Pasadena Independent_4/17/2023

OC sheriff’s sergeant accused of illegally eavesdropping on inmate calls

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AG’s office moves to force improvements at LA County juvenile halls

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LA council looks to review the effectiveness of anti-camping law

By Jose Herrera, City News Service

The Los Angeles City Councildirected various city departments Wednesday to conduct a review of the effectiveness and financial cost of the city’s anti-camping law aimed at restricting the location of homeless encampments.

A motion presented by council members Katy Yaroslavsky and Curren Price and approved unanimously calls for a report on the application, enforcement and effectiveness of the law, known as section 41.18, which bans sitting, sleeping and storing property near an estimated 2,000 designated sites in the city.

“I understand that this is a sensitive issue, and I respect that each one of us has different opinions on the use of 41.18 as a tool in our efforts to end homelessness,” Yaroslavsky said. “I’ve stated before that I agree there are certain locations such as school and daycare centers that should be covered by the law.

“There are some who believe we should go further and some who believe that those sites shouldn’t exist at all. But while our opinions on 41.18 may differ, the means by which we enforce them should not.”

Shortly after the city passed 41.18, the council approved the Street Engage-

ment Strategy, a component of the outreach engagement framework, which outlined the required steps prior to the enforcement of the law. The Street Engagement Strategy offered an opportunity for the city and its partners to provide housing resources to individuals impacted by the law, though its effectiveness has not yet been fully analyzed.

Yaroslavsky said the motion would “shine a light” on how the enforcement of 41.18 has been carried out by requesting a report on

several key metrics of the law including, but not limited to, a breakdown of the total cost of enforcement with details on the staff cost, and the price of anti-camping signage, which she noted has cost the city several million dollars.

“The reality is that we don’t have a clearer picture as to how 41.18, specifically as it relates to individual sites determined through council motion, has been applied and whether or not it’s reducing homelessness. That is a problem,” Yaro-

slavsky said.

Following the council’s vote, Councilman Hugo Soto-Martínez, who opposed 41.18, posted on Twitter that he would be looking forward to the report examining the law’s efficacy.

“LA’s Municipal Code 41.18 criminalizes unhoused people, preventing them from existing in large portions of the city, even as we don’t have nearly enough housing or shelter beds to accommodate everyone forced to live on our streets,” Hugo-Martínez wrote in a Twitter post.

The law prohibits sitting, sleeping, lying and storing personal property within two feet of any fire hydrant or fire plug; within five feet of any operational or utilizable entrance or exit; within 10 feet of a loading dock or driveway; in a manner that interferes with any activity for which the city has issued a permit or restricts accessible passage as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act; or anywhere within a street, including bike paths.

The law also prohibits

Port operations further disrupted amid labor negotiations

By City News Service

The Pacific Maritime Association,the industry group representing shippers, issued a statement Thursday accusing the union that represents West Coast dockworkers of continued disruptive actions at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach amid protracted labor negotiations. Both parties are negotiat-

ing new contracts with priorities in wages and the role of automation. The old contract with the association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union expired July 1.

“Last week, ILWU Local 13 withheld labor that shut down terminals throughout the port of Los Angeles and Long Beach,” said the Pacific

Maritime Association in a statement. “This week, the union has unilaterally delayed the standard dispatch process, which is jointly administered by PMA and ILWU, and refused to allow PMA’s participation in the labor dispatch process.”

PMA said ILWU’s actions slowed the start of operations throughout the Southern California port complex and

forced crucial cargo handling equipment to be taken out of operation at several key terminals.

“This latest work action comes about a month after ILWU Local 13 in Southern California stopped complying with a contract provision providing employers the right to assign staggered shifts during meal periods so cargo

encampments within 500 feet of a “sensitive” facility including schools, daycare facilities, parks and libraries.

Other affected areas include:

within 500 feet of a designated overpass, underpass, freeway ramp, tunnel, bridge, pedestrian bridge, subway, wash or spreading ground, railroad track, or where lodging unsheltered or in tents is unhealthy, unsafe and incompatible with safe passage; and

within 1,000 feet of a facility opened after Jan. 1, 2018, that provides shelter, safe sleeping, safe parking, or navigation centers for people experiencing homelessness.

The ordinance allows the city to prevent encampments for a period of no longer than one year in areas that are deemed an ongoing threat to public health or safety, including due to: death or serious bodily injury of any person at the location due to a hazardous condition; repeated serious or violent crimes or threats of serious or violent crimes, including human trafficking; and fires at the location. The street engagement strategy also includes frameworks to conduct engagement during emergencies, including national disasters and public health matters.

can continue to be received and delivered without interruption,” said the PMA in a statement.

The PMA further accused the union’s actions of threatening to accelerate the diversion of discretionary cargo to ports on the East and Gulf coasts.

“Cargo diversion places quality jobs at risk far beyond

the docks, including truck drivers, warehouse workers and thousands of others whose livelihoods depend on ongoing operations at the port,” the PMA said in a statement.

ILWU did not respond to immediate requests for

See Labor negotiations Page 27

| Photo courtesy of Brandi Alexandra/Unsplash

LA breaks ground on Ballona Creek Safe Clean Water project

By City News Service

Two former sheriff’s deputies who were involved in a muchdebated fatal shooting in Gardena pleaded not guilty Thursday to federal charges in a separate case alleging they falsely imprisoned a 23-year-old skateboarder in their patrol car, which crashed during a subsequent chase, injuring the man.

By City News Service

Los Angeles city officials

broke ground Thursday on a Safe Clean Water project on the Ballona Creek Watershed, designed to address pollution with a specific focus on bacteria water quality objectives.

The Ballona Creek Total Maximum Daily Load project is the first regional project funded by the Los Angeles County Safe Clean Water program to begin construction in the city of Los Angeles. This watershed-wide, multi benefit project consists of the construction of two low-flow treatment facilities — one in the Sepulveda Channel, in Council District 11, and the other in the city of Culver City.

“This Safe Clean Water project is an investment

in the future for all Angelenos including those who live on the Westside,” said Councilmember Traci Park.

“I commend the work Los Angeles Sanitation and Environment and the other city departments have done to make critical projects like this a priority.”

City officials alongside LASAN, the Bureau of Engineering and the Bureau of Contract Administration, announced these facilities will treat and release dry-weather flow locally, in addition in conveying water to the Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant for treatment and reuse/ recycling.

“Improving the quality of the Ballona Creek watershed by removing pollutants will protect both public health and

local ecosystem,” said Barbara Romero, LASAN director and general manager. “The construction of these two low-flow treatment facilities bring us closer to the ambitious water quality goals set forth by the city.”

Some of the specific benefits of the project include water quality improvement, improved downstream wetlands and enhanced conditions in the Ballona Creek ecosystem, as well as community investment opportunities including job creation and environmental education.

The Ballona Creek Watershed encompasses approximately 128 square miles and drains into Santa Monica Bay. Construction is anticipated to last until spring 2025.

OC sheriff’s sergeant accused of illegally eavesdropping on inmate calls

By City News Service

An Orange County sheriff’s sergeant is being accused of breaking the law by deliberately eavesdropping on several of an inmate’s calls to his defense attorney, according to a motion filed Wednesday in a drug and weapons case.

Orange County Assistant Public Defender Scott Sanders, who represents Brittany Shahbakhti, filed a motion alleging that Orange County Sheriff’s Sgt. Matthew LeFlore listened in on calls made in 2017 between Taylor Camuferguson and his attorney Jon Andersen. Sanders is seeking personnel records for LeFlore in what is known as a Pitchess motion because LeFlore is the lead investigator in Shahbakhti’s case.

The county was rocked by a scandal in 2018 when it was discovered that the company providing phone service for jail inmates had been improperly recording what are meant to be confidential phone calls between inmates and their attorneys.

“In 2019, (sheriff’s officials) were confronted with compelling evidence that LeFlore repeatedly eavesdropped upon calls between Camuferguson and Anderson, based upon an audit of inmate phone calls to their attorneys that had been accessed by OCSD personnel,” Sanders wrote in the motion.

An audit of the phone calls following the scandal “included a log of law enforcement notes about the accessed calls,” Sanders said.

Those records showed LeFlore “accessed seven calls to Andersen, and according to his own log entries, listened to five of Camuferguson’s calls to Andersen,” Sanders wrote.

Sanders said sheriff’s officials did not investigate LeFlore, but instead promoted him and assigned him “to the same jail where the eavesdropped calls were made.”

Carrie Braun, a spokeswoman for the Sheriff’s Department, said, “The department takes any allegation of misconduct seriously. We are reviewing the motion and are committed to investigating, if discovered, any instances of misconduct.”

Kimberly Edds, a spokeswoman for the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, referred calls to the county counsel’s office.

“We don’t respond to Pitchess motions,” she said. “That is handled by county counsel so you need to contact them as we don’t have a role.”

According to Sanders, it appears from the calls in question that Andersen suspected LeFlore was listening, as he and his client mocked LeFlore with advisements that it is illegal for law enforcement to listen in on privileged attorney-client conversations. They even personally insult LeFlore on the calls.

Sanders argued that LeFlore retaliated against Camuferguson by resurrecting an investigation of a burglary that led to additional charges for the defendant.

The indictment also alleges the former Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies, Miguel Vega, 32, and Christopher Hernandez, 37, obstructed justice in various ways to conceal and cover up the unlawful detention three years ago.

According to court papers, Jesus Alegria was in an enclosed skate park at Wilson Park in Compton on April 13, 2020, when the deputies arrived and contacted two young Black males outside the park.

After Alegria yelled at the deputies to stop bothering the youths, one or both defendants pulled the skateboarder through an opening in the park fence and placed him in the back of their vehicle, according to the indictment.

The victim remained confined in the back of the vehicle during a subsequent chase, which ended when Vega crashed and Alegria was injured, federal prosecutors allege.

Vega and Hernandez, both of whom were assigned to the Compton Sheriff’s Station, pleaded not guilty at their arraignment in Los Angeles federal court.

A sheriff’s department representative told City News Service that the department initiated criminal and administrative investigations against Vega and Hernandez in response to Alegria’s allegations.

“As a result of the internal investigation, both employees are no longer members of the department,” the representative said. “The department assisted federal agencies on the criminal investigation which contributed to the indictment.

“The sheriff’s department is committed to holding employees accountable for their actions and expects them to exhibit the highest moral and ethical standards when serving our communities.”

The five-count indictment, which was unsealed Thursday morning, charges both defendants with conspiracy, deprivation of rights under color of law,

witness tampering, and falsification of records. Vega alone is charged with an additional count of falsification of records.

“The indictment alleges that these two deputies violated a young person’s constitutional rights by willfully and illegally detaining him without just cause,” U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said in a statement.

“Officers who abuse their power must be held accountable, and my office is committed to prosecuting violations of civil rights by those who violate their oaths and victimize those who they were sworn to protect.”

