Tag Archives: Los Angeles County

LA County Fair Canceled Due to COVID-19

Staff Reports

Pomona – The LA County Fair, slated for Sept. 4-27, was recently canceled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. This is the first time the LA County Fair has been canceled since World War II. Since the fair’s opening in 1922, the fair has only been canceled once from 1942 to 1947 due to the war. The fair did close for one day on Sept. 22, 2001 after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, but it reopened the following day.

The 2020 LA County Fair was canceled due to the “limitations placed on large public gatherings by state and county public health officials because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Renee Hernandez in a news release. “For the safety and well-being of guests, Fair officials are following the guidelines of public health officials who are advising against large public gatherings for the remainder of the year,” added Hernandez.

The LA County Fair sees approximately “1.1 million guests during its 19-day run and has an estimated economic impact of $324 million annually in Los Angeles County, with $58 million in the City of Pomona and securing more than 500 full-time equivalent jobs,” according to the news release. The Fair is expected to celebrate their 100-year anniversary in 2022.

Fairplex President and CEO Miguel A. Santana says that the decision to cancel the event was not easy to make. “My heart is heavy, for our guests who come out to make memories, our vendors who rely on the Fair circuit for their income and our employees who work so hard all year-long to create this special event,” Santana said. “The LA County Fair is an iconic event that celebrates the best of Southern California. It is beloved by many. But we had to take into consideration the health and safety of everyone.”

Los Angeles County Fair Association Board of Directors’ Chair Heidi Hanson agreed by saying they had no choice but to cancel, even though it was hard to do. “The one thing we can promise is that the LA County Fair will be back, better than ever – especially as we plan for our Centennial,” added Hanson.

Los Angeles County First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis also spoke about the cancellation, since the Fair resides in her district. Solis said it will be disappointing, but necessary to miss the end-of-summer celebration, according to the release.

“Like many of you, I grew up eagerly anticipating each year’s opening of the LA County Fair, and I cherish my family memories of this special yearly event,” said Solis. “Unfortunately, we have had to make the difficult decision to cancel the LA County Fair due to our current public health crisis. We must make these short term sacrifices to preserve the health of the people we love. We do this to protect our communities. I am certain that once we get through this challenging time, we will come back stronger and even more appreciative of the things we love and hold dear.”

Los Angeles County Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger also commented on the closure, since a portion of the Fairplex is located in her district.

“Like every fan of the LA County Fair, I am saddened to hear of its cancellation this year. I love the Fair and have many fond memories from my experiences with family and friends,” Barger said. “But we are in the middle of a major public health crisis and our priority is the safety and well-being of all of our residents. Through our efforts to slow the spread, I know we will soon be able to enjoy activities like the LA County Fair again.”

That sentiment was echoed by the head of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Dr. Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd. “Our recovery journey is underway, but it will be a slow one. Working together to slow the spread of COVID-19 is our new normal for the foreseeable future. But I have faith that if we continue to make these difficult but necessary decisions now, we will be able to enjoy all that the LA County Fair has to offer next year.”

Those who have already purchased season pass boxes were informed that they can receive a refund. The following three refunds options are available: credit toward the 2021 Fair plus one extra season pass; turning their purchase into a donation to the Fairplex COVID-19 emergency fund for the community; or a full refund. Information on refunds can be found at www.lacountyfair.com/refunds.

The Fairplex in Pomona, CA has been the home of the LA County Fair for years, in addition to the 300 year-round events. However, they announced they are canceling the remainder of its self-produced events for the rest of 2020, including June’s Cheers Wine, Beer and Food Festival; Fourth of July spectacular KABOOM!; Oktoberfest; and the Day of the Dead celebration En Memoria.

However, the Fairplex has continued its community benefit mission by working with partners to offer coronavirus testing, hold drive-thru food pantries and offer free childcare for the children of healthcare workers, first responders and essential workers at its Child Development Center. For more information on Fairplex, visit http://www.fairplex.com.

Fall 2015 Webinar Dates for the Affordable Care Act 101 in Spanish

By Small Business Administration

LOS ANGELES – Health care continues to be an important issue for small business owners.  The Small Business Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, and Small Business Majority are committed to helping businesses navigate the changes and opportunities in health care through the Affordable Care Act 101 webinar series.

