Monrovia Police: Hit and Run; Burglary; Catalytic Converter Stolen; Couple Arrested for Fighting; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for May 26-29. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Felony Hit and Run Traffic Collision
May 26 at 6:11 p.m., officers responded to the report of a hit and run traffic collision in the 1300 block of S. Magnolia Avenue. The victim’s vehicle was rear-ended by the suspect’s vehicle, which was traveling at a high rate of speed. The suspect then drove off and fled the scene. The victim saw the vehicle and suspect from his rear view mirror and said he could identify the suspect if seen again. He also gave a description of the vehicle. The victim complained of pain and was taken to a hospital for treatment. Several hours later, as the victim was returning home from the hospital, he saw the suspect vehicle. He called police and provided the license plate number. A computer check was run on the license plate to find the registered owner’s address. The vehicle was located at the registered owner’s residence and was stored for investigation. The registered owner was not located. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary
May 26 at 9:26 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 200 block of E. Fig Avenue. Three to four male suspects were seen running from the residence. At least one was carrying property. The suspects got into a white, Hyundai sedan and fled the location. A side window was smashed to gain entry and the home was ransacked. A safe containing money and jewelry was taken, along with the video surveillance equipment. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
May 27 at 9:52 a.m., a grand theft incident that occurred in the 400 block of Genoa was reported to police. The victim parked her vehicle on the street in front of her residence in the evening. When she returned to her vehicle the next morning, she discovered someone had stolen the catalytic converter off her vehicle. The investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
May 28 at 1:19 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop for a vehicle code violation in the area of Live Oak and Longden. During the traffic stop, it was determined that the driver had been drinking and was driving under the influence. After investigation, the driver was arrested for driving under the influence and held for a sobering period.

Residential Burglary
May 28 at 7:22 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 800 block of S. Canyon Boulevard. The father of the victim went to his daughter's apartment to check on it because she is out of town. When he arrived, he saw a back window had been shattered and the residence was ransacked. Jewelry was taken from the home. The investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence / Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested
May 28 at 8:06 p.m., officers were dispatched to a traffic collision with possible injuries in the area of California and Los Angeles. During the investigation, it was determined that one of the drivers involved was intoxicated. The driver was arrested for driving under the influence and held for a sobering period.

Domestic Violence – Suspects Arrested
May 29 at 9:20 p.m., officers responded to the 400 block of Grand Avenue on the report of two subjects fighting. They arrived and found a male and female with injuries. Both subjects admitted they had been in a fight. The subjects were found to be boyfriend and girlfriend; both were arrested for domestic violence.

Walking Tour of Old Monrovia

The Monrovia Historic Preservation Group will conduct another walking tour of downtown Monrovia on Saturday, June 4, at 10 a.m. The tour lasts about two hours, and participants will be walking a total of 8 city blocks. Cost is $5 per person, and reservations are not necessary. Meet at the SE corner of Palm and Myrtle Avenues. http://www.mohpg.org/

- Brad Haugaard

CPR Today at Library Park | Monrovia Baseball Loses :-( | Inside Buyers | City Closed for Memorial Day

~ Sidewalk CPR lessons today at Library Park, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. http://goo.gl/G6RFd1 (UPDATE: My apologies. This was not today, it is this coming Thursday, June 2.)

~ Monrovia baseball loses CIF bid with loss to Tahquitz Titans. http://goo.gl/VL3KlC

~ Insiders buying stock in Monrovia's Staar Surgical. http://goo.gl/4UCeLQ

~ Monrovia city facilities closed today in honor of Memorial Day.

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Mooyah Burgers

Dinner last night at the new Mooyah Burgers, in the Pavilions shopping center at Myrtle and Foothill. I got a Mooyah burger for $5.79, a small fries for $2.49 and a Little Moo shake for $3.49. A very lively place. The burger comes on a potato bun and is tasty. Shake nice and thick. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Gold Line Service to Improve In Late June

"All Gold Line trains will run from Azusa to East Los Angeles with frequencies of every seven minutes during peak hours beginning Monday, June 27, Metro CEO Phil Washington announced Thursday." http://goo.gl/ZjBM8s Comment: This is very good. I take the trains at rush hour and most of the time it is standing room only because currently half the trains from LA end at Sierra Madre Villa station, which means the trains that continue on - and come back - are about every fifteen minutes and are very crowded. Hooray!

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Baseball - Success in Round Two of Playoffs

Monrovia baseball over Ganesha in the second round of the CIF playoffs. http://goo.gl/LbtNY2

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Warn of Fake IRS Phone Scam

The Monrovia Police Department would like to alert the public to a telephone scam that The Monrovia Police Department would like to alert the public to a telephone scam that is currently targeting the public. This week, a Monrovia resident called police to report a telephone scam where they received a recorded phone call from a suspect claiming to represent the Department of the United States Treasury. The suspect stated the call was concerning tax fraud and gave the resident a hotline phone number to call. The suspect said the resident would be facing litigation and would be arrested and put in jail if they did not respond to the call. The resident did not return the phone call. They recognized the call was a fraudulent telephone scam and reported the incident to police. Legitimate businesses and government agencies will not ask you for personal information over the phone. The Monrovia Police Department would like to remind the public not to respond to these telephone scams and to never give out personal information over the telephone.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Vehicle Burglaries and Vandalism; Identity Theft; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for May 23-25. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 425 service events, resulting in 69 investigations.

Vehicle Burglary
May 23 at 8:53 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 800 block of Monterey. While police were investigating the incident, a second victim from the 800 block of Monterey contacted police stating their vehicle had also been burglarized. The suspect smashed the vehicle windows to gain entry. A laptop computer that was left on the passenger seat was taken from the first vehicle and a backpack was taken from the second vehicle. The investigations are continuing.

Vehicle Vandalism
May 23 at 4:56 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the report of a vehicle vandalism in the 500 block of Bradbury. The victim parked the vehicle in the evening and returned the next day to discover the window had been shot, possibly with a BB gun. There was one small hole in the window, but no BB's were found inside. The investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
May 23 at 8:40 p.m., a male adult was caught by employees stealing several items from a store in the 100 block of W. Foothill. The employees detained the suspect and called police. An officer arrived and, after investigation, arrested the suspect. The suspect was issued a citation to appear in court on the shoplifting charges.

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia / Resisting and Delaying a Peace Officer – Suspect Arrested
May 23 at 11:35 p.m., an officer on patrol in the 1200 block of S. Mayflower observed a subject riding his bicycle and attempted to stop him for vehicle code violations. The subject jumped off his bike and ran through a gated apartment complex, but was apprehended by the officer. A search of the subject revealed a methamphetamine smoking pipe. He was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting/ delaying a peace officer.

Fraud Investigation
May 24 at 10:27 p.m., a victim of identity theft came into the police department lobby to file a report. The victim had received several applications for credit and newly opened credit card accounts. In checking her credit further, she found at least five accounts had been opened in her name. She canceled all the accounts and contacted police. The investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
May 26 at 5:30 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 400 block of W. Olive. The victim parked and secured his van in the evening. When he returned to his vehicle in the morning, the victim found one of the windows had been smashed. Upon further inspection, he realized his tools had been stolen. The investigation is continuing.

Municipal Service Bill To Go Up; Rotating Mayor; Power Poles; Etc.

In his weekly report ( http://goo.gl/ILpgBG ), City Manager Oliver Chi reports:

- Your Municipal Services Bill will go up starting with the August 2016 bill. "For the typical residential customer, a 2.7% CPI rate adjustment will result in a $1.05 / month water bill increase, and a $0.24 / month sewer bill increase."

- The city is planning a set of community meeting to ask people their thoughts about having a the mayor's office rotate among council members. No dates yet.

- SCE will be replacing 214 50-year old power poles with new steel poles, 20 poles per day. You should get a door-hanger notice if there will be work in your area.

- There will be a grand opening of the remodeled Nature Center Exhibit in Canyon Park showcasing Native Americans of the San Gabriel Valley, on Saturday, May 28, from noon to 2 p.m. Event will feature with Native American blessing ceremony, children's activities, story telling, face painting, activity booths.

