June 22, 2018 | Vol. XL | No. 26

S IGNAL T RIBU NE Serving Bixby Knolls, California Heights, Los Cerritos, Wrigley and Signal Hill VOL. XL NO. 26

IN THIS ISSUE NEWS

Water from fire hydrant causes sink hole Valve was opened during non-injury traffic incident.

Page 14

Three decades of accident-free driving

Sixteen LB USPS employees log a million miles without accidents.

Your Weekly Community Newspaper

www.signaltribune.com

Community Hospital identifies its new operator

City to begin exclusive negotiations with MWN, but all eyes are on July 3 lease deadline.

Denny Cristales Online Editor

More than a week after the Community Hospital Task Force emphasized the urgency of identifying a new potential operator to replace MemorialCare Health System, the Long Beach City Council agreed and unanimously voted Tuesday to approve City staff recommendations to engage in exclusive negotiations with Molina, Wu, Network, LLC. (MWN) healthcare group.

On Friday, June 15, the City of Long Beach issued a press release announcing its intention to select MWN as its candidate. The search last week was narrowed down to two unannounced candidates, according to John Keisler, City of Long Beach director of economic and property development, at a Community Hospital Task Force meeting June 11. The nomination these last few months primarily consisted of five candidates who submitted non-binding letters of interest.

“This is an exciting first milestone,” Keisler told the Signal Tribune in a phone interview Wednesday evening,

File photo

Jeannine Pearce

Courtesy City of LB

Pictured is a conceptual seismic timeline for Community Hospital that John Keisler, City of Long Beach director of economic and property development, presented Tuesday to the Long Beach City Council and the public. Although the timeline, subject to change, extends until the end of 2021, the statewide seismic deadline is June 30, 2019, and a legislative bill would be required for an extension.

“because what we’ve been able to accomplish in the past few months is to identify a team– which includes a real-estate-development component, an operational component and an adminis-

trative component– that has the experience and has the division to take over the management of an acute-care hospital at the site on a go-forward basis.” see HOSPITAL page 8

Buy it, and they will come Long Beach Post to expand with new owner and several former Press-Telegram staff members.

Cory Bilicko Managing Editor

Page 7

$67-million in student-debt relief Becerra secures loan settlement forgiving 100 percent of Corinthian student debt.

Page 3

June 22, 2018

Weeks after three key employees of the Long Beach Press-Telegram left that publication, the Long Beach Post, an online news outlet in business since 2007, announced Monday that those individuals will be joining its staff, now that the Post is under new ownership and significantly increasing its number of writers.

Amid drastic cutbacks at the Press-Telegram under Southern California News Group– an umbrella organization of local newspapers that includes the long-time daily paper of record for Long Beach– the three staff members resigned with the intention of creating a new digital publication that would serve the Long Beach area.

As reported in the Signal Tribune on May 31, Pacific6, an investment company helmed by Long Beach resident John Molina, would fund the publication.

The three Press-Telegram employ-

Courtesy LB Post

The newly reorganized staff of the Long Beach Post now includes (from left) Melissa Evans, former Press-Telegram city editor who will now serve as managing editor of the Post; Thomas Cordova, visuals editor; Stephanie Rivera, breaking-news and general-assignment reporter; Jeremiah Dobruck, breaking-news editor; publisher David Sommers; columnist Tim Grobaty; culture writer Asia Morris; columnist Brian Addison; and Dennis Dean, director of operations.

ees who quit are: Tim Grobaty, a columnist with the newspaper since 1976; Jeremiah Dobruck, a public-safety and breaking-news reporter; and Melissa Evans, the city editor.

On Monday, the Post published a “letter to readers” in which it an-

• Four Summer Sessions to fit your schedule • Hundreds of classes including online courses • Affordable at $46/unit

nounced its new owner and expansion of staff. Penned by new publisher David Sommers, the letter explained the steps leading up to the recent developments and referred reverently to

REGISTER TODAY!

Summer Session runs June 13 - Aug. 21

see POST page 13

Petition to recall Pearce misses mark by 1,548 signatures ​ ecall effort says victory R came in form of council's censure of Pearce.

Cory Bilicko Managing Editor

Any Long Beach 2nd District residents aiming to oust their c​urrent ​ councilmember will have to wait until the next election, in 2020, now that the City Clerk’s Office announced Wednesday that there were not enough valid signatures on a petition to recall Jeannine Pearce.

Ian Patton, who has led the effort, submitted the paperwork on May 9 to Long Beach City Clerk Monique Delagarza, who confirmed to the Signal Tribune that week that he had turned in 9,462 unverified signatures for the item titled “Petition for the Recall and Removal of Jeannine Pearce, Holding the Office of 2nd District Councilmember in Long Beach, California.”

Patton, wh​o ​is ​p​ rincipal of his own consulting firm– Cal Heights Consultancy– has worked as a political consultant and helped to form the recall effort ​​ last August.

Pablo Rubio, analyst at the city clerk’s office, confirmed by telephone and email Thursday morning that the petition had indeed been found not sufficient. ​“We have concluded verification of signatures on June 20, 2018​,​and found the petition to recall Councilmember Jeannine Pearce to be insufficient​,” Rubio wrote in an email, with a certificate of insufficiency attached.​ The document indicates that, ​ of the 9,050 signatures filed and verified, only 4,815 were deemed sufficient, missing the minimum see PEARCE page 12

www.LBCC.edu LBCC.edu

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Signal Tribune

June 22, 2018

NEWS

June 22, 2018

Signal Tribune

State attorney general announces $67-million debt relief for former Corinthian students

3

DOJ secures loan settlement forgiving 100 percent of Corinthian student debt.

