Monrovia Travel Switches to Online

Monrovia Travel Service, at the corner of Myrtle and Lime, is closing its storefront and switching to online and telephone. On request, agents will meet with clients in person. https://is.gd/iD629M

- Brad Haugaard

Could Reach 103 Degrees Today

Heat warning today. Temperatures up to between 95-103 degrees is expected.  From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. today. https://is.gd/o9vWdH

- Brad Haugaard

Free Youth and Adult Leadership Programs for Monrovians

Monrovia Area Partnership (MAP) will be holding free leadership programs for both youth and adults this fall.

The purpose of MAP is to use "education, training, networking, and activism" to "make Monrovia a fun, safe, and vibrant place to live."

Youth Leadership

The 8-week Youth Leadership Academy starts on September 9 and goes until October 28. Classes held on Wednesday's from 3:30-5 p.m. Participants must be in grades 6-12.

Sept. 9 - Get to Know MAP & Each Other

Sept. 16 - Caring for Yourself & Others

Sept. 23 - How to be a Leader

Sept. 30 - Virtual Tour of Monrovia

Oct. 7 - Virtual Ride Along with Monrovia PD

Oct. 14 - Public Speaking Do's & Don'ts

Oct. 21 - Career Day

Oct. 28 - Action!

Nov. 17 - Virtual Graduation @ City Council Zoom Meeting

Details: https://is.gd/RTym4k

Adult Leadership

The 8-week Adult Leadership Academy starts on September 10 and goes until October 29. Classes held on Thursday's from 7-9 p.m.

Sept. 10 - Get to Know MAP & Each Other

Sept. 17 - History of Monrovia

Sept. 24 - How to be a Leader

Oct. 1 - Local Government 101

Oct. 8 - Achieving Community Trust (ACT) Program

Oct. 15 - Community Tools & Resources

Oct. 22 - Public Speaking in Local Government

Oct. 29 - Action!

Virtual Graduation Nov. 17 during live City Council Meeting

Details: https://is.gd/3GrxrH

- Brad Haugaard

Russian Arrested in Monrovia for Allegedly Conspiring to Install Malicious Software on Nevada Company's Computer

A Russian has been arrested in Monrovia after allegedly trying to work a deal with an employee of a Nevada company to install malicious software on his company's computer system. The FBI arrested Egor Igorevich Kriuchkov, 27, with assistance by the Monrovia police. https://is.gd/Z3dvvm and https://is.gd/mwubld

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 663, Up 7

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 8/24/2020. Changes since 8/22/2020.

City of Monrovia: 663 cases (up 7), 35 deaths (unchanged)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 74 cases (up 2), no deaths
Glen Park at Monrovia: 2 cases (unchanged), no deaths

Note: I'm planning to switch this from a daily to a weekly report that would appear on Thursday. Anybody really anxious that it remain daily?

- Brad Haugaard

Caramela: Bright Eyed, Alert, and Friendly

One-year-old Caramela was found as a stray, injured, and in need of emergency surgery – but now she’s all healed up and eager to be adopted! Despite all she’s been through, Caramela is bright-eyed, alert, and friendly. Even when she was in a fashionable cone after her surgery, she still leaned into people’s hands for head rubs while making biscuits. In her foster home, Caramela revealed that she’s an excellent toy hunter. This well-rounded gal would be a wonderful addition to any home!

The adoption fee for cats is $90. All cat adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines.

New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA Animal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet.

View photos of adoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org and fill out an online adoption application. Adoptions are by appointment only.

Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.

- Brad Haugaard

Father of New Washington Football Team President Says Education and Faith Helped Put Jason Wright Where He is Today

Jason Wright, recently appointed as the first black president of an NFL team (https://is.gd/7DVCVg), the Washington Football Team, formerly the Washington Redskins, is the son of Monrovia State Farm Insurance agent, Sam Wright.

In an email, Sam Wright said, "My wife and I are obviously very proud of him. We tried to provide role modeling for him much the same way our parents did for us. We stressed education and faith. Both these things played a role in where he is today."

