Blessing of Animals at St. Luke's

On Sunday, October 4, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church will celebrate the Blessing of the Animals on the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi. Bring pets to the 10 a.m. service to sit in the sanctuary, share worship and receive a blessing. Also, bring a stuffed animal to donate to the Martin Luther King Jr. Medical Hub, a South Los Angeles center that provides medical and mental health care to children exposed to violence. St. Luke’s Senior Warden, Dr. Janet Arnold-Clark, is Medical Director of the Hub.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Tools Stolen From Truck; Handgun Stolen; GPS Stolen; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for September 7-9. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 397 service events, resulting in 70 investigations.

Attempt Burglary
September 7 at 6:09 a.m., an attempt burglary was reported at a business in the 800 block of West Huntington Drive. The manager phoned to report the south service door appeared tampered with when he arrived for work. Officers responded and cleared the building. No suspects were located and nothing was reported missing, but the service door had visible pry marks. The investigation is continuing.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
September 7 at 8:25 a.m., an officer responded to a park in the 900 block of South California regarding a female subject causing a disturbance. Officers responded and located a female matching the description in the park. They contacted the subject and determined she was intoxicated. She also had an outstanding warrant for her arrest. She was arrested for the warrant and taken into custody.

Theft From a Vehicle
September 7 at 2:23 p.m., a theft from a vehicle was reported in the 900 block of Genoa Street. The victim heard a noise coming from the area where his truck was parked in his driveway. He looked over his backyard fence and observed a male adult removing tools from the bed of his truck. The subject realized he had been seen and fled to his nearby vehicle and left the area with several stolen items. The victim described the suspect vehicle as a white, standard-size truck. The investigation is continuing.

Burglary
September 7 at 4:46 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 200 block of Poinsettia Avenue. The victim left his residence for approximately one hour, and when he returned, he saw that someone had kicked in the door to his residence. Officers arrived, cleared the residence, looked for evidence and conducted their investigation. A handgun and some cash was stolen from the residence. The investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
September 8 at 1:57 p.m., an officer responded to the report of a vehicle burglary at a business parking lot in the 100 block of West Huntington. A male suspect shattered the window of a work van that was parked in the parking lot. He reached into the van and removed a GPS device. The suspect then ran to a gold Oldsmobile sedan and left the scene. The suspect is described as a male White. The owner of the van was located and the investigation is continuing.

Warrants/Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspects Arrested
September 8 at 4:00 p.m., an officer observed two male subjects arguing at the corner of Olive and Myrtle. Officers stopped to investigate and, during their investigation, discovered one of the subjects had two outstanding warrants for his arrest and the second subject was found to be in possession of methamphetamine. Both suspects were arrested and taken into custody.

Wind Brings Down Tree in Monrovia Park | Senate Approves Education Bill

~ Wind brings down tree in Monrovia's Lucinda Garcia Park. http://goo.gl/1iGOhe

~ The State Senate has passed AB 288, a bill by Monrovia's Assemblyman Chris Holden that creates a partnership between community college districts and high schools to allow high school students to take college-level courses at their high schools or on college campuses. It now comes back to the Assembly to deal with amendments added by the Senate. Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

History of Mexican Americans in Monrovia | Water Conservation | Youth Sports

~ Part I of a history of Mexican Americans in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/3GCkFR

~ The latest on Monrovia water conservation at MonroviaConserves.org

~ Fall youth sports sign-ups begin: http://goo.gl/PyLsPG


- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Train Station Dedication Saturday | Football vs. Arcadia Friday

~ Dedication of the Monrovia train station, 10 a.m. to noon this Saturday. http://goo.gl/5E9Eb0

~ Monrovia football plays Arcadia this Friday at Arcadia: http://goo.gl/9Hw926

- Brad Haugaard

Senate Approves Monrovia Representative's Anti-Trafficking Bill

The Senate voted unanimously in support of Chris Holden's AB 15 to extend the statute of limitations for human trafficking and other abuse cases to ten years. Holden represents Monrovia. Currently, California has a two-year statute of limitations. AB 15 has received bipartisan, unanimous support in both Houses. The bill now goes back to the Assembly for approval of amendments before going on to Governor Brown for signature.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Attack With Tire Chain; Fake Paper Car Plates; Meth And Burglary; Spit In the Face; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for September 3-6. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Possession of Methamphetamine/No-Bail Warrant – Suspect Arrested
September 3 at 7:04 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a business parking lot in the 500 block of West Huntington Drive on the report of a suspicious male subject. Upon arrival, the suspect was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and a pipe used for smoking methamphetamine. The suspect also had a no-bail warrant for his arrest. The officer arrested the suspect and took him into custody.