Anita W. Harris Staff Writer

State Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced last week that his office has secured 100-percent debt-relief for former Corinthian College students.

“Corinthian intentionally targeted low-income, vulnerable individuals, folks like me who were first in their family to go to university or college,” Becerra said at a June 14 press conference. “They did these things through deceptive and false advertising.”

He said that while the California Department of Justice (DOJ) has already obtained millions of dollars from Corinthian on behalf of these students, it has now settled with Balboa Student Loan Trust, which holds Corinthian student loans, for an additional $67 million.

Balboa manages loans for nearly 35,000 former Corinthian students in California, with about 15,000 in the Los Angeles area.

“Our investigation found that Balboa engaged in illegal debt-collection practices,” Becerra said. “That included erroneously mailing overdue notices to some of these California student borrowers.”

He said the overdue notices falsely told students they could be subject to litigation if they didn’t pay.

The settlement requires Balboa to immediately halt collections, forgive 100 percent of these students’ debt and refund more than $500,000 in loan payments it received since August 2017. Balboa must further reverse all negative credit reporting on those loans and not report the debt-relief to borrowers as income subject to taxation.

Denny Cristales | Signal Tribune

On June 18 at the Veterans Park Community Center, Jocelin Padilla, community-relations specialist with the Port of Long Beach, shared information with the Wrigley Area Neighborhood Alliance members at its meeting about the port's update to the master plan and cargo-movement volume.

At WANA meeting, residents hear Port of LB update, concern about magnolia trees Courtesy CA Dept. of Justice

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra (center) speaks at a June 14 press conference announcing that his office has secured 100-percent loan-forgiveness for former Corinthian College students.

The settlement document, dated June 13, states that loans must be cancelled within 60 days, including principal, interest and fees.

Becerra said that within the next few weeks, students will receive a letter from Balboa informing them that their loans have been fully forgiven.

“It’s our hope that this will give those students a bit of comfort, some peace of mind, when they get this letter,” he said. “We also hope that it’s a welcome change from getting a collection notice for a degree that they couldn’t use.”

Fraudulent practices A statement from Becerra’s office describes the now-defunct Corinthian as a “predatory, for-profit school” that, among other things, misrepresented

job-placement rates and school programs.

Becerra’s office had filed a lawsuit against the college in 2013, ultimately obtaining a $1.1-billion judgment against it.

The DOJ then opened a formal investigation into Balboa in 2017, after learning that the company may have engaged in debt-collection misconduct with respect to some of its Corinthian loans. That investigation led to last week’s settlement.

The complaint, on behalf of the People of the State of California, describes Corinthian’s “fraudulent” business model as relying on constant enrollment of new students, almost all of whom needed federal financial aid and private loans to pay its high tuition see CORINTHIAN page 15

The event also included a briefing about upcoming community events and businesses.

Denny Cristales Online Editor

The Wrigley Area Neighborhood Alliance (WANA), on Monday, June 18, held its monthly meeting, which featured a Port of Long Beach guest speaker, an update regarding resident concern about magnolia trees dripping sap and the announcement of upcoming community events in the 6th and 7th council districts.

District 6 and 7 updates Lou Baglietto, special advisor with 6th District Councilmember Dee Andrews’s office, announced upcoming events and public discussions for residents who are interested. The events will be as follows: • The Second Street Band performance, featuring the blues, at MacArthur Park,

1321 E. Anaheim St., on Saturday, June 23 from 4pm to 6pm • Neighborhood clean-up event on Saturday, June 30 at 2331 Locust Ave. at 8am • 6th District Day at the Museum of Latin American Art, 628 Alamitos Ave., on Sunday, July 8 from 1pm to 4pm • Night at the Museum at the Long Beach Museum of Art, 2300 E. Ocean Blvd., on Thursday, July 12 at 6pm • The Kool Kats performance, featuring jazz, at Veterans Park, 101 E. 28th St., on Saturday, July 21 from 4pm to 6pm • Public discussion on short-term rentals, such as Airbnbs, on Saturday, July 21 from 10am to noon at an unspecified location • A screening of A Wrinkle in Time at Veterans Park, with free popcorn, on Friday, Aug. 20 from 7:30pm to 9pm • Neighborhood clean-up event at Veterans Park on Wednesday, Aug. 25 at 8am • 6th District Night at the Aquarium on see WANA page 5

“

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OPINION

Signal Tribune

June 22, 2018

Thoughts

from

Publisher

the

By Neena Strichart

Fourth of July used to be one of my favorite holidays. Back in the ‘60s we would get together with neighbors on Independence Day and enjoy a day of eating hot dogs, corn on the cob, watermelon, potato salad and various items grilled on barbeques by the neighborhood dads.

In those days, outdoor games were popular too. Water-balloon fights were a must, as were foot races, croquet, bocce ball and badminton.

When evening came around, boxes and bags of “safe and sane” fireworks seemed to magically appear. Our folks had no doubt bought them at local stands earlier in the week and hid them from us so we would be surprised.

We kids would line up, waiting for our lit sticks of sparklers to wave around.

Soon after the sparklers were all burned out, the kids and moms would sit in lawn chairs or on the grass to watch the local dads set off our own private fireworks show.

