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Free Compost and Mulch at Monrovia Yard

Free compost and mulch, Saturday, June 17, 8 a.m. to noon at the Monrovia Public Works Yard, at 600 S. Mountain Ave. You gotta shovel it yourself, but shovels will be provided. Bring your ID or an Athens bill, sturdy containers, but no plastic bags.

Monrovia School Board to Honor Hippiebots on Big Win; Etc.

At its June 14, 7 p.m. meeting (Agenda Take care, it's a 222 page download), the Monrovia Board of Education will ...

~ Congratulate Paul Flores and the Clifton Middle School Hippiebots on winning the 2017 First Tech Challenge Dutch Open in Eindhoven, Netherlands.

~ Hear a report that the district administration has reached a tentative agreement with its various labor unions for a 1.5 percent salary increase retroactive to July 1 of last year. That will cost the district an additional $702,366.

~ Hold a public hearing on the district's Local Control Accountability Plan. The agenda says a copy of the plan is at the district website (http://www.monroviaschools.net), but I can't find it. I'll update this if I hear back. Update: The plan is here.

~ Hold a public hearing on its Proposed Adopted Budget Report, which the agenda says is attached, but I can't find it. Again, I'll update this if I hear back. Update: The budget is now in the agenda file.

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Mayan Bar and Grill

 

Dinner at Mayan Bar and Grill, in the Aztec Hotel on Foothill. Ordered an Aztec Burger for $9 and a beer for $5. Both were good and very friendly service. 


- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia's Trader Joe's Wins Legal Battle With Pirate Joe's

Canadian company, Pirate Joe - a Trader Joe's copycat company - shuts down after legal battle with Monrovia-based Trader Joe's. https://goo.gl/3s15S6

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Suspect in Fight Breaks His Ankle; Man Hits Girlfriend; No Violence - Just Meth; Etc.

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

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 432 service events, resulting in 72 investigations.

Vehicle Burglary
June 5 at 8:35 a.m., a vehicle burglary that occurred in the 1200 block of S. Alta Vista was reported to police. The victim parked his vehicle the evening before and returned to it the next morning to find a window shattered and a gym bag that was in the vehicle was missing. The investigation is continuing.

Suspicious Circumstances / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
June 5 at 12:02 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain to investigate a suspicious female subject seen carrying merchandise around the inside of the store. The same female had been seen at the store’s El Monte location, trying to go out an emergency exit with similar merchandise and nearby stores were notified. There was a vehicle parked outside the emergency exit that matched the description of a vehicle seen at the El Monte location. Officers arrived, contacted the female and stopped the vehicle, which had just left the parking lot. The vehicle was a rental that had its plates covered and was being driven by a subject that was found to have a no-bail probation warrant, in addition to other warrants. The male subject was arrested for the warrants and the vehicle was stored. The female was identified and released, as she had not left the store with the merchandise.

Domestic Battery
June 5 at 5:07 p.m., police responded to the report of a domestic battery incident in progress in the 700 block of Montana. The suspect is the estranged husband of the victim. The suspect came to the victim's residence while she had a male friend over and became involved in a physical altercation with both the male subject and his estranged wife. During the altercation, the suspect broke his ankle. The suspect was taken to a hospital for treatment. He was issued a citation to appear in court on the battery charges and was served with an Emergency Protective Order.

Stolen Vehicle Recovered
June 7 at 6:10 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 300 block of Pine Tree Lane. The victim reported that the vehicle was parked on the street and was locked. The vehicle was located by Monrovia parking control officers three hours later, unoccupied, and parked in the 300 block of N Encinitas. Several items were missing from the interior of the vehicle. The vehicle was returned to the victim and the investigation is continuing.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
June 7 at 8:28 a.m., officers responded to the 200 block of W. Cypress on the report of a domestic violence incident. The investigation revealed that the male subject struck his girlfriend during an argument. The altercation resulted in redness and bruising to the female. The male subject was arrested for domestic violence.

