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Christmas Eve in Monrovia

I always enjoy the manger scene in front of Monrovia First Presbyterian Church. 

Also worth seeing: 

- Valmont Drive. The whole block is lit up. Take Norumbega north almost to the hills. Valmont is on the left.

- A house on the east side of Primrose just south of Greystone has lights that dance to music you can hear through your car radio. The frequency is posted on a sign out front. 

- Alta Vista just north of Hillcrest is decorated in a community theme. 

What am I missing?

- Brad Haugaard 

Rocket Launch Seen From Monrovia




SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket shortly after it takes off from Vandenberg Air Force Base at 5:27 p.m. tonight.

- Brad Haugaard

Four Arrests in Gem City Grill Shootings

Four arrests in Gem City Grill shootings, in which Monrovian Michael Lowe died. Three more suspects are being sought. https://goo.gl/p3jPGz

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at The Monrovian


Lunch at The Monrovian, at Myrtle and Colorado. Got the Grilled Chirizo Sandwich (chorizo, egg, cheese) off the lunch menu for $9.95 and an iced tea for $2.69. Nice!

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police: Old Man Arrested for Meth; Toolbox Stolen from Old Train Depot; Two Wallets Stolen Stolen While Shopping; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for December 18-20. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 408 service events, resulting in 69 investigations.

Possession of a Controlled Substance / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
December 18 at 11:08 a.m., an elderly male subject that was acting suspicious in the 200 block of E. Chestnut was reported to police. The subject was knocking on doors and messing around with a water hose at a residence. Officers arrived and contacted the subject. A consent search of the subject revealed a pouch which contained methamphetamine. The subject was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and was found to have an outstanding no-bail probation warrant.

Grand Theft
December 18 at 8:47 p.m., a grand theft was reported in the 100 block of W. Lime. The victim parked her vehicle on the street and left her purse in the vehicle with the doors unlocked. When she returned to the vehicle, she found her purse had been stolen. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft – Suspect Arrested
December 18 at 10:18 p.m., a grand theft of a bicycle was reported in the 700 block of E. Huntington. Officers responded to the area and located the bicycle. A subject was detained in the area and admitted to stealing the bicycle. The subject was arrested for the theft.

Burglary
December 19 at 6:51 a.m., unknown suspects picked the lock and made entry into the old train depot in the 1700 block of S. Myrtle. The suspects stole tools from a toolbox inside the depot. The investigation is continuing.

Warrants – Suspect Arrested
December 19 at 1:52 p.m., officers responded to the 600 block of W. Huntington regarding the report of a subject acting suspicious. Officers contacted the subject and found he had three outstanding warrants. The subject was arrested for the warrants.

Theft
December 19 at 3:15 p.m., a theft was reported at a business in the 600 block of W. Huntington. An elderly female was shopping at the store and left her open purse inside her shopping cart. An unknown suspect stole the wallet out of her purse without her knowledge. When she tried to pay for her merchandise, she discovered the theft. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary
December 19 at 3:39 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a residential burglary that occurred in the 600 block of W. Olive. The resident left her home at 1200 noon and all doors and windows were locked. When she returned at 3:00 p.m., she found that someone had kicked in the back door. The loss is undetermined until the victim can inventory the location. The investigation is continuing.

Theft / Assault – Suspect Arrested
December 20 at 3:54 p.m., a theft and assault were reported at a business in the 300 block of W. Huntington. A male suspect concealed merchandise in his clothing and as he was walking toward the registers, a loss prevention officer stopped him and asked him for the property he concealed. The subject gave the loss prevention officer the property and the officer told him to stay there, but the subject walked out the doors. The loss prevention officer followed the subject and again told him to stay. The subject then hit him in the face with his fists. Bystanders called police and a citizen’s arrest was completed on the subject for assault and theft. The suspect was arrested.

Grand Theft Auto
December 20 at 4:46 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 1600 block of S. Mountain. The victim parked his 1999 Ford F350 in a business parking lot and left for approximately 4 hours. When he returned, the vehicle was not there. All keys are accounted for and the doors and windows were secured. The investigation is continuing.

Theft
December 20 at 5:27 p.m., a theft was reported at a business in the 900 block of W. Duarte. The victim said she was shopping at the store and her wallet was stolen without her knowing. She received a call from her credit card company asking about a purchase and that is how she realized it had been stolen. The investigation is continuing.

Possession of Controlled Substance / Warrants – Suspect Arrested
December 20 at 10:40 p.m., officers responded to the area of Mayflower and Palm regarding two male subjects arguing. They arrived and contacted the two subjects. One subject was found to have multiple warrants for his arrest. He was arrested for the warrants and when he was searched, officers located methamphetamine in his pocket. He was taken into custody. 