Things are different now, and I dread the couple of weeks before, after and during our nation’s most celebrated holiday. What used to be a one-day neighborhood gathering has turned into a free-for-all illegal extravaganza of terribly loud and startling noises that are, for me, difficult to distinguish from gunfire. For those couple of weeks, not only am I in a constant state of anxiety, I am disturbed by the utter terror that all of this noise causes for our dogs.

We don’t dare leave the house to celebrate the occasion with friends or to watch local municipal fireworks displays. Instead, we feel that we have to stay home and do our best to keep our dogs calm.

As I was thinking about writing this column, I saw a posting on Facebook that explains how another local person feels about all the noise that disturbs our neighborhoods at this time of year. I reached out to the author of that post, Steffen Cook, and he agreed to let me use his words in this column. See below for his thoughts on the matter: An appeal to the consciences of those with the fireworks.

At this time of year, as well as New Year’s Eve, one solitary firework equals at least an hour of my dogs cowering, barking and going frantic. My carpets are torn to ribbons due to them being so scared. It’s an outlet for their fear and I can only hold one of my dogs under a blanket at a time.

In my house, my wife and I get no evening time for weeks and weeks, as the first set of fireworks normally go off at 7pm. So, for three to four hours, every night, we cannot make plans or do anything. Each night is spent trying to hold our dogs close, comforting them, shushing them and cradling them until the fireworks stop.

Once the firework “season” ends, I then get to pay for another new carpet.

Due to the fireworks, the medication that I buy (but loathe giving my dogs), the missed work, the damaged carpets and furniture, the Thundershirts, well, it all costs me and terrifies them. Trust me, there is no avenue of calming them I haven’t explored.

I appeal to your consciences. Please consider going to organized shows and displays. Your brief seconds of fun is hours of misery for others and costs a fortune for those that have to deal with it.

I won’t bang the “it’s illegal” drum. We are all well aware of the rules and laws in Long Beach. I know you all know that some military veterans don’t like it either. I have one friend who hides in his bathroom with a duvet over him when he hears it. His PTSD is severe. I know that, deep down, you don't want to exacerbate this for our brave servicemen.

This is just an appeal to the goodness in your hearts. Please leave the fireworks alone. You are inadvertently causing misery to thousands of people.

Please. Please reconsider.

Thanks in advance.

–Steffen Cook

​Separation anxiety​

“What’s the buzz? Tell me what’s a-happening​.”

Now that we are diving into summer,​I wanted to give you a brief update on news around the district.

I hope you made it out to our first Concert in the Park(ing Lot) t​his week. If you missed it, please join us next month for the Afro-funk sounds of Ethio Cali. The concert is set for Monday, July 23, 6:30pm in the parking lot by Bixby Joe coffee house, 4245 Atlantic Ave. We dare you to sit still during the show.

We currently have an exciting art project happening in the area. Artist Ten Hundred is in town from Seattle working on a mural on the wall across from Steelcraft. Just like Tom Bob from New York, we like to challenge ourselves by reaching out and bringing these nationally ​​known artists to Bixby Knolls to leave behind great art pieces in the district. There will also be new murals at Laserfiche and Hotel Salina in the next few months.

We launched our first Summer Saturdays earlier this month. This is our new event and first of three for the summer. Just a few highlights​ were the b​ eer trolley, a​ ​cheese class,​ a ​beer-making class, pop-ups at Steelcraft, Willmore’s ​blues ​brunch and the art and music at Liberation Brewing Co. Also, Deep Blue Swim School had 98 kids all swimming with a mermaid! It was both fun and a bit overwhelming.

For the July 14 Summer Saturdays event, part of our theme is a ​“classic​ car ​crawl,” which is​tied to the Historical Society’s new exhibit Chrome. In the morning we will have classic cars parked in different lots around the district, including George’s 50s Diner, Georgie’s Place, Bixby Joe, and The Merchant. The afternoon will be filled with a ton of fun activities all over.

And remember, First Fridays is ​not​ cancelled. The businesses are organizing the activities for the event during the summer. The BKBIA will have its Summer Saturdays and reevaluate First Fridays after Labor Day. Most likely​,​ we will hit the “restart” button and slowly begin the programming again.

Smart & Final is being built in the former OSH space. Smart & Final will

use half the building​,​and the landlord is building out for new retail and restaurant spaces.

We are also addressing other issues with the shopping center with the landlord and will increase a security presence from CSI Security Patrol.

So, what else is n​​ew? Hiro Nori Craft Ramen (Carson and Atlantic) is now open and has received rave reviews.​Ramen Hub (Atlantic and Roosevelt) is also open in a soft​-​opening mode. O Paloma Mexican Restaurant is now open at 4262 Atlantic. This is George Mitri from Baba Ghanouj’s second restaurant​,​and ​he will soon have his beer and wine license.

Bixby Joe is now open (formerly DRNK). DRNK corporate office sold the coffee house to local folks who really want to ​give it a “neighborhood” coffee​-​shop feel. We have been there a number of times already and enjoy their drinks and pastries. They will continue to make additions and improvements over the next few weeks​.​ George’s 50s Diner is finally open!

They are also in a soft​-​opening mode until their grand opening on June 23.

A new specialty shoe store opened at 3932 Atlantic called L562B and will feature Adidas, Jordan, Supreme and their own brand of shoes and clothing.

I also want to make sure you know that Weiland is now Knolls Restaurant. Same (new) owner who also has a second location in Laguna Beach, a slightly updated menu and friendly atmosphere.

