With Monrovia having adopted a ban on plastic carry-out grocery store bags, the city is now warning that the reusable bags can carry disease. So, "Although there have only been a few documented cases of reusable bags causing illness, studies have shown that the bags can, and often do, provide an environment for bacteria, if they are not properly cared for." You need to wash them in hot water with disinfectant, and use "separate product bags for meat, poultry, seafood or other food items." http://goo.gl/mvjkco
Comment: I ranted against forcing these "reusable" bags on people and said they could carry disease ( http://goo.gl/2G9lBD ), but to no avail. And now we're being warned that while there are few "documented" cases of the bags causing disease (How many causes of disease are ever documented?), they can indeed cause disease, and therefore, during a drought, we should spend water, energy and time, and make sure our bags are organized by food, to prevent catching food-borne diseases.
Comment 2: And come to think of it, I don't recall any mention of food-borne diseases in the staff report when the plastic carry-out bag ban was being considered by the City Council. Is people's health not a factor the council should consider in setting city policy?
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Police: Running in Stolen Shoes; Sleeping in the Sprinkler; Mountain Lion; Etc.
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for September 4-7. - Brad Haugaard]
Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.
Commercial Burglary – Suspect Arrested
On September 4 at 4:41 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 500 block of West Huntington regarding a male suspect running out of a store with a stolen pair of shoes. An officer saw the suspect running and entering a yard in the 500 block of West Maple. The officer gained a vantage point from a two story building near the location and was able to see the suspect hiding on a roof top. The Pasadena Air Support helicopter also spotted the suspect and directed officers to him. The suspect was taken into custody without further incident and the stolen property was recovered.
Mountain Lion Sighting
On September 4 at 8:17 p.m., a resident in the 400 block of Norumbega called police to report seeing two small mountain lions, approximately 5 to 6 months old. The mountain lions went into some bushes and out of sight. An officer responded and checked the area, but was not able to locate the animals.
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested
On September 5 at 2:28 a.m., an officer stopped a motorist near Fifth and Foothill for a traffic violation. The female driver was determined to be driving under the influence of alcohol; she was arrested and taken into custody.
Residential Burglary / Grand Theft Auto
On September 6 at 9:44 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 400 block of West Walnut on the report of a residential burglary. The victim left her home at 7:30 a.m. and returned at approximately 9:30 p.m. to discover her vehicle was stolen from the garage and her home had been ransacked. The victim reported cash and a video game station were stolen from inside the home. The suspect gained entry by smashing a rear window of the residence. The investigation is continuing.
Public Intoxication / Open Container / Violation of City Ordinance – Suspect Arrested
On September 7 at 11:55 p.m., an officer was on patrol in the 300 block of South Myrtle when he observed a female subject sleeping in the park after 10:00 p.m. when the park is closed. There was a sprinkler spraying her with water, but she was still asleep. The officer approached the female to see if she was alright. It took several attempts of nudging to wake her. There was an open and half empty bottle of alcohol in a backpack next to her. The female was determined to be drunk in public and was arrested for the violation, as well as for being in the park after closing and having alcohol in the park.
Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.
Commercial Burglary – Suspect Arrested
On September 4 at 4:41 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 500 block of West Huntington regarding a male suspect running out of a store with a stolen pair of shoes. An officer saw the suspect running and entering a yard in the 500 block of West Maple. The officer gained a vantage point from a two story building near the location and was able to see the suspect hiding on a roof top. The Pasadena Air Support helicopter also spotted the suspect and directed officers to him. The suspect was taken into custody without further incident and the stolen property was recovered.
Mountain Lion Sighting
On September 4 at 8:17 p.m., a resident in the 400 block of Norumbega called police to report seeing two small mountain lions, approximately 5 to 6 months old. The mountain lions went into some bushes and out of sight. An officer responded and checked the area, but was not able to locate the animals.
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested
On September 5 at 2:28 a.m., an officer stopped a motorist near Fifth and Foothill for a traffic violation. The female driver was determined to be driving under the influence of alcohol; she was arrested and taken into custody.
