Monrovian Robert Sniffin Dies

Longtime Monrovian Robert (Bob) Wood Sniffin, a systems engineer with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory since 1969, died August 6  after a long illness, his wife, Hilda, and son, Michael, at his side. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 21, at Saint Luke the Physician Episcopal Church, 122 S. California Ave. at Foothill Blvd. in Monrovia. In 1969, Sniffin moved to Southern California and became a systems engineer with JPL's Deep Space Network. After retiring in 2009, he continued to work as an independent contractor with JPL until his death. Source: Press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Alarm Scares Burglar From School; Threatened With a Hammer; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for August 10-12. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 403 service events, resulting in 73 investigations.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
August 10 at 5:22 p.m., officers were on patrol in the 500 block of West Palm and observed a female they recognized from prior contacts. The officers stopped and spoke with the subject and determined she had several warrants. She was arrested and taken into custody for the warrants.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
August 11 at 1:00 a.m., an officer conducted a foot patrol at a park in the 600 block of South Shamrock. A male subject was detained for being at the park after closing hours. A computer check revealed the subject was on probation for grand theft and had an outstanding no-bail warrant for grand theft. The subject was arrested and taken into custody for the warrant.

Family Disturbance/Warrant – Suspect Arrested
August 11 at 1:18 a.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Mountain and Huntington regarding a family disturbance that originated in the 1000 block of Royal Oaks. They contacted two subjects who were arguing and discovered they were brother and sister. A computer check of the male subject revealed he had two warrants for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody for the warrants.

Attempt Burglary
August 12 at 1:49 a.m., officers responded to an elementary school in the 400 block of West Colorado regarding a burglary alarm. Upon arrival, a window on a rear office door was found shattered. It appears the suspects reached in through the broken window and unlocked the door. An audible alarm sounded when the door was opened, causing the suspect(s) to flee the scene. In the hallway, several feet away from the broken window, was a large rock which was used to break the window. The school grounds were searched, but no suspects were located. The school principal responded to the school and determined that no property was stolen. The investigation is continuing.

Weapons Offense/Road Rage Incident
August 12 at 7:10 p.m., a subject/victim was driving north on Fifth and stopped at the intersection at Chestnut for a stop sign. A second subject/suspect was driving east in a silver Ford Ranger and also stopped at the intersection. The victim believed he had the right of way and proceeded through the intersection. The suspect followed the victim and overtook him by passing him on the wrong side of the road. The suspect abruptly turned in front of the victim and came to a sudden stop, causing the victim to stop. Both the victim and suspect exited their vehicles. The suspect came out brandishing a hammer in a threatening manner and yelling at the victim.

The victim, fearing for his safety, returned to his vehicle and drove away. The suspect followed him for a short distance, but then drove away. The victim drove home and called the police. Officers responded to the area where the suspect was last seen, but did not locate him or any witnesses. The suspect was described as a male Hispanic in his late twenties. The investigation is continuing.

Excessive Heat Warning - Possible Highs of 108 In Places

Excessive heat warning for Monrovia, the San Gabriel Valley, and elsewhere in the county for Friday through Sunday. It could get up to 108 in places. Please don't leave children or pets in the car. http://goo.gl/e8ypMX

- Brad Haugaard

African American History in Monrovia | Colorado Commons | Car Dealer Law

~ Professor lectures about the history of African-Americans in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/BUUSJU

~ Conversion of Monrovia's Colorado Commons from apartments to condos is almost done. http://goo.gl/ZjWZ0n

~ Additional regulations on "Buy-Here, Pay-Here" car dealerships will go into effect January after Governor Brown today signed a bill by Assemblymember Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia. Under the bill dealerships must provide a 5 to 10-day notification period before a remote kill device can be used to disable a car for lack of payment. The bill also increases penalties for violations. Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

100 Degree Heat for Monrovia This Weekend

It's supposed to get up to 100 degrees this Saturday and Sunday. Whew! http://goo.gl/VnR5SB

- Brad Haugaard

Water Saving Presentation at Monrovia Library | Bullis Resigning | Mariachis

In his weekly report City Manager Oliver Chi reported that ...

~ A water-saving presentation will be held Saturday, August 29, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Library Community Room at the Monrovia Area Partnership meeting. Also, you can request information on your own water usage. Email MyWaterUse@ci.monrovia.ca.us with your name, email, address, customer number and account number found at the top of your water bill. It will take one to two weeks.

~ Karen Bullis will resign her seat on the Historic Preservation Commission due to a work relocation.

~ Summer Concert this Sunday at 7 p.m. in Library Park features mariachi music performed by the "Mariachi Divas".

- Brad Haugaard

Design Change to Proposed Madison/Foothill Starbucks Project

Kevin Lê, a local resident and small business owner of Monrovia's Courtney + Lê Architects, the firm designing the Madison/Foothill Starbucks project, writes to say that the elevation plan for the proposed Starbucks at Foothill and Madison has changed since the Development Review.  (See above for the new one.)