And did you know that the new owners for Georgie’s Place live in the neighborhood? Dr. Doug Brooks has his practice on Long Beach Boulevard and bought the restaurant a few months ago. Georgie’s remains our location for our monthly Kidical Mass bike ride.

The former Nino’s r​ estaurant ​property is under construction. A second structure will be built​,​and the parking will be in the rear of the building.

The work will continue for a number of weeks and need​s​to be nearly complete before the landlord will actively seek tenants other than his wife’s compounding pharmacy business for the corner location.

The Merchant recently celebrated its first year in operation. It was a very

successful first year,​ and Andrea and Mike will continue to build it up as one of the most popular spots around.

Safety for the area is always our top priority. The BKBIA works with property and business owners to install security lights all around the district to light up any significant dark spots. It’s good for the business and good for the district as a whole. And don’t forget that CSI Security Patrol is out there both day and night for us.

Here’s a million​ -dollar question: The new landlord for ​the ​former Baja Sonora space has now signed a lease with a tenant. Can you guess what it will be?

Tenants are still being sought for the former Hof’s Hut space.

The Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association is launching its newest monthly program​,​the Knights of the Round (Turn)Table.

The first meeting will be Thursday, June 28 ​ at ​ 6:30pm in the Linden Lounge of the Long Beach Petroleum Club, ​3636 Linden Ave. The classic album Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys will launch the new group. Similar to the BKBIA’s monthly Literary Society format​,​the Knights will focus on music appreciation and discuss the greatest albums of all time (in all genres). If we see any of our programs wane in attendance​,​we ​will ​then try to invent something new and interesting to engage the community. We are taking a short break from our Supper Club and replacing it with this new group. This concept has been on the wish list for a long time,​and it’s now time to launch it. It’s another fun way to connect the community to the business district under the guise of a social component.

By July we hope to have our new BKBIA Business Directory printed and delivered to 12,000 homes in the area. We felt it was time to do this again since we have new residents and many new businesses.

We encourage you (and beg you) to sign up for our emails so we can give you all the latest news. Or​you can like us on Facebook and ​follow us on ​Instagram. Our website is easy to remember: bixbyknollsinfo.com As always, I’ll be looking for you all out in the neighborhood. ✦

LETTERS, EMAILS, WEBSITE COMMENTS AND STATEMENTS

The President [Wednesday] ​​claimed to reverse course on an inhumane and un-American family-separation policy of his own creation, yet the true impact on refugee and asylum-seeking families remains unclear. The executive order signed [Wednesday] ​​does nothing to address the unjust detention of refugees and asylum-seeking families who came to America fleeing violence, the threat of murder and kidnapping back home. Instead, it allows for indefinite detention and fails to promptly reunite families already separated. Many more questions remain about the conditions and treatment of refugees and asylum seekers in the custody of the United States of America.

It is reprehensible that the President only changed his policy of forcibly separating children

and toddlers from the arms of their parents after mounting bipartisan backlash. This is clearly one of the most shameful moments in an already shameful administration. Like many Americans, I remain fearful that the worst is yet to come. All Americans who care about human rights and decency must remain vigilant and continue to hold this administration accountable.

Alex Padilla Secretary of State California​

S IGNA L T R I BU N E

PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Neena R. Strichart

ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS

Barbie Ellisen Katherine Green Sharon McLucas

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Stephen M. Strichart

STAFF WRITERS

CJ Dablo Anita W. Harris

MANAGING EDITOR

Cory Bilicko

CULTURE WRITERS

Adam Buchsbaum Ava Homa Rachael Rifkin

ONLINE EDITOR

Denny Cristales

EDITORIAL INTERN

Izzie Hallock

DESIGN EDITOR

Sebastian Echeverry

COLUMNISTS

Claudine Burnett Blair Cohn

The Signal Tribune welcomes letters to the editor, which should be signed, dated and include a phone number to verify authenticity. Letters are due by noon on the Wednesday before desired publication date. The Signal Tribune reserves the right to edit l­etters for grammar, language and space requirements. Letters must be 500 words or fewer. The Signal Tribune will publish no more than one “pro” letter and one “con” letter on a particular topic in a single issue. The Signal ­Tribune does not print letters that refer substantially to articles in other publications and might not print those that have recently been printed in other ­publications or otherwise presented in a public forum. Letters to the editor and commentaries are the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Signal Tribune or its staff. Although the editorial staff will attempt to verify and/or correct i­nformation when possible, letters to the editor and commentaries are opinions, and readers should not assume that they are statements of fact. Letter-writers will be identified by their professional titles or affiliations when, and only when, the editorial staff deems it relevant and/or to provide context to the letter. We do not run letters to the editor submitted by individuals who have declared their candidacies for public office in upcoming races. This policy was put in place because, to be fair, if we publish one, we would have to publish all letters submitted by all candidates. The volume would no doubt eliminate space for letters submitted by other readers. Instead, we agree to interview candidates and print stories about political races in an objective manner and offer very reasonable advertising rates for those candidates who wish to purchase ads. The Signal Tribune is published each Friday with a circulation of 30,000. Yearly subscriptions are available for $50.

1399 E. 28th St., Signal Hill, CA 90755 (562) 595-7900 www.signaltribune.com newspaper@signaltribune.com

June 22, 2018

S T COMMUNITY AROUND TOWN ignal

Elderly pedestrian killed while crossing street against red light An elderly pedestrian is dead after being struck by a vehicle near the intersection of Wardlow Road and Magnolia Avenue, according to the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD).