Stolen Vehicle Recovered – Suspect Arrested
June 7 at 1:45 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain Avenue to investigate a possible theft. Store loss prevention was observing a male suspect inside the store concealing merchandise and a waiting vehicle outside. Officers arrived and located the male suspect outside, next to the unoccupied vehicle. The vehicle was found to be a reported stolen. The male suspect told police he had driven the vehicle to the location and knew it was stolen. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
June 7 at 3:29 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 700 block of S. Shamrock Avenue regarding a possible domestic violence incident. The officers located the subjects and determined there was no domestic violence that occurred, but during the course of the investigation, they discovered the male subject was in possession of drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Monrovia RiteAid is Closing

 
The RiteAid at Huntington and Magnolia is closing. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovian Arrested in Connection With Sexual Assaults

A Monrovia man is under arrest in connection with a string of sexual assaults. https://goo.gl/N6hqlp

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Music Fest

A report and pictures of Monrovia Music Festival from Gem City Images: https://goo.gl/hmnoqp

-Brad Haugaard

Crime Up - Monrovia Blames State; Historic Tours; City Wins Financial Reporting Award; Police Carry a Torch; Park at Train Station

In his weekly update (https://goo.gl/aOqX7O) Monrovia City Manager Oliver Chi reports ...

~ Serious crime is up in Monrovia, as it is across the state. In 2016 it went up nearly 20% in the city compared to 2015. Chi said the state's new laws (AB 109, Prop 47, and Prop 57) have attracted out-of-state criminals. He writes: "Many are unaware that during the past several years, the State has enacted multiple new laws that have taken away and weakened certain law enforcement authorities, which have eroded public safety efforts."

~ The Monrovia Historical Society has scheduled four narrated tours of Monrovia, each of which only has room for just 14 people.

- June 24, 10 a.m. - The Northwest Quarter
- July 22, 10 a.m. - The Northeast Quarter
- Aug. 26, 10 a.m. - The Southeast Quarter
- Sept. 23, 10 a.m. - The Southwest Quarter

Cost is $50 per person per tour, or $40 for Monrovia Historical Society members.  ($25 off if you buy all four tickets.) All proceeds go to the society to preserve and share Monrovia's history.  To buy tickets contact the Monrovia Historical Society at 256-3423 ormonroviahistoricalsociety1896@gmail.com.

~ Monrovia has been awarded the Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, the highest honor possible through the GFOA program.

~ Non-metro riders can now park at the train station parking lot during off hours for $5. Off hours are Monday through Friday - 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. and Saturday, Sunday and Federal holidays. If you are going to ride the train, parking is free.

~ Monrovia Police Department will participate in a Special Olympics Torch Run this Thursday, June 8.  Monrovia Police will pick up the torch at the intersection of Myrtle and Live Oak and carry it 5.41 miles to Red Lobster on Huntington Drive, where they'll hand it off to Arcadia Police.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Woman vs. Man; Man vs. Woman; Son vs. Mom; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for June 1-4. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
June 1 at 10:43 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 900 block of S. Magnolia when he recognized a subject he knew to have an outstanding warrant. The officer detained the subject, confirmed the warrant and took him into custody. The subject was booked and held pending a court appearance.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
June 1 at 2:31 p.m., an officer stopped a vehicle in the 400 block of W. Huntington Drive for committing a vehicle code violation. The officer contacted the driver and a computer check revealed an outstanding arrest warrant, and that the subject was unlicensed. The suspect was taken into custody, booked and held pending a court appearance.

Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
June 2 at 6:33 a.m., a solo-vehicle traffic collision was reported in the 900 block of E. Huntington Drive. Officers arrived and contacted the driver, who demonstrated signs of alcohol intoxication. The investigation determined the subject was intoxicated and collided into a parked vehicle. No injuries were sustained. The suspect was arrested, booked and held for a sobering period. She was then released with a citation to appear in court on the charges.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
June 2 at 8:52 p.m., a domestic dispute was reported in the 100 block of N. Myrtle. A couple who were living together were ending their relationship and the female was moving out. As the male subject was helping her get her things out of the residence, the female became upset and threw a hard object at the male subject, striking him in the back of the head and causing a large laceration. The female was arrested for domestic violence.

Domestic Violence
June 3 at 7:12 a.m., a female resident in the 900 block of S. Fifth Avenue called police to report that she and her boyfriend were involved in a verbal argument that turned physical. The male suspect fled prior to police arriving. The female subject had no visible injuries, however, she complained of pain to her shoulder. The investigation is continuing.

