- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Relief Organization Warns of Hunger in Africa
Monrovia's World Vision relief organization warns that a "huge gap" in funding for aid projects threatens to leave millions of people in the Sahel hungry in the coming months. (The Sahel is the area along the southern edge of the Sahara Desert.) http://goo.gl/Z86ze
Monrovia in Playoffs? | Postal Food | Tuition for Military | Surgery for Gordo | Former Monrovia Police Officer Promoted
~ Sportswriter Miguel Melendez thinks Monrovia High baseball looks good for the playoffs. http://goo.gl/vNz2o
~ May 12 is Letter Carriers Food Drive. Locally, this will support Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center. Leave food by your mail box, the letter carrier brings it to the post office, and Unity will have volunteers transporting and warehousing the food. On its Facebook page, the Center writes: "We usually receive over 100,000 pounds of food on that day."
~ Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who represents part of Monrovia, writes on Facebook that, "Today, I proudly spoke in favor of AB 2250, a bill I am co-authoring, which will give Military service members and their spouses in state tuition for college."
~ Help Gordo the dog get needed surgery after being abused. http://goo.gl/XCIGm
~ Former Monrovia Police officer, Joe Allen, promoted to commander at Atascadero PD. http://goo.gl/y6MBi
Assembly Committee Kills Monrovia Assemblyman's Whistleblower Bill
For the second time this year, a California Assembly Committee has killed Assemblymember Anthony Portantino's bill to provide legislative employees with protection from retaliation in whistleblower cases, according to a press release from Portantino's office. Portantino represents part of Monrovia. The press release continues:
"I am deeply disappointed that once again an Assembly Committee chose to kill Whistleblower Protection for capitol employees," said Assemblymember Portantino. "For more than 35 years, the Whistleblower Protection Act has covered employees of every other state agency or department except the Legislature. It makes no sense that legislators would kill this bill; what do they have to hide? If we truly want to root out fraud and waste in state government, we have to provide protection for those who come forward with claims so they can be candid without fear of reprisal."
AB 2256 would have established the California Legislature Whistleblower Protection Act and would have given legislative employees legal protections from reprisals for reporting government wrongdoing such as waste, fraud and abuse. The measure would have required the Rules Committees of both the Assembly and Senate to receive written complaints and forward them on to the California Fair Practices Committee (FPPC) to investigate. Penalties for retaliation would have included a $10,000 fine.
By maintaining a self-serving exemption we are communicating a self-serving message instead of focusing on common core values. We should be fostering and encouraging folks to report waste, fraud and abuse, not stifling those reports," said Portantino. "I am extremely disappointed that a committee which unanimously passed a similar bill in January would kill one today. It begs the question, what is the Assembly hiding?"
- Brad Haugaard
Freeway Bridge Mold
And here is a six-minute video of construction progress and what to expect. Very cool time lapse.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia High Dance and Color Guard Wins
The Monrovia High dance team took first place at the Southern California Classic at Claremont High this weekend and the color guard took second place in the divisional championships at Marina High School. http://goo.gl/W8Thc
Monrovia High Reunion - Class of '72
Monrovia High School's Class of 72 is planning its 40th reunion, called "On a Hot August Night," 6-11 p.m. on Saturday, August 4, at the Santa Anita Inn in Arcadia. Bonus Friday warm-up event August 3 starting at 5:30 p.m. $75 per person. Send to Shirley Slattery, P.O. Box 2112, Monrovia CA 91016, by May 31.
Alums can call Shirley Slattery at 626-387-3906 for more information or on Facebook at: MHS Class of 1972 - 40th Reunion
Alums can call Shirley Slattery at 626-387-3906 for more information or on Facebook at: MHS Class of 1972 - 40th Reunion
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Edged by Glendora in Girls Track; Boys Win
Glendora girls track team edges out Monrovia 90 to 89.5 in Mt. SAC Relays for team title. But Boys win! http://goo.gl/SZtVo
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Assemblyman's Interest Rate Bill Approved by Assembly Committee
Assembly Bill 2048, by Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who represents part of Monrovia, was unanimously approved by the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee today. The bill would "ensure that interest rates will be calculated the same way for underpayments as it is for overpayments. When government owes taxpayers, it will then pay the same interest rate required of Californians who owe taxes." Source: http://goo.gl/29UP7
Monrovia Police: Biking Under the Influence, Boxers Only, Burned by Marijuana, Traffic Injuries, Shoplifting, Etc
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for April 19-22. - Brad Haugaard]
Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.
Driving a Bicycle While Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested
April 19 at 10:51 p.m., an officer was on patrol in the 900 block of West Huntington when he was flagged down by an employee from a hotel. The employee reported a male subject who was at the hotel asking for free food and approaching guests asking them for money. The officer searched the area and located a subject matching the description riding a bike without a light at night in the area of Encino and Alta. The subject was detained and was determined to be riding his bike while under the influence. He also had a small amount of marijuana on his person. He was arrested and taken into custody.
