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Join Monrovia PD for National Night Out, Tuesday, August 1

Join the Monrovia Police Department for National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 1, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Library Park. This event lets citizens come for crime awareness, drug awareness, and to meet some of the men and women of the Monrovia Police Department.  https://goo.gl/1i5R6J

- Brad Haugaard

Second Monrovia Historic District to be Dedicated


The Monrovia City Council and Monrovia Preservation Group will dedicate Monrovia's second historic district this Thursday, July 27 at 5 p.m.  All Monrovians are  welcome to attend the event. Below is a link to the announcement on the MOHPG website.  Here is a video album of the homes on the 100 - 200 blocks of Encinitas Ave.  https://goo.gl/vk2oiP

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Couple Drowns in Lake Havasu

Monrovia husband and wife, Raul Gonzalez, 44, and Esmeralda Gonzalez, 41, apparently drowned while boating. https://goo.gl/87eRk4

- Brad Haugaard 

Rent Telescopes at Monrovia Library


- Brad Haugaard 

Qualifying Monrovia Students May Get Guaranteed Admission to Azusa Pacific

At its July 26 meeting (agenda: https://goo.gl/zVbaaa), the Monrovia School Board will, among other things, consider a "memorandum of understanding" with Azusa Pacific University that would guarantee Monrovia graduates who meet APU's requirements would be admitted to the university. https://goo.gl/9fxYcv

Comment: Also, I appreciate the district implementing an online agenda system that lets people click on the agenda and then click on the supporting documents for each item. This is a vast improvement on the previous system, which required the agenda and all the supporting documents - sometimes well over 120 pages if I recall - to be downloaded before you could see anything. This is much cleaner, simpler and faster. Thanks. You can see the new system here. Be careful to click on "Agenda." If you click "Packet" you will be downloading the whole nine yards, as before.

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Jake's Roadhouse



Dinner at Jake's Roadhouse. Got the California Chicken Sandwich for $10.95 and a big beer for $7.50. It was hot; I was thirsty. Anyway, nice chicken sandwich and the beer was frosty cold, as I like it. 


- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia High Class of '72 Reunion

Monrovia High Class of '72 will hold a reunion on Saturday, August 19 from 3-10 p.m. (Location secret until you sign up.) Cost is $45 per person and you must pay by August 4. Checks should be payable to Shirley Slattery, PO Box 2112, Monrovia, CA 91016. For more information: monroviaclass72@aol.com.

- Brad Haugaard

Copper Still Grill Making Progress


Copper Still Grill has its sign up. Progress but looks like it's not quite ready to open yet. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police: Intoxicated Child Annoying; Commercial Break-ins; No Shoplifting But Arrested for Having a Throwing Star; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for July 17-19. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 437 service events, resulting in 91 investigations.

Child Annoying / Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
July 17 at 9:04 p.m., police dispatch received multiple calls reporting an adult male chasing another adult male, who was holding a baby, in the area of Myrtle and Duarte. Officers arrived quickly and found several parents with children, who stated that the male had approached them and claimed that their child was his. Officers located the suspect and detained him. Their investigation revealed that the suspect was under the influence of a controlled substance. He was arrested and booked for several offenses.

Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence

July 17 at 10:19 p.m., a traffic collision was reported in the area of Magnolia and Palm. A pickup truck was traveling on Magnolia and collided into multiple parked vehicles. The driver of the truck was suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol. Due to the injuries he sustained during the collision, he was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. The investigation is continuing.

Commercial Burglary

July 18 at 3:37 a.m., police responded to a commercial burglary report at a business in the 900 block of W. Huntington. Unknown suspects shattered the front door to gain access to the business. The suspects entered and exited the location within 30 seconds, and then fled in a small silver sedan, heading west on Huntington. The suspects are described as two males wearing hooded sweatshirts. Officers conducted an area check, but were unable to locate the suspects. There was no loss other than the repair cost to fix the front door. The investigation is continuing.

Commercial Burglary

July 18 at 6:00 a.m., a commercial burglary was reported at a business in the 100 block of W. Foothill. Sometime during the night, unknown suspects shattered the front window and entered the business after hours. The suspects removed the register and fled. The investigation is continuing.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested

July 19 at 10:37 a.m., officers responded to a residence in the 700 block of W. Duarte Road. A caller reported a male subject in front of the location, striking a female. Officers responded and located a witness that confirmed the report and told officers the couple had gone into the residence. Officers located both subjects inside the residence and confirmed the report. The male subject was arrested for domestic violence and taken into custody.

