Monrovia Fire Department to Give Gift Cards to People Displaced By Emergencies

On October 1, the Monrovia Fire Department initiated a new program in collaboration with the Monrovia Firefighters Association and the State of California Fire Foundation to offer $100 gift cards to victims displaced by fire or other emergency.

 

The new program, SAVE, Supplying Aid to Victims of Emergency (SAVE), allows the Monrovia Fire Department to offer emergency financial assistance to fire and natural disaster victims while on the scene of an emergency.  Working with the California Fire Foundation, Monrovia is one of only three fire agencies in Southern California to offer this kind of assistance.  The cities of Long Beach and Anaheim were also chosen. 

 

Monrovia’s on-duty Division Chief now carries a packet and is authorized to activate the gift cards, 24-hours a day, thereby providing temporary assistance for basic necessities such as food, clothing, medicine or overnight housing at a local hotel four Monrovians.  

 

Monrovia Firefighters Association (MFA) was a driving force behind this program.  “This is truly a great endeavor to further aid and comfort our residents that are impacted by disasters,” said Fire Association President Brad Dover.  “As firefighters, we are uniquely positioned to offer a helping hand of support in the immediate aftermath of a catastrophic loss.  Firefighters want to do more than just put out fires- We want to serve even after the fire is out.”

 

According to the California Fire Foundation “Firefighters working with CFF on the SAVE program provide assurance that those impacted by disaster will receive instant, direct relief, before, during and after the alarm.” 

 

“I’m certainly proud of this new program and although we hope no one in our community needs to use the SAVE program, we are certainly grateful for the opportunity to provide financial support for those immediate needs following an emergency,” said Fire Chief Chris Donovan.

 

The California Fire Foundation, a not for profit 501(c)(3). Funding for the SAVE program comes from both private and corporate donations. The largest corporation to specifically support the SAVE program is Chevron, Inc.

Source: City of Monrovia press release

- Brad Haugaard

 

Monrovia Police: CHP Pursuit; Seizure Causes Accident; Man Arrested in Domestic Violence Incident

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for September 29 - October 1 . - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 479 service events, During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 479 service events, resulting in 77 investigations.

Runaway Juveniles Located 
On September 29 at 6:45 p.m., a caller reported two male juveniles walking south on Mountain who appeared to be smoking marijuana and looking into parked vehicles. An officer responded and located the two subjects. Both subjects were determined to be reported runaways from a group home. The subjects were detained. One subject was released to the custody of the group home and the other was arrested on a no-bail juvenile warrant and taken to the Department of Children and Family Services in Los Angeles.

Vehicle Pursuit / California Highway Patrol Outside Assist – Suspect Arrested 
On September 30 at 8:23 p.m., California Highway Patrol phoned Monrovia dispatch to advise they were entering our city at Colorado and Monterey, pursuing a vehicle. Officers quickly located and trailed the pursuit at the request of CHP. The pursuit terminated in the 200 block of East Lemon. Monrovia officers set up a perimeter, as CHP units began verbal communication with the suspect, who had run inside a residence. CHP entered the residence and located the suspect; the suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Injury Traffic Collison 
On September 30 at 8:44 p.m., a caller phoned police to report they were just involved in a hit and run traffic collision and they were following the suspect. Officers arrived and located the suspect vehicle. After speaking with both parties, it was determined that the suspect had a seizure and struck the victim’s vehicle. The victim sustained minor injury to his leg and complained of pain.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested 
On September 30 at 9:59 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of North May Avenue regarding the report of domestic violence at the location. The female victim went to a neighboring residence and told the neighbor that her boyfriend had tried to kill her by strangling her. The neighbor was afraid and called the police. The victim went back inside the boyfriend’s residence. Officers arrived and secured the perimeter of the location. The victim’s sister also arrived and was worried because her sister was not answering her cell phone. Monrovia dispatch called the cell phone and the victim answered. She would not answer any of the dispatcher's questions and appeared to be under duress. The phone call was suddenly ended. A short time later, the female ran out the front door and two officers escorted her to safety. A few minutes after that, the male suspect came out and was taken into custody. The male suspect was determined to be the aggressor in the incident and was arrested.