- Canyon Park Family Hike & Campouts on June 11-12 and August 13-14. From Saturday at 2 p.m. to Sunday at 10 a.m. $40 per 10x10 camping spot. Guided day and night hikes, story times, BBQ'd hotdogs and hamburgers, roast marshmallows... all while spending an evening in a tent beneath the stars. Then a Sunday morning pancake breakfast. For details contact Eugene Suk, Hillside Wilderness Preserve Supervisor, at 256-8281, or at esuk@ci.monrovia.ca.us!

- Monrovia students are featured in this video edition of Metro Motion taking a train ride to Citrus College in Azusa. https://goo.gl/nAoo60

- The latest edition of the Monrovia Today will be out in a week or two. Information about summer concerts, community events, and Library and Recreation activities, programs, and classes.

- Monrovia Day Parade winners: Best Band - Monrovia High; Best Float - Monrovia Elementary School Float; Best Themed Entry - Monrovia High Robotics Club; Best Cheer Squad - Monrovia High Cheerleaders; Best Dance Troop - Pasadena Cowgirls Drill Team & Drum Squad. Judges Award - Ballet Folklorico Azteca.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Rotary Awards Scholarships

The Monrovia Rotary Club reports that it has presented $14,000 in scholarships to students from the Monrovia School District. http://goo.gl/yuY5Ih

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia ChapCare Will Provide Pediatric Care

On June 6, Community Health Alliance of Pasadena (ChapCare), will begin providing pediatric medical services at its center in Monrovia, located at 513 E. Lime Ave. Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

Bike Safety Saturday | Time Not a Factor Lecture

~ Bike Safety Saturday will be held on Saturday, June 4, from 8 to 10 a.m. in the parking lot of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, at Foothill and California. It will include safety tips, riding skills and first aid information, as well as opportunities for Girl Scouts to earn badges. For information, contact Michael Gray, (818) 468-8870. Sponsored by the Monrovia Police Department, the American Red Cross, Monrovia/Duarte Girl Scouts and Empire Bikes.

~ Christian Science lecture, "Time is Not a Factor in Your Life," by Dave Hohle, Saturday, June 18 at 7:30 p.m. at Monrovia United Methodist Church, 140 W. Palm. Child care provided. Presented by First Church of Christ, Scientist, Monrovia.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia College Grad Wins Award for Outstanding Community Service

Aspiring pediatrician Karah Kirby of Monrovia is the 2016 recipient of Cal State Fullerton's Kenneth L. Goodhue-McWilliams Award, which recognizes outstanding community service in the health professions. She received the award Friday at the university's Honors and Scholars Awards ceremony, then donned cap and gown for the May 22 commencement ceremonies on campus. She graduated summa cum laude. Full story: http://goo.gl/J8JOvj

- Brad Haugaaard

Monrovia Police: Road Rage; Drunken Car Accident; Drugs; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for May 19-22. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Stolen Vehicle Recovered
May 19 at 7:59 a.m., an abandoned vehicle was reported in the 800 block of W. Walnut. An officer arrived to check on the vehicle and found the driver side door handle was damaged, there were no license plates, and the vehicle identification number was covered. A tow service was requested to store the vehicle. They gained entry into the vehicle, allowing the officer to check the vehicle identification number. A computer check revealed the vehicle had been reported stolen out of Hollywood a one week prior. The vehicle was stored and the owner was notified.

Road Rage / Criminal Threats / Warrants – Suspect Arrested
May 19 at 3:09 p.m., an officer was dispatched to Foothill and Magnolia regarding an incident of road rage and criminal threats that just occurred. The female victim reported that the female suspect was driving a silver Honda and cut in front of her on Foothill at Magnolia, as they both were driving east in heavy traffic. The suspect then abruptly stopped her vehicle, causing the victim to stop, as well. The suspect exited her vehicle in the middle of the road, ran up to the victim's vehicle, and began pounding her fists on the window, yelling profanities and threatening the victim. The victim called police on her cellphone.

When the suspect saw the victim calling on her phone, she punched the victim’s side mirror, breaking it, and then fled in her vehicle. She was detained by police. A computer check revealed the suspect had four outstanding warrants for her arrest and a suspended driver's license. The victim positively identified the suspect and she was arrested and taken into custody for the charges and warrants.

Grand Theft Auto Recovery – Suspect Arrested
May 19 at 4:01 p.m., officers were alerted to a possible stolen vehicle in the 1800 block of S. Peck. The vehicle, a blue Honda Civic, was traveling north on Myrtle. An officer in the area saw the vehicle stopped for a red light at Duarte Road. A computer check confirmed the vehicle was reported stolen the day before to the Los Angeles Police Department. The officer followed the vehicle until assisting officers could arrive and then the vehicle was stopped. The driver and passenger, both male adults, were arrested and taken into custody for questioning. The passenger was later released.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol / Traffic Collision with Injuries
May 19 at 4:40 p.m., a three car collision was reported in the area of Foothill and Magnolia. A small red vehicle was traveling west on Foothill and ran a red light at Magnolia, colliding into a white compact traveling north on Magnolia. The white vehicle was pushed into a small postal carrier truck. Both the driver of the red vehicle and white compact sustained minor injuries and were taken to a hospital for treatment. The driver of the red vehicle appeared to be intoxicated and there were empty alcohol containers in his vehicle. A blood sample was taken and the investigation is continuing.

Fraud Report
May 19 at 7:40 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a business in the 600 block of W. Huntington on the report of a fraud scam. The suspect claimed to be a representative of the electric company and told the victim he was late with this month’s payment. The victim did not know it was a scam and sent a Money Gram to the suspect. The investigation is continuing.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
May 20 at 12:58 a.m., officers responded to the 900 block of W. Duarte Road regarding two male subjects climbing into a clothing donation bin. Officers arrived and contacted a subject near the bin. Although no theft was substantiated, the investigation revealed one of the suspects was under the influence of a controlled substance and in possession of drug paraphernalia. The suspect was arrested and held for a sobering period. He was later released with a citation to appear in court.

Vehicle Burglary
May 21 at 9:05 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 700 block of E. Huntington. The victim parked her vehicle in a business parking lot and went into a business. When she returned, she found a window smashed and her purse missing from inside the vehicle. The investigation is continuing.

Weapon Offense / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
May 21 at 1:49 p.m., an officer was on patrol in the area of Mountain and Royal Oaks when the officer saw a subject acting suspicious and attempting to hide behind a dumpster at a closed business. He stopped and contacted the subject. The subject admitted to having drug paraphernalia. During a pat-down search, a weapon and drug paraphernalia were found on his person. The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
May 21 at 10:35 p.m., a suspicious male subject was reported to the rear of a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington. Officers responded and contacted the subject, who was determined to be under the influence of a controlled substance. He was arrested and held for sobering period. He was later released with a citation to appear in court.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested
May 22 at 12:32 a.m., a possible traffic accident was reported in a business parking lot in the 100 block of W. Foothill. Officers arrived and saw one of the involved vehicles leaving the scene and conducted a traffic stop in the 100 block of S. Canyon. During the investigation, it was determined that no traffic accident had occurred, but the driver was determined to be driving under the influence of alcohol. The driver was arrested and held for a sobering period. He was later released with a citation to appear in court.

Felony Vandalism
May 22 at 7:55 a.m., an officer responded to a business in the 1100 block of E. Huntington on the report of vandalism to a customer's vehicle. It appears the suspect used some type of paint thinner or a corrosive substance on the victim’s vehicle, causing damage. The investigation is continuing.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
May 22 at 7:18 p.m., a suspicious subject was reported near a dumpster in an alley behind an apartment complex in the 100 block of W. Cypress. Officers arrived and located a subject matching the description given. A computer check revealed the subject had an outstanding parole warrant for his arrest. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody for the warrant.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
May 22 at 7:23 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 600 block of S. Myrtle regarding a subject who was trying to grab one of the employees. Officers arrived and determined the subject was intoxicated and was trying to talk to his girlfriend, who works at the location. Although no crime occurred, the subject was too intoxicated to care for himself and was arrested and held for a sobering period.

