspects Cited
On May 16 at 7:50 a.m., an officer observed two male subjects riding bicycles southbound on Myrtle. He saw them commit several vehicle code violations. The officer attempted to stop them, but they split up and kept riding. Officers were called to assist with the stop and both suspects were detained. A pair of bolt cutters was found near one of the suspects. There was nothing to connect the suspects to the bolt cutters and both suspects were cited for the vehicle code infractions and released. The bolt cutters were seized.

Bicycle Thefts – One Suspect Arrested
On May 16 at 8:50 a.m., officers responded to a business in the 400 block of West Huntington regarding the theft of two bicycles. The officer reviewed video of the bicycle thefts and recognized the suspects from the traffic stop earlier, see above incident. The officers were assisted by the West San Gabriel Valley Anti-Crime Task Force. The task force went to the suspects’ address in Baldwin Park that was listed on the citations. They located one of the suspects and approximately 40 bicycles in various stages of being dismantled. The task force seized the bicycles and arrested the suspect. Further investigation revealed the suspects had already sold the stolen bicycles they had taken from the business in Monrovia. The investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested
On May 16 at 10:44 p.m., an officer was on patrol at Duarte Road and Enterprise Way when he saw a vehicle traveling at night without headlights. The officer stopped the vehicle and determined the driver was intoxicated. Field sobriety tests were conducted and the driver was arrested.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested
On May 17 at 3:00 a.m., an officer observed a vehicle make an illegal turn in the area of Myrtle and Longden. The officer stopped the vehicle and determined the driver had been drinking. Field sobriety tests were conducted and the driver was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested On May 17 at 11:30 p.m., an officer observed a black Ford Focus traveling south on Mountain without headlights. He stopped the vehicle and noticed the driver was intoxicated. Field sobriety tests were conducted and the driver was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Vandalism
On May 18 at 5:00 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 800 block of West Duarte regarding a report of vandalism. The victim reported that her vehicle was spray painted with gang graffiti. The front of the property was also spray painted with graffiti on the sidewalk. The investigation is continuing.

Theft From a Vehicle
On May 18 at 11:04 a.m., a theft from a vehicle was reported in the 400 block of Monrovista. The victim left two purses and a backpack in her vehicle. The vehicle was left unlocked and one of the windows was down. The investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested
On May 18 at 8:09 p.m., dispatch received a call reporting a possible drunk driver in the 200 block of West Foothill. The reporting party followed the vehicle until officers arrived. Officers observed the vehicle attempting to park. They contacted the driver and conducted field sobriety tests. The subject was determined to be under the influence of alcohol and was arrested for driving under the influence and taken into custody.

Commercial Burglary – Suspects Arrested
On May 18 at 8:31 p.m., dispatch received a call from a business in the 500 block of West Huntington reporting two adults in custody for theft. Officers responded and spoke with the suspects. The suspects entered the store with their two-year-old child in a stroller. They proceeded to conceal merchandise inside the stroller and then left without paying. They admitted planning this before they entered. The suspects were arrested.

Commercial Burglary
On May 18 at 8:53 p.m., an alarm activation was received from a business in the 2600 block of California. Dispatch also received a call from an employee on scene that reported the door to the location had been pried open. Officers responded and cleared the building. Employee cubicles had been ransacked and several laptops had been taken from the individual cubicles. The investigation is continuing.

Monrovia's Trader Joe's vs. Whole Foods | Unity Center Benefit

~ Article on why Monrovia-based Trader Joe's is overtaking Whole Foods. http://goo.gl/G4Zma9

~ Benefit for Foothill Unity Center Auxiliary, May 27, 3-9 p.m. at Paco's. Details:  http://goo.gl/XO6yRg

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High 'Kings and Queens' Robot in Action

This is the robot made by the Monrovia High "Kings and Queens" robotics team. It competed in St. Louis. Thought you might like to see it in action. It's at Library Park right now if you want to see it up close.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Day Party in Library Park


Monrovia Day party now going on at Library Park. 

- Brad Haugaard

Railroad Work Begins at Mountain Ave. in Monrovia


The Gold Line Construction Authority reports that work is underway on the last three (of 14) at-grade rail crossings. Crews having begun construction on Mountain Avenue, shown here, this week.