See Rocket Launch Early Friday Evening

According to Monrovia Old Town Astronomers and assuming everything goes as planned, you should be able to see the dramatic exhaust plume of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket shortly after it takes off from Vandenberg Air Force Base at 5:27 p.m. Friday, tomorrow. Look to the west. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Changes Planned for New Year's Eve Party; Parade Award Winners; Playground Finished

In his weekly update, City Manager Oliver Chi reports:

~ There will be a few changes at the New Year's Eve festival on Myrtle:

  • Instead of having a single beer garden, restaurants with a liquor license can expand their service area into the street. 
  • Live music in various locations in Old Town from 6 to 9 p.m.
  • Live music at the intersection or Myrtle and Lemon from 9 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.
  • Enhanced seating with heaters and lights at the intersection or Myrtle and Lemon from 6 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.
  • Child Care services from 6 p.m. - 1 a.m. for $20 at the Library Community Room.
  • "Small bites" from Old Town restaurants.
  • Opportunity for retail shops to hold sidewalk sale.
  • Ball raising at midnight.
  • Shuttle from Station Square.
  • Lyft/Uber drop off and pick up at Library Park.

~ Winners in the Monrovia Holiday Parade are: Best Band – Santa Fe Middle School

  • Best Float – Foothill Oaks Academy
  • Best Themed Entry – Bradoaks Elementary School
  • Judges Award – Plymouth Elementary School
  • Best Cheerleading Squad – Monrovia High School Cheerleaders
  • Best Dance Troop – Infinity Roller Derby
  • Spirit of Santa Award – Monrovia Reads

~ The resurfacing of the Library Park Playground is complete and the playground has been reopened.

- Brad Haugaard

Husband of Monrovia’s Congresswoman Dies

The husband of Congresswoman Grace Napolitano has died of esophageal cancer, according to a report by the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership. Napolitano represents much of Monrovia. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Widow Faces Husband’s Killer in Court

Monrovia widow Erica Nelson faces off her husband’s drunk driver killer in court. https://goo.gl/TK4eKw

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Rotary Sponsors Blood Drive

Monrovia Rotary Club is sponsoring a blood drive on Wednesday, Jan. 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 800 Royal Oaks Drive, Monrovia. Walk-ins welcome but you can make a reservation here (https://goo.gl/qkw2tM) or by calling City of Hope at 218-7171.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Hiking Shortcut Leads to Fall; Lots of Drunk Driving; Drunk Accidents; Jimmying Mail Boxes; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for December 14-17. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Traffic Collision
December 14 at 7:40 a.m., a traffic collision was reported at Duarte and Myrtle. A driver was traveling east on Duarte, approaching Myrtle, when a vehicle pulled away from the curb and failed to yield, colliding into the vehicle. No one was injured in the incident.

Traffic Collision
December 14 at 12:36 p.m., a traffic collision was reported in the 100 block of W. Olive. A driver was traveling east on Olive and began to make a left turn into an alley, failing to yield to oncoming traffic. She collided into a vehicle traveling west on Olive. There were no injuries involved.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
December 14 at 4:02 p.m., an officer on patrol saw a vehicle run the red light at Myrtle and Foothill. The officer stopped the vehicle, and further investigation determined the driver was driving under the influence of alcohol. The driver was arrested for DUI and held for a sobering period.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
December 14 at 6:09 p.m., loss prevention at a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington called police regarding a male and female subject they were detaining for shoplifting. The female subject had placed store merchandise in her purse and left the store without paying for the items. An officer was dispatched and handled the investigation. The female subject was arrested for shoplifting and the male subject was released.

Trespassing – Suspect Arrested
December 14 at 7:50 p.m., a resident in the 200 block of E. Pomona called police to report his adult son was trespassing and disturbing their peace. The son has an active no-trespassing order signed against him. The subject was contacted and arrested.

Attempted Mail Theft
December 14 at 9:36 p.m., a resident in the 1400 block of Monterey witnessed a subject attempting to force open the mailboxes at an apartment complex. A tenant came out and scared the suspect away. The mailbox locks appeared to have been damaged. The suspect was not located and the investigation is continuing.

Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
December 15 at 7:47 p.m., a traffic collision was reported in the 800 block of W. Colorado. A driver was dropping off his son in front of the high school and was parked along the north curb. As he pulled away from the curb, he collided into a vehicle that was traveling west on Colorado. The driver who was traveling west on Colorado was determined to be driving under the influence with a suspended driver's license. He was arrested and taken into custody for DUI.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
December 16 at 2:11 a.m., an officer stopped a vehicle for unsafe speed in the 700 block of W. Huntington. The investigation determined the driver was too impaired to drive a motor vehicle safely. He was arrested for DUI and the vehicle was stored.

