The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a ban today on the parking of commercial vehicles of 10,000 pounds on the west side of Countrywood Avenue, between Pepperbrook Way and Colima Road in Hacienda Heights.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works will post adequate signs along all of the affected streets, so that the public is aware of the new parking prohibition. The parking ban will be in effect 24-hours a day and violators will be subject to fines.
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County Helps Fund Rolling Hills Estates Project
The County of Los Angeles will provide major financial support to a project to upgrade storm drains throughout the City of Rolling Hills Estates. That announcement was made today by Supervisor Don Knabe after a vote of support and approval by the Board of Supervisors.
The total cost of the project is estimated to be $900,000, most of which will be provided by the City of Rolling Hills Estates. The County’s financial contribution to the project will be $400,000, which will come from Supervisor Knabe’s Fourth District Road Construction Program. The repairs to storm drains are planned for portions of Palos Verdes Drive north, Hawthorne Boulevard and Silver Spur Road.
Even though the streets that will receive upgrades are entirely within the City of Rolling Hills Estates, state law grants permission to counties to financially assist in road improvement projects on specified streets that will benefit residents throughout the County. By improving the roadway along Palos Verdes Drive North, residents of the City of Rolling Hills and nearby unincorporated areas will also benefit.
$10,000 Reward Renewed for Information Related to Hit-And-Run Death In Marina del Rey
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has unanimously renewed a $10,000 reward today, at the request of Supervisor Don Knabe, for information related to the hit-and-run death of Marina del Rey resident, Patrick Conarpe.
On Saturday, October 28, 2006, at approximately 7:55 p.m., Conarpe, an employee of Ralphs Supermarket, was tragically killed by a hit-and-run driver at the intersection of Mindanao and Admiralty Way in Marina del Rey. While taking a break from his duties at the market, Conarpe was crossing Admiralty Way with his friend and co-worker when he may have dropped some personal articles in the crosswalk. While retrieving his personal items from the roadway, he was struck by a vehicle traveling eastbound on Admiralty Way suffering fatal injuries.
"This was tragic and unnecessary death, said Supervisor Knabe. We need to continue our efforts to find the person responsible for the death of Mr. Conarpe, and it is my hope that this reward will help lead to new information.
Any person having any information related to this crime is asked to contact CHP Investigator Dan Morrison of the California Highway Patrol at (310) 642-3939, Ext. 244.
Graffiti Tracker Nets First Big Bust in South Whittier
A high-tech system designed to curb graffiti in Unincorporated South Whittier was credited for today’s arrest of a local teen accused of several incidents of graffiti vandalism, Supervisor Don Knabe announced today.
Early this morning, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputies, using documentation obtained from the Graffiti Tracker program, served a search warrant at an apartment in South Whittier and found both the primary suspect and paraphernalia that could have been used in the crimes. Deputies reported that the suspect, a 16 year old male and self-proclaimed member of the Whittier 13 gang, confessed to the crimes and was taken into custody. He is currently being held at the County’s Los Padrinos Juvenile Detention Center. The Sheriff’s Department will be seeking a felony complaint for vandalism with the District Attorney’s Office.
Before the ‘Graffiti Tracker’ came along, a bust like this wouldn’t have been possible because there was no way of determining which vandals were doing the most damage or how much damage they were actually responsible for, said Supervisor Knabe.
The Graffiti Tracker system was created to capture and store graffiti data. The system gives law enforcement personnel real-time, street-level intelligence that allows them to not only focus on the worst graffiti offenders and their damage, but also to monitor potential gang violence that is associated with the graffiti.
The system was originally put to use in the City of Carson several years ago and was brought to South Whittier in early 2006. Today’s arrest is the first major bust in South Whittier for graffiti vandalism since the program went online.
24-Hour Lifeguard Coverage Coming to San Pedro and Palos Verdes Peninsula
Supervisor Don Knabe has secured $428,250 in the County’s 2006-2007 Budget to fund 24-hour staffing for Los Angeles County Lifeguards at Baywatch Cabrillo in San Pedro. The LA Harbor will now have 24 hour lifeguard coverage; this is important in case of an emergency (i.e. terrorist problem, air crash, problem on a cruise ship, etc.)
Specifically, Baywatch Cabrillo will assume more search and rescue responsibilities from the United States Coast Guard, allowing the Coast Guard to commit more time and resources to ensuring the the security of the nation’s and world’s fifth largest port complex. The Baywatch Cabrillo crew will be actively patrolling the area to hopefully minimize any potential maritime incidents. The crew will also be receiving special equipment and training from the Coast Guard.
