Monrovia Council to Consider Marijuana Regulations

At its next meeting the Monrovia City Council (agenda: https://goo.gl/LxEtYG) will, among other things ...

~ Consider adopting staff recommentdations for new marijuana growing regulations "that (1) prohibit the issuance of a business license for all commercial cannabis activity except for laboratory testing and manufacturing facilities, (2) prohibit all commercial cannabis uses except for laboratory testing and manufacturing facilities, (3) prohibit outdoor cannabis cultivation, and (4) regulate indoor cannabis cultivation in private residences." Some adjustment to the city's regulations are required due to changing state law. The staff recommendaton is more restrictive than the regulations initially proposed by the Planning Commission, which was prepared to allow outside cultivation of marijuana. https://goo.gl/fSKHQ9

~ Consider a "Mills Act Contract" for the historic landmark house at 200 E. Lime (aka the Tillapaugh House), which will give the new owner a tax break: https://goo.gl/xsPf51

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Smashburger Temporarily Closed to Fix Cockroach Problem, Newspaper Reports

Smashburger Restaurant was temporarily closed, from Oct. 4-6, due to cockroaches, according to a report in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. The restaurant is at 602 W. Huntington Drive, Monrovia. https://goo.gl/3g5h8r

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Something Healthy

Lunch at Something Healthy, on the east side of Shamrock just north of Huntington. Got the Farmer Sandwich with turkey for $8.59 (it came with a bag of chips) and an iced tea for $1.50. Tasted good. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police: No License and She Was Selling Marijuana; Brother-Sister Fight; Gardener Ripped Off; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for October 9-11. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 412 service events, resulting in 63 investigations. 

Theft of Gardening Equipment

October 10 at 11:03 a.m., a citizen patrol officer was on patrol in the 400 block of Highland when he was flagged down by a gardener. The gardener told him a male suspect in a gray Ford truck just stole his yard trimmer and fled the area. An officer searched the area for the suspect vehicle, but it was not located. The investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested

October 10 at 5:16 p.m., units responded to the intersection of Peck and Live Oak regarding a traffic collision. A male subject in a pickup truck was driving west on Live Oak and collided with a Sheriff’s Department vehicle. There were no injuries. Further investigation revealed the driver of the pickup was driving under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested for DUI.

Possession of Marijuana for Sales – Suspect Arrested

October 10 at 9:49 p.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle on Duarte at Mayflower. The 17-year-old female driver was found to be unlicensed. She was arrested for driving without a license. During an inventory search of the vehicle, approximately 13 pounds of marijauna and cash was located. The driver was charged with an infraction due to her age for the marijuana, in addition to the unlicensed driver charge. The driver was later released to her guardian.

Battery / Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested

October 10 at 9:49 p.m., police dispatch received numerous calls regarding a disturbance at a location in the 1300 block of Alta Vista. Officers arrived and found a male subject bleeding from a laceration to his head. A female subject was also at the location and was extremely intoxicated. The investigation revealed the two subjects are siblings and were involved in a physical altercation. It was unknown how the male sustained the injury. Both subjects refused prosecution and the male subject was taken to the hospital for treatment. The female was arrested for public intoxication.

 Grand Theft Auto

October 11 at 2:09 p.m., a grand theft was reported in the 100 block of W. Olive. An unknown suspect entered a parking garage at the location and stole a scooter from the garage. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft

October 11 at 4:17 p.m., a grand theft was reported at a hotel in the 900 block of S. Fifth Avenue. A female staying at the location reported that she placed an expensive ring on the kitchen counter in her room and left the location. When she returned in the early evening, the ring was missing. The investigation is continuing. 

New Book Out on Monrovia's Renaissance

Former Monrovia public information officer, Dick Singer, has a new book out, called, "Renaissance Years: A History of Modern Monrovia." Here's a review: https://goo.gl/Y93rDi (Unfortunately the article gives no clue where to get the book. Dick, where can people get Renaissance Years?)

Update: See comments for where to buy the book.

