Results tagged “closure”

Unfortunately, sewage spills in the Long Beach area are all too often. The latest began this weekend when a sewage line began to leak on Saturday night. The waste entered the storm drain system and headed towards Shoreline Village at the mouth of the L.A. River.

The 25th Annual AIDS Walk Los Angeles gets underway officially at 10 o'clock this morning, but streets in West Hollywood are already closed to drivers and will remain so for a large portion of the day. If your travels today are in the vicinity, plan some alternate routes. Here's the route map to show you where to go to cheer on the walkers--or what part of town to avoid today.

Whenever it rains in Los Angeles, it exemplifies how we are all connected, whether living in the Valley or at the beach. "The county’s 2,800-mile storm drain system is designed to channel rainwater to the ocean to prevent local flooding," explains officials from the nonprofit Heal the Bay. "But it also has the unintended function of moving pollution directly into the Santa Monica and San Pedro bays following rainstorms."

An early morning rush-hour accident has prompted the closure of all southbound lanes of the 5 Freeway in the Santa Clarita Valley this morning. At about 5 a.m., a big rig traveling southbound jackknifed near Calgrove Boulevard, blocking lanes and impacting one of two routes out of the valley. At 7:47 a.m., the city of Santa Clarita sent a text message alert to residents saying lanes were still closed until further notice. That means to travel to the San Fernando Valley will mainly come via the 14 Freeway and The Old Road.

Photographer and Manhattan Beach resident Jake Rome this morning let us know that officials decided to keep the popular park closed as city staff figure out how to solve neighborhood problems. In a comment, he writes: Just an FYI, the council decided to keep the park closed until they've developed and implemented a mitigation that discourages sufficient number of people from using the dune.

Forest Service officials announced tonight that containment of the Sheep Fire reached 30 percent as scorched acreage grew slightly to 7,824 acres.

U.S. Forest Officials yesterday signed an order that lifted closure restrictions on a large chunk of the Angeles National Forest. However, 450 square miles of the San Gabriel Mountain range still remain off-limits to public-at-large as the Station Fire continues to burn and personnel comb through recovery areaa. The closure will remain in affect until next year September, unless a new order lifting restrictions is signed.

A surprise announcement from state officials came this afternoon in the form of no state park closures. Wow. A big improvement from the original proposal to close 80 percent of parks last Spring, which eventually was weeded down to 100 park closures in the summer. As state park officials worked on a closure list, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger stepped in with renewed interest this week, offering assistance in the form of experts from the Department of Finance.

    

Public health officials today extended the closure to a portion of Will Rogers State Beach after tests confirmed that sewage was being discharged from a storm drain into the ocean. How much sewage? Approximately 9.600 gallons, according to the L.A. County Department of Public Health. That's a big yuck.

Public Health officials are warning the public that a one-mile stretch of Will Rogers State Beach in the Pacific Palisades area might be tainted by sewage from a nearby storm drain. Late Tuesday night, a citizen alerted authorities of a "foul smell" emanating from the storm drain, prompting LA County Public Health officials to take samples of ocean water in order to determine if sewage has been discharged. The precautionary measure--swim at your own risk!--will remain in effect until noon, Friday, pending test results. The beach currently has an A+ on Heal the Bay's Beach Report Card.

Good news comes today as Governor Arnold Schwarzegger's office announced that that plans to close state parks have changed. Fewer parks will close and plans to release a list of those parks has been dropped. Although the Governor's office is downplaying the shift in direction, the Mercury News juxtaposes it with this point:

Not only was the federal government concerned about the pending closure of state parks earlier this summer, but a memo obtained by the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility says there are a handful of more problems if closures happen. A list of those closures is is expected to be released sometime next week. The memo from state attorneys says the potential problems could cost the state money, including lawsuits from private companies involved in contracts with state parks and lawsuits from parkgoers trespassing into closed parks who get hurt, according to the Mercury News. Additionally, a Americans with Disabilities Act settlement from 1999 may be broken if parks close, prompting yet another lawsuit from disability groups. And lastly, closing state beaches may be in violation of the California Coastal Act.

A spokesman for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said today that the list of parks slated for closure will not be released this week as officials continue to work to save more money, therefore keeping more open, according to John Myers of KQED.

California State Park officials last week said the list of parks to close could be announced sometime this week. "Possibly by the end of the week, but nothing is for sure," said Sheryl Watson, a state parks spokesperson, over the phone today. Word on the street among parks activists concur, but some speculate next week will hold D-Day. And with state offices furloughed this Friday, it's anybody's guess.

State Park officials said today that a closure list will not be released today and will likely come next week. "There is a list and it's being reviewed," explained Sheryl Watson, an Information Officer with California State Parks, over the phone. Amid a mass budget crunch this summer, the legislature and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger slashed the department's budget so much, that it will potentially close around 100 parks.

As the the Department of Water and Power faces a second water main break of the week--this latest one sucked in a fire truck--the first one from Saturday night continues to leave Coldwater Canyon Boulevard closed to rush hour commuters as they return from the holiday weekend. The popular over-the-hill cut through to Beverly Hills is closed between Ventura Boulevard and Halkirk Street and between Moorpark and Ventura Boulevard (see a map below).

    

Late last night a 64-inch water main burst in Studio City at Ventura Boulevard and Coldwater Canyon, according to the LA Times. The water flooded into area businesses and homes, and was 3-4' high in places, according to an LAFD email alert.

