Monrovia Weekly_5/15/2023

Federal prosecutors intervene in Santa Ana homeless services suit

LA County Board of Supervisors holds public hearing on budget proposal

By City News Service

Chinese company fined $4M for bribing ex-Councilman Huizar

By City News Service

The public got its first chance Wednesday to weigh in on the county’s $43 billion 2023-2024 budget proposal, with some speakers voicing frustration at funding amounts being allocated for incarceration and the probation and sheriff’s departments.

Those who spoke out against the agencies generally asked that the funding be diverted instead to education and recreation programs. Several speakers referenced this week’s overdose death of a detainee at the Barry Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar.

One speaker asked that Probation Department officials look at their detainees “as though they were their own children.”

Despite calls from multiple speakers for a reduction in the sheriff’s department budget, Sheriff Robert Luna appeared before the board and asked for additional funds. He asked for money to fund two more captain positions, citing a need for more senior officers to complete a management overhaul of the agency.

“I can’t believe that we have the biggest jail in the nation and it doesn’t even have a management system,” Luna said.

He also spoke of 30-year-old computer systems running obsolete software, paper-based bookkeeping and other technological deficiencies at the department. But he said his primary immediate goal at this time is to meet the conditions of various legal settlements and consent decrees that have impacted the department and its jails “in cases dating back to 1975.”

The county’s overall $43 billion budget proposal represents a $1.6 billion shrinkage from last year’s spending package.

The Board of Supervisors special meeting Wednesday was another step in the drawn-out process of budget compilation, which ends Oct. 3.

The largest chunk of the proposal, 33%, is geared toward Health and Public Works Sanitation at $14.1 billion. Public Assistance represents 26%, or $11.1 billion of the budget, followed by Public Protection at 24%, or $10.5 billion, including the sheriff’s department; fire department; district attorney; public defender; Probation Department; Justice, Care and Opportunities Department; Office of Diversion and

AChinese real estate company was fined $4 million and placed on five years’ probation Friday for bribing former Los Angeles City Councilman José Huizar with more than $1.5 million in cash, gambling trips and escorts in exchange for the then-councilman’s support of a planned downtown hotel project.

Although he was also charged, Shen Zhen New World I’s billionaire owner Wei Huang fled to China after charges were announced and has never appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom in connection with the case.

The October-November trial was one of three separate proceedings arising out of a 34-count indictment against Huizar and his associates alleging wide-ranging political corruption centered around the Planning and Land Use Management Committee, commonly referred to as the PLUM Committee, which oversaw commercial and residential development projects in the city and was headed by the ex-councilman.

Evidence presented at the Shen Zhen trial showed the company — on behalf of its

owner — purchased the L.A. Grand Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, located in the 14th Council District, whose representative at that time was Huizar. As part of his role on the council, Huizar oversaw major commercial and residential development projects in the city.

In June 2018, Shen Zhen filed an application with the Los Angeles City Planning Department to redevelop the L.A. Grand Hotel into a 77-story skyscraper featuring a mix of residential and commercial uses.

From February 2013 to November 2018, Shen Zhen, acting through Huang, provided Huizar and an aide with cash, casino gambling chips, flights on private jets and commercial airlines, stays at luxury Las Vegas hotels and casinos, expensive meals, spa services, prostitution services, political contributions and a $600,000 loan for Huizar to confidentially settle a pending sexual harassment lawsuit brought by a former staffer that threatened his reelection.

The jury found the benefits provided to Huizar

were intended to secure his approval of the L.A. Grand Hotel redevelopment project, a project the developers said would have been the tallest such structure west of the Mississippi River.

The company’s attorneys unsuccessfully argued the proposed development was “universally loved” at City Hall because of the jobs, tax revenue and prestige it would bring — so there was no reason to bribe anyone.

The November 2020 indictment charged Huang and Shen Zhen with bribery in three forms: bribery of a public official; interstate and foreign travel in support of bribery; and devising and participating in a scheme to defraud the city of Los Angeles and its citizens of Huizar’s honest services.

Huizar pleaded guilty in January in Los Angeles federal court to felony charges for using his powerful position at City Hall to enrich himself and his associates, and for cheating on his taxes. He faces multiple years behind bars at a sentencing hearing scheduled for Sept. 25.

The federal criminal trial

of Huizar’s co-defendant, former Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Raymond Chan, is on hold until Chan hires a new lawyer. A mistrial was declared in Chan’s first trial last month after his attorney, Harland Braun, was taken ill and could not continue appearing in court.

Chan is facing a dozen criminal counts, including racketeering conspiracy, bribery, honest services fraud and lying to federal agents for his alleged role in the pay-to-play scheme linked to Huizar that prosecutors say soaked developers for millions of dollars in exchange for getting their building projects approved at City Hall.

Last June, real estate developer Dae Yong “David” Lee and one of his companies were found guilty of federal criminal charges for providing $500,000 in cash to Huizar and his special assistant in exchange for their help in resolving a labor organization’s appeal of their downtown Los Angeles development project.

Lee and his 940 Hill company are set to be sentenced on July 21.

City of Los Angeles launches reusable tableware microgrants PG

| Image courtesy of the LA County Chief Executive Office

Ex-Councilman José Huizar, left, and Wei Huang, Shen Zhen New World I’s billionaire owner.

| Photos courtesy of Charlie Kaijo/Flickr (CC BY 2.0); Shen Zhen New World Group

Study: Major reforms needed to meet LA’s housing production goals

Federal prosecutors intervene in Santa Ana homeless services suit

By City News Service By City News Service

Federalprosecutors

Wednesday announced they were intervening in a lawsuit a nonprofit serving the homeless filed against the city of Santa Ana alleging the city was using code enforcement to make it impossible to accomplish its mission.

Micah’s Way sued in January saying its faithbased mission to feed the needy was being impeded by the city’s denial of an occupancy certificate under its zoning ordinance.

“We did not solicit them — they got involved on their own,” Micah’s Way attorney Ed Connor told City News Service.

Connor said he was not aware the Justice Department had a civil rights division that could get involved in the nonprofit’s lawsuit.

Major reforms are needed to increase housing production in the city of Los Angeles to meet a goal of producing more than 450,000 units by 2029, according to a new report released Thursday by the Los Angeles Business Council.

The report authored by UCLA and California State University Northridge examined how the long and complex housing development process has contributed to the city’s failure to keep pace with housing needs. According to California’s Regional Housing Needs Assessment, the city must add approximately 456,643 units from 2021 to 2029, which is a five-fold increase over the 83,865 units produced from 2010 to 2019.

“Unless housing production is accelerated significantly, the RHNA goals will certainly not be met,” the study said.

The city of Los Angeles would need to complete 57,000 units a year on average, compared to less than 9,000 units annually last decade, to meet its goal. Researchers found that expanding policies for affordable housing, such as Mayor Karen Bass’ Executive Directive No. 1 to accelerate

affordable housing, raising the Site Plan Review threshold from 50 to 200 units, and increasing the use of master planning, among other reforms, would significantly boost housing production.

“This study clearly indicates that we need to streamline the approval process if we want to meet our housing goals,” said Council President Paul Krekorian in a statement.

Krekorian noted the City Council is moving in that direction, citing a recent action by the Planning Commission to approve his motion to amend the Site Plan Review for affordable housing projects, and for mixed-use and mixedincome projects with a substantial affordable housing component.

The study analyzed every multi-family housing project that was permitted in Los Angeles from 2010 to November 2022 and found that speeding up the rate of new housing and reducing discretionary approvals would have resulted in thousands of more units.

On average, housing projects took 3.9 years to be permitted and built. The study showed it took 1.5 years just for the approval process.

“This study provides

a unique empirical basis for ongoing policy reform focused on increased transparency, efficiency, and certainty that will shorten approval times and materially address the egregious lack of affordable and market-rate housing,” the study’s co-author Stuart Gabriel said in a statement.

The report found that discretionary reviews added a “significant amount of uncertainty” and had an impact on lengthening development time. For example, the Planning Commission review added six months to the approval process, Site Plan Review added more than three months and Environmental Impact Reports added 16 months.

“This study corroborates what we’ve heard from housing providers -- that uncertainty and a lack of clear set of rules to build housing in Los Angeles have hindered our ability to increase our housing stock,” Councilwoman Nithya Raman, chair of the council’s Housing and Homelessness Committee, said in a statement.

“We need significant reform in order to meet our housing and affordability goals and truly tackle the city’s housing crisis.”

“It’s very refreshing to see them coming in and supporting our decision and sending a message to the city that you’re way out of line here, and it’s time to sit up and take notice that you’re flagrantly violating (the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000), and you need to come into compliance here,” said Connor.

The city has filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. A hearing on that motion is scheduled for June 5 before U.S. District Judge David O. Carter, who has presided over multiple homeless lawsuits in the county and steered cities in northern and central Orange County into a settlement that cleared out homeless encampments and led to more shelters for local transients.

The city issued a statement about the Department of Justice’s intervention in the case:

“The City of Santa Ana fully supports the expression of religious beliefs as well as helping those in need, as shown by the operation of our 200-bed homeless navigation center, hosting the County of Orange’s homeless shelter, and funding homeless outreach teams. In this case, however, Micah’s Way has been using its administrative office to distribute food in an area where this activity isn’t permitted. This has impacted the adjacent residential neighborhood, resulting in multiple complaints from residents. Micah’s Way has not shown that the city has placed a substantial burden

on its religious exercise.”

City officials have long complained before Carter that Santa Ana is being called on to shoulder most of the burden of homelessness in the county.

Micah’s Way’s attorneys are arguing that part of an array of services the religious charity provides for the homeless at 1517 E. 4th St. is food and drinks when they come in to pick up mail or charge up a phone, among other necessities. Nourishing the poor is a core value of Christianity, the attorneys said.

Santa Ana officials argued in its motion to dismiss that offering food and drinks to the homeless is not a religious exercise and that the city’s ordinance did not impede the nonprofit from exercising its religious rights.

But Connor told City News Service the city has shifted its argument made in an administrative hearing last year before retired Orange County Superior Court Judge David Chaffee, who sided with Micah’s Way on the religious law claims.

Connor argued the city is barred by law to appeal something already decided in another court and to make a different argument than it made in another legal proceeding.

“It’s ironic and hypocritical,” Connor said.

According to Connor, city officials “got together to run Micah’s Way out of town,” and that was

shown in emails and other evidence that came out of the administrative hearing the city agreed to participate in last year.

“I’m hoping the city will take note that their actions and misconduct is so egregious it has now drawn the Department of Justice into the case,” Connor said. “I would think that would cause anyone some cause for concern. ... Even though they lost an administrative hearing and ignored that maybe this time they’ll get the message.”

U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said, “Religious groups should be entitled to exercise their religion by providing charitable services based in their religious beliefs. Our office firmly opposes actions that block religious groups from carrying out their spiritual mission to help others in need.”

“Discriminatory barriers and land use restrictions against faithbased organizations is unlawful,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clark of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

Many faith-based organizations across the country are on the front lines serving the needs of people experiencing homelessness. The Justice Department is tasked with enforcing federal civil rights laws to ensure that all religious groups can freely exercise their religious beliefs.

A high-density apartment building in North Hollywood. | Photo courtesy of Junkyardsparkle/Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0)

Michah’s Way volunteers distribute food to the needy on Easter Sunday. | Photo courtesy of Michah’s Way/Facebook

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Disney+ subscription numbers fall, but streaming losses decrease in Q2

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.

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The Disney+ streaming service lost 4 million subscribers during the second quarter of the fiscal year, but overall losses attributed to the company’s direct-to-consumer operations fell by more than $200 million compared to the same quarter a year ago, the Walt Disney Co. reported Wednesday.

According to the Burbank-based entertainment giant, the number of Disney+ subscribers fell to 157.8 million in the quarter ending April 1, down from 161.8 million in the prior quarter. The biggest drop was attributed to the Disney+ Hotstar service, which is offered in India and Southeast Asia.

It was the second straight quarter of global subscription declines for Disney+, which saw steady increases each quarter since its introduction in 2019.

Despite the decline, Disney reported a 12% year-over-year increase in revenues from its direct-toconsumer business, helping

reduce the segment’s operating losses from $887 million in the second quarter of last year to $659 million in this year’s second quarter.

“The improvement at Disney+ was due to higher subscription revenue and a decrease in marketing costs, partially offset by higher programming and production costs and, to a lesser extent, increased technology costs,” according to the company.

Disney reported a 2% increase in subscribers to its ESPN+ service during the second quarter, reaching 25.3 million, while Hulu subscriptions rose slightly from 48 million the prior quarter to 48.2 million in the second quarter.

“We’re pleased with our accomplishments this quarter, including the improved financial performance of our streaming business, which reflect the strategic changes we’ve been making throughout the company to realign Disney for sustained growth and success,” Disney CEO Bob

Iger said in a statement. “From movies to television, to sports, news, and our theme parks, we continue to deliver for consumers, while establishing a more efficient, coordinated, and streamlined approach to our operations.”

Speaking to investors and analysts in a conference call later Wednesday, Iger said the company is planning to combine some Hulu content with Disney+ in a single app by the end of the year, calling it a “logical progression” of its streaming business. The

company already offers a bundle of both streaming services, but they operate in separate apps.

Iger also said the company is currently weighing his options about a possible purchase of the onethird share of Hulu currently held by Comcast.