The indictment alleges that Vega and Hernandez locked Alegria in the back of their patrol car without handcuffs and without a seatbelt — a violation of department policy — and never told him he was under arrest or advised him of his rights.

According to the indictment, after leaving the park, Vega, who was driving the patrol car with Hernandez in the front seat, allegedly told Alegria — who was not a gang member — that the deputies were going to drop him in gang territory and he would be beaten up, prosecutors allege.

Not far from the skate park, while Alegria was still locked in the back of the patrol vehicle, Vega began pursuing a young male on a bicycle down an alley, where Vega crashed the car into a wall and another vehicle, causing Alegria to sustain a cut above his right eye, according to the indictment.

Following the collision, Vega removed Alegria from the vehicle and told him to “get the (expletive) out of here,” or words to that effect, the indictment alleges. Prosecutors say Alegria then went to a nearby home to seek help.

According to the indictment, after the collision, Vega reported over sheriff’s

department radio that a person purportedly with a gun, whom Vega described as wearing clothes similar to Alegria’s attire that day, had fled through the alley near 130th Street and Mona Boulevard.

The indictment alleges that, even though Vega also reported the traffic collision, neither Vega during the radio calls, nor Vega or Hernandez during a subsequent conversation with their supervisor, disclosed that Alegria had been in the patrol vehicle during the collision in the alley.

It was only after Alegria had been stopped on a neighboring street by other deputies as the purported gun suspect that Vega informed his supervising sergeant that Alegria had been in Vega’s patrol car during the crash, falsely reporting to his supervisor that the skateboarder had been detained because he was suspected of being under the influence of a controlled substance, according to the indictment.

Alegria was taken to a hospital to receive treatment for the injury he sustained from the collision, and the indictment alleges that Hernandez directed a deputy at the hospital to issue Alegria a citation for being under the influence of methamphetamine.

If convicted as charged, both former deputies face decades in prison.

Vega and Hernandez were also involved in the June 2020 killing of 18-yearold Andrés Guardado, who was shot five times in the back by Vega as the deputies pursued him in Gardena after he allegedly displayed a handgun, according to court records.

The shooting led to widespread protests, and a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Guardado’s family against the county was settled last year for $8 million.

No criminal charges were filed in that case.

Ballona Creek near the mouth of the Los Angeles River, as viewed from the Pacific Avenue Bridge. | Photo courtesy of Jengod/Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

2 former LA sheriff’s deputies accused of illegally detaining skateboarder

Andrés Guardado | Photo courtesy of Guardado Family/ Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

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Report: Group that includes Magic Johnson set to buy NFL’s Commanders

By City News Service

The Arcadia Weeklyhas been adjudicated as a newspaper of general circulation in court case number GS 004333 for the City of Arcadia, County of Los Angeles, State of California.

The Monrovia Weeklyhas been adjudicated as a newspaper of General Circulation in Court Case GS 004759 City of Monrovia, County of Los Angeles, State of California.

The Temple City Tribunehas been adjudicated as a newspaper of general circulation in court case number GS 012440 City of Temple City, County of Los Angeles, State of California.

The El Monte Examinerhas been adjudicated as a newspaper of general circulation in court case number KS 015872 City of El Monte, County of Los Angeles, State of California.

The Azusa Beaconhas been adjudicated as a newspaper of general circulation in court case number KS 015970 City of Azusa, County of Los Angeles, State of California.

The San Gabriel Sunhas been adjudicated as a newspaper of general circulation in court case number GS 013808 City of San Gabriel, County of Los Angeles, State of California.

The Duarte Dispatchhas been adjudicated as a newspaper of general circulation in court case number GS 013893 City of Duarte, County of Los Angeles, State of California.

The Rosemead Readerhas been adjudicated as a newspaper of general circulation in court case number GS 048894 City of Rosemead, County of Los Angeles, State of California.

The Alhambra Press has been adjudicated as a newspaper of general circulation in court case number ES016581 City of Alhambra, County of Los Angeles, State of California.

The Baldwin Park Press has been adjudicated as a newspaper of general circulation in court case number KS017174 City of Baldwin Park, County of Los Angeles, State of California.

The Burbank Independent has been adjudicated as a newspaper of general circulation in court case number ES016728 City of Burbank, County of Los Angeles, State of California.

The Glendale Independent has been adjudicated as a newspaper of general circulation in court case number ES016579 City of Glendale, County of Los Angeles, State of California.

The Monterey Park Press has been adjudicated as a newspaper of general circulation in court case number ES016580 City of Monterey Park, County of Los Angeles, State of California.

The West Covina Press has been adjudicated as a newspaper of general circulation in court case number KS017304 City of West Covina, County of Los Angeles, State of California.

The San Bernardino Press has been adjudicated as a newspaper of general circulation in court case number CIVDS 1506881 City of San Bernardino, County of San Bernardino, State of California.

The Riverside Independent has been adjudicated as a newspaper of general circulation in court case number RIC1505351 City of Riverside, County of Riverside, State of California.

The Pasadena Press has been adjudicated as a newspaper of general circulation in court case number ES018815 City of Pasadena, County of Los Angeles, State of California.

The Belmont Beacon has been adjudicated as a newspaper of general circulation in court case number NSO30275 City of Long Beach, County of Los Angeles, State of California.

The Anaheim Press has been adjudicated as a newspaper of general circulation in court case number 30-2017-00942735-CU-PT-CJC City of Anaheim, County of Orange, State of California.

The Ontario News Press has been adjudicated as a newspaper of general circulation in court case number CIVDS 1506881 City of Ontario, County of San Bernardino, State of California.

The Corona News Press has been adjudicated as a newspaper of general circulation in court case number RIC1723524 City of Corona, County of Riverside, State of California.

An investment group that includes Lakers legend Magic Johnson has reached “an agreement in principle” to buy the Washington Commanders, it was reported Thursday — a transaction that, if finalized, would add an NFL franchise to Johnson’s already substantial “sport-folio.”

The sports business journal Sportico reported Thursday that Dan Snyder, the embattled current owner of the Commanders, has agreed to sell the team for a record $6 billion to a group led by Wall Street heavyweight Josh Harris, defense billionaire Mitchell Rales and Johnson.

According to Sportico, Harris and Snyder are hoping to execute a contract “in the coming days.”

If all the pieces come together, the Commanders’ $6 billion price tag would mark the highest price ever paid for a sports franchise

— topping the $4.65 billion sale price for the NFL’s Denver Broncos last year.

Johnson was also part of a Harris-led group that tried but failed to purchase the Broncos.

Harris, 58, also owns the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and NHL’s New Jersey Devils.

Johnson is already a part owner of the L.A. Dodgers, the L.A. Sparks of the WNBA and the Los Angeles Football Club of Major League Soccer.

There was no word on how much Johnson might be contributing to the Commanders deal. He reportedly contributed $50 million when the Guggenheim Group purchased the Dodgers for $2 billion in 2012.

Johnson’s vast business interests — headquartered in Beverly Hills — also include theaters, Starbucks franchises, EquiTrust, a financial services company,

and SodexoMAGIC, a food service and facilities management company.

It’s been widely reported that Snyder is under pressure from the

NFL to sell the Commanders amid allegations of sexual harassment and a toxic work environment. Snyder denies those reports.

Lawmakers consider raising minimum CalFresh food assistance to $50

By Suzanne Potter, Producer, Public News Service

Many people receiving CalFresh food assistance took a big financial hit in April as the federal pandemic-era bump in benefits expired - leaving some with as little as $23 a month to spend on food. A bill to raise the minimum benefit to $50 gets a hearing before the State Senate Human Services Committee next Monday.

Mona Prager, a Reseda resident, said her benefits were cut in half.

“It has hurt me tremendously, because I am a cancer patient, and it’s affecting my being able to pay for medications out-of-pocket,” she said.

Advocates for the bill say the investment is necessary to avoid a huge “hunger cliff” now that federal benefits have been slashed. Opponents cite budget concerns, as the change could cost the state about $95 million a year.

Nancy Olney said she receives state disability payments while she battles cancer, and relies on workers’ compensation benefits for she and her husband, both of whom live in Monrovia.

“Before, with COVID [benefits], we were getting more than $400 a month - and now that that’s over, they dropped us to $24 a month. On top of that, my landlord raised our rent almost $200m” she said. “So, we’re really, really struggling to stay in the home and keep food on the table.”

State Senator Caroline Menjivar, who wrote the bill, said other states like New Jersey have raised their minimum benefit to $95 per person.

“We’re not saying that that’s the magic number to be able to survive,” she said. “I’m just looking to start the conversation. It’s the first step.”

Menjivar estimated the change would benefit 700,000 low-income Californians in one or two person households, mostly seniors and college students.

Photo by Maria Lin Kim on Unsplash

Magic Johnson. | Photo courtesy of CSUF Photos/Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

The Anaheim Ducks on Friday announced the firing of coach Dallas Eakins, less than 11 hours after they completed the season with the NHL’s worst record.

The Ducks had losing records in each of Eakins’ four seasons as coach, missing the Stanley Cup playoffs each season. The Ducks were 101-147-44 under Eakins, including a 23-47-12 record in the 2022-23 season, which they concluded Thursday with 5-3 loss to the Los Angeles Kings that assured the Ducks would finish with the league’s worst record.

“This was a very difficult decision, one that comes after careful and considerable deliberation,” Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said in a statement. “At the end of the day,

NHL’s Anaheim Ducks fire coach Dallas Eakins

I simply feel that a fresh perspective and new voice will be beneficial for the team.

“Dallas has handled himself with class and character through a difficult season, and we wish him the best in the future.”

Eakins said in a statement he released on Twitter that he “will be forever grateful for my eight years in the Ducks organization.”

“From jump-starting San Diego to dealing with COVID to a full-on rebuild was an inspiring and rewarding challenge,” the 56-year-old Eakins said.

“Every staff member and player made me a better coach, but more importantly, a better person. The enthusiasm and patience of the fans will never be

By City News Service

forgotten. Thank you to Bob Murray and Pat Verbeek for giving me a chance. I will always be in your debt.

“Thank you to Henry, Susan and Jillian Samueli for the inspiration. Your leadership makes the Ducks organization an incredible place to work. You remind us all that community and others come first.

“But most of all, thank you to my three wonderful ladies at home who support me like no other. I look forward to our next great adventure!!”

Eakins was hired as the Ducks’ coach June 17, 2019, by Murray, then their general manager, after coaching their American Hockey League affiliate in San Diego the previous four seasons.

“We thank Dallas for his eight years with the organi-

zation as head coach of both the Ducks and Gulls,” Ducks owner Henry Samueli said in a statement. Samueli is the husband of Susan Samueli, also listed as the team’s owner, and father of Jillian Reddin, the Ducks’ director of hockey operations.

“Susan and I are especially proud of his commitment to the community in both Anaheim and San Diego, which included countless charitable initiatives. We know Dallas will succeed in his future endeavors, as character people often do.”

