Weekly News Roundup – Feb. 24, 2014
City Council Passes Motion Cutting Sidewalk Repair Fees for Property Owners
Last week, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously passed Councilman Joe Buscaino’s motion to eliminate city fees taken on by homeowners who take it upon themselves to fix broken sidewalks in front of their property. The move will save property owners who proactively undertake sidewalk repair hundreds of dollars on average.
Knatz Appointed to National Academy of Engineering
Former Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Dr. Geraldine Knatz was honored by the USC Viterbi School of Engineering last week at a reception recognizing her and Professor Iraj Ershaghi’s appointments to the National Academy of Engineering. Knatz and Ershaghi are among 67 new members named to the distinguished academy earlier this month — a top honor in the field of engineering.
USS Iowa Turns 71
A special ceremony was held on Saturday to mark the 71st anniversary of the commissioning of the USS Iowa. Congresswoman Janice Hahn was on hand for the event, put on by the Pacific Battleship Center, which also celebrated President George Washington’s birthday.
Battle of Los Angeles Re-enacted
San Pedro’s skies were filled with flashing searchlights and the sound of gun fire and air raid sirens on Saturday evening — but as many learned, it was just the Fort McArthur Museum’s annual historical re-enactment of the Great Los Angeles Air Raid. On Feb. 25, 1942, more than 1,400 anti-aircraft shells were fired at an unknown object over Los Angeles that was feared by many to be an enemy aircraft. The mysterious event claimed several lives and continues to be the subject of debate by historians, conspiracy theorists and those who believe it was a UFO event.
Seaside Pharmacy to Close
San Pedro’s oldest business, Seaside Pharmacy, will soon be closing its doors, the Daily Breeze reported last week. After 125 years — it opened one year after San Pedro became a city — the pharmacy will be closing this week. Owner Joe Seibert said his employees will be transferred to CVS Pharmacy, which he also sold his patient files and records to.