Disney reported overall Q2 revenues of $21.8 billion, up 13% from the same quarter a year ago. Adjusted earnings per share were reported at 93 cents, down from $1.08 in the same quarter a year ago.

The trouble that brought Heather Brown to Tire Town Auto Service in Picayune, Mississippi, had started with a shake as she drove down the interstate. The tires she relied on to guide her gold 2014 Nissan Rogue and grip the asphalt when she braked seemed to shift and bounce unpredictably. The 29-year-old single mom had purchased the used SUV in early 2022, and when she brought it to a dealership, a mechanic diagnosed a condition that was potentially dangerous for Brown and her 10-year-old son: The steel cords in all four of her tires were separating.

Brown replaced two of the tires in July and tried to save for the other two. But inflation kept eating away at her paycheck from her $14.31-an-hour job at a nursing home. So, needing the tires and with Christmas on the way, she took out a personal loan and pulled up

By Michael Grabell, ProPublica

to Tire Town on a drizzly Saturday morning in late November.

Tire Town sits at the intersection of Mississippi Highway 43 and U.S. Highway 11 near a Waffle House, a supermarket and a Family Dollar. Unlike the instantly recognizable fast food chains and box stores that anchor the American landscape, tire shops tend to blend in along highways and access roads. Grimy. Tedious. Necessary. Most Americans, rich or poor, have had the experience of popping a tire, upending their day and forcing them to wait in a tire shop with strangers who’ve had the same miserable luck.

Brown, who has wavy dirty blond hair and wore a gray sweatshirt and jeans, clutched her keychain as she approached the counter.

“Hi, I called about the tires,” she said hesitantly, quickly adding, “The Nissan Rogue.”

Brianne Williams, a Tire Town salesperson, pulled up Brown’s records on a computer. “You just need two of them, right?”

“Yeah, just two,” Brown said.

Williams went over some options, describing Tire Town’s road hazard package, which includes free flat repairs and discounts on replacements if the tires are damaged before the treads wear out.

“How much is it?” Brown asked.

It’s a question that has echoed across America these past two years as the price of almost everything reached new heights. Retail counters have become the front lines of sticker shock, a place to vent frustrations about an amorphous global economy that’s strangled people’s ability to make ends meet.

The lowly tire shop, it turns out, may be one of the best places to examine the post-pandemic recovery and its uncertain future. Tires have been buffeted by nearly every force driving inflation

since the pandemic began — from border shutdowns that prevented migrant workers overseas from reaching rubber plantations to the war in Ukraine’s toll on an obscure but essential ingredient in tires called carbon black. Americans depend on tires to get to work, to get groceries — essentially to live, in much of the country. But unlike food and gas, tires aren’t something people typically budget for.

The average price of tires has risen 21.4% over the past two years, more than 70% higher than core inflation. A tire that previously cost $100 might now cost $120; one that was $250 might be $300. That’s not counting labor, and people often have to buy more than one tire.

While inflation has eased since last summer, increased prices for many items, including tires, are proving sticky. Widely debated issues like lingering supply chain problems and rising wages

| Image courtesy of the Walt Disney Co./Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

This story was originally published by ProPublica. ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox.

Overinflated: The journey of a humble tire reveals why prices are still so high

OPINION

Sustainable health development in the postpandemic era

By Dr. Hsueh Jui-yuan, Minister of Health and Welfare, Republic of China (Taiwan)

As the world enters the fourth year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the situation is gradually improving. Most border restrictions have been lifted and global health governance has shifted from pandemic response to postpandemic recovery. Countries worldwide have stepped up efforts to achieve health and wellbeing for all and further the realization of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) whose progress was impacted by the pandemic.

Taiwan fully supports health-related SDGs and the World Health Organization’s triple billion targets. Indeed, Taiwan is committed to building a more resilient and equitable health service supply chain, maintaining an inclusive and equitable universal health coverage system, and providing disease prevention and management through a robust primary healthcare system. Taiwan is willing and able to share its experience in creating a cross-sectoral, innovative, and people-centered health

approach to help the international community work toward the realization of the SDGs related to health and well-being.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan effectively mitigated the spread of the disease, leveraging its comprehensive public healthcare system, welltrained antipandemic personnel, and epidemiological surveillance, investigation, and analysis systems.

Taiwan’s antipandemic response model included advance deployment and rapid response mechanisms. Other measures included border control policies, coordinated distribution of medical resources, and a patient transfer system to prevent and contain the pandemic at a time when vaccines and antiviral drugs were unavailable.

The Taiwanese people have played a pivotal role in the success of Taiwan’s antipandemic model by wearing masks, practicing social distancing, avoiding crowded areas, following quarantine regulations, and getting vaccinated.

When compared with the 38 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development member states and Singapore, Taiwan ranks sixth-lowest in COVID-19 mortality and case-fatality rates. Taiwan also ranks fourth-highest for coverage rates of at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose and third-highest in terms of vaccine boosters administered.

Promoting health for all

Last year, WHO’s Director-General outlined five priorities for the subsequent five years, which are promoting health, providing health services, protecting health, powering progress, and performing. Moreover, WHO’s Achieving wellbeing: A draft global framework for integrating wellbeing into public health utilizing a health promotion approach further demonstrates its commitment to health for all.

Taiwan established a universal healthcare insurance system in 1995. Since that time, the government has continued to provide

disease prevention and healthcare services so that people of all ages can enjoy the right to health. Taiwan provides prenatal checkups, gestational diabetes screening, anemia testing, and three ultrasound examina-

tions to reduce pregnancy risks and promote maternal and infant health. To assist infertile couples and reduce the financial burdens of in-vitro fertilization, the government has continued to expand subsidized infer-

tility treatment programs. Taiwan also aims to create a breastfeeding-friendly environment and provide

See Health development Page 5

Taipei, Taiwan. | Photo by Frolda on Unsplash

Metrolink offers special service for LA County Fair patrons

By City News Service

Beginning Saturday, Metrolink trains on the San Bernardino Line made an extra stop at the Pomona Fairplex to accommodate people heading to the Los Angeles County Fair. A free shuttle will meet trains at the Fairplex stop to carry riders to the fair entrance. The service will be offered every weekend through the end of the fair’s run on Memorial Day.

“I am happy that Metro-

link continues to partner with our friends at the Fairplex to provide special weekend train service to and from the LA County Fair,” Metrolink CEO Darren Kettle said in a statement. “Metrolink trains are a convenient and fun option, and allow people to avoid traffic and the challenge of finding parking.”

All trains will make the special stop after 11 a.m., when the fair opens, according to Metrolink.

OPINION

Health development

preventive pediatric healthcare and health education.

The rail service also added an extra train on weekends that depart the Fairplex at 10:10 p.m. bound for Los Angeles Union Station.

Metrolink officials noted that every fare-paying adult can bring three children on the ride for free. Metrolink additionally offers a $10 weekend pass that allows unlimited rides on a single weekend day. Metrolink riders can also get a discount on fair admission tickets.

What’s more, Taiwan has established a number of prevention and management programs for noncommunicable diseases. For instance, programs targeting chronic metabolic diseases assist at-risk groups, providing services such as diet and exercise guidance as well as smoking and betel nut cessation information to empower people to take control of their own health. Such initiatives improve lives and reduce the prevalence of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar, which often lead to chronic disease. Taiwan also supports the global fight against cancer and WHO’s goal of reducing cancer mortality 25 percent by 2025. In line with WHO’s Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative, Taiwan subsidizes cervical screenings and human papillomavirus vaccinations. HPV vaccines have been administered to female students aged 12 to 15 since 2018. By December 2022, a coverage rate of 92.1 percent had been achieved.

Innovative technology and universal health coverage

Taiwan’s National Health Insurance (NHI) is a prime example of universal health coverage, offering financial protection and access to a wide range of essential services. The COVID-19 pandemic helped the international community recognize the importance of regional cooperation and digitization in healthcare. Taiwan is committed to promoting digital health and innovation to enhance the accessibility and quality of healthcare services, including plans for a next-generation NHI program. Taiwan has introduced innovative healthcare services, utilizing real-time telehealth consultations for patients residing in remote areas and outlying islands, and is exploring applications for artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. During the pandemic, Taiwan issued 13 export licenses for its herbal formula NRICM101 (Taiwan Chingguan Yihau) to help countries in the region combat the pandemic. Taiwan is currently implementing preventive measures for the postpandemic era, such as strengthening the domestic production of critical drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients to avert future drug shortages. Understanding how important it is to work with the international community, Taiwan will further share innovative technologies and best practices with partners around the world to advance universal health coverage.

Taiwan can help, and Taiwan is helping

Taiwan has not been invited to the World Health Assembly since 2017. Now that the COVID-19 pandemic is abating and dialogue on strengthening health systems worldwide is accelerating, Taiwan should not be left out. Taiwan can help, and Taiwan’s inclusion would make the world healthier, more sustainable, and more equitable.

Taiwan urges WHO and all relevant stakeholders to support Taiwan’s inclusion in the World Health Assembly as an observer, as well as Taiwan’s full participation in WHO meetings, mechanisms, and activities. Taiwan will continue to work with the world to help ensure the fundamental right to health enshrined in the WHO Constitution. In the spirit of the SDGs, no country should be left behind—especially not Taiwan, which has made significant contributions to global public health.

| Photo courtesy of Thank You (23 Millions+)/Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

are not the only reasons. As consumer brands pushed prices higher last year, many corporate executives noted an economic paradox. Customers continued to buy their products anyway. That led some companies to rack up record profits. Now, as the economy slows, many of the costs that drove inflation have fallen away. Yet the leaders of well-known brands continue to bet — sometimes baldly in investor calls — that they can keep prices high, almost ensuring that consumers will feel the effects of inflation long into 2023.

Brown’s need for a loan to buy tires has become surprisingly commonplace amid the worst period of inflation since the early 1980s. Scores of people have taken to GoFundMe over the past year, pleading for help to buy tires so they could get to work and doctor’s appointments. One parent wrote of seeing her son’s preschool teacher regularly use a portable air compressor to fill her tires at the end of the day. A young mother in California said she sold her prom dress and her toddler’s play kitchen to try to raise enough money for tires.

After she got her loan, Brown called around to a few tire dealers. A couple of places didn’t have her tire size in stock. The Nissan dealership wanted $550 for the two tires. “That was ridiculous; that’s more than a car payment,” she said, laughing. “I only had $137 in my bank account after bills — and that was before groceries.”

Standing at the counter, Brown waited for Williams to tell her the cost. On the shop’s TV, the kid in the movie “A Christmas Story” was triple-dog-daring his friend to press his tongue to a flagpole, as other Tire Town customers waited on a worn black-vinyl couch.

The optional road hazard package, Williams said, would bring her bill to $393.56.

Without it, the tires and installation cost $346.50.

That was already about $40 more than Brown had paid for the tires she had bought there four months earlier. Life wasn’t great at the moment. Her son’s birthday was two weeks before Christmas and, with bills and food, there was no way she could afford a party or gifts. Brown declined the additional package. She gave her keys to Williams and walked outside to wait for a ride.

The paperwork Brown held in her hand offered no

insights as to why tire prices had risen so sharply. But there would be a clue on her new tires. Each was stamped with an identification number that could be traced to where and when it was made. I wrote down one of the numbers — 00B KP RB1A 4521 — and set out to retrace the path of her tire across the globe, from the rubber trees to the repair shop, to understand why prices were really going up.

The sticker shock that Brown saw at Tire Town started more than two years earlier in a stand of rubber trees. Before Brown’s new tire was even a ribbon of tread, part of it was a trickle of white latex dripping out of a tree in Southeast Asia. Rubber tappers sliced a groove into the bark, allowing the milky fluid to spiral down the tree into a container. Exposed to air, the latex coagulated into a lump before being collected by tappers and sent to a processing plant. The rubber was then shredded, dried and packed into blocks, which look like chewy granola bars the size and shape of hay bales.

Passenger and light truck tires are 19% natural rubber, according to the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association. And as COVID-19 swept through Asia in 2020, major rubber producers like Thailand and Malaysia shut their borders to slow the spread of the virus. This public health precaution had a ripple effect: Migrant workers from neighboring countries couldn’t reach the plantations. The lack of labor led to a drop in production. The supply was further weakened by extreme weather and fungal leaf disease that struck just as the demand for latex gloves soared. By early 2021, rubber futures had spiked nearly 50% from the year before.

The Vietnam Rubber Group, the main natural rubber supplier to the factory that made Brown’s tire, was also affected, as the pandemic and heavy storm damage created what the company called a “double disaster.” Rubber harvesting and processing was suspended for long periods because of COVID-19 cases and travel restrictions. Then, starting in September 2020, nine storms bombarded the company’s plantations, unleashing winds and flash floods that toppled and uprooted rubber trees and triggered landslides that blocked critical roads, it said in its annual report.

But natural rubber was only one part of the problem,

Humble tire

and to understand why, consider the complex science of tires. To some degree, tires are about as unsexy and primitive as the lump of rubber many people mistake them for. The wheel, after all, dates back thousands of years. The goal of creating a smooth ride with a material that can withstand bumps hasn’t changed much since 1887, when a Scottish veterinarian named John Boyd Dunlop wrapped the wheels of his son’s tricycle in sheet rubber, filled them with air and noticed how much better they rolled than the wheels made of wood or metal at the time.