The stint in Anaheim was second as an NHL coach. He coached the Edmonton Oilers to a 36-63-14 record from the start of the 2013-14 season until being fired 31 games into the 2014-15 season after they got off to a 7-19-5 start.

LA84 Foundation provides $1.4M to support sports play equity

The LA84 Foundation announced Thursday it awarded more than $1.4 million in grants to promote play equity in more than 250 schools in seven Southern California counties.

The foundation said the grants are expected to serve the socio-emotional wellbeing of nearly 50,000 kids and provide for community health. The grants are part of the foundation’s effort to support a balance of schooland community-based organizations that provide youth sports development programs.

“We are committed to removing barriers for young people to have access to the benefits of sports participation, and by uplifting equity supporting kids’ lifelong wellbeing,” Renata Simril, president and CEO of the foun-

dation, said in a statement. “These grants showcase a wide range of communities as well as our support of soccer, as our data clearly indicates how important soccer is to our communities.”

While there are 22 types of sports activities supported in this grant cycle including archery, lacrosse, squash and equestrian activities, LA84 is investing in the future of soccer. According to the results of the 2022 Los Angeles County Youth Sports Survey, soccer continued to rank among the most popular activities.

The Boys and Girls Club of the Los Angeles Harbor in San Pedro received a $80,000 grant to support the launch of a pilot youth soccer league which will serve more than

By City News Service

600 youths in Wilmington. The Wilmington Youth Soccer League will launch in September and run from fall through spring.

The Cal South Soccer Foundation in Fullerton was awarded a $50,000 grant to support school-based soccer programs and coaching education in partnership with Cal South State Soccer Association. CSSF was established in 1999 to serve as a collaborative resource across Southern California to grow the game of soccer.

The LA84 Foundation also awarded $30,000 to Pure Game in Lake Forest to support its afterschool soccer programming in five cities in Orange County. Pure Game is committed to providing high-level soccer programming to support the

development of the whole child. The LA84 Foundation and the Play Equity Fund

are slated to host Play Day on June 24, a national celebration of sport, play and movement held annually to

advance the power of activity and promote physical and mental health. For more information, go to bit.ly/3odQQoB.

LA nonprofits press for better deal as they fight post-pandemic inequities

By Suzanne Potter, Producer, Public News Service

During the pandemic, nonprofits in Los Angeles took on the monumental task of helping feed, house and vaccinate millions of Californians suddenly thrown out of work. Now, a new report calls on the city to overhaul the way it works with the nonprofit se The Committee for Greater LA found nonprofits are struggling, for example, to get paid on time for services rendered.

Management, said the relationship between the city and nonprofits needs attention.

Efrain

Escobedo,

president and CEO of the Southern California Center for Nonprofit

“While nonprofits have been playing this critical role, the way government contracts and treats nonprofits in these contracts is not strengthening that sector,” Escobedo explained. “It’s not helping them be better. It’s not helping them reach more people. It’s simply more of an extractive type of relationship that really overburdened a sector that has gone above and beyond.”

city to start paying its bills on time, cut bureaucratic red tape, and consider funding projects up-front rather than asking nonprofits to provide services and then be reimbursed.

Escobedo noted the Committee for Greater LA was formed to tackle crises flaring up during the pandemic, such as hunger, homelessness, poverty and unequal access to affordable high-speed internet.

“The inequities that we were seeing right up in

front, in our faces, during the pandemic, are solvable,” Escobedo contended. “We did not want to just recover to the same state of affairs that we were in going into the pandemic.”

Mayor Bass, in a statement, said the city will not be successful if nonprofits are burdened by unnecessary costs, red tape and delays, and vowed to work to improve the city’s relationship with the sector.

References: Assembly Bill 885 2023

Dallas Eakins. | Photo courtesy of TheAHL/ Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

| Photo by Prototype-Drop/Envato Elements

The report called on the new Mayor, Karen Bass, to reset the relationship with the nonprofit sector, which provides 23% of jobs in the city. The authors asked the

Agencies helping combat hunger are supporting a bill in the California Legislature to allow nonprofits to fully recover the cost of delivering services. | Photo courtesy of All Peoples Community Center / Public News Service

Screenwriter sounds off ahead of hearing to dismiss his suit

By City News Service

authored by Goldberg based on the Victor Gischler novel of the same title.

The contract states that all monies due Goldberg’s company were to be paid to Goldberg if a film was made based on “Gun Monkeys” along with credits in the main titles, home video packaging and other areas, according to the suit.

Ascreenwriter hoping to defeat an effort by two production companies to dismiss his lawsuit over film credits for the still-unreleased James Caan-Pierce Brosnan crime drama “Fast Charlie” says in new court papers he was willing to rewrite the script based on concerns raised by actor Bryan Cranston, who was considered for a lead role.

Plaintiff Lee Goldberg and his company, Adventures in Television, brought the lawsuit on July 15 in Los Angeles Superior Court against Boomtown Media Partners LLC and Fast Charlie Nola LLC, alleging breach of contract and seeking declaratory relief.

“Fast Charlie” producer Dan Grodnick said in a sworn statement last year in support of the dismissal motion that when presented with the Goldberg script, a number of prominent actors declined to participate in the film, including Viggo Mortenson, Alicia Vikander, Chris Pine, Gerard Butler, Jason Statham, Jude Law, Keanu Reeves, Mark Wahlberg, Matthew McConaughey, Samuel L. Jackson, Sylvester Stallone, Kurt Russell, Rene Russo and Michael Douglas.

Cranston “saw potential in the lead character, Charlie Swift, but was not interested in the Goldberg script as written,” Grodnick says.

“Without the commitment of a major talent like Mr. Cranston to the film, the film simply could not be financed,” according to Grodnick.

When a new and significantly different script was presented that included

Cranston’s input, Brosnan agreed to come aboard and eventually Caan also was recruited, Grodnick says.

But in a sworn declaration submitted Wednesday, Goldberg said he spoke with Grodnick in January 2020 and told him that he would incorporate Cranston’s notes into the script “for appropriate compensation.” Goldberg further says he had an additional conversation that same month with Grodnick and director Phillip Noyce to further discuss Cranston’s notes.

Grodnick later called Goldberg and said he and the others “did not want to make Cranston’s requested changes and would look for another lead actor,” according to Goldberg, who additionally says Grodnick stated in a later email that the defendants were bypassing Cranston in favor of Harrison Ford.

“After my discussions with Grodnick, defendants never reached out to me to do a rewrite nor offer me the opportunity to do any rewrite,” Goldberg says.

The plaintiff says he did not know a film was being made or that another writer was engaged until an article about the film was published in the media in 2022.

Goldberg has written for such television shows as “Psych,” “Monk,” “Diagnosis Murder,” “Baywatch” and “Spenser: For Hire.”

According to his suit, he entered a written contract in March 2021 through his company with Boomtown Media to obtain the option to acquire the motion picture, television and ancillary rights to “Gun Monkeys,” a screenplay

Goldberg believes Boomtown assigned its rights to FCN, which in April 2022 began shooting “Fast Charlie,” a movie based on “Gun Monkeys,” but the plaintiff was not paid the agreed-upon purchase price or provided through his company the first opportunity to make any required revisions to the “Gun Monkeys” screenplay, the suit states.

Goldberg maintains he is entitled to writing and co-producer credits as well as compensatory damages.

The production companies are seeking the dismissal of Goldberg’s suit via an anti-SLAAP motion. The state’s anti-SLAPP — Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation — law is intended to prevent people from using courts, and potential threats of a lawsuit, to intimidate those who are exercising their First Amendment rights.

In their court papers, the production company’s attorneys state there is a “clear and direct connection between defendants’ alleged use of the Goldberg script and topics of widespread public interest, including the book, the film, the film’s screenwriter and Caan’s passing.”

Goldberg did not have the rights to make a derivative work of the book; rather the defendants had the rights to make a screenplay and motion picture based on the book, according to the defense’s court papers.

A hearing on the defendant’s anti-SLAPP motion is scheduled for April 22 before Judge Armen Tamzarian

“Fast Charlie” finished production in New Orleans, but has not yet been released. The film focuses on Brosnan’s character, Charlie Swift, who toiled for mob figure Caan for two decades and seeks to avenge Caan’s death, which is brought about by a rival boss.

Caan died last July 6 at age 82 and was known for playing in films as varied as “The Godfather” and “Thief” as well as “Brian’s Song.”

| Photo courtesy of Vancouver Film School/Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

From Woodstock to Coachella: 50 historic music festivals

By Danielle Spence, Stacker

Before Woodstock and Coachella, the earliest recorded festivals date back to ancient Greece. The Greeks honored the gods by holding competitions in drama, poetry, music, and athletics. To honor Dionysus, the god of wine and ecstasy, the Greeks would hold the festival of Dionysus, which consisted of tragedy and comedy performances. Well-known Greek playwrights, such as Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes, participated in these festivals.

Fast-forward to modern-day, and festivals have survived the test of time to evolve into a mainstream business. Since music is practically free with a minimal subscription-based fee through streaming services, artists can have a hard time making money in record sales. Instead, they financially depend on ticket sales for live performances. This also works in the fan’s favor as more people are looking to spend their money on experiences, such as travel and festivals instead of material goods.

Perhaps the most sought-after music festival experience was Woodstock in 1969. To this day, festival producers and organizers attempt to recreate the peaceful atmosphere of love and music. That event directly shaped the way we experience music: Attending a music festival has become a cultural phenomenon and rite of passage that serves as a timestamp of popular music of the moment.

Stacker compiled a gallery of 50 historic music festivals, linking to video coverage of the shows

when available. Read on to see if any of the music festivals you attended, or wish you had, made the list.

1958: Newport Jazz Festival

As the headlining artist, Chuck Berry’s rock ‘n’ roll performance of “Sweet Little Sixteen” and “School Days” at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival was a major clash with the festival’s jazz genre. His set was filmed in Bert Stern’s documentary, “Jazz on a Summer’s Day.”

1965: Newport Folk Festival

The 100,000 attendees at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival were ready and excited for Bob Dylan’s acoustic hits, but found themselves outraged when Dylan premiered a new, electric sound. After only three songs, the crowd booed Dylan offstage.

1967: Monterey Pop Festiva l

It was the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival that was a major turning point for rock ‘n’ roll in the 1960s. The lineup included The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin and The Who, but it was Jimi Hendrix whose groundbreaking performance made rock ‘n’ roll history when he set his guitar on fire and smashed it to pieces on stage.

1967: Fantasy Fair and Magic Mountain Music Festival

The 1967 Fantasy Fair and Magic Mountain Music Festival took place just one week before the Monterey Pop Festival. At the ticket price of $2, 36,000 attendees had access to the arts and crafts fair as well as listening to artists Dionne Warwick, The Doors and Canned Heat at the adjoin -

ing Sidney B. Cushing Memorial Amphitheatre in Marin County, California.