Vandalism
May 23 at 2:48 a.m., an officer on patrol in the 1900 block of S. Myrtle noticed what appeared to be fresh graffiti on the walls of the businesses between the 1900 and 2000 blocks of S. Myrtle. Red spray paint was used to damage the property. The investigation is continuing.

Citrus College Places Well in Rocket Competition

Left to right: Logan Tomes, Justin Frias, Tabitha Bailey, and Rebecca Thomas, members of the 2016 Citrus College Rocket Owls.

Two teams of Citrus College science, technology, engineering, and mathematics students recently participated in competitions organized by NASA. Citrus College serves Monrovia.

Eight Citrus College students known as the Rocket Owls joined groups from 47 other American colleges and universities in designing, constructing, and launching rockets as part of NASA’s annual Student Launch project in April. The Rocket Owls completed the challenge in fourth place, their best showing ever, after first place Vanderbilt University, second place University of Louisville, and third place Cornell University.

The Citrus College team had to design a rocket that could reach an altitude of one mile, deploy an automated parachute system, and safely land where it could be recovered.

Several days earlier, Citrus's Galactic Owls was the only group from California selected to participate in NASA’s international Human Exploration Rover Challenge, or HERC.  The five students from Citrus College travelled to Huntsville, Ala. to design, build, and race human-powered rovers April 7-9, 2016.

The Galactic Owls competed against college and university teams from throughout the United States, as well as teams from Russia, Germany, Italy, Mexico, and India.  The students successfully completed the mandatory rover obstacle race and the optional sample collection challenge.

Source: Citrus press release

- Brad Haugaard

Mooyah Burgers Opens Today in Monrovia

MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes is opening today in the Pavilions shopping center at Myrtle and Foothill. The company says:

Guests can choose from a variety of bun options, such as baked in-house artisan white or multigrain wheat buns and handcrafted lettuce buns to accompany a never-frozen, 100 percent American beef patty, all-natural Jennie-O turkey patty or delicious black bean veggie patty. Each gourmet burger can be customized with five different cheese options, applewood smoked bacon and sliced avocado, along with nine free veggie toppings and 11 free sauces.

- Brad Haugaard

Government Evaluating Monrovia Company's 'Tether Eye' Drone

Monrovia drone-maker, AeroVironment, reports that the government's Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office is evaluating the company's new drone, named Tether Eye. The company calls it a 'virtual observation tower.' It is tethered to the ground with a special power cord and it circles and keeps watch around the point where it is tethered. http://goo.gl/WrRM5d

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Micah Fulton Wins Two Titles; City Facilities Closed Memorial Day

~ Monrovia Girl's Track star, Micah Fulton, wins two track and field titles. http://goo.gl/qTNmMQ

~ All city facilities will be closed on May 30, Memorial Day. http://goo.gl/qTNmMQ

- Brad Haugaard

- Brad Haugaard

Clifton Robotics Team to China; State Funding Lacks Excitement; New Classes

At its May 25 meeting (agenda here), the Monrovia School Board will ...

- Consider an "extended field trip" to Shanghai, China,  on May 30-June 5 for the Clifton Robotics Team to participate in a robotics competition. All expenses will be paid by donations. And if you want to donate, click here: https://goo.gl/bVSg8V

- Hear a report on state schools funding. Chief Business Officer Connie Wu writes: "The Governor's May [budget] Revision reflects the lower state revenue collection compared to January's projection. Although there is no funding cuts in K-12, as a result of year-to-date weak sales tax receipts and April's lackluster personal income tax revenue, there is definitely lack of excitement." Details here

- Consider approving new classes in ceramics and vehicle maintenance, and advanced placement classes in computer science, psychology, and physics.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Hazardous Waste Roundup

Household Hazardous & E-Waste roundup on Sat. June 4; 9-3 p.m. in the 300 block of Evergreen (between California and Shamrock) in Monrovia.

Monrovia City Manager Estimates Cloverleaf Entry Point Should Be Open Within Three Months

I asked City Manager Oliver Chi for an update on progress opening the Cloverleaf entry point to the Hillside Wilderness area. Here's most of his response:

First, pursuant to the purchase and sale agreements that were approved, he City has been working to implement the capital improvements that were identified.  Those capital improvements include:

§  The City will install two (2) electric access control gates on Cloverleaf Drive.

• The first gate shall be located on Cloverleaf Drive where Cloverleaf Drive splits off from Hidden Valley Road.
• The second gate shall be installed on either the easements being acquired or on City owned property in-between the property owned by Baze and Reid.

§  The City will install a set of locking mailboxes for the residents of Cloverleaf Drive.
 
§  The City will install a public drinking fountain on City property located north of the facility known as Fire Station 103.
 
§  The City will install a public trash receptacle on City property located north of the facility known as Fire Station 103.

§  The City will develop mechanisms to divert pedestrian and bicycle traffic into and out of the HWP through the CAP onto the existing access trail located just west of the City’s Cloverleaf Canyon Reservoir.

We have been making good progress during the past month and half since the agreements were approved.  A status update of each item is included below:

§  We have complete the preliminary designs for the two fences that we need to install, and we have also obtained quotes from the contractors.  We are in the process of working with the contractor to refine the fencing quotes, and we plan on meeting with the residents within the next few weeks to finalize and approve the fencing plans in question.

§  We have identified the recommended mailbox, drinking fountain, and trash receptacle for installation.  We need to review the selections with the residents before we finalize the installation.

§  Our team has also assessed the access trail located west of the City’s Cloverleaf Canyon Reservoir, and the work needed to upgrade the location is minimal.  Our staff has identified that any needed work can be accomplished in less than a week, and therefore, we are holding off on making those improvements in order to coordinate the work with the installation of the two gates.

One other note… the permit parking program for the area has been developed in concert with the capital improvement work that staff has been executing.  The Traffic Safety Committee approved the permit parking program at their May 19, 2016 meeting and we are now working to get the signage developed and installed in consultations with the area residents.

...

Based on our progress to date, I do believe that we should be able to get everything completed within the next 3 months.


- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Wang's Place

Dinner at Wang's Place, on the south side of Lemon just east of Myrtle. Got the Kung Pow Chicken ($12) and a beer ($4). Very good! I was impressed. 

- Brad Haugaard 

'From Sea to Shining Sea' Musical Production at Monrovia's Clifton School

California Dance Institute presents "From Sea to Shining Sea," with 150 California Dance Institute students, on June 2 at 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the Clifton Middle School Theater at 226 S. Ivy Ave. Students are from local schools, including Monrovia's Plymouth and Wild Rose Elementary Schools. The show, which also features a professional band and vocalists, travels across America through song and dance, from Zydeco to Bluegrass to Motown.

CDI is an in-school and after-school arts education program and West Coast Affiliate of Jacques D'Amboise's National Dance Institute. It engages children to move toward success in life through dance and music.

- Brad Haugaard

Hippie Bots to Represent US, Monrovia in China Robot Competition

Clifton Middle School's robotics team, the Hippie Bots, has been selected as the sole representative of the United States on behalf of L.A. FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge) in the FIRST China Open in Shanghai June 3rd - 5th. The team is trying to raise about $15,000 on GoFundMe.com for air fare. https://goo.gl/bVSg8V

Monrovia Code Enforcement Seminar

Seminar on "Code Enforcement in Monrovia, including inspecting and mitigating nuisance activity, addressing issues on private property, and protecting the health & safety and general welfare." May 21, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Community Policing Room, 415 S. Ivy. To reserve a spot contact calling Ariel at 626-932-5563 or email at atolefree@ci.monrovia.ca.us.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Victim Fights Off Man With Gun; Smash and Run; Counterfeit Money; Burglaries; Thief Scoots With Scooters; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for May 16-18. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 439 service events, resulting in 88 investigations.

Attempt Robbery
May 16 at 10:37 p.m., an attempt robbery was reported in the 200 block of W. Huntington. The victim lives in his motorhome and reported that the suspect began pounding on the side of his motorhome. When the victim opened the window, the suspect stated he wanted money. When the victim refused, the suspect displayed a handgun. The victim grabbed the gun through his window and the two struggled over the weapon. The suspect then pulled the gun out of the victim's grasp and fled. The investigation is continuing.