Residential Burglary/Assault with a Deadly Weapon – Suspect Arrested
September 3 at 7:53 p.m., two male subjects were involved in an argument in front of a residence in the 200 block of West Walnut. The suspect pulled a large tire chain from the backseat of his vehicle and chased the victim to his apartment. The victim ran inside his home and locked the door behind him. The suspect hit the door with his body, broke through the door and entered the victim’s apartment. He struck the victim several times with the chain, causing him to fall to the ground. The victim had visible injuries, but declined medical treatment. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody. He was held pending his court appearance date.

Stolen Vehicle Recovered
September 4 at 12:45 p.m., a parking control officer located a vehicle with paper plates that was illegally parked in the 200 block of South Madison. The parking control officer used the vehicle identification number to identify the registered owner and found the vehicle had been reported stolen out of Riverside. Paper plates were covering a license plate that did not belong to the vehicle. The vehicle was recovered and the investigation is continuing.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
September 4 at 7:13 p.m., an officer responded to the 100 block of Stedman regarding a disturbing subject. Upon contacting and identifying the subject, it was discovered that he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. The suspect was arrested for the warrant and taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
September 4 at 10:10 p.m., officers on patrol in the 1900 block of South Peck Road stopped a motorist for a vehicle code violation. Upon contacting the occupants, the driver was determined to be under the influence of alcohol. The driver was arrested and taken into custody. He was held for sobering.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
September 5 at 2:20 a.m., an officer on patrol in the area of Huntington and Myrtle stopped a motorist for a vehicle code violation. He contacted the occupants and determined both to be under the influence of alcohol. The passenger was found to be intoxicated to the point of needing medical treatment. The driver was arrested for driving under the influence, taken into custody and held for sobering. The passenger was taken by ambulance to a hospital for treatment.

Grand Theft
September 6 at 9:43 a.m., a grand theft was reported in the 800 block of West Walnut. The victim phoned police to report the tailgate to his Toyota Tacoma had been stolen and the suspects replaced it with an older one. The investigation is continuing.

Receiving Stolen Property/Delaying and Obstructing a Peace Officer/Possession of Burglary Tools/Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
September 6 at 10:04 a.m., officers responded to a burglary alarm at a business in the 1900 block of South Walker Avenue. When officers arrived, they saw a male suspect on a bicycle carrying a large spool of wiring, a circular saw, a sealed box, and he was wearing a backpack. When the officers approached, the suspect dropped his bike and fled on foot through the parking lot. He began to drop the items he was carrying, including the backpack. He sustained a laceration on his leg jumping a fence as he was fleeing.

Officers followed the suspect in their vehicles until he stopped and then detained him. The suspect did not have a valid answer as to how he obtained the property, some of which was later discovered to be stolen. He was treated on scene, but refused additional medical treatment. He was arrested and taken into custody. A search of the suspect revealed two baggies of methamphetamine found on his person and burglary tools were found in his backpack.

Burglary
September 6 at 2:35 p.m., the manager of a business in the 600 block of West Huntington phoned to report two females were seen stealing merchandise and then attempting to return the stolen merchandise for a refund. When they were confronted by the manager, they became argumentative and spit in the manager’s face. The females left the store without a refund or the merchandise. The manager followed them to their vehicle and took pictures of the vehicle and the license plate. He then called police. The investigation is continuing.

Petty Theft
September 6 at 4:12 p.m., a business in the 600 block of West Huntington called police to report a male suspect who was seen leaving the store with a child’s car seat without paying for the item. The suspect got into a vehicle and left the area. The investigation is continuing.

Family Daycare Facility Planned for North Monrovia Residential Area; Compatibility; Liz Leavens; Conservation Signs

In his weekly report, City Manager Oliver Chi reported ( http://goo.gl/kCbq7H ) that ...

~ Monrovia's Design Review Committee has approved a "large family daycare facility" to be located at 317 North Alta Vista Avenue. That would be about a half block north of Hillcrest on the west side of Alta Vista. Chi said the city didn't have much choice in the matter.

~ A study session with the Monrovia Planning Commission to discuss neighborhood compatibility issues, is set for Wednesday, Sept. 9,at 5:30 p.m. at the Emergency Operations Center at the southwest corner of Ivy Avenue and Lime Avenue, just north of City Hall.

~ Liz Leavens, the wife of Hal Leavens, who has long been active in the Monrovia community, passed away on Friday evening.

~ The city will be putting up "Monrovia Conserves" lawn signs in the medians on Huntington Drive, and at other locations throughout town.

- Brad Haugaard

Book Sale at Monrovia Library

Friends of the Monrovia Public Library Fall Sale is Sept. 11-12. Friday's sale will be from noon to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The $5-a-bag sale is Saturday from 4-5 p.m.