1968: Miami Pop Festival

There were actually two Miami Pop Festivals in 1968. Twenty-six thousand people attended the Miami Pop Festival in May to see The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Hendrix even made a memorable entrance via helicopter. One hundred thousand people attended the Miami Pop Festival in December to see Fleetwood Mac, Joni Mitchell and Marvin Gaye.

1968: Northern California Folk-Rock Festival

Produced by Bob Blodgett, the 1968 Northern California FolkRock Festival was held at the Family Park in the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds in San Jose, California. Twenty-eight thousand tickets were sold for a gross income of $100,000. The musical acts included The Doors, Jefferson Airplane and The Steve Miller Band.

1969: Woodstock Music & Art Fair

Half a million attendees gathered at a dairy farm in Bethel, New York, to hear leading and emerging artists in the pop music scene including The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, The Who, Janis Joplin and The Jimi Hendrix Experience. The festival is the most monumental event in music history and set the bar high for proceeding festivals, even today.

1969: Toronto Rock and Roll Revival

Promoters had to scramble when The Eatons pulled out of the 1969 Toronto Rock and Roll Revival. John Lennon

agreed to attend the event on the condition that he could play with his new band, “The Plastic Onos,” which consisted of Yoko Ono, Eric Clapton, Klaus Voormann and Alan White. The band covered well-known hits including Elvis Presley’s “Blue Suede Shoes” because they had never played a gig as a band before this festival.

1970: Isle of Wight

With 600,000 attendants, the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival was at the time one of the largest human gatherings in the world. Artists of the festival included Chicago, The Who, Joni Mitchell and The Jimi Hendrix Experience. The festival was captured by future Academy Award-winner Murray Lerner.

1970: New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

Commonly referred to as Jazz Fest, the 1970 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival featured artists including Duke Ellington, Pete Fountain and Louisiana native, Mahalia Jackson. The festival still runs to this day as a cultural experience to showcase Louisiana music, art and cuisine.

1971: Glastonbury

Free to the public, the 1971 Glastonbury festival featured artists including Fairport Convention, Joan Baez and a young David Bowie. It was the first music festival to feature a pyramid stage, which was inspired by the Great Pyramid of Giza.

1973: Astrodome Jazz Festival

The second Astrodome Jazz Festival took place in Houston, Texas, and featured iconic jazz and soul artists, including Ella

Fitzgerald, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles. Ticket prices ranged from $5.50 to $10. Even though there were only two Astrodome Jazz Festivals, the jazz tradition continued at proceeding Kool Jazz Festivals.

1973: Summer Jam at Watkins Glen

With over 600,000 attendees and virtually no security, most concertgoers got in without paying the $10 ticket price. The festival was located in Watkins Glen Grand Prix Raceway and overwhelmed the small town with an overflow of people. Artists included The Allman Brothers, The Band and The Grateful Dead.

1974: Ozark Music Festival

An estimated 350,000 people attended the 1974 Ozark Music Festival at the Missouri State Fairgrounds in Sedalia. The headlining artists included rock bands America and The Eagles, and emerging acts included Aerosmith, Blue Oyster Cult and Boz Scaggs.

1975:Schaefer Festival

The Schaefer Festival was held at Wollman Skating Rink in New York City’s Central Park. For the 10th anniversary in 1975, feature artists included Bob Marley and the Wailers, Journey and Aerosmith. The Festival lasted from June 18 to Sept. 14.

1976: San Francisco Kool Jazz Festival

The first annual San Francisco Kool Jazz Festival happened in 1976 at the Pontiac Metropolitan Stadium. The lineup featured Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson and The Staple Singers.

1978: Texxas World Music Festival

The 1978 Texxas World Music Festival is a showcase of the best in rock music at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas. Twenty thousand people congregated to see Journey, Heart, Van Halen, Nugent, Aerosmith and Sammy Hagar perform.

1979: World’s Greatest Funk Festival

Rick James and the Stone City Band, The Brides of Funkenstein, Bootsy’s Rubber Band and Parliament Funkadelic played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for the 1979 World’s Greatest Funk Festival. The crowd was an estimated 65,000 people and it cost $12.75 to attend.

1980: Heatwave

The 1980 Heatwave festival was held just outside of Toronto at Mosport Park in Bowmanville, Ontario. Over 100,000 people attended to see The B-52s, The Clash, Elvis Costello and Talking Heads perform.

1983: US Festival

The 1983 US Festival was held at the Glen Helen Regional Park, in Devore, California, and had funding from one of Apple’s co-founders, Steve Wozniak. His goal was to make this event the “Woodstock of the ‘80s.” The festival featured heavy metal and rock acts including A Flock of Seagulls, The Clash, Ozzy Osbourne and Van Halen.

1985: Farm Aid

The Farm Aid festival was created to raise money for American farmers and their families. The event was put together in six weeks and was held in Champaign, Illinois.

See Music festivals Page 7

Music festivals

Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, Tom Petty and Loretta Lynn performed for a crowd of 80,000 people. The concert raised over $7 million.

1985: Rock in Rio

This was the first Rock in Rio multi-day concert in Rio de Janeiro, lasting 10 days and attracting more than 1 million people. Headlining acts included Iron Maiden, Queen, Ozzy Osbourne, Rod Stewart and James Taylor.

1991: Lollapalooza

Perry Farrell founded the traveling festival as a farewell tour for his band, Jane’s Addiction. Other acts included Nine Inch Nails, Living Colour and Ice-T. Since 2005, the event has been held exclusively at Grant Park in Chicago.

1992: Reading Festival

The Reading Festival is the world’s oldest popular music festival. In 1992, the headlining acts included Public Enemy, The Wonder Stuff and Nirvana. It was Nirvana’s iconic headlining set that is still remembered to this day.

1994: Woodstock

Bob Dylan, who turned down the opportunity to play at Woodstock in 1969, made a triumphant return to the stage at the 1994 Woodstock at Winston Farm in Saugerties, New York. Three-hundred and fifty thousand people paid $125 to attend the festival, which included the musical artists Aerosmith, Traffic and Peter Gabriel. Musical acts from the original 1969 Woodstock also performed, such as Santana, and select members of Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead.

1995:BealeStreet Music Festival

Also known as “Memphis in May,” The Beale Street Music Festival is an annual summer event held at Tom Lee Park in Memphis, Tennessee. In 1995, the musical acts Doyle Bramhall, Gov’t Mule, Adam Ant and Fleetwood Mac performed for a crowd of 50,000 people.

1996: Warped Tour

Sponsored by the shoe brand Vans, the Warped Tour was a 24-date tour in the summer of 1996. The bands who played included Deftones, Pennywise, Rocket from the Crypt and Blink-182.

1997: Bridge School Benefit

Neil Young’s Bridge

School Benefit offers a chance for seasoned musicians to play in an unplugged format. The 1997 lineup included Alanis Morissette, Dave Matthews Band and Metallica. The festival is held at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California.

1998: Tibetan Freedom Concert

The Tibetan Freedom Concert in 1998 was a benefit for the Milarepa Fund, which raises money to end China’s occupation of Tibet. Headlining artists included Dave Matthews Band, Beastie Boys and Pearl Jam.

1999: Coachella

The first Coachella music festival was held at the Empire Polo Field in Indio, California. Headlining artists were Beck, Rage Against The Machine and Tool. The festival didn’t make a profit with only 25,000 tickets sold and was canceled in 2000, but was revived in 2001 and has been an annual music event ever since.

1999: Woodstock

With high hopes for a successful 30th anniversary of the 1969 Woodstock Festival, concert-goers descended into rioting, arson, and assault. The

1999 Woodstock Festival was held at the Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, New York. Performing artists included James Brown, Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow.

2000: Glastonbury

The musical acts at the 2000 Glastonbury performed on the third rendition of the pyramid stage. Performers included The Chemical Brothers, Moby, Travis, Morcheeba, Basement Jaxx and David Bowie.

2000: Detroit Electronic Music Festival

The year 2000 was the first year of the Detroit Electronic Music Festival. Detroit is known as the birthplace of electronic music. Over 1 million people attended the festival. Stacey Pullen, Kevin Saunderson and Derrick May were a few of the artists to perform.

2001: Summer Jam

Jay-Z made the 2001 Summer Jam a memorable night by putting his feud with Prodigy in the limelight. He performed his new song, “Takeover,” which ended with Michael Jackson making a surprise appearance.

2002: Austin City Limits

In its debut year, the 2002 Austin City Limits

Festival featured 67 artists that stayed within its musical roots of bluegrass and country. Performers included Ryan Adams, Cross Canadian Ragweed, G. Love and Special Sauce. The success of 2002’s event ensured there would be another event in 2003.

2002: Bonnaroo

The 2002 Bonnaroo Concert was held at the Grate Stage Park in Manchester, Tennessee. It was the first annual Bonnaroo Concert and drew a crowd of 70,000 people. Artists included Widespread Panic, Jack Johnson, Ben Harper and The Disco Biscuits.

2004: Coachella

The 2004 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival was held at Empire Polo Field in Indio, California. Radiohead and The Cure headlined the musical event. It was the first time the event had completely sold out. Co-founder of the festival Paul Tollett turned down the opportunity to extend the festival for a third day with David Bowie as the closing act.

2004: Dave Chappelle’s Block Party

Dave Chappelle had the idea to put on a city party inspired by the

2008: Lollapalooza

Three-day passes to the 2008 Lollapalooza Festival cost $190. The lineup included Nine Inch Nails, Kanye West, Radiohead and Rage Against the Machine.

2009: Bonnaroo

The 2009 Bonnaroo lineup of performers included Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Phish, Beastie Boys, Nine Inch Nails and David Byrne. Four-day passes to the concert cost $224.50.

2010: Lollapalooza

The final lineup was announced a full two months prior to the festival, which included Lady Gaga, The Strokes and The Black Keys. Three-day passes were priced at $215.

2011: Austin City Limits

For its 10th anniversary, the 2011 Austin City Limits Festival featured the headlining artists Stevie Wonder, Arcade Fire, Kanye West and Coldplay. The festival was held at Zilker Park in Austin.

2012: Coachella

1972 benefit concert, Wattstax. Dave Chapelle’s Block Party was a spectacle featuring his friends, including The Roots, Erykah Badu and Kanye West. Tickets to the Brooklyn event were free, but extremely hard to come by.

2005: Sasquatch!

The 2005 Sasquatch! music festival took place at The Gorge Amphitheater in George, Washington. The festival featured a broad range of musical artists including Arcade Fire, Modest Mouse, Kanye West and The Shins.

2006: Street Scene

The 2006 Street Scene was held at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. In addition to the headlining artists Kanye West and Tool, concert-goers had the chance to taste food from top San Diego restaurants and see circus and burlesque acts.