Residential Burglary / Grand Theft Auto
On September 6 at 9:44 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 400 block of West Walnut on the report of a residential burglary. The victim left her home at 7:30 a.m. and returned at approximately 9:30 p.m. to discover her vehicle was stolen from the garage and her home had been ransacked. The victim reported cash and a video game station were stolen from inside the home. The suspect gained entry by smashing a rear window of the residence. The investigation is continuing.
Public Intoxication / Open Container / Violation of City Ordinance – Suspect Arrested
On September 7 at 11:55 p.m., an officer was on patrol in the 300 block of South Myrtle when he observed a female subject sleeping in the park after 10:00 p.m. when the park is closed. There was a sprinkler spraying her with water, but she was still asleep. The officer approached the female to see if she was alright. It took several attempts of nudging to wake her. There was an open and half empty bottle of alcohol in a backpack next to her. The female was determined to be drunk in public and was arrested for the violation, as well as for being in the park after closing and having alcohol in the park.
Rain Today, Sunny and Hot Coming Up
Enjoy the rain while you can. It is supposed to be clear starting tomorrow and up to 103° on Sunday. http://goo.gl/n4lVng
- Brad Haugaard
Heat Alert in Monrovia Area
The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat alert for this area until 8 pm tonight. http://goo.gl/kNB3fh
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovian Says Building Permit Fees Are Now More Reasonable
Monrovian Chris Ziegler, who earlier said fees charged to him by the city for building permits were higher than permitted by California law (see here: http://goo.gl/OdlDaw ) now says the fee structure has to some degree corrected. He writes:
"This morning pulled a permit for another solar power generation system from the City of Monrovia and instead of being gouged via excessive permit [development] fees and then listening to silly stories as to why the fees are so high, I was merely charged $305 ($80 for plan check and $225 for the inspection permit). While still technically a violation of the Fee Mitigation Act, the city's own documents place the costs of services at roughly $80, it is still much better than being charged $800-$1000 as was the case and I credit you greatly for moving this issue in the right direction!"
- Brad Haugaard
"This morning pulled a permit for another solar power generation system from the City of Monrovia and instead of being gouged via excessive permit [development] fees and then listening to silly stories as to why the fees are so high, I was merely charged $305 ($80 for plan check and $225 for the inspection permit). While still technically a violation of the Fee Mitigation Act, the city's own documents place the costs of services at roughly $80, it is still much better than being charged $800-$1000 as was the case and I credit you greatly for moving this issue in the right direction!"
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Schools: Reimbursement; New Textbooks
At its next meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/qrZVWn ), the Monrovia School Board will consider, among other things ...
~ Establishing a mileage rate of 56 cents per mile, as allowed by the IRS. http://goo.gl/hsc9IU
~ Establishing rules for reimbursement of conference and travel expenses. http://goo.gl/wsfs1C
~ Adopting the textbook CA Imaginalo! for its dual-immersion transitional kindergarten class. The textbook is "a Spanish reading language arts program where students learn to read in Spanish by using a syllabic approach." http://goo.gl/FfLn3Q
~ Accepting for public review the Glencoe Math Course 1, 2, and 3 as part of the shift to Common Core State Standards. http://goo.gl/EQzvEf
- Brad Haugaard
~ Establishing a mileage rate of 56 cents per mile, as allowed by the IRS. http://goo.gl/hsc9IU
~ Establishing rules for reimbursement of conference and travel expenses. http://goo.gl/wsfs1C
~ Adopting the textbook CA Imaginalo! for its dual-immersion transitional kindergarten class. The textbook is "a Spanish reading language arts program where students learn to read in Spanish by using a syllabic approach." http://goo.gl/FfLn3Q
~ Accepting for public review the Glencoe Math Course 1, 2, and 3 as part of the shift to Common Core State Standards. http://goo.gl/EQzvEf
- Brad Haugaard
Train Control Cabins for Monrovia | Allensworth
~ Photo of train control cabins being installed this week at the Monrovia Gold Line station. http://goo.gl/i0dxTO
~ Article in the Star-News about the Monrovia Historical Society honoring Lt. Col. Allen Allensworth. http://goo.gl/Jv2a0j
- Brad Haugaard
~ Article in the Star-News about the Monrovia Historical Society honoring Lt. Col. Allen Allensworth. http://goo.gl/Jv2a0j
- Brad Haugaard
Lunch at Nano Café
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- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Police: DUI, Shoplifting, Threats, Etc
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for August 28-September 3. - Brad Haugaard]
Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.
Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
On August 28 at 4:37 p.m., dispatch received a call from the victim of a traffic collision, stating he was just rear ended by another driver at Huntington and Magnolia. When the other party exited his vehicle, the victim could smell alcohol on the driver’s breath. The driver went back inside his vehicle and fled the scene. The victim followed the vehicle until an officer arrived and stopped the vehicle at Baldwin in Arcadia. After further investigation, the driver was arrested for hit and run and driving under the influence of alcohol.
Shoplifting / No-Bail Warrants
On August 28 at 10:18 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain regarding a female who had been denied a merchandise return and had concealed merchandise on her person. She was detained and was found to have two no-bail warrants for possession of stolen property. She was arrested and taken into custody.
Vandalism / Graffiti Bounty Awarded to Witness – Suspect Arrested
On August 28 at 11:59 p.m., a witness called police to report two male subjects, about 16 to 18 years old, vandalizing the stop sign on the northwest corner of Lime and Jasmine. Officers arrived and detained the two subjects. They were positively identified by the witness and arrested; they were later released to their parents. The witness who reported the crime that led to the arrest of the suspects received $100.00 from the Police Department’s Stop Graffiti Bounty Program for reporting the crime.
Utility Problem
On August 29 at 12:25 p.m., officers responded to the 400 block of Los Angeles regarding possible downed wires. A short time later, numerous signals on Huntington and Foothill from Shamrock to Fifth started going out. The power also went out in several residential areas. The power continued to go out throughout the afternoon. Edison sent out crews and eventually fixed the problem.
Criminal Threats – Suspect Arrested
On August 29 at 5:41 p.m., a female victim and her friend ran into the police lobby stating her ex-boyfriend was following her and threatened to kill her and others. When officers ran out to the lobby, the suspect fled in his vehicle at a high rate of speed. He drove northbound on Ivy and failed to stop for two stop signs. The Foothill Air Support helicopter was called for assistance. An officer located the suspect vehicle in the area of Foothill and Mountain, and conducted a high-risk stop. Further investigation revealed the victim had a restraining order against the boyfriend because he threatened to kill her prior to this incident. The suspect was taken into custody for criminal threats.
Theft From a Vehicle
On September 2 at 2:27 a.m., police received a call from a witness reporting two male subjects running from a vehicle in the 600 block of West Colorado. The vehicle had its doors and trunk open and the subjects were wearing masks. The witness gave a suspect vehicle description, a white Chevrolet Cavalier, but the vehicle was not located. Officers conducted an area search and contacted the witness and then the victim. A few items were missing from the interior of the vehicle. There was no sign of forced entry. The investigation is continuing.
Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.
Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
On August 28 at 4:37 p.m., dispatch received a call from the victim of a traffic collision, stating he was just rear ended by another driver at Huntington and Magnolia. When the other party exited his vehicle, the victim could smell alcohol on the driver’s breath. The driver went back inside his vehicle and fled the scene. The victim followed the vehicle until an officer arrived and stopped the vehicle at Baldwin in Arcadia. After further investigation, the driver was arrested for hit and run and driving under the influence of alcohol.
Shoplifting / No-Bail Warrants
On August 28 at 10:18 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain regarding a female who had been denied a merchandise return and had concealed merchandise on her person. She was detained and was found to have two no-bail warrants for possession of stolen property. She was arrested and taken into custody.
Vandalism / Graffiti Bounty Awarded to Witness – Suspect Arrested
On August 28 at 11:59 p.m., a witness called police to report two male subjects, about 16 to 18 years old, vandalizing the stop sign on the northwest corner of Lime and Jasmine. Officers arrived and detained the two subjects. They were positively identified by the witness and arrested; they were later released to their parents. The witness who reported the crime that led to the arrest of the suspects received $100.00 from the Police Department’s Stop Graffiti Bounty Program for reporting the crime.
Utility Problem
On August 29 at 12:25 p.m., officers responded to the 400 block of Los Angeles regarding possible downed wires. A short time later, numerous signals on Huntington and Foothill from Shamrock to Fifth started going out. The power also went out in several residential areas. The power continued to go out throughout the afternoon. Edison sent out crews and eventually fixed the problem.