Commercial Burglary
May 17 at 3:36 a.m., officers were dispatched to a burglary alarm call at a business in the 100 block of W. Foothill. Upon arrival, officers found the front window of the business was smashed. The owners responded to check their inventory. A large amount of cigarettes and some cash was taken. The Investigation ongoing.

Counterfeit Currency
May 17 at 8:02 p.m., an officer responded to a business in the 200 block of W. Huntington regarding a report of receiving counterfeit currency. A female adult entered the business and ordered takeout food. She paid with a one hundred dollar bill. The employee told the customer her food would take approximately 20 minutes. A few minutes later, the female left the restaurant without the food. An employee noticed the currency and believed the bill was counterfeit. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary
May 18 at 1:40 p.m., police received an alarm activation at a residence in the 300 block of Bradoaks. Officers checked the residence and discovered a rear window had been smashed. The owner arrived to check the home and found nothing was missing. It appears that the alarm may have scared off the suspects. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary
May 18 at 3:22 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 700 block of Ridgeside. The resident arrived home and noticed his side door was open and things appeared out of place. He checked further and realized the front door was open. It appears the suspect gained entry by smashing the glass window on the front door. The loss was two flat screen televisions, a lawn mower and a computer. The investigation is continuing.

Attempt Residential Burglary
May 18 at 3:36 p.m., an attempt residential burglary was reported in the 300 block of Linwood. The resident arrived home and tried to unlock his door, but could not get his key in the lock. Upon closer examination, he realized someone had tried to use a different key to open the front door, but broke the key off inside the lock. There was no loss. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto – Suspect Arrested
May 18 at 6:58 p.m., police were alerted to a possible stolen vehicle in the area of Myrtle and Chestnut. Officers responded to the area and located a parked vehicle matching the description. They observed a male subject get into the vehicle and drive away. A computer check confirmed the vehicle had been reported stolen. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was arrested without incident.

Shoplifting
May 18 at 5:34 p.m., a business in the 600 block of W. Huntington called police to report a theft. A male suspect entered the store, grabbed two boxed scooters and ran out the doors, dropping one of the boxes on the way out. The suspect ran to an awaiting vehicle driven by a second suspect. The suspects then fled the area. The investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
May 18 at 7:29 p.m., officers responded to the 100 block of N. Mountain on the report of a driver who was driving on the wrong side of the street. An officer stopped the vehicle for several traffic violations. After field sobriety tests were conducted, the driver was determined to be driving under the influence of a controlled substance and was arrested. The driver was taken into custody and held for a sobering period.

Monrovia College Student in Aeronautics Competition

Left to right, back row: Ben Kenworthy, Samuel Chung, Patrick Ailes, Nia Asmady, Luke Bughman, Alex Wielandt and Kurt Ebert; front row, Jake Stone, Angela Wong, Jared Lehmann and Nathan Rower.

Luke Bughman from Monrovia (third from right, back row), a member of Cal Poly's Design Build Fly club, recently supported the club's participation in one of the aviation industry's premier student contests.

Cal Poly was a finalist in the international Design/Build/Fly radio-controlled aircraft competition, placing 15th in a crowded field of 80. The event, which attracts top aerospace engineering student teams from throughout the world, is sponsored by the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics), Cessna Aircraft Company and Raytheon Missile Systems.

The final fly-off portion of the competition was held April 10-12 in Wichita, Kansas, amid heavy rains and wind, with San Jose State University placing first.

This year's contest challenged students to design and build two airplanes so that one would fit into the other. The flight demonstration in Wichita took the form of three sequenced flight missions. In the first, the larger aircraft was flown alone; in the second, the smaller aircraft served as a payload in the mother ship; and in the third, the smaller aircraft carried a payload in the form of a 32-ounce Gatorade bottle.

"We finished missions one and two with ease, even in the very strong winds of Wichita," said Alex Wielandt, president of the Cal Poly Design Build Fly club. "We were unable to complete mission three, however, due to ground control issues and weather. We placed very well considering we didn't complete a third of the missions. Despite this, we received much praise from other teams regarding our entry's lightweight and innovative design."

Others on the team included Jake Stone, chief financial officer; Kurt Ebert, technical lead; Patrick Ailes, pilot; and members Nia Asmady, Jimmy Wu, Charlie Ross, Angela Wong, Nathan Rower, Jared Lehmann, Ben Kenworthy, Samuel Chung and Josh Buckhalter.


"All in all, we learned a lot and look forward to next year's challenge," said Wielandt.

Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

Construction On Old Train Station | Will Monrovia Police Bradbury? Apartment Complex Construction Begins | Seniors of the Year

In his weekly report ( http://goo.gl/V8Lu4l ), City Manager Oliver Chi reports that ...

- With the unanimous approval of the Historic Preservation Commission, construction on the old Santa Fe railroad station should begin in mid- to late-summer and it could be finished by the end of the year, or early in 2017. Comment: It appears from the picture above that it will be inhabited by ghosts.

- Our neighbor Bradbury is thinking about about asking Monrovia to take over law enforcement for the town instead of using the Sheriff's Department. Chi writes: "Monrovia could take on the provision of law enforcement services for Bradbury with minimal adjustments to our current police department operation."

- Construction is beginning on the 261-unit luxury apartment complex at Station Square and it is being renamed from the Parks at Station Square to MODA at Monrovia Station.

- Monrovians Clint and Shelli Aresnault were recently selected as the 2016 Older Americans of the Year! Both are active in the Gad-a-bouts Senior Club.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Unauthorized Art; Woman Gets Ticket for Shoplifting; Road Rage; Stolen Truck; Accident After Driver Falls Asleep

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for May 12-15. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Felony Vandalism – Suspect Arrested
May 12 at 6:06 a.m., an officer was dispatched on the report of graffiti vandalism that had just occurred at a business in the 2600 block of S. Peck. Officers responded and located a juvenile subject matching the description of the suspect. The subject was found in possession of two cans of blue spray paint and he had blue paint on his hands and clothing. The suspect admitted to committing the graffiti vandalism with the blue spray paint.

Officers checked the area and additional graffiti vandalism was discovered. Several businesses and vehicles were located with the blue spray painted graffiti on them. One business in the area of Myrtle and Duarte had extensive damage. An expanded check of the area revealed similar graffiti at two Los Angeles County Public Works yards in Irwindale, on curbs in the nearby unincorporated areas of Monrovia, and the Live Oak Bridge above the Santa Anita Wash was also vandalized. Vandalism reports were taken by the Irwindale Police Department and Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department on the incidents in their jurisdiction.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
May 12 at 7:53 p.m., officers responded to the 100 block of W. Colorado regarding the report of a disturbing subject who was approaching pedestrians trying to trade a computer for a cell phone. Officers located the subject and determined he was under the influence of a controlled substance. The suspect was arrested and held for a sobering period. He was later released with a citation to appear in court on the charges.

Residential Burglary
May 12 at 8:33 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 1300 block of S. California. The resident left his home at 8:00 a.m. and returned at 8:00 p.m. Upon his return, he found his home had been ransacked. A firearm, miscellaneous jewelry and a computer were stolen. The suspect cut a padlock on a side gate and entered the home through an unlocked sliding glass door. The investigation is continuing.

Bicycle Theft – Suspect Arrested
May 12 at 10:14 p.m., a bicycle theft that just occurred was reported in the 2100 block of S. Myrtle. Officers located a suspect in possession of the stolen bicycle at Myrtle and Altern. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
May 13 at 11:12 a.m., police were called to the area of Palm and Primrose regarding a suspect who was selling drugs in the park. An officer arrived and detained the suspect. A consent search of the suspect revealed methamphetamine in his backpack. The suspect was arrested for possession of a controlled substance.

Parolee at Large / Felon in Possession of a Firearm / Possession of Controlled Substance for Sales / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
May 13 at 5:14 p.m., an officer stopped a truck for a vehicle code violation in the area of Peck and Atara Street. The driver was found to be a parolee at large. A search of the vehicle revealed a loaded firearm inside the vehicle, as well as drugs. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody for the above listed charges.