On Monday, June 18, at approximately 8:50pm, officers were dispatched to the area regarding a vehicle-versus-pedestrian injury-traffic collision.

Upon arrival, officers located an elderly female lying in the westbound lanes of Wardlow Road west of Magnolia Avenue with major trauma. The Long Beach Fire Department responded and transported her to a local hospital in critical condition. A few hours later, she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a 19-year-old male resident of Compton was driving a 2001

Toyota Camry westbound on Wardlow Road in the No. 2 lane, east of Magnolia Avenue. He entered the intersection on a green light, per witnesses, and, upon crossing the west crosswalk, collided with an elderly female pedestrian who was crossing in the west crosswalk, against a red light.

Although, the driver initially left the scene, he did return and fully cooperated with the investigation, according to police.

The pedestrian had no form of identification on her and appeared to be in her 70s.

Those who may have witnessed this incident are asked to call Detective Sirilo Garcia of the Long Beach Police Department’s Collision Investigation Detail at (562) 570-7355.

Source: LBPD

EDCO to observe 4th of July holiday​ In observance of the Fourth of July holiday on Wednesday, July 4, EDCO will not perform residential collection services. As a result, only customers whose regular collection day is on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday will experience a one-day delay in service in Rancho Palos Verdes and Signal Hill. This includes Signal Hill Waste & Recycling Services.

$1

Waste and recycling collection services for commercial businesses will be unaffected by the holiday and will be provided on the regularly scheduled service day. EDCO’s customer service office and public disposal site will also remain open on Wednesday, July 4.

Source: EDCO​

TACO TUESDAYS

Ground Beef or Shredded Beef (Dine in Only)

$2 Domestic Pints

T ry O ur H Ouse s pecials !

Lona’s Albondigas • Fajitas Supreme • Wings Border Burger • Nachos • Pork Sliders

16 BEERS

Karaoke

ON TAP! Wed–Sat 8 p.m.

Mexican & American-Style Food

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner served 6am-9pm 1174 Wardlow Rd., LB (West of Orange Ave.) 562-427-4630 us on Facebook!

Weekends til July 7

by John Cariani 562-494-1014 lbplayhouse.org 5021 E. Anaheim St

SEW WHAT? What Meeting Who Hosted by The Long Beach Chapter of the Embroiderers of America, Inc. When Friday, June 22 at 11am Where Long Beach City College, 1305 E. PCH More Info Designer Joni Stevenson will teach “The Wave.” Email Christa Barry at barrychen99@gmail.com.

TECH TALK What Lecture Who Hosted by Long Beach Medical Center When Friday, June 22 at noon Where Houssels Forum, 2801 Atlantic Ave. More Info Chief Corporate Strategist for Laserfiche Thomas Phelps will discuss technology tips followed by a screening of Jumanji. Lunch will be provided. Email Josh Robinson at jrobinsonIII@memorialcare.org.

RUN FOR YOUR LIFE What 5K and 10K run Who Hosted by United States Vets Long Beach When Saturday, June 23 at 8am Where Granada Beach, 5000 E. Ocean Blvd.

More Info The run costs $25 per participant. Call (562) 257-0496.

ribune

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SPOKES-PEOPLE What Neighborhood bike ride Who Hosted by the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association (BKBIA) When Sunday, June 24 at 1pm Where Georgie’s Place, 3850 Atlantic Ave. More Info The theme of the ride is Father’s Day, and riders are advised to wear neckties. Ice cream will be provided. Email info@bixbyknollsinfo.com.

DRIVEN TO SAFETY What AARP Smart Driver Course Who Hosted by Long Beach Medical Center When Monday, June 25 from 9am to 1pm and Wednesday, June 27 from 9am to 1pm Where 2801 Atlantic Ave. More Info Guests over the age of 55 have the chance to learn defensive driving techniques. The session costs $15 for AARP members and $20 for non members. To register, call (562) 933-1650.

INTO THE GROOVES What Inauguram meet-up of Knights of the Round (Turn)Table Who Hosted by the BKBIA When Thursday, June 28 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm Where The Linden Lounge at The Long Beach PetroHEALTH AND HOUSING leum Club, 3636 Linden Ave. What Health and housing resource fair More Info The new event mirrors the Literary Society Who Hosted by the City of Long Beach Department of book club. Each month, the group will listen to a historHealth and Human Services ically significant album. The first selection is Pet Sounds When Saturday, June 23 from 10am to 1pm by the Beach Boys. Producer and composer Chris Schlarb Where MacArthur Park, 1321 E. Anaheim St. will lead the discussion. Email info@bixbyknollsinfo.

More Info Free health screenings, community resources, com. educational activities and healthy snacks will be available for attendees. Call Judeth Luong at (562) 570-4104.

BIRD WATCHERS What Wetlands walk FUN, SAFE AND HEALTHY Who Hosted by Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust What Family Fun Day: A Community Health and Out- When Saturday, July 7 from 8am to 10am reach Event Where Park on the inland side of the intersection at PCH Who Hosted by WomenShelter Long Beach and First Street When Saturday, June 23 from 10:30am to 1:30pm More Info Walkers will observe red-tailed hawks, cooWhere 3000 Long Beach Blvd. per’s hawks and ospreys. Ecologists will discuss how the More Info Free health screenings, fire-safety training, nu- Tongva Native Americans found resources on the wettrition tips and voter registration will be available. Email lands. Email elizabeth@lcwlandtrust.org.

