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News Archive - Contains the latest news of special events or activities.

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The Torrance Police Department and the Torrance Community Services Department will present "Seniors Don't Be Scammed!" - Preventing Elder Abuse on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Katy Geissert Civic Center Library Community Meeting Room located at 3301 Torrance Blvd.  Torrance Seniors, caregivers, family & friends are invited to learn about the latest scams.  Light refreshments will be served and no RSVP is necessary.  Resource information will be available from the NTVCC (National Telemarketing Victim Call Center), KEEP-SAFE, H.E.L.P., Torrance Library's WOW - Words on Wheels Program, Torrance Senior Programs, and Torrance Focal Point on Aging - Information and Referral.  For more information contact T.P.D. Community Affairs at (310) 618-5735 or click here for an informative flyer.

TORRANCE, Calif., Wednesday, February 1, 2012 - The City of Torrance announces new topic for its 2012 Students & Government Day, a program to encourage youth participation in community affairs. Selected students will participate in Students & Government Day, which will be held on Tuesday, May 1, 2012.

The City of Torrance encourages all eighth graders to apply for participation by submitting a 100-150 word essay on the prompt: "The City of Torrance is celebrating its Centennial (100th Birthday) in 2012. You are a student in 2012 and are traveling back in time to 1912. What one person or item would you take with you and how would that make a difference in your life?" Applicants are required to submit their student involved idea for a new civic project involving students that could benefit the Torrance community. Information and forms are available at local schools and online. Application deadline is Wednesday, February 22, 2012. read more (PDF)>>

TORRANCE, Calif., Monday, January 30, 2012 - On January 24, 2012, the City Council approved the green waste recycling program for all Torrance residents with City Service. Containers and instructions will be delivered over the following 12 months.

Depending on level of service, residential sanitation service fees will increase to either $1.50 or $2.50 a month. The fee increase will enable the Public Works Department to comply with waste reduction regulations mandated by the State.

As part of the new fee structure related to this program, residents can adjust the size of their refuse, recycling and green waste containers as they prefer. All containers are available in 64 or 96 gallon sizes and the monthly fee for collection is based only on the size of the refuse container. read more (PDF)>>

TORRANCE, Calif., Monday, January 30, 2012 - Mayor Frank Scotto announced 6 honorees at the recent City Council meeting held on Tuesday, January 24th. Janet Payne, historian, founding member and former President of the Old Torrance Neighborhood Association, received the City's Prestigious Jared Sydney Torrance Award for her lifetime commitment to the community. Mayor Scotto said, "Janet is one of those exceptional people who puts her beliefs into action."

The Mayor also announced the establishment of the Citizens of the Year Award. The award will be given by Torrance City Council each January to recognize citizens who, during the course of the year, perform meritorious service above and beyond that which is expected of a citizen. June Lee & Melissa Wright were recognized for their commitment to recognize three local heroes and dedicate the new Seaside Heroes Park in their honor. Kristen Matsuda, Keith Montoya, and Dee Hardison, former Mayor and a past recipient of the Jared Sydney Torrance Award, were also honored for their work in creating a comprehensive ethics training program to support ethical conduct of candidates in their campaigns for elective office. read more (PDF)>>

TORRANCE, Calif., Friday, Jan. 20, 2011 - Six Torrance producers received coveted prizes at the 20th Annual Torrance Community Television (TCtv) Awards held Friday, January 20th in the Torrance Cultural Arts Center's Toyota Meeting Hall. The awards ceremony, themed "Follow the Yellow Brick Road to TCtv" recognized the efforts of TCtv producers for excellence in television programming, creating original video that was cablecast on Torrance Channel (Time Warner 28 and Verizon FiOS 36 cable systems) throughout the year 2011. read more (PDF)>>

As part of the Los Angeles County Congestion Reduction Demonstration Program along the I-110 and I-10 freeways, Metro's Contractor is continuing with the installation of conduit as a means of providing power at numerous locations.  This work must be performed in order to place the conduit underground.  Upon completion of the installation of the conduit, each trench will be back filled, and returned to pre-existing conditions.

