Friedman promoted to assistant editor
Jonathan Friedman, staff writer for The Malibu Times, has been promoted to assistant editor. Friedman, 25, has been writing for the newspaper since November 2002.
Friedman graduated from Ithaca College in 2001 with a degree in broadcast journalism. Prior to joining The Malibu Times, he worked as a radio news reporter for KYCA Radio in Prescott, Ariz. He also wrote for several newspapers in Los Angeles County as a freelancer. Born in Columbia, Maryland, Friedman grew up in Miami, Fla. While not covering the latest happenings in Malibu, he enjoys swimming, socializing with friends and watching horse racing and “Seinfeld.”
Popular park ranger retires
Arnie Miller, 71, has retired from teaching programs at the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area as a National Parks Services ranger. Miller led programs for students from third grade to high school. Through his efforts in the classroom, the park received National Science Teachers Association endorsements.
Miller recruited the Culver City Izaak Walton League Chapter and volunteers for support and to teach the Save Our Streams program. He presented teacher workshops through California Lutheran University’s continuing education program. Miller was crucial in the development of teacher guides for each curriculum-based program.
Prior to his work with the NPS, Miller trained as a Nike Missile officer and first lieutenant in the United States Air Force. He taught in the Los Angeles Unified School District for 31 years.
Senate to vote on prison smoking ban this week
California’s correctional institutions will be smoke free as of July 2005 if the state Senate and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger pass AB 384, a measure that would ban tobacco products from state prisons this week. Approval of the measure would make California the eighth state in the country to enact such a ban in its prisons.
Company submits
new LNG applications
Houston-based Crystal Energy has resubmitted state and federal applications to build a liquefied natural gas facility off the coast of Oxnard. Thsi is the second LNG terminal proposal made for this area.
Crystal wants to convert an onshore oil platform 11 miles from Oxnard into an LNG receiving and re-gasification facility. An undersea pipeline would transport natural gas to an underground pipeline through Oxnard to Southern California Gas’s pipeline in Camarillo.
In February, Crystal submitted a project application for its proposal to the U.S. Coast Guard and the California State Lands Commission. The agencies wanted more details about the project, and the company resubmitted its application late last month. The Coast Guard has three weeks to deem the application complete. Earlier this summer, the Malibu City Council unanimously passed a resolution against the construction of an LNG facility proposed by BHP Billiton off the coast of Oxnard, citing health concerns.
West Nile Virus continues to spread
The West Nile Virus has been detected in 11 more counties and the number of Californians who have tested positive for the virus has climbed to 148 as of Aug. 12.
Tests of dead birds confirmed that West Nile has spread to Calaveras, Lake, Lassen, Mariposa, Plumas, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Sierra, Yolo and Yuba counties. In addition, a horse in Alpine County has tested positive for the virus. In total, 41 of the state’s 58 counties have detected West Nile.
Of the 148 Californians with West Nile infections, five have died, including two each from Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties and one from Orange County. The West Nile infections were reported in the following counties: San Bernardino, 62; Los Angeles, 41; Riverside, 35; Orange, 3; Fresno, 2; Kern, 2; Imperial, 1; Tulare, 1; Yolo, 1.
West Nile has also infected 64 horses, of which 33 have died. Since horses are susceptible to West Nile and a vaccine for horses is available, the California Department of Health has advised horse owners to contact their veterinarians about timely vaccinations.
West Nile is transmitted to humans and animals through a mosquito bite. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. The city of Malibu has released the following advice on how to reduce the risk of West Nile:
1. Avoid spending time outside when mosquitoes are most active (dawn & dusk), and near marshy wetlands and heavily wooded areas.
2. Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property.
3. Change the water in wading pools, birdbaths and pet bowls several times a week.
4. Make sure that doors and windows have tight fitting screens and repair or replace screens that have tears or holes.
5. When outdoors, it’s important to use insect repellent products and apply according to label instructions.
6. Residents should wear long sleeved shirts and other protective clothing to protect the skin from mosquito bites.
Brochures about the West Nile Virus are available at City Hall and through Vector Control. To help detect the virus, residents should report dead birds to the West Nile Virus Dead Bird Surveillance Program by calling 877.747-2243 or 877.WNV.BIRD.
For more information about the West Nile Virus, call the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control Information Line at 1.800.975.4448 or 213.240.7786.
Lemonade fundraiser benefits wildlife center
A lemonade fundraiser for the California Wildlife Center sponsored by the children of the Kagon and Droeger families will take place Saturday, 10 a.m.- noon, at Rambla Pacifico and Monte Viento at the top of Las Flores Canyon, near the Camp 8 Fire Station. All profits will benefit the rehabilitation of animals cared for by the center.