Over the last century, however, chemists and engineers have fiddled with that formula to make tires more agile, more durable, more fuel-efficient, quieter, better at braking on slick roads and able to perform as well in extreme heat as extreme cold. “We ask tires to do conflicting things,” said Howard Colvin, a retired tire industry chemist who once led Goodyear’s polymer research group. When driving on the freeway, we want tires to have as little friction as possible. But when braking in emergencies, we want them to be able to endure as much friction as possible. “When you think about what we ask a tire to do,” Colvin said, “the fact that tires and tire engineering can do it, to me, it’s pretty remarkable.”

Tires need natural rubber to resist tears, synthetic rubber polymers to improve traction and keep the tire inflated, steel wire and textile cord to provide stability and a soot-like filler called carbon black to reinforce the rubber. By the summer of 2021, when the components for Brown’s tire were likely being purchased, the prices of all those materials were starting to go up.

And it only got worse. Synthetic rubber and carbon black, which together make up roughly half the weight of a car tire, are made from petroleum. As oil prices soared in the summer of 2022, so did the cost of materials for making tires. It wasn’t just that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the resulting sanctions had tightened the global oil supply. Russia was also the second-largest exporter of carbon black. The powder is the essential ingredient that gives tires their color and strength, and tire and rubber goods factories scrambled to secure a supply.

“Without carbon black, a tire would be like a rubber band,” Colvin said.

And the material doubled

in price in two years.

Juan Cantu, a technician at Tire Town, started up Brown’s Rogue and carefully pulled it into the fourth service bay and onto a red automotive lift. He read the work order for the brand, model and size of the tires needed — Milestar MS932 Sport, size 225/60R18 — and headed out back across a gravel lot to one of the metal sheds where Tire Town kept its stock.

It was dark inside, and Cantu maneuvered through a warren of tires, some stored in orange racks, others stacked in columns up to 12 tires high. He removed several from one of the stacks and pulled out Brown’s new tires.

“932,” he said, confirming the model.

With one tire in each hand and a Maverick-brand cigarette dangling from his lips, Cantu, 24, hauled the tires back to the garage.

Tire Town’s owner, Kevin Cates, never intended to go into the tire business. He got an MBA and went to work for Philip Morris, climbing the corporate ladder to a finance position at the company’s office in Zug, Switzerland. But in 1998, after his wife’s mother got sick, they decided to move back to New Orleans, where Cates helped his father-in-law and brothers-in-law run the family tire business, Delta World Tire.

After getting divorced, Cates purchased the Tire Town chain in 2012, with shops in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Slidell, Louisiana. He later closed the Baton Rouge location and added a store in LaPlace, Louisiana, as well as the one in Picayune. He sells name brands like Michelin and Goodyear but has carved out a niche in the discount market, seeing Asian imports

as a better value for his cost-conscious customers. And while most shops rely on distributors, Cates buys many of his tires by the shipping container directly from factories in Asia. That practice has given Cates, who is 60 and wears tortoiseshell glasses, a rare perch to watch the economy’s ups and downs firsthand.

“I’ll have a customer tell me he bought a tire a year and a half ago, and the price has gone up at least 30% — they can’t believe it,” Cates said. “My guys on the counter see that every day.”

Unlike the typical waiting rooms of Tire Town’s other locations — with a hazy glare, coin-operated candy machines and 4-year-old Sports Illustrateds strewn on a table — the Picayune shop exhibits an industrial chic remodel, with corrugated chrome wainscoting and faux whitewashed shiplap on the walls.

The morning Brown dropped off her car, Tire Town’s customers included court clerks and truck mechanics who commute to New Orleans, 60 miles each way. Picayune had once been known as the “Tung Oil Center of the World” because of its orchards of tung trees, whose nuts produce an oil used in wood varnish. But many people moved there from the New Orleans area after Hurricane Katrina.

The New Orleans metropolitan area has experienced some of the highest inflation in the country over the past year, according to Moody’s Analytics. Rural areas like those near Picayune have been hit hard. A nationwide study by Iowa State University found that while urban households saw their discretionary income fall by 13% from June 2020 to June 2022, inflation cut rural house-

holds’ discretionary income nearly in half. “Not having this extra financial cushion,” the study’s authors concluded, “puts rural families at greater risk for increased debt, default, and potential bankruptcy.”

Like many businesses, Tire Town struggled at the beginning of the pandemic, as people stayed home and stopped driving. But as the economy reopened, traffic picked up — and so did the stores’ sales. A semiconductor shortage, caused in part by a splurge on consumer electronics during lockdown, meant automakers couldn’t get the chips needed for new vehicles. That led car prices to skyrocket, putting them out of reach for many buyers.

“People are having trouble buying the new cars that they want,” Cates said. “So they’re keeping their cars longer, and therefore fixing them.” Last year, the average age of cars and light trucks in the U.S. hit an all-time high of 12.2 years.

Decades ago, tires generally came in a few dozen standard sizes. But eventually automakers began to demand tires that were specific to a model and upgrade package. As of May 1, Michelin listed 432 different sizes on its website.

The changes have given tire manufacturers a great deal of pricing power. Tires come in four pricing tiers, ranging from top-of-the-line brands to generic imports, theoretically giving customers a choice. But since tire dealers now have to carry so many sizes, they may only have a couple of brands in stock. And drivers tend to flock to the few that have name recognition.

For most customers, a tire

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| Photo courtesy of Canva

is — as one industry veteran put it — a “grudge purchase.” They have little time to shop around and a huge information gap. “Consumers don’t really have a frame of reference on what a tire should cost, because you only buy them every few years,” said Phillip Kane, a business consultant and former executive at Goodyear and Pirelli. Bill Wood, an economist who studies the plastics and rubber industries, was more blunt: “They can tell you it’s going to cost whatever it’s going to cost, and as long as it doesn’t sound like it’s made out of gold, you’re going to say, ‘OK.’”

Since the start of 2021, manufacturers have announced dozens of price increases, sometimes amounting to doubledigit percentage hikes. Yet customers have continued buying. “If we could make more, we can actually even sell more in the environment that we’re seeing,”

Goodyear CEO Richard Kramer told investors in February 2022. That confidence hasn’t always been enough to appease investors. The same day Kramer made that comment, Goodyear’s stock tanked more than 25%, as investors feared whether the company could overcome rising raw material and ocean freight costs. Since then, Goodyear has repeatedly tried to reassure investors that it has enough pricing power to charge more and boost profits. “Our increase in the replacement tire prices more than offset our costs,” the company’s chief financial officer said at its next earnings call, reiterating the point a half-dozen times.

Goodyear recently announced layoffs and weaker-than-expected financial results, but the company said it hasn’t seen any decreased demand for its premium tires. It hopes the combination of higher prices and declining material costs in the second half of 2023 will allow it to increase its profit

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margins. Though Goodyear hasn’t announced new price hikes this year, Michelin, Bridgestone and Pirelli all increased their U.S. tire prices in January.

“Although our results — and the results of other players in the industry — have recently been negatively impacted by rising input and manufacturing costs,” a Goodyear spokesperson said, “our objectives are to generate competitive margins and deliver returns for our shareholders.”

Michelin and Pirelli said their decisions were based on ongoing instability and inflation. Bridgestone did not respond to requests for comment.

As more affluent drivers continue to buy name-brand tires, Tire Town’s priceconscious customers have been trading down, Cates said. People who used to buy midrange brands are now opting for budget tires. People who might have replaced all four tires are trying to skate by with two.

That’s boosted demand for budget tires. Each week, the Fitment Group, a tire industry data provider in Duluth, Minnesota, analyzes 8 million advertised tire prices from retailers’ websites across the country. And looking at that data from January 2020 to December 2022 shows a startling trend: For many tire sizes, the cheapest tires have gone up twice as much in price as premium brands.

Customers like Brown have little choice but to pay up.

In the shop, Cantu stacked Brown’s new tires next to her Rogue. Stamped on the sides beneath the Milestar logo, amid load limits and safety warnings, was the string of letters and numbers that make the tires’ origins traceable. The first three characters were “00B.” For safety reasons, the U.S. Department of Transportation has assigned a code to every tire factory in the world. This one belonged

to the Casumina Radial Tire Factory in Uyen Hung, Vietnam, about an hour’s drive north of Ho Chi Minh City.

Inside the baby blue factory in an industrial area along the Dong Nai River, the materials that would become Brown’s tires were loaded into giant mixers. The machines blended several batches of gummy black substances, each carrying different chemical compositions. The compounds were then sent to other machines to be pressed into sheets and strips. Strands of steel wire were coated in rubber and formed into two hoops to make the edges of the tire, known as the beads, which lock the tire onto the wheel.

Those hoops were then placed onto a rotating drum along with a sheet of rubber that would form the inner liner of the tire. From there, several plies and belts of different rubbers — some embedded with polyester, nylon and steel — were laid on top and pressed together to build the body of the tire.

“A tire is a complicated product,” said Nguyen Dinh Dong, Casumina’s deputy general director. “To make it, it needs many, many processes.”

The process can be seen in videos of the Casumina factory, which opened in 2014. It was perfect timing for the company, which started after the Vietnam War selling to the local market and exporting bicycle tires to socialist countries in Eastern Europe. The United States imported few tires from Vietnam in 2014, but that was about to change.

The Obama administration had been waging a trade battle against Chinese tire manufacturers, which it accused of flooding the market to undercut the U.S. industry and harm American workers. The administration was about to impose another round of penalties, and tire companies were shifting their work to factories in Thailand and other parts of

Southeast Asia.

Today, more than threequarters of passenger replacement tires in the United States are imported, according to Tire Business, a trade publication. The import value of passenger tires from Vietnam boomed to $390 million last year — about 20 times what the United States imported a decade ago. Casumina is now the 66th largest tire manufacturer in the world, according to Tire Business. The factory where Brown’s tires were made produces more than a million tires a year.

“Last year was very, very difficult for us,” Nguyen said. The cost to ship its tires to the United States jumped from $2,000 to $16,000 per container. And with raw materials prices rising, it had to raise the prices it charges its U.S. buyers by 8%, he said.

Even though Casumina makes the tires, Milestar isn’t actually the company’s model. It’s a brand produced for Tireco, one of the largest American tire distributors, based in Gardena, California. The company also markets Westlake, Nankang and Patagonia tires and calls Milestar “the official tire of adventure.” Not that Brown planned to climb winding mountain roads, as shown in the company’s promotional video. The MS932 Sport is what’s known as an allseason touring tire, meaning it provides a comfortable ride and can handle most weather conditions. It’s available in more than 60 sizes.

Tireco declined to comment, but in industry publications it has said its goal is to create a tire that can perform as well as a midrange tire but at a budget price.

Just before Brown’s tires were made, as raw material costs were already putting pressure on prices, another problem flared up for Tireco and Casumina. The Biden administration believed that tires from South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam were being unfairly

subsidized and dumped in the U.S. market. And it was threatening to slap penalties on them, which would increase the price to import them.

Victor Li, Tireco’s executive vice president, had testified before the International Trade Commission in May 2021 that the company’s brands “service a critical segment of the U.S., which U.S. producers have shifted away from.” Tireco had tried to produce its tires in the United States, he said, but domestic manufacturers had “no interest,” focusing instead on the premium market. Penalizing imports, he said, would not bring production to the United States; it would only raise prices.

But the commission wasn’t swayed, and the Biden administration imposed the penalties. One of the brands that Tireco distributed, Nankang, which was made in Taiwan, was hit the hardest, with duties over 100%. The administration also determined that Vietnam had manipulated its currency to give its exports a competitive advantage, but it spared tiremakers like Casumina from the stiffest penalties.

Those global policy decisions trickled down to Tire Town in Picayune, which was seeing an ever-changing mix in where its tires were coming from. “It used to be we’d always see China,” said Dennis Sarchet, the Picayune store manager. “Then we got to where we started seeing a lot from Thailand and Indonesia. And now I’m seeing more and more coming out of Turkey.” In fact, the two tires that Brown bought in July had been made in Turkey.

Now, her new tires were working their way through a factory in Vietnam. A machine that acts like a big waffle iron molded the Milestar tread pattern onto each tire. Steam heated the tire to about 300 degrees to bond its components together and harden the

rubber. When the mold lifted, it revealed not only the treads but the string of characters stamped on the side: “00B KP RB1A 4521.”

The last four numbers correspond to the 45th week of 2021, meaning that Brown’s tire was made sometime between Nov. 8 and Nov. 14, 2021.

It was a terrible time to try to ship tires to the United States.

That week, 111 cargo ships lined up at or outside the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, waiting for dockworkers to unload hundreds of thousands, if not more than a million, containers full of goods like furniture, appliances, toys and tires. A consumer buying binge during the pandemic had stretched the supply chain to its limits. Shipping rates soared as retailers raced to get their products onto shelves before the holidays.

Importers, including tire companies, complained to regulators that the world’s biggest ocean carriers were taking advantage of the situation by ignoring their contracts, forcing them to pay inflated rates to get their products to the United States. Though carriers denied it, businesses said the freight companies were also tacking on exorbitant fees for shipping containers that couldn’t be picked up or returned on time because of port congestion.