2007: Pitchfork

The 2007 Pitchfork Music Festival was a three-day weekend bonanza at Union Park in Chicago. A Saturday/ Sunday pass cost $35 and a one-day pass cost $25. The event has since gone on to be a yearly staple in the festival scene and draw huge crowds.

This is the first year that Coachella was a twoweekend festival. The 2012 featured headliners were The Black Keys, Radiohead and Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. Childish Gambino, Arctic Monkeys and The Weeknd also performed.

2013: Riot Fest

Riot Fest was established in 2005 and caters to fans of punk, rock, alternative, metal and hip-hop. The 2013 Riot Fest took place in Chicago and featured The Replacements, Brand New, Blink-182, Fall Out Boy and Pixies.

2015: Camp Flog Gnaw

The terrorist attacks in Paris had occurred only the night before the 2015 Camp Flog Gnaw. Each artist’s set was an excellent way for fans to escape the harsh realities of the world. Headliners included Snoop Dogg and Tyler, The Creator.

2016: Desert Trip

Dubbed the nickname, “Oldchella,” Desert Trip is a three-day festival with a lineup of artists that transcends generational music. Paul McCartney and Neil Young performed together at the festival.

2017: FYF Fest

A three-day festival held at Exposition Park in Los Angeles. Headlining acts included Missy Elliott, Bjork, Frank Ocean and Nine Inch Nails. Republished pursuant to a CC BY-NC 4.0 license. This article was copy edited from its original version.

A DJ performs at the 2017 Coachella Music & Arts Festival. | Photo courtesy of Eric Ward/Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

Woman suing Diddy uses real name in amended complaint against rapper

By City News Service

California groups call for expanding power outage battery-backup program

By Jennifer McLelland for Yes! Magazine. Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News Service Collaboration

Our house lost power a few nights ago, during one of 2023’s record-setting storms. For most people, losing power is a minor inconvenience. For our family, losing power is a medical emergency.

People who use medical devices that depend on electricity need continuous access to electricity. Some of my son’s most critical machines—such as his ventilator—have built-in battery backup. But other machines, like the oxygen concentrator that supplies oxygen to help with breathing and the humidifier that adds moisture to the air from the ventilator, need to be plugged in. Previously when the power went out, I had to scramble to jerry-rig his ventilator circuit to run without many of the accessory machines he usually uses. This required making quick, complicated changes in the dark—putting his health at risk. I then had to quickly figure out a way to get to a place with electricity.

Complying with a judge’s order, a former nanny for Sean “Diddy” Combs who is suing the singer regarding her 2021 firing identifies herself by her real name in an amended complaint rather than through the “Jane Roe” moniker she previously used.

The plaintiff, Raven Wales-Walden, filed the revised complaint Tuesday with Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Maureen DuffyLewis. The judge ruled during a March 22 hearing that the woman had basically revealed who she is in a state Department of Fair Employment and Housing document as well as through the “extremely detailed” information in her papers, so she could no longer use the “Jane Roe” identification in her court papers.

Wales-Walden maintained she was entitled to go by “Jane Roe” in order to protect her privacy and that of her children.

In a separate ruling that

same day, the judge said plaintiff’s facts in support of her request for punitive damages were vague and needed shoring up in a revised complaint.

Wales-Walden originally sued Diddy, Combs Enterprises LLC and three other companies Sept. 27, alleging pregnancy discrimination, violation of the pregnancy disability law, retaliation and various state Labor Code violations.

The amended complaint states that Wales-Walden’s bid for punitive damages are anchored in the alleged choices by Diddy and the other defendants to deny Wales-Walden pregnancy leave and to retaliate by firing her because she was unmarried and expecting. Those decisions were made with “malice, fraud and/or oppression,” justifying the plaintiff’s claim for punitive damages, the amended complaint states.

Wales-Walden was a “niece-like figure” to the

late Kim Porter, Diddy’s former romantic partner and the mother of his twin daughters, the amended suit states. Wales-Walden was hired as Porter’s personal assistant in September 2018 and helped Porter with creative projects in addition to helping her nanny at the time with the care of Porter’s daughters, the amended suit states.

A day after Porter died in November 2018 of pneumonia at age 47, Diddy personally asked WalesWalden to live at his estate and be a full-time nanny to the then-11-year-old twins, D’Lila and Jessie, an offer the plaintiff agreed to in honor of Porter, with whom she was extremely close, the revised complaint further states.

Diddy fired WalesWalden in January 2021 “because she was pregnant and unmarried, which purportedly set a bad example for (Diddy’s) daughters,” the amended suit states.

But on this occasion, for the first time, I had access to a portable power station. That meant I was able to simply unplug the machines from the wall and plug them into backup power without the outage affecting my son.

Portable power stations are rechargeable batteries that can provide hours of backup electricity, which is especially important for people who use medical devices or assistive technology. The battery takes up about the same amount of space as a suitcase, and using it is as simple as turning it on and plugging equipment into it. But even though this lifesaving technology exists, most people who need it don’t have access to it because of cost.

The power bank that we used to keep my son’s equipment running overnight was funded by my utility provider, Pacific Gas & Electric’s (PG&E) Disability Disaster Access and Resources Program. This program pays for portable backup batteries, food replacement, transportation, and hotel stays related to power

outages. The program works well—but only a limited number of California residents qualify. It’s only open to disabled PG&E customers who live in high-fire-threat areas subject to Public Safety Power Shutoff, a particular type of planned power outage intended to reduce the risk of wildfires. PG&E’s program isn’t available in the cities where most customers live. Other utilities with these programs have similarly narrow restrictions. Those who live in other states, such as the 1-year-old in New York whose mother had to use a bag valve mask to manually give breaths to her child when the ventilator battery ran out, are also in need of backup power.

For people who depend on electricity-powered medical devices to live, any power outage is an emergency. When I’m scrambling to change the arrangement of my son’s ventilator circuit in the dark, I don’t care whether the power is out because of a wildfire threat or because a car knocked over a power pole. From a practical standpoint, it doesn’t make sense for one type of outage to be eligible for utility-funded backup power and the other not to be.

Access to electrical power during outages is an equity issue for low-income California residents. The power bank that we used to keep my son’s equipment running retails for almost $6,000—as much as a decent used car. In California, 26% of people with disabilities live below the poverty level. Families don’t have thousands of dollars to spend on a device that will be used, at most, a few times a year. The sad irony is that because portable

power stations are so costly for many families, those who can’t afford them may end up calling 911 during outages and requesting ambulance transportation to a hospital, an even larger expense.

Gasoline-powered generators are cheaper, but not a good option for many disabled people in an emergency. These generators require a well-ventilated outdoor space for safe operation. People who live in apartments typically don’t have access to a place to safely operate gas generators, or a way to store them when not in use. Setting up and operating an outdoor gas-powered generator also requires substantially more strength and agility than using an indoor power station. Using an indoor portable power bank is as easy as bending over to plug equipment into the device.

Access to electrical power during outages is critically important as climate change brings wildfires, hotter summers, and more unpredictable storms. When the power grid fails, it’s an inconvenience for most people, but a matter of life and death for disabled California residents who depend on medical devices that need to be plugged in. The limited program that utility companies have in place proves they can identify customers who have a medical need for backup power and build a distribution network to get them the devices. California’s public utilities should build on this program and expand it across the state to any consumer who needs continuous power for medical devices.

Jennifer McLelland wrote this article for Yes! Magazine.

Sean “Diddy” Combs. | Photo courtesy of David Shankbone/Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Jennifer McLelland’s son James gives a thumbs-up as his ventilator equipment continues to run, thanks to a portable power station used during a recent power outage. | Photo by Jennifer McLelland

Temple City Notices

TEMPLE CITY NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE CITY COUNCIL

The City Council is holding a public hearing on the project described below. You are receiving this notice because your property is located near the project, the project may directly, or indirectly affect you, or because you have requested to be notified.

Project Citywide, City of Temple City, County of Los Angeles

Location:

Project: Ordinance No. 22-1068, Objective Design Standards. The proposed ordinance would adopt an optional expedited review process for multi-family developments (R-2 and R-3) and a prototype library of architectural designs. Amendments to the zoning code development standards would be included to ensure compliance with state law as it pertains to objective development standards. The Planning Commission reviewed the proposed ordinance on September 27, 2022, and recommended approval by the City Council. The City Council held a public hearing for the Ordinance on December 6, 2023 and continued the hearing to a date uncertain.

Applicant: City of Temple City, 9701 Las Tunas Drive, Temple City, CA 91780

Environmental This matter is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)

Review: pursuant to Sections 15305 (Minor Alterations in Land Use Limitations), 15378, and 15061(b)(3) of the California CEQA Guidelines.

The City Council Public Hearing will be held:

Meeting Date & Time: Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at 7:30 P.M.

Meeting Location: City Council Chambers, 5938 Kauffman Avenue, Temple City, CA 91780

For questions or concerns regarding this project, or if you wish to review the project file, please contact:

Project Planner: Andrew Coyne, AICP, Management Analyst (626) 656-7316 acoyne@templecity.us

The Community Development Department offices at City Hall are open Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm

The decision of the City Council is final. If you challenge any of the foregoing actions in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing or in written correspondence delivered to the hearing body at, or prior to, the public hearing.

Date: April 17, 2023

Signature: Andrew J. Coyne, AICP, Management Analyst

TEMPLE CITY TRIBUNE

El Monte City Notices INVITATION TO BID

Pursuant to Public Contract Code Sections 1600 and 1601, all bids or proposals shall be submitted through the City’s electronic bid management system (PlanetBids) at https://www.planetbids. com/portal/portal.cfm?CompanyID=43375 by 2:00 pm Pacific Standard Time on or before May 11, 2023 for the project listed below. A bid submitted after the time set shall not be considered. Bidders are required to submit (upload) all items listed in the section 4(d) of Instructions to Bidders, including a copy of the required Bidder’s Bond and acknowledgement of all addendums. Bids will be received by the City via the electronic submission up to the date and time shown in the Notice of Inviting Bids. The City will be responsible for bid tabulations. Bids will be opened and read out loud by the City Clerk’s Office in Council Chambers at the date and time stated in the Notice of Inviting Bids. Bid results will be made available to the public on the City’s website in the electronic bid management system once the bid tabulation has been completed.

The foregoing notwithstanding, the award of any contract shall be subject to approval by the City Council at a duly noticed City Council meeting and the City Council reserves the right to reject all Bids.

The Bidder, by submitting their electronic proposal, agrees to and certifies under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California, that the certification, forms and affidavits submitted as part of this proposal are true and correct. The Bidder, by submitting its electronic bid, acknowledges that doing so carries the same force and full legal effect as a paper submission with a longhand (wet) signature. By submitting an electronic bid, the Bidder certifies that the Bidder has thoroughly examined and understands the entire Contract Documents (which consist of the plans and specifications, drawings, forms, affidavits and the solicitation documents), and that by submitting the electronic bid as its Bid proposal, the Bidder acknowledges, agrees to and is bound by the entire Contract Documents, including any addenda issued thereto, and incorporated by reference in the Contract Documents.