Tatiana S. Dorman at tdorman@womenshelterlb.org.

DIRTY FUN EGGS WITH THE ELKS What Mud Mania: A Celebration of Adobe What Monthly breakfast Who Hosted by Rancho Los Cerritos Who Hosted by Elks Lodge #888 When Sunday, July 8 from 12:30pm to 4:30pm When Sunday, June 24 from 8am to 11:30am Where 4600 Virginia Rd. Where 16426 Bellflower Blvd.

More Info Guests will have the opportunity to make real More Info The cost is $7 per person and includes eggs to adobe bricks, plaster the horno, construct a mini-adobe order, full breakfast buffet, waffles with toppings, coffee, home and compete in mud-relay races. The event costs $7 orange juice and drink specials at the bar. for adults and $5 for children 12 years or younger. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Visit rancholoscerritos.org/upcoming-event/mud-mania-2018/ to RSVP.

WANA

continued from page 3

Thursday, Sept. 6 Baglietto said work on the Willow Street Pedestrian Project, sidewalk renovations that will span several blocks in both directions of Long Beach Boulevard, will begin in July and continue until January. He said to expect some traffic delays during the six-month time frame along Long Beach Boulevard.

There also new businesses in development.

LINC Housing will be on the 1900 block of Long Beach Boulevard, and Vistas Del Puerto will be on the 1800 block of Locust Avenue. Across the street from LINC Housing will also be Mental Health America. A senior-living facility is also in development at the 2400 block of Long Beach Boulevard.

Other businesses include Jamba Juice, which is already open at the Wrigley Market Place, where new tenants Wingstop and Waba Grill will soon arrive, Baglietto said.

Shane Mckeithen, field deputy with Councilmember Roberto Uranga’s office, provided 7th-district updates about public works and parks.

Stump removals are set to happen early next month on the 2500 block of Daisy Avenue and the 1800 block of Main Avenue. To increase public safety at the intersection of 21st Street and Orange Avenue, the City of Long Beach’s Public Works Department will be converting it from a two-way stop to a four-way stop.

Residents citywide have also recently complained about magnolia trees dripping dark-red sap on their driveways, according to Mckeithen.

He said City arborists inspected the trees and confirmed they are dripping as a result of a pest infection known as the magnolia and tuliptree scale, which literally feed on the tree, potentially killing it.

Mckeithen said a specialized insecticide is currently being applied to a select number of trees and their roots in the neighborhood with cooperation from the owners of the home who are located in front of them. City arborists are also asking residents to water the magnolia trees to help them recover from the disease.

“We currently have test-group trees,” Mckeithen said.

“The finalized results of testing efforts should be completed within the next 45 days. It is about 20 trees they are doing

the test on. They wanted to make sure that, if these trees are successful, we’re going to be continuing to implement the testing on another larger amount of the trees and then continue throughout the city to ensure that the tuliptree scale is removed.”

He said residents should call the City of Long Beach offices to report magnolia-tree issues.

The recently re-elected Councilmember Uranga also gave some remarks to the WANA attendees that Monday evening.

“It’s always a pleasure to know that you’re engaged and concerned about your neighborhoods,” he said, “and you’re always here because you have the opportunity to not only share what is happening in your community, but it’s also an opportunity for us to listen.”

Port of Long Beach briefing Jocelin Padilla, community-relations specialist with the Port of Long Beach, presented a brief overview of the port’s 2017 numbers and projected growth in the next half of this year.

In 2017, the Port of Long Beach moved 7.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of cargo and generated $180 billion in trade, Padilla said. Currently, the Port of Long Beach employs roughly 316,000 people in Southern California, 30,000 of which are in Long Beach.

“We’ve just had the highest year we’ve ever had in our history,” she said. “[...] We just recorded our busiest May in history, as well. We’re going to continue breaking those records, because the economy is booming, and you’re seeing this happen at all ports. Whatever is happening at the ports is really the pulse of what’s happening in the economy. We are projected to do quite a bit more.”

In a graph showing the world’s busiest container ports, Shanghai, Singapore and Shenzhen all currently top the list of total TEUs moved last year, which was roughly over 20 million TEUs each. Long Beach is currently 22nd on the list at the aforementioned 7.5 million TEUs, four spots behind Los Angeles, which processes about 1 million more containers in comparison.

In the United States, the top-five busiest ports, in order, are Los Angeles, Long Beach, New York/New Jersey, Savannah see WANA page 14

6

Signal Tribune

Third male juvenile arrested for large and small fires in Belmont Shore, Naples The Long Beach Fire ​Department (LBFD) and ​the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives​ (ATF​)​ Arson Unit Task Force ​have made a ​third arrest r​ elating to ​multiple ​fires ​recently in ​the Belmont Shore and Naples area​ s​of Long Beach. “​ Over the last few weeks, the​ [LBFD] Fire Investigations Team

and the ​ [ATF]​Arson Unit Task Force have been working diligently following up with various leads relating to a string of fires in the Belmont Shore and Naples area of Long Beach, California​,” the press release states.​ On Saturday, June 16, two arrests see FIRE page 7

All bullet-button assault weapons must be registered by June 30 The California Department of Justice on Monday issued a reminder that all bullet-button assault weapons must be registered by 11:59:59pm on June 30. Any applications submitted after the due date will not be accepted (per Penal Code section 30900(b)(1) and California Code of Regulations, title 11, division 5, chapter 39, section 5469).