Vandalism
June 3 at 8:11 a.m., a vehicle vandalism was reported in the 200 block of W. Chestnut Avenue. The victim parked his vehicle on the street and left it there overnight. He returned to his vehicle in the morning and found damage to his driver-side window. A rock had been used to smash the window. No entry was made and nothing was taken from vehicle. The investigation is continuing.

Petty Theft – Suspect Arrested
June 3 at 7:23 p.m., a petty theft was reported at a business in the 300 block of W. Huntington Drive. A male suspect entered the business, selected items and then exited without paying. An officer responded and the suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Public Intoxication – Suspects Arrested
June 3 at 8:52 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Palm and Alta Vista to check on the welfare of two females. They arrived and found both women were extremely intoxicated and unable to care for themselves or others. They were arrested for being drunk in public.

Family Disturbance / Battery – Suspect Arrested
June 4 at 8:59 p.m., a family disturbance was reported in the 900 block of S. Fifth Avenue. Officers responded on the report of a mother and son arguing. The investigation revealed the son had hit his mother and tried to prevent her from calling the police for help. The suspect was arrested.

Monrovia City Budget; Outsourcing Check Processing; Raise Park Maintenance Fee? Etc.

Divvying up the budget pie.

At its Tuesday, June 6 meeting (agenda: https://goo.gl/u7Rx5B) the Monrovia City Council will consider...

~ Its 2017-19 General Fund budget, which, "is structurally balanced in both years." The city expects that for 2017-18 it will bring in $42.4 million and spend $41.65 million, and for 2018-19 bring in $43.64 and spend $43.54 million. https://goo.gl/EiZylW

~ Outsourcing utility bill check processing to the Whittier company, RT Lawrence. It'll cost about $22,166 the first year of the contract, then about $15,516 annually thereafter. As more residents
utilize online payment, this cost may decrease. https://goo.gl/awCl3J

~ Raising the fee for the citywide Park Maintenance District by 24 cents, from $11.53 to $11.77 for a single-family dwelling unit. https://goo.gl/0tnrwi

~ The fee for the Lighting and Landscaping Maintenance District. City staff is recommending leaving it as is. https://goo.gl/wLxYUe

~ Granting a Conditional Use Permit so Bowden Development can build a four-unit, two-story resdential project at 902 W. Colorado Blvd. https://goo.gl/D4HFFd

~ Granting a Historic Landmark designation to the house at 228 W. Olive Ave. Staff is recommending approval. https://goo.gl/sKxWeV

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Wang's Place

 
Dinner recently at Wang's Place, on Lemon just east of Myrtle. It is kind of an outgrowth of the old Wang's Palace, but has a more hip, bar feeling to it. Got the orange chicken for $12.50 And a beer for $5. I don't know why it is but I'll get the same brand of beer at different places and it tastes different. Anyway, it tastes great here. And the orange chicken was good and filling.

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia's AeroVironment Gets $36.5 Million Contract From Australian Military


The Australian Defence Force has selected Monrovia's AeroVironment to provide it with its Wasp hand-launched drone system. The contract calls for the delivery of Wasp AE systems over a three-year period, as well as training and logistics support for up to ten years, for a total AeroVironment contract value of up to USD $36.5 million. https://goo.gl/7Ezozk


- Brad Haugaard

Stolen Car Hits Parked Car - Driver Abandons Car; Woman Arrested After Man Gives Her a Lift

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for May 29-31. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 420 service events, resulting in 79 investigations.

Theft From a Vehicle
May 29 at 10:56 a.m., officers responded to the 1200 block of S. Alta Vista regarding a theft from a vehicle. The victim reported that she had secured her vehicle the day before at 2:00 p.m. When she returned to her vehicle and entered, she realized it was unlocked. She then saw items strewn about the vehicle. The items had previously been in the glovebox and center console. She reported that several items were missing. There was no sign of forced entry. The investigation is continuing.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision / Stolen Vehicle Recovered
May 29 at 9:27 p.m., a hit and run traffic collision was reported at Encinitas and Foothill. The suspect vehicle hit a parked vehicle. The driver exited the suspect vehicle and entered a silver sedan that fled the area. The suspect vehicle that remained unoccupied at the collision was found to be a stolen vehicle reported to the Los Angeles Police Department the day prior. A silver sedan resembling the description of the vehicle the suspect fled in was stopped by officers nearby, but none of the witnesses were able to identify the suspect or the vehicle that fled the location. The subjects were identified and released. The investigation is continuing.