"This additional manpower is absolutely critical to ensuring that our ports are secure," said Supervisor Knabe. "In addition to helping with homeland security, the Baywatch Cabrillo will be providing 24 Hour emergency response to the Palos Verdes and San Pedro coastlines.
$10,000 Reward Established for Murder of Norwalk Man
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved a $10,000 reward today for information related to the stabbing death of Norwalk resident, Manuel Marquez, at the request of Supervisor Don Knabe.
On Monday, October 23, 2006, Marquez was found beaten and stabbed to death in his home at 12005 Pioneer Boulevard, in the City of Norwalk. The victim was last seen alive on Friday evening and was discovered by his girlfriend on Monday. Marquez was a family man and a business owner.
"This was a savage and heinous murder, said Supervisor Knabe. We need to find those responsible for the death of Mr. Marquez, and it is my hope that this reward will help lead to new information and ultimately an arrest.
Any person having any information related to this crime is asked to contact Detective Karen Lee Shonka of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department – Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5621.
Improvements Completed at Carolyn Rosas Park in Rowland Heights
Supervisor Knabe announced recently that the improvement project that had been taking place at Carolyn Rosas Park in Rowland Heights is now complete.
The refurbishment which began in November of 2005 was completed within the budget and timeline required of the contractor.
The project included improvements to the existing park’s community building to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including upgrades to the restroom and repairs to the interior doors, walls and floor, and to accommodate a computer lab within the community building were provided.
In addition, the project included various improvements to the park site, including repairs to the parking lot, replacement of concrete walkways and the installation of new picnic shelters, barbeque braziers, drinking fountains and connective pathways to improve ADA access. Security lights throughout the park were also replaced.
"I am excited that these improvements are finally complete," said Supervisor Knabe. "The upgrades to this park will benefit this community for many years to come."
Beach Bike Path to Receive Upgrades
A major upgrade and overhaul is planned for a portion of the South Bay Bike Trail after a vote today by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Today’s vote allows the Department of Public Works to solicit bids for the project, which will involve portions of the bike path between 62nd Avenue and Culver Boulevard in the Playa de Rey area of the City of Los Angeles. The South Bay Bike Trail stretches nearly 22 miles between Will Rogers State Beach and Torrance County Beach, with most of the path running along public beaches.
This project involves contracting for the reconstruction of the existing bike trail, including stabilization, new concrete, striping and pavement markings. Initial cost estimates for the project are between $355,000 and $415,000 with no financial impact to the County’s General Fund. All funding for the project will come from Proposition C Local Return Funds.
Construction bids for the project are due to the Department of Public Works no later than November 14, 2006. The project is expected to begin in February 2007, with work taking about 60 days to complete.
Knabe Sponsors All-Girls High School Golf Tournament
Female High school golfers from across Los Angeles County’s Fourth District will tee-off Wednesday, October 18, 2006 at Supervisor Don Knabe’s Fourth Annual Girl’s Knabe Cup golf tournament being held at Lakewood Country Club Golf Course.
More than two dozen high school teams will be competing in an individual and team tournament and a chance to be the Girl’s Knabe Cup Champions. This year’s tournament will host several of the region’s top female golfers, including #12 Golfweek nationally ranked player Jane Rah of Torrance High School, 2004 Knabe Cup Champion Ashley Johnson of Mayfair High School.
Each player will receive a free lunch, range balls, as well as some great tee prizes. Additionally, first, second, and third place finishers will also receive trophies, windbreakers, and scrip for their outstanding play.
Lakewood Country Club Golf Course is located at 3101 Carson St. in Lakewood, Calif. The competition begins with a shotgun start at 1:00 p.m.
46th Newborn Safely Surrendered in Los Angeles County
A newborn girl has become the 46th baby handed over under the Safe Surrender Program, Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe announced this morning.
The two-day-old baby girl was safely surrendered Saturday, October 7 at County Fire Station 154 in the City of Covina. Firefighters at the station reported that the mother brought the baby in herself and remained at the station while paperwork and a health check were completed. Saturday’s surrender is the tenth Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2006 and the 46th since the program began in 2001. Earlier in the year, a newborn was safely surrendered at nearby Queen of the Valley Hospital in West Covina on May 12, 2006.
The Safe Surrender Program in Los Angeles County was initiated by Supervisor Knabe and approved unanimously by the Board of Supervisors in June of 2002. It allows a mother or someone designated by the mother to surrender an infant that is no more than three days old, as long as the infant is healthy and shows no signs of neglect.
This case could have ended in tragedy, but because of the Safe Surrender program, this baby girl has a long life ahead of her, said Supervisor Knabe. I am happy this mother made the right choice for her baby.
As is standard practice, the newborn girl will be immediately placed in protective custody by the Department of Children and Family Services and placed with a foster adoptive family.