Traffic Collision
December 16 at 3:42 p.m., a traffic collision was reported in the 700 block of W. Huntington. A driver was traveling in the number two lane heading eastbound on Huntington, just east of Encino. The driver attempted to make a lane change and sideswiped the vehicle in the number one lane. The driver making the lane change was issued a citation at the scene. No injuries were reported.

Vehicle Burglary
December 16 at 3:46 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 200 block of California Avenue. The victim parked his vehicle in front of the location the day before, and when he returned to his vehicle the next day, he saw the lock on the driver-side door was dislodged. Construction tools had been stolen from inside the vehicle. The investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
December 16 at 9:12 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 900 block of W. Huntington. The victim reported that someone forced the window open to her SUV and took a purse and a speaker from inside the vehicle. The investigation is continuing.

Package Theft / Attempted Mail Theft
December 16 at 9:19 p.m., a package theft was reported in the 900 block of California. The victim was expecting a package during the day while both residents were at work. When they arrived home, the package was not there. The investigation is continuing.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
December 16 at 10:34 p.m., an officer was on patrol in the 1000 block of Oakleaf and stopped a vehicle for impeding traffic. A computer check revealed the female passenger of the vehicle had a warrant for shoplifting out of Arcadia. She was arrested and taken into custody for the warrant.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
December 17 at 12:57 a.m., an employee from a business in the 400 block of W. Huntington called police to report a male adult subject who was loitering in their restaurant and acting strange. An officer arrived and contacted the subject, who was walking east on Huntington. The subject was found to be too intoxicated to care for himself or others and was arrested for being drunk in public.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
December 17 at 12:58 a.m., an officer stopped a vehicle at California and Huntington for vehicle code violations. Further investigation revealed the driver was too impaired to drive a motor vehicle safely. He was arrested for DUI and the vehicle was stored.

Grand Theft
December 17 at 1:01 p.m., an employee at a church in the 100 block of W. Palm reported that cash was taken from a locked drawer in their thrift store. The money was taken sometime between December 14 through 17. The investigation is continuing.

Missing Hikers Located
December 17 at 1:21 p.m., a husband and wife that had gone on a hike with their dog in Canyon Park were reported lost. Apparently, they took a wrong trail which led them to a dead end. Rather than back tracking, they tried to take a shortcut, which led them to a cliff area, where the female fell. The couple and dog were then stranded on the side of the cliff. It took the Foothill Air Support Team helicopter about an hour to find them and all three were airlifted. They were then transported to a hospital for treatment of scrapes and bruises.

Theft From a Vehicle
December 17 at 2:58 p.m., a theft from a vehicle was reported in the 800 block of W. Duarte. The victim parked her vehicle in the carport area of her apartment complex and left her vehicle unlocked and the windows down. When she returned to the vehicle, someone had stolen her handicap placard from her car. 

Christmas Cantata This Sunday

Christmas cantata, “When Earth Received Her King,” at Calvary Road Baptist Church (319 W. Olive) Sunday, Dec. 17 at 6 p.m. Refreshments to follow. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Council: Give City Manager a Raise? Two New Taxes

At its Tuesday, Dec. 19 meeting (agenda: https://goo.gl/H2gA76) the Monrovia City Council will consider ...

~ Giving City Manager Oliver Chi a 5 percent raise, to $18,363.51 per month. The staff report says that would still put him below the pay of other local cities. https://goo.gl/J2qqLb

~ Holding a special election on June 5 to vote on a hotel bed tax to help pay for unfunded retirement liability. https://goo.gl/ghE7RA

~ Creating districts where new housing is likely to be built, and levy an additional tax on new housing built in those areas. Again, to help help pay for unfunded retirement costs. https://goo.gl/VpV8oQ


- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Mikomi Sushi



Dinner at Mikomi Sushi on the east side of Myrtle just south of the theater. Got the Spicy Chicken entree ($14), which comes with miso soup, salad and tempura, and a beer for $7.95.  Really quite good food! And a lot; had to take some home.

- Brad Haugaard 

Navy Commander Surprises His Children at Monrovia Schools

A touching story of Navy Commander Jeffrey Mitchel who arrived home to Monrovia early and surprises his children in their schools. https://goo.gl/ZjNwVJ

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Serial Shoplifter; Truck With Keys Stolen; Auto Thief Will Return Car 'When He's Ready'; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for December 11-13. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 441 service events, resulting in 74 investigations.