At Tire Town, Cates struggled to get the tires his customers needed. “Our suppliers were charging us $2,500 shipping surcharges, $5,000, $10,000. It got up to $15,000 to $16,000,” he said. “Imagine what that does to the price of the tires that I have to pass on to my customers. And that’s before I have to factor in the price of the raw materials and labor that manufacturers are passing on to us.”

Cates is a member of one of North America’s largest

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SCAN ME!

tire-buying groups, where independent retailers like him band together to negotiate prices directly with manufacturers. The group was founded in the 1990s as Walmart and Sears began to use their buying power to offer discounts that other tire dealers couldn’t match.

With the buying group, Cates rarely had to worry about getting tires from overseas. Whenever he needed more, he’d place an order and about 90 days later a truck carrying a container full of 750 to 820 tires would arrive at his shops. Getting tires was so easy that Cates had a side business distributing tires to local repair shops. The manufacturing shift from China to Southeast Asia had lengthened the lead time on orders to 120 days. But as the shipping backlogs grew in late 2021 and early 2022, delivery times were running over 200 days, he said.

Usually about half of the 25,000 tires that Cates sold each year came in shipping containers directly from factories. But while Tire Town received 24 containers in 2020, in 2021 it received less than 10. “Inventory is a big deal in the tire industry,” Cates said. “People are in the market for a tire for 24 hours. If you don’t have it, they’re going somewhere else.”

Because of the supply chain problems, Cates had to depend more on distributors like Tireco. But Tireco was having its own difficulties. It discontinued its factory-direct order process, according to Tire Business, and started running all its tires through its 1.1 millionsquare-foot warehouse in Southern California. “We expect the next nine months to continue to be challenging, but we are confident in our partners and our ability” to fulfill orders, Andrew Hoit, then Tireco’s vice president of sales and marketing, told the trade publication Modern Tire Dealer in November 2021.

It’s difficult to know exactly when Brown’s tires arrived in the United States.

Government import records collected by ImportGenius, which tracks global shipping, show that from February through June of last year, Tireco received at least 172 shipments from Casumina, totaling 626 containers of tires. Most of the shipments left from Vietnam’s Vung Tau Port and arrived at the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.

Brown’s tires eventually made their way to Kentucky-based distributor Rudolph Tire. Tire Town’s general manager, Andrew

Washington, said they were part of an order he placed with Rudolph’s Dallas warehouse that arrived at the New Orleans Tire Town shop in either a van or a box truck in early October. From there, Tire Town loaded them, along with a pile of other tires, into the back of a white Chevrolet pickup and drove across Lake Pontchartrain to Picayune, where the tires sat in a shed awaiting the work of Juan Cantu.

Cantu flicked a switch on the lift and raised Brown’s SUV a few feet so its tires would be at shoulder level.

New tires are typically mounted on the rear of a car to provide greater traction and prevent hydroplaning. So, Cantu first needed to take off the rear tires that Brown had bought in July and rotate them to the front. He wielded an impact driver, a tool that looks and sounds like a high-powered drill, and unscrewed the lug nuts from the driver’s side wheels. He pulled the rear wheel off and bounced and rolled it to a machine called a balancer.

When a tire is changed properly, the wheel should be “balanced” to ensure that weight is distributed equally to prevent vibrations and uneven wear. Cantu slid the wheel onto the machine’s spindle, locked it in place and lowered the machine’s plastic hood. The wheel automatically spun as a computer measured the imbalance. If the wheel was out of balance, Cantu would have to correct it by adding small steel weights to the rim. Many technicians will work on one tire at a time, but as the rear wheel spun, Cantu returned to the Rogue and pulled off the front wheel.

“I like to multitask to keep my momentum going,” said Cantu, who wore a goatee and speaks with a deep drawl from growing up in Texas. He placed the front wheel on a tire changer — a machine that technicians use to remove a tire from the rim — and let the air out of the tire, unleashing an earpiercing hiss.

Once the air wheezed out, he placed the wheel next to a metal arm on the tire changer that wedges under the tire’s edge to unseal it from the rim, a process known as “breaking the bead.” With the tire now hanging from the rim like an ill-fitting collar, Cantu easily pried it free and rolled it onto a pile of old tires.

Returning to the balancer, Cantu checked the reading. The wheel was indeed out of balance. Cantu chiseled the

wheel’s old weights off of its rim and scraped the inside of the rim clean. Using red lights like those in a supermarket barcode scanner, the machine pinpointed where Cantu needed to place the new weights. He hammered a 0.75-ounce clip-on weight onto the outside rim and, from a drawer, pulled out a rectangle of weights divided into pieces like a chocolate bar. He broke off a 2-ounce piece and stuck it inside the rim. The tire was now balanced and ready to go back on the SUV.

With that task done, Cantu peeled the sticker off the new Milestar tire. He brushed its edges with lubricant and pressed it onto the rim that had been waiting on the tire changer. He then used a part of the machine called a duck head — because of its shape — to pry the tire over the rim. Next, Cantu grabbed the air hose and filled the tire until it made two satisfying pops, indicating the tire was sealed.

Multitasking again, Cantu placed the new tire on the balancer. He then lifted the other one and remounted it onto the driver’s side front. He slid the wheel onto its hub, fastened the lug nuts by hand and then tightened them with the impact driver. Zth-oom! Zth-oom! Zth-oom! Zth-oom!

After adding a quarterounce weight to the wheel with the new Milestar tire, he rolled it to the back of the SUV and repeated the process. Zth-oom! Zth-oom! Zth-oom! Zth-oom! The

Tire Town in March 2022 with an offer of $16.50 an hour. “I probably went through like six raises in the course of a year,” Cantu said. “I worked for it, though.”

Rising wages led Tire Town to raise its labor rate for tires from $40 an hour to $50, an added cost that would be baked into Brown’s bill.

Cantu repeated the process of changing the tires on the passenger side. He tightened all the wheels to the precise measure of torque and filled the tires to 35 pounds per square inch of pressure. Then he took a swig from a bottle of Sprite.

He pressed the switch to lower the lift. He headed to the sink to wash his hands and then slid back into the driver’s seat. About 45 minutes after he began, Cantu fired up the ignition, backed the SUV out of the garage and parked it in front of the shop.

factory orders, causing ocean shipping rates to fall back to normal. But many companies have been stuck in higher contracts negotiated during the supply chain crisis — and sales are keeping up with supply. So the expected savings hasn’t worked its way through the economy.

And it hasn’t filtered down to customers like Brown. Her “grudge purchase” was wrapping up. Williams called Brown to let her know her car was ready and that the store would be closing soon.

“She did say she was on her way,” Williams told Sarchet.

“So, everybody else has picked up?” he asked.

“Umm-hmm.”

The door swung open. The driver of a 1995 Ford Bronco wanted to know if the shop had an Interstate car battery. Several minutes passed, and another customer needed an oil change.

driver’s side was now done.

Finding technicians like Cantu has become increasingly difficult. While the U.S. economy has regained the jobs it lost during the pandemic, tire dealer employment numbers remained below their pre-pandemic levels until December, according to the Labor Department.

Some of the reasons are obvious. Tire work is heavy, repetitive and dirty. Technicians typically get paid close to entry-level wages, like workers at warehouses, restaurants and big-box stores. There’s a lot that can go wrong.

“You have to make sure the car is lifted properly and safely,” Cates said. “You have to have the right tire sizes. You have to have the right speed ratings. You have to make sure the tire is set properly and tightened to a certain torque specification. When mounting a tire, you have to make sure you don’t scratch the rim. There’s tire pressure involved. You need to make sure there aren’t problems with sensors.

“It’s a lot more technical than it sounds,” he continued. “It’s not just something that you can just hire a guy. You’re always debating: Should you hire a guy with the right experience or hire a guy with the right attitude and train him?”

Cantu, who moved to Mississippi from Texas three years ago, said he started at Delta World in early 2021 at around $10 an hour but quickly got a series of raises before being recruited by

The Picayune shop closes at noon on Saturdays, and by 11 a.m. it was nearly empty. The sequel to “A Christmas Story” hummed on the overhead TV as Williams and Sarchet waited for customers to pick up their cars.

“Five years ago, there would be eight to 10 cars waiting here when we opened,” said Sarchet, who has a long white “Duck Dynasty” beard. “I just think that people don’t have the money to spend like they used to.”

Tire Town would sell the Picayune location at the end of the year, but for now it was entering its slow period, when the cold weather keeps people inside and away from tire stores — and when Tire Town barely breaks even. To make matters worse, the supply chain had finally opened up. While that might seem like a blessing, the shops were suddenly flooded with tires ordered in the spring.

Normally, when businesses are stuck with too much supply, it results in lower prices. But for products like tires, that tenet doesn’t always hold. It goes back to tires being a “grudge purchase.” Unlike with refrigerators or smartphones or cars, it’s tough to lure customers to upgrade their tires.

The dynamic seen in this small tire chain is perhaps a microcosm of the larger economy: Prices seem to be holding for other products as well. Retailers have complained about having too much inventory and not enough warehouse space. That’s resulted in slower

Around 11:30 a.m., Brown walked in and approached the counter.

“$346.50,” Williams said.

The tires themselves came to just over $250. The price of Cantu’s work installing the tires was about $40, plus $15.99 to change the valve stems of the tire pressure sensors. There was a $10 shop supplies fee, a couple of tiny fees for disposal and $22.54 in tax.

“I just gotta switch the money over,” Brown said, picking up her phone to transfer the funds. “I try to keep it in my savings account so that way I won’t touch it.”

After Williams ran her card, Brown walked out to look at her new tires. They’d traveled more than 10,000 miles from a factory in Vietnam to the shop in Picayune. They’d traversed a pandemic, a volatile raw materials market, a consumer spending boom, a trade war, a supply chain crisis and a labor shortage. Now they sat on the rear axle of her Rogue, ready to do the thing they were destined to do.

Brown started up the engine and put her SUV in gear. She now felt confident that she and her son could travel the roads safely. But obstacles undoubtedly lay ahead as she navigated a world in which higher prices have become the norm, and companies fight to hold on to their new profit margins.

The tires rolled through the parking lot as she steered toward the exit. She turned right and sped off toward the interstate.

Republished with Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0).

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| Photo courtesy of Canva

WGA strike wraps up second week with no word of progress

Group including Magic Johnson reaches proposed deal to buy NFL’s Commanders

By City News Service By City News Service

The Writers Guild of America strike wrapped up its second week Friday with no indication of any progress being made toward a resolution of a walkout that has brought Hollywood production to a halt.

Local picketing continued Friday at Amazon Studio in Culver City, CBS’ Studio City lot, Television City, The Walt Disney Co.’s corporate headquarters in Burbank, the Fox Studios lot, Netflix’s Hollywood headquarters, Paramount Studios in Hollywood, Sony Studios in Culver City, Universal Studios and Warner Bros. in Burbank.

The last WGA strike lasted from November 2007 until February 2008. Various estimates from different organizations estimated that the 100-day strike cost the local economy between $2 billion and $3 billion. With both sides appearing to be a loggerheads, many observers fear the current walkout could last longer.

The WGA is pushing for improvements on a variety of fronts, notably for higher residual pay for streaming programs that have higher viewership, rather than the existing model that pays a standard rate regardless of a show’s success.

The union is also calling for industry standards on the number of writers assigned to each show, increases in foreign streaming residuals and regulations preventing the use of artificial intelligence technology to write or rewrite any literary material.

The WGA strike, which began May 2, has been having an impact in Hollywood. On May 7, the “MTV Movie & TV Awards” live ceremony was scrubbed in favor of a pre-taped event due to celebrities unwilling to cross WGA picket lines.

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Times reported that Vice President Kamala Harris had backed out of her planned appearance at an MTV mental health awareness event in Carson on May 18 to avoid conflict with the WGA strike.

Harris was set to appear alongside a surprise celebrity guest and young leaders at a Cal State Dominguez Hills town hall to raise awareness of Mental Health Action Day, according to The Times.

WGA negotiators said no new talks are scheduled with the AMPTP, and none were expected in the coming days.

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents Hollywood studios, issued a position paper outlining its take on some key negotiating points in the labor impasse. Responding to a union demand for minimum staffing levels and employment guarantees, the alliance contends such a move would “require the employment of writers whether they’re needed for the creative process or not.”

The alliance also pushed back on the issue of streaming residuals, saying the union’s most recent contract gave writers a

46% increase in streaming residuals taking effect in 2022 -- increases that some writers may only now be seeing in their paychecks. The alliance contends the union’s proposal would represent a 200% increase over current residual rates.

It also called for “a lot more discussion” on the issue of artificial intelligence, and suggested that writers “want to be able to use this technology as part of their creative process, without changing how credits are determined.”

“The AMPTP member companies remain united in their desire to reach a deal that is mutually beneficial to writers and the health and longevity of the industry, and to avoid hardship to the thousands of employees who depend upon the industry for their livelihoods,” according to an alliance statement issued when the strike was announced. “The AMPTP is willing to engage in discussions with the WGA in an effort to break this logjam.”

Streaming residuals are one of the focal points of the Writers Guild’s negotiating team, with the union pushing for an overhaul of the formula to include higher compensation for more popular programs.

Early last week, the AMPTP also began labor talks with the Directors Guild of America, which is seeking to address many of the same issues involved in the WGA stalemate. The DGA’s contract with AMPTP expires June 30.

