Yearly Archives: 2008

6th Street Off-Ramp Over Shoreline Drive In Long Beach To Be Retrofitted

The 6th Street off-ramp over Shoreline Drive will be seismically retrofit, after the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a $2.7 million construction contract to strengthen the bridge in the City of Long Beach, Supervisor Don Knabe announced today.

This $2,708,671 project is a part of the Federal Highway Bridge Program. Under this program, Federal funds are allocated to local agencies and are used to finance 88.53 percent of the eligible costs of bridge seismic retrofit projects. The remaining 11.47 percent of the cost of the project will be financed with State Proposition 1 B funds. Additional funding for this project is provided by the Fourth Supervisorial District’s Road Construction Program.

By retrofitting this bridge, both the drivers and pedestrians who use the bridge will benefit by crossing a safer bridge, said Supervisor Knabe.

Construction on the project should begin in December 2007, and the estimated completion dated is July 2009.

Knabe Statement on Ridley-Thomas Victory

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe released the following statement tonight on the newest member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors who will be representing the Second District:

I would like to personally congratulate Supervisor-Elect Mark Ridley-Thomas on his election victory. I look forward to working with him closely in the years ahead. Mark has a long record of working to bring people in communities together to improve services, and I am confident he will bring these strengths to the Board of Supervisors.

I also want to congratulate Councilman Bernard Parks on running an excellent campaign. He is a friend and colleague, who I’ve had the privilege of working with the last several years on the Coliseum Commission and the MTA. I look forward to our continued working relationship on both agencies. With the death of Councilman Parks’ father last month, this has been a difficult time for the Parks family and I continue to have them in my thoughts and prayers.

This is also a bittersweet moment, in that we are saying goodbye to a long-time friend and colleague, Supervisor Yvonne Burke. Her retirement is an enormous loss for the Board of Supervisors and the County of Los Angeles, but we will continue to draw inspiration from her service and her example.

– Supervisor Don Knabe

County of Los Angeles, Fourth District

It’s Time For Your Flu Shot LA County

Los Angeles County Health Officer Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, would like to remind everyone that a yearly flu vaccine is the most important step in protecting against influenza. Flu vaccination is the best way for people to protect themselves and the ones they care about from influenza.

Public Health will be hosting a number of free flu vaccine clinics at schools, churches, and other community sites. We encourage everyone who wants a flu vaccine to get one, said Dr. Fielding. The time to get a flu vaccine begins in October and extends into March because we sometimes see flu cases as late as May.

The flu vaccine clinic schedule and the listing of LA County Public Health Center locations and hours of operation can be found on the Public Health website at: www.publichealth.lacounty.gov. People who do not have access to the Internet can call the LA County information and referral line by dialing 2-1-1 from any landline or cell phone. Operators can assist people in locating a flu vaccine clinic or a Public Health Center near them.

Parents should know that recommendations for flu vaccinations have recently changed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all children six months through 18 years of age receive a flu vaccine against influenza every year, unless they have a serious egg allergy. s

When people, especially school-aged children, receive a flu vaccine, they not only protect themselves, they also protect people around them who are susceptible to getting sick, said Dr. Fielding. Flu can easily spread from child-to-child in school settings.

The best way to prevent the spread of flu is to wash your hands often, especially after visiting the restroom, or coming into contact with someone who has flu-like symptoms; cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze; avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes; stay home if you are sick or keep your children out of school if they are sick; and get vaccinated against the flu, added Dr. Fielding.

Many pharmacies are also administering the flu vaccine. For these and

Los Angeles County Golf Club 2009 Schedule

Supervisor Knabe invites you to experience the wonders of the Los Angeles County Golf System; an affordable, quality and accessible recreational activity for the residents of Los Angeles County.

The Los Angeles County Golf Club (LACGC) visits and conducts tournaments at a different County golf course each month. In 2009, the LACGC will visit four Fourth District golf courses; Lakewood Golf Course on January 25, La Mirada Golf Course on February 22, Diamond Bar Golf Course on June 28, and Los Verdes Golf Course on December 13. Additionally, in 2009 we have added two new tournament events to our schedule, LA County Club Championship, and the LA County / PLGA Partners Cup.

Dust your clubs off and join the fun! Log onto www.lacountygolfclub.com or call (626) 254-8533 for more information. See below for the full 2009 schedule for the LACGC.

Rancho Los Amigos To Host Annual Exhibition Of Patient Art

Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center invites the public to visit the 12th Annual Art of Rancho show.

This art exhibition is a showcase of beautiful art work presented by more than 40 Rancho patients, and will feature mouthstick painting demonstrations, a chance to create your own marbeling art, and more. Some of the artists’ work will be available for purchase.

This free public exhibit can be seen on Friday, November 7, in the Support Services Annex of Rancho Los Amigos, located at 7601 East Imperial Highway in the City of Downey.

