Issues

Full Freeway Closures Coming to I-710

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will conduct ten weekends of 53-hour Extended Closures and Full Freeway Closures on the Long Beach Freeway (I-710) as part of the Long Life Pavement Rehabilitation Project from the Glenn Anderson Freeway (I-105) connector to Atlantic Boulevard. The project is to rehabilitate aging pavement and provide the roadway with several decades of service life, improved pavement performance and a smoother ride for the traveling public.

EXTENDED WEEKEND CLOSURES are scheduled for the following weekends:

  • August:  5-8; 12-15; 19-22; 26-29
  • September:  9-12; 16-19; 23-26; 30-October 3   (No construction Sept.2-5, Labor Day)
  • October:  7-10; 14-17

CLOSED on-ramps to northbound I-710:  

  • Eastbound & westbound on-ramps from Imperial Highway, Firestone Blvd. and Florence Ave.

CLOSED on-ramps to southbound I-710:  

  • Eastbound & westbound on-ramps from Atlantic Blvd., Florence Ave. and Firestone Boulevard

CLOSED off-ramps from southbound I-710:  

  • Eastbound & westbound off-ramps at Florence Ave. and Firestone Boulevard

CLOSED Freeway Connectors:  

  • Eastbound & westbound I-105 to northbound I-710

FULL FREEWAY CLOSURES will occur in both directions and twice during each weekend Friday at 11:59 p.m. until Saturday at 6 a.m. and again on Sunday at 11 p.m. until Monday at 5 a.m.

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.

For information on the I-710 closures, visit Cal Trans or follow Caltrans District 7 on Twitter

Metro Blue Line Service in Long Beach to Be Impacted by Tree Trimming

Metro Blue Line service in the Long Beach area will be replaced by bus service this weekend due to City of Long Beach tree trimming maintenance work.

Beginning Friday night at 9 p.m. and continuing through 2 a.m. Sunday morning, trains will not run between the Transit Mall and Wardlow Stations.

Beginning Sunday at 4 a.m. and continuing through Monday at 2 a.m., trains will not run between the Transit Mall and Willow Stations.

Metro will run bus shuttle service between the Wardlow Road, Willow Street, Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), Anaheim Street, 5th Street, 1st Street, Transit Mall and Pacific Avenue stations to provide Metro Blue Line patrons with access to those stations/locations.

Rancho Ranked California’s Top Rehabilitation Hospital by U.S News & World Report

Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center has been ranked the top Rehabilitation Hospital in California in the annual U.S. News & World Report “America’s Best Hospitals” survey.

“Rancho is the only rehabilitation hospital in California or any of our neighboring states to be ranked in the top 20 on this year’s list of top Rehabilitation hospitals,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe.  “Congratulations to Team Rancho for continuing to provide the finest patient care of any rehab facility in our state.”

This is the 22nd consecutive year that Rancho Los Amigos has been named one of “America’s Best Hospitals” in Rehabilitation Medicine in the prestigious rankings. Rancho was rated 8th out of the138 hospitals in Los Angeles and Orange County in U.S. News & World Report’s metro Los Angeles County/Orange County rankings, and 18th nationally.

“Rancho Los Amigos has a proud heritage of excellence in patient-centered care,” said Rancho Chief Executive Officer Jorge Orozco.  “This could not be achieved without the outstanding work our staff does each and every day.  Our high rankings are also indicative of the courage and commitment our patients demonstrate as they work to overcome their disabling conditions, to set new goals and to achieve their dreams.”

Los Angeles County Department of Health Services Director Mitchell Katz, MD added, “This recognition affirms the essential role of public hospitals, where much of the innovation in health care happens first.  Rancho exemplifies what we do best in our health care system, which is providing world class medical care so our patients can move on and live healthy and fulfilling lives.”

Rancho treats more approximately 4,000 rehabilitation and medical/surgical inpatients and nearly 80,000 outpatients each year, more than any other rehabilitation facility in the state.