Trespassing – Suspect Arrested

July 19 at 4:02 p.m., a male subject was reported trespassing at a residence in the 1200 block of S. Sherman. Officers responded and located the subject inside the residence. The officers confirmed that a no-trespassing order had been issued to the subject. He was arrested for violation of the court order.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested

July 19 at 6:40 p.m., a possible drunk driver was reported leaving a gas station in the 1500 block of S. Myrtle. The driver seen entering the 210 Freeway at Myrtle. Officers located the driver at the 210 and 605 Freeway interchange and conducted a traffic stop. After investigation, the driver was determined to be driving under the influence and was arrested and taken into custody.

Weapon Offense – Suspect Arrested

July 19 at 6:55 p.m., an employee from a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain called police to report a possible shoplifting in progress. Officers arrived and detained the subject outside of the store. It was determined that the subject did not actually commit a theft, however he was in possession of a shuriken, a martial arts throwing star. He was arrested for the weapon offense. 

Conserve Power During Eclipse, Monrovia's Representative Says


Legislature Passes Resolution Encouraging Lower Energy Use During Solar Eclipse

Sacramento, CA –  In an effort to lessen dependency on fossil fuel-based energy during the solar eclipse on August 21st, Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy Chair, Chris Holden (AD – 41), introduced House Resolution 50. The measure encourages all Californians to reduce energy use, and pledge to “Do Your Thing for the Sun” during the hours of 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on August 21st, 2017.

“On Monday, August 21st our hardworking sun will be taking a break, and maybe you should too,” says Assemblymember Holden. “We are encouraging all Californians to postpone major energy use until after the solar eclipse.”

“Do Your Thing for the Sun” is an effort in partnership with the California Public Utilities Commission for millions to take action during the Great Solar Eclipse of 2017, an event that happens only once every 50 years. If consumers lower energy use during the eclipse, a time when California’s solar energy production will dip, fewer fossil fuels will be burned.
 
“This campaign creates a unique opportunity to educate Californians on energy-saving strategies that can extend past the hours of the solar eclipse, leading to a cleaner and more environmentally-conscious state,” said Holden.

###

Source: press release from Assemblyman Chris Holden

Drought in Monrovia Still 'Incredibly Dire'; See Starbucks Ad Filmed in Monrovia; Etc.

In his weekly report, City Manager Oliver Chi reports ...

~ While the drought is over for nearly all of California, here in the Main San Gabriel Basin "the situation is still incredibly dire.  Groundwater levels in the Main San Gabriel Basin are still at historic lows, which means our water pumps and wells have to work harder to draw less water.  In addition, while we did get some rain this past winter, the rainfall we did receive only amounted to what we would typically get in an average year.  Following 5+ years of serious drought we experienced before this winter, the rain we did get has not been enough to lift the Main San Gabriel Basin out of a critically dangerous drought situation."

~ A Starbucks ad was filmed in Monrovia. See it here: https://goo.gl/LHCq65

~ Prep work for filming in Old Town for the USA Network pilot "Olive Forever" begins Tuesday, July 18, and filming will take place on July 19 and 20 around Library Park, on Myrtle, and a bit on Lemon and Lime.  Clean up on Friday, July 21.  The film company will pay to have Monrovia Police assist with traffic and pedestrian controls.

~ Foothill Boulevard will get its second coat of striping paint this coming week to complete the project.

~ Monrovia Police Department's 2017 National Night Out will be Tuesday, Aug. 1, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Library Park. Crime and drug awareness, meet the men and women of the Monrovia Police Department, plus, free food, drink, and music.

~ Encinitas Historic District will celebrate becoming the second historic district in town at an event on July 27, at 5 p.m. at the corner of Encinitas and Greystone.

~ Monrovia-Arcadia-Duarte (MAD) Town Council will be honoring Gloria Huss for 12 years of service as a volunteer member of the MAD Town Council.  Gloria owns Monrovia Floral.

~ Oak Crest Institute of Science, in Monrovia, and city staff have developed Summer Extravaganza, a science program that gives participants a hands-on science experience. Each Friday, a group of youth are bused to Oak Crest for a tour, a science lesson, and a chance to do science experiments.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Customer Threatens Employee Because Company Sold Car He Drove From Bakersfield to Buy; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for July 13-16. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Injury Traffic Collision

July 13 at 11:00 a.m., a vehicle collision involving injuries was reported at a business lot in the 1400 block of S. Shamrock. A staff member was driving a customer’s vehicle and hit another employee that was driving a golf cart. The driver of the golf cart suffered a minor head injury and was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Vehicle Burglary

July 14 at 7:03 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in a business parking lot in the 500 block of S. Mountain Avenue. The victim parked and locked her vehicle in the parking lot and 6:00 a.m. When she returned at 7:00 a.m., she noticed her rear passenger side window was shattered. The victim reported that she had left her satchel on the rear seat of the vehicle. The suspect smashed the window, reached in and fled with the satchel. The investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting / Battery – Suspect Arrested