The exhibit hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Parking is available in the parking structure adjacent to the Support Services Annex building. The nearest cross streets are Imperial Highway and Old River School Road.

Thieves Use Fake Los Angeles County Checks To Scam Victims Out Of Thousands Of Dollars

As fake check scams proliferate and get more sophisticated in nature, more and more unsuspecting consumers are losing thousands of dollars to this financially harmful scam. A current scam targeting seniors across Southern California uses fake checks that appear to be from the County of Los Angeles to lure victims into wiring money to thieves in Canada.

One vigilant consumer asked the Los Angeles County Department of the Auditor-Controller to verify the legitimacy of a County check he received. Auditor-Controller staff determined that the check was counterfeit. Further investigation discovered the existence of an elaborate fake check scam.

Here is how the scam works. The victim, usually a senior citizen, receives an official-looking final notice claiming to be from Canada Customs and Revenue Agency. The notice tells the victim that he won a lottery prize, and urges him to call immediately to claim his winnings. When the victim calls, the official tells him that he has to pay a customs fee. To reassure the victim, the thief offers to mail him a check, and asks him to deposit the check in his bank account and wire the funds back to claim his prize.

The victim then receives a check that looks like it was issued by the County of Los Angeles. Convinced this is the real thing, the victim deposits the check and wires the money via MoneyGram to British Columbia, Canada. Days later, the victim’s bank tells him that the check bounced and he needs to pay the money. The victim, of course, never gets the prize.

Los Angeles County officials say that fake check scams are on the rise. Recent surveys show that fake check scams rank on the top five consumer scams, said Pastor Herrera, Jr., Director of the County of Los Angeles Department of Consumer Affairs. Consumers must protect themselves against these scams because once they wire money to thieves it is virtually impossible to get it back.

Tips for consumers to spot and avoid fake check scams:

– Never wire money to strangers. There is no reason for someone to pay you by check and ask you to wire back some of the money.

– Fake checks look real. Even some bank tellers are fooled by some fake checks. However, just because the bank accepts the fake check and releases the funds, it doesn’t mean the check is good. It can take weeks for the bank to find out and tell you that the check is bad.

– You are responsible for fake checks you deposit. When a fake check bounces, the bank will deduct money from your account or even sue you to recover the funds. If you deposit a check you know is fake, you can be prosecuted.

– It is very hard to get your money back. Thieves often live in other countries out of the reach of U.S. authorities. Your best protection is not to send them money no matter what they promise you.

– If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Don’t believe promises that you won a lottery or drawing you never entered.

Victims and people who need information on fake check scams can call the Department of Consumer Affairs at (800) 593-8222 or visit their website at http://dca.lacounty.gov

Hours Extended This Weekend For Early Voting

Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (RR/CC) Dean Logan reported that extended hours will be offered this weekend for voters wishing to vote early.

Early voting activity in L.A. County reflects high interest by voters wishing to cast their ballots prior to Election Day, said Logan. They are flocking to the RR/CC in record breaking numbers. The weekend of October 25-26, we began a ‘seven day a week cycle’ open to the public for early voting. During that weekend alone over 2,600 voters came into the office, with another 1,300+ the following Monday.

To accommodate the growing number of voters wishing to vote early, office hours at RR/CC Headquarters will be extended this Friday and Saturday. Hours of operation on Friday, October 31 and Saturday, November 1 will be 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Early voting will also be available Sunday, November 2, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Hours on Wednesday and Thursday, October 29 and 30 and Monday, November 3 will remain 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The RR/CC office is located at 12400 Imperial Highway in the City of Norwalk.

To date, over 977,000 voters have requested vote by mail ballots, and more than 329,500 have returned their voted ballot by mail or in-person to the RR/CC.

The number of vote by mail ballots requested has surpassed the prior record from the November 2004 General Election, where with the same number of days remaining before the election, 740,000 requests had been made. The total vote by mail ballots cast in that election was 701,693 representing approximately 22 percent of the total votes cast, Logan said.

Further information, regarding early voting and vote by mail services, can be obtained by going online at
www.lavote.net or by calling the RR/CC at (800) 815-2666.

Department Of Children And Family Services Looking For New Hires

The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) will host a Job Fair on Saturday, October 25, 2008, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at its Torrance Office, 2325 Park Del Amo Street. The Job Fair is open to the public. Anyone committed to changing the lives of children by working as a Children’s Social Worker or in a supportive clerical role is invited to attend.

DCFS offers multiple positions in a variety of fields including clerical, nursing and social work. A Children’s Social Worker II can earn as much as $66,068 annually and Children’s Social Workers Trainees can earn up to $41,140 annually. Additionally, the County of Los Angeles offers an excellent benefits package, retirement plan and 10 paid holidays per year. At the Job Fair, free educational workshops will touch on topics such as the Education and Licensure Program and A Day in the Life of a Social Worker.