Although no closure list has been handed out, this is the last weekend before many State Parks are expected to close. Faced with nearly $39 million cuts to its budget, State Park officials wanted to hold off until the last minute, hoping cities, nonprofits and corporations would step up and partner to save state parks. For every park saved by one entity could mean the another park saved with the department's dwindling budget.

A Killer Music Festival: On Saturday, September 5th, FYF Fest will host a Save Our State Pars festival at Los Angeles State Historic Park in Chinatown. For $20 that will will go towards helping keep state parks open in California, audiences can see over 20 bands including the Black Lips, No Age, Mika Miko, Crystal Antlers, Peanut Butter Wolf, Avi Buffalo and many more. Check out the full line up here. Meet the Politician: State Senator Fran Pavley, Committee Chair of the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee, will be hosting an informational meeting on the budget of state parks and mitigating closures. It's on Friday, August 28th from 9 to 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Santa Monica. Pavley represents portions of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

No official list of state parks to close had been published yet, but at least five in the Los Angeles area face the real possibility of closing if partnerships are not formed to save them after Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed $39 million from the department's budget. Los Encinos in Encino, Santa Susana Pass in Chatsworth, Rio de Los Angeles in Chinatown, Point Dume in Malibu and Pio Pico in Whittier are all being considered for closure, the LA Times finds.

In order to keep some--not all--state parks open, California State Parks will be increasing fees beginning next Monday. The move comes after Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger slashed nearly $39 million from parks last month in the state budget. Officials say that it is likely some parks will close, but are seeking to partner with communities and corporations to keep some open.

As the United States Post Office seeks way to save money and "weather this storm," today a list of 677 branches were given to congress for review as possible closures. Only 200 are expected to close and a number are listed in the Los Angeles area, but none within the city limits, according to the LA Times.

Blame pollution: 2008 was another banner year for troubled waters at our nation's beaches, according to the results of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) annual study. Although last year was a dry one, "aging and poorly designed sewage and stormwater systems hold much of the blame for beachwater pollution [and] stormwater runoff contributed to two-thirds of the closing/advisory days in which a contamination source was reported."

California State Parks director Ruth Coleman said that the agency faces a total of about $39 million in cuts after the new budget, which directly states a $14.2 million cut, was signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today. Additionally, $2.4 million was siphoned from a cigarette tax fund because less people are smoking. Furloughs and salary cuts round out the large number (Note: a full budget fact sheet is embedded below).

A sewage spill last night prompted the closure of three beaches in Long Beach today. Failed circuit breakers in a private pump station caused approximately 1,000 gallons to discharge last night around 10:30 p.m. into the storm drain system near the Bixby Terrace Area leading to the Los Cerritos Channel where Mother's Beach, Marine Stadium and Colorado Lagoon are located. The beaches will remain closed until the city's Health Department and Officer deem the water bacteria levels within state standards. All water contact activity will be prohibited in the area.

Update: The beach was found safe and was opened as of 3:30 p.m. 3 million gallons of tertiary wastewater were accidently released into the ocean yesterday prompting officials to close the water at Inner and Outer Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro. Tertiary wastewater has already undergone treatment to remove harmful waste products, but may be still dangerous. “We are asking people to avoid entering or swimming in the ocean in the area immediately surrounding Inner and Outer Cabrillo Beach,” said Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Director of Public Health and Health Officer. “Our first priority is to protect the health and safety of the people who visit the beach and water areas. Once we determine bacteria levels in the water do not pose a threat to the public’s health, we will remove the beach closure.” The water is being tested this morning and if found to be okay, the beach will reopen around noon. Want to see what happens when you do swim in nasty water? This guy now has a pacemaker:

Thanks to 22,000 gallons of sewage spilling "out of a manhole cover in South Pasadena on Saturday," all of the city beaches in Long Beach are closed today until further notice, according to abc7.com. The waste may have seeped into the storm drainage system that leads to the Los Angeles River as a result of "a grease plug in the line." The line empties into the ocean at Long Beach. Officials initiated the shutdown to ensure the safety of beach users, and are awaiting clean water samples in order to re-open the beaches.

Molly's Burger stand has been doomed to the dustbin: Eater LA discovered that the long-time Hollywood institution will be knocked down next month to make way for more office space on Vine St. It will be a sad day in February for fans of cheeseburgers, breakfast burritos, and Korean short-ribs, as well as students and tourists looking for a cheap but scenic meal.

While only Sylmar High School remains in use as a shelter in the San Fernando Valley for evacuees from the Sayre Fire, all Los Angeles Unified School District schools--including Sylmar HS--will be open tomorrow, although there will be no "outdoor activities" taking place due to unhealthy air quality conditions. In Orange County, due to the "Triangle Complex Fire" Brea Public schools, Placentia/Yorba Linda Unified schools, and Brea-Olinda Friends Christian school will be closed.

In addition to the closures of several local freeways, there are other closures and stoppages of services due to the Sayre Fire that is burning in the Northeastern San Fernando Valley and in the Newhall Pass. Currently Metrolink is reporting that they have canceled all service on their Antelope Valley Line until further notice (Metrolink Twitter). Furthermore, California State University, Northridge (CSUN) has announced the cancellation of all Saturday classes on their campus, and that "individuals planning to attend scheduled events on campus should check directly with event sponsors."