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

Press Releases - Contains news releases or alerts sent out to media

Resource Links - Contains brochures, articles, specific information on present issues or programs related to the City of Torrance and its community

Torrance Boulevard is closed in both directions between Crenshaw and Date due to a traffic collision.  Please use alternate routes.

TORRANCE, Calif., November 19, 2009 - The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) selected the City of Torrance as a finalist for one of its 2009 Most Business-Friendly City in L.A. County awards, also known as the Eddy Awards®.  The Eddy Awards® have become one of the most prestigious economic development award programs in the state of California.  The winners of each category were announced live at the 14th Annual Eddy Awards® on Thursday, November 12, 2009, at the Beverly Hilton hotel.  More than 700 leaders from the business, government, and education sectors attended the gala dinner.

Although the City of Torrance did not win the Eddy Award®, the LAEDC honored Torrance as a finalist for creating a business-friendly environment that encourages businesses to locate or expand in the community by reducing red tape and improving response time with additional assistance.  Torrance was also recognized for implementing such streamlining measures as a one-stop permit center, ombudsman services, online project status tracking, and training.  In addition, Torrance is proud to have the second lowest rate of property crime and third lowest rate of violent crime among 15 L.A. County cities with populations of 100,000 residents.

Please click here for the Eddy Awards® website.

TORRANCE, Calif., November 17, 2009 - On Friday, November 13, 2009, the Mayor and City Council dedicated the Sports Center at Charles H. Wilson Park in honor of former Mayor Dee Hardison, naming it the "Dee Hardison Sports Center." read more (PDF)>>.

Please click here for the photo gallery.

Please click here for the agenda item recommending the naming of the Wilson Park Sports Center after Dee Hardison during the September 15, 2009 City Council meeting wherein it was also approved.

TORRANCE, Calif., November 12, 2009 - The public hearing to be held before the City of Torrance City Council on November 17, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. has been POSTPONED.  A public workshop will be held on December 15, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. and a public hearing will be held on January 19, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the Torrance City Council Chambers of City Hall located at 3031 Torrance Boulevard, Torrance, California.  Click here for more information.

TORRANCE, Calif., November 9, 2009 - In accordance with President Obama's directive issued on November 6, 2009, the U.S. Flags in the City of Torrance are being flown at half staff until Veterans Day in honor of the victims of the Fort Hood shootings.  Flags will be returned to full staff on Wednesday morning, November 11, 2009.  The full complement of Military Service Flags will be raised in honor of Veterans Day, and a floral wreath will be placed at the City memorial.  The City of Torrance shares in the sorrow of this tragic loss and continues to thank members of its Armed Forces and their families for their sacrifices and selfless service.

On Monday, November 9, 2009, at 7 p.m. the Torrance City Council and the entire Torrance Unified School District (TUSD) Board of Education will convene for a special joint meeting. The meeting will be held at the Toyota Meeting Hall in the Torrance Cultural Arts Center located at 3330 Civic Center Drive. Its main purpose is to explore areas of collaboration in services and processes between these two governing bodies; topics to be discussed include - facility maintenance, library resources, field lighting, etc. read more (PDF)>>

1. "Find a Flu Shot" website (http://www.findaflushot.com/) will give you non-County sites that may charge a fee.  Click the message box on the upper right.  It will give you locations such as:

• CVS Pharmacies, some are stand-alone and others are located in Stater Brothers markets, charge $25.  They waive the fee to unemployed individuals who present a voucher from certain employment sites.  In our District, unfortunately only the Marina Del Rey Work Source Center (310) 309-6000 distributes these vouchers though there are others distribution points scattered outside our District.  Locations of other voucher distributors can be found by using either the CVS website www.CVS.com/promoContent  or calling them at 1 888 flu shot.
• Ralphs and Food for Less stores that have pharmacies are giving flu shots for $25.
• Rite Aid  charges $30Walgreens charges $24.99 for the injection and $29.99 for the nasal spray version

2. The County's Information Line (dial 2-1-1) has locations of only County sites.  County sites provide free vaccinations.

3. The Department of Public Health's website has County only sites, see (http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/ip/flu/index.htm.

4. Department of Public Health's L.A. County Health Line provides info on County sites and also volunteer sites such as churches, senior centers etc. that are partnering with the County.  Vaccinations at these sites are free.  The L.A. County Health Line number is (800) 427-8700, from Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Spanish interpreters available.

As working families struggle to make ends meet due to the current economic downturn, Southern California Gas Co. (The Gas Company) is urging customers to take advantage of the utility's assistance programs.

These are the types of programs offered that may be helpful for Torrance customers:

Gas Company Assistance for Struggling Families...
The Southern California Gas Co. offers several assistance programs to their customers to help reduce winter heating bills and increase energy efficiency during these hard economic times.

CARE (California Alternate Rate for Energy)
Provides a 20% discount on the monthly gas bill for eligible households who may not be able to make their monthly payment. Customers may be automatically eligible if they currently receive benefits from the Women, Infants and Children, Healthy Families, Medi-Cal, Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or LIHEAP programs.

Direct Assistance Program
Provides energy-saving home improvements to income-qualified renters and homeowners. Services include weather-stripping, ceiling insulation, low-flow showerheads, furnace replacement and other minor home repairs.

Medical Baseline Allowance
Customers with a person in the home with certain medical conditions who may require additional heating to sustain their health, may qualify for additional natural gas at the lowest baseline rate.

Gas Assistance Fund
Provides a one-time grant to customers during the winter who are income-qualified and unable to pay their bill.

Please click here for more information.

TORRANCE, Calif., August 7, 2009 - On August 12, 2008, the Torrance City Council adopted the 2008 Strategic Plan for the City.  The Plan was updated by a group of sixteen citizens, who met weekly from January through May.  The City of Torrance Strategic Plan is a proactive statement of where we as a community want to be in the future, how we will get there and who will be responsible for taking us there.

The biggest change in the Strategic Plan is the addition of a new priority addressing environmental concerns and practices.  This priority, entitled "Stewardship of the Environment", addresses goals ranging from increased recycling to more environmentally friendly development practices, and also includes goals encouraging new, green businesses.

The City of Torrance is now working on an Action Plan to implement the goals and sub-goals identified in the Plan. Workshops were conducted in June, and work continues.

To view the Strategic Plan Full Report, click here.

TORRANCE, Calif., July 16, 2009 - The Los Angeles County West Vector & Vector-Borne Disease Control District has issued a pamphlet called "Biting and Stinging Insects" to inform the public about biting and stinging insects in Los Angeles County.  Recommendations listed in this pamphlet should be followed in order to reduce the risk of exposure to the following vectors and vector-borne diseases:

• Mosquitoes and West Nile Virus
• Africanized Honey Bees
• Ticks and Lyme Disease
• Red Imported Fire Ants

This pamphlet will be available at various public counters in City Hall and can be downloaded from the website: http://www.lawestvector.org/.

TORRANCE, Calif., June 26, 2009 - The City of Torrance announces its new web address and domain name (URL) - www.TorranceCA.Gov/ as a step toward providing the community with clear, convenient and easy means of accessing City information.  Starting July 1, 2009, everyone can access the City of Torrance website through this new address. In addition, and all emails to City contacts will also use the new domain "Name@TorranceCA.Gov." read more (PDF)>>

To help keep our community informed of important issues, the City of Torrance launched a citywide Twitter account today. Please "follow" us at http://twitter.com/TorranceCA to stay in touch.