Legally Blonde | Be the Assistant Monrovia City Manager | Community Awards

~ Legally Blonde The Musical at the Louise Taylor Performing Arts Center (aka Monrovia High auditorium) on Oct. 3-4. Tickets on sale now. Details: http://goo.gl/UvpRC7

~ Want to be the Executive Assistant to the Monrovia City Manager? The job's open. $4,467.46 - $5,646.69 monthly. Details: http://goo.gl/iEsfVH

~ The Monrovia Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for its annual community awards. Deadline is October 15. Details for Iris Award ( http://goo.gl/0RCrkm ), Dick Lord Award ( http://goo.gl/nQgQOZ ), Monroe Award ( http://goo.gl/T37akX ).

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Thrift Store Welcomes Donations

United Thrift Store, at the United Methodist Church at 140 E. Palm Ave., welcomes donations of clothing, shoes, bags, household items, jewelry, books, miscellaneous items and cash donations. No large furniture. Tax receipts available at church office upon request. The thrift store is open Tuesadys and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and benefits the Foothills Pregnancy Resource Center and the church. 303-2783.

- Brad Haugaard

On-Line Language Learning from Monrovia Library

The Monrovia Library has added an online language-learning program that helps you learn any of 80 languages. You'll need your library card. http://goo.gl/U1Tqxv

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Council Meeting: Trash Talk

At the Tuesday, Oct. 7 Monrovia City Council meeting, a number of items on Athens Services, the company that picks up our trash. http://goo.gl/Dhc1B1

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's AeroVironment Catching Drunk Drivers | Bike Safety

~ Grand Forks North Dakota Sheriff's Department apprehended its first set of suspects (drunk driving) using a drone made by Monrovia's AeroVironment. http://goo.gl/mNK7J9

~ Monrovia Police is promoting an, "I Give Three Feet for Bicycle Safety" program to highlight the new law requiring drivers give bicyclists at least three feet of clearance when passing. http://goo.gl/pUvTMA

Comment: I'm an avid bicyclist and I approve. HOWEVER, I think it would be nice if some bicyclists (and I am, uh, not entirely innocent myself) could be troubled to obey traffic laws as well. How about an, "I Stop at Stop Signs Just Like Cars" safety program for cyclists.

- Brad Haugaard

Art In the Park at Monrovia's Library Park

- Brad Haugaard

Resident Writing Photo History of Monrovia

Local resident, librarian, and genealogist, Melanie Frick, has contracted to write a photographic history of Monrovia - for the Images of America series, and would love to talk to anybody with old pictures of the city.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia E-Waste and Tool Drive

Volunteer Center of San Gabriel Valley is holding an e-waste and tool drive, Sept. 2-Dec. 23. Drop off broken or outdated computers, TV's, monitors, laptops, cell phones and other unused electronics. Call in advance and they will pick up donated items. 119 W. Palm Ave. Monrovia. 256-8187. http://goo.gl/OKaTnG

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Jewish Federation Book Festival in November

A noted Bible scholar, one of New York's most celebrated chef/caterers, a foreign correspondent and several historical novelists are among the acclaimed authors coming to speak in the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys for the Monrovia-based Jewish Federation's 16th Annual Jewish Book Festival from Nov. 2-23. Festival-goers will get the inside scoop on everything from integrating nuts and seeds into a healthy gourmet diet to Chinese attempts to save thousands of Jewish lives during World War II. Details: http://goo.gl/RqrCy6

- Brad Haugaard

Panera Fundraiser to Fight Breast Cancer

On October 10, 100% of net sales of Panera Bread's Pink Ribbon Bagel at participating Southern California bakery-cafes will be donated to Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation for research into the cause and prevention of breast cancer. For the rest of the month, 10 cents from the sale of each bagel will be donated to the Foundation. There is a Panera Bread in Monrovia at the Huntington Oaks Shopping Center.

- Brad Haugaard

City of Monrovia Tips on Living With Bears

- Purchase and properly use a bear-proof garbage container.
- Wait to put trash out until the morning of collection day.
- Don't leave trash, groceries, or animal feed in your car.
- Keep garbage cans clean and deodorize them with bleach or ammonia.
- Keep barbecue grills clean and stored in a garage or shed when not in use.
- Only provide bird feeders during November through March and make them inaccessible to bears.
- Don't leave any scented products outside, even non-food items such as suntan lotion, insect repellent, soap or candles.
- Keep doors and windows closed and locked.
- Consider installing motion-detector alarms, electric fencing or motion-activated sprinklers.
- Harvest fruit off trees as soon as it is ripe, and promptly collect fruit that falls.
- Securely block access to potential hibernation sites such as crawl spaces under decks and buildings.