Zone 3 Street Improvement Project, CIP 053

The proposed work consists of pavement rehabilitation, removal and replacement of curb ramps, concrete curb, gutter, and sidewalk, and signing and striping replacement within the area of

the City of El Monte, as set forth in the Contract Drawings and Technical Specifications for the project. The City Engineer’s estimate for the project is Three Million Two Hundred Seventy-Eight Thousand One Hundred Seventy-Nine Dollars ($3,278,179).

THIS PROJECT IS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENT

Project Labor Agreement / Continuity of Work Agreement: The project is also subject to the terms and conditions of that certain project labor agreement executed by and between the City of El Monte and the Los Angeles and Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council and the Signatory Craft Unions on or about April 24, 2018 entitled “First Amendment to Continuity of Work Agreement”, Contract No. 18PW04027 (hereinafter, the “Project Labor Agreement”). In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of the Project Labor Agreement and the provisions of the other Contract Documents, the provisions of the Project Labor Agreement shall govern and control to the fullest extent permitted by law. A true and correct copy of the Project Labor Agreement is included with the Supplementary and Special Conditions.

Completion of Work: All work shall be completed within 114 working days from the date designated on the Notice to Proceed.

Obtaining Contract Documents: Specifications and contract documents are posted in the City’s electronic bid management system (PlanetBids) at https://www.planetbids.com/portal/portal. cfm?CompanyID=43375. All Bidders must first register as a vendor on the City of El Monte PlanetBids System website to participate in a Bid or to be added to a prospective Bidders list. Only those parties that have registered with the City as a plan holder on a particular project will receive the addendum(a) for that project. The City is not responsible for notifications to those parties who do not directly register as a plan holder on the City’s database. It is the responsibility of all perspective Bidders to register on the City’s database to ensure receipt of any addendum(a) prior to Bid submittals. Additionally, information on any addendum(a) issued for any bid specifications for any project will be available on the City website at: https:// www.planetbids.com/portal/portal.cfm?CompanyID=43375. The City reserves the right to reject as nonresponsive any bid that fails to include the information required by any addendum(a) posted on the City website.

Questions: Project-specific questions must be submitted in writing through the City’s electronic bid management sys-

tem (PlanetBids) at https://www.planetbids.com/portal/portal. cfm?CompanyID=43375 by 4:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on or before Thursday April 27, 2023. All posted questions will be answered in writing and conveyed via written addenda to all Bidders via posting on PlanetBids.

Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting: A mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on Monday April 24, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at El Monte Aquatic Center (Conference Room A), 11001 Mildred Street, El Monte, CA, 91731. Every Bidder is required to attend the pre-bid meeting. Failure of a Bidder to attend will render that Bidder’s Bid non-responsive. No allowances for cost adjustments will be made if a Bidder fails to adequately examine the Project before submitting a Bid.

Submission of Proposals: All Bids or Proposals shall be submitted through the City’s electronic bid management system (PlanetBids) at https://www.planetbids.com/portal/portal. cfm?CompanyID=43375 no later than the date and time prescribed. All Bids must be signed by an authorized representative.

All required sections, including pricing, shall be submitted (uploaded) to PlanetBids via the website. The Bidder shall attach Subcontractor(s) Listing, Experience Form, Copy of Bid Security, and all other documents as listed in the BIDDER’S CHECKLIST to the PlanetBids Attachments Tab. The system will not accept a Bid for which any required information is missing. Prior to the Bid due date and time, all Bidders shall submit the original Bid Security to:

Office of the City Clerk City of El Monte – City Hall East 11333 Valley Blvd El Monte CA, 91731

The award of the contract by the City Council is contingent upon the Bidder submitting the required bonds and insurance, as described in the Contract, prior to the Bid due date and time. If the Bidder fails to comply with these requirements, the City may award the contract to the second or third lowest Bidder and the Bid security of the lowest Bidder may be forfeited.

Bids Remain Sealed Until Due Date and Time. Electronic Bids are transmitted into the City’s bidding system via hypertext transfer protocol secure (https). Bids submitted prior to the due date and time are not available for review by anyone other than the submitter, who will have until the due date and time to change, rescind or retrieve its bid should they desire to do so. Upon the Bidder’s entry of their bid, the system will ensure that all required fields are entered. The system will not accept a Bid for which any required information is missing. This includes all necessary pricing, subcontractor listing(s) and any other essential documentation and supporting materials and forms requested or contained in these solicitation documents. All Bid submission information must be fully transferred from the Bidder server to the bid system server before bid closing. Bids still transmitting at the time of bid closing will not be accepted. Bidders will receive an e-bid confirmation number with a time stamp from the bid management system indicating their bid was submitted successfully. The City will only receive those bids that were transmitted successfully. DO NOT FAX OR EMAIL.

Bid Security: Each proposal must be accompanied by a Bid Security in the form of a cashier’s check, certified check, or bid bond executed on the prescribed form, in an amount not less than ten percent (10%) of the total bid price payable to the City of El Monte. Bidders are hereby notified that in accordance with the provisions of Public Contract Code section 22300, securities may be substituted for any monies which the City may withhold pursuant to the terms of this Contract to ensure performance.

Prior to the bid due date and time, all Bidders shall submit the original Bid Security to the City Clerk. Proof of delivery that is date/ time stamped and signed for by the City Clerk from other couriers other than Certified mail will be accepted. A copy of the proof of delivery shall be submitted with the bid package by the bid due date.

Contractor's License: Bidder must possess a current Class_”A” - General Engineering Contractor license issued by the State of California, at the time the bid is submitted.

Contractor Registration: All Bidders and listed subcontractors must have registered with the California State Department of Industrial Relations pursuant to Labor Code section 1725.5 prior to submitting a Bid. Furthermore, a Contractor and all subcontractors must be registered pursuant to Labor Code section 1725.5 before entering into a contract to work on a public project.

City’s Right to Postpone Opening of Bids. The City reserves the right to postpone the date and time for the opening of Bids at any time prior to the date and time initially announced in this Invitation to Bid in accordance with applicable law.

Opening of Bids. Bids will be received by the City via the electronic submission up to the date and time shown in the Notice of Inviting Bids. The City will be responsible for bid tabulations. Bids will be opened and read out loud by the City Clerk’s Office in Council Chambers at the date and time stated in the Notice of Inviting Bids. Bid results will be made available to the public on the City’s website in the electronic bid management system once the bid tabulation has been completed.

Award: The award shall be made to the lowest responsible Bidder whose proposal complies with the specified requirements. The foregoing notwithstanding, the award of any contract shall

be subject to approval by the City Council at a duly noticed City Council meeting. Contractor shall execute the Contract within ten (10) days after it has received the Contract from the City. The City reserves the right to waive any irregularity in the proposals. No bid may be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days after the opening of bids.

Rejection of Bids: The City reserves the right to reject any and all Bids. The City further reserves the right to waive immaterial irregularities in any Bid. Any Bid not conforming to the intent and purpose of the Contract Documents may be rejected. The City reserves the right to make all awards in the best interest of the City.

Disqualification of Bidder: If there is a reason to believe that collusion exists among any Bidders, none of the Bids of the participants in such collusion will be considered and the City may likewise elect to reject all bids received.

Wage Rates: Bidders are hereby notified that the California Department of Industrial Relations has determined the general prevailing rate of wages for each craft, classification, or type of worker needed to execute the work. Copies of the current schedules for prevailing wages applicable to this project are on file in the City’s office. It shall be mandatory for the Contractor and any subcontractor under it to pay not less than the said specified rates to laborers and workmen employed by them in the execution of the Contract. The contractor’s duty to pay State prevailing wages can be found under Labor Code, Section 1770 et seq. Labor Code Sections 1775 and 1777.7 outline the penalties for failure to pay prevailing wages and employ apprentices including forfeitures and debarment\.

Bonds: The successful Bidder will be required to furnish a payment bond in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract price, and a faithful performance bond in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract price.

Publish April 13 & 17, 2023

EL MONTE EXAMINER

Rosemead City Notices

ORDINANCE NO. 1014

A SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 1014 ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 15.28 - ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS TO TITLE 15 (BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION) TO PROVIDE AN EXPEDITED, STREAMLINED PERMITTING PROCESS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS

On March 14, 2023, the City Council of the City of Rosemead introduced for first reading, by title only, Ordinance No. 1014, “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Rosemead, County of Los Angeles, State of California, adding Chapter 15.28 - Electric Vehicle Charging Stations to Title 15 (Buildings And Construction) to provide an expedited, streamlined permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations”. The following is a summary of Ordinance No. 1014.

Ordinance No. 1014

In 2015, the State of California adopted Assembly Bill 1236 (2015, Chiu, codified as Government Code Section 65850.7), which requires local jurisdictions to adopt an ordinance to create an expedited, streamlined permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations. An electric vehicle charging station is any level of electric vehicle supply equipment station which deliver electricity from a source outside an electric vehicle into a plug-in electric vehicle. The proposed ordinance is intended to bring Title 15 up to compliance with State legislation regarding the expediting and streamlining procedures for electric vehicle charging stations.

Environmental Determination

The ordinance involves updates and revisions to existing regulations, and it can be seen with certainty that the text amendments will have no significant negative effect on the environment, per CEQA Guidelines, Section 15061(b)(3). The ordinance also involves the potential installation of solar energy systems, which are exempt under Section 21080.35 of the Public Resources Code.

Passed, Approved and Adopted on the 11th day of April, 2023 by the following vote:

Ayes: Armenta, Clark, Dang, Low, and Ly

Noes: None

Absent: None

Abstain: None

The full text of Ordinance No. 1014 is available for inspection during regular business hours at the City Clerk’s Office (8838 E. Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California 91770) Monday – Thursday 7:00 a.m. till 6:00 p.m. or at www.cityofrosemead.org.

DATED THIS 17th DAY OF APRIL, 2023

Ericka Hernandez, City Clerk City of Rosemead 8838 E. Valley Boulevard

Publish April 17, 2023

ROSEMEAD READER

LEGALS

Probate Notices

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: MEIOR CHANG CASE NO. 23STPB03615

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the lost WILL or estate, or both of MEIOR CHANG.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by GRACE MEI-TEH SIEN in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that GRACE MEI-TEH SIEN be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests the decedent’s lost WILL and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The lost WILL and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.)

The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 05/09/23 at 8:30AM in Dept. 29 located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code.

Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for Petitioner

EDWARD W. GOODSON - SBN 181250

JONATHAN D. PRIMUTH - SBN 143736 LAGERLOF, LLP

155 N. LAKE AVE., 11TH FLR PASADENA CA 91101 BSC 223159 4/10, 4/13, 4/17/23 CNS-3688535# EL MONTE EXAMINER

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF ELIA A. WISE

Case No. 23STPB03184

To all heirs, beneficiaries, cred-itors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of ELIA A. WISE

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Anthony Vazquez in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that Anthony Vazquez be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the per-

sonal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.)