- Brad Haugaard

Two Thousand Monrovia Customers Lose Power

Southern California Edison reports that 2,094 Monrovia customers have been affected by a power outage that began about 4:49 PM today. Eddison reports it is "analyzing problem."

UPDATE: SCE is estimating power will be on for most customers by 8 p.m. 

UPDATE 2: We got our power back on for about 30 seconds at 6:52 p.m. 

UPDATE 3: A lot of lights are back on, but 543 customers still affected and no new fix-time estimate.

UPDATE 4: Power is back on at our house at 9:05 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Cafe Lori

Lunch at Cafe Lori. It's on Lime just east of Myrtle, tucked in next to the north-side exit for the Krikorian theater. A simple menu of Mediterranean food. I got a chicken shish kebab ($10.50) and an iced tea for $1.50. (They have a smaller chicken lunch for $6.50 but I was hungry.) Very nicely seasoned. I liked it very much. 

- Brad Haugaard

More Doubts About Proposed Recreation Area in Mountains Behind Monrovia, Other Foothill Cities

In a 5-0 vote, the Monrovia City Council recently asked to be excluded from a proposed National Recreation Area for the mountains behind Monrovia and other foothill cities. The NRA is being advanced by Representative Judy Chu (who represents the top sliver of Monrovia). Glendora Mayor Judy Nelson is also expressing doubts about the plan: http://goo.gl/EgyhBn

- Brad Haugaard

Music Scholarship

The Ruggieri Scholarship Committee, an outgrowth of the Monrovia-based San Gabriel Valley Choral Company, which practices at Monrovia's First Presbyterian Church, will award a $250 college scholarship to a Southern California vocal musician in June. This award was established to honor Alexander Ruggieri - conductor, composer, vocalist and artistic director of the company. The award will go to a student who is a vocal musician; will be a college undergraduate student in the fall of 2014; is majoring or is planning to major in music; and lives in and/or attends school in Southern California. Contact RuggieriScholarship@gmail.com or 626-579-2433 for an application.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Overdose, Get Arrested; Heart Start; Stolen Gym Clothes; Inept Burglary Get-Away; Burglarizing Man in Custody

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for May 12-14. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Medical Assist / Warrant – One Suspect Arrested
May 12 at 8:42 a.m., Monrovia police and fire personnel responded to a hotel in the 900 block of West Huntington on the report of a subject having a seizure in one of the hotel rooms. It was determined that the subject had overdosed. He was taken to a hospital for treatment. Several friends of the subject were present in the hotel room and were identified; one of subject was found to have a warrant and was arrested.

Violation of a Court Order – Suspect Arrested
May 12 at 9:57 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the area of Mayflower and Alta Vista when he observed a subject on a bicycle he recognized. The subject had a restraining order prohibiting him from the area. The officer detained the subject, as he was only 30 yards away from the protected person's residence. The officer confirmed the restraining order and arrested the subject.

Vehicle Burglary
May 13 at 6:34 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported at a business in the 700 block of East Huntington. An Unknown suspect smashed the window of a vehicle parked in the business parking lot. Two purses that were left in the vehicle were taken. The investigation is continuing.

Medical Assist
May 13 at 8:13 a.m., police received a call reporting a driver in a vehicle at Myrtle and Huntington was possibly having a heart attack. Responding officers arrived on scene quickly and checked the subject for a pulse, but did not find one. Officers applied an automated external defibrillator (AED). A shock was advised and delivered. A pulse was obtained. Monrovia Fire Department paramedics arrived and rendered aid to the subject. He was taken to a hospital for further treatment and was released later that day.