The Washington Commanders have finalized a proposed agreement to sell the NFL franchise to an investment group that includes Laker legend Magic Johnson, the team and future ownership group announced Friday.

Details of the agreement, which still needs the approval of the league, were not released, but the sports business journal Sportico reported last month that the transaction would be for a record $6 billion.

The investment group looking to purchase the team is led by Wall Street heavyweight Josh Harris, defense billionaire Mitchell Rales, Harris’ longtime business partner David Blitzer and Johnson. Harris already owns the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and NHL’s New Jersey Devils.

On Twitter Friday afternoon, Johnson wrote, “I could not be more excited to be a partner in the proposed new ownership group for the Washington Commanders. Josh Harris has assembled an amazing group who share a commitment to not only doing great things on the field but to making a real impact in the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) community. I’m so excited to get to work on executing our vision for the Commanders and our loyal fanbase!”

If the deal is ultimately approved, the Commanders’ $6 billion price tag would mark the highest price ever paid for a sports franchise -- topping the $4.65 billion sale of the NFL’s Denver Broncos last year. Johnson was also part of a Harris-led group that tried but failed to purchase the Broncos.

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 Dan Snyder, the embattled current owner of the Commanders, has been under pressure from the NFL to sell the team amid allegations of sexual harassment and a toxic work environment. Snyder has denied those allegations.

In a statement first reported by ESPN, Dan and Tanya Snyder said they are “pleased to have reached an agreement for the sale of the Commanders franchise.”

“We look forward to the prompt completion of this transaction and to rooting for Josh and the team in the coming years,” they said.

Harris said in a statement the ownership group is committed “to delivering a championship-level franchise for this city and its fanbase.”

“We look forward to running a world-class organization and making significant investments on and off the field to achieve excellence and have a lasting and positive impact on the community,” he said.

The sale would have to be approved by a vote of the NFL’s other 31 owners. The vote likely would not take place until the next league meetings, on May 22-24 in Minneapolis, according to ESPN. Reportedly, the sale would also include Commanders’ home stadium, FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland, and their practice facilities in suburban Virginia.

WGA members picketed outside Paramount Studios in 2007. | Photo by Matt Stoller (CC BY 2.0)

FedExField in Washington, D.C. | Photo by Anders Krøgh Jørgensen on Unsplash

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 Daylight Time on or before June 15, 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.

GARVEY AVENUE STREET AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, CIP No. 884

The proposed work consists of the construction of new storm drains and laterals, and a concrete infiltration basin chamber system beneath City streets. The project also includes pavement rehabilitation, pavement reconstruction, sidewalk construction, ramp construction, construction of cross gutter, landscaping improvements, and lighting improvements on Garvey Avenue generally between Valley Boulevard and Durfee Avenue. The Engineer’s estimate for the project is between Thirteen Million Dollars and Thirteen Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($13,000,000 to $13,500,000) for the Base Bid plus Additive Work.

Completion of Work: All work shall be completed within 260 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 system (PlanetBids) at https://www.planetbids.com/portal/portal. cfm?CompanyID=43375 by 4:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time on or before Wednesday, May 31, 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 Thursday May 25, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at the site, meeting at the existing pump station located on the south side of Garvey Avenue just west of the railroad bridge (street parking on the south side of Garvey Avenue will be made available). 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 May 11 & 15, 2023

EL MONTE EXAMINER

URGENCY ORDINANCE NO. 3025

AN URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL MONTE EXTENDING FOR AN ADDITIONAL SIXTY DAYS AN INTERIM MORATORIUM ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW FOOD TRUCK LICENSES AND ON THE EXPANSION OF EXISTING FOOD TRUCK ROUTES (MOBILE VENDOR COOKING, NON-COOKING AND ICE CREAM) WITHIN THE CITY

WHEREAS, California Constitution Article XI, Section 7, enables the City of El Monte (the “City”) to enact local, police, sanitary, and other ordinances and regulations not in conflict with general laws; and

WHEREAS, the authority to adopt and enforce municipal code regulations is an exercise of the City’s police power to protect the public health, safety and welfare; and

WHEREAS, the City currently has regulations in place for mobile food trucks, including mobile cooking trucks (primarily traditional lunch trunks), non-cooking food trucks (primarily for the sale of fruits and packaged goods) and ice-cream trucks (with amplified sound). The City currently has active business license permits for eight (8) mobile cooking food trucks and five (5) ice cream trucks; and

WHEREAS, the City of El Monte Municipal Code (“EMMC”) does not, at present, adequately regulate the establishment and operations of mobile cooking food trucks, non-cooking food trucks, and ice-cream trucks for the evening and early morning hours (i.e. night-time mobile food trucks from 6 PM to 2 AM), including what streets and zoning districts they may operate within; and

WHEREAS, mobile food trucks that operate at night-time generate unique impacts. They often park for several hours at a single location, creating noise, public right-of-way obstructions, and traffic impacts. Also, traditional lunch trucks and ice-cream trucks drive to their customers (i.e. construction sites for lunch trucks and parks for ice-cream trucks). With food trucks that operate at night-time, customers drive to them, potentially creating traffic, parking and loitering issues; and

WHEREAS, the City is experiencing the impacts an increased number of food trucks, including nighttime food trucks, have on local streets through traffic impacts and right-of-way obstructions. Food trucks, including nighttime food truck operations, cause rightof-way obstructions in the form of food truck equipment, such as tables, chairs, and tents, occupying the entire width of sections of sidewalks, making it difficult, if not impossible, for pedestrians with disabilities to travel on sidewalks and for people to patronize local businesses, and causing distractions for motorists; and

WHEREAS, the City is experiencing the impacts of increased food truck operations, including nighttime food trucks, in the form of traffic and parking impacts at multiple locations in the City. Food trucks park along the curb adjacent to curb returns and intersections, resulting in hazardous driving conditions as the food trucks and tents obstruct drivers’ views of opposing and oncoming traffic. Food trucks also park in a manner that encroaches on driveways, impacting operations for local businesses and impacting driver visibility when motorists exit driveways; and

WHEREAS, the City has experienced continued increased interest from prospective food truck vendors for obtaining food truck business licenses from the City. In the past four months, approximately eighty (92) inquiries were made with the City’s licensing and code enforcement divisions by potential applicants regarding the obtaining of business licenses for food trucks and sidewalk vendors; and

WHEREAS, the City Council for the City of El Monte at its March 7, 20223 meeting approved an urgency interim ordinance instituting a sixty (60) day moratorium on the issuance of new business licenses for food trucks and prohibiting the expansion of routes for currently permitted food trucks, with the moratorium expiring on May 7, 2023; and

WHEREAS, the City continues to experience a backlog of interest from prospective food truck vendors who want to establish operations within the City on public rights-of-way, and were the

existing moratorium to be lifted, the City would experience a rush of applicants seeking food truck permits before an adequate food truck ordinance became effective; and

WHEREAS, this urgency interim ordinance, and the sixty-day extension of the moratorium approved by the City Council on March 7, 2023, is intended to mitigate the abovementioned impacts the City experiences by continuing to temporarily prohibit the issuance of new business licenses for food trucks and prohibit the expan sion of routes for currently permitted food trucks, and to protect local residents from the impacts of increased food truck operations, including nighttime food trucks, while the City further considers and develops permanent food truck regulations; and

WHEREAS, the City requires additional time to draft a food truck ordinance in order to address the health, safety, welfare, and traffic issues created by food trucks vending on public way; and

WHEREAS, the City requires additional time to study the rel evant issues and explore appropriate regulations for night-time mobile food trucks concerning their establishment, operations and aesthetics; and

WHEREAS, the City Council desires to direct City staff Finance Department, Police Department, Public Works Depart ment, Community and Economic Development Department and City Attorney’s Office to conduct such analysis and to report findings to the City Council within a reasonable time; and

WHEREAS, failure to adopt this urgency ordinance and extend by sixty (60) days the moratorium approved by the City Council on March 7, 2023 will subject local residents and businesses creased and nighttime food truck operations and resulting impacts, to the detriment of the public health, safety and welfare; and

WHEREAS, California Government Code sections 36934 and 36937 authorize the City Council to adopt an Urgency Ordinance for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety.

NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL MONTE, DOES HEREBY FIND, DETERMINE AND ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. Recitals. The above recitals are true and cor rect and incorporated herein by reference.

SECTION 2. Definitions. For purposes of this Urgency nance, the term “food truck” shall mean any vehicle that operates on public or private streets and provides mobile cooking (e.g. lunch trucks), non-cooking food trucks (e.g. fruit or stack trucks) and icecream trucks (dessert goods).

SECTION 3. Moratorium.

A. The City Council extends by sixty (60) days the morato rium previously approved by the City Council on March 7, 2023 on the acceptance, processing and approval of any application for the establishment of a new mobile cook ing, non-cooking of food and ice-cream trucks including for business licenses for food trucks. Existing mobile cooking and ice-cream trucks that are fully permitted by the City shall be exempt from this Urgency Ordinance. However, they will not be able to expand their routes and shall comply with the existing 30-minute time limitation at any one (1) location.

B. The moratorium shall be effective for an additional days from May 7, 2023 as set forth in this Urgency Ordi nance and extensions thereof, or until such earlier time that the City Council amends the EMMC to address the concerns described in this Urgency Ordinance.

SECTION 4. Urgency Findings.

A. In light of the foregoing Recitals, the City Council that the establishment or expansion of mobile food trucks presents a current and immediate threat to public health, safety and welfare, and the approval of permits, licens es or any other applicable entitlement required by the EMMC would result in that threat to public health, safety or welfare.

B. It is the intent of the City Council to consider new regu lations, for example, limiting the number of mobile food trucks, their geographic distribution, the length of time at any one location, their hours of operation and enforce ment measures.

C. This Urgency Ordinance will afford City staff able amount of time to study the matter.

D. In light of these findings and all evidence in the the City Council finds that this moratorium is accordance with Government Code sections 36934 and 36937.

SECTION 5. California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). This Urgency Ordinance is exempt from CEQA based on the fol lowing:

A. This Urgency Ordinance is not subject to CEQA it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility

Ordinance No. 1015

On February 28, 2023, the City Council of the City of Rosemead approved to increase the membership of the Public Safety Comfive to up to seven, consisting of four residents and three members of the business community. The Public Safety Commission shall consist of up to seven voting members appointed by the City Council, comprised of up to four residents and up to three members of our business community.

Each member of the Public Safety Commission shall have a term two years which shall be staggered so that up to four residential members shall be appointed in the odd-numbered years and up to three business community members shall be appointed in even-numbered years. Terms shall commence on July 1 and expire on June 30 of the appropriate calendar year, unless a lesser term is fill a vacancy.

Passed, Approved and Adopted on May 9, 2023 by the following vote:

ARMENTA, CLARK, DANG AND LOW NONE

STEVEN NONE

The full text of Ordinance No. 1015 is available for inspection durbusiness 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 15th DAY OF MAY, 2023

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

Publish May 15, 2023

ROSEMEAD READER

Probate Notices

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF SANDRA M. HART

Case No. 23STPB04599 heirs, beneficiaries, cred-itors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of SANDRA M. HART

A PETITION FOR PROBATE filed by Phyllis B. Cohen in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that Phyllis B. Cohen be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the

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 administra-tion authority will be granted unless an inperson files an objec-tion to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the

A HEARING on the petition will be held on June 6, 2023 at 8:30 AM in Dept. No. 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 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 decemust file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either months from the date of first issu-ance of letters to a general perrepresentative, 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 may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowl-edgeable in California law.

MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special 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:

WILLIAM J ZEUTZIUS JR ESQ SBN 152829 LAW OFFICES OF ZEUTZIUS & LABRAN 234 E COLORADO BLVD STE 520 PASADENA CA 91101 CN996373 HART May 8,11,15, 2023 DUARTE DISPATCH

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF LI QING ZHU

Case No. 23STPB04656

To all heirs, beneficiaries, cred-itors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of LI QING ZHU A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Michael Yip, Angela Musa in the Superior Court of Cali-fornia, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that Michael Yip & Angela Musa 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 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 June 2, 2023 at 8:30 AM in Dept. No. 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 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 issu-ance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the

LEGALS

Glendale City Notices

UNCLAIMED CHECKS & UNCLAIMED CASH BOND DEPOSITS

UNCLAIMED CHECKS & UNCLAIMED CASH BOND DEPOSITS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT, the Finance/Information Technology Director of the City of Glendale, County of Los Angeles, State of California, declares that the following monetary sums have been held by the Finance Director and have remained unclaimed in the funds hereafter indicated for a period of over three (3) years and will become the property of the City of Glendale on the 13th day of June 2023, a date not less than forty-five (45) days nor more than sixty (60) days after first publication of this Notice. Any party of interest may, prior to the date designated herein above, file a claim with the City’s Finance Department, which includes the claimant’s name, address, amount of claim, and the grounds on which the claim is founded. The Unclaimed Check form & Unclaimed Deposit form can be obtained from the City’s Finance Department at 141 N Glendale Ave, Room 346, Glendale, CA 91206 or from the City’s website. For questions regarding unclaimed checks, please contact the City of Glendale, Finance Department, Accounts Payable at (818) 548-3907. For questions regarding unclaimed deposits, please contact City of Glendale, Finance Department, General Accounting at 818-548-3243.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT, the Finance/Information Technology Director of the City of Glendale, County of Los Angeles, State of California, declares that the following monetary sums have been held by the Finance Director and have remained unclaimed in the funds hereafter indicated for a period of over three (3) years and will become the property of the City of Glendale on the 13th day of June 2023, a date not less than forty-five (45) days nor more than sixty (60) days after first publication of this Notice. Any party of interest may, prior to the date designated herein above, file a claim with the City’s Finance Department, which includes the claimant’s name, address, amount of claim, and the grounds on which the claim is founded. The Unclaimed Check form & Unclaimed Deposit form can be obtained from the City’s Finance Department at 141 N Glendale Ave, Room 346, Glendale, CA 91206 or from the City’s website. For questions regarding unclaimed checks, please contact the City of Glendale, Finance Department, Accounts Payable at (818) 548-3907. For questions regarding unclaimed deposits, please contact City of Glendale, Finance Department, General Accounting at 818-548-3243. This notice and its contents are in accordance with California Government Code Sections 50050-50056.

