The number of newborns safely surrendered in Los Angeles County in 2006 grew again today. Supervisor Don Knabe, who led the formation of the Safe Surrender Program, announced today that a baby girl was handed over early this morning at Women’s and Children’s Hospital near downtown Los Angeles.

The newborn girl was healthy at the time of her surrender and will be placed with an adoptive family by the Department of Children and Family Services. This morning’s Safe Surrender is the 8th in 2006 and the 44th since the program began in Los Angeles County.

I am thrilled this mother made the right choice for this baby girl, but the media also deserves much of the credit for the success of Safe Surrender, said Supervisor Knabe. Without the ongoing commitment of our local media to talk about Safe Surrender and to tell mothers they have a confidential solution that gives these newborns a chance at life, this program would not be nearly as successful as it is.

Safe Surrender allows someone to surrender an infant at hospitals or any fire station in Los Angeles County up to three days after the baby’s birth, as long as the baby shows no signs of abuse. Supervisor Don Knabe championed the formation of the County’s Safe Surrender Program.

Today’s surrender is the third in the last two weeks. A newborn girl was surrendered to paramedics in Compton on May 5 and a baby boy was surrendered at a West Covina Hospital on May 12.

Supervisor Don Knabe today announced that the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved his appointment of Torrance resident Don Lee to the Los Angeles County Beach Commission.

Lee is a District Manager for Farmer’s Insurance, where he has also spent nearly three decades working as an insurance agent. In the past, he has served as a Commissioner on the Los Angeles County Commission on Insurance. Don Lee is also no stranger to business or politics; he is currently the Chairman for the Torrance Chamber of Commerce and he was also a Councilmember for the City of Torrance from 1992 to 2000.

As a lifelong resident of the South Bay, Don is a good fit for this commission, said Supervisor Knabe. We are very lucky to have his extensive knowledge of the region and his experience and work ethic.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors have unanimously approved a $25,000 reward for information in last week’s shooting death of Sheriff’s Deputy Maria Cecelia Rosa at the request of Supervisor Don Knabe.

Deputy Rosa was off duty when she was killed outside of a North Long Beach home early on the morning of March 28. Rosa attempted to defend herself during an apparent robbery attempt, but was shot twice before she could return fire. Investigators with the Long Beach Police Department say they are looking for two male suspects who were seen running from the scene of the shooting.

"This heinous crime will not go unpunished, said Supervisor Knabe. We need to find the men responsible for Deputy Rosa’s death 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 call the Homicide Detail of the Long Beach Police Department at (562) 570-5572.

High school golfers from across Los Angeles County’s Fourth District will tee-off Wednesday, April 5, 2006, at Supervisor Don Knabe’s Ninth Annual Knabe Cup Golf Tournament.

Thirty six high school teams, comprised of four players per team, will compete at Lakewood Country Club in an individual and team tournament for individual honors and a chance to dethrone two-time defending team champion Gahr High School of Cerritos.

It constantly amazes me how the competition has gotten better and better as the years have gone on, said Supervisor Knabe. I am excited that this tournament is viewed as the precursor to the league and CIF Championships.

The tournament, sponsored each year by Supervisor Knabe, allows student-athletes to engage in friendly competition, regardless of their high school’s respective league affiliation. Each player receives a free lunch provided by McDonald’s, range balls and tee prizes. Additionally, first, second and third place finishers receive trophies and windbreakers. Supervisor Knabe will speak with players at 12:30 p.m., followed by the shotgun start at 1 p.m.

Supervisor Don Knabe presented scrolls today to honor coaches and team members of the Torrance High School Girls Golf Team for completing the most successful season ever recorded in the state for a girls’ golf team.

After winning the Ocean League Championship, the C.I.F. Eastern Division and Southern Section Championships, and the Southern California C.I.F. Championship the Torrance girls completed their post-season sweep by winning the 2005 C.I.F. State Championship by a 24-stroke margin. In addition to this incredible team victory, team member Jane Rah earned the individual State Championship Title by posting the only sub-par performance during the final round.

The Torrance High School Golf Team is the first team in state history to win all four post-season tournaments. It is also the first time that both the individual and team champions have been from the same school.

As a long-time golfer, it has been amazing to see how this team finished off their season, said Supervisor Knabe. It was a truly incredible run. The LPGA needs to keep an eye out for these girls.