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Rooftop Burglary Attempt; Price Tag Switch; Belligerent on a Bus; Scooter Swiped; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for August 6-9. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Gang Injunction – Suspect Arrested
August 6 at 11:04 p.m., officers responded to the report of a possible burglary in progress in the 200 block of West Cypress. The caller reported that someone was on the roof of the complex. The complex is three stories high. Officers observed a male subject climbing down the emergency ladder from the roof. The subject is a known gang member and has been placed on the Gang Injunction list. The subject was arrested for violation of the Gang Injunction court order.

Theft – Suspects Arrested
August 7 at 9:19 p.m., loss prevention from a business in the 500 block of West Huntington called police to report three suspects in custody for burglary. The suspects switched the price tags on merchandise, putting clearance tags with a much lower price on the items. Loss prevention observed the suspect removing and replacing the tags. The suspects then paid for the items and were stopped by loss prevention as they exited the checkout. The suspects were arrested for theft and received a citation to appear in court.

Stolen Vehicle
August 8 at 3:13 p.m., a stolen vehicle was reported in the 800 block of West Walnut. The victim parked and locked her car in her driveway at 10:00 a.m. When she returned, the car was gone. No one had permission to take the vehicle. The investigation is continuing.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
August 9 at 10:19 a.m., dispatch received a call reporting a male subject, possibly passed out, near an elementary school building in the 900 block of East Lemon. Officers responded and located the subject. After contacting him, officers discovered he had several outstanding warrants for his arrest; he was arrested and taken into custody for the warrants.

Disturbance/Wanted Person – Suspect Arrested
August 9 at 12:18 p.m., a local bus line called police to report a patron on a bus in the 200 block of East Huntington that was causing a disturbance and would not exit the bus. Officers responded and located the subject as he was exiting the bus. The officers determined the subject had been drinking and had an outstanding wanted person entry out of the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department. The subject was arrested and taken into custody. San Bernardino deputies responded and took custody of the suspect.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
August 9 at 12:39 p.m., officers responded to the 600 block of Montana regarding a suspicious person. The caller reported a male subject in their backyard and gave a description. Officers located a subject matching the description a short distance away. Officers contacted the subject and determined he had a no-bail warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Stolen Scooter
August 9 at 3:45 p.m., police dispatch received a call reporting a stolen Vespa scooter from the 100 block of West Foothill. The victim said she was late for work and left the keys in the ignition. She returned to her scooter at 3:00 p.m. and found the scooter was missing. An area check was made, but the scooter was not located. The investigation is continuing.

Stolen Vehicle
August 9 at 4:47 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 300 block of West Olive. The vehicle was taken sometime between August 7 and 9. All keys are accounted for and the doors were locked. The area was searched, but the vehicle was not located. The investigation is continuing.

Drunk in Public/Medical Assist
August 10 at 1:00 a.m., officers responded to the 100 block of East Olive regarding a female who was lying on the sidewalk, unresponsive. They arrived and were able to revive the subject. She was determined to be heavily intoxicated and unable to care for herself. She was arrested for being drunk in public and taken into custody. Monrovia Fire Department paramedics responded and determined she needed to be taken to a local hospital and she was taken for treatment.

Monrovia Run/Walk Against Hypertension

Monrovia 02 Breathe Walk at Monrovia Library Park on Nov. 7. To raise funds to seek ways to prevent and cure pulmonary hypertension, and to provide support, education, and awareness. One mile run/walk. Details: http://goo.gl/ca7URp

- Brad Haugaard

Grand Reopening of Stan's Old Town Vacuum

Stan's Old Town Vacuum and Sewing Shop, 312 S. Myrtle, is having a grand reopening. Store hours Monday-Friday 9-5, Saturday 9-3. Closed Sunday

- Brad Haugaard

Detail On Planned Starbucks At Foothill and Madison

At its August 12 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/C41gUb ) the Monrovia Planning Commission will consider a request to build a 950 square foot drive-through Starbucks at the corner of Foothill and Madison ( http://goo.gl/tBqSmb ), replacing the current Burger Shack. The project has already been approved by the Development Review Committee.

- Brad Haugaard

Ice Cream Shop Open on Myrtle

Got a little chocolate ice cream cup ($4) at the new Paradis ice cream shop on Myrtle, right across from the theater. It was very rich and tasty.

- Brad Haugaard

What New Monrovia Orchard Supply Will Look Like

Here's a picture of what the new Orchard Supply Hardware store will look like. It will occupy the old Office Depot site at Huntington and Monterey. http://goo.gl/U40Gsu

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Marching Band

Did you know Monrovia once had its own marching band? http://goo.gl/6V5hbb

- Brad Haugaard

Installing The Art At Monrovia's Station Square

Photo of Monrovia Station Square artist, Cha-Rie Tang, setting glass blocks in place around a seven-foot-tall rock to simulate water. http://goo.gl/OMPi08

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Oto-Oto Izakaya Japonnaise

Dinner last night at  Oto-Oto Izakaya Japonnaise restaurant in the shopping center at Fifth and Huntington. I got the Jidori Chicken Oyakodon Set for $12.95 and a beer for $3.50. Beautiful decor and good food. 