This notice and its contents are in accordance with California Government Code Sections 50050-50056.

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LEGALS

LEGALS

Publish May 15, 2023

APRIL 24 & MAY 1

GLENDALE INDEPENDENT

NOTICE INVITING BIDS

NOTICE is hereby given that the City of Glendale (“City”) will receive sealed Bids, before the Bid Deadline established below for the following

LEGALS

Bidding Documents Available: Bidding documents are also available to view and download online at: https://www.glendaleca.gov/government/departments/finance/purchasing/rfp-rfq-bid-page

The city will not mail/deliver the addenda to the prospective bidders. It is the bidders’ sole responsibility to check the website to obtain future addenda to this bid document. Prospective bidders shall acknowledge the receipt of the addenda in the bid forms.

2. Engineer’s Estimate. The preliminary cost of construction of this Work has been prepared. The estimate is in the range of $3,800,000 to $4,200,000.

3. Completion: This Work must be completed within Eighty (80) Working days from the Date of Commencement as established by the City’s written Notice to Proceed.

4. Acceptance or Rejection of Bids. The City reserves the right to reject any and all Bids, to award all or any individual part/item of the Bid, and to waive any informalities, irregularities or technical defects in such Bids and determine the lowest responsible Bidder, whichever may be in the best interests of the City. No late Bids will be accepted, nor will any oral, facsimile or electronic Bids be accepted by the City.

5. Contractor License. At the time of the Bid Deadline and at all times during performance of the Work, including full completion of all corrective work during the Correction Period, the Contractor must possess a California contractor license or licenses, current and active, of the classification required for the Work, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 9, Division 3, Section 7000 et seq. of the Business and Professions Code. In compliance with Public Contract Code Section 3300, the City has determined that the Bidder must possess the following license(s):

a. Pursuant to Section 3300, of the Public Contract Code, the classification of the bidder’s Contractor’s License shall be “Class A” For sewer cleaning and video, use Class A, C-36, C-42, or D-38). Failure of a bidder to obtain adequate licensing at the time the contract is awarded shall constitute a failure to execute the Contract and shall result in the forfeiture of the Bidder’s Bond.

b. For federally funded projects, the Contractor shall be properly licensed at the time of award.

The successful Bidder will not receive a Contract award if the successful Bidder is unlicensed, does not have all of the required licenses, or one or more of the licenses are not current and active. If the City discovers after the Contract’s award that the Contractor is unlicensed, does not have all of the required licenses, or one or more of the licenses are not current and active, the City may cancel the award, reject the Bid, declare the Bid Bond as forfeited, keep the Bid Bond’s proceeds, and exercise any one or more of the remedies in the Contract Documents.

Office of the City Clerk.

12. Prevailing Wages. This Project is subject to the provisions of California Labor Code Section 1720. Contractor awarded this Contract and all Subcontractors of any tier shall not pay less than the minimum prevailing rate of per diem wages for each craft, classification, or type of worker needed to perform the Work. The Director of Industrial Relations of the State of California, pursuant to the California Labor Code, and the United States Secretary of Labor, pursuant to the Davis-Bacon Act, have determined the general prevailing rates of wages in the locality in which the Work is to be performed. The rates determined by the California Director of Industrial Relations are available online at www. dir.ca.gov/DLSR/PWD/. Davis-Bacon wage rates are available online at www.wdol.gov/. To the extent that there are any differences in the federal and state prevailing wage rates for similar classifications of labor, Contractor and its Subcontractors shall pay the highest wage rate.

13. California Department of Industrial Relations Public Works Contractor Registration.

Beginning July 1, 2014, under the Public Works Contractor Registration Law (California Senate Bill No. 854 - See Labor Code Section 1725.5), contractors must register and meet requirements using the online application https://efiling.dir.ca.gov/PWCR/ActionServlet?a ction=displayPWCRegistrationForm before bidding on public works contracts in California. The application also provides agencies that administer public works programs with a searchable database of qualified contractors. Application and renewal are completed online with a non-refundable fee of $300. More information is available at the following links: http://www.dir.ca.gov/DLSE/PublicWorks/SB854FactSheet_6.30.14.pdf http://www.dir.ca.gov/Public-Works/PublicWorks.html

Beginning April 1, 2015, the City must award public works projects only to contractors and subcontractors who comply with the Public Works Contractor Registration Law.

Notice to Bidders and Subcontractors:

No contractor or subcontractor may be listed on a Bid proposal for a public works project (submitted on or after March 1, 2015) unless registered with the Department of Industrial Relations pursuant to Labor Code Section 1725.5 [with limited exceptions from this requirement for bid purposes only under Labor Code Section 1771.1(a)].

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 three (3) prevailing wage public contracts in California; each comparable in scope and scale to this Project, within three (3) years prior to the Bid Deadline and with a dollar value in excess of the Bid submitted for this Project.

General Scope of Work:

Contractor shall furnish labor, materials, equipment, services, and specialized skills to perform work involved in the Project. The Work included in the Bid is defined in accordance with Specification No. 3929 and Plan No. 1-3098, 3-1586, 49-256. The work generally includes: The project scope of work includes: the selective removal and disposal of asphalt and Portland cement concrete pavements; the grading and preparation of subgrade; localized surface grinding and placement of Asphalt Concrete (AC); installation of crack sealing material; installation of crack sealing material and emulsion aggregate slurry (Slurry Seal Type II); installation of A.C. skin patch; remodeling of roof drains; planting of new trees in parkways; selective removal and repair of broken and damaged sidewalks, curbs, curbs and gutters, cross gutters, driveway approaches, local depressions and alley aprons; sanitary sewer point repairs; adjustment of existing utilities to finished grade; and, removal and replacement of existing traffic striping and pavement markings; as shown on the project plans and specifications, Standard Plans for Public Works Construction (SPPWC 2021 Edition), and the Standard Specifications for Public Works Construction (2021 Edition), including all supplements thereto issued prior to bid opening date.

Other Bidding Information: Number of Contract Working Days: 80 Working Days

Amount of Liquidated Damages: $4,100 per Calendar Day

Other Bidding Information:

1. Bidding Documents: Bids must be made on the Bidder’s Proposal form contained herein. Bidding Documents may be obtained in the Public Works Engineering Department, 633 E. Broadway, Room 205, Glendale, CA 91206 where they may be examined. Electronic copies of bidding documents can be obtained at no cost from: https://www. glendaleca.gov/government/departments/finance/purchasing/rfp-rfq-bid-page. Future addenda, if any, will be available for download on the same page as the bidding documents.

6. Subcontractors’ Licenses and Listing. At the time of the Bid Deadline and at all times during performance of the Work, each listed Subcontractor must possess a current and active California contractor license or licenses appropriate for the portion of the Work listed for such Subcontractor and shall hold all specialty certifications required for such Work. When the Bidder submits its Bid to the City, the Bidder must list each Subcontractor whom the Bidder must disclose under Public Contract Code Section 4104 (Subcontractor Listing Law), and the Bidder must provide all of the Subcontractor information that Section 4104 requires (name, the location (address) of the Subcontractor’s place of business, California Contractor license number, California Department of Industrial Relations contractor registration number, and portion of the Work). In addition, the City requires that the Bidder list the dollar value of each Subcontractor’s labor or services. The City’s disqualification of a Subcontractor does not disqualify a Bidder. However, prior to and as a condition to award of the Contract, the successful Bidder shall substitute a properly licensed and qualified Subcontractor— without an adjustment of the Bid Amount.

7. Permits, Inspections, Plan Checks, Governmental Approvals, Utility Fees and Similar Authorizations: The City has applied and paid for the following Governmental Approvals and Utility Fees: NONE

All other Governmental Approvals and Utility Fees shall be obtained and paid for by Contractor and will be reimbursed based on Contractor’s actual direct cost without markup.

See Instructions to Bidders Paragraph 14, and General Conditions Paragraph 1.01 for definitions and Paragraph 1.03 for Contractor responsibilities.

8. Bid Forms and Bid Security: Each Bid must be made on the Bid Forms obtainable from the City’s Bidding website listed in the paragraph 1 above. Each Bid shall be accompanied by a cashier’s check or certified check drawn on a solvent bank, payable to “City of Glendale,” for an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the total maximum amount of the Bid. Alternatively, a satisfactory corporate surety Bid Bond for an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the total maximum amount of the Bid may accompany the Bid. Said security shall serve as a guarantee that the successful Bidder, within fourteen (14) calendar days after the City’s Notice of Award of the Contract, will enter into a valid contract with the City for said Work in accordance with the Contract Documents.

9. Bid Irrevocability. Bids shall remain open and valid for ninety (90) calendar days after the Bid Deadline.

10. Substitution of Securities. Pursuant to California Public Contract Code Section 22300, substitution of securities for withheld funds is permitted in accordance therewith.

11. Prevailing Wage Resolution. Bidders are hereby notified that in accordance with the provisions of the Labor Code of the State of California, the City Council of the City has ascertained and determined by Resolution No. 18,626 (as amended), the general prevailing rate of per diem wages of a similar character in the locality in which the Work is performed and the general prevailing rate for legal holiday and overtime Work for each craft or type of worker needed in the execution of agreements with the City. Said resolution is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and is hereby incorporated and made a part hereof by the same as though fully set forth herein. Copies of said resolution may be obtained at the

No contractor or subcontractor may be awarded a contract for public work on a public works project (awarded on or after April 1, 2015) unless registered with the Department of Industrial Relations pursuant to Labor Code Section 1725.5.

This Project is subject to compliance monitoring and enforcement by the Department of Industrial Relations.

The prime contractor must post job site notices prescribed by regulation. (See 8 Calif. Code Reg. Section 16451(d) for the notice that previously was required for projects monitored by the DIR Compliance Monitoring Unit.)

Furnishing of Electronic Certified Payroll Records to Labor Commissioner. For all new projects awarded on or after April 1, 2015, contractors and subcontractors must furnish electronic certified payroll records directly to the Labor Commissioner (aka Division of Labor Standards Enforcement).

Dated this day of _______, 2023, City of Glendale, California.

Suzie Abajian, Ph.D., City Clerk of the City of Glendale

Publish May 11 & 15, 2023

GLENDALE INDEPENDENT

Probate Notices

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: FRED A. GLIENNA CASE NO. 23STPB04747

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of FRED A. GLIENNA.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by AARON N. JACOBS in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

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

THE PETITION requests the dece-

dent’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: 07/27/23 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.

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

LINDA TOROSSIAN - SBN 238456

TAYLOR SUMMERS & TOROSSIAN, P.C.

301 E COLORADO BLVD., STE 450 PASADENA CA 91101 5/8, 5/11, 5/15/23

CNS-3697649# PASADENA PRESS

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF DANIEL YET-MAN CHANG

Case No. 23STPB03198

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of Daniel Yet-Man Chang A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Grace Chang in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that Grace Chang 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 on June 6, 2023 at 8:30 AM in Dept. 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 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:

ANTHONY S. BARILARI

SBN 260468

BARILARI & WILLIAMS, LLP

35 N. LAKE AVENUE SUITE 280

PASADENA, CA 91101 (626) 590-7286

MAY 8, 11, 15, 2023

PASADENA PRESS

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF George Burris Killinger CASE NO. 23STPB04479

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of: George Burris Killinger

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Cynthia Holder in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that Cynthia Holder 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 full 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 on 05/30/2023 at 8:30 a.m. in Dept. 44 located at 111 N. HILL ST. LOS ANGELES CA 90012 STANLEY MOSK COURTHOUSE.