Fourth Walking Tour of Downtown Monrovia

The fourth walking tour of downtown Monrovia, sponsored by the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group, will take place on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 10 a.m. Meet at the southeast corner of Palm and Myrtle. Cost is $5 per person and the tour will last approximately two hours. Reservations not needed. http://goo.gl/I9gLrc

- Brad Haugaard

Mountain Lion Attacks Dog in Monrovia

Anthony Via Lobos, who works at the Trask Boy Scout camp above Monrovia and lives at the dam-keeper's house in Monrovia Canyon Park, reports that his dog was attacked by a mountain lion. He said he called for the dog and heard a yelp, so he got on his truck, drove down his driveway and saw the mountain lion on top of the dog. He honked, the cat ran off and his dog chased it. "Stupid dog," he said. Plus an expensive vet bill for a gash on the dog.

- Brad Haugaard 

BIG Monrovia Bear | Temperatures to 100

~ Cathy Munfrada Bowlin posted this photo on Facebook of a BIG bear she just saw on the 200 block of N. Alta Vista.

~ Temperatures are expected to reach 100 degrees tomorrow and Wednesday: http://goo.gl/VnR5SB

- Brad Haugaard

WaBa Grill Coming to Monrovia

The former Subway sandwich shop in the Pavilions shopping center at Myrtle and Foothill is going to become a WaBa Grill, according to a sign in the window. WaBa advertises itself as a healthy teriyaki restaurant. It has several other local restaurants, including in Covina, El Monte, and Baldwin Park. Here's its website: http://www.wabagrill.com/

- Brad Haugaard

Volunteers Needed To Set Up Playground Equipment at Monrovia's Mayflower School

You may recall that in June Mayflower School won a $20,000 grant for playground equipment. Well, now it needs 100 volunteers on Saturday, Sept. 26, to set up the equipment. Lunch will be provided and there will be activities for the kids.

To volunteer you must sign up by Sept. 11. This means completing the volunteer form and Megan's Law Screening online through this link: http://goo.gl/forms/CtvE9NTCO1 . Also, you must provide a copy of your driver's license to the Mayflower Elementary office. Drop off in person, fax to 471-2210 or email to mholmes@monroviaschools.net.

For questions, contact Genevieve Sheehan at vieve18@gmail.com or (323) 252-4671. Or, Faith Mellinger at 215.3874 or faithm@macaronikid.com .

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Loses to Bonita :-(

Monrovia High loses to Bonita High in football, 40-30. http://goo.gl/83Gsbx

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Market Grill

Lunch at Market Grill, at the corner of Shamrock and Colorado across from Recreation Park. Got a Chicken California sandwich for $8.95 and I upgraded to the split pea soup as my side dish for a buck. And an iced tea for $2.25. Don't come here looking for ambience, but in the food department, it's delicious! You can hardly go wrong, no matter what you order.

- Brad Haugaard

Tiger Mosquitoes in Monrovia? | Mail Theft Arrest | Girls' Tennis Over La Salle

~ A resident reports on Facebook being bitten by the large Asian tiger mosquito (black and white striped) while at Recreation Park. The mosquito can carry West Nile Virus.

~ Glendora Police have arrested a couple suspected of stealing mail from Monrovia, Azusa and Glendora. Contact Glendora PD at 914-8288. if you've been the victim of mail theft. http://goo.gl/LY9GDR

~ Monrovia girls tennis over La Salle, 12 to 6. http://goo.gl/YwJ91O

- Brad Haugaard

Celebrate the Arts Event In Monrovia's Library Park

Featured artist Elizabeth Butterfield. Photo by Frank Zgonc

Free "Celebrate the Arts" event Sept. 26 and 27, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Library Park, by Monrovia Association of Fine Arts. Monrovia's first ChalkFest with cash prizes. Art, sale items, kids coloring contest, kids chalk art activities, silent auction and raffle to support local arts, food trucks. Also, fine art and chalk art by Mt. Sierra College students; and ceramics, sculpture, fine art and urban art by Monrovia High students.

Entertainment: Min W Dance, The Locke Brothers, When Pigs Fly, Wild Mountain Mystics, Tim Tedrow

Groups represented: Monrovia Garden Club, Monrovia Rock Hounds, Monrovia Historic Preservation Group, and writers Groups Nuvein and Coffee House Writers Group.


- Brad Haugaard

Bill By Monrovia Representative to Open Water Board Meetings Passes Legislature

A bill by Assemblymember Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia, to expand access to mutual water companies' board meetings through teleconference and internet streaming has passed the Legislature. AB 1077 strengthens the Mutual Water Company Open Meeting Act by requiring all shareholders to be guaranteed, at a minimum, the right to teleconference into any meeting and prohibiting the water company's board from meeting exclusively in executive session.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Jewish Federation Presentation: Play On!

Monrovia's Jewish Federation reports that the JFed Players will present Play On!, a farce, by Rick Abbot, that traces a community theater group's "progress" rehearsing and presenting a new play written by one of their own. At the Clarke Center, 400 Rolyn Place, Arcadia. Performances Saturday, October 10 and 17 at 8 p.m., Sunday, October 11 at 2:30 and 7 p.m., Thursday, October 15 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 18 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets at www.jewishsgpv.org/forms . 445-0810 for information.

- Brad Haugaard