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Newborn Boy Safely Surrendered at Fire Station #104 in Winnetka

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce the County’s Safe Surrender Program celebrated success for the second time this year with the report of a safely surrendered newborn. This most recent safe surrender occurred on May 29, 2011 at Fire Station #104 in Winnetka.

The mother gave birth to the baby boy at home and then went to the fire station and asked to surrender the infant. As is standard practice, the baby boy is in protective custody and will be placed with a family approved for adoption by the Department of Children and Family Services.

“The Safe Surrender program was created to give mothers a safe, secure and anonymous way to get their child into safe hands and to protect babies from abandonment,” said Supervisor Knabe. “Thanks to the Safe Surrender program, this baby boy has a second chance at life and hope for a bright future.”

This is the second Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2011, and the 85th since the program began ten years ago. The program was initiated by Supervisor Knabe and approved unanimously by the Board of Supervisors in 2001. It allows someone to surrender an infant that is no more than three days old, as long as the infant shows no signs of abuse.

Knabe Announces Return of Free Marina del Rey Summer Concert Series

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe announced the return of the Marina del Rey Summer Concert Series, presented free to the public, in Marina del Rey’s Burton Chace Park at 13650 Mindanao Way.  The annual series features classical concerts on alternating Thursdays and internationally famed pop and jazz artists every other Saturday. The 2011 schedule includes:

Classical Thursdays

  • July 7: The 75-member Marina del Rey Summer Symphony, conducted by Frank Fetta with finalists from the famed Loren L. Zachary National Vocal Competition, presents “A Night at the Opera” with various arias.
  • July 21: Naoko Takada plays marimba along with the Marina del Rey Summer Symphony with a medley of songs written by composers Gershwin, Hansen, Puts and Grofe.
  • August 4: Lindsay Deutsch appears as violin soloist with Maestro Fetta and the Orchestra performing Bernstein and Korngold selections.
  • August 18:  Maestro Fetta welcomes back Claire Huangci with her stunning renditions of Ravel, Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev favorites.

Host of the classical series is popular radio personality Rich Capparela of KUSC-Classical FM 91.5.

Pop Saturdays

  • July 16: Oleta Adams in her debut performance at Burton Chace Park.
  • July 30: Tito Puente, Jr., son of the late percussion and Latin jazz royalty Tito Puente, brings his passionate Afro-Cuban rhythms to the stage in a tribute to his father.
  • August 13: Singer/songwriter Aimee Mann plays her hit songs on acoustic guitar.
  • August 27: Movie star and legendary recording sensation Frankie Avalon sings his classic hits.

“The County is pleased to announce the return of the incredibly popular summer concert series to Marina del Rey,” said Supervisor Don Knabe.  “Through the generous support of our partners, we invite residents from across the County to enjoy world-class music in a beautiful waterside setting.”

Sponsors of the Marina del Rey Summer Concerts are Supervisor Don Knabe, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors; The Department of Beaches and Harbors; Yamaha Pianos; The Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey; and KUSC Classical FM 91.5.

Hornblower Café in Burton Chace Park is open for sunset dining on concert nights with chairs available for rent at the concert site for a minimal fee.

Concertgoers can take the WaterBus from seven Marina locations directly to and from the concert site, or catch the land-based Beach Shuttle, which will operate with special hours to and from Burton Chace Park on concert nights.  Parking is available at County lots # 4 and # 77 on Mindanao Way, or lot # 5 on Bali Way.

Newborn Girl Safely Surrendered at West Covina Hospital

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce the County’s Safe Surrender Program celebrated success for the first time this year with the report of a safely surrendered newborn. This most recent safe surrender occurred on May 20, 2011 at a hospital in West Covina.

The mother gave birth to the baby girl at the hospital and asked to surrender her newborn infant. As is standard practice, the baby girl is in protective custody and will be placed with a family approved for adoption by the Department of Children and Family Services.

“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.”

This is the first Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2011, and the 84th since the program began ten years ago. The program was initiated by Supervisor Knabe and approved unanimously by the Board of Supervisors in 2001. It allows someone to surrender an infant that is no more than three days old, as long as the infant shows no signs of abuse.

Beach Shuttle Returns to Marina del Rey

Marina del Rey’s free Beach Shuttle will return to service beginning Memorial Day Weekend, providing residents and visitors with easy access to Fisherman’s Village, restaurants, shopping and coastal recreation. The Beach Shuttle, provided by LA County Supervisor Don Knabe and Playa Vista, will operate Friday-Sunday and holidays from May 27 to September 5.

