All posts by admin

Montebello Hospital Receives First Safely Surrendered Newborn Of 2009

Supervisor Don Knabe, Chairman of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, is pleased to announce that a baby girl was safely surrendered recently at Beverly Hospital in the City of Montebello.

The newborn Hispanic female was born February 9 and is reported to be in good health. As is standard practice, the baby girl is in protective custody and will eventually be placed with a family approved for adoption by the Department of Children and Family Services.

I want to thank this newborn’s mother for doing the right thing, said Supervisor Knabe. The Safe Surrender Program continues to protect babies from abandonment and give mothers a safe, secure, and anonymous way to get their child into safe hands.

This is the first Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2009 and the 70th Safe Surrender since the program began eight years ago. The last surrender occurred in Valencia in September 2008. A total of seven newborns were surrendered last year. 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.

“The Genesis Project” On Display At William S. Hart Park And Museum

The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation presents The Genesis Project at William S. Hart Park. This is in celebration of Black History Month, with an exhibition that begins on February 13th from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., through February 14th, from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Hart Hall. Admission is free for everyone.

The exhibit features historical display panels produced by Graphic Artist Albert L. Ewing, along with many regional artists in a photographic overview of the history of the African-American Experience in America, from the beginning of the trafficking of slaves, through the civil rights struggle, and the movement of black pioneers west to present day cultural icons.

This is also an opportunity for African-American artists to exhibit recent creations and for non African-American artists of all ages to show any art work on African – American themes. This is the 2nd in a series of tour stops for the Genesis project, and the first ever informal exhibition on African-American History at William S. Hart Park and Museum.

The display of artwork is in a drop-in Format with all medias, no size restrictions, no fees and 10 pieces maximum, framed or unframed. Art is welcomed with the one single restriction that the art must be deemed suitable for public display.

William S. Hart Park is located at 24151 North San Fernando Road in Newhall. For more information and drop-off of entries, please contact the William S. Hart Park office at: (661) 259-1750, or visit the County of Los Angeles, Department of Parks and Recreation website at: www.lacountyparks.org

County Supports “Responsible Pet Owner’s Month”

The month of February is Responsible Pet Owner’s Month, and the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC) would like to remind pet owners that animals, like humans, need necessities such as love, care, shelter, and food. However, DACC also recognizes that additional responsibilities are crucial in order to maximize the quality of life for a pet. Pet owners must understand what it means to be a responsible pet owner.

The following is list of tips that can help make everyone a responsible pet owner:

Spaying or neutering your pet
The benefit of spaying and neutering is not only the best solution to controlling pet over-population, but it can also help prevent certain cancers and diseases in your pet. Spaying or neutering saves you money for pet license fees and it is the law in most of Los Angeles County.

Licensing your pets
California law requires that every dog four months of age or older must have a current license fastened to its collar, and be vaccinated against rabies. Making sure your pet has its current license is also one of the best ways to have your pet returned to you in case he or she becomes lost. For more information about licensing your pet, please visit our website at http://animalcare.lacounty.gov

Getting your animal microchipped
Besides having your pet licensed, a microchip provides an added layer of protection. In the event that your animal gets lost, the microchip can help reunite you with your animal by a simple scan of the animal. Microchips are an important additional identification tool, as tags can be lost or damaged. All six of our shelters offer free microchip clinics. Please contact your local County shelter for scheduled clinic days and times.

To help promote responsible pet ownership, DACC spays/neuters, vaccinates, and microchips all animals prior to adoption. Adoption fees are less than $40. DACC believes that the best pet owner is a responsible pet owner.

Fake Immigration Lawyer Gets 10 Years In Prison

One of the largest immigration fraud cases in Los Angeles County history was recently concluded with a fake immigration lawyer being sentenced to 10 years in prison. Romina Zadorian, a 39-year-old resident of Montebello, was sentenced to prison and ordered to pay a full refund to each of the victims of the immigration scam, totaling $900,000.

Dozens of victims of the scam attended Zadorian’s sentencing on February 3, including several who testified about the fees they were charged for fake immigration services. Because Zadorian is not a United States citizen, she also faces possible deportation to her native Armenia upon completion of her prison term.

The extent of the immigration scam was revealed after complaints started coming into the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer Affairs. In April 2008, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office charged Zadorian with 51 counts of felony grand theft. Prosecutors added 55 more counts two months later after identifying more victims. The victims are from many different countries, including Israel, Mexico, Armenia, China, and Belgium.

Victims reported that Zadorian charged fees ranging from $6,000 to $30,000 for services she never provided, said Supervisor Don Knabe, Chairman of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. She assured her victims that she could help them with their cases because she knew special laws and had special connections with immigration officials. Instead, Zadorian filed wrong documents, submitted bad checks for payment of fees, or did nothing at all.

The Department of Consumer Affairs hopes this action sends a message that this type of fraudulent activity will not be tolerated in Los Angeles County, said Pastor Herrera, Director of Consumer Affairs.

