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Monrovian Kris Mariconda Passes Away; New Dial-a-Ride Fleet; Reading Program; Batman

Here are a few items from City Manager Oliver Chi's weekly update ( http://goo.gl/6pXrPh ):

- Monrovian Kris Mariconda, who had been deeply involved in the Monrovia community, passed away last week. http://goo.gl/7Xyjw6

- The first of four new vehicles for the Monrovia Transit dial-a-ride fleet hit the road this week. Three more will be deployed shortly. Three are mid-sized for 12 passengers and 2 wheelchairs. The fourth can accommodate 16 passengers and 2 wheelchairs. More on Monrovia Transit here: http://goo.gl/c08tcA

- Monrovia Public Library is hosting a reading program for children ages 0-5 to help them gain school readiness skills. The goal is for adults to read as many books as possible to children from September 1, 2015 through April 30, 2016. Sign up at the Youth Services Desk at the library, or online at http://www.cityofmonrovia.org/library

- Monrovia Public Library will host a Batman Day celebration on Sept. 23, with the library team dresings up as superheroes. For more information call the library at 256-8275.

- Brad Haugaard

Power Outage at Monrovia High?

I'm seeing reports on Facebook of a power outage at Monrovia High. Southern California Edison does not yet have a status report on its website ( https://goo.gl/DIJ9eN ). Hopefully soon.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Mayor Goes Into Show Biz

Monrovia Mayor Tom Adams, together with Monrovia Chamber of Commerce President Nancy Bond, have gone into show biz, with a KGEM program called Behind the Menu. In this episode they take a look at Jake's Roadhouse, on Myrtle: https://goo.gl/De8pvA

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Woman Sees Her Watch on Facebook; Meth And Shoplifting; Woman Slams Boyfriend's Finger In Door; Intoxication; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for September 10-13. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Grand Theft Auto/Grand Theft
September 10 at 9:50 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 300 block of Wildrose. A gardener working in the area left his keys in the ignition while he worked at a residence. He saw his vehicle being driven away and called the police. His vehicle was located in the 300 block of East Lime, but his gardening equipment was missing. The investigation is continuing.

Petty Theft/Receiving Stolen Property
September 10 at 7:04 p.m., a petty theft was reported at a residence in the 700 block of West Duarte Road. The victim had returned home on September third and found her estranged husband inside her apartment. She told him to leave, which he did. She discovered her watch was missing the following day. On September 9, the victim received a Facebook photo message from her estranged husband's girlfriend, who was wearing the victim's watch on her wrist in the photo. The investigating officer telephoned the girlfriend, who said she received the watch as a gift. She claimed the watch was left on her front porch by an unknown person. The investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting/Possession of Burglary Tools/Possession of Methamphetamine – Suspects Arrested
September 10 at 9:57 p.m., officers were dispatched to a business in the 500 block of West Huntington Drive regarding a shoplifting incident in progress. Upon arrival, a female adult suspect was detained. She was found to be in possession of store merchandise that she had not paid for and a burglary tool. A male adult suspect had left before police arrived, but returned to the scene and was found to be in possession of methamphetamine. Both suspects were arrested for the appropriate charges and taken into custody.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
September 11 at 1:07 a.m., officers were dispatched to a family disturbance call in the 100 block of South Encinitas. Upon arrival, officers discovered that an argument had occurred between a male and female who are in a dating relationship. The female slammed her bedroom door on the male's finger and caused a visible injury. The male subject declined medical treatment. The female was determined to be the dominant aggressor in the incident; she was arrested and taken into custody. She was housed pending her court appearance date.

Grand Theft Auto
September 11 at 6:45 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 1700 block of Alamitas Avenue. A 1999, gold Chevy Silverado was stolen from in front of the victim's house. The investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
September 11 at 3:50 p.m., a caller reported a possible drunk driver in the area of Winding Oaks and Bradbury. An officer responded and stopped the vehicle at Lemon and Bradbury. After investigation, the driver was determined to be intoxicated and was arrested and taken into custody.