Once monthly, small business owners can learn the basics of the Affordable Care Act and how they can enroll in small business health insurance marketplaces. Other topics discussed include insurance reforms, the small business health care tax credit, and employer shared responsibility provisions.  SBA, HHS, and SBM representatives help small business owners understand the facts of the Affordable Care Act so they can make informed decisions about providing health insurance for their employees.

The Affordable Care Act 101 in Spanish takes place once monthly on Tuesdays at 4 pm ET/1 pm PT. Registration is free, but required.  Below are the registration links for upcoming presentations.

For more information on how the health care law affects small businesses, check out www.sba.gov/healthcare.

Animal Control Checking Licenses in Los Angeles County

Staff Reports

Los Angeles County – Officers from the Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC) will be conducting field licensing checks in the unincorporated areas of West Covina (zip code 91792), and South San Gabriel (zip code 91770) beginning on Wednesday, Oct. 21.

The field checks will ensure that residents’ dogs and cats are in compliance with licensing requirements, the mandatory spay/neuter and microchip ordinance. Officers will also be checking state-required rabies vaccinations and licenses for dogs and cats over four months old.

According to the county officials, beginning January 1, 2014, puppies may be vaccinated at three months old, but still are not required to be vaccinated until four months of age.

“Securing a dog or cat license is essential to assisting animal control agencies if a pet becomes lost,” officials said.

Pet owners are advised to be in compliance with licensing and the mandatory spay/neuter and microchip ordinance if they reside in any unincorporated area of Los Angeles County (or contract city that has adopted the County’s ordinance).

Residents not in compliance will be subject to license fees and delinquency charges, including a $40 field enforcement fee to offset the cost of the Department’s field services.

“In order to avoid penalties, be sure your pet is licensed,” officials urge residents.

New animal license applications are available online at www.animalcare.lacounty.gov, or by visiting any local Los Angeles County animal care center. Owners of pets whose license is not delinquent can simply renew the license at county website: www.animalcare.lacounty.gov .

In addition, DACC offers low-cost vaccination/microchips clinics (microchips are now $15, which includes an AVID registration) and low-cost assistance (for individuals who qualify) for spay and neuter surgeries.

LA County Detective Receives The Gift Of Life

For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health…

Photo Courtesy: LASD Detective Lyle Raymond and his wife, Mary Christine.

Photo Courtesy: LASD
Detective Lyle Raymond and his wife, Mary Christine

Staff Reports

Los Angeles County – On Wed., Sept. 23, A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Detective was scheduled to receive an extraordinary gift from his wife:  the gift of life in the form of a kidney.

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), in October 2013 – after a routine physical – doctors told Detective Lyle Raymond that he needed to have an emergency procedure to begin dialysis. Raymond – a 28-year Department veteran – was told that without the procedure, he would die within a week from kidney failure.

Raymond began a yearlong regiment of hemoglobin dialysis treatments lasting for four hours per session, three days a week. After a year of treatments, he received an operation that allowed him to conduct peritoneal dialysis treatments every night in his own home.

Raymond was placed on the nationwide organ donor waiting list while he received the treatments. Little did he know, his loving wife would ultimately save his life.

In the United States, approximately 600,000 people each year are in need of kidney transplants. Of those, 90,000 patients qualify to receive a transplant. For those who qualify, only 10,000 patients receive transplants. Raymond was told that the average male his age in need of a transplant has a waiting time of seven to ten years. During that time, if any other medical complications arise patients can be disqualified from the list.

After several family and friends tested as possible donors, it was determined that Raymond possessed a rare antigen that made finding a viable donor much more difficult.  All of his potential donors were eliminated as a result. With the possibility of finding a live donor dwindling, Raymond’s wife, Mary, began testing.

Shortly before his wife was identified as the donor, Raymond’s doctor told him he would be running out of time and would not live long. Within a month, it was determined that the couple was a perfect match for a transplant and the surgery was scheduled for Sept. 23.

The Sheriff’s Department has been very supportive of the Raymond family, and hosted a press conference at the Walnut Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Station on Sept. 22 to keep interested parties apprised of Raymond’s situation.  Sheriff’s Custody Investigative Services and Operation Safe Jails plan to assist the Raymond family during their recovery process by ensuring that they are transported to and from post-operative doctors’ appointments, and monitoring their sons, Luke, age 18, and Jake, age 16.  In addition, they will assist in keeping their home clean, ensure groceries are stocked, and handle any requests that they may have during their recovery.