Commercial Burglary
April 20 at 2:53 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain. Loss prevention called to report a male Hispanic subject with a shaved head had stolen merchandise and fled the store through the exit doors without paying. He was seen getting into a burgundy Ford vehicle with paper plates. Officers responded to the area and made an area check, but the suspect was not located. Investigation continuing.
Traffic Collision With Injuries
April 20 at 4:32 p.m., a traffic collision was reported in the 700 block of West Foothill. A vehicle stopped to make a left turn into a driveway. A vehicle following behind collided into the stopped vehicle, sending it into opposing traffic, where it collided with an oncoming vehicle. As a result of the collisions, a fourth vehicle was also struck. Two people were taken to the hospital for complaint of pain to their neck, back and legs.
Commercial Burglary - Suspect Arrested
April 20 at 5:44 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain regarding a female subject in custody for shoplifting. The female suspect entered the store with a store shopping bag. She selected several items and concealed them in the bag. She then exited the store without paying for the items and was detained by store employees. She was arrested and taken into custody.
Drug Activity
April 20 at 9:32 p.m., a subject called to report that her tenants, who live in the 200 block of Jasmine, were badly burned. The caller did not know how the male and female subjects were burned. Through investigation it was revealed that the male subject was attempting to extract marijuana, which caught on fire. He was walking out of the kitchen area with the burning container and the female subject walked into him, causing them to get splattered with burning extraction. The subjects were treated by Monrovia Fire Department paramedics and taken to a hospital. The male subject sustained first degree burns on his torso and arms. The female subject sustained first and second degree burns. Charges will be filed against the male suspect.
Parole Hold - Suspect Arrested
April 20 at 10:35 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 1800 block of South Peck Road for a second disturbance call on the same male subject. The male subject had been involved in an altercation at the residence. He had left the location earlier and was told by officers not to return. He returned to the location and was causing another disturbance. Officers arrived and learned the subject was on parole for assault with a deadly weapon and contacted the subject's parole officer. The parole officer placed a parole hold on the subject and he was arrested and taken into custody.
Commercial Burglary
April 21 at 6:12 p.m., a burglary was reported at a business in the 300 block of West Huntington. The victim reported that she left her business at 3:00 p.m. and everything was fine at the location. She returned shortly after 6:00 p.m. and found that someone had entered through the roof and ransacked the business. Investigation continuing.
Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance - Suspect Arrested
April 22 at 3:05 a.m., a motorist reported that a male subject, wearing boxer shorts only, was sitting on Myrtle Avenue, south of Duarte. Officers responded and located the subject, who was found to be under the influence. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody. Computer checks revealed the suspect had three warrants for his arrest.
Disturbed Subject / Mental Evaluation
April 22 at 4:07 a.m., officers responded to a residence in the 800 block of West Duarte Road regarding a violent subject who had broken a window and cut himself. The subject had been drinking heavily, and it appears he tripped, knocked over a dresser and fell through a window, cutting himself. Monrovia Fire Department paramedics treated the subject, who was then taken to a hospital. At the hospital, the subject stated he did not want to live anymore. The hospital will complete a 72-hour hold for mental evaluation.
Grand Theft Auto
April 22, three vehicle thefts were reported in the morning hours that had occurred sometime overnight. The thefts were from the 1100 block of South Primrose, the 100 block of Pomona and the 200 block of East Maple. All of the vehicles were taken from the immediate area of the owners' residences. The investigation is continuing.
Grand Theft From Vehicle
April 22 at 6:38 p.m., an officer responded to the report of theft from a vehicle in the 2000 block of South Peck Road. The victim reported that he left his vehicle unlocked and someone took his military-issue flak jacket from the backseat of his vehicle. Investigation continuing.
Monrovia Schools Community Budget Meeting
If you'd like to hear more about the Monrovia schools' financial woes - and give your ideas - there will be another community budget meeting, this one at Santa Fe Middle School gym (148 W. Duarte Rd.), April 25 at 7 p.m. http://goo.gl/O30Zw
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Movie Music concert
San Gabriel Valley Choral Company "Goes to the Movies" concert, May 9, 7 p.m. at Monrovia Presbyterian Church. Songs from favorite movies. "Solos, duets, small ensembles, and the full chorale." Directed by Alexander Ruggieri ( http://goo.gl/Qmyd6 ). Also, they're still looking for singers: http://goo.gl/BIlpp
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Berdan Records Opens in Monrovia
Grand Opening of Berdan Records at Myrtle and Olive. http://goo.gl/ttSzR
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- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
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- Brad Haugaard
Helping Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center
How to help Foothill Unity Center help people who need food. http://goo.gl/MqeFE
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Girls Named to All-Stars | Monrovia 0, La Canada 2 :-( | Portantino Visits Gables
~ The Star-News/Tribune has named three Monrovia girls to its All-Star Girl's basketball team for its All-Star Game. They are seniors Gina Henderson, Domynyque Johnson, and Kaela Barnes. http://goo.gl/PuOoo
~ La Canada shuts out Monrovia women in two-run game. http://goo.gl/4QetR
~ Assemblyman Anthony Portantino reports on Facebook that he visited The Gables, an assisted living community in Monrovia, where he discussed politics with many of the residents.