Injury Traffic Collision
September 11 at 10:24 p.m., an injury traffic collision was reported at Mayflower and Huntington. Two vehicles were involved in a minor traffic collision, and one subject was taken to the hospital for a complaint of pain. It appears that one of the subjects ran a red light and collided with the other vehicle.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
September 12 at 2:45 a.m., a suspicious person was observed trying to hide behind a vehicle as a police unit was driving on patrol in the 100 block of Montana. The officer contacted the subject and found he had two outstanding warrants; he was arrested and taken into custody. He was later picked up by San Gabriel Police Department on the warrants.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
September 12 at 4:32 a.m., an officer on patrol stopped a motorist for speeding in the 500 block of Sombrero. He contacted the driver and, through investigation, determined he was intoxicated. The driver was arrested for driving under the influence and taken into custody.

Possession of Stolen Property/Transporting Marijuana/Possession for Sales of a Controlled Substance/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested.
September 12 at 5:29 p.m., officers on patrol stopped a motorist for a vehicle code violation at Primrose and Huntington. The subsequent investigation revealed the motorist was in possession of stolen property, illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia. The suspect was arrested for the charges and taken into custody. The investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
September 12 at 8:16 p.m., a motorist was found stopped in the roadway and slumped over the steering wheel with the engine running. He was discovered to be severely intoxicated and was taken by ambulance to a hospital for medical clearance. After being cleared, he was taken back to the Monrovia jail for booking and held for sobering.

Warrant
September 12 at 9:53 p.m., officers were dispatched to a park in the 300 block of Grand Avenue regarding a suspicious vehicle. Upon arrival, the registered owner of the vehicle and his girlfriend were contacted standing near the park entrance. The female subject was discovered to have an outstanding warrant for her arrest. She was arrested per the authority of the warrant. Baldwin Park Police Officers responded and took custody of the suspect on their warrant.

Public Intoxication/Medical Assist
September 13 at 12:38 a.m., officers found an intoxicated male subject lying flat on his back and unconscious in the parking lot across from the police station. Monrovia Fire Department paramedics responded to the scene to medically evaluate the subject. He was extremely intoxicated and had to be taken by ambulance to a hospital for treatment.

Domestic Battery – Suspect Arrested
September 13 at 4:24 a.m., Arcadia police officers detained two subjects that were involved in a domestic battery that occurred in Monrovia Police Department’s jurisdiction. Monrovia police officers responded to the scene to investigate. The female had torn clothing and discoloration on her arm; her injury did not require medical treatment. The male subject was discovered to be the dominant aggressor and was arrested and taken into custody. He was held pending his court appearance.

Violation of a Court Order
September 13 at 11:59 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 900 block of Valley View regarding a subject at the location who was violating a restraining order. The subject is a former tenant of the residence and was served with the restraining order on September 10, 2015. The subject was arrested for violating the restraining order and taken into custody at the residence without incident.

Possession of Stolen Property – Suspects Arrested
September 14 at 3:49 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 500 block of Duarte Road when he heard keys rattling and saw two subjects trying to jump over a fence. The officer found the two subjects hiding behind a bush and detained them. A backpack was found next to the suspects, which contained stolen credit cards, driver's licenses and mail. The suspects were arrested for possession of stolen property and taken into custody. One of the suspects was found to be currently on parole. The investigation is continuing.

Old Cars In Old Monrovia

Blocks and blocks of old cars in Old Monrovia today.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Gold Line Station Dedication

At the Monrovia Gold Line Station dedication today, Mayor Tom Adams said one of the items on his bucket list is to get on the train in Monrovia, switch to a big train at Union Station, then hop on the Grand Canyon Railway in Williams, Arizona, and visit the south rim of the canyon, all without sitting in an automobile. Adams spoke, then also speeches from various other officials. 