- Brad Haugaard

Canyon Park Open Again

The gate is open again at Monrovia Canyon Park. I guess the fire danger has subsided. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Make a Difference; Family Affair Music Closing? AeroVironment Gets Military Contract

~ Make a Difference Day, Saturday, Oct. 28, from 8 a.m. to noon at Library Park. tools, equipment and lunch provided. Individual, family, and group opportunities. Sponsored by Volunteer Center of San Gabriel Valley. For more information: 256-8187

~ Family Affair Music in Old Town expects to close after 45 years: https://goo.gl/YVNrRB

~ Monrovia drone-maker AeroVironment got a $2.5 million contract with the military for "multiple Blackwing vehicles, sensor payloads and refurbishment kits." https://goo.gl/ik2x1V

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia - Brew City! Reservoir Upgrade Will Be Tough on Neighbors; Taste of Old Town; Build a Bat House; Etc.

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

~ This coming Wednesday, Oct. 11, the Planning Commission will consider a Conditional Use Permit to allow Wingwalker Brewing to operate a microbrewery at 235  W. Maple Ave. If approved, the craft brewery will make specialty beer and offer samples in a tasting room that will be open to the public. If approved,  Wingwalker Brewing will be the second craft brewery on Maple Avenue, and the fourth craft brewery in Monrovia.  Recently, Over Town Brewing Company was approved to operate at 227  W. Maple Ave.  We also have Pacific Plate and Hop Secret. Chi writes, "It would appear that Monrovia is developing a reputation as a semi-underground but super cool craft brewery scene."

~ The upgrade of Oakglade Reservoir, due to begin in late December or January, will be "very invasive for the residents that live off of Oakglade Drive and Ridgeside Drive," but the city will work with the neighbors. The existing 900,000 gallon Oakglade Reservoir will be replaced with a 1.5-million-gallon reservoir, which will increase supply capacity by 67% and improve emergency water storage requirements.

~ A Taste of Old Town Monrovia is coming up on Oct. 15, from 5 to 8 p.m. It will showcase Old Town merchants and restaurants. Tickets: https://goo.gl/qj9125

~ For the Halloween season, Monrovia Canyon Park is hosting a Build-a-Bat-Box event at the Nature Center on Sunday, Oct. 29, from 1-3 p.m. A common little brown bat can eat between 800 and 1,000 mosquitoes in a single night. (Comment: And with the Zika and West Nile mosquitoes coming to town, bats are our friends!)

~ Mayflower Avenue between Foothill and Linwood will be closed from around 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day through the end of October to  replace nearly 600 linear feet of sewer line with larger pipe.  As the sewer line is in the middle of Mayflower, they have to close the whole street, though residents will always have access. Construction should be finished by the end of October.  For questions contact Public Works at 932-5575.

~ Construction crews are completing concrete work at Julian Fisher Park, including a new seat wall, a pathway through the park to the sidewalk, new basketball courts, and the foundation for the new Portland Loo-style public restroom.

~ Irwindale-based Mariposa Landscapes will take on the routine landscape maintenance of the City's parks, medians, right of way areas, and other open spaces, of which the city has approximately 66 landscaped acres. The transition will begin in December.

~ The city has received five new buses to replace buses that were put into service in 2007/8, all of which have over 200,000 miles on them. They should begin operations later this month.

~ Move Monrovia will celebrate the city's Bike Master Plan. Participants can ride to a ribbon cutting celebration of the new Class III Bike Routes, which include new "Share the Road" signs and painted sharrows along the bike path route. Oct. 21, 8 a.m. at Recreation Park.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Canyon Park Closed - Fire Danger

Fire danger. Monrovia Canyon Park closed, even to hikers and bicyclists. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police: Lost 5-Year-Old Rescued; Drunk Driving; Stopped at Green Light - Sleeping

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for October 5-8. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Child Endangerment – Suspect Arrested
October 5 at 3:29 p.m., officers responded to the 300 block of W. Huntington regarding a 5-year-old child wandering around in his pajamas and crying. The officer found the boy, but he was unable to communicate very well and couldn't provide much information. Officers drove the child around the area until he pointed out his home on Central Avenue, over four blocks away from where he was found. No one was home at the residence. Approximately one hour after the child was reported wandering, the child’s 27-year-old brother showed up at the residence and said he left him alone to go run errands. The brother was arrested for child endangerment.