The independent administra-tion authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objec-tion to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held on May 2, 2023 at 8:30 AM in Dept. No. 79 located at 111 N. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your ap-pearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code.

Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowl-edgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for petitioner:

JENNA G SCHNEIDER ESQ SBN 298709

KEYSTONE LAW GROUP PC 11300 W OLYMPIC BLVD STE 910 LOS ANGELES CA 90064

CN995618 WISE

Apr 10,13,17, 2023 ROSEMEAD READER

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF:

ELEANOR LOUISA FLORES

CASE NO. 23STPB03800

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of ELEANOR LOUISA FLORES.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by MELANIE OLIVIA PENA in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that MELANIE OLIVIA PENA be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.)

The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 05/12/23 at 8:30AM in Dept. 44 located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in

California law. YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

In Pro Per Petitioner

MELANIE OLIVIA PENA 3852 LEGION LANE LOS ANGELES CA 90039 4/13, 4/17, 4/20/23

CNS-3689924# EL MONTE EXAMINER

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF:

CARMEN AMADO NAVARRO

CASE NO. 23STPB03722

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of CARMEN AMADO NAVARRO.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by ALFRED NAVARRO JR. in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that ALFRED NAVARRO JR. be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 05/12/23 at 8:30AM in Dept. 4 located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for Petitioner

D. WAYNE LEECH, ESQ. - SBN 97676

LAW OFFICE OF D. WAYNE LEECH, A P.C. 11001 MAIN ST., STE 200 EL MONTE CA 91731 4/13, 4/17, 4/20/23

CNS-3689475# EL MONTE EXAMINER

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF:

WOLFEN WOLF DORION

CASE NO. 23STPB03925

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of WOLFEN WOLF DORION.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by RUTH CLAMPETT in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that RUTH CLAMPETT be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the

decedent.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act with limited authority. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 05/18/23 at 8:30AM in Dept. 5 located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for Petitioner SPENCER D. WALCH, ESQ. - SBN 186602, WALCH & WALCH, A LAW CORPORATION 301 NORTH LAKE AVENUE, 7TH FLOOR PASADENA CA 91101-5118 4/17, 4/20, 4/24/23 CNS-3690966# ARCADIA WEEKLY

Public Notices

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME PETITION OF Yuanyuan Geng Samir FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER: 23AHCP00150 Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles 150 W Commonwealth Ave, Alhambra Ca 90801, Northeast Judicial District TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS:

1. Petitioner Yuanyuan Geng filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name a. OF a. Haotian Geng Proposed name a. Chengtong Geng ; b. Marie Yang to Proposed name Summer Yang 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reason for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing NOTICE OF HEARING a. Date: 06/09/2023 Time: 8:30AM Dept:

X. The address of the court is same as noted above. 3. a. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the day set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Arcadia

Weekly DATED: March 28, 2023 Robin Miller Sloan JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT Pub. April 3, 10, 17, 24, 2023 ARCADIA WEEKLY

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME PETITION OF Hoa Nicolas Thai Bui Tran by Quynh Nhu Tran and Tuyen

LEGALS

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Pasadena City Notices

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARNG Planning Commission

Notice of Public Hearing on an Ordinance Implementing the Housing Element - Pertaining to Emergency Shelters, Low Barrier Navigation Centers, Safe Parking, Design Review, and Modifications for Individuals with Disabilities

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Planning and Community Development Department is bringing forward a Zoning Code Amendment to amend Title 17 (the Zoning Code) to implement the Programs 16, 19, and 23 of the Housing Element and revise development standards for Emergency Shelters, allow Low Barrier Navigation Centers as a permitted use in certain non-residential zones, allow Safe Parking as an accessory use on sites developed with religious facility or public/semi-public uses, exempt certain sites carried forward from previous Housing Elements from subjective Design Review, and create a ministerial process for modifications to development standards for Individuals with Disabilities.

PROJECT LOCATION: Citywide

ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: An Addendum to the 2015 Pasadena General Plan Environmental Impact Report (GP EIR) (State Clearinghouse No. 2013091009) to address the potential site-specific environmental impacts associated with the proposed amendment has been prepared in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970 (CEQA) (Cal. Public Resources Code Section 21000, et. seq., as amended) and its implementing guidelines (Cal. Code Regs., Title 14, Section 15000 et. seq., 2016). This Addendum has been prepared and will be processed consistent with CEQA Guidelines (Cal. Code Regs., Title 14, Section 15162 and Section 15164). The addendum found that the proposed amendment will not result in any potentially significant impacts that were not already analyzed.

APPROVALS NEEDED: The Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing and consider recommendations on the proposed Zoning Code Amendment and Addendum to the GP EIR. The Planning Commission recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council. The City Council will make a final decision at a separately noticed public hearing.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing and consider the proposed Zoning Code Amendment and proposed environmental determination. The hearing is scheduled for:

Date: Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Place: Council Chambers, Pasadena City Hall 100 North Garfield Avenue, Room S249. The meeting agenda will be posted by April 21, 2023 at https://www.cityofpasadena.net/commissions/planning-commission/.

PUBLIC INFORMATION: Any interested party or their representative may provide live public comment by following the instructions in the meeting agenda. Prior to the start of the meeting, written correspondence may be emailed to commentsPC@cityofpasadena.net or mailed to the address below (note that this email address will not be checked once the meeting starts).

Contact Person: Martin Potter, Senior Planner Phone: (626) 744-6710

E-mail: mpotter@cityofpasadena.net

Website: www.cityofpasadena.net/planning

Mailing Address:

Planning & Community Development Department

Planning Division, Community Planning Section

175 North Garfield Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101

ADA: To request a disability-related modification or accommodation necessary to facilitate meeting participation, please contact the Planning & Community Development Department as soon as possible at (626) 744-4009 or (626) 744-4371 (TDD) or mpotter@ cityofpasadena.net. Providing at least 72 hours advance notice will help ensure availability. Language translation services may also be requested with 72-hour advance notice by calling (626) 744-4009.

Publish April 10, 17, 24, 2023

PASADENA PRESS

Glendale City Notices

Works E-mail: ktodd@glendaleca.gov

Mandatory Qualifications for Bidder and Designated Subcontractors:

A Bid may be rejected as non-responsive if the Bid fails to document that Bidder meets the essential requirements for qualification. As part of the Bidder’s Statement of Qualifications, each Bid must provide satisfactory evidence that:

Bidder satisfactorily completed at least one (1) prevailing wage public contract in California; comparable in scope and scale to this Project; within five (5) years prior to the Bid Deadline; and with a dollar value greater than $1,000,000. In addition, Bidder satisfactorily completed at least one (1) project that included a Federal Funding source and associated Federal Funding requirements. Bidder shall provide reference(s) for qualifying project(s). Reference(s) shall have current and accurate contact information, must be available to respond by email and phone, and must be able to confirm the details for the project of which they are listed as a reference.

NOTICE: Federally Funded Project Requirements:

Bidders are hereby notified that this Project is funded, in part, with City of Glendale, Community Development Block Grant, through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Federal requirements apply, including: Davis-Bacon Act prevailing wage regulations, Small Business Enterprise (“SBE”), Minority Business Enterprise (“MBE”), Women’s Business Enterprise (“WBE”), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (“DBE”) utilization (see Attachment E to Exhibit 5 for definitions of these business enterprises), Equal Employment Opportunity, and Section 3 Program requirements.

Publish April 17 & 20, 2023

GLENDALE INDEPENDENT

Probate Notices

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: DIANE CORAL SPATAFORA CASE NO. 23STPB03195

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of DIANE CORAL SPATAFORA.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by BRUCE BRISSON in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that BRUCE BRISSON be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests the decedent’s WILL and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The WILL and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.)

The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 04/28/23 at 8:30AM in Dept. 9 located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file

of mailing or personal delivery to you

of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for Petitioner

JACQUELYNN NICOLLE REMERYPEARSON - SBN 278547 REMERY LAW FIRM 1955 W GLENOAKS BLVD GLENDALE CA 91201 4/13, 4/17, 4/20/23

CNS-3689373# GLENDALE INDEPENDENT

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF:

JUAN CARLOS MORALES ALCARAZ

CASE NO. 23STPB03744

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of JUAN CARLOS MORALES ALCARAZ.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by WENDY YARELI MORALES VILLEGAS in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that WENDY YARELI MORALES VILLEGAS be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

HAK KAZANGIAN.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by HENRY KAZANGIAN in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that AARON JACOBS be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests the decedent’s WILL and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The WILL and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.)

The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 05/22/23 at 8:30AM in Dept. 67 located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for Petitioner ELENA REYES - SBN 77879 LAW OFFICES OF ELENA REYES 1501 E. ORANGETHORPE AVE, STE 210 FULLERTON CA 92831 BSC 223168 4/10, 4/13, 4/17/23

CNS-3688717# BELMONT BEACON

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF:

GARY LEE WILKES

CASE NO. 23STPB03743

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of GARY LEE WILKES. A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by VICKI WILKES in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that VICKI WILKES be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act with limited authority. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 05/16/23 at 8:30AM in Dept. 2D located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.)

The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 05/12/23 at 8:30AM in Dept. 5 located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for Petitioner SUE C. SWISHER - SBN 243310, LAW OFFICE OF SUE C. SWISHER 20955 PATHFINDER RD., STE 100 DIAMOND BAR CA 91765 4/13, 4/17, 4/20/23

CNS-3689575#

BALDWIN PARK PRESS

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF:

SAHAK KAZANGIAN

CASE NO. 23STPB03899

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of SA-

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code.

Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for Petitioner DANIEL B. HERBERT - SBN 149301, MANNING & KASS ELLROD RAMIREZ TRESTER LLP 801 S. FIGUEROA STREET, 15TH FL. LOS ANGELES CA 90017 4/17, 4/20, 4/24/23 CNS-3690491# GLENDALE INDEPENDENT

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF VERONICA TORRES MCCANN

Case No. PROSB2300452

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of VERONICA TORRES MCCANN A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Jessica Avalos in the Superior Court of California, County of SAN BERNARDINO.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that Jessica Avalos be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be

AG’s office moves to force improvements at LA County juvenile halls

By City News Service

Calling Los Angeles County’sjuvenile halls “appalling,” state Attorney General Rob Bonta said Wednesday his office has filed court papers seeking to force the county to immediately remedy “illegal and unsafe” conditions in the facilities.

The motion filed in Los Angeles Superior Court asks for an order requiring the county to comply with a 2021 judgment ordering improvements in conditions at juvenile halls, including improved staffing levels and ensuring that youth in the county’s care are taken to school and medical appointments.