The station is not open for use, by the way. I believe that'll be early next year.

Nice crowd

Mayor Tom Adams

Station Art

Beside the tracks


Parking garage

- Bead Haugaard 

Monrovia Over Arcadia in Football

Monrovia wins in football over Arcadia 60-45. http://goo.gl/2UVXIk

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council to Consider Major History Project

At the next Monrovia City Council meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/6H0emr ), the council will consider a $150,000 contribution to the Monrovia Historical Society to complete the Monrovia Legacy Project ( http://goo.gl/hZO7E8 ). The project is estimated to cost $410,000 over three years. The balance of the project cost will come from private donations.

The society will:

1. Document and preserve City Historian Steve Baker’s knowledge base and collections, and generate end products to share them.

2. Compile other Monrovians’ historical memories and records – people of all backgrounds – and create a collection that can be built upon.

3. Create places and methods for storing and sharing this history at the Monrovia Public Library.

The project would be completed in three phases:

1. Preservation: Scan, digitize, inventory, and catalog the photos and papers, transfer to archival storage materials, create searchable lists, and create a comprehensive online repository.

2. Share: Create physical products – photo and / narrative books, video series / documentary, teaching curriculum, written histories, and oral histories.

3. Educate: Create website for distributing products and plan for engaging the public.


Also at the council meeting, the council will consider ...

- Approving a memo of understanding between the City of Monrovia and the Monrovia Unified School District to establish a School Resources Officer Program. Details: http://goo.gl/6H7vci

- Approving a $21,000 agreement with Dekra-Lite to purchase, install, remove and store Old Town holiday decorations. http://goo.gl/h3Lq97

- Brad Haugaard

Animal Sanctuary Film at Monrovia's Action on Film Festival

Tellus Films will present its documentary, Furthest from the Wild, at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24 at the Krikorian Theatre for The Action on Film Festival. Furthest From the Wild has been nominated for Best Director and Best Political Film.

Furthest from the Wild is a full-length documentary about rescuing and rehabilitating captive-bred exotic and domestic animals and giving them a safe home. It is a window into the world of animal sanctuaries worldwide. These sanctuaries educate the public while working to survive in difficult economic times.

This film follows the day-to-day struggles the keepers from various sanctuaries across the country go through to care for large cats, wolves, dogs, rabbits, primates, reptiles, and more. The caretakers explain the heartbreaking history of neglect and abuse the animals endured before they were given a new chance.

Tickets here ( http://goo.gl/doKiVs ) or at UPS store on Myrtle.

Source: Press release

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Los Guerros

Dinner last night at Los Guerros, just west of Magnolia on the north side of Huntington. Got the taco and enchilada combination ($10.95) and a beer ($4.75). Nice and filling and very pleasant and quick service. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Video of Art at New Monrovia Train Station

A video of the creation and installation of art at the new Monrovia train station. https://goo.gl/DeIjNJ

- Brad Haugaard

Man's Body Found in Azusa - Monrovian?

A man's body (not yet identified) found in Azusa was in a car associated with a man who was reported as missing to Monrovia Police. Possible suicide. http://goo.gl/l3DeCG

- Brad Haugaard

May Be Some Rain Coming Up For Monrovia

50% chance of showers this coming Monday and Tuesday ( http://goo.gl/VnR5SB ). Good, my lawn could use it.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Did NOT Lose To Burbank

Okay, so it turns out Monrovia did NOT lose to Burbank in football, as reported earlier. It seems Burbank used an ineligible player. http://goo.gl/L1076A

- Brad Haugaard

Dedication of Monrovia Train Station This Saturday

The Monrovia train station dedication and open house will be held this Saturday, Sept. 12, at 10 a.m. Parking is in the new parking structure at the south end of Primrose. The event begins with welcome from Mayor Tom Adams, invocation, colors, national anthem, then comments by elected officials and recognition of rail and construction officials. Open house begins at 11:10 a.m.

- Brad Haugaard

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