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 (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:

Cristian R. Arrieta

Lowthorp Richards

300 E. Esplanade Drive, Suite 850 Oxnard, CA 93036, Telephone: (80) 598-18555 5/8, 5/11, 5/15/23

CNS-3698305# PASADENA PRESS

NOTICE OF

PETITION

TO

ADMINISTER ESTATE OF ARUTYUN ADZHEMYAN

Case No. 23STPB04358

To all heirs, beneficiaries, cred-itors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of ARUTYUN ADZHEMYAN A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Luiza Adzhemyan in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that Luiza Adzhemyan 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

LEGALS

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 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 June 6, 2023 at 8:30 AM in Dept. No. 11 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:

RANDY D GRUEN ESQ SBN 105729

ELLE MUSSELMAN ESQ SBN 331088

THE WERNER LAW FIRM 27433 TOURNEY RD STE 200 SANTA CLARITA CA 91355 CN996388 ADZHEMYAN May 8,11,15, 2023 BURBANK INDEPENDENT

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF

DAVID KANAREK

Case No. 23STPB04608

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of DAVID KANAREK A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Michael Kanarek in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that Michael Kanarek 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 ap-proval. 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 on June 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 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 rep-resentative 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 sec-

tion 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:

ABRAHAM APRAKU ESQ SBN 263656 LAW OFFICE OF ABRAHAM APRAKU 119 SOUTH ATLANTIC BL STE 307 MONTEREY PARK CA 91754 CN996382 KANAREK May 15,18,22, 2023 ALHAMBRA PRESS

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF:

LAURA A. NEGRETTE

CASE NO. 22STPB05412

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of LAURA A. NEGRETTE.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by SUSAN TENCATE in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that SUSAN TENCATE 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: 05/26/23 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

DAVIS R. ZELLMER, ESQ. - SBN

291580

ZELLMER ESTATE PLANNING, APC 10900 LOS ALAMITOS BLVD., #207 LOS ALAMITOS CA 90720 5/11, 5/15, 5/18/23 CNS-3699454# BELMONT BEACON

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF:

WYNETA MURRAY AKA

WYNETA E. MURRAY

CASE NO. PROSB2300545

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of WYNETA MURRAY AKA WYNETA E. MURRAY.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by ROBIN MURRAY ILES in the Superior Court of California, County of SAN BERNARDINO.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that ROBIN MURRAY ILES 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: 06/13/23 at 9:00AM in Dept. S36 located at 247 W. THIRD STREET, SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92415

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

JASON L. GAUDY - SBN 228975, GAUDY LAW, INC. 267 D STREET UPLAND CA 91786 5/11, 5/15, 5/18/23

CNS-3699160#

ONTARIO NEWS PRESS

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: VILCAR KOO AKA VILCAR Y. KOO

CASE NO. 23STPB04266

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of VILCAR KOO AKA VILCAR Y. KOO.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by SANGHYO KIM in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that SANGHYO KIM 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 in-

terested 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: 05/31/23 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 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 FRANK C. CHANG, ESQ. - SBN 220127 FRANK C. CHANG, ATTORNEY AT LAW 440 E HUNTINGTON DR., STE #300 ARCADIA CA 91006 5/11, 5/15, 5/18/23

CNS-3698831#

GLENDALE INDEPENDENT

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: DALE S. UCHIYAMA CASE NO. PRRI2300425

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of DALE S. UCHIYAMA.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by KYUNG ROK CHOI AKA DERRICK CHOI in the Superior Court of California, County of RIVERSIDE.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that KYUNG ROK CHOI 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: 06/02/23 at 8:30AM in Dept. 11 located at 4050 MAIN STREET, RIVERSIDE, CA 92501

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

scheduled sale. NOTICE TO TENANT: You may have a right to purchase this property after the trustee auction pursuant to Section 2924m of the California Civil Code. If you are an “eligible tenant buyer,” you can purchase the property if you match the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction. If you are an “eligible bidder,” you may be able to purchase the property if you exceed the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction. There are three steps to exercising this right of purchase. First, 48 hours after the date of the trustee sale, you can call (855) 976-3916, or visit this internet website tracker.auction.com/sb1079, using the file number assigned to this case 19-59017 to find the date on which the trustee’s sale was held, the amount of the last and highest bid, and the address of the trustee. Second, you must send a written notice of intent to place a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 15 days after the trustee’s sale. Third, you must submit a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 45 days after the trustee’s sale. If you think you may qualify as an “eligible tenant buyer” or “eligible bidder,” you should consider contacting an attorney or appropriate real estate professional immediately for advice regarding this potential right to purchase. Dated: 5/8/2023

ZBS Law, LLP , as Trustee 30 Corporate Park, Suite 450 Irvine, CA 92606 For NonAutomated Sale Information, call: (714) 848-7920 For Sale Information: (855) 9763916 www.auction.com Ryan Bradford, Trustee Sale OfficerThis office is enforcing a security interest of your creditor. To the extent that your obligation has been discharged by a bankruptcy court or is subject to an automatic stay of bankruptcy, this notice is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a demand for payment or any attempt to collect such obligation EPP 37197 Pub Dates 05/15, 05/22, 05/29/2023 GLENDALE INDEPENDENT

TSG No.: 8780666 TS No.: CA2200288054

APN: 2476-011-007 Property Address: 1237 N. WHITNALL HIGHWAY BURBANK, CA 91505 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE

YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST, DATED 04/11/2007. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On 06/27/2023 at 10:00 A.M., First American Title Insurance Company, as duly appointed Trustee under and pursuant to Deed of Trust recorded 04/17/2007, as Instrument No. 20070913883, in book , page , , of Official Records in the office of the County Recorder of LOS ANGELES County, State of California. Executed by: KASANA WOJCIK, A SINGLE WOMAN, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH, CASHIER’S CHECK/ CASH EQUIVALENT or other form of payment authorized by 2924h(b), (Payable at time of sale in lawful money of the United States) Behind the fountain located in Civic Center Plaza, 400 Civic Center Plaza, Pomona CA 91766 All right, title and interest conveyed to and now held by it under said Deed of Trust in the property situated in said County and State described as: AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN THE ABOVE MENTIONED DEED OF TRUST APN# 2476-011-007 The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 1237 N. WHITNALL HIGHWAY, BURBANK, CA 91505 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest thereon, as provided in said note(s), advances, under the terms of said Deed of Trust, fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust.

LEGALS

The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligation secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale is $ 361,009.36. The beneficiary under said Deed of Trust has deposited all documents evidencing the obligations secured by the Deed of Trust and has declared all sums secured thereby immediately due and payable, and has caused a written Notice of Default and Election to Sell to be executed.

The undersigned caused said Notice of Default and Election to Sell to be recorded in the County where the real property is located. NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BID-

DERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property. You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property. NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWN-

ER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call (916)939-0772 or visit this internet website http://search.nationwideposting.com/propertySearchTerms.aspx, using the file number assigned to this case CA2200288054 Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Website. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale.

NOTICE TO TENANT: You may have a right to purchase this property after the trustee auction if conducted after January 1, 2021, pursuant to Section 2924m of the California Civil Code. If you are an “eligible tenant buyer,” you can purchase the property if you match the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction. If you are an “eligible bidder,” you may be able to purchase the property if you exceed the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction. There are three steps to exercising this right of purchase.

First, 48 hours after the date of the trustee sale, you can call (916)939-0772, or visit this internet website http://search.nationwideposting.com/propertySearchTerms.aspx, using the file number assigned to this case CA2200288054 to find the date on which the trustee’s sale was held, the amount of the last and highest bid, and the address of the trustee. Second, you must send a written notice of intent to place a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 15 days after the trustee’s sale. Third, you must submit a bid, by remitting the funds and affidavit described in Section 2924m(c) of the Civil Code, so that the trustee receives it no more than 45 days after the trustee’s sale. If you think you may qualify as an “eligible tenant buyer” or “eligible bidder,” you should consider contacting an attorney or appropriate real estate professional immediately for advice regarding this potential right to purchase. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the de-

Fictitious Business

Name Filings

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT File No. FBN20230004297

The following persons are doing business as: IRIE Smart Home Design, 27410 N Bay Rd, Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352. Mailing Address, PO Box 291, Blue Jay, CA 92317. Phoebe V Kimble, 27410 N. Bay Rd, Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352. County of Principal Place of Business: San Bernardino This business is conducted by: a individual. Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on March 1, 2017.

By signing below, I declare that I have read and understand the reverse side of this form and that all information in this statement is true and correct. A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000). I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code Sections 6250- 6277). /s/ Phoebe V Kimble. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on April 27, 2023 Notice- In accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920. A Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to Section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner.

A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code) File#: FBN20230004297 Pub: 05/08/2023, 05/15/2023, 05/22/2023, 05/29/2023 San Bernardino Press

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as GS MARKETING 10800 Hole Avenue Riverside, CA 92505 Riverside County

John Bohen, 10800 Hole Avenue, Riverside, CA 92505

Riverside County

This business is conducted by: a individual. Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on April 1, 2023. I declare that all the information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code, that the registrant knows to be false, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousands dollars ($1000).)

s. John Bohen Statement filed with the County of Riverside on April 21, 2023

NOTICE: In accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920, a fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of the five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any changes in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 Et Seq., business and professions code). I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Peter Aldana, County, Clerk File# R-202306216 Pub. 05/08/2023, 05/15/2023, 05/22/2023, 05/29/2023

Riverside Independent

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT

File No. 20230003064

The following persons are doing business as: Ojeda Construction, 512 W Lorraine Pl, Rialto, CA 92376. Marco A Ojeda, 512 W Lorraine Pl, Rialto, CA 92376. County of Principal Place of Business: San Bernardino This business is conducted by: a individual. Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on January 3, 2023. By signing below, I declare that I have read and understand the reverse side of this form and that all information in this statement is true and correct. A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000). I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code Sections 6250- 6277). /s/ Marco A Ojeda. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on March

27, 2023 Notice- In accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920. A Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to Section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code) File#: 20230003064 Pub: 05/08/2023, 05/15/2023, 05/22/2023, 05/29/2023 San Bernardino Press

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as GS MARKETING 10800 Hole Avenue Riverside, CA 92505 Riverside County John Bohen, 10800 Hole Avenue, Riverside, CA 92505 Riverside County

This business is conducted by: a individual. Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on April 1, 2023. I declare that all the information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code, that the registrant knows to be false, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousands dollars ($1000).)

s. John Bohen Statement filed with the County of Riverside on April 21, 2023

NOTICE: In accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920, a fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of the five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any changes in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 Et Seq., business and professions code). I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office.

Peter Aldana, County, Clerk File# R-202306216 Pub. 05/08/2023, 05/15/2023, 05/22/2023, 05/29/2023 Riverside Independent

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

STATEMENT 20236662820. The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: TKGT CARS, 17771 Sampson Ln, Huntington Beach, CA 92647. Full Name of Registrant(s) TK GT CARS USA LTD (CA), 17771 Sampson Ln, Huntington Beach, CA 92647. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. TKGT CARS. /S/ Minoru Terada, CEO. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on May 9, 2023. Publish: Anaheim Press 05/15/2023, 05/22/2023, 05/29/2023, 06/05/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 20230003415

The following persons are doing business as: Circle K Store 1081, 1081 W Highland Ave, San Bernardino, CA 92405. MGM Oil, Inc (CA), 900 W 10th Street, Azusa, CA 91702; Maurice Maalouf, President. County of Principal Place of Business: San Bernardino This business is conducted by: a corporation. Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on March 24, 2023. By signing below, I declare that I have read and understand the reverse side of this form and that all information in this statement is true and correct. A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000). I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code Sections 6250- 6277). /s/ Maurice Maalouf, President. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on April 3, 2023 Notice- In accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920. A Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to Section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code) File#:

Prosecutors ask judge to reconsider diversion program for OC deputy

By City News Service

Orange County prosecutors have asked a judge to reconsider granting a diversion program for a former Orange County sheriff’s deputy accused of showing teens an obscene video at Trabuco Hills High School in Mission Viejo.

The court-ordered program allows defendants to avoid jail time and gives them the chance to petition to have the charge dismissed later. A hearing is scheduled for Friday to reconsider the diversion program for former Deputy Justin Ramirez, who was initially charged with distributing or exhibiting pornography to a minor, according to court records. Ramirez, who was a school resource officer at the time, resigned his position.

Ramirez was accused of showing pornography to a teenage girl on Sept. 2.

Orange County Superior Court Judge Richard Pacheco granted the defense request for misdemeanor diversion on April 25 over the objections of prosecutors.

Prosecutors provided a copy of the video for Pacheco in their motion to reconsider. They also added more detail about evidence they allegedly recovered from his phone that included “several other photos and videos a reasonable person would consider to be inappropriate. These included two photos of deceased persons: a man who died in 2021 in his Santa

Ana home named Timothy Felske and a woman named Claire Rogers who died in the street as a result of a vehicle on pedestrian hit and run collision in 2020,” according to the motion.

Prosecutors said the photos were “extremely concerning for two reasons: first, the defendant retained photos of deceased people on his personal device for years after the incidents occurred, and second, because he potentially showed one or more of these photos to the high school students in this case. One high school student told investigators she saw photos of ‘dead people’ on the defendant’s phone on Sept. 2. Though it was originally assumed this is in reference to the video of a man and woman getting stabbed while having sex, it is plausible the defendant also showed the above described photos to one or more students as well.”

Prosecutors said they also found “other questionable material,” including “one 50-second video, the defendant records himself unzipping his sheriff uniform pants and exposing his erect penis to the camera. The defendant pulls his pants back up after several seconds.”

Prosecutors alleged the video was taken in an office space for deputies in Villa Park City Hall. They said the video was sent via text message to his wife’s phone.

Prosecutors also said there was another video of a couple engaging in sex in a residence in Anaheim in 2019 and appeared to be “recorded through the window looking into a room inside the home,” according to the motion.

The alleged victim’s attorney, Michael Guisti, filed a claim, which is a necessary precursor to a lawsuit, with the county in March.