“Rancho provides the expertise to help our patients recover function and hope, but it is our patients who are truly responsible for the amazing recoveries that happen every day here,” said Rancho Chief Medical Officer Mindy Aisen, MD.  “The Rancho team is committed to building upon our six decades of clinical leadership in rehabilitation medicine as we lead the way in technology and treatment to create the best possible outcomes for our patients.”

County Arts Commission Awards Grants to 29 Arts Groups in Fourth District

The Los Angeles County Arts Commission has announced two-year grants to 29 arts organizations in the Fourth Supervisorial District.

The grants for the Fourth District are part of awards totaling $4,118,000 to 184 nonprofit arts organizations for fiscal years 2011-12 and 2012-13. An estimated 10 million people will be served by the organizations receiving grants.

The funds are being given to organizations that focus on promoting cultural services for their residents. An estimated 10 million people will be served by the organizations receiving grants.

“All these recipients are all integral parts of their communities, reaching residents of all ages,” said Fourth District Supervisor Don Knabe. “Thanks to the generosity of the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, these organizations will continue to enrich and educate the lives of those in their areas.”

The Organizational Grant Program (OGP) grants were awarded competitively, reviewed and scored by panels, and approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on July 5, 2011. To view a list of the Fourth District grant winners, click here.

County Parks Offering Free Summer Lunches and Snacks For Youths

The County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation in conjunction with the United States Department of Agriculture and the California Department of Education is providing approximately 220,000 free lunches and snacks to children in 47 County parks beginning this week.

This health-focused program was created to provide a healthy alternative for children during the summer months and to reduce the growing percentage of obese youth in the United States.

The program, available to children ages 18 and under, will take place at scheduled times daily Monday through Friday. Lunches and snacks will include sandwiches, fruit, vegetables and healthy dairy products such as milk, string cheese and yogurt.

For more information contact your local County park:

Adventure Park
10130 S. Gunn Ave., Whittier 90605
(562) 698-7645
Lunch: 11 am to 12 noon
Snack: 4 pm to 5 pm

Amigo Park
5700 S. Juarez Ave., Whittier 90606
(562) 908-4702
Lunch: 11:30 am to 12:30 pm
Snack: 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Carolyn Rosas Park
18500 E. Farjardo St., Rowland Heights 91748
(626) 854-5557
Lunch: 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Snack: 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Manzanita Park
1747 S. Kwis Ave., Hacienda Heights 91745
(626) 336-6246
Lunch: 11:30 am to 12:30 pm
Snack: 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Rowland Heights Park
1500 S. Banida Ave., Rowland Heights, CA 91748
(626) 612-6774
Lunch: 11:30 am to 12:30 pm
Snack: 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

William Steinmetz Park
1545 S. Stimson Ave., Hacienda Heights 91745
(626) 855-5383
Lunch: 11:30 am to 12:30 pm
Snack: 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Youth Jobs Program Approved by County

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors today approved a summer jobs program introduced last week in a joint motion by Supervisors Don Knabe and Zev Yaroslavsky. The program is expected to create at least 2,200 jobs for economically disadvantaged youth Countywide.

The program was developed to address the extremely high unemployment rate for young people in Los Angeles County, which has reached 26.9 percent. Positions will be located throughout Los Angeles County at sites including County departments, local cities, non-profit, and for-profit organizations. These new jobs will include clerical, maintenance, grounds keeping, child care, teacher’s aid, and librarian assistance work.

Young people in foster care, on probation or those whose families receive welfare or general relief will be the priority for the program. Interested youth may find more information on the County’s website, lacounty.gov, where they will also be able to search for jobs by zip code.

“In these tough economic times, young people are really struggling to find employment, which limits their ability to gain necessary experience for the future,” said Supervisor Knabe. “This program will give them that experience and life skills, while providing local organizations with invaluable resources and support.”