WHAT:  Trench Excavation and Conduit Installation

WHEN:  Work will begin as early as Monday, January 9, 2012 and will continue through February 6, 2012. Night work hours scheduled approximately between 9:00 p.m. - 6:00 a.m, Monday - Sunday, weather permitting

WHERE:  In the vicinity of Hope St., between 33rd St. and 35th St., Los Angeles

WHAT TO EXPECT:

• Intermittent lane closures for the installation of conduit.
• One lane for through traffic will remain open in each direction at all times.
• Flaggers and traffic control signs will be placed during the construction activity.
• Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.
• Open trenches will be plated at the end of the workday.
• Access will be maintained for the Fire Department & emergency responders at all times.
• Parking restrictions will be implemented in the immediate area of the construction zone.
• Accessibility to homes and businesses will be maintained.

For construction related inquiries call 213-922-4200, visit www.metro.net/expresslanes or www.facebook.com/expresslanes or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/expresslanes.

Torrance CitiCABLE has served the City of Torrance community for over 25 years.  Beginning November 9, 2011 at 7 p.m. and every Wednesday thereafter, a new program will debut on channel 3 (Time Warner cable) and channel 31 (FiOS TV) covering the rich history of our great city.  The first program answers the question, "Who is Jared Sidney Torrance," our city's founder.  Be sure to tune in and take a "look back and move forward" with us!  If you don't have cable television service, you can click here to watch CitiCABLE.

Click here for the Centennial Playback Schedule for January 2012.

Click here for the Centennial Show Archive.

Congratulations to all of the participants at "Lights, Camera, Action" for a successful event!  Click here to view the photograph proofs from this event.  The official photograph(s) will be available for purchase very soon.  Thanks to all of the participants!

TORRANCE, Calif., Tuesday, October 25, 2011 - The City of Torrance announces its newly enhanced on-line business listing today.  Torrance businesses have been able to add their business profile on www.TorranceCA.Gov for over 15 years, and now they can participate in an even better webpage.  Designed to help the Torrance business community get discovered, the enhanced features include, among other elements, improved layout, flexible data entry, faster search and a better look and feel.  The business listing page offers a dynamic up-to-date listing of active licenses.  The new features include location mapping, social media links, mobile-friendly display, and search engine optimization.

The enhanced on-line business profile listing is no cost to Torrance based businesses with a current business license.  It's great for those that don't currently have a website, and it's easy to use.  Torrance businesses can go here and activate their profile today!  Click here for more information.

Torrance Business On-line Listing is a service offered by the City of Torrance - Office of Economic Development.  For questions or comments, contact our office at EconomicDevelopment@TorranceCA.Gov.

TORRANCE, Calif., Wednesday, September 21, 2011 - The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) announced yesterday the finalists for its 2010 Most Business-Friendly City in Los Angeles County award. Torrance along with the cities of Burbank, Carson, Glendale, West Covina and Whittier are finalists for the population 60,000 and over category. read more (PDF)>>

TORRANCE, Calif., Tuesday, September 20, 2011 - The City of Torrance will launch the Torrance eNEWSLETTER on Thursday, September 22, 2011. eNEWSLETTER is a weekly publication that will feature events and activities about cultural, library, recreation, and park information. John Jones, Director of Community Services said, "if you want to find out my top five picks for things to do for the upcoming week, you should subscribe to eNewsletter, it's really convenient!" Sign up today and you'll receive the debut issue. read more (PDF)>>

Please click here to get your weekly copy of the Torrance eNEWSLETTER or to view the archive.

TORRANCE, Calif., Thursday, September 15, 2011 - Last month mosquitoes collected at the Madrona Marsh were confirmed positive for West Nile virus (WNV) by the Los Angeles West Vector Control. Yesterday, two (2) Chickens from the Sentinel Flock tested positive for West Nile Virus.

Although the chickens were infected, the precautions recommended last month have not changed. Residents can protect themselves from WNV by doing the following:

• By applying repellents containing DEET, picaradin, IR3535, and oil of lemon.
• Avoid this area during early morning and evening (Mosquitoes primarily bite during this time).
• Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property, repair screens, keep doors and windows tight.

Please click here for more information regarding this event or contact Tracy Drake, Nature Center Manager at (310) 782-3989. read more (PDF)>>

The Metro ExpressLanes Demonstration Project along the 110 Harbor Freeway will lessen congestion, improve travel choices, and maximize efficiency on a heavily traveled north-south corridor connecting the South Bay to downtown Los Angeles. The project will provide a new way to move traffic in LA County by converting the existing carpool lanes on the 110 to ExpressLanes. Anticipated project completion is Fall 2012.