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia / Warrant – Suspects Arrested
October 5 at 10:49 p.m., a suspicious vehicle was reported to police in the 300 block of Bradbury. When officers arrived, two subjects exited the vehicle and started to walk away. They were detained by officers and a consent search of one of the subjects revealed a methamphetamine pipe in his pocket. A computer check revealed the same subject also had a warrant for his arrest. A consent search of the vehicle revealed another methamphetamine pipe in the front passenger door. The second subject, who was in control of the vehicle, was also arrested.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
October 6 at 1:36 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the area of Myrtle and Camino Real when he observed a driver commit a traffic violation. When the officer stopped the vehicle and made contact with the driver, he noticed the driver displayed signs of being intoxicated. Through investigation, the driver was determined to be driving under the influence of alcohol and was arrested.

Shoplifting / Warrants – Suspect Arrested
October 6 at 7:49 p.m., loss prevention personnel at a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington called police to report a shoplifter. The suspect selected a large quantity of merchandise and left the store without paying for the items. The suspect was stopped outside of the store and the property was recovered. The suspect was arrested, booked and also found to have a number of outstanding warrants for his arrest. He was held pending his court appearance.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
October 6 at 10:11 p.m., a business in the 100 block of W. Foothill called police to report a disturbing subject at the business that was refusing to leave. Officers arrived and made contact with the subject. A computer check revealed he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. The subject was arrested, booked and held pending his court appearance.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
October 7 at 2:25 a.m., an officer observed a driver commit a vehicle code violation in the 3000 block of S. Peck and made a traffic stop. The driver displayed obvious signs of intoxication. The investigation determined the driver was driving under the influence of alcohol. She was arrested, booked, and held for a sobering period.

Hit and Run Traffic Collision
October 7 at 4:40 a.m., a suspicious vehicle was reported at the scene of what appeared to be a traffic collision in the 100 block of W. Duarte Road. The investigation revealed the driver struck the curb with the vehicle, knocked over a city street light, and then locked the vehicle and fled on foot. The vehicle was impounded and the investigation is continuing.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
October 7 at 11:15 p.m., a disturbing patron was reported at a business in the 400 block of S. Myrtle. The patron was refusing to leave. Officers arrived, contacted the subject and determined he was too intoxicated to care for his own safety. He was arrested, booked, and held for a sobering period.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
October 8 at 4:40 a.m., a suspicious vehicle was reported in the 400 block of E. Duarte Road. The driver was still inside and appeared to be passed out behind the wheel. Officers arrived, contacted the driver and the investigation revealed the driver was too intoxicated to operate a motor vehicle. The suspect was arrested, booked, and held for a sobering period.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
October 9 at 4:01 a.m., a vehicle in the 600 block of Royal Oaks was reported to police. The driver had stopped at a green light and appeared to be asleep at the wheel. Officers arrived and contacted the driver. Through investigation, they determined he was too intoxicated to operate a motor vehicle. He was arrested, booked, and held for a sobering period. 

Monrovia Firehouse Open House

Monrovia Fire & Rescue will hold an open house on Saturday, October 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fire Station 101 (141 E. Lemon) to celebrate Fire Prevention Week. The theme, "Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out," is to encourage residents to have an escape plan in case of an emergency.

At the event you can meet firefighters, kids can participate in a Junior Firefighter Challenge designed to simulate firefighter drills, and firefighters will perform an auto extrication demonstration to show the tools and procedures the Fire Department uses to extricate individuals who are trapped due to an automobile accident.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Firefighters Battle Blaze

The fire is at the southeast corner of Magnolia and Chestnut, apparently at Mosher's Garage, or at least in the same building . Lots of old classic cars there. 

Update: Appears to be about out. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia's Mt. Sierra College Starting Film Institute

Monrovia's Mt. Sierra College is starting a film institute at the school: https://goo.gl/4Tyauf

- Brad Haugaard

Celebrate the Arts Today; Victory over South Pas :-)

~ Monrovia's Celebrate the Arts festival continues today at Library Park - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Here are some pictures from Saturday:  https://goo.gl/DvBSdf

~ Monrovia beat South Pas in football. :-) https://goo.gl/MkJapk

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School District May Hire Federal Government Lobbyist for $30,000 a Year

At its Oct. 11 meeting (agenda: https://goo.gl/Ddx7Hn), the Monrovia Board of Education will consider, among other things, hiring a lobbying firm for $30,000 a year. "David Turch and Associates (DTA) [will] act as federal advocate on behalf of the District and advise, counsel and represent MUSD in its affairs with the Legislative and Executive branches of the federal government." https://goo.gl/dtPS9V

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Cafe X2O

Dinner at Cafe X2O on the north side of Foothill just east of Alta Vista. Got the chicken shawarma (new on the menu) or $11 and a draft beer at the $3 happy hour price. It was delish! I liked it a lot. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Amada Miyachi Consolidates Its Newly Purchased Company to Monrovia

The San Diego office of UK-based MacGregor Welding Systems was moved to the Amada Miyachi America offices in Monrovia on September 1.