Pursuant to Assembly Bill 1135 and Senate Bill 880, effective Jan. 1, 2017, any person who, from Jan. 1, 2001, to Dec. 31, 2016, lawfully possessed an assault weapon that does not have a fixed magazine, including those weapons with an ammunition feeding device that can be readily removed from the firearm with the use of a tool, shall register their firearms with the California Department of Justice.

Assembly Bill 1135 and Senate Bill 880 also define the meaning of “fixed magazine” to mean an ammunition-feeding device contained in, or permanently attached to, a firearm in such a manner that the device cannot be removed without disassembly of the firearm action.

People can register through the California Firearms Application Reporting System (CFARS) at cfars. doj.ca.gov. The registration fee is $15 per person.

To submit an application, one will need: • Proof of residency, if submitting a joint registration • Military permanent-duty station orders indicating assignment within California, if using a military ID to register (active-duty military spouse ID is not acceptable) • At least four photos of the firearm to be registered • Close-up of the bullet-button style magazine on the firearm.

• Stock to barrel (with the firearm lying horizontally on a flat surface) • Left side of the receiver/frame • Right side of the receiver/frame.

A CFARS Assault Weapon Registration Public User Guide is available at oag.ca.gov for information on how to submit an assault weapon registration electronically.

Source: CA Dept. of Justice

Becerra joins 20 other attorneys general in demanding end to ‘zero-tolerance’ immigration policy California Attorney General Xavier Becerra on Tuesday joined New Mexico Attorney General Hector H. Balderas and 19 attorneys general in demanding the U.S. Department of Justice immediately end its new “zero tolerance” immigration policy that separates children from their parents.

In their letter, the attorneys general explain how these compulsory separations create serious concerns regarding the violation of children’s rights, constitutional principles of due process and equal protection.

“As a father, it is unthinkable that our government would forcibly and unnecessarily pull children away from their parents,” Becerra said.

“This policy, devised by the Trump Administration, is wrong, inhumane and traumatic for thousands of children. It is horrifying that an American president would direct this cruel ‘zero tolerance’ policy that contradicts our American values. This is a new low for President Trump. We must do everything in our power to uphold America’s values and the rights of children not to be forcibly separated from their parents.”

On April 6, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the new policy, which called for the criminal pros-

ecution of every individual who enters the United States without inspection or authorization. This has been compounded by subsequent policies making asylum protection unavailable to victims of domestic and gang violence, even to those who properly request asylum at U.S. ports of entry.

According to this policy, adults who enter the United States may be taken to federal prisons as opposed to immigrant detention centers while their children become “unaccompanied minors” who are placed into the care of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement. Adults seeking asylum are sometimes not informed of the whereabouts of their children.

Joining Balderas and Becerra in sending the letter are the attorneys general of: Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.

Source: Becerra’s office

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NEWS

June 22, 2018

Rancho Los Cerritos reveals​design plans for three new exhibits ​R​emodel will ​provide more space throughout the ​ premises.

Izzie Hallock Editorial Intern

To most, the unveiling of the new restoration plans at the Ranchos Los Cerritos on Thursday, June 14 was just as it seemed, but for resident Jodi Miller Whitaker, the day was personal.

Whitaker explained in an interview with the Signal Tribune that her grandparents, Manuel Lieras and Concepcion Coronado, lived on the rancho together in 1921 after getting married and having their wedding reception in the adobe’s living room.

“The Coronados lived on one side of the adobe ​,​and the Lieras lived on the other side,” she said. “My grandmother was about almost 10 years younger than my grandpa, so he courted her. She was here. He chased after her a little bit, and she finally got permission to marry him, but this is where it all started.”

From the 1840s to 1866, the adobe was an open cattle ranch. However, in 1866, the Jotham Bixby Company bought the land and updated the adobe rooms a bit. Whitaker’s grandparents lived on the rancho just before the historic remodel, which took place in the 1930s.

Bixby descendant Llewellyn Bixby II purchased the land from the company for one dollar and began remodeling the adobe to fit the current 1930s style.

The newest renovation plans include the addition of three new exhibit rooms, and ​,​according to a​ rancho press release, the purpose of the restoration is “to illustrate what the ​r ancho looked like in the early 1930s after Llewellyn Bixby II and his wife Avis purchased and restored the historic home.”

The rooms include the bedroom of Llewellyn Bixby II’s son, a living room and sleeping patio. ​ A f ew bathrooms and closets will be remodeled to fit the 1930s style as

Photos by David Moore

During a special event June 14, Rancho Los Cerritos unveiled its plans for an upcoming restoration ​that will include the addition of three new exhibit rooms.

well.

Rancho Los Cerritos Executive Director Alison Bruesehoff discussed how beneficial the restoration will be.

“The first big change brings me to archives,” Bruesehoff said. “As you can tell from the archives, the adobe is currently acting as a storage space.

Administration offices are also taking up the closed north wing of the home. Currently, the adobe is only 36 ​-​percent open to the public. Over the next three years, we will nearly double public access by opening up and renovating the rooms you saw this morning.” ​A new ​c aretaker’s c​ ottage was also constructed, in addition to the three exhibit rooms, to open up more space in the rancho by r​elocating administrative offices to the cottage and temporarily moving archives to the closed north wing.

“Only when this space is cleared out will we be able to see what it can become,” Bruesehoff said. “And that’s when the renovation works begins.”

Eighth District Councilmember Al Austin attended the unveiling and thanked those who voted for Measure A in 2016.

Measure A, Austin explained, is a sales tax to help fund public infrastructure.