According to LASD, Raymond was recently promoted to Sergeant, and he will be assigned to the South Los Angeles Station upon recovery.

For more information, contact Public Information Officer Nicole Nishida at (323) 810-1973 or the Sheriff’s Information Bureau at (213) 229-1700.

Glendora: It’s A Dirty Job

Photo Courtesy: Troy Case/LASD

Photo Courtesy: Troy Case/LASD
First responder, Deputy Noe Ramos

Staff Reports

Glendora – On Sun., Aug. 30, at approximately 8:40 p.m., a vehicle went 300 feet over the side of a cliff at Glendora Mountain Rd. and Glendora Ridge Mtwy., about six miles north of Glendora in the Angeles National Forest.

Deputies Noe Ramos and Jeff DeMooy of the San Dimas Sheriff’s Station were the first on scene. A first aid and CPR instructor, Ramos heard there were six people still in the Audi, so he scrambled over the side and made his way down the embankment to the car, assisted by DeMooy. Passers-by quickly joined in the effort to get help to the crash victims as soon as possible.
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, it was soon discovered that two of the car’s occupants – the ones not wearing seatbelts – were ejected from the car. Ramos stayed with the six injured passengers for hours and medically triaged them until they could all be extracted from the crash site and taken to the hospital. Breathing dirt and helicopter fuel got him “a little dirty” said Ramos.
Ultimately, six people were rescued through the teamwork of numerous Los Angeles County Sheriff San Dimas Station Deputies, San Dimas Mountain Rescue Reserve Sheriff Deputies, Los Angeles County Fire Department Firefighters, Angeles National Forest Rescuers, and California Highway Patrol (CHP) Officers.
While there were no fatalities, some of the injuries were very serious.  The joint effort included the Los Angeles County Fire Department airlifting several of the crash victims to area hospitals. Two Los Angeles County Fire Department helicopters spent about two hours on scene in hazardous conditions, and a fire truck was used to add special lighting for rescuers. The incident is being investigated by the CHP.
Our local mountain roads lead to some beautiful vistas and excellent outdoor recreational activities. This incident is a stark reminder of the hazards of these challenging roads. The passengers in this car did not anticipate or appreciate this outcome for their Sunday evening drive. Please reduce your speed and wear your seat belts. The life you save may be your own.

Fallen CHP Officer Honored With Highway Designation

Photo Courtesy: Cahp.org

Photo Courtesy: Cahp.org
William B. Wolff, III

Staff Reports

Los Angeles County – On Mon., July 13, a resolution was passed designating the 1-10 and I-605 Interchange in Los Angeles County as the “CHP Officer William B. Wolff III Memorial Interchange.”  Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 86 recounts the lifetime accomplishments of Wolff, who was a father, husband, veteran, and a proud officer of the California Highway Patrol (CHP).

ACR 86, authored by Assembly member Roger Hernández (D-West Covina), passed the Assembly Committee on Transportation with bipartisan support. The resolution designates that, “Officer Wolff exemplified true selflessness and leadership as a member of our community,” said Hernández.  “It is a true honor to carry a resolution memorializing his valiant public service and the sacrifices he has made for the State of California and the San Gabriel Valley.”

Born on Jan. 22, 1946, Officer Wolff graduated high school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and received his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Cal Poly Pomona.  Upon graduation, Wolff served in the United States Navy and later as a vocational nurse. His desire to continue serving on behalf of the public led him to pursue a career and life as an officer of the CHP.

Wolff was killed in the line of duty on Dec. 30, 1977, when he was struck by a drunk driver while making a traffic stop.  Officer Wolff is survived by his two children, Eric and Carrie Ann, and granddaughter, Kaylee Rose.

This resolution is sponsored by the California Association of Highway Patrolmen, the labor organization that represents California Highway Patrol Officers.

 

PV Hospital To Provide Trauma Services

County enters into agreement for the East San Gabriel Valley

 

Staff Reports

Los Angeles County – The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the execution of a “Pre-Trauma Hospital Designation” agreement with $4.4 million in funding for specialized personnel and equipment upgrades to prepare Pomona Valley Hospital for trauma center designation, according to Mayor Michael D. Antonovich and Supervisor Hilda L. Solis.

“This agreement is the vital next step in our effort to provide a designated trauma center to serve the residents of the East San Gabriel Valley and others needing trauma services in the region,” said Antonovich.  “The funding will ensure that the hospital meets the County’s trauma center designation requirements and receives certification.”