Criminal Threats – Suspect Arrested
On August 29 at 5:41 p.m., a female victim and her friend ran into the police lobby stating her ex-boyfriend was following her and threatened to kill her and others. When officers ran out to the lobby, the suspect fled in his vehicle at a high rate of speed. He drove northbound on Ivy and failed to stop for two stop signs. The Foothill Air Support helicopter was called for assistance. An officer located the suspect vehicle in the area of Foothill and Mountain, and conducted a high-risk stop. Further investigation revealed the victim had a restraining order against the boyfriend because he threatened to kill her prior to this incident. The suspect was taken into custody for criminal threats.
Theft From a Vehicle
On September 2 at 2:27 a.m., police received a call from a witness reporting two male subjects running from a vehicle in the 600 block of West Colorado. The vehicle had its doors and trunk open and the subjects were wearing masks. The witness gave a suspect vehicle description, a white Chevrolet Cavalier, but the vehicle was not located. Officers conducted an area search and contacted the witness and then the victim. A few items were missing from the interior of the vehicle. There was no sign of forced entry. The investigation is continuing.
Two Mountain Lions Spotted in Monrovia
Monrovia Police Report two mountain lion sightings this week in neighborhoods near the wilderness. The Monrovia Police Department would like to remind residents who live near the wilderness interface to use caution and keep small animals inside at night and not allow small children outside unsupervised. There is information about living with wildlife available on our website. You can access it by going to http://goo.gl/DP8WGD or by going to the Police Department website under Animal Control – Living with Wildlife. There is a link on that page on living with mountain lions which contains information from California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Source: Monrovia Police
- Brad Haugaard
Source: Monrovia Police
- Brad Haugaard
AeroVironment Stock Down Sharply | Monrovia Youth Sports | Buffalo Soldiers
~ Stock of Monrovia's AeroVironment closed down almost 10 percent today after missing profit forecasts. http://goo.gl/9LJsmY
~ Register for Monrovia youth sports. http://goo.gl/ZIQ8oX
~ The New Buffalo Soldiers help Monrovia commemorate the contributions of early Monrovian, Lt. Colonel Allen Allensworth. http://goo.gl/gTmdRR
- Brad Haugaard
~ Register for Monrovia youth sports. http://goo.gl/ZIQ8oX
~ The New Buffalo Soldiers help Monrovia commemorate the contributions of early Monrovian, Lt. Colonel Allen Allensworth. http://goo.gl/gTmdRR
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's AeroVironment Reports Loss | Produce in the Park | Teen Drug, Alcohol Abuse Seminar
~ Monrovia's AeroVironment reports a first quarter loss of 16 cents per share. http://goo.gl/OmcUur
~ Produce in the Park Sept. 6, this Saturday, 9-11 a.m. in Library Park at the corner of Lime & Myrtle. Share your extra produce and get some of your neighbor's extra produce.
~ There will be a "Reality Party for Parents” on Saturday, Sept. 13, in Pasadena to raise awareness about underage drinking, binge drinking, and drug culture at teen house parties. Not Monrovia, but it sounds important. Details: http://goo.gl/sSHgBC
- Brad Haugaard
Coast Guard Icebreaker Launches AeroVironment Drone
An icebreaker in the Arctic has successfully launched a drone built by Monrovia's AeroVironment. http://goo.gl/FzXxfb
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Humanitarian Agency Pioneers Best Water Well System
Half the water wells dug by humanitarian agencies fail within a year, but a study by the University of North Carolina "found that nearly 80 percent of wells drilled by the Christian humanitarian organization World Vision - which integrates local water committees, usage fees and repair teams into its model of delivering clean water - were still operational after more than two decades." World Vision is partly based in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/spI7Cu
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Should Monrovia Fine for Both Over and Under Watering? | Film Fest
~ A Monrovia woman who got hit with a $250 fine has written to the city to say that it is wrong for the city "to be issuing both over-watering and non-watering citations at this time." Patricia Neville adds: "I believe the City of Monrovia is on the wrong side of history pursuing a dead vegetation ordinance in a severe drought.