July 14 at 12:43 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain Avenue. A suspect was attempting to leave the business with store merchandise without paying. As the suspect approached the exit doors, he was confronted by the victim who tried to detain him. The suspect battered the victim and attempted to flee. The suspect was detained by loss prevention personnel and placed under citizen’s arrest for battery. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Criminal Threats – Suspect Arrested

July 14 at 8:15 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 700 block of E. Central regarding a subject threatening an employee at the location. The suspect drove to Monrovia from Bakersfield after speaking to a salesman on the phone and confirming they had a vehicle he wanted to buy at the price he wanted to pay. When the suspect arrived at the dealership, the vehicle had already been sold. This infuriated the suspect because he had driven so far and he began threatening to harm the salesman. The suspect was arrested form criminal threats.

Residential Burglary

July 15 at 12:37 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 800 block of W. Hillcrest. The victim called police to report she had just returned home and found a female suspect inside her residence. The suspect fled, running east and out of sight. Officers responded and searched the area, but were unable to locate the suspect. The investigation revealed the suspect made entry into the home through a back sliding glass door and fled when she was confronted by the homeowner. Miscellaneous jewelry was missing. The investigation is continuing.

Fight in Progress / Possible Hit and Run Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested

July 15 at 7:14 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 100 block of Los Angeles regarding subjects fighting and a gun was reportedly seen. When officers arrived, there were multiple subjects and multiple vehicles in the area, including an unoccupied abandoned vehicle. The driver of that vehicle was found hiding on the roof of a home in the area. He was apprehended by officers, arrested and cited for resisting and delaying officers. No gun was located and the reporting party admitted she did not see a gun. Further investigation revealed only a minor conflict had occurred and no other arrests were made.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested

July 16 at 1:58 a.m., officers responded to a residence in the 200 block of W. Lemon regarding a subject trying to break into a home. The officers arrived and found a male subject outside the residence and he was extremely intoxicated. He thought he was at a friend’s house. The subject was too intoxicated to care for his own safety. He was arrested for public intoxication.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested

July 16 at 6:43 a.m., a witness called police and reported a male suspect battering a female in the 300 block of W. Chestnut. Officers arrived and detained both parties involved. The investigation revealed that although there were no visible injuries, the male had battered the female subject, who is his girlfriend. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested

July 16 at 9:45 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 400 block of W. Olive when he observed a male subject on a bicycle that ran a stop sign. The officer stopped the subject and found he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. During a search of his person, drugs were found in his pocket. The suspect was arrested for drug possession and the warrant.

Trespassing – Suspect Arrested

July 16 at 3:30 p.m., a suspect was reported trespassing at a business in the 700 block of E. Huntington. The suspect has been served with a no-trespassing order for the location. Officers arrived, located the suspect and detained him. The video surveillance confirmed the suspect had entered the store in violation of the trespassing order. The suspect was arrested and issued a citation to appear in court on the charges

Monrovia Now Allowing Students to Transfer to Duarte Arts Program

Monrovia Schools decides to allow students to transfer to the Cal School of Arts program in Duarte School District after initially denying the requests. Monrovia Superintendent Katherine Thorossian said the initial problem was based on miscommunication. https://goo.gl/kZrJat

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Schools Seeks to Create 'Robust Arts Program'

At its July 17 meeting (agenda: here) the Monrovia School Board will ...

~ Consider adopting a waiver for the 2017-18 school year to allow Jeffrey Mitchel Golubchick to be an elementary school principal. According to the staff report, the district has been unable to hire a fully credentialed candidate who also has "the background, training and abilities to develop a robust arts program in an elementary setting." Golubchick has a master's degree in educational administration and "also has an extensive educational backgroundin theatre arts and scenography."

~ Consider giving its emloyees a 1.5 percent salary boost retroactive to July 1, 2016.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council To Decide on Bigbelly Trash Cans, Renewal Contract for Northwest

At its next meeting (agenda: https://goo.gl/QGouUq) the Monrovia City Council will ...