- Brad Haugaard
Will Transit Sales Tax be on November Ballot?
Gold Line spokesman Habib Balian reports in a press release that a proposal by LA Mayor Villaraigosa to extend the Measure R half-cent sales tax indefinitely (for mass transit) has begun its way towards landing on the November ballot. He writes that, "The first step for the proposed tax extension has already begun at the State. A bill (AB1446) is currently moving through the Assembly."
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Library's 'Altered Books' | Crash Sends 2 to Hospital | Injured Student Returns to School | Huff on Budget Shenanigans | Cities Legal Fees | Bridge
~ Monrovia Library's "altered books." Some pictures. http://goo.gl/mJX4d
~ Crash sends two to hospital. http://goo.gl/Kwkrl
~ Hit and run victim returns to Clifton. http://goo.gl/rLQxo
~ Video: Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, on budget time "shenanigans" in Sacramento. He said the Senate is not following its own rules, and "the road to hell is paved with good intentions, but I'm not even sure the intentions are good." ( http://goo.gl/y0cyI ) And here he is again, speaking to the Senate: http://goo.gl/SrnRd
~ A list of how much LA-area cities spend on legal fees. Monrovia spends 1.8 percent of its budget on legal fees. Top is Signal Hill (4.3 percent); lowest recorded is Lakewood (0.3 percent). http://goo.gl/uHb8u
~ Concrete will be poured for the main crossbeam and lower sections of the Gold Line bidge superstructure next month. http://goo.gl/X7g8Q
- Brad Haugaard
Lunch at Casa Jimenez
Lunch at Casa Jimenez. On Mountain just in front of Home Depot. Got the Buritto Pollo with grilled chicken from the lunch menu. About $8.45 with drink. Window sign saying changed ownership. Nice mild food, but with some spicy salsas if you want to give it a kick.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Drones in Morocco | Lots of Lenses
~ Marines use drones from Monrovia's AeroVironment in training exercises with Moroccan military ( http://goo.gl/XOnWv ). Also, the Marine Corps is the first military service to adopt four different small drone systems from the company, at a price of $5.5 million ( http://goo.gl/rrswi ).
~ Monrovia's STAAR Surgical is celebrating a milestone - the number of its Visian eye-lens implants in patients worldwide has exceeded 300,000. http://goo.gl/RA8Pq
- Brad Haugaard
Young Monrovia Leaders
First ever Monrovia Area Partnership (MAP) Youth Leadership graduates, honored at the April 17 City Council meeting.
These young people participated in all-day training in leadership, getting involved in government and the community, problem solving and organizing. Each youth partnered with a mentor from different agencies to help foster their work.
Congratulations to: Marvin Garcia, Erica Flores, Felicia Lay, Sara Santiago, and Brenda Evangs from the Youth Commission with their mentors Rudy Martinez and Tiffany Scott; Jessica Tang, Lawrence Spicer, Alexis Silva, and Paige Bullock from the Teen Advisory Board with their mentor Elizabeth Schneider; Savana Ayala, Cristian Lugo, Leslie Colin, and Edgar “Jr” Colin, from the Y-Life project with their mentor Ulises Gutierrez; Kourtney Mills and Priscilla Mendoza from the Boys & Girls Club with their mentors Monet Morris and Emily Samayoa; Perla Moreno, Jack Wallace, David Castillo, and Darwin Urzua from Quest Academy with their mentor Susan Hirsch; Jalen Masen, Diana Carolina, Sirena Aquino, and Khristina Suaraz from the Monrovia Unified School District with their mentor Samara Hirsch; and Ivana Peralta with mentor Monrovia Police Chaplain Terrence Brown.
Comedy Hypnotism at Monrovia High | Huff Bill Turned Down | How Much You Can Save if You Sell Your Car
~ Comedy hypnotism show at Monrovia High, 6-8 p.m. April 27 in the auditorium. "The Lino Esguerras Comedy Hypnotist Show." $10 at the door. Open to the whole Monrovia Community. http://goo.gl/9BRoA
~ The State Senate has voted down a measure sponsored by Monrovia's Senator, Bob Huff, that would have made it easier to get teachers out of the classroom when they are "under investigation for unprofessional conduct and/or criminal behavior." Instead, the Senate passed a different version which Huff says is "watered-down." http://goo.gl/IET8R
~ The Gold Line folks report that LA-area commuters could save approximately $916 a month ($10,989 a year) by using public transportation instead of owning a car ( http://goo.gl/WNsll ). Comment: Well... Seems rather unrealistic to expect many LA-area people to give up their cars. Tell me instead how much people would save if they own a car AND use public transportation.
- Brad Haugaard
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