- Brad Haugaard

Mosquito Warning and Win

The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District is hanging these alerts on front doors in Monrovia (we just got one). Mosquitoes carrying the West Nile Virus were recently discovered in the San Gabriel Valley, Pomona to be exact.

While warning of the dangers and urging people to dump any containers of standing water, the district is actually celebrating its success against the mosquitoes. Coming up on World Mosquito Day, the district reports on its "Short Bites" blog, that, "it appears we've got the upper hand. Through the work of our stealthiest mosquito-fighting crew (A.K.A. You), mosquito numbers were down by 67% last week compared to 2019! A true win for World Mosquito Day."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavvirus Count: 656, Up 4; No New Deaths

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 8/22/2020. Changes since 8/21/2020.

City of Monrovia: 656 cases (up 4), 35 deaths (unchanged)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 72 cases (unchanged), no deaths
Glen Park at Monrovia: 2 cases (unchanged), no deaths

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 652 - Up 8

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 8/21/2020. Changes since 8/19/2020.

City of Monrovia: 652 cases (up 8), 35 deaths (unchanged)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 72 cases (up 1), no deaths
Glen Park at Monrovia: 2 cases (unchanged), no deaths

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 644 - Up 8; One More Death

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 8/19/2020. Changes since 8/18/2020.

City of Monrovia: 644 cases (up 8), 35 deaths up 1
Unincorporated Monrovia: 71 cases (up 1), no deaths
Glen Park at Monrovia: 2 cases (unchanged), no deaths

- Brad Haugaard

Rent a Garden Spot for $60 a Year

If you're a Monrovian - or have family in Monrovia schools - and you'd like to rent a garden spot in the Monrovia Community Garden (at Mountainside Communion Church, at the corner of Magnolia and Colorado), they're available for $60 a year. Scholarships available. Deadline for applications is August 28 and the program runs from October to October 2021. About the program here (https://is.gd/sgWR97), and application here (https://is.gd/6sjAJT).

- Brad Haugaard

Mountain Avenue to Be Re-Repaved

In response to a complaint about a poor job of resurfacing Mountain Avenue, Council Member Becky Shevlin responded on the Nextdoor social media network that, "There were several application issues with the contractor and the work did not perform as desired. The contractor tried a couple of means of fixing it, and, ultimately, the City never paid the contractor for the work."

So, after all of the Monrovia Renewal phases are complete the city is going to "perform a 2-inch Grind and Overlay of Mountain Avenue," which I believe means that they'll grind off the top two inches of paving and repave it.

The idea of doing it after all the other phases are complete is because Monrovia "is pursuing Highway Safety Improvement Funds to overhaul traffic signals, including two signals on Mountain Avenue. If we successfully receive funding for the project, the two signaled intersections on Mountain (Lemon and Royal Oaks) will be cut up pretty extensively, which will destroy any new pavement put in place.

"Practically speaking," Shevlin writes "we should hold off on any major pavement work until we do any other improvements around the intersections."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia DUI Checkpoint Saturday Night

Monrovia Police Department will be conducting a DUI / CDL checkpoint on Saturday night, August 29, 2020.  Vehicles entering the checkpoint will be stopped.  Drivers will then be evaluated for being under the influence of alcohol and checked for having a valid driver’s license.  Monrovia Police Officers will also be out in force through the end of summer conducting DUI Patrols.

Over the course of the past three years, there have been 336 DUI investigations, with 32 of those resulting in collisions with injuries, harming our citizens and neighbors of Monrovia. 

In California, this deadly crime led to countless deaths because someone failed to designate a sober driver.  Alcohol and drug-impaired deaths still make up the largest category of overall vehicle fatalities, with 29 percent of all deaths being caused by a drunk driver.  

Monrovia Police Department offers these reminders to ensure you have a safe night of fun without a DUI:

• Always use a designated driver – a friend who is not drinking or other transportation
• See someone who is clearly impaired try and drive? Take their keys and help them make other arrangements to find a sober way home
• Report drunk drivers – Call 911 

Getting home safely is cheap, but getting a DUI is not!  Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with DUI can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to be upwards of $13,500.  This includes fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspension and other expenses, not to mention possible jail time. 

Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the Monrovia Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Source: Monrovia Police press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: She's Busted, He Escapes With Loot; Keys Left in Ignition for Five Minutes - Surprise! Car Gone; Employee Notices Keys Gone, Goes to His Car Just in Time to Stop Suspect; Etc.

 

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for August 13-19. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 365 service events, resulting in 58 investigations. 

Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspects Arrested
August 13 at 12:55 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 700 block of W. Huntington when he saw a suspicious vehicle occupied by two subjects parked near a closed business. The officer contacted the subjects and saw drug paraphernalia in plain view. An investigation revealed one of the subjects was on Post Release Community Supervision. A search of the vehicle resulted in the officers finding a controlled substance and prescription medications not belonging to either subjects. Both subjects were placed under arrest. 

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
August 13 at 12:49 p.m., security for a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain reported he had detained a male subject who shoplifted from the store. The subject left the store with merchandise he did not pay for and was taken into custody by store loss prevention. Officers arrived and conducted an investigation. The subject was arrested. 

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia / Unlawful Possession of Credit Card – Suspect Arrested
August 13 at 7:16 p.m., officers responded to the report of a subject loitering in the 700 block of W. Foothill. The subject was contacted and further investigation revealed he was in possession of someone else’s credit card and drug paraphernalia. He was arrested for the charges. 

Vehicle Burglary
August 14 at 8:39 a.m., a resident in the 1800 block of Sixth Avenue called police to report that her vehicle had been burglarized two days prior. The suspect broke her car window to gain entry and took the victim’s purse, which had been left in the vehicle. This investigation is continuing. 

Grand Theft Auto
August 14 at 9:06 a.m., a resident in the 100 block of W. Walnut walked outside his home and discovered someone had taken his pickup truck sometime during the night. Officers searched the area for the vehicle, but did not locate it. The vehicle was entered into the law enforcement stolen vehicle system. This investigation is continuing. 

Theft
August 14 at 10:54 a.m., a resident in the 200 block of E. Los Angeles discovered someone removed the catalytic converter from his vehicle sometime during this night. Officers arrived and conducted an investigation. This investigation is continuing. 

Injury Traffic Collision / Stolen Vehicle Recovered – Suspect Arrested
August 15 at 11:58 a.m., officers responded to a traffic collision near the intersection of Mayflower and Genoa. Upon arrival, they saw the two vehicles involved blocking the roadway. An officer recognized one of the drivers from previous encounters. Further investigation revealed the vehicle he was driving was stolen. He was arrested, but complained of pain. The suspect was released on a citation and transported to a hospital for treatment. The stolen vehicle was recovered. 

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
August 15 at 2:32 p.m., security for a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain called to say a subject was inside the business concealing property and was about to leave. Officers arrived and contacted the subject as he exited with the unpurchased property. The property was recovered and the subject was arrested. 

Theft – Suspect Arrested
August 15 at 6:59 p.m., an employee from a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain called police to report a male and female subject that left the store without paying for merchandise. Store security was able to detain the female suspect, but the male suspect fled with the merchandise. Officers arrived and conducted an investigation. The female suspect was placed under arrest. This investigation is continuing. 

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
August 16 at 8:25 a.m., officers responded to the 900 block of W. Huntington regarding a male and female couple involved in an argument. Investigation revealed that the male subject choked and pushed the female against a wall, causing an injury. The male was arrested and taken into custody. 

Grand Theft Auto
August 16 at 6:35 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 300 block of W. Duarte. The victim left his keys in the ignition and walked away from the vehicle for approximately five minutes. When he returned, his vehicle was gone. Officers responded and checked the area for the vehicle, but did not located it. This investigation is continuing. 

Battery
August 16 at 8:55 p.m., officers responded to the 1400 block of Encino regarding neighbors fighting over money. Both parties physically injured the other. Initially, both parties did not want prosecution, but one half later changed his mind. A verified complaint request was filed with the District Attorney’s office. 

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
August 16 at 9:00 p.m., an officer patrolling the 900 block of W. Huntington saw a subject loitering inside a hotel parking lot. The officer contacted the subject and saw the subject was in possession of drug paraphernalia. The subject was arrested. 

