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Giraffe Removed from Monrovia Condos

Giraffe statue in front of the Ivy At Monrovia Condominiums has been removed. Gem City Images has the before/after pictures: http://goo.gl/yXJN8U

- Brad Haugaard

Report Monrovia Potholes Online | Jazz Vespers

~ The December-February issue of Monrovia Today says you can report crimes on the city's website, here ( http://cityofmonrovia.org/police ), however I don't think it has been implemented yet as there is no reporting form there. It is supposed to be like the Covina system, which you can see here: http://goo.gl/mSr97I . However, the Public Works reporting form, to report potholes, burnt out street lights, and so forth, is available here: http://goo.gl/0DLgwJ

~ Theodicy Jazz Collective will present a Jazz Vespers performance on Saturday evening, Jan. 31, at 7 p.m. at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 122 S. California Ave. Admission is free; there will be a freewill offering.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Peeing While Drunk; Not-Exactly Animal Abuse; Get Caught, Yell Rape

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

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events. 

Animal Problem
January 9 at 3:08 p.m., police received information reporting possible animal cruelty occurring at a residence in the 400 block of Monrovista. An officer responded to the location and found there were seven dogs at the residence. Pasadena Humane Society was contacted and also responded to the location. The dog owner voluntarily released custody of five of the dogs to Pasadena Humane and two remained at the location. The two remaining dogs were unlicensed and the owner was given a time period in which to get the dogs licensed. There was no evidence of physical abuse to the animals; however, there was an element of general neglect, based on the poor condition of the home, where the animals were kept. The Community Policing Office will follow up on this case regarding code enforcement violations. 

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
January 9 at 6:15 p.m., an intoxicated female subject was found at the skate park in the 800 block of East Olive. The subject was arrested and held for sobering. 

Urinating in Public / Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
January 10 at 7:50 p.m., officers observed a male subject urinating against a wall in the 1800 block of South Myrtle. The subject was found to be too intoxicated to care for himself and was arrested. He was held for sobering. 

Disturbance / Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
January 10 at 10:00 p.m., police responded to the theater in the 400 block of South Myrtle regarding a male subject causing a disturbance inside the theatre. Officers determined the subject was intoxicated and could not care for himself. He was arrested and held for sobering. 

Vehicle Burglary
January 11 at 5:03 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 1800 block of South Fifth Avenue. The victim parked and locked the vehicle in its assigned parking space. Unknown suspect(s) smashed one of the vehicle windows and took a Nikon camera that was left inside. The investigation is continuing. 

Petty Theft – Suspects Arrested
January 12 at 4:22 a.m., police received several calls reporting a disturbance at a residence in the 00 block of Hidden Valley. When officers arrived, the victim reported that two females had come onto his property and were stealing yard art, pots and plants from his front yard. The victim heard the suspects and confronted them. When confronted, the females began yelling that they were being raped and residents in the area phoned police to report someone was being raped. The females were able to get into their vehicle and they fled. Officers arrived and locked down the street. They located the suspects still nearby on Hidden Valley. The stolen property was recovered. The victim positively identified the suspects and made a citizen's arrest. The suspects were arrested and their vehicle was stored. 

Cherry on Top Gone; Flamzz Being Remodeled


Cherry on Top, the yogurt place in the Pavilions shopping center, has a notice on the door saying it has been evicted. Too bad, I liked that place. Also, Flamzz Pizza, at the corner of Colorado and Ivy, is closed for remodeling. Thanks to Doran for the tip.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Robotics Team: Second in Qualifying Tournament


Monrovia High's robotics team, The Kings and Queens, won second place, the Inspire Award, at the LA Region Qualifying Tournament this weekend in Perris, California.

- Brad Haugaard

Chance of Rain in Monrovia Now Higher

Up to 40% chance of rain today and 90% tomorrow. Soup weather. http://goo.gl/mfKHJ2

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Schools: New Fencing; Honorees; District Audit; Space for Work Swap

At its Jan. 24 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/WcfJSu ), the Monrovia School Board will ...

- Hear a report on what it will cost to install new fencing at Mayflower Elementary School and Santa Fe Middle School. http://goo.gl/YE03sb

- Congratulate Margaret "Jeanie" Antillon as 1st Place Winner for her essay, "Fighting For My Life," in a national essay contest.

- Honor (along with the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce) these district employees: Mary Peterson, Monroe School office manager; Juana Kramer, Monroe School teacher; Karen Meza Plymouth School playground aide; Jeffrey Crowell, Plymouth School teacher.

- Hear a report on the audit of the school district finances. http://goo.gl/zkJyN8

- Consider working a deal with Community Media of the Foothills to broadcast the Board of Education's meetings on KGEM in return for office space. http://goo.gl/04WTda

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill


Lunch at Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill, in the Huntington Oaks shopping center next to Toys R Us. It specializes in fish, so I got the Signature Beer-Battered Fish Burrito for $6.29 and a drink for $1.89. Tasty. I could use another. 