“Whether a patient is being transported by helicopter or by ambulance, each second is critical to that patient’s survival,” Solis said.  “Today’s vote brings us one step closer to having Pomona Valley serve as our trauma center for eastern San Gabriel Valley.”

In 1987, citing significant financial losses, hospitals providing services to the region withdrew from the trauma system.  Since that time, patients who sustain significant trauma in the East San Gabriel Valley are transported to LAC+USC Medical Center or Huntington Memorial Medical Center by either ground or helicopter.  Every year, over 1,200 patients have to spend the critical moments after an injury in commute to a trauma center, which could be the difference between life and death.

While the Department of Health Services has tried to reestablish services over the past 28 years, the largest hospitals in the East San Gabriel Valley did not feel they had the available physician support or financial incentive to re-establish the trauma program.

Arriving Hopeless, Returning Inspirational

Former inmate returns as guest speaker for Education Based Incarceration Merit Program

 

Staff Reports

Los Angeles County – On Wed., June 17, female inmates housed at the Century Regional Detention Facility (CRDF) received a spark of inspiration when former inmate, Jamina Johnson, returned as a guest speaker in a testimonial presentation for the Education Based Incarceration (EBI) Merit program.  After some troublesome experiences and much soul searching, Johnson returned to the jail facility, this time bringing hope and motivation with her.

Johnson shared her personal history with complete strangers, in hope of stirring up something inside at least one of them.  She revealed that, despite being the daughter of a preacher and being raised by two loving, hard-working parents, she inched her way down a dark path, which led to a whirlwind lifestyle of crime, drugs and gangs.

Johnson revealed the chronology of her decline to her listeners:  It began in April 2008, with her first round of incarceration for the charge of Robbery.  She received a two-year sentence in state prison.  Not long after her release, Johnson returned to jail in 2010 for a parole violation.

After a string of contacts with law enforcement, Johnson’s pivotal point came in October 2012, during yet another booking into the Los Angeles County Jail system.  Her latest charge, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, turned into a 17-month sentence.  She’d had enough.

“It all began on my birthday in October 2012,” recalled Johnson.  “I was getting high with people… and the next thing I knew, I began running down the street naked and high on PCP.”

While serving her sentence at CRDF, Johnson finally acknowledged her lifestyle had spiraled out of control.  She was at rock bottom and wanted to change her lifestyle, but didn’t know how.

Finally, she made the decision to leave her old ways behind and rebuild herself, using education as her foundation.

Johnson’s self-restoration project began with enrollment in the Education Based Incarceration (EBI) Merit program, formally established in 2010.  The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department commitment to community based policing is shown through the EBI program, which uses a comprehensive educational curriculum, consisting of both traditional and nontraditional educational opportunities.

The EBI program is designed to reduce institutional violence as well as reduce recidivism by increasing the educational, civic, social, economic, life skills, and engagement of its participants.  Inmates become students who are able to attend academic, vocational, and life skills courses during incarceration, and be occupied with positive activities.

In addition to book learning and practical application, Johnson took personal examples from the EBI program staff who taught, as well as modeled, the importance of time management, good work ethics and professional conduct.

Johnson fully understood it would take hard work and determination to reinvent herself. She saw the option to graduate with a certificate in culinary arts, painting, or fashion – or even earning a high school General Education Degree – as an opportunity for improvement.  Johnson successfully completed the program and graduated.

Johnson was released in February, 2014.  Today, she is back in jail, but this time of her own volition.  As she spoke, Johnson held the attention of every inmate in the audience.  She was able to directly connect with the women because they shared similar circumstances.  In turn, the women were able to relate to her and see the potential to improve their own quality of life, if they desired it.

“Every day is now new, and I’m imperfectly perfect.  If it weren’t for this arrest, I might be dead,” said Johnson.  “I felt like I was trying to get to the second story with no stairs, but the staff and EBI program were my stairs that helped get me to the next step.”

Captain Maria Gutierrez followed Johnson’s speech with more words of encouragement, “It’s time to start living! Take off those negative labels and choose to wear positive ones. Be courageous and take the opportunities here to invest in yourself!”

Applause and shouts of joy from the audience erupted in appreciation of Johnson’s testimony and in celebration of prospects for new futures.

“I feel I am not alone, even though I am a felon. I can accomplish something in life. I now have hope,” said one inmate after listening to Johnson.