Shoplifting
May 13 at 6:44 p.m., a business in the 900 block of W. Huntington called police to report a theft that had just occurred. A male and female entered the store. The female made a service payment as the male subject looked around the store, and then they left. A few minutes later, the male subject returned and asked for a glass of water. When the employee went in the back to get the water, the subject stole an iPhone that was on the counter. Identification of the female was obtained from the payment records and the investigation continues to identify and locate the theft suspect.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
May 14 at 12:19 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the 1000 block of S. Myrtle regarding a subject who was intoxicated and staggering down the street. The officer contacted the subject and determined he was too intoxicated to care for himself. The subject was arrested and held for a sobering period.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested
May 14 at 2:05 a.m., an officer on patrol stopped a vehicle in the 2200 block of S. Myrtle for a vehicle code violation. Upon speaking to the driver, the officer noticed symptoms of alcohol intoxication. Through investigation, the driver was determined to be driving under the influence and was arrested. The driver was taken into custody and held for a sobering period. The suspect was later released with a citation to appear in court.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
May 14 at 6:08 p.m., a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain called police to report a suspect detained by loss prevention for shoplifting. The female suspect had removed several items from the store without paying. Loss prevention personnel placed the suspect under citizen’s arrest and officers took her into custody. She was later released on a citation to appear in court on the charges.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
May 15 at 12:41 a.m., officers responded to the 800 block of Norumbega regarding reports of several vehicles racing in the area. When the officers arrived, they located several vehicles. They stopped the vehicles and conducted their investigation. A resident at the location came outside and began interfering with the investigation. The resident had been drinking and would not listen to officers, who requested he go back into his residence. The suspect was extremely intoxicated and continued to interfere with the investigation. He was arrested for public intoxication and held for a sobering period. He was later issued a citation to appear in court.

Weapon Offense
May 15 at 1:27 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a business in the 800 block of S. Magnolia on the report of a weapon offense. The victim was smoking a cigar by the front door of the location. He was confronted by a male Hispanic suspect wearing a green bandanna over his face. The suspect told the victim "this is my vario" and exhibited a firearm in his waistband. The victim tried to remain calm and offered the suspect a beer. The suspect took the beer and left the location in a dark-colored Honda Civic. The investigation is continuing.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
May 15 at 1:56 a.m., a female victim called police to report her boyfriend had assaulted her and was walking away in the 1600 block of S. Myrtle. Officers located the suspect, who was very agitated and refused to follow the officers’ commands. The suspect became confrontational and one of the officers deployed his pepper spray. The suspect was taken into custody without further incident. The female victim had sustained minor injuries from the assault, but refused further medical treatment. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody, where he was held pending his court appearance.

Grand Theft Auto
May 15 at 6:29 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 600 block of E. Lemon. The vehicle stolen was a black, 2005 Toyota Tundra with a chrome toolbox and rack on top. The victim heard his truck start up and when he looked outside, it was gone. A description of the vehicle was broadcast to officers and an area check was conducted, but the vehicle was not located. The investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
May 15 at 6:54 a.m., an injury traffic collision was reported at Mountain and Lemon. The driver was on his way home from working a night shift and said he fell asleep at the wheel. He clipped the power pole on the corner of Mountain and Lemon, causing the vehicle to rollover several times before coming to a stop. The Monrovia Fire Department responded to treat the driver for complaint of pain. Edison was contacted and responded to inspect the power pole for damage.

Weapon Offense
May 15 at 7:31 p.m., officers responded to the area of Mountain and Huntington regarding a road rage incident where the suspect pointed a firearm. The incident began as two vehicles were exiting the westbound 210 Freeway at Buena Vista. One of the vehicles cut the other off on Central Avenue. When the vehicles reached the intersection of Mountain and Huntington, the suspect pulled up next to the victim’s vehicle and pointed a black, semi-automatic handgun at the victim. The suspect followed the victim and was last seen heading westbound on Foothill from May. The suspect is described as a male Hispanic, 20 years old, driving a burgundy Suburban with tinted windows and chrome wheels. The investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
May 16 at 5:39 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 700 block of W. Olive. The victim parked and locked his vehicle in the evening. When he returned to his vehicle the next morning, he found his tools had been stolen from his truck. There were no signs of forced entry. The investigation is continuing.

Monrovia Company Selected to Provide Tiny Drones to Navy

The Navy has selected Monrovia-based AeroVironment to supply miniature Blackwing drones for its submarines. http://goo.gl/AGA6nf

- Brad Haugaard

Steinway Piano Fundraiser

St. Luke's Episcopal Church Choir will present its fourth annual fundraiser to help purchase a Steinway concert grand piano on Saturday, May 22, at 5 p.m. Dinner in Guild Hall at the church, 122 S. California Ave. at Foothill followed by the show, directed by Music Director Kent Jones, in the sanctuary. An array of musical styles will be performed by members of the choir and guests. Wine and dessert will follow. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased at the door. Reservations recommended. Email jklauer@gmail.com or call Kelly Lauer at 905-5247 by Wednesday, May 18.

Pictures of Monrovia Days Parade

Great pictures of the Monrovia Days Parade at Gem City Images: http://goo.gl/SgtRmG

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Mayor In Pie Eating Contest

Monrovia Mayor Tom Adams takes a breather in the Monrovia Days pie eating contest. How cool is a town when you get to see the mayor with his face smeared with pie? Can you imagine the mayor of LA doing this?

- Brad Haugaard

More Trader Joe's Veggie Products Recalled

Monrovia-based Trader Joe's has added to the list of foods it is recalling for fear they may be contaminated with Listeria. All frozen veggies: http://goo.gl/usvrEe

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Days Is On!

Monrovia Days is on today and tomorrow. The center of the action is Library Park. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Council to Consider: 'Raw Inspiration' to Run Street Fair; Sending Anti-Tax Letter To County; Etc.

At its May 17 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/HyaGB9 ), the Monrovia City Council will ...

- Consider hiring Raw Inspiration to run the Monrovia Friday Night Family Street Fair. A city review team visited and liked the Calabasas Farmers' Market, run by Raw Inspiration, and found that, "While the Calabasas Farmers' Market was not an exact replica of Monrovia's Street Fair (the event lacked a significant entertainment component), incorporating elements from the Calabasas event into our Street Fair was highly recommended." http://goo.gl/jMmQAK

- Consider sending a letter to Supervisor Michael Antonovich saying why the city doesn't like the proposed Los Angeles County Park Tax. In short, city staff thinks it's unfair. In long ... http://goo.gl/YKxUwJ

- Consider spending some of the bond money the city raised for water/sewer/street repair for engineering and design services ($1,532,900 to Merrell Johnson Engineering and $81,260 to Civiltec Engineering)

- Plus another $30,880 to Precision Concrete Cutting for sidewalk assessment services.

- Also, the council will hold a 5 p.m. study session about the city's 2016-2017 budget. http://goo.gl/6iVWjj

- Brad Haugaard

Mayor Adams And Crew In Video Ad for Monrovia Days

If you want to see Mayor Tom Adams in cool blue sunglasses with a squirt gun in a rappy video ad for Monrovia Days, you will want to watch this: https://goo.gl/ucsDe0

- Brad Haugaard

Will Chris Rich Be Interim School Board Member?

Monrovia School Board will likely appoint former board member Chris Rich to serve out the remainder of retiring Alex Zucco's term. Zucco is taking a position with the state PTA. http://goo.gl/mDCFSW

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Domenico's

Dinner at Domenico's, a traditional style Italian restaurant on Huntington just east of Magnolia. Got the ravioli and spaghetti combination plate $15.99, and a large beer for $7.50.  It came with a nice salad. Tasty and filling. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Garden Club to Host Home Beautification Awards

Monrovia Garden Club will host the 2016 Monrovia Home Beautification Awards. The club will select eight front gardens. Yards are judged on appearance, how they enhance the home and neighborhood, and on its own merit as a work of art. An award sign will be put in the front yard announcing the resident as a winner, and the Mayor will present each resident with a Certificate of Recognition. The next Monrovia Garden Club meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 24 in Fellowship Hall at First Presbyterian Church, at the corner of Myrtle and Foothill. Light refreshments will be served at 6:30 p.m.