Amada Miyachi Europe acquired UK-based MacGregor Welding Systems, a designer and manufacturer of precision micro joining equipment, along with its USA facility, MacGregor Systems. With this acquisition, Amada Miyachi expanded its range of products and services to meet the complete joining needs of its global customer base.

"Acquiring MacGregor creates an excellent opportunity to grow the business through the effective collaboration of the Amada Miyachi and MacGregor teams and to further develop new resistance welding and other welding products that meet the demands of modern industrial customers worldwide," said David Fawcett, Group CEO and President Amada Miyachi America and Amada Miyachi Europe.

"Integrating MacGregor's capabilities with those at our Monrovia facility will leverage MacGregor's engineering capabilities, excellent customer relationships, and differentiated product line," he added.

Source: Amada Miyachi press release

- Brad Haugaard

Free, Professional, Car Wash - No Donations, Saturday

Monrovia's Calvary Road Baptist Church is offering a free car wash "supervised by experienced professionals," plus hot dogs and refreshments tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 7, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. "Just bring your dirty car and an appetite, no donations needed or accepted." The Church is on the north side of Olive a half block west of Magnolia.

- Brad Haugaard

Portantino to Be Honored for Commitment to Education

This evening, Senator Anthony Portantino, who represents Monrovia, will be recognized as the 2017 Policymaker of the Year by the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities "for his outstanding commitment to higher education and continuous support of students attending California's private, nonprofit colleges and universities." The award is presented annually to an individual or organization who has exhibited strong leadership benefiting higher education. Portantino is the Chair of the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Car Wheels Stolen; Burglary Thwarted; Very Drunk; Shoplifter Covers License Plate

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for October 2-4. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 427 service events, resulting in 89 investigations.

Grand Theft
October 2 at 11:29 a.m., a grand theft was reported at a business in the 1600 block of S. Magnolia. Two male suspects wearing hooded sweatshirts were seen on surveillance video taking the wheels off of a Dodge Charger at the facility. The investigation is continuing.

Possession of Burglary Tools / Patrol Hold – Suspect Arrested
October 3 at 3:53 p.m., a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain called police to report a possible theft in progress. Two suspicious suspects were at the business. One went into the store and began loading a basket with merchandise. The second suspect was in a vehicle outside waiting for him with a child in the car. Security called police and as officers arrived on scene, the suspect outside warned the suspect inside, who then exited the store without the merchandise. A traffic stop was conducted on the suspect waiting outside in the vehicle, who was parked in a fire lane. The driver was found to be on parole and in possession of burglary tools. He was arrested and a parole hold was placed on him. The Department of Children and Family Services was contacted regarding the child, who was ultimately released to her mother.

Shoplifting
October 3 at 7:28 p.m., employees at a business in the 700 block of W. Huntington recognized a group of subjects in the store that had committed thefts at their other store locations. The group selected numerous items and fled through the rear doors. They fled the area in a green Nissan. The investigation is continuing.

Public Intoxication / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
October 3 at 10:48 p.m., officers responded to the 400 block of E. Colorado regarding a report of a male subject causing a disturbance. They arrived and determined the subject was extremely intoxicated and unable to care for his own safety. A computer check revealed the subject also had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Shoplifting
October 3 at 11:00 p.m., a shoplifting incident was reported at a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain. A male suspect selected a power saw from a shelf and fled out the front door to a waiting vehicle. The vehicle's plates were covered and the suspects fled the area in the vehicle. Officers searched the area, but were not able to locate the suspects or vehicle. The investigation is continuing.

Felony Vandalism
October 4 at 10:26 a.m., a felony vandalism was reported in the 100 block of Spanner. The incident occurred sometime between midnight and 9:45 a.m. Four vehicles were keyed on the sides and hoods. The investigation is continuing.

Domestic Violence
October 4 at 1:58 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 200 block of W. Palm regarding the report of an assault. The female victim told officers she was assaulted by her boyfriend, who fled the location prior to police arrival. Officers conducted an area search for the suspect, but he was not located. The investigation is continuing.