Vandalism – Suspect Arrested
August 17 at 1:32 a.m., officers responded to the 400 block of W. Colorado regarding subjects loitering inside an elementary school. Upon arrival, the subjects fled in a vehicle, but were stopped by another officer. A broken window was discovered at the school and the investigation resulted in one of the subjects being arrested for vandalism. 

Attempt Grand Theft Auto
August 17 at 12:32 p.m., an employee of a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain was assisting a customer with a product and placed his personal keys down. The customer picked up the keys and left the area. The employee realized he was missing his keys and went out to his vehicle. He found the customer sitting in his vehicle about to start it. He pulled the subject out of his vehicle and demanded his keys back. The subject returned the keys and left the scene on foot. Officers were notified and searched the area for the suspect, but were unsuccessful. The investigation is continuing. 

Battery
August 17 at 8:00 p.m., officers responded to the 500 block of E. Olive regarding a family disturbance. A male adult was intoxicated and battered his father-in-law. The father-in-law also battered the intoxicated subject in self-defense. A verified complaint request was filed with the District Attorney’s office. 

Warrant / Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
August 18 at 8:05 p.m., an officer was on patrol in the 500 block of W. Huntington when he saw a subject loitering in a parking lot. He contacted the subject and discovered the subject had a warrant for his arrest. While speaking to the subject, the subject’s girlfriend arrived. The subject then attempted to pass his girlfriend an item, which was intercepted by the officer. The item was discovered to be a bag containing multiple controlled substances. The subject was arrested. 

Non-Injury Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
August 19 at 3:12 p.m., a driver was heading east on Almond when he collided with a parked vehicle near Almond’s intersection at Shamrock. The driver exited the vehicle and began walking away from the scene of the accident. Officers arrived and located the driver down the street and found he had sustained no injuries. Officers spoke with the driver and determined the driver was under the influence of alcohol. The suspect was arrested for driving under the influence and held for a sobering period. 

Lyft Rides in Monrovia (and California) Are Back On!

The Lyft ride-sharing program, which powers most of Monrovia's GoMonrovia transit program, was going to end at midnight tonight, but Lyft has announced that "We’re back on." The company says that rideshare operations will not be suspended in California.

The company adds:

"The California court has granted our request for a further stay, so our rideshare operations can continue uninterrupted, for now. Thanks to the tens of thousands of drivers, riders, and public officials who urged California to keep rideshare available for so many people who depend on it."

The City of Monrovia had earlier announced that the Lyft portion of GoMonrovia would be ending at midnight tonight.

The problem is Assembly Bill 5, which requires rideshare companies, including Lyft and Uber, to reclassify their contract workers as employees.

The city says that, "According to Lyft, the costs associated with reclassification are extreme and cost-prohibitive."

City Manager Dylan Feik said Californians will ultimately make a decision (Proposition 22) about whether to exempt rideshare companies from AB5.” https://is.gd/YkBkHG

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at B&C Teriyaki

Lunch at B&C Teriyaki, at the corner of Foothill and Madison. Got the Chicken Teriyaki Bowl for $6.35 and a small drink for $1.50. Cash only. A nice price for a good meal. 

- Brad Haugaard 

School Board to Get Reports on Start of School Year, Efforts to Ensure Attendance

At a special meeting of the Monrovia School Board, the board will get "the latest updates on the start of the 2020-21 school year in a distance learning environment" from Superintendent Katherine Thorossian, Superintendent and a report on the district's efforts to ensure learning continuity and attendance from Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Dr. Sue Kaiser. https://is.gd/VilCmK

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 636 - Up 10; No New Deaths

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 8/18/2020. Changes since 8/17/2020.

City of Monrovia: 636 cases (up 10), 34 deaths (unchanged)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 70 cases (up 1), no deaths
Glen Park at Monrovia: 2 cases (unchanged), no deaths

- Brad Haugaard

Metro Line Detour Saturday Night and Sunday Morning

If you're planning to take the train towards LA anytime between 8 p.m. this Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday, you'll need to catch a bus at the Monrovia train station. Southern California Edison performs utility work that'll block the rail line. https://is.gd/EPzbSU

- Brad Haugaard