~ Report on Action on Film fest at Monrovia's Krikorian theater. http://goo.gl/CoF40Z
- Brad Haugaard
~ Report on Action on Film fest at Monrovia's Krikorian theater. http://goo.gl/CoF40Z
- Brad Haugaard
Art Show in Monrovia | Green Bay Packers Chaplain to Speak
Vida Loca 30x30, Acrylic
~ An exhibition of Contemporary Art By Bob Mendoza, Sept. 6 through October 1 at Segil Fine Arts, 110 West Lime.
~ Troy Murphy, chaplain for the Green Bay Packers, will be speaking at Fellowship Monrovia this Sunday, Aug. 31. The church meets at the Monrovia High Auditorium at 9 and 11 a.m.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia City Council: Revise Water Ordinance; Impose Offer on City Workers
At its next meeting the Monrovia City Council (agenda: http://goo.gl/M142Pa ) will, among other things ...
~ Revise the city's water conservation ordinance to:
- Set a new baseline formula for water usage (instead of using water usage for the 1989-1990 billing year). The new baseline is the average water usage per month for the previous five years prior to the implementation of a particular phase of the Water Conservation Ordinance. (We are currently in Phase I of the ordinance.)
- Grant exceptions to the requirement to use flow restrictors (flow restrictors must come into effect at a more advanced phase as I don't believe they are being required right now) if they are necessary to meet fire safety requirements.
- "Due to the severity of the drought," modify the water-saving requirements for Phases III, IV, and V to decrease the percentage of water that can be used. For Phase III, from 85% to 80%; For Phase IV from 80% to 75%; for Phase V from 75% to 50%.
~ Consider imposing its "Last, Best and Final Offer to the Monrovia Municipal Employees Association." The city report says the offer "provides for continuation of Merit Salary adjustments and the Performance/Longevity Bonus Program. In addition, all members will receive an increase to the City's fringe benefit contribution for medical insurance of $100 per month with the provision that all new employees hired after the effective date of the implementation of these terms and conditions will receive half (50%) of the monthly fringe benefit amount should they waive enrollment in the City's medical insurance program." http://goo.gl/rw2GLv
- Brad Haugaard
~ Revise the city's water conservation ordinance to:
- Set a new baseline formula for water usage (instead of using water usage for the 1989-1990 billing year). The new baseline is the average water usage per month for the previous five years prior to the implementation of a particular phase of the Water Conservation Ordinance. (We are currently in Phase I of the ordinance.)
- Grant exceptions to the requirement to use flow restrictors (flow restrictors must come into effect at a more advanced phase as I don't believe they are being required right now) if they are necessary to meet fire safety requirements.
- "Due to the severity of the drought," modify the water-saving requirements for Phases III, IV, and V to decrease the percentage of water that can be used. For Phase III, from 85% to 80%; For Phase IV from 80% to 75%; for Phase V from 75% to 50%.
~ Consider imposing its "Last, Best and Final Offer to the Monrovia Municipal Employees Association." The city report says the offer "provides for continuation of Merit Salary adjustments and the Performance/Longevity Bonus Program. In addition, all members will receive an increase to the City's fringe benefit contribution for medical insurance of $100 per month with the provision that all new employees hired after the effective date of the implementation of these terms and conditions will receive half (50%) of the monthly fringe benefit amount should they waive enrollment in the City's medical insurance program." http://goo.gl/rw2GLv
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Library Usage Declining Rapidly
According to information presented to the Library Board, over the past four years the Monrovia Library has experienced a 43 percent decrease in the number of adult materials checked out and a four percent decrease in children's materials checked out. Even computer usage in the library is down 29 percent. http://goo.gl/VZKazD
Comment: I love libraries, and I use ours (I've been getting the adventure novels of Hammond Innes from the library and loving them), but for better or worse this seems to be the wave of the future. E-books are so easily and cheaply available for electronic devices that buildings to house books are less and less necessary, and electronic devices are now so cheap that even going to the library to use a computer is unnecessary for more and more people.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Power Outage
Power is out in parts of Monrovia. According to a couple reports, signals along Foothill at Canyon and Shamrock are out.
Update: Also out at Huntington and Shamrock.
Update 2: Southern California Edison reports that 3844 customers are affected, with no estimate yet of a recovery time.
Update 3 power appears to be on on North Magnolia now, at about 1:15 p.m.
Update 4: Power is off again at 2:21 p.m.
- Brad Haugaard
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