DCFS uses leading-edge social work practices that are family-strength based. The department’s three key goals of increased permanency, increased safety for children and reduced reliance on foster care are aimed at improving the lives of children and families in both the Santa Clarita area and greater Los Angeles County.

Applications and information regarding minimum requirements for available positions can be found online at www.lacdcfs.org in the careers link, by calling the DCFS Job Hotline at (213) 351-6417 or by visiting DCFS Headquarters at 425 Shatto Place, Room 105, in Los Angeles. Applications and information will also be available at the Job Fair, along with technical assistance in completing the necessary forms.

Wild Cats To Be Removed From Rancho Los Amigos After Increased Public Health Concerns

Los Angeles County leaders announced today that in response to public health concerns at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, wild (feral) cats will be removed from the campus.

Due to the large number of feral cats on the campus, estimated at 150 – 200, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) has determined that the current conditions pose a public health risk. Evidence of fleas, flies, and feces associated with the cats has been observed throughout the campus, including adjacent to a child day care center, a County Crime Laboratory, and a County Public Health Laboratory. Unmanaged colonies of feral cats could potentially pass on organisms related to human disease such as rabies, plague, endemic typhus, toxoplasmosis, and cat-scratch disease. These pathogens can be transmitted via bite, scratch, fleas, and exposure to fecal matter.

Representatives from the Los Angles County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC) have worked with a local feral cat group for over nine months to find a solution to this growing problem. Despite this effort, the cat population remains significant, and a recent inspection on the campus found five litters. DACC has offered the group numerous resources to assist in this effort; however the number of cats has continued to grow.

DACC will be in charge of removing the feral cats from the campus. DACC will begin trapping the cats, and moving them to the Downey Animal Shelter. While at the shelter, the cats will be assessed, and all adoptable cats will be made available for adoption. DACC will also once again run its Barn Cat promotion to seek out even more homes for these feral cats. The goal of DACC is to find homes for all of these cats, and euthanasia will only be used as a last resort.

What this comes down to is protecting the health and well being of the children at the day care center and our employees at the crime and public health labs, as well as the public who routinely visit the campus, said Supervisor Knabe. The goal is to control fleas and other problems that could pose a public health hazard, especially for children or those with weakened immune systems. This is kids over cats, plain and simple.

For media questions regarding the public health aspects of this issue please contact Sarah Kissell from the Department of Public Health at (213) 240-8144. For press inquiries regarding the trapping and removal of the cats please contact Michelle Roache from the Department of Animal Care and Control at (562) 728-4644.

In an effort to find homes for as many of these feral cats as possible, DACC is asking the public for help.

If you are interested in helping one of these needy cats, please email DACC at animalinfo@animalcare.lacounty.gov to let them know you are interested in adopting one or more of these cats. Include your contact information and how many cats you are interested in adopting in your email, and they will contact you when they have Rancho cats available.

Additional documents and resources

– Click here to download a copy of the notice from the Department of Public Health regarding the public health concerns associated with the feral cats.

– Click here to download a letter from the Department of Animal Care and Control outlining the various resources it offered to remove the cats from the campus.

Marina del Rey Maintenance Dredging To Begin Soon

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Los Angeles District, awarded a $1.8 million contract to CJW Construction, a small business firm from Santa Ana, to dredge material from the South Entrance Channel at Marina del Rey.

CJW Construction will remove approximately 50,000 cubic meters of material in and around the South Entrance Channel. Material will be hydraulically pumped down the beach to Parking Lot 3 on Dockweiler State Beach where the contractor will separate the clean sand from the chemically challenged fine grained material.

The process incorporates hydocyclone technology to produce high quality beach sand that can be used to nourish down coast beaches. Dredged material from this location is typically unsuitable for open water placement or beach disposal, hence the need for a cost effective treatment process. The hydrocyclone technology was produced over several years by a team of state, federal and local agencies, including Heal the Bay. The team was led by USACE and Anchor Environmental, an architect/engineer firm with headquarters in Seattle, Washington.

The application of this technology could change the dredging industry throughout the world, so we’ll be monitoring this project closely, said Jim Fields, Corps project manager.

The Marina del Rey harbor is vital to the safety and security of Los Angeles International Airport and the region with supporting elements of the United States Coast Guard, Los Angeles Sheriffs’ Harbor Department, and the Los Angeles County Lifeguards. Marina del Rey is also home to over 5,000 boaters with everything from recreational boating to commercial fishing and charter operations.

"The County of Los Angeles is excited about the opportunities this project offers in finding a long term solution for removing contaminated sediments in the Marina del Rey harbor south entrance as well as in converting much of that material into clean sand that can be placed on our beaches," said Supervisor Knabe.

Dredging is scheduled to start in late October; project completion is expected in February 2009. For information on other Corps of Engineers projects or to learn more about the Los Angeles District visit our website at www.spl.usace.army.mil