Vehicle Tampering
December 11 at 10:04 p.m., an incident of vehicle tampering was reported in the 800 block of W. Olive. The victim stated that someone entered his unlocked vehicle and went through it, but it appeared nothing was taken. The investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting
December 11 at 2:10 p.m., the manager of a business in the 400 block of W. Huntington called police to report a shoplifter. A male suspect entered a business and filled up a bag with items. He then exited the store with the merchandise and the manager ran after him. The business reported that the same suspect has stolen items before from them. The suspect dropped the stolen items and fled the scene. The store desires prosecution. An area check was conducted, but the suspect was not found. The investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
December 11 at 8:13 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 900 block of Monterey. The victim parked her vehicle at the location at 2:00 p.m. and returned at 8:00 p.m. The passenger window had been shattered and the vehicle was ransacked. It appears that nothing was taken from the vehicle. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
December 12 at 8:17 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 600 block of E. Colorado. The victim parked his vehicle on the street and went inside for the evening. The next morning, his girlfriend looked out the window and saw the truck being driven away from the location. She told the victim, who then realized he had left his keys in the vehicle. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
December 12 at 9:25 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 200 block of W. Colorado. The vehicle was parked at the victim’s residence. The following day it was not there and a family member called the victim to tell her that a male subject they all knew was driving the vehicle. The family member told the male subject he needed to return the car, but the subject replied that he would return it when he was ready. The vehicle was entered as stolen and the male subject entered as the suspect. The investigation is continuing.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision
December 12 at 11:04 a.m., a hit and run traffic collision was reported in the 500 block of W. Palm Avenue. The suspect driver struck two vehicles on Palm and fled the area. A witness reported that the suspect vehicle is a green, box-type Scion. The vehicle was last seen traveling east on Foothill from the area. Officers arrived and checked the area, but were unable to locate the vehicle. The investigation is continuing.

Sign Up for Home Security Rebate; Congrats to Fire Department; New Bed Tax; Etc.

From City Manager Oliver Chi's his weekly update ...

~ Monrovia's Home Security Rebate Program has been approved and the city will begin accepting applications in January. The program will rebate you up to $250 when you install a home security system. If you are interested send an email to securityrebate@ci.monrovia.ca.us. You'll be notified when the City begins to accept applications.

~ Congratulated the fire department and other personnel who jumped on the Norumbega fire and doused it so quickly. Comment: Yes! Much appreciated.

~ Just as other fire agencies helped Monrovia, Monrovia has also been sending firefighting support for the fires in the San Diego and Santa Barbara areas.

~ In case of future evacuation orders, "the City will always utilize law enforcement personnel to start knocking on doors to personally notify residents of the need to evacuate."

~ Monrovia's RED Program is designed to help elderly and disabled citizens who may not be able to help themselves in critical and life-threatening situations, such as evacuations. To sign up for the program, contact the Monrovia Fire Department at 256-8181, or visit Fire Station 101 (141 East Lemon Avenue).

~ As part of Monrovia's response to its huge unfunded retirement problem the city wants to raise the bed tax on hotels from 10 to 12 percent. It will have to go on the ballot of a special election in June 2018. Chi said "Staff has spoken with the DoubleTree, Courtyard Marriott, and the developer of the proposed Marriott TownePlace Suite hotel about the proposed 2% increase" and they're okay with it.

~ Horse-drawn carriage rides for $5 on Thursdays and Sundays this month in Old Town. Thursdays, Dec. 14 and 21, from 5-8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, from 3-6 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Basketball 'Thriller' Victory; Christmas Parade on Video

~ The Monrovia High boys basketball team beat Bellflower 97-93 in a double-overtime thriller. https://goo.gl/BehGwr

~ Here's the Monrovia Christmas Parade on video, if you missed it in person: https://goo.gl/Mjy4zq

- Brad Haugaard

Unity Center Food Distribution Day on Dec. 16

Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center will hold a food distribution day for families with children on Saturday, Dec. 16, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Ayres Hall, at the LA County Arboretum in Arcadia. Packing Day will be Friday, Dec. 15, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Each family will take home a holiday food box with a meat and the makings for a traditional dinner. Boxes are packed to family size. Families with children will also take home bags of unwrapped gifts specifically requested by their kids through the Center’s Adopt an Angel program. The bags are opaque, so families can wrap and give them as part of their own holiday traditions.

More than 400 youth and adult volunteers will work together to pack nearly 1,000 holiday food boxes and organize the gift bags Friday in preparation for the distribution day on Saturday, staffed by more than 150 volunteers.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Chamber of Commerce Award Winners

Monrovia Chamber of Commerce award winners:

~ Stephen Bray will receive the Iris Award, equivalent to Citizen of the Year.

~ The 2017 Monroe Award honoree, for business person of the year, will go to Paul Kalemkiarian.

~ Penny Arroyo, of Volunteer Center of San Gabriel Valley, has been selected as the recipient of the
Service to the Chamber Award.

~ The Military Service & Stewardship Award will be presented to Gene Glasco.

Source: https://goo.gl/cs9LPk

- Brad Haugaard