This is an active time of year for animals and they may venture out of the foothills and into residential neighborhoods where they can become a potential danger to humans.

More tips: http://goo.gl/ZAMT5k

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Station Square Meeting | Fire Danger

~ Ask questions about the Station Square Transit Village project tomorrow, Tuesday, Sept. 30, at 5:30 p.m. at the Monrovia Park & Ride Lot at 1601 S. Myrtle. For more information, contact Monrovia Public Works at 932-5575 or email pwcomments@ci.monrovia.ca.us. http://goo.gl/WPDhNp

~ National Weather Service reports that critical fire weather conditions are likely Wednesday night through Friday evening due to low humidity and gusty northeast winds.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: See Police Car, Fall Over; DUI on DUI; Invisible Attacker

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for September 25 - 28 . - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Drunk in Public – Suspect Arrested 
On September 26 at 12:21 a.m., an officer noticed a male subject standing, looking as if he was off balance, in the 300 block of West Duarte Road. When the subject saw the police car, he completely lost his balance and fell backwards into a bush. The officer stopped to check on the welfare of the man and determined he was so intoxicated that he was unable to care for his own safety. The subject was arrested for being drunk in public and was taken into custody and held for sobering.

Driving Under the Influence / Warrant – Suspect Arrested 
On September 28 at 1:50 a.m., an officer followed a vehicle onto the 210 Freeway for a vehicle code violation. He attempted to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle continued traveling west at 35 miles per hour, then exited at Baldwin in the city of Arcadia, where it stopped. After investigation, the driver was determined to be intoxicated and was arrested for driving under the influence. The suspect also had a no-bail warrant for his arrest for a previous DUI, which was added to his charges.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance / Weapons Offense – Suspect Arrested 
On September 28 at 4:39 a.m., a hotel in the 700 block of West Huntington called police to report that a male subject had entered the hotel and was yelling that someone was going to kill him. The subject had a large knife and went up to the ninth floor. Officers arrived and detained the subject, who was in possession of a dagger. The suspect admitted he had just used methamphetamine. He was hallucinating and believed something was chasing him. The suspect was determined to be under the influence of a controlled substance; he was arrested and taken into custody.

Bus Tour of Monrovia Craftsman Homes | Grease Bill Becomes Law

~ The Monrovia Historic Preservation Group Newsletter reports that MOHPG will be working with Pasadena Heritage to provide guides for Pasadena Heritage's bus tour of Monrovia during its Craftsman Weekend, Oct. 17-19.

~ A grease bill by Assemblymember Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia, has been signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown. AB 1566 beefs up requirements for licensing haulers, increases the penalties for stealing grease and allows law enforcement to impound vehicles for up to 15 days. Fines have been raised to $1000 for a first violation, $5000 for a second and $10,000 for the third violation. Source: Holden press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School Board Member Disappointed at the State Limiting Schools' Disciplinary Powers

Monrovia School Board member Alex Zucco is apparently not happy with Governor Jerry Brown signing a law that limits the use of "willful disobedience" as a reason to suspend students. Zucco writes on Twitter: "So much for 'local control' - heavy sigh." http://goo.gl/Yf00f8

Comment: I am with you on that, Alex. Slowly - and sometimes not so slowly - local authority is being usurped by the state and federal governments.

- Brad Haugaard

And Yet More Monrovia Bears

I saw these bears, a mom and cub, hanging out in an oak tree about a half hour ago in north Monrovia. To avoid helicopters I refrained from calling the TV news. 

- Brad Haugaard

Le Gourmand Restaurant Coming to Monrovia

Le Gourmand, a new market/cafe, is coming to Monrovia. Just south of Lime on the west side of Myrtle. It is still being fixed up but this window sign says: Gourmet Market & Café. Specialty Items, Home, Gift Baskets, and More.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Over Los Altos :-)

Monrovia wins tight football game over Los Altos. Monrovia 27, Los Altos 25.

Update: Full story http://goo.gl/rQ820f

- Brad Haugaard