“The Beach Shuttle is a great way for riders to enjoy all the amenities of Marina del Rey,” said Supervisor Knabe. “The shuttle not only runs during the weekend, it provides service during one of my favorite summertime events, the Summer Classical Concert Series at Burton Chace Park.”

Beach Shuttle operating hours are:

  • Friday and Saturday from 10a.m. to 10p.m.
  • Sundays and holidays from 10a.m. to 8p.m.
  • Thursday night from 5p.m. to 10p.m., during the Summer Classical Concert Series at Burton Chace Park (July 7 and 21, August 4 and 18)
  • September 25 from 10a.m. to 6p.m., during the Abbot Kinney Festival

The Beach Shuttle runs every 30 minutes, starting at 10:15 am from Playa Vista to major points of interest, including the Waterside Shopping Center, Mother’s Beach, Venice Beach Pier and seven Marina del Rey WaterBus boarding locations. There is a one hour pause in service between 3:15 and 4:15 pm.

Beach Shuttle buses are powered by compressed natural gas, an odorless, cleaner burning fuel that generates fewer exhaust and greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline- or diesel-powered buses. The buses also accommodate bikes for easy commuting between rider destinations.

For more information, go to www.knabe.com.

Fixing the System for Those Most in Need

During these challenging economic times, governments across the U.S. are facing unprecedented challenges to their ability to deliver services.  Nowhere is that more apparent than in the nation’s largest county – Los Angeles County.  As the ultimate safety net for those most in need, we must examine our largest expenditures and determine how we can maximize scarce taxpayer resources.

Without question, the single largest growth in County expenditures is the General Relief (GR) program.  This is a state-mandated program that requires counties to provide assistance to indigent adults who do not qualify for other benefits.  As of December 2010, the County’s GR caseload consisted of 70 percent of the total statewide population receiving General Relief, making it more than 80 times larger than the GR caseload for Riverside, San Bernardino, and Orange Counties, combined.

On top of these already sizeable demands on our system, the economic crisis has increased the number of people needing our services, due to a foreclosure or job loss.  Many families are using County services for the first time, desperate for help.  We have seen our caseload soar: up 73 percent over the past three years, from 63,000 to 109,000, with a dramatic increase in costs to the County from $148 million to $219 million.

Behind these numbers lies another troubling statistic: nearly one-third of the entire GR caseload is not pursuing either employment or disability benefits, the two routes off of General Relief.  This cannot continue.

Currently, individuals on GR receive about $221 in cash and about $120 in food stamps per month.  For those seeking employment or disability benefits, nothing would change.  For those not pursuing either option and just receiving cash, we would substitute a $297 housing voucher. This motion is not meant to punish those who are currently on General Relief, but to put a stop to endless cash assistance for those who are not playing by the rules of the program.

Unfortunately, Los Angeles County also has an affordable housing issue. With some of the savings and reduced costs from the GR program that we expect to see given the experiences of other jurisdictions, we can help alleviate this housing problem.  The County would direct 50 percent of the cost savings into a newly established General Relief Anti-Homelessness Account, while the additional 50 percent would go into the County’s General Fund.

The County has historically worked proactively to get out in front of fiscal problems.  By restructuring the General Relief program, we have an opportunity to do just that.  The time to act is now, before further challenges brought forth by the state and the federal budget situation force decisions that would not benefit anyone, let alone the people most in need.

Full I-405 Freeway Closure Scheduled for July 16-17

A full 53-hour closure of the I-405, roughly between the I-10 and U.S. 101, is planned for the weekend of July 16-17, 2011. The closure is needed because of demolition work scheduled on the Mulholland Bridge. Due to the steep nature of the bridge, the freeway in both directions must be closed to protect the public during demolition.

Demolition preparation work is scheduled to begin Friday night, July 15, 2011 at 10 p.m., and continue until Monday morning, July 18, 2011 at 5:00 a.m. During this period, the Mulholland Drive Bridge and both directions of the I-405 freeway and on- and off-ramps within the area of the closure will be closed to ensure public safety during bridge dismantling.

For more information, visit Metro or follow the I-405 Sepulveda Pass Widening Project on Facebook and Twitter.

Funding Continues for Fourth District Paratransit Shuttle Service

Supervisor Don Knabe today announced that the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved $683,000 in funding for the continuation of paratransit shuttle service for eligible patrons in the unincorporated areas of the Fourth District for Fiscal Year 20011-2012.

The program will include the following paratransit shuttle services:  La Rambla, Marina del Rey, Rancho Los Amigos, Teen Mother, and the Whittier Islands.

“I am pleased to be able to secure the funds for this service,” said Supervisor Knabe.  “Many of our transit dependent residents utilize public transportation and these shuttle services are a vital component of their livelihood.”