“The conditions within the juvenile detention centers in Los Angeles County are appalling,” Bonta said in a statement. “Every child in our state is entitled to a safe, homelike environment. For justice-involved youth in particular, it is imperative that our institutions give them every opportunity for rehabilitation, growth, and healing. We are responsible for protecting justice-involved youth and ensuring they receive educational, health, and supportive services necessary to stop the cycle of incarceration.”

The county Board of Supervisors has been struggling to overhaul the troubled

juvenile justice system even as it prepares to assume responsibility for youth being transferred to counties from the state’s soon-to-close Juvenile Justice facilities.

The board recently voted to advance a “Global Plan” for the placement and care of juvenile detainees, with the goal of reducing the number of juveniles in custody and developing of Secure Youth Treatment Facilities to provide a more supportive environment for detained youth.

But while those plans have been slowly advancing, the juvenile detention system and the Probation Department that oversees it have been routinely under fire from state regulators over conditions at the facilities.

In March of last year, about 140 juvenile detainees have hastily transferred from Central Juvenile Hall in Lincoln Heights to Barry J. Nidorf Hall in Sylmar — a move that the county inspector general later concluded was orchestrated to avert a state inspection that appeared likely to fail.

Late last year, nearly 300 boys and girls filed a lawsuit alleging they were sexually assaulted, harassed and abused by county probation and detention officers while being held at juvenile facilities dating back to the 1970s.

In March, the Board of Supervisors fired Probation Department Chief Adofo Gonzales, with board Chair Janice Hahn noting that the juvenile halls “are in crisis.”

The Los Angeles Times reported last month that state regulators were threatening to shut down Nidorf and Central halls. In the past, the state board has determined the county’s juvenile halls were “unsuitable,” but gave the county Probation Department more time to submit a “corrective action plan” to comply with state regulations.

Responding to Bonta’s action Wednesday, the county Probation Department issued a statement saying it “continues to take substantial steps to remedy the issues” raised by the Attorney General’s Office.

“Central to those efforts is an accelerated hiring and incentive plan addressing the staffing shortages at Central and Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Halls,” according to the department. “The plan is aimed at curtailing absenteeism and leaves by current probation staff, while adding 450 new or transferred officers by the end of 2024. The Probation Department has already installed a stateof-the-art electronic room check system in the halls and is in the process of putting security cameras in common

areas of the juvenile halls as it converts the facilities into home-like settings that reflect the county’s philosophy of restorative juvenile justice.”

The department noted that it is also working to more quickly contract for youth programming and retraining staffers on “de-escalation tactics” while phasing out the use of pepper spray.

“Throughout all this, the department has worked closely with the courtappointed monitor for the 2021 stipulated judgment,” according to the department. “As always, our primary concern is for the safety and wellbeing of the young people in our care — and to

Labor negotiations

comments.

Last week, the union said longshore workers at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach were still hard at work and remain committed to moving the nation’s cargo during the two days that PMA accused them of withholding labor, which prompted closures of the twin ports.

The union attributed the dockworker shortage to union members attend-

ing its monthly meeting and observing religious holidays.

“On the evening of Thursday, April 6, International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 13 held its monthly membership meeting as is its contractual right,” the statement read.

At the meeting, outgoing President Ramon Ponce de Leon swore in incoming President Gary Herrera, with several thousand union

provide the best possible therapeutic environment for those we serve.”

The motion filed by the state Attorney General’s Office on Wednesday asks a judge to mandate that the county: transport youth from their units in the juvenile halls to school daily; deliver compensatory education services to youth who are entitled to them;

ensure youth have access to daily outdoor recreation; document and review all use-of-force incidents, following procedures outlined in the original judgment; install video cameras throughout Barry J. Nidorf juvenile hall; and

implement a “positive behavior management plan.”

According to a statement from the AG’s Office, the county — plagued by a staffing crisis at the juvenile halls — “has not just failed to make forward progress towards compliance with the judgment, it has actually regressed away from complying with the most basic and fundamental provisions that ensure youth and staff safety and well-being.”

The AG’s Office alleged that due to low staffing levels, youth in the county detention halls have been “forced to urinate and defecate in their cells overnight,” and some staffers have been required to work 24-hour shifts.

members in attendance.

“On Friday, union members who observe religious holidays took the opportunity to celebrate with their families,” the ILWU statement read. “Cargo operations are ongoing as longshore workers at the ports remain on the job.”

Port of Los Angeles officials issued a statement last week regarding the temporary San Pedro Bay

Terminal closures, saying they are in communication with the ILWU and PMA, along with federal, state and local officials to support a return to normal operations in the ports.

“Resuming cargo operations at America’s busiest port complex is critical to maintain the confidence of our customers and supply chain stakeholders,” Port of LA officials said in a statement.

SCAN ME!

| Photo courtesy of 1Flatworld/Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

The Port of Los Angeles. | Photo courtesy of Linnaea Mallette/ PublicDomainPictures.net (CC0)

Mistrial declared in Raymond Chan public corruption trial in LA

By City News Service

Ajudge declared a mistrial Thursday in the federal criminal trial of former Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Raymond Chan after doctors said Chan’s lead defense attorney would require months to recover from a sudden illness.

U.S. District Judge John Walter ordered Chan to retain a new attorney by April 24 and set a status/trial setting hearing for April 28.

During Thursday’s hearing, Chan asked for more time to retain a new attorney to replace Harland Braun, whose hospitalization last month caused a recess in proceedings two weeks after the trial began. However, Walter denied the request, saying the defendant would have to file a request for more time if he is not able to meet the deadline, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Walter’s decision came after receiving a sealed declaration from Braun and medical information on the attorney’s condition.

Chan, 66, of Monterey Park, is facing a dozen

criminal counts, including racketeering conspiracy, bribery, honest services fraud and lying to federal agents for his alleged role in a complex pay-to-play scheme — linked to former Los Angeles City Councilman José Huizar — that prosecutors say soaked developers for millions of dollars in exchange for getting their building projects approved at City Hall.

Two weeks after the trial’s opening statements on Feb. 21, the judge called a three-week recess to give Braun time to recover from the sudden illness that required hospitalization.

The defense immediately argued that a mistrial was necessary based upon Chan’s constitutional right to his chosen counsel and because Braun was rendered “physically unable to participate in the defense for at least several months.”

Braun had been representing Chan for about four years and was the only attorney capable of leading the defense, Chan insisted

in papers filed in Los Angeles federal court.

Federal prosecutors urged Walter to deny a mistrial. Allowing Braun to resume the trial upon his recovery “best protects defendant’s right to chosen

counsel,” according to the government.

The details of Braun’s medical condition have not been disclosed to the public. The 80-year-old Braun is one of the city’s best known criminal defense attorneys.

His clients have included Roman Polanski, Roseanne Barr, John Landis and many others.

When the trial was halted, the government had completed about 75% of its case-in-chief, with five witnesses remaining, prosecutors said.

In a filing, Chan’s other attorneys stated that Braun faces an “indeterminate but significant” period of treatment and recovery, and his eventual return to his practice will be gradual or perhaps limited.

Chan is accused of being a key member of what prosecutors dubbed the Council District 14 enterprise, a conspiracy in which Huizar — assisted by others — unlawfully used his office to give favorable treatment to real estate developers who financed and facilitated bribes and other illicit benefits.

Huizar pleaded guilty in January in Los Angeles federal court to felony charges for using his powerful position at City Hall to enrich himself

Teachers’ union criticizes LAUSD’s contract offer

By City News Service

Negotiators with the Los Angeles Unified School District and United Teachers Los Angeles met Thursday in an attempt to reach agreement on a new contract for the district’s teachers, psychologists, psychiatric social workers and counselors.

The district presented what it called “a historic offer,” with a 19% wage increase — 7% retroactive to July 1, a 7% increase on July 1 and 5% on July 1, 2024; an additional $20,000 increase for nurses; an additional $3,000 ongoing increase for school psychologists, psychiatric social workers, counselors and other special services providers; an additional $2,500 ongoing increase for special education teachers; and an additional $1,500 ongoing increase for early education teachers.

Arlene Inouye, a bargaining co-chair for UTLA, the union representing the district’s teachers, told City News Service, “the district’s current proposal still falls short of meeting our needs and the needs of our communities, but it is apparent that they are feeling the heat

of actions taken by LAUSD workers in the past month, including the boycott of all afterschool faculty meetings that began this week.”

“Educators remain united in our demand that the district agree to all of the elements outlined in the Beyond Recovery Platform,” Inouye said.

The platform includes calls for salary increases for all educators and accelerated advancement to their highest salary; salaries for school nurses that are competitive with private sector positions and will allow the district to meet its current contractual obligation to provide a nurse in every school five days per week; greater pay equity and better working conditions for adult education, early education, state preschool and substitute educators.

The platform also calls for expanded compensation for extra duty work; expanded and increased differentials for advanced degrees, special education educators, bilingual and dual language educators, coordinators, counselors, and coaches; expanded access to salary points to

incentivize individualized professional development; premium-free high-quality healthcare for all employees; paid planning and preparation time for elementary and early education program educators; structural support for members responsible for dependent care; and “targeted investment in the recruitment and retention of BIPOC educators and service providers,” referring to Black, Indigenous and people of color.

The district’s offer also includes a reduction of two students in all academic classes from transitional kindergarten through 12th grade and an additional counselor to provide college counseling in all high schools with 900 or more students.

The offer also includes staffing incentives for high-needs schools — an additional $7,500 stipend for national board certified teachers working in identified priority schools who agree to serve as demonstration teachers, up to $6,000 per year in stipends for teachers working in identified priority schools

who earn district microcredentials in race and equity, equitable grading, English learners, early literacy and “STEAM” (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics); $2,000 per year for mental health support providers working in identified priority

and his associates, and for cheating on his taxes. He faces multiple years behind bars at a sentencing hearing scheduled for Sept. 25.

A deputy mayor who oversaw economic development for ex-Mayor Eric Garcetti in 2016 and 2017, Chan is accused of arranging indirect bribe payments to city officials by lining up employment contracts for the officials’ relatives.

During his opening statement, Braun said his client was an innocent public servant who got swept up in the case by overly ambitious federal prosecutors. He promised that Chan would take the stand to refute all allegations.

Chan worked for the city for almost three dozen years, serving at one point as the top executive overseeing the Department of Building and Safety, which reviews building plans and inspects construction projects.

Before Huizar signed his plea deal, he and Chan were scheduled to go on trial together.

schools.

The offer also includes staffing incentives for dual language and American Sign Language programs — $5,400 per year for qualified dual language program teachers providing content instruction in the target language — including those

providing content instruction in ASL — $1,000 per year for dual language program teachers providing content instruction in English, $1,000 per year for dual language program teachers earning a district dual language microcredential.

Teachers’ union members attend a rally in December. | Photo courtesy of UTLA

Raymond Chan. | Courtesy photo