Consumers can follow these tips to spot and avoid immigration scams:

Confirm bond
Non-lawyers who provide immigration services must have a $50,000 bond. You can file a claim against the bond if you are defrauded. Click here to confirm bonds.

Non-lawyers cannot give you legal advice
Consult an immigration attorney if you need help. Non-lawyers can hurt your case and cost you a lot of money. Click here to verify attorney licenses.

Get a contract in your language
You have the right to get a contract in your language and in English that lists the services you are getting, tells you how much you will pay, and gives you 3 days to cancel without any charge.

Cancel your contract in writing
If you cancel your contract, do it in writing. Send your letter by certified mail and keep a copy.

Get receipts
Request receipts for each payment you make. Save them.

Don’t give out your original documents
Give them copies only, and keep your originals in a safe place.

Beware of promises
People who tell you they know special laws, have connections with immigration officials, or can rush your case are lying.

Look for signs inside the office
Non-lawyers who help with immigration cases must display signs that say they are not lawyers, show their name and bond number, and list the fees they charge for each service.

Check your case status with US Citizenship and Immigration Services often
If you have a receipt number from USCIS, you can click here to check online. If you don’t have a receipt number, you can check in person. Click here to find your closest office.

Report fraud right away
If you believe something is wrong, file a complaint with the County of Los Angeles Department of Consumer Affairs: 800-593-8222, www.dca.lacounty.gov

Goodwill Offers New Shredding Service

Goodwill, Serving the People of Southern Los Angeles County (Goodwill SOLAC) has opened the doors to its newest resource to the business community, Shred-4-Good, a document destruction service.

Located at 800 West Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach, Shred-4-Good’s certified and secure document destruction services meet all statutory requirements for the protection and destruction of sensitive information. Shred-4-Good fulfills the needs and satisfies government requirements for information security for the Health Care, Financial, Banking, Real Estate and Legal sectors, as well as many other government and business entities.

Shred-4-Good will provide Free Shred Days, which will begin on Monday, February 9 and run through Wednesday, February 18. For more information contact Andrea Estrada, Shred-4-Good Business Development Manager at (562) 216-5256.

Shred-4-Good is a subsidiary of Goodwill, Serving the People of Southern Los Angeles County. Goodwill serves the people of Southern Los Angeles County as a community resource providing job training and employment placement services to individuals with barriers to employment.

Full Freeway Closures Continue This Weekend

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has scheduled two extended weekend freeway closures on the Long Beach Freeway (I-710) from the Artesia Freeway (State Route 91) to the Glenn Anderson Freeway
(I-105). The work is part of the Long Life Pavement Rehabilitation Project from the San Diego Freeway (I-405) to Firestone Boulevard. The next two extended weekend closures are scheduled as follows:

FULL FREEWAY CLOSURE: Northbound and southbound I-710 from SR-91 to I-105

Weekend 1:

Saturday, January 31, 2009, 12:01 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.

Sunday, February 1, 2009, 11:00 p.m. to Monday, February 2, 2009, 5:00 a.m.

Weekend 2:

Saturday, February 7, 2009, 12:01 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.

Sunday, February 8, 2009, 11:00 p.m. to Monday, February 9, 2009, 5:00 a.m.

CLOSED ON-RAMPS:

Imperial Highway on-ramps to southbound I-710

Alondra Boulevard and Rosecrans Avenue on-ramps to northbound and southbound I-710

CLOSED FREEWAY CONNECTORS:

Eastbound and westbound SR-91 to northbound I-710

Eastbound and westbound I-105 to southbound I-710

Beginning Saturday at 7:00 a.m. until Sunday at 11:00 p.m., a reduced number of lanes will be available to motorists: two lanes for northbound traffic and three lanes for southbound traffic. Speeds will be reduced to 45 mph. Oversized loads are not permitted during these times due to narrower lane widths. To decrease delay time, motorists are advised to use alternate routes around the project area. All closures are weather permitting, as paving requires temperatures above 50 degrees and dry conditions.

The work involves rehabilitating aging pavement and providing the roadway with several decades of service life, improved pavement performance and a smoother ride for the traveling public. Roadway widening will occur where possible to provide standard lanes and shoulders, widening the Compton Creek bridge and Atlantic Avenue undercrossings, and overlaying nine miles of the existing pavement with 10″ inches of Long Life Asphalt Concrete.

More information on the Long Life Pavement Rehabilitation Project, closures, route and detour maps, is available on the Caltrans District 7 website at www.dot.ca.gov/dist07

Reward Established For Long Beach Double Murder

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors today unanimously re-established a $20,000 reward, at the request of Supervisor Don Knabe, for information related to shooting incidents that led to the death of five homeless persons in the City of Long Beach.