As part of the continuing construction, the Contractor will remove current traffic delineation markings and install new temporary traffic lanes that will serve to create construction work zones.  This new configuration will establish safe work areas for the construction workers and equipment. The new traffic lane reconfiguration will take approximately one week to complete beginning at 10:00 p.m. on Monday, August 29 to 6:00 am on Monday, September 5, 2011, weather permitting. Once the construction work zones are created the Contractor will conduct nighttime activities that will impede use of the bus stations along the 110 Harbor Freeway between Adams Boulevard in Los Angeles to 182nd Street in Gardena. This new traffic configuration will be implemented for the duration of one year.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

• Bus Stations and HOV lanes along the 110 Harbor Freeway will be CLOSED between 10:00 p.m. - 6:00 a.m. beginning August 2011 - September 2012.
• Temporary K-rail installation in the north and south bound directions of the 110 Harbor Freeway.
• Intermittent construction equipment entering and exiting freeway.
• Intermittent traffic lane and HOV lane closures on the 10, 105 and 110 freeways.
• Access will be maintained for the Fire Department and emergency responders at all times.

BUS SERVICE:

• Silver Line & Line 550 will only stop at Harbor Freeway Green Line Station (Figueroa entrance) & Artesia Transit Center.
• Line 460 will run nonstop between Norwalk & Downtown LA.
• For access to all Harbor Transitway stations, shuttles will run from 4 a.m.-6 a.m. along Figueroa Street between Downtown LA & Artesia Transit Center.
• Alternate service is available on Figueroa via Line 81 and on Broadway via Lines 45 & 745.

For construction related inquiries, please call 213-922-4200 or click here.

Mosquitoes collected at the Madrona Marsh were confirmed positive for West Nile virus (WNV) on August 12, 2011 by the State of California. Adult mosquito counts have exceeded 100 per night in the trap located in Section G-9 (Sentinel Chicken Flock Trap) for the last 6 consecutive weeks. People walking along the perimeter of the marsh at night should take the appropriate precautions to protect themselves from being bitten by infected mosquitoes. So far this year, there have been 48 separate zip codes in Los Angeles County that have recorded positive WNV results from either dead birds, trapped adult mosquitoes, or sentinel chicken flocks. Additionally, there are 2 confirmed human cases in Los Angeles County and 10 human cases statewide in California. WNV is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when they first feed on birds that carry the virus, and then bite a human or animal.

Residents can protect themselves from WNV by doing the following:

• DEET - Apply insect repellent according to the label. Repellents containing DEET, picaradin, IR3535, and oil of lemon eucalyptus are the longest lasting and most effective. Repellents keep the mosquitoes from biting you.
• DAWN AND DUSK - Mosquitoes that carry WNV primarily bite in the early morning and evening so it is important to wear repellent at this time. Make sure that your doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes. Repair or replace screens with tears or holes.
• DRAIN - Mosquitoes lay their eggs on standing water. Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property, including flowerpots, old car tires, rain gutters and pet bowls. Ensure that swimming pools, spas, and ponds are properly maintained. If you have an ornamental pond, use mosquito fish. You can make arrangements to pick up free mosquito fish at the District by calling 310-915-7370.

The public is encouraged to report dead birds to help with West Nile virus surveillance and control efforts. Dead birds should be reported to the toll-free hotline at 877-WNV BIRD. People infected with WNV can experience a variety of symptoms that may include: no symptoms, West Nile Fever, or West Nile Neuroinvasive disease. Symptoms usually occur 2-15 days after infection. These symptoms may last from several days to several weeks. The West Nile Neuroinvasive disease can lead to long lasting and in some cases permanent damage to the brain. If you have any questions, please contact Robert Saviskas, Executive Director, at 310-915-7370 ext. 223 or at rsaviskas@lawestvector.org.

Click here for additional information about the Los Angeles County West Vector & Vector-Borne Disease Control District and West Nile virus.

The City of Torrance Emergency Services is leading a local effort to update the City's Hazard Mitigation Plan. This plan identifies natural and human caused hazards throughout the City. It also presents an assessment of critical facilities vulnerable to these hazards. The new and updated plan will list potential actions needed to reduce risk and future damage. Although the plan enables the City to be eligible for various assistance grants, the plan's value really lies in the identification of hazards and helps the City and its residents better prepare for disasters. Your participation can make our community more resilient to a disaster. We know you are busy and respectfully request a few moments of your time to respond to this brief survey. Your responses to this survey will help guide the plan update. Thank you for your time and your valuable input.

Click here for the hazard mitigation plan survey.

Click here for the current hazard mitigation plan.