On the recommendation of the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts and the County Department of Health Services, Supervisor Don Knabe authorized the reopening today of a portion of Manhattan Beach that was closed after the January 15, 2006 wastewater spill.

The impacted area was centered on 21st Street and Marine Avenue in the City of Manhattan Beach. The area had been initially reopened after the January spill, but was subsequently closed again after further testing indicated elevated levels of bacteria below the surface.

The sand was sanitized with a diluted solution of bleach, equivalent to one capful of household bleach per gallon of water. The full-scale treatment of the sand was preceded by pilot tests to determine the proper application of diluted bleach solution. Monitoring systems were integrated into the procedure to assure that the application of the bleach solution would not impact groundwater below the surface or ocean water.

After full-scale cleanup was completed, testing of the sand area, down to three-feet below the surface, indicated no further elevated levels of bacteria. In addition to the 21st Street area, cleanup on three small areas in Hermosa Beach has been completed, and cleanup on three other small areas in Manhattan Beach should be finished this week.

It was critical that the Health Department and the Sanitation Districts got this beach healthy and back in business as safely and as quickly as possible, said Supervisor Knabe. I have reviewed the test results by both departments and I am satisfied by their reports that efforts to clean up the beach have been successful.

Supervisor Don Knabe today announced that the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved his appointment of Downey resident Bobbi Jean Tanberg to the Los Angeles County Commission for Women.

Tanberg is a 15-year County employee and she currently serves as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant in the Center for Applied Rehabilitation Technology at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center (RLANRC). Tanberg is also the

Co-Founder of the Positive Self Image Life Coaching Program at RLANRC which provides life coaching to persons with disabilities.

Besides her work at RLANRC, Tanberg is involved with several organizations, including: Southern California Rehabilitation Services, American Occupational Therapy Association, the United States Olympic Organization and the National Wheelchair Basketball Association of America.

I believe my life experience as a woman and a person with a disability will expand and contribute to the diversity of this commission, said Tanberg

Bobbi Jean’s tireless work both at Rancho and in the community is a tremendous inspiration to us all," said Supervisor Knabe. We are very lucky to have such a devoted person on the Commission for Women.

Supervisor Don Knabe announced today that Lawrence T. Gentile and Arthur E. Herrera have been reappointed to the Los Angeles County Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Commission (NDDC).

Gentile, a resident of Torrance, is currently the President/CEO of Behavioral Health Services, Inc., which is an agency that provides drug and alcohol treatment recovery and prevention services. He also serves on the California Association of Alcohol and Drug Program Executives, and he has served on the NDDC for over twenty years.

Herrera who resides in Diamond Bar is a retired Commander of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. He is also a member of the California Gang Investigations Association, and after having served in the Sheriff’s Department for 35 years has an incredible knowledge of this field. The illegal use of narcotics and dangerous drugs is a plague in our communities, said Herrera who has a deep desire to alleviate this problem.

Arthur and Lawrence are both extremely qualified, said Supervisor Knabe. We are very lucky to have their extensive knowledge and experience on this most important commission.

Los Angeles – Supervisor Don Knabe presented a scroll today to Zach Ewald, a Boy Scout from Troop 684, in recognition of his heroic act of rescuing a small child that was drowning.

Last August, while camping with his family in Yellowstone National Park, Zach risked his own life to save a young child from drowning after the child fell into a dangerous section of the Gardner River.

Zach was awarded with the Medal of Merit from the Boy Scouts of America. The Medal of Merit is bestowed upon those who display an outstanding act of service, of exceptional character, that reflects an uncommon degree of concern for the well-being of others. Zach is currently a Life Scout which is one step away from Eagle Scout, the Boy Scout’s highest achievement.

Zach did an incredibly brave thing to save the life of this child, said Supervisor Knabe. Zach is a true life Hero.

Photos of this Board Presentation are available. Any media outlet interested in obtaining copies can call (213) 974-1095.

Supervisor Knabe joins Hermosa Beach city and community leaders at the rededication of the Hermosa Beach Pier and Lifeguard Headquarters.

The previous, outdated lifeguard headquarters stood for over 30 years and the 3-phase pier project, which included the new facility and equipment storage yard, began 6-years ago. Construction on the final phase lasted 13 months. The County of Los Angeles provided $1.9 million in funding for the project.

By uniting together from different agencies and backgrounds we have ensured a bright and safe future for the residents and tourists who will visit Hermosa Beach, said Supervisor Knabe.