- Brad Haugaard

More Rain? | Monrovia Running Back to Cathedral | Library Book Sale

~ Sixty percent chance of more rain this Sunday: http://goo.gl/dPNZ7C

~ Monrovia High loses running back Kameron Johnson to Cathedral High. http://goo.gl/99kcfs

~ Friends of the Monrovia Public Library is planning its annual Spring Sale May 15-16. Shoppers can select from several thousand books in excellent condition at low prices. No time or place details yet, except it is usually held at the Library. http://goo.gl/pneqgq

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Trash News: Rates Rising; Curbside Electronic Waste Pick-Up; New Tiny Trash Barrel

~ Expect a bump in your trash bill starting this month (90-gallon barrel from $21.65 to $22.76; 60-gallon from $17.96 to $18.80; the new 30-gallon for $15.99), plus a one-time bump this month because the city agreed to a raise for Athens retroactive to July 1, 2014, and that back pay will will be on the January bill.

~ You can get Athens to pick up electronic waste, old DVD players, phones, TVs, etc. You can put up to ten items at a time on the curb, but you need to call Athens to schedule pick-up: (888) 336-6100.

~ Athens is now offering a 30-gallon trash barrel (along with its 60 and 90-gallon barrel) if you just generate an itty-bitty amount of trash.

Source: City of Monrovia newsletter, "Recycle News"

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Ex-Boyfriend Problems; Injury Accident on Foothill; Flat-Tire Bike Stolen; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for January 5-7. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 390 service events, resulting in 80 investigations.

Commercial Burglary
January 5 at 7:00 a.m., a commercial burglary was reported at a business in the 100 block of West Chestnut. Unknown suspect(s) gained entry by smashing a front window. A 42 inch television was the only item taken. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
January 5 at 12:35 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the area of Magnolia and Colorado. The vehicle is a Blue, 2006 Toyota Matrix. The vehicle was locked and was taken sometime between 6:00 p.m. on January 4 and 12:35 p.m. on January 5. The investigation is continuing.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
January 5 at 12:23 a.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 200 block of South Madison regarding a domestic violence incident. The suspect is the ex-boyfriend of the victim. They had recently broken up. The victim was at a friend’s home on Madison when the suspect approached them and started a fight with the victim’s male friend. He then turned his aggression toward the victim. The victim sustained injuries, but was able to get away from the suspect and drove home to Covina. The suspect left the location. Officers were able to track down the suspect and he was arrested for domestic violence.

Injury Traffic Collision
January 6 at 4:41 p.m., police received a report of a traffic collision in the 100 block of West Foothill. A car was entering onto Foothill Boulevard from a parking lot and was struck by a vehicle traveling east in the number one lane of Foothill. Both vehicles were occupied by solo male drivers and both vehicles sustained heavy damage, with airbags deployed. Both drivers were taken to a hospital for treatment. There was no indication of driving under the influence. The accident occurred during heavy traffic on Foothill.

Robbery
January 6 at 11:51 p.m., a male subject came into the police lobby to report he was the victim of a robbery. The victim was walking south on Monterey and was pushing his bicycle, which had a flat tire. He was attacked by two male suspects that were standing in the area of Monterey and Walnut. One of the suspects had a small, light-colored dog on a leash. The suspect dropped the leash and began punching the victim and trying to go through his pockets to take his belongings. The victim dropped his bicycle to defend himself, and the second suspect picked up the bicycle and rode away, despite the flat tire. The first suspect then fled the area. The bicycle was the only item taken. The investigation is continuing.

Stolen Vehicle Recovered
January 8 at 1:09 a.m., officers on patrol in the 400 block of West Huntington noticed a vehicle that looked out of place. They ran the license plate and it returned as a stolen vehicle. The car was recovered, printed and the registered owner was notified.

Evensong

St. Luke's Episcopal Church will hold an Evensong choral service on Sunday, Jan. 18, at 4 p.m. 122 S. California Ave. Choir and guest singers performing selections for Epiphany, including: the Alan Knight Preces and Responses, the John Ireland Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis. The anthem will be the Epiphany suite from Christus by Felix Mendelssohn; Dermot Kiernan, Victor Mazzone, and Jim Campbell will sing the roles of the three kings. Rev. Neil Tadken will be officiant and cantor. A freewill offering will be taken and a wine and cheese reception will follow.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Grocery Bag Ban in Effect; Get free Reusable Bag | Care Cafe for Elderly

~ The plastic grocery bag ban is now in effect for Monrovia. If you need a reusable grocery bag you can get one at City Hall or the Public Works office while supplies last. Details: http://goo.gl/AHJXIT