MOOYAH Burgers Opening May 23

MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes - in the Foothill Park Plaza at Myrtle and Foothill - is opening its doors on Monday, May 23. MOOYAH says it never uses frozen beef, it house-bakes its buns, serves fresh-cut fries and real ice cream shakes. The restaurant is owned by Ara Avagyan, an Armenian immigrant who has attended both medical school and earned a master's degree in leadership and management. He has held executive positions and owned companies in the home health industry. Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Hit With a Bat; Shoplifting With Baby Stroller; Cell Phone Swiped; Etc.

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

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 426 service events, resulting in 99 investigations.

Graffiti Vandalism
May 9 at 9:10 p.m., officers were dispatched to a park in the 900 block of California on the report of graffiti vandalism. When they arrived, they found someone had spray painted graffiti in large letters on a wall. The investigation is ongoing.

Domestic Violence
May 10 at 6:20 p.m., officers responded to the report of a battery in progress at a park in the 900 block of California. The officers arrived and contacted the male victim, who had minor injuries from a confrontation with his girlfriend. The suspect hit the victim with a bat and punched him several times in the head and face. The suspect had left the area and was not located. The suspect was entered into the law enforcement wanted persons system and the investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting
May 10 at 6:58 p.m., a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington called police to report a shoplifting incident. A female adult had been seen by store security placing jewelry into a baby stroller. The female exited the store without paying for the items. Loss prevention personnel detained and placed the suspect under private person's arrest. The officer arrested the suspect and issued her a citation to appear in court on the charges.

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
May 11 at 12:17 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 100 block of W. Walnut when he observed a male adult subject hiding near a wall next to a closed business. He contacted the subject and a consent search revealed he had a methamphetamine pipe in his possession. The officer searched the immediate area and recovered a baggie of methamphetamine, but the suspect said it did not belong to him. A computer search revealed the suspect also had a warrant for his arrest. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody for possession of drug paraphernalia and the warrant.

Petty Theft
May 11 at 12:51 a.m., a petty theft incident was reported at a business in the 200 block of W. Huntington. The victim was eating at the fast food restaurant when a male adult suspect suddenly grabbed the victim's cell phone and ran out of the business. Police were called and an area search was conducted, but the suspect was not located. The investigation is continuing.

Essential Oils Class at Monrovia Library | Senior Discount on Trash Pickup

~ Free Essential Oil Remedies class, Thursday, May 19 at 7 p.m. at the Monrovia Library. Make simple remedies using natural and potent therapeutic grade essential oils with host. Each participant will make blended remedies such as: Sleepy Time blend, Tummy Tamer, Achy Muscle Blend, Flu Bomb, Focus and Concentrate. Register at http: http://tinyurl.com/zxaq8mp

~ Monrovia residents 65 years of age or older are eligible for a 10% discount on solid waste services. Proof of age from a legal document (driver license, identification card, etc.) is required. Simply stop by the Public Works Department (600 S. Mountain Avenue) and staff will verify your age, so Athens Services can apply the discount to your account. (Thanks to Recreation Supervisor Rebecca Sandoval for info.)

- Brad Haugaard

New Townhomes Near Station Square

Brandywine Homes has begun construction at Lotus Court, a new community offering 13 townhomes on Duarte Road at Lotus Court, a few blocks west of Station Square.

Brandywine is building 13 three- and four-bedroom townhomes ranging in size from 1,555 to 1,705 square feet with private yards, full side-by-side garages, Spanish-inspired architecture, stainless steel appliances and solid-surface counters. The stucco, three-story townhomes with tile roofs are being built around an existing historic landmarked home built on the site in the early 1900s. The neighborhood will include a central recreation area.

The project is expected to be complete this summer.

Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

Upcoming at Monrovia's Station Square Park

Here is an overview of events that have been scheduled to kinda break in Station Square Park. (This is in addition to a concert series the city is working on.)

• Summer Reading Club Kick-Off. June 16 from 6-7 p.m.
• Family Dance Party For Younger Children & Their Families on June 23 through August 18. Every Thursday from 6-6:30 p.m.
• Brews & Books, June 23 from 7-8:30 p.m.
• Night Hike at Canyon Park, June 30, July 28, and August 11, from 6:30-9 p.m. A shuttle will take participants to Canyon Park for a guided tour to learn about the creatures that take over the park at night.
• Summer Concerts At Station Square. All concerts from 6:30-8 p.m. July 14 – The Who Show (The Who Tribute Band); July 21 - Escape (The Journey Tribute); August 4 – Mirage (Visions of Fleetwood Mac); August 18 – Doobies, Inc. (Doobie Brothers Tribute Band).

Source: City Manager Oliver Chi weekly report.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Staff Doesn't Like County Tax Plan | Construction on Foothill | Fire Engine Gets First Workout | Etc.

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

~ Monrovia city staff doesn't much like a proposed county parks tax measure that will likely be on the November ballot. An individual who, for example, owns a 2,000 square foot home would pay $60 a year. Chi says that the city would only get back 32 cents for each dollar of tax it would pay. Instead, West LA would get a big chunk of the money. He writes that, "it seems incongruent and unfair that our residents should have to pay for park space in Los Angeles and on the west side, especially when considering the fact that those areas are park deficient because of deliberate land use and development decisions that were made by Los Angeles / west side communities."

~ If you use Foothill frequently, Arcadia has begun a roadway improvement project along Foothill between Michillinda and Santa Anita. It should last through mid-August 2016. There will be sporadic lane closures, but Arcadia has indicated that at least one lane in each direction will remain open.

~ The city's new Fire Engine 101 got its baptism into service at a 3-car detached garage fire. City Manager Oliver Chi said it "performed flawlessly."

~ Learn CPR. The Sidewalk CPR program is scheduled for Thursday, June 2, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Library Park.

~ There will be a free ESL Pronunciation and Conversation Class from May 31-June 23 for English-language learners. The class will be held Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Library Community Room. Adult students must register prior to May 31. Online registration www.mcasweb.com . Contact Library Supervisor Rebecca Elder at (626) 256-8274 for further details.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Days This Weekend: Parade, Pie Eating Contest, Music Festival, Beer, Etc.

Monrovia Days is coming up this weekend.

Saturday

On Saturday, May 14, everyone is invited to to Old Town to celebrate Monrovia’s 130th Birthday! It begins at 8 a.m. with a welcome and pancake breakfast at Library Park. Then, at 9 a.m., the Monrovia Day Parade. After the parade, at around 10:30 a.m., there will be activities throughout the day, including:

Live entertainment, performances by Monrovia Unified School District students and Centre Stage participants, carnival games, laser tag, a dunk tank, food, and a good old fashioned pie eating contest, bounce houses, rock wall climbing, book sale hosted by the Friend’s of the Library, food and a beer garden.

The new pie eating contest will award a total of $500 in cash prizes to the winning teams! $300 prize to fastest team. No hands allowed!

Sunday

The Monrovia Days Music Festival will start at noon on Sunday, May 15, and will feature live music,
vendors, local merchants, food, another beer garden, and a variety of activities for the kids!

Here's who's playing and when: http://goo.gl/i71CPx

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Heroin; Shoplifter Escapes on Mountain Bike With Speakers; Thief Leaves Cell Phone; Thefts From Unlocked Vehicles; Etc.

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

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Suspicious Vehicle / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
May 5 at 3:16 p.m., an officer saw a suspicious vehicle traveling down Madison. The vehicle kept stopping and starting for no apparent reason, then pulled into the driveway of an apartment building in the 200 block of S. Madison and stopped. The vehicle was occupied by a female adult driver and male adult passenger. A resident of the property saw them and told the officer that the occupants did not belong on the property. The officer contacted the subjects to find out what they were doing at the location. A computer check of the subjects revealed the female driver had a $30,000 warrant for her arrest out of Pasadena. She was arrested and taken into custody. The male subject was identified and released. The subjects had no valid reason for being on the property.

Vehicle Burglary
May 5 at 11:19 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 500 block of W. Huntington Drive. The victim parked and locked her vehicle in a business parking lot at 3:00 p.m. She returned to her vehicle at 11:19 p.m. and saw that her passenger window was smashed and her backpack had been stolen. The investigation is continuing.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
May 6 at 1:00 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a welfare check on an adult male who was lying face down in the grass at the corner of Primrose and Chestnut. When the officer arrived, he contacted the subject, who appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance. The officer conducted a drug evaluation and determined the suspect was under the influence of heroin. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody, where he was held for sobering.