On November 2, 2008, a quintuple murder occurred in the City of Long Beach in a homeless encampment. The investigation started with an anonymous caller who reported the crime. The caller gave a brief description of the location which led California Highway Patrol officers to the crime scene. Arriving officers found 5 people dead from gun shot wounds inside of a homeless encampment along the south bound side of the 405 freeway at the Santa Fe Avenue off-ramp.

The following residents of Los Angeles County were identified as the victims of the murder: Katherine Lynn Verdun – 24 years old, Long Beach resident; Vanessa Malaepule – 34 years old, Carson resident; Jose Lorenzo Villicana – 44 years old, Long Beach resident; Frederick Doyle Neumeier – 53 years old, Long Beach resident; and Hamid Shraifat – 41 years old, Signal Hill resident.

It is important for the County of Los Angeles to display its resolve in protecting innocent citizens from appalling crimes, said Supervisor Knabe. In order to bring these suspects to justice, and demonstrate our intolerance to such deplorable crimes, I believe this reward should be re-established, hoping someone will come forward so that we can bring these suspects to justice.

Any person having any information related to the November 2 incident is asked to contact Detectives Mark McGuire or Hugo Cortes of the Long Beach Police Department – Homicide Division at (562) 570-7244.

Ume Cherry Trees In Full Blossom At Schabarum Park

The Ume cherry trees are in full blossom at Schabarum Regional Park, and since their initial planting 17 years ago, they continue to bloom every year from mid January through February. The fragrant pink and white blossoms are only here for a short time, so come out soon and see these trees in their pink and white splendor. The trees are located at the far south section of the park between the youth campground and the equestrian concession areas.

Schabarum Regional Park’s Ume cherry trees were donated in 1992 by Schabarum Park’s sister-park, Mito Kairakuen Park, located in the Ibaraki Prefecture of Japan. The funds required to maintain the original 500-tree grove come from an initial donation by the same park in Japan. The funds provide for inspections, required pruning, pest spray applications, or the replacement of dead trees. These services are performed by a certified arborist who comes to the park each week.

Schabarum Regional Park, located at 17250 East Colima Road in Rowland Heights, charges a $4.00 vehicle entrance fee on weekends and holidays, but is free of charge during the week. The park is currently open from 6:00 a.m. to dusk on weekdays and 7:00 a.m. to dusk on weekends. Park hours are extended during daylight savings time months. For more information call (626) 854-5560 or visit the website at www.parks.lacounty.gov

Full Freeway Closure: Closed Freeway Connectors:

Eastbound and westbound SR-91 to northbound I-710

Eastbound and westbound I-105 to southbound I-710

Beginning Saturday at 7:00 a.m. until Sunday at 11:00 p.m., a reduced number of lanes will be available to motorists: two lanes for northbound traffic and three lanes for southbound traffic. Speeds will be reduced to 45 mph. Oversized loads are not permitted during these times due to narrower lane widths. To decrease delay time, motorists are advised to use alternate routes around the project area. All closures are weather permitting, as paving requires temperatures above 50 degrees and dry conditions.

The work involves rehabilitating aging pavement and providing the roadway with several decades of service life, improved pavement performance and a smoother ride for the traveling public. Roadway widening will occur where possible to provide standard lanes and shoulders, widening the Compton Creek bridge and Atlantic Avenue undercrossings, and overlaying nine miles of the existing pavement with 10″ inches of Long Life Asphalt Concrete.

More information on the Long Life Pavement Rehabilitation Project, closures, route and detour maps, is available on the Caltrans District 7 website at www.dot.ca.gov/dist07

Elimination Of The California Department Of Boating And Waterways Opposed By The Board Of Supervisors

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed today to oppose Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s plan to eliminate the California Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW). The motion, authored by Supervisor Don Knabe, Chairman of the Board, also directs the County’s Chief Executive Office, in conjunction with the Sheriff’s and Fire Departments and the Department of Beaches and Harbors, to prepare a letter of opposition to be sent to the Governor.

Under the Governor’s government efficiency proposal, DBW would be merged into the California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR). DBW, which is completely self-funded by the boating public’s resources, currently funds launch ramp construction, loans for marina construction, construction of boating safety centers, boating safety and law enforcement programs, abandoned vessel removal, public outreach programs, and even weed control in boating areas throughout the State. If the two Departments merge it will likely result in cuts and delays to current projects and programs for boaters, including the County projects and programs.

The County of Los Angeles directly benefits from many DPW programs: the Department of Beaches and Harbors benefits from grants and loans for dock construction; the County Lifeguards get funding for boats, as does the Sheriff for boats and safety programs. The County will need to find different funding, if such funding is even available, for these projects and programs.

The Department of Boating and Waterways is critical to the future of boating in California, and any diversion of funds may result in the rapid deterioration of California’s boating waterways and infrastructure, said Supervisor Knabe. Additionally, diverting its resources to another State department, which has its own priorities, robs the very community that funds it. Boaters will still pay registration fees, but they won’t be getting the full benefit of those fees as they have in the past.