- Brad Haugaard

Why Tribune Is Moving to Monrovia | Water Rules

~ The San Gabriel Valley Tribune explains why it is moving its headquarters to 605 E. Huntington in Monrovia (Two reasons: It's not afraid of its readers anymore, and no need for those big printing presses anymore): http://goo.gl/u54g8O

~ Wondering exactly what the current water rules are for Monrovia. Here are the details: http://goo.gl/Fla2tc

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: It Wasn't a False Alarm; Armed Gas Station Robbery; Purse Stolen From Unlocked Vehicle

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for August 3-5. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 373 service events, During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 373 service events, resulting in 61 investigations.

Attempt Commercial Burglary
August 3 at 9:40 a.m., an officer responded to a business in the 800 block of East Huntington regarding an attempt burglary. The owner received a call from his alarm company on August 2 at 12:56 p.m., stating the alarm was going off due to possible glass breakage. The owner told the alarm company he thought it was a false alarm and that they did not need to call the police. When the owner arrived at work the next morning, the framing around the window had been removed. It appeared that the suspect was attempting to remove the front glass window and was scared off by the alarm. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
August 4 at 9:27 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 800 block of West Olive regarding the theft of a catalytic converter. The victim parked his vehicle, a Honda Element, on the street in front of his residence. He returned to his vehicle the next morning and discovered the catalytic converter had been stolen. The investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
August 4 at 11:51 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 900 block of South Primrose. Unknown suspects took tools from company vehicles that were parked in the business parking lot. The theft occurred sometime during the night when the business was closed and utility work bags containing telephone repair equipment were stolen. The employees reported that the vehicles were locked, but there was no sign of forced entry. The investigation is continuing.

Theft of Mail
August 4 at 2:07 p.m., a theft of mail that had just occurred was reported in the 200 block of West Hillcrest. A package was stolen from the porch of a residence. A tan Chevy Suburban was seen stopping in front of the residence. A juvenile exited the vehicle, wearing athletic clothing, and took a package from the front porch. The suspect got back into the vehicle and fled west on Hillcrest. The driver of the vehicle was described as a female Black. The investigation is continuing.

Armed Robbery
August 4 at 11:28 a.m., officers responded to a gas station in the 700 block of West Huntington on an armed robbery that had occurred 40 minutes prior. Although the report was delayed, officers searched the area for the suspects, who were reported to be two male Blacks in their late teens to early 20's. The suspects were wearing all dark clothing with jeans, and they had half their faces covered with bandana type material. They had red shoe laces and red belts. One of the suspects was armed with a black handgun. The suspects entered the gas station store, pointed the gun at the clerk and demanded cash. The clerk opened the register and one of the suspects removed the cash. Both suspects fled in a southwest direction on foot. The investigation is continuing.

Possession of Burglary Tools/Possession of a Controlled Substance/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
August 5 at 2:50 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 700 block of East Greystone when he observed a suspicious subject unloading items from a vehicle. Believing a theft was possibly occurring, he contacted the subject. Although the vehicle was determined to belong to the subject, he was found to be in possession of burglary tools, over five grams of methamphetamine, and a methamphetamine pipe. He was arrested for the violations and taken into custody.

Hit and Run Traffic Collision
On August 5 at 4:04 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 600 block of West Duarte Road regarding a hit and run traffic collision. Three parked vehicles were side-swiped by an unknown vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Petty Theft
On August 5 at 7:27 p.m., an officer responded to the 100 block of South Encinitas regarding a theft of a purse report. At 7:10 p.m. the victim left her purse inside her unlocked vehicle, which was parked in front of her residence. Upon returning at 7:20 p.m. she discovered that her purse had been stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Construction to Begin on Townhomes Near Monrovia's Station Square

Brandywine Homes will begin demolition this month on Lotus Court, a .74-acre community that will offer 13 townhomes on Duarte Road near Station Square in Monrovia. Brandywine expects to begin sales in February and plans to complete the community by summer 2016.

The company plans to build 13 three- and four-bedroom townhomes ranging in size from 1,555 to 1,705 square feet, all with full side-by-side garages and Spanish inspired architecture, stainless steel appliances and solid-surface counters. The stucco, three-story townhomes with tile roofs will be built around an existing historic landmarked home on the site. Most units will have private rear yards and the development will also include a central recreation area.

Source: Press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Xencor Reports Q2 Earnings

Monrovia-based Xencor, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, reported revenues for the second quarter ended June 30, 2015 of $1 million, compared to $0.8 million for the same period of 2014. Revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2015 were $2.5 million, compared to $3.0 million for the same period in 2014. http://goo.gl/mpQ61H

- Brad Haugaard