Shoplifting
May 6 at 6:43 p.m., a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington called police to report a shoplifter. Officers responded to the location to look for a male suspect who removed a pair of speakers from the store without paying. The loss prevention agent followed the suspect out of the store to Mayflower Avenue, where the suspect fled on a white, mountain bike. The officers conducted an area search, but were not able to locate the suspect. The investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting
May 6 at 11:18 p.m., a shoplifter was reported at a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain Avenue. A male suspect pushed a cart with tools in it through the garden center and out the emergency exit doors without paying. The suspect was not located and the investigation is continuing. Theft from a Vehicle May 7 in the early afternoon, four thefts from vehicles were reported to police. All four vehicles had been left unlocked. The thefts occurred in the 500 and 600 blocks of Terrado. The vehicles were ransacked and miscellaneous items were stolen. The investigations are continuing.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
May 7 at 10:40 a.m., officers responded to a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain regarding a suspect who was detained by loss prevention personnel for shoplifting. The suspect used a receipt he found in the parking lot to return items that he selected in the store that he had not purchased. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
May 7 at 8:35 p.m., officers noticed a suspicious vehicle in a parking lot in the 700 block of W. Huntington Drive that was occupied by a male adult. An officer contacted the subject and a computer check revealed multiple outstanding warrants for his arrest. Drug paraphernalia was found in the vehicle prior to it being towed from the scene. The suspect was arrested and later released with citations to appear in court.

Shoplifting
May 8 at 7:37 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain regarding the theft tools from a business. The suspect entered the store and selected an expensive saw. While the suspect was standing in the register isle, he was talking on his cell phone and holding the saw. The suspect abruptly ran from the register line through the front doors to an awaiting vehicle, which had a second suspect driving. As the suspect was running from the store, he dropped his cell phone and a fixed blade knife. Employees were able to get the license plate of the suspect vehicle and the investigation is continuing.

Domestic Violence
May 8 at 2:32 p.m., a female subject came to the police station to report she was the victim of domestic violence. She said she went to visit her husband and mother-in-law at their residence in the 800 block of W. Walnut. The husband sneaked out the back of the residence and went to drink with his friends. The wife located the husband and walked him back to the apartment. During an argument over his drinking alcohol, the husband punched the wife in the mouth and scratched her neck. Further investigation revealed there is an emergency protection order from prior domestic violence. The husband left the apartment prior to police arrival. The investigation is continuing.

Alex Blackburn Selected As Monrovia Mayor Pro Tem

Monrovia City Council member Alex Blackburn has been unanimously selected as the Council's mayor pro-tem. In other words, he serves as mayor when the mayor isn't available. http://goo.gl/Ugr8Mi

- Brad Haugaard

Crossing Finish Line

Crossing the finish line at Monrovia's Fountain to the Falls race.

-Brad Haugaard

Monrovian sets New Track and Field Record

Monrovia's Micah Fulton sets a new set a Rio Hondo League track and field meet jumping record of 37 1-1/2. http://goo.gl/5hchRy

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School Board: Honoring Staff Members; Attendance Down; Replacing Alex

At its May 11 meeting (agenda here) the Monrovia School Board will, among other things ...

- Honor: Board Member Alexandra Zucco for her seven years as a member of the Board of Education; Bradoaks Elementary School teacher, Ani Baker, for her dedication and commitment in helping a student's dream come true; and Plymouth Elementary School and Principal Suzanne Heck for its Mandarin Dual Immersion Language Program.

- Hear a report on student attendance. It's down 0.2%, which translates into a loss of $81,000 for the district. Details here.

 - Decide on a process to replace member Alex Zucco.

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Rudy's

Dinner at Rudy's Mexican Food at the corner of Colorado and Myrtle. Got the Beef Birria for $12.95 and a small beer for $6.50. Filling and tasty.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Trader Joe's Issues Second Recall This Week

Monrovia-based Trader Joe's has issued a second recall this week, this time for 9.3-ounce packages of broccoli slaw & kale salad with white chicken, sunflowers, cranberries and sweet and spicy vinaigrette. http://goo.gl/Cu2sjz

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Baseball Over Temple City :-)

Monrovia baseball victorious over Temple City 2-0. http://goo.gl/vH0jMJ

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Man Returns to Get Arrested; Threatening Phone Scam; Man Given Ticket for Shoplifting; Etc.

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

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 422 service events, resulting in 71 investigations.

Federal Warrant – Suspect Arrested
May 2 at 9:00 p.m., officers stopped a vehicle at Myrtle and Camino Real for a vehicle code violation. A computer check on the driver revealed he had a no-bail, federal warrant for his arrest for violation of his federal probation. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
May 3 at 10:48 a.m., officers responded to an apartment complex in the 1000 block of Royal Oaks regarding a domestic dispute. When officers arrived, they knocked on the front door, but no one answered the door. Officers located an open rear door and made entry into the residence. They located a female subject in a rear bedroom and found she had physical injuries. The male suspect had fled. While the officers were interviewing the victim, the male suspect returned by jumping over the rear fence. He was detained by the officers and arrested for domestic violence.

Threatening Phone Calls / Phone Scam Investigation
May 3 at 7:03 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 500 block of Terrado. The victims are an older couple who received a phone call from a suspect identifying himself as a representative of Publisher's Clearing House. The male suspect on the phone told them they had won $2.5 million dollars. The suspect told the victims they would only have to mail him $399 by money order. The couple realized the phone call was a scam and told the suspect they were not interested. The suspect called back several times that day. The next day, the suspect called again and threatened the couple, stating he was going to do them bodily harm if they didn't send the money. The investigation is ongoing.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
May 3 at 4:00 p.m., police dispatch received a call reporting a man and woman yelling, possibly fighting, near the wash north of Duarte. Officers arrived and saw a male subject, who began jumping fences to get away from the officers. The subject was eventually detained running through an apartment complex in the 800 block of W. Duarte. He was determined to be intoxicated and had numerous abrasions and scratches from jumping the fences. The officers called paramedics to have the subject checked. After he was given first aid by paramedics, he was arrested for being intoxicated in public.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
May 4 at 9:50 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a business in the 100 block of W. Foothill on the report of a shoplifting suspect in custody. The store loss prevention officer made a private persons arrest of the male suspect. The suspect was arrested and received a citation to appear in court on the charges.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
May 4 at 11:04 p.m., officers responded to the area of Foothill and Myrtle on the report of a disturbing male subject yelling as he walked down the street. Officers located and detained the subject, who was determined to be intoxicated and too impaired to care for himself. He was arrested for public intoxication and held for sobering.

Battery
May 4 at 11:44 p.m., officers responded to a possible fight at a residence in the 100 block of Los Angeles. Two female subjects had been involved in a physical fight, but one of them had left the location. The female subject at the location was uncooperative with police.

About an hour later, a male adult called police and reported that his daughter had been involved in a fight at the location and that she was being taken by ambulance to a hospital due to her injuries that occurred during the fight. An officer was dispatched to the hospital to interview the female, he interviewed the father, and then re-interviewed the other female. Both females had minor contusions on their faces. The report will be submitted to the District Attorney's office for misdemeanor filing.

Vandalism / Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
May 5 at 12:43 a.m., a vandalism in progress was reported at the northeast corner of Myrtle and Lime. The reporting party stated there were three subjects, but only one was spray painting graffiti on the wall. Officers located and detained one of the suspects near Palm and Myrtle. Upon searching the subject, officers found a baggie of methamphetamine. The suspect was arrested for possession of a controlled substance. He claimed that it was another subject that spray painted the wall. No other suspects were located. The investigation is continuing.