For more information about Education Based Incarceration, visit their website at: http://shq.lasdnews.net/pages/tgen1.aspx?id=EBU.

LA County: No NFL In LA For 2015

By Glenn Freeman

 

football-image           Los Angeles County – It is official – Los Angeles will be without an NFL team for the 20th straight season next year.

NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, says the league will not support relocation of a team in Los Angeles for the 2015 season. Goodell’s statement was directed at three teams in particular – the Rams, Raiders, and Chargers – that have expiring lease terms/clauses, and who have each been mentioned as possible teams looking at the nation’s second-largest television market.

All three teams have natural connections to Los Angeles, with both the Rams and Raiders once situated in Los Angeles and both leaving following the 1995 NFL season for St. Louis and Oakland, respectively. Fan base remnants still remain, particularly for the Raiders. And the Chargers originated in Los Angeles as a charter AFL team in 1960 (before moving to San Diego after one season). The Chargers also now draw a significant amount of fans and sponsors from Greater Los Angeles, portions of which are less than 60 miles north of San Diego.

Goodell’s statement does not keep teams from filing an application to relocate for 2015 (and San Diego has since said they will not file at this time). Yet it’s highly unlikely any team that files for 2015 will garner enough support needed to relocate given the Commissioner’s directive. Instead, Goodell indicated that 2016 may be a more favorable time for relocation. ESPN.com reports that NFL insiders say Goodell is setting up the scenario in order that at least one team will be in place in Los Angeles for the 2016 season.

For the Chargers, Goodell’s statement could be both good and bad news. For now, it gives the team and San Diego another year to work out a new stadium deal. It also gives them an option to consider Los Angeles (and to also use it as leverage). However, if the Chargers remain in San Diego and Los Angeles ends up with two other teams, the Chargers say that would hurt them financially.

Mark Fabiani, special counsel to Chargers President, Dean Spanos, indicated that the Chargers will keep a watchful eye on Los Angeles.

“If we have two teams in that market, we dry up our 30 percent of the revenue that now comes from that market,” said Fabiani. “It’s such a huge market. It’s 19 million people if you count L.A., Orange County and the Inland Empire. And, if you have owners that want to go to that market, if you have a market that’s big enough that you can basically privately finance your stadium, somebody’s going to do it, and sooner rather than later,” Fabiani told a local radio station.

Oakland Raiders owner, Mark Davis, was approached recently by San Antonio for relocation. According to ESPN.com, Davis was “impressed” with the city’s pitch. However, most insiders say it’s unlikely that San Antonio will get a team before Los Angeles and that Davis won’t easily turn down the much-larger Los Angeles market.  Neither will Cowboys’ owner, Jerry Jones, they say, easily welcome a third team to Texas.

In St. Louis, officials are working to keep the Rams. USA Today recently reported that Missouri Governor, Jay Nixon, has tapped former Anheuser-Busch President, David Peacock, and attorney Robert Blitz, to advise him on options to “ensure that St. Louis remains an NFL City for years to come.”

Speculation of a move by the Rams ramped up last year after owner Stan Kroenke purchased a 60-acre parcel in Inglewood adjacent to Hollywood Park – one of three possible sites mentioned for a new football stadium.

Yet, most insiders say the Inglewood site is likely too small, leaving the current front-runners as the downtown Los Angeles site proposed by AEG, and the Ed Roski-backed site in the City of Industry. Neither site, however, has yet been confirmed, nor could a stadium be built in time for the 2016 season, necessitating a temporary stadium added to the already complicated relocation scenario.

Thus, the waiting game for Los Angeles NFL fans is likely to continue for at least another year.

 

Los Angeles: County Flags Lowered In Honor of Executed NY Police Officers

Staff Reports

flag half staff            Los Angeles County – In order to pay tribute to New York police officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos, Mayor Michael D. Antonovich has ordered that all county flags be lowered to half-staff until the day after both officers have been laid to rest.

Officers Liu and Ramos were executed Saturday while sitting in their patrol car.  Both officers were participating in an anti-terrorism drill when a subject walked up to their patrol car and opened fire with a handgun, striking them both in the head and upper body multiple times.

Officer Liu is survived by his wife of two months.  Officer Ramos is survived by his wife and 13 year-old son

Officer Ramos and Officer Liu

New York Officers Ramos and Liu