~ Care Cafe, a morning of relaxation for the elderly (60 ) and their caregivers, February 19, at the Monrovia Community Center, 119 West Palm Ave., from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sponsored by Monrovia Providers Group. Program includes manicures by Citrus College Cosmetology, lunch by Market Grill, dessert from Rivanis Baking Company, and mini-massages. Reservations required. Call Rebecca at 256-8232 to reserve a spot.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Car Fix Scam; Indecent Exposure; Car Stripped; Robbery Suspect Arrested; Cigarette Heist

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for December 29 – January 4, 2015. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Vehicle Repair Scams
December 29 at 1:13 p.m., an elderly male subject came to the police station to report being the victim of a scam. The victim parked in a handicap stall at a business in the 600 block of West Huntington. He was approached by a male white subject who claimed the victim hit something with his vehicle. The suspect said he could fix the problem. He reached under the dash and said a computer part was burned out. He convinced the victim to withdraw $400 from the bank kiosk in the parking lot. Once the victim handed the suspect the cash, the suspect fled.

This is the third incident that has been investigated with a similar suspect description and involving elderly victims and car repair scams. The two additional cases occurred in Arcadia. The suspect approached elderly females in parking lots and told them they had a wobbly front tire. The suspect attempted to dupe the victims into handing over large sums of money for the vehicle repairs. The two victims refused and reported the incidents to a local repair shop that, in turn, reported the incidents to police. The investigations are continuing.

Indecent Exposure
December 29 at 2:50 p.m., a female subject was at the library in the 300 block of South Myrtle Avenue. She was seated at a desk in a rear corner cubicle. A male subject walked up to the cubicle and mumbled something toward her. She did not understand what he was saying and continued to study. A few minutes passed and she looked up again. She now saw the male subject standing in the book aisle between the book cases, and he was masturbating. After seeing the suspect, she stood up and walked to the front counter and called the police. Officers arrived and searched the area for the suspect, but he was not located. The suspect is described as a male white, early to mid 30s, approximately 6'1" to 6'2" tall, thin build, clean cut, bleached blond buzz haircut, with a small earring stud in his left ear. He was wearing a light gray sweater and possibly carrying a backpack. The investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
December 30 at 5:23 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 200 block of West Walnut. The victim parked and locked her car in her assigned parking space at about 6:00 p.m. She returned to her vehicle early the next morning and noticed a window had been smashed. A carry-on bag was stolen from the front seat, which contained $30.00 in rolled coins in plastic wrappers. The investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
December 30 at 9:41 a.m., officers responded to the report of a vehicle burglary in the 300 block of South Primrose. They arrived and found the driver side door of the vehicle unlocked and no sign of forced entry. Several items were missing from the vehicle. The surrounding area was searched and some of the stolen items were located inside a dumpster. They were returned to the victim. The investigation is continuing.

Stolen Vehicle Recovered
December 30 at 12:52 p.m., an officer on patrol noticed a vehicle that was parked irregularly in the 800 block of South Primrose. He ran a computer check on the license plate and discovered it was stolen out of Pasadena. The vehicle had been stripped. A rubber glove was found inside the vehicle. The owner said it was not in the vehicle when it was stolen on December 29. The vehicle had been left unlocked with the keys in the ignition when it was stolen.

Grand Theft Auto
December 30 at 11:33 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from a residence in the 1100 block of Starlit Lane. The resident had a party where alcohol was served. All guests that drove to the party were required to put their car keys in a basket, but the basket was not secured. After the party, the owner of one of the vehicles noticed her car was gone and reported her car stolen to police. The next morning, the Los Angeles Police Department located the car and it had been crashed. The investigation is continuing.

Strong-arm Robbery – Suspect Arrested
December 31 at 6:00 p.m., police responded to the report of a strong-arm robbery that occurred in the area of Fifth Avenue and Duarte Road. The victim was riding his skateboard on the sidewalk and listening to his headphones. He heard something behind him and stopped and took off his headphones. A male subject who claimed to be in a gang told him he wanted his wallet and valuables. The victim stumbled back off his skateboard and the suspect grabbed his headphones. The victim’s wallet fell out of his pocket as he fell and the suspect grabbed it, too, and ran. An officer arrived and located the suspect in the area. The victim was able to identify the suspect and he was arrested and taken into custody.

Residential Burglary
January 1 at 6:52 a.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 100 block of North May. Sometime between 6:00 p.m. on December 31 and 5:00 a.m. on January 1, unknown suspect(s) entered the victim's unlocked, detached garage. The suspect(s) took ten $2.00 bills and left undetected. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary
January 1 at 10:58 a.m., the victim of a residential burglary reported that sometime overnight unknown suspect(s) entered her home in the 100 block of North Canyon through a bedroom window. The suspect(s) took the victim's purse from a room and left undetected through the front door. The victim believes she was at home sleeping during the burglary. She found the latch broken on the bedroom window and the front door left unlocked. The investigation is continuing.