~ Will consider leasing (with a state grant) six Bigbelly solar trash compactor bins for $10,584. They hold approximately five times the normal capacity of a standard city trash can and "It is anticipated that by increasing the capacity of the trash cans, staff will spend less time emptying trash cans and can focus on other duties throughout Old Town. In addition, the compactors have built in sensors that communicate real-time status of trash levels to staff and alert them when the trash needs
to be emptied, virtually eliminating the need to check the trash several times a day." They'll be placed in Old Town between the 100-200 block; at the 400, 500, and 600 blocks; and at Library Park. https://goo.gl/yj7Xh1

~ Consider awarding a $9,530,400 contract to Sully-Miller Contracting Company and Merrell-Johnson Companies for the Monrovia Renewal Northwest Area Infrastructure Improvements Project. https://goo.gl/gpmk7N

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Los Gueros



Dinner at Los Gueros, on the north side of Huntington just west of Magnolia. Got the Chicken Monterey (It came with three tortillas) for $14.95 and an iced tea for $2.50. Nice service and filling. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia's Hidden Airplane Mural Revived

A nice photo essay by Gem City Images showing before and after photos of the airplane mural hiding just west of Myrtle between Paradis Ice Cream and Merengue Bakery.  https://goo.gl/PfSbFV

- Brad Haugaard

Cat Burglar TV Pilot to be Filmed in Monrovia

A pilot for a USA Network television series called "Olive Forever" will begin filming segments on July 19 and 20 on Myrtle and in Library Park, according to Old Town's Pam Fitzpatrick (https://goo.gl/YYnyuR). Variety says that the show is about "the exploits of Olive, a mysterious high school student who leads a double-life as a cat burglar." https://goo.gl/4ZeKgu

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Invited Herself for Beer; Bike Stolen - Except for Tire; Man Steals Empty Cash Boxes; Etc.

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

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 423 service events, resulting in 80 investigations.

Petty Theft – Suspect Arrested
July 10 at 1:00 p.m., officers responded to the report of a male, adult suspect running west, away from a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain Avenue. The subject had been seen taking a pair of bolt cutters from the store without paying for them. The suspect was located by police near the Metro Station. He was arrested and issued a citation to appear in court on the charges.

Disturbing Subject / Warrants – Suspect Arrested
July 10 at 8:16 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a business in the 100 block of W. Duarte regarding a disturbing subject in the parking lot. The subject was detained and a computer check revealed she had multiple warrants for her arrest. She was arrested without incident and taken into custody.

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
July 10 at 10:06 p.m., a resident in the 600 block of E. Lime called police to report a female subject who was acting suspicious. She walked up to his residence and asked if she could have a beer with him. Officers arrived, detained the female and discovered she was in possession of drug paraphernalia. She was arrested and issued a citation to appear in court on the charges.

Vandalism – Suspect Arrested
July 11 at 1:04 a.m., officers responded to a motel in the 700 block of W. Huntington on the report of disturbing subjects inside one of the motel rooms. Officers arrived and contacted the subjects. One of the female subjects in the room became very upset because the motel staff called the police and she flipped a table over, causing a portion of the table to break. She was arrested for vandalism.

Petty Theft
July 11 at 9:39 a.m., a bicycle was reported stolen from the 500 block of W. Huntington. The victim secured his bike to a bike rack at work and decided to walk home after work on July 10, leaving the bike. He saw his bike in the bike rack when he left. When he returned the next day at 8:00 a.m., he discovered his bike was missing, with the exception of his front tire, which was still locked to the rack. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
July 11 at 12:00 p.m., a grand theft was reported to police that occurred in the 200 block of McKinley Place. The victim parked his vehicle on the street in front of his residence the evening before. He returned to his vehicle in the morning and started it. He immediately heard a loud noise and then discovered the catalytic converter had been cut off of his vehicle. The investigation is continuing.

Vandalism
July 12 at 12:05 a.m., a vandalism incident was reported at a business in the 1800 block of S. Myrtle. The cleaning crew arrived to clean the business and noticed the front window was cracked. A large rock was found next to the window. No suspects were seen. The investigation is continuing.

Commercial Burglary
July 12 at 3:59 a.m., officers responded to an alarm activation at a business in the 700 block of W. Huntington. Officers arrived and saw there was an open door. Surveillance footage revealed a male Hispanic suspect using a pry bar to open the exit doors. He entered the business, took three cashboxes from the registers and fled through the same door. He entered a black, 4-door BMW on the passenger side and the vehicle fled the area, heading east on Huntington. The cashboxes were all empty. The investigation is continuing.

Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
July 12 at 10:10 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the 700 block of S. Fifth regarding a suspicious female subject loitering on private property. When the officer arrived, he detained the subject, who started reaching into a black jacket. The officer told her to take her hand out of the jacket, which she did, and placed something under the jacket. During a search, the officer recovered a small purse under the jacket, which contained a baggie of methamphetamine and a drug smoking pipe. The suspect was arrested for possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia.

Man Sentenced for Murdering Monrovia Woman

Jose Roberto Turner, 49, of Pasadena, has been sentenced to 26 years to life for strangling LaJoya McCoy, 31, of Monrovia, his girlfriend and the mother of his children. https://goo.gl/5myFQw

- Brad Haugaard