The County will provide funding through the Fourth District’s Proposition A Local Return Transit Program.  The financing continues the successful shuttle service for eligible patrons of the unincorporated areas of the Fourth District, improving mobility for transit dependant patrons.

Taste of the Heights Returns to Pathfinder Park

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe, in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, Rowland Heights Community Coordinating Council, Hacienda Heights Improvement Association, San Gabriel Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce , Friends of Steinmetz Senior Center, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and local community groups and businesses, will celebrate the Eighth Annual Taste of the Heights on Wednesday, May 25, 2011 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The annual event will be held at Pathfinder Community Regional Park in Rowland Heights, with more than 1,500 participants and more than a dozen restaurants.  The night will feature a live band, The HoDads, with dancing, wine tasting, and great food.

Pathfinder Community Regional Park is a hidden beauty atop the hill overlooking the city lights.  Ticket prices are $10.00 per person in advance and $12.00 at the door.  This includes a taste from each of the sponsored restaurants.  In addition, children’s tickets are available for $5.00 each.  For information and advance tickets please call (626) 333-1369.

Rewards for Information Related to Three Recent Murders in Long Beach Authorized

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously authorized three $10,000 rewards today, at the request of Supervisor Don Knabe, for information related to three recent homicides in the City of Long Beach.

Sor Phouam

On Saturday, January 22, 2011, shortly before 8:00 p.m., Long Beach police officers responded to a convenience store in the 1900-block of East 4th Street regarding a call of shots fired.  When officers arrived, they discovered the body of 53-year-old Sor Phouam, who was a well-known and long-time store employee.  Mr. Phouam had sustained a gunshot wound to his upper torso and was taken to a local hospital where he later died.

A preliminary investigation revealed that two male suspects entered the business with the intent to commit a robbery.  They approached the counter where a male customer was in the process of completing his purchase. After taking money from the customer, the suspect turned his attention back to Mr. Phouam and fatally shot him.

Detectives have released a video depicting the suspects, but few witnesses have come forward so far.  This is a re-establishment of a previous reward.

Contact:

Detectives Roger Zottneck or David Rios: (562) 570-7247

Main Office: (562) 570-7244

Long Beach Police Department – Homicide Detail

Brian Humphries

On Friday, September 10, 2010, shortly before 10:30 p.m., Long Beach police officers responded to a shooting that had just occurred in the 1000-block of Lewis Avenue. When officers arrived, they discovered the victim, 23 year-old Brian Humphries, a well known resident from the neighborhood lying in the parkway on the street. Humphries had sustained a gunshot wounds to his upper torso and was taken to a local hospital where he later died. Detectives have learned there were numerous witnesses standing in front of their residences on the night of the murder, yet few witnesses have come forward so far.

Contact:

Detectives Malcolm Evans or Todd Johnson (562) 570-5574

Main Office (562) 570-7244

Long Beach Police Department – Homicide Detail

Mylon Waggoner

On April 05, 2011, shortly before 7:00 a.m., Long Beach police officers responded to the intersection of Wardlow and Webster Avenue to a report of a male subject laying unconscious on a bus bench with blood on his tennis shoes. When officers arrived, they discovered the deceased body of 37-year-old Mylon Waggoner, a resident of Winnetka, California. Waggoner was found to have sustained multiple stab wounds to his upper torso area that resulted in his death. Detectives have canvassed the area in an attempt to find additional witnesses to the ones that provided the initial pertinent information on the stabbing. As of this date, no additional witnesses have come forward so far.

Contact:

Detectives Peter Lackovic or Hugo Cortes (562) 570-7247

Main Office (562) 570-7244

Long Beach Police Department – Homicide Detail

Detectives feel it would be beneficial to offer a reward for these three cases, which may prompt reluctant witnesses to come forward and provide information to identify the individuals responsible for this crime.  Callers can remain anonymous and their identity will remain confidential.

County Continues Funding Palos Verdes Shuttle Service

Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved the disbursement of $408,200 to the Palos Verdes Peninsula Transit Authority to continue public transit services for the Fiscal Year 2011-2012, Supervisor Don Knabe announced.

The funds for the disbursement come from the Fourth Supervisorial District’s allocation of Proposition A Local Return Transit Program funds.

“This shuttle service on the Palos Verdes Peninsula has been very successful throughout the years,” said Supervisor Knabe.  “The allocation of these funds will aid many students and seniors on the Peninsula who need an effective way of getting around.”

For more information about the Palos Verdes Peninsula Transit Authority visit. http://www.palosverdes.com/pvtransit/.