Commercial Burglary
May 13 at 11:47 a.m., a burglary was reported at a business in the 400 block of South Myrtle. The reporting party returned to the business in the morning and found the front door was unlocked. She noticed items were missing. There was an instructor at the business on Sunday, but it is unknown if door was left unlocked. There were no signs of forced entry. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft From a Vehicle
May 13 at 11:58 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the police lobby on the report of a grand theft from a vehicle. The victim had parked his unlocked vehicle at the corner of Palm and Ivy in the evening. He returned to his vehicle the next day and found that his Titanium road bike was missing. The victim does not remember if he locked the vehicle. There were no signs of forced entry. The investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
May 13 at 5:17 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported at a business in the 700 block of East Huntington. The victim parked her vehicle in the parking lot and went into the gym to work out. When she returned to her vehicle, she found the front passenger window smashed. A gym bag with clothing in it was taken. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary / Conspiracy / Weapons Offense – Four Suspects Arrested
May 14 at 3:11 a.m., and officer was on patrol in the area of Magnolia and Huntington when he stopped a motorist for a modified exhaust violation. When the officer approached the vehicle, he smelled the odor of marijuana and observed metal knuckles on the rear floor board. The officer requested additional officers to assist and removed the four occupants from the vehicle. One of the occupants had a large hunting knife concealed in his pocket. Further investigation revealed unopened mail and electronics inside of the vehicle. The mail belonged to a victim who lives in the 500 block of North Alta Vista. The burglary had occurred minutes before the officer detained the suspects. The suspects were arrested and taken into custody. One of the suspects admitted to the burglary.

Vandalism
May 14 at 8:02 a.m., a business in the 1800 block of South California reported that someone wrote graffiti on the front door of the business sometime during the night. The graffiti was written on the front door of the business in black marker. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary – Suspect Arrested
May 15 at 3:39 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 200 block of Norumbega regarding a burglary. The victim had just been released from police custody. When he returned home, he observed an acquaintance inside of his residence. The victim yelled at the suspect and he ran out of the back door holding the victim's cell phone charger. An officer responded and found the suspect one block away from the location. The suspect claimed he found the cell phone charger. Further investigation revealed the suspect knew the victim was arrested earlier and did not expect him to be released from custody yet. Fresh pry marks were located on the victim's back door. The suspect was arrested.

Former Coke Executive Joins Monrovia's STAAR Surgical

Former Coca-Cola executive joins Monrovia's STAAR Surgical as a marketing director. http://goo.gl/2SDNQ9

- Brad Haugaard

Profile of Monrovia High's Elise McCarthy

Profile of Monrovia High softball player, Elise McCarthy. "What is she going to do next?" http://goo.gl/3X7O1p

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Days Music Festival this Sunday


Free Monrovia Day concert on Sunday, May 18, 2:30-7:30 p.m. at the Library Park fountain. Food trucks, non-profit groups, commercial vendors, art and activities for the whole family.

Featured acts Include:
The Whistling Diva
Black Heartthrobs
Pamela Clay
Smokey Miles
Frater
Steve Delamater
Gem City Jazz Cats
Robert Barryman

Bring a picnic blanket and friends to celebrate the Gem City's birthday. The Monrovia Days Music Festival is produced by Carole Anne Kaufman's Studio C Hair Artistry in partnership with the Veterans of' Foreign Wars Post 2070. Kaufman, also known as "The Whistling Diva," created the festival to reignite the community's birthday celebration tradition.

She said, "The birthday parade and carnival were some of the truly special things about Monrovia, and I just couldn't stand to see that go away. This music festival will be a great event to bring the community together and hopefully will plant the seed for greater things in the future."

Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

Shooting a Chevy Commercial on Myrtle | Monrovia Day Pancakes

~ If you are wondering what they are filming on Myrtle, Diane Delmatoff in the Community Development Department says they're shooting a Chevy commercial at the Krikorian, using both the inside and outside of the theater.

~ Monrovia Day Pancake Breakfast, May 17 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Library Park. Live music, games. Tickets $6.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Softball Wins League Title | Quota Club Fundraiser at Pechanga

~ Monrovia High softball wins Rio Hondo League title. http://goo.gl/ulsN4Z

~ Quota International of Monrovia-Duarte is having its third Casino "Fun"draiser Saturday, June 14, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula. A bus ride to the casino and five hours there. $25 per person, which includes a continental breakfast, $10 casino food credit for new players, and $5.00 food credit for returning players. For details contact Linda Proctor at 255-3833, or linda.b.proctor@gmail.com.