Ramirez was not assigned to Trabuco Hills High School, but was in his patrol vehicle in the school’s parking lot near the lunch tables when he was showing teens “pornography that depicted sexual and violent acts including one of the sexual participants being stabbed to death,” according to the claim.

Two other students asked

the alleged victim and two other girls if they wanted to see some “bad videos a cop was showing in his car,” according to the claim. The teen was “shocked and horrified at what she saw,” according to the claim.

When the girl, who was 14 at the time, got home she told her mother, who “was struck with fear, anger and extreme emotional distress,” according to the claim.

The mother called authorities and asked that the deputy not respond to the call, according to the claim. But Ramirez was sent along Sept. 5 with another deputy to respond to the complaint, according to the claim.

The woman “reported the incident to Ramirez and relayed to Ramirez all the details of her personal life, including the fact that she

and (her daughter) lived alone in their home,” according to the claim.

“On Sept. 13, 2022, an Orange County sheriff’s captain and an assistant sheriff came to (the woman’s) home and told her that Ramirez was not only the deputy who came to her home, but he was also the same deputy who had shown the explicit pornography to (the teen) and the other minors,” according to the claim. “Later that same day, Sheriff (Don) Barnes personally called (the mother) and apologized to her for what happened. Sheriff Barnes assured her that Ramirez was not on active duty.”

The mother was informed that Ramirez’s gun and badge had been taken from him, according to the claim.

The mother became more frightened when she learned Ramirez was a defendant in a federal lawsuit that was settled that alleged he was involved in a violent struggle with a suspect who died, according to the claim.

“This pervert is targeting minors and showing them pornography that is both sexual and violent in nature,” the victim’s mother said in a statement released by Guisti.

“I want him off the street,” she added. “He was in a position of trust so that he could protect people in Orange County.

But he abused his power and authority in the worst possible way. No child should ever see what this sheriff’s deputy showed my daughter.”

Ramirez was a defendant in a federal wrongful death lawsuit stemming from the in-custody death of Chong Tok “Richard” Rha in La Mirada in August 2019. A $1.5 million settlement with the man’s family was approved by the Orange County Board of Supervisors in October 2021.

Prosecutors cleared Ramirez and Deputy Laurie Schwartz of any criminal conduct in the arrest of Rha. The two were in a violent struggle with Rha as they tried to take him into custody on July 15, 2019.

An autopsy showed Rha had amphetamine, methamphetamine and marijuana in his system. The cause of death was considered accidental and “consistent with cardiac arrhythmia associated with a physical altercation,” according to a report from the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

The doctor who performed the autopsy “concluded that Rha’s cause of death was acute exacerbation of chronic methamphetamine use, and noted as other conditions the struggle with law enforcement and the use of Taser, as well as eosinophilic pneumonia,” according to prosecutors.

City of Los Angeles launches reusable tableware microgrants

By City News Service

The city of Los Angeles’ Department of Public Worksannounced

Wednesday available microgrants to restaurants and other food services to help them transition from disposable to reusable tableware.

The Los Angeles Sanitation and Environment, under the DPW, has $600,000 in approved funding to purchase reusable tableware such as plates, bowls, cups, utensils, trays, dispensers and linens for eligible food service establishments. For this initial pilot, LASAN will give priority to food establishments located in Clean Up Green Up communities in South LA, Wilmington, Boyle Heights and Pacoima that are disproportionately impacted by the overconcentration of environmental hazards.

“Billions of unused

plastic utensils are tossed away annually, clogging our landfills, polluting our streets and waterways, and adding to the global glut of nonrecyclable plastics,” Los Angeles City Council President Paul Krekorian, who co-authored city’s the ordinance requiring food service establishment to provide plastic utensils only upon request, said in a statement.

“Thismicrogrant program from LASAN will help vulnerable businesses make the necessary transition while we wean ourselves from plastic waste.”

With a priority on Clean Up Green Up community businesses, LASAN aims to provide equitable access to funding for those businesses to reduce pollution and improve their operations.

Restaurants and other businesses in different parts

of the city are welcome to apply and may receive some assistance.

Applications will be accepted through April 2024 or until funds are exhausted. Microgrant applications will reviewed and approved on a rolling basis, according to LASAN.

Businesses can apply onlineathttps://bit. ly/42vaOu3. Restaurant owners or other food service related businesses can contact a program representative by phone at 833-6120623 or by email at LASANReusableFoodwareGrant@ aptim.com.

LASAN has partnered with APTIM, ReThink Disposable and The Bay Foundation to conduct outreach and assessments, purchase reusable products, provide technical assistance and training to food service

establishments, and overall grant management.

“The city of Los Angeles and LASAN are truly investing in their businesses by providing an easy way for restaurants to untether from single-use disposable foodware,” Grace Lee, interim national ReThink Disposable director, said in a statement. “Subsidizing reusable means L.A. has taken substantial direct action to protect the independent restaurants that have put Los Angeles on the map as a global food capital — and as a global community.”

The program launched in mid-April and field teams will visit 613 restaurants identified within priority communities.During these visits, assessors will inform businesses about the program, assess potential eligibility, collect data

through a survey and provide assistance to apply for the program.

Once approved, the program team will assess the applicant’s needs, deter-

mine the type and quantity of reusable tableware needed and also provide training and assistance to implement reusable items into their businesses.

| Image courtesy of DASHBot/Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

| Photo courtesy of JennieCrocus/Pixabay

LA County seeks appeals court order compelling judge to dismiss homelessness suit

By Fred Shuster, City News Service

Los Angeles County filed papers with an appeals court late Thursday to compel a federal judge to sign off on a settlement agreement with a coalition of downtown business owners and residents alleging that local government has not done enough to help remedy the homelessness crisis.

In its March 2020 lawsuit, the LA Alliance for Human Rights alleged that inaction by the city and county of Los Angeles has created a dangerous environment in the Skid Row area and beyond.

The plaintiffs settled with the city last June in an agreement approved by U.S. District Judge David Carter, who is overseeing the case.

In April, Carter — for the second time in five months — rejected the county’s settlement offer, denying the county and the LA Alliance’s joint stipulation to

dismiss the case, saying he needed more “oversight and enforcement powers.”

The county then attempted to stay proceedings while it prepared to appeal Carter’s denial to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, but Carter rejected that effort last week.

At a scheduling conference Tuesday, the judge set a jury trial date for Nov. 6 in Los Angeles federal court.

In its petition to the 9th Circuit, filed late Thursday, the county asked for a stay in proceedings and an order to compel Carter to vacate his April order, enforce the settlement agreement and dismiss the case.

The county argued in the petition that Carter’s “rulings and the court’s conduct are unprecedented. They are also clearly erroneous and exceed the bounds” of the district court’s authority.

“We are filing this appeal because the court’s insistence on dictating the terms and implementation of a private settlement between the county and LA Alliance goes against legal precedent, the rules of civil procedure and the constitutional separation of powers,” Mira Hashmall, an outside attorney for the county in the lawsuit, said in a statement Thursday night.

“All of these make clear that even if the court doesn’t agree with a settlement, it doesn’t have the power to throw out a binding agreement that the parties have negotiated in good faith and force them to continue litigating the case.”

Hashmall said the court’s refusal to dismiss the case “now puts the parties in the unprecedented position of either bowing to its pressure tactics or proceeding with needless litigation that for

all intents and purposes is resolved.”

The attorney said LA County has already pledged to move forward with the settlement, which would add up to an estimated $850 million in additional beds and services to resources already being expended by the county.

“The court’s rulings would only divert substantial resources to litigation that can be better spent towards alleviating the homelessness crisis, which was the entire point of the case,” Hashmall said.

The county has pledged $1.1 billion in additional public funds and resources to address and prevent homelessness during the three years of litigation, according to Hashmall. The revised settlement offer that Carter rejected would have provided an extra 700 new mental health and

Budget proposal

Reentry; medical examinercoroner; and Animal Care and Control.

General Government, which is 11% of the total at $5 billion, includes the assessor, auditor-controller, Board of Supervisors, county counsel, Chief Executive Office, Economic Opportunity, treasurer-tax collector and more.

Recreation and Cultural spending is 0.7% of the total budget, or $1 billion.

The budget also includes cautionary language about possible further major expenditures in the near future,

particularly up to $3 billion in settlements for alleged abuses of youth in county custody in the past. According to county officials, there may be as many as 3,000 such cases.

“Early information estimates that the county’s financial exposure ranges from $1.6 billion to more than $3 billion from more than 3,000 claims alleging childhood sexual assault at various county” facilities, CEO Fesia Davenport wrote to the board when she released her proposed budget

last month.

The spending plan includes investments in mental health services, homelessness programs and establishment of an Office of Constitutional Policing within the sheriff’s department. It also realizes the goal set by voter passage of Measure J in 2020 — mandating that at least 10% of the county’s locally generated “unrestricted revenues” be dedicated to community service programs and alternatives to incarceration.

Davenport said the budget

proposal dedicates $288.3 million to such programs, along with nearly $198 million more that will roll over from the current fiscal year, putting the 2023-24 total at about $486 million.

Specific recommendations for the use of those funds are expected to be presented to the Board of Supervisors this spring, and will be added to the final budget document, according to Davenport. The measures are part of the county’s “Care First and Community Investment” effort to overhaul its

substance use disorder beds, bringing the total number of these types of beds to 1,000.

Both the county and the LA Alliance told Carter at the April 20 hearing that they were satisfied with the terms of the agreement and believed that while it wouldn’t be enough to fix the homelessness crisis, it should be enough to resolve the lawsuit.

But Carter balked at the number of mental health beds that would be created by the agreement and said

greater accountability and court oversight were needed.

Daniel Conway, a spokesman for the LA Alliance, said the terms of a settlement are contingent on the judge’s approval.

“From the beginning of this process, our goal was to have the federal court overseeing the process to make sure the city and county are doing all they can, and we’ve never wavered,” Conway said. “And that’s what we want to see going forward.”

criminal justice system.

The spending proposal includes $6.6 million and the addition of 24 nonsworn positions to establish an Office of Constitutional Policing in the sheriff’s department, to “oversee and monitor consent decrees, deputy gang issues, audit and investigations, compliance, risk management and policy development.”

It also includes nearly $50 million in ongoing funding for improved conditions and mental health services in the jails to meet terms of a settle-

ment with federal prosecutors.

“The recommended budget — the first step in the county’s multi-phase budget process — was developed against a backdrop of growing fiscal uncertainty, including a looming state budget deficit, a significant slowdown in local real estate transactions, and an unsettled economic environment in which recession remains a very real possibility,” Davenport wrote in her budget-transmittal letter to the Board of Supervisors.

HUD praises San Bernardino County team for utilization of housing funds

San Bernardino County housing leaders had an opportunity earlier this month to discuss local funding successes and opportunities as well as showcase affordable housing projects during a visit by a top federal housing official.

Deputy Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Claudia Monterrosa, who oversees HUD’s local affordable housing and grant programs, toured the Inland Empire on May 3 to meet with various HUD grantees and view HUDfunded housing projects.

During the San Bernardino County leg of the visit, staff from the county’s

Community Development and Housing Department (CDH) provided Monterrosa with an update on the County’s Community Program Development grants which include the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), Community Development Block Grants, and the HOME Investment Partnership.

“It was an honor to host the deputy assistant secretary and update her on our many successes in utilizing HUD grants,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Dawn Rowe. “Our housing team briefed her on our efforts to strategically leverage other funding sources and public-private partnerships to provide housing options

By Staff

to San Bernardino County’s homeless and at-risk residents.”

Through the county’s partnership with the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino, ESG-CV (Emergency Solutions Grants – CARES Act) funds were used to supplement Emergency Housing Vouchers via the American Rescue Plan Act to provide funds for security deposits, application fees, and housing navigation services to assist families in finding homes. The partnership helped find permanent homes for more than 360 families that were homeless or at risk of being homeless, or who were victims of domestic violence.

The CDH team is also working with the local HUD field office to reprogram $1.5 million in expired 2017-2020 Federal ESG grant funds. Pandemic-driven housing shortages combined with a tight federal deadline prevented the funds from being exhausted during the initial spending period. These funds can be used to support emergency sheltering, street outreach, housing navigation and rapid rehousing activities.

The county has also achieved success through the leveraging of state funding opportunities. In January, the CDH team achieved the 75 percent expenditure benchmark for the $4.2M in state awarded

ESG-CV funds, leaving just over $700K in funding to be expended by Sept. 30.

In addition to discussing funding opportunities, Monterrosa’s visit gave the county an opportunity to highlight its successful HUD-funding projects, including the awardwinning Bloomington Grove development, which was recognized as the 2022 Transformative Community Development of the Year by the Southern California Association of Nonprofit Housing.

Bloomington Grove is the first multi-use development of its kind in San Bernardino County and the first developed under the county’s Specific Plan. The

13.4-acre development is anchored by a 6,597 squarefoot county-operated public library and includes 218 affordable family apartments, 70 affordable senior apartments, and a new 8,500 square-foot community center adjacent to the new Ayala Park.

The project also includes extensive sewer and water infrastructure improvements, which will pave the way for future development in Bloomington.

“Bloomington Grove is a true public-private-community partnership that has brought affordable housing, high quality community services and much needed infrastructure to a disadvantaged area,” Rowe said.

| Photo by LightFieldStudios/Envato Elements