Junior Golfers Can Play at County Golf Courses for $1 During July

In a motion by Supervisor Don Knabe, July 2011 has been declared “Junior Golfers Appreciation Month” throughout Los Angeles County, and to salute the County’s young golfers, green fees have been reduced to $1.

During the month of July, at all 17 County golf courses, junior golfers (18 and under) can play golf for $1, after 12:00 p.m., when accompanied with a regular adult fee, senior fee, twilight fee or super-twilight fee.  In addition, each golf course will hold a free “Special Skills Day” including activities such as free lessons, clinics, skills challenge contests, and other such events that will improve and promote junior golf participation.

“Youth sports programs have traditionally been valuable recreational activities for the young residents of Los Angeles County.  Not only do they offer an opportunity for kids of all ages to learn new physical, social, and mental skills, but youth sports also serve as a crime deterrent,” said Supervisor Knabe.  “This is a great way for us to show our appreciation to all of our junior golfers who use our County golf courses.

For more information on “Junior Golfers Appreciation Month” contact your local County golf course.

Los Angeles County Golf Courses

Alondra Golf Course: (310) 217-9919
Altadena Golf Course: (626) 797-3821
Diamond Bar Golf Course: (909) 861-8282
Eaton Canyon Golf Course: (626) 794-6773
El Cariso Golf Course: (818) 367-6157
Maggie Hathaway Golf Course: (323) 755-6285
Knollwood Golf Course: (818) 363-1810
Lakewood Golf Course: (562) 429-9711
La Mirada Golf Course: (562) 943-7123
Los Amigos Golf Course: (562) 869-0302
Los Verdes Golf Course: (310) 377-7370
Marshall Canyon Golf Course: (909) 593-8211
Mountain Meadows Golf Course: (909) 623-3704
Santa Anita Golf Course: (626) 447-2331
Victoria Golf Course: (310) 323-4174
Chester Washington Golf Course: (323) 756-6975
Whittier Narrows Golf Course: (626) 288-1044

Supervisor Knabe Proposes Plan to Combat Youth Unemployment

In response to the overwhelming rate of youth unemployment in California, which has reached an all-time high of 26.9 percent, Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe, in a joint motion with Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, introduced a motion today that would create employment opportunities for at least 2,200 economically disadvantaged youth Countywide.

“The unemployment rate among young people is staggering,” said Supervisor Knabe.  “Hopefully, we can provide more opportunities for young people to learn skills, build confidence and develop work experience that will benefit them for a lifetime.”

Through Knabe’s advocacy efforts, the County has provided funding that created almost 17,000 employment opportunities for young people in the past five years.  The motion will be voted on at the Board of Supervisors’ next meeting on Tuesday, June 28th.

County to Distribute Canvas Bags Ahead of July 1 Plastic Bag Ban

Attention Shoppers! Starting July 1, 2011, carryout plastic bags will be history in stores located in unincorporated Los Angeles County! Bring your reusable bags every time you shop to avoid a 10 cent charge for paper bags.

Staff from the Department of Public Works will be on hand at several Fourth District supermarkets to hand out canvas bags on a first-come first- serve basis from 10:00am to 3:00pm. For more information, visit About the Bag.

Newborn Girl Safely Surrendered at Torrance Hospital

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce the County’s Safe Surrender Program celebrated success for the third time in the month of May with the report of a safely surrendered newborn. This most recent safe surrender occurred on May 31, 2011 at a hospital in Torrance.

The mother gave birth to the baby girl at the hospital and asked to surrender the 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.

“I am incredibly pleased to learn of our third Safe Surrender in the month of May,” said Supervisor Knabe.  “While these situations could end in disaster, instead we are given hope that an infant will have a healthy and happy life.  I am confident that as word continues to spread about Safe Surrender, mothers in desperate situations will see that secure and anonymous options are available for them and their babies.”

This is the third Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2011, and the 86th 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.