- Brad Haugaard

Fundraiser Concert for Monrovia Schools Music Program

Monrovia School District will hold a "Superstars of Music Showcase" concert to raise funds for the district's music department, Thursday, May 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the Taylor Performing Arts Center at Monrovia High. Instrumental and choral music performances featuring more than 400 music students from 4th to 12th grade. General Seating - $5; Dinner and Show - $20; Kids 10 and under- $15; VIP Package- $30 (show, VIP seating, VIP parking, and DVD); Ultimate Package- $45 (dinner, show, VIP seating, VIP parking, and DVD). http://goo.gl/E8s9n0

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Colorado Commons, Switching Back to Being Condos


Colorado Commons, on Colorado just west of Myrtle, is switching back to being condos from being for-lease townhomes. The 68 residences open for sale May 17 and range from one-bedroom plus one- or two-bath flats to three-bedroom plus 2.5-bath townhomes. Prices range in the mid-$300,000s to the mid-$700,000s. All residences will be upgraded. Details: http://goo.gl/0LwJS7

Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Sleeping on the Roof; Green Dot Scam; Drugs and Alcohol

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for May 8-11. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Commercial Burglary
On May 8 at 11:05 a.m., a commercial burglary was reported at a business in the 100 block of South Myrtle. The reporting party left the location in the evening at about 11:30 p.m. She returned at 7:42 a.m. and found the interior of the business had been sprayed with a fire extinguisher. A flat screen television and computer equipment had been taken. The investigation is continuing.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
May 8 at 10:03 p.m., a business in the 1600 block of South Myrtle called police to report a suspicious male subject loitering in front of the business. The employees were afraid the subject might be preparing to rob the business. An officer arrived and contacted the individual. The subject was determined to be under the influence of a controlled substance. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Suspicious Circumstances
May 8 at 11:32 p.m., police received a call reporting a suspicious male subject seen on the roof of a business. Officers responded and found a service ladder that accessed the roof. The Foothill Air Support helicopter was requested and advised that there were two subjects on the roof that appeared to be sleeping. Officers went onto the roof and located two local transients. They had several items on the roof and appeared to be using the roof as a shelter. Officers advised them that they could not be on the roof of the business. Attempts were made to identify and locate the owner of the business in order to obtain a no-trespass order and to secure the service ladder.

Green Dot Credit Card Scam
On May 9 at 12:20 p.m., a resident that lives in the 300 block of Norumbega called police to report a phone scam. An unknown suspect called the victim and claimed to be a Captain with the Las Vegas Police Department. He claimed the victim's son was in custody and told the victim they needed to purchase sixteen $500 Green Dot Reloadit Credit Cards to secure his son's release. The victim did not secure the credit cards and called the police. There was no loss in this incident.

Driving Under the Influence / No-Bail Warrant – Suspects Arrested
On May 9 at 6:49 p.m., a disturbance was reported at a business in the 400 block of West Foothill. The suspects left in their vehicle prior to officers arriving, but the vehicle was seen approaching the 210 Freeway. An officer stopped the vehicle and, through investigation, determined the driver was driving under the influence of alcohol. The passenger had a no-bail warrant for his arrest. Both suspects were taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested
On May 9 at 9:36 p.m., a female subject was driving east on Foothill when the driver lost control and struck two parked vehicles. The front wheel came off the vehicle, but the driver continued on into the driveway of a condominium complex. She then struck two buildings with her vehicle, causing damage to the garages. Officers arrived and determined the driver was driving while under the influence. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
May 10 at 9:40 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Heather Heights on the report of a subject in dark clothing, possibly looking into vehicles. Officers arrived and saw a subject, matching the description, who claimed to be homeless. The officers determined the subject was under the influence of a controlled substance and he was arrested.

Possession of Methamphetamine / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia / Possession of a Fixed-Blade Weapon
On May 11 at 11:56 p.m., an officer responded to the area of an elementary School in the 200 block of Jasmine. A male subject was seen jumping the locked chain-link fence, exiting the school. An officer arrived and located a male transient near the school. The subject was running toward him. When the subject saw the officer, he put his hands in the air and tossed a baggie of methamphetamine and a glass pipe onto the nearby front lawn of a residence. The officer detained the subject and, while conducting a pat-down search for weapons, discovered an easily accessible fixed-blade knife in the subject’s back pocket, which he admitted to using as a weapon for self defense. The subject was arrested for the above listed charges.

Latino Heritage Scholarship Fundraiser

The Monrovia Latino Heritage Society will hold a scholarship fundraiser dance with The Bobby Z Band Saturday, May 24 from 7:30-11:30 p.m. at the Masonic Center, 204 W. Foothill. $20 in advance, $25 at the door. For info call Louie Romero at 951 830-9648 or Cuca Mack at 359-2130.

- Brad Haugaard