Monrovia-based Trader Joe's Recalls Veggies

Monrovia-based Trader Joe's has issued a recall "out of an abundance of caution" for several frozen vegetables - peas, beans, brocolli, and its "Trader Joe's Organic Foursome." http://goo.gl/hZSQ4E

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Woman Charged With Assaulting Postal Carrier

A Monrovia woman has been arrested by postal inspectors and charged with assaulting a postal carrier with pepper spray in Pasadena. https://goo.gl/cmb5nb

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Wild Rose Elementary Receives Its Third State Award

Monrovia's Wild Rose Elementary School, a Gold Ribbon School, was honored today for its Exemplary Arts Education Program Award and as a Title I Achieving School by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson.

Of 5,580 elementary schools in California only 38 were honored for having Exemplary Programs in Arts Education or Physical Education. Last month, Torlakson honored 779 schools with the Gold Ribbon Award, and Wild Rose was one of the recipients. Of those schools, 496 received the Title I Achieving Schools Award, and Wild Rose received that honor as well.

At Wild Rose, students are exposed to dance, instrumental music, choir, vocal lessons, drama, and visual arts. Ninety students in grades 1-5 are preparing for a drama production of "School House Rock Jr. Live" on May 19 at 6 PM and May 20 at 9:20 AM, 10:40 AM, and 6:00 PM in the school's cafeteria. The production is being coordinated by the music teacher, the office manager, and a retired teacher. The production is based on the award-winning 1970s cartoons which features fast-paced musical lessons with clever, catchy tunes to support history, grammar, and many other academic concepts.

All fourth grade students participate in a dance program one hour per week through the California Dance Institute (CDI). The Boone Foundation, a private and local donor that supports arts education in the area, funds this program to schools with low socioeconomic demographics who also have a high percentage of English language learners. This $10,000 gift allows the students access to an experience they may not be able to afford outside of the school setting. Thirty students participate in an after school dance club called SWAT and will perform in a culmination performance on June 2 at 4:00 PM and 6:30 PM at Clifton Middle School.

Students at Wild Rose receive visual arts instruction weekly. The school district and the school's PTA fund two visual arts teachers. As you drive by the perimeter of the school, you see three murals painted by fifth graders as the annual tradition of leaving their mark on their school. These murals are done in the likeness of famous masterpieces at the Huntington Library.

In Torlakson's press release, he stated,"I'm delighted to honor these schools and programs which are doing a tremendous job preparing our students for 21st century opportunities and graduating lifelong learners in the process." Likewise, Stacy Ayers, Wild Rose School Principal stated, "We are so proud our students have the opportunity to show off their talents and creativity when test scores are so often the focus in schools. It's important to give all students a chance to shine and showcase their strengths."

Wild Rose has about 525 students, approximately 78% of whom are disadvantaged. One-third of the students speak English as a second language. Despite these challenges, Wild Rose is a California Gold Ribbon School and a four time award winning Golden Bell School.

Source: Wild Rose press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council to Meet With Assemblyman About Stormwater, Policing

The Monrovia City Council and State Assemblyman Chris Holden (who represents the city) will hold a special meeting Thursday, May 5 at 4:30 p.m. to discuss two issues the city has been very bothered about: "MS4 Permit Concerns," which, I believe, is that whole "clean up your storm-water even though it'll cost several times your annual budget" thing, and "Proposition 47 and Law Enforcement Legislative Impacts." Police Chief Jim Hunt has been extremely critical of the law, which makes a lot more crimes misdemeanors. Here's a minimalist agenda: http://goo.gl/C83pB3

- Brad Haugaard

Municipal Services Discounts for Monrovia Seniors, Veterans, Low Income Residents

Did you know that Monrovia residents may be entitled to discounts of 5% or 25% off their municipal services bill? Yup. 5% off for seniors (65 and older) and 25% off for veterans and low income residents. Here's the sign-up form: http://goo.gl/iIZYVh . Thanks to former City Council candidate Stephan Grollnek for the tip.

- Brad Haugaard

Fire Training Exercises Above Monrovia; New Fire Division Chief; Movies in the Park; Clear-Your-Brush Letters

In his weekly report ( http://goo.gl/h2MVgG ), City Manager Oliver Chi reported these things ...

~ LA County Fire Department will be coordinating a training exercise on Friday, May 6, from 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Helispot 44-B in Monrovia, located north of Norumbega Drive (past Valmont Drive) just below Sawpit Dam.

~ The city has selected Jeremy Sanchez as its newest Fire Division Chief. He will be overseeing emergency preparedness, policies, technology, volunteer services, and brush clearance.

~ The Schedule for summer-time Movies in the Park. (All movies at dusk, about 8 p.m.)
- AntMan (PG-13), Saturday, June 18, Monrovia Historical Museum.
-  Hotel Transylvania 2 (PG), Saturday, July 9, Julian Fisher Park
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens (PG-13), Saturday, July 23, Station Square Park
- The Good Dinosaur (PG), Saturday, August 6, Grand Ave Park

~ The City sent out almost 1,500 brush inspection reminder letters this past week to remind hillside residents about removing dry brush.

- Brad Haugaard

Ferris Bueller's Day Off Movie at Library

Free screening of the modern film classic, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Saturday, May 28, 10 a.m. at the Monrovia Public Library. To reserve free tickets call 205-4308 or email movie@monroviaproviders.org. Light refreshments and aging resources. Presented by Monrovia Providers Group: www.monroviaproviders.org

Monrovia Old Homes Tour A Success

Monrovia Historic Preservation Group reports that its old homes tour was a success, with more than 450 people attending. http://www.mohpg.org/

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Flying Car Lands in Front Yards; Stolen Make-Up Bag; Domestic Violence; Keying Car; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for April 28 – May 1. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Vehicle Burglary
April 28 at 1:02 p.m., an officer responded to the 300 block of W. Maple regarding a vehicle burglary. A witness heard the sound of a window shattering. The witness saw a heavy-set, male Hispanic, 20-40 years old, reach in through the shattered window of a parked vehicle. A white, newer-model truck with no plates pulled up next to the male, blocking the view, so the witness could not see if he took anything from the vehicle. The male suspect entered the passenger side of the truck and they fled west on Maple, then north on Mayflower, out of sight. Officers searched the area for the truck, but were unable to locate it. The victim arrived and told officers her makeup bag was stolen from the driver's seat of the vehicle. The investigation is continuing.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
April 29 at 5:32 a.m., officers were dispatched to the report of a male and female involved in an argument, which had escalated and become physical. Officers arrived and interviewed the subjects. They determined the male subject had physically injured the female and was the primary aggressor. The male subject was arrested for domestic violence. The female was advised of her rights and available assistance.

Vehicle Vandalism
April 29 at 7:25 p.m., a vehicle vandalism was reported at a business parking lot in the 300 block of W. Huntington. The victim was inside the business shopping and upon exiting the store, he observed the suspect key his vehicle. The suspect is a former roommate the victim had evicted several months prior. The victim believes the suspect is now homeless. The suspect was not located. The investigation is continuing.

Non-Injury Traffic Collision
April 29 at 8:40 p.m., the Foothill Air Support Team helicopter observed a vehicle that was traveling at a high rate of speed lose control at the intersection of El Nido and Hillcrest and it landed in the front yards of two properties. Officers responded and located the vehicle and the driver. The driver said he was traveling 40 to 50 miles per hour, heading east on Hillcrest. When he passed El Nido, he lost control and went airborne. He landed onto two properties in their front yards. Police received several calls from residents who heard the accident. No one was injured.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested
April 30 at 2:25 a.m., an officer observed a vehicle drive through a stop sign at the intersection of Magnolia and Evergreen. He conducted a traffic stop and discovered the driver had been drinking. After performing field sobriety tests, the driver was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and held for a sobering period.

Shoplifting – Suspects Arrested
April 30 at 12:38 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain regarding a theft of tools that just occurred. The two adult, male suspects were detained by officers, driving away from the scene in a white Chevrolet Tahoe. The tools were recovered and returned to the store. The two suspects were arrested and taken into custody.

Family Disturbance / Drunk in Public – Suspect Arrested
May 1 at 12:25 a.m., officers were called to a residence in the 900 block of S. Mayflower where a family was involved in a verbal argument. One of the subjects had left prior to police arriving, but she was located on an adjacent street talking on her cell phone. The subject was found to be extremely intoxicated and unable to care for herself. She was arrested for being drunk in public and held for a sobering period.