Assault – Suspect Arrested
May 30 at 3:51 p.m., police dispatch received a call from a subject reporting her boyfriend had been involved in a fight at a business in the 700 block of E. Huntington and he was unconscious. Officers responded and determined two subjects had been involved in a fight. The victim sustained injuries to his face and the suspect had fled the scene. The officer conducted further investigation, identified the suspect and entered a wanted person entry into the law enforcement database for the suspect's arrest. On May 31, the suspect came to the Monrovia Police Department Lobby and turned himself in to police. The suspect was arrested without incident.

Violation of Restraining Order
May 30 at 7:55 p.m., a suspicious vehicle was reported to police with its engine running in a business parking lot in the 2100 block of S. Myrtle. Officers arrived on scene and detained two subjects inside the vehicle. A computer check revealed there was a domestic violence restraining order against one of the parties and the other party was the protected person of the order. The protected person advised that he voluntarily picked up the restrained subject because she was hitch-hiking from Arizona. Officers arrested the restrained person and took her into custody for violation of the court order.

County Considering Stormwater Tax, But Monrovia's Costs May Be a Bit Less; And More


The City of Monrovia's new web site.

In his weekly update, City Manager Oliver Chi writes that ...

~ A recent test shows that stormwater runoff in Monrovia contains less lead than previously thought, which will reduce the clean-up costs for the city. Chi writes that, "the Regional Water Board correspondence provides us with formal notification that we will not have to capture / treat as much stormwater as we once thought."

~ Meanwhile, the LA County Board of Supervisors is considering a parcel tax increase, to be decided upon over the next nine months, to do stormwater cleanup.

~ Parking Company of America will begin operating the Monrovia Transit system on June 1.

~ Here is the summer edition of the activity guide Monrovia Today: https://goo.gl/Bdg3Vt

~ The Fourth of July Concert and Fireworks Show at Library Park will begin at 7 p.m. with a performance by Night Owl, then a free 20 minute fireworks show at 9 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

State May Require Schools to Start No Earlier Than 8:30 A.M.

A bill by State Senator Anthony Portantino, who represents Monrovia, to require middle and high schools to start their days no earlier than 8:30 a.m. has passed the Senate and now goes to the Assembly. Portantino's office says 8:30 is the "optimal time to start school for improved public health of teenage students" and that, "This is believed to be the first time a school start time bill of this nature has passed any legislative house in the country."

Source: Portantino press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Drunk Driving; Drunk Sleeping at the Wheel; Drunk Yelling; Woman Dragged by Hair; Etc.

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

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
May 25 at 8:03 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 1100 block of S. Ivy when he recognized a male subject near the intersection of Cherry and Ivy. The subject was a wanted suspect in a fraud incident that occurred a week prior. The suspect was arrested and held pending his court appearance.

Injury Traffic Collision
May 25 at 7:01 p.m., officers responded to the intersection of Mayflower and Diamond regarding a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian. Monrovia paramedics arrived on scene and treated the injured party. Both parties were identified and a traffic collision report was completed.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
May 26 at 12:05 a.m., an officer observed a vehicle commit a vehicle code violation near Mountain and Huntington. The driver was stopped and the investigation revealed the driver was intoxicated and too impaired to drive a motor vehicle. He was arrested and held for a sobering period. He was later released with a citation to appear in court.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
May 26 at 4:09 a.m., police dispatch was notified of a vehicle that was stopped in the middle of the street in the 100 block of E. Central and the driver appeared to be slumped over the steering wheel. Officers arrived and determined the driver was intoxicated. The subject was too impaired to drive a motor vehicle and he was arrested for driving under the influence. The subject was held for a sobering period and later released with a citation to appear in court.

Shoplifting
May 26 at 2:40 p.m., a shoplifting incident was reported by a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington. A male suspect stole merchandise and ran out the emergency exit. As he exited the store, he dropped the merchandise and fled the area. Officers conducted an area check, but the suspect was not located. The investigation is continuing.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
May 26 at 2:58 p.m., an officer stopped a vehicle in the 400 block of W. Hillcrest for a traffic violation. The driver was found to have an outstanding warrant for his arrest. He was arrested per the authority of the warrant.