Manufacturing Synthetic Marijuana
January 1 at 8:10 p.m., officers responded to assist the Monrovia Fire Department on a residential structure fire in the 100 block of Fig. Evidence at the scene led the fire fighters to believe the location was being used to manufacture some form of drug. The initial indication is that the suspect was attempting to manufacture a synthetic form of marijuana. A lit cigarette caused the solution to ignite, burning the suspect's face and hands. The suspect was treated at a hospital for the burns. The investigation was turned over to the Los Angeles Interagency Metropolitan Police Apprehension Crime Task Force (LA IMPACT) for location cleanup and possible prosecution.

Residential Burglary
January 2 at 1:21 p.m., a family returned to their house in the 100 block of North May Avenue after a three day holiday vacation and discovered their house had been burglarized. A men's bicycle and an Xbox video game console was taken. It is unknown how the suspects entered the home, as there were no signs of forced entry. It is possible the victims may have left a rear door unlocked. The investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
January 3 at 6:07 p.m., police responded to the area of Duarte and Encino regarding a female driver observed striking several parked cars with her vehicle. She was located at Encino and third in Arcadia. The driver was positively identified by witnesses. She was determined to be driving under the influence and was arrested.

Grand Theft Auto
January 4 at 1:06 p.m., a female victim called police to report her vehicle had been stolen. The vehicle was taken from a hotel parking lot in the 700 block of West Huntington Drive. The vehicle is a 1998 Honda Civic and was taken sometime overnight. The investigation is continuing.

Commercial Burglary
January 4 at 11:45 p.m., police received an alarm activation at a business in the 300 block of West Huntington Drive. Officers arrived and found the back door of the business open. Additional resources were requested to help search the location for suspects. Arcadia Police Department officers, the Glendora Police Department canine officer and the Foothill Air Support helicopter responded to assist. The location was searched, but no suspects were located. A large quantity of cigarette cartons was stolen. The investigation is continuing.

Pirate Joe's Imitates Monrovia-Based Trader Joe's

Video interview of the owner of Pirate Joe's, a Vancouver knock-off of Monrovia-based Trader Joe's. He buys from Trader Joe's stores in the US, then resells in his store in Canada. http://goo.gl/c3LfqK

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovian Burned Alegedly Making Synthetic Marijuana

Monrovian burned while alegedly making synthetic marijuana. http://goo.gl/TwMtBP

- Brad Haugaard

City Plans Improvements to Entrance Trail for Monrovia Canyon Park

Monrovia is planning $149,904 of improvements to the trail alongside the entrance road to Monrovia Canyon Park - four concrete aprons and 1,930 linear feet of concrete curb to divert rain water into the Sawpit Debris Basin to help eliminate trail erosion.

However, the property belongs to the Los Angeles County Flood Control District and, oops, turns out there is no formal agreement between the district and the city for a trail. So this measure, if the council approves it at its Jan. 6 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/FFK6nj ), would essentially formalize the current arrangement between the city and the flood control district.

Source: http://goo.gl/8JPi7M

- Brad Haugaard

People Thinking of Running for Monrovia Council

A number of people have "pulled" (taken out) papers they need to fill out to run for mayor or city council. Here is the status of people who are interested in running, from City Clerk Alice Atkins:

For Mayor:
- Leonard Holen (pulled 12/29/2014)
- Tom Adams (pulled 12/30/2014)
- Chris Ziegler – appointment for orientation 12/29/2014 but postponed pulling papers, indications are he may run for City Council instead
- Mary Ann Lutz (appointment to pull on 1/6/2014)
 
For City Council:
- Becky Shevlin (pulled 12/22/2014)
- Tom Adams (pulled 12/22/2014 – forfeited 12/30/2014)
- Robert Parry (pulled 12/22/2014)
- Victor Castellano (pulled 12/22/2014, Filed and Qualified 12/26/2014)
- Clifford DeCosta (pulled 12/22/2014)
- Gloria Crudgington (pulled 12/26/2014)
- Tom Gulley (pulled 12/26/2014)
- Scott Austin (pulled 12/30/2014)
 
- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at La Adelita


Lunch at La Adelita. Mexican food. Half block east of Myrtle on the south side of Colorado. Got the Two Items Quick Combo with a shredded beef taco and chili relleno for $5.99, plus an iced tea. Good food. Attentive service.
- Brad Haugaard 

Adams to Run Against Lutz as Monrovia Mayor

Monrovia Councilman Tom Adams will challenge incumbent Mayor Mary Ann Lutz in the upcoming election. He says the city is slipping backwards, with unstable management and infrastructure in poor repair: http://goo.gl/IzwC1r

- Brad Haugaard