Domestic Violence / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
May 27 at 12:34 a.m., officers responded to a residence in the 700 block of W. Foothill on the report of domestic battery. The female victim reported that her boyfriend pulled her hair. Officers spoke to both parties and learned the male suspect pulled his girlfriend’s hair and dragged her from the bedroom to the living room by her hair. The suspect also had a warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody for domestic violence and the warrant.

Warrant / Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
May 27 at 2:42 p.m., loss prevention at a business in the 300 block of W. Huntington called police to report a male and female inside the store acting suspicious. Officers arrived and contacted the two subjects in the store. A computer check revealed the female had an outstanding warrant for her arrest. She was arrested for the warrant and while being searched, methamphetamine was found in her possession. The additional charge was added.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
May 27 at 5:08 p.m., a possible drunk driver was reported to police at Duarte and Myrtle. An officer located the vehicle in the 700 block of E. Huntington in a business parking lot. The officer contacted the driver, who was behind the wheel with the engine running. Through investigation, the driver was determined to be driving under the influence. The driver was arrested for DUI and also had a suspended license.

Injury Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence
May 28 at 12:04 a.m., officers responded to the area of Myrtle and Central regarding a multi-vehicle traffic collision. Four vehicles were involved in the accident and three people were injured. The investigation showed a vehicle was traveling south on Myrtle and it collided at a high rate of speed with three other vehicles that were stopped at the intersection. The driver appeared to be intoxicated and was injured. He was taken to a hospital for treatment. Two other occupants from the other vehicles were also taken to the hospital for minor head and facial injuries. The case will be brought to the District Attorney to file charges.

Wanted – Suspect Arrested
May 28 at 8:48 a.m., officers on patrol in the 400 block of W. Huntington located a vehicle affiliated with a male subject wanted for questioning by the El Monte Police Department. The vehicle was stopped and the wanted subject was located. He was later released to the El Monte Police Department. The vehicle was returned to the registered owner.

Disturbing Subject / Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
May 28 at 10:04 a.m., officers responded to the 100 block of W. Palm regarding a disturbing subject yelling in the area. They arrived and located a male subject who was yelling at a second subject and being disruptive. The male subject was extremely intoxicated and was arrested for being drunk in public. He was held for a period of sobering.

Grand Theft Auto – Suspects Arrested
May 28 at 11:00 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 1100 block of Royal Oaks sometime between 6:30 and 11:00 a.m. The vehicle was equipped with LoJack. The vehicle was located in the Arcadia Mall parking lot and two suspects were arrested.

Threatening
May 28 at 2:47 p.m., a resident in the 1700 block of S. Mayflower called police to report her ex-husband had returned and demanded for her to let him into the residence. She told him no and that she was going to phone the police. He then threatened her, telling her he was going to kill her when she left the house. The victim indicated that the suspect was homeless and was unstable. Police conducted and area check for the suspect, but were unable to locate him. He was entered into the law enforcement database as a wanted person.

Injury Traffic Collision
May 28 at 8:28 p.m., an injury traffic collision was reported in the 1800 block of S. Mountain. The vehicle was witnessed colliding into a parked vehicle. Officers arrived and found the driver collided into a parked truck and trailer. The driver sustained injuries from the collision and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Permanent Sign Posts Go In For Hillside Preserve

 
The city has begun installing the permanent trail sign posts for the Hillside Wilderness Preserve. You can see the temporary sign in the lower right. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Church Offers Community Development Grants

Visited the Fellowship Monrovia church this morning, the church that meets at Monrovia High, and saw this item in the church bulletin:

 

Kinda cool idea, providing seed money for projects to benefit the community. I hope other churches pick up on the idea.

- Brad Haugaard 

Route 66 Concert - Jazz and 40s Music Exploring America's Great Highway


The San Gabriel Valley Choral Company will present "Route 66 - Music and the All-American Highway," a concert with soloists and instrumentalists featuring American music from the 1940s, jazz, show tunes and songs that explore our relationship with this historic highway and tell stories of life's journey on Saturday, June 24, with a silent auction and refreshments at 6 p.m., and concert at 7 p.m.  Tickets are $5 for children, $15 for students and seniors, and $20 for the general public. The concert will be held at Saint Luke Episcopal Church at 122 S. California Ave. in Monrovia. More information at www.choralcompany.org or by calling 818-802-9620.

- Brad Haugaard