“I worked with my colleagues to earmark one million dollars for the first two years of Measure A for capital improvements right here in Rancho Los Cerritos,” he said.

Austin stated that the funding will go towards upgrading the historic adobe and parking lot. see RANCHO page 13

Kim Bewowski, a volunteer with Rancho Los Cerritos’s Living History program, provides information about an upcoming restoration to guests during a special event at the rancho​ on June 14.

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COMMUNITY

June 22, 2018

Police seeking help locating suspects who stole French bulldog from residence The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) is seeking the public’s help in locating burglary suspects who took a dog from its owners’ premises.

On Sunday, June 17, at approximately 10:45am, officers responded to a residence in the 2500 block of Quincy Avenue regarding a burglary and theft of a French Bulldog.

When officers arrived, they learned the residents were in their home when they heard a noise coming from another room. When one of the residents went to investigate, he saw an unknown male subject standing in the living room. When the suspect and resident saw one another, they ran off in different directions. The suspect then fled the home and left in a vehicle.

It was at that time the residents realized their French bulldog Archie was missing, along with miscellaneous tools. It was determined the suspect had entered the home through an open door.

Through the investigation, officers located video footage that displayed a vehicle, described as a dark gray Nissan Versa, with license-plate number 71CP493, pulling up to the home and a male subject getting out of the front passenger door. A second suspect can be seen driving the vehicle, along with a third suspect who was a passenger in the backseat. The suspect who entered

the home is described as a male Hispanic with a shaved head and facial hair, 5’8” to 5’11” tall, 170 to 180 pounds, wearing black sunglasses, a black hooded long-sleeve sweatshirt, dark jeans and gray tennis shoes.

A video of the incident is available at youtube.com/ watch?v=rGK5_lkyrbk.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Those who may have information regarding the incident or Archie’s whereabouts are asked to contact burglary detective Daniel Martinez at (562) 570-7392. Anonymous tips may be submitted through “LA Crime Stoppers” by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the “P3 Tips” app to your smart phone or visiting lacrimestoppers.org.

7

Long Beach letter carriers recognized for three decades of accident-free driving Sixteen USPS employees in LB log a million miles without accidents.

Izzie Hallock Editorial Intern

Photos courtesy LBPD

Archie, a French bulldog, was stolen from a local residence Sunday morning, and police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating him and the suspects who took him.

Source: LBPD

Police have released this photo of the vehicle driven by suspects who stole a dog from its residence Sunday morning.

Fire

continued from page 6

were made in connection to the fires, including a fire that occurred at Naples Elementary School in which damage was sustained to an exterior classroom. Two suspects were arrested and taken into custody. The arrested suspects include a 14-year-old male ​juvenile from ​east Long Beach and a 14-year-old male ​juvenile from Naples Island. Both suspects were booked into Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall.

On Tuesday, June 19, an additional arrest was made in connection to ​the fires. The third suspect is another​ 14-year-old male ​juvenile from Naples Island. He was​ also ​booked into Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. As additional warrants were served, the information collected linked all three suspects to fires that included the June 12​ third-alarm fire at Dogz Bar and Grill​,​where a firefighter sustained second​-​degree burns to both hands.

The five fires that the three suspects were charged

Signal Tribune

with include:​ three trash fires with one fire that damaged a fence, one palm tree fire, and the fire at Dogz Bar and Grill​,​where conservative damage estimates are at $160,000, according to the LBFD. The investigation into the connection to the sixth fire that occurred at Naples Elementary School is ongoing.

Regarding cause, all six of ​the fires are listed as incendiary and were deliberately set between June 12 and June 16​, according to LBFD officials​.

This investigation​, which includes making connections​​between each of t​he fires,​is ongoing. ​Those with information about any of the fires occurring in or around the Belmont Shore and Naples area of Long Beach are asked to contact Long Beach Fire i​ nvestigators at (562) 570-2582.

S​ource: LBFD​

Long Beach l​etter carriers Manuel Luna and Shari Hall h​ ave one​ accomplishment in common– the two have logged in a million accident-free miles over the past three decades.

“Now imagine,” according to​a USPS press release, “the equivalent of driving 40 times around the globe each without ever leaving the city limits, and imagine doing it safely, under hazardous road conditions, gridlock, rural terrain, and with a vigilant eye on inattentive drivers.”

Luna and Hall, along with 14​ other letter carriers representing the United States Postal Service (USPS), were ​recently ​ recognized for accident-free driving. Nin​ e ​ employees from the Spring Carrier Annex​and seven from the North Carrier Annex​were honored​. The Spring drivers cover neighborhoods from Lakewood to Cal State Long Beach, and North drivers cover neighborhoods close to Los Angeles and Compton.

In a phone interview with the Signal Tribune, Luna discussed his background and how it led to becoming a letter carrier for the Spring Carrier Annex.

“I have been carrying mail for 35 years,” he said. “Before I was hired at the post office, I was military​. So, I was in the military for four years straight out of high school. I just applied to the post office, because when I was out of the military, I had a lot of people telling me that I should try and apply at the post office, because they hire veterans. So, that is what I did, and here I am.”

Luna explained t​hat he is an active member on a safety committee for the USPS. “[The ​p​ost ​o​ffice] taught me how to stay alive,” he said. “Just to be aware of your surroundings, and safety is No. 1 in the ​post ​o​ffice. We really stress safety.”

Hall, on the other hand, applied to become a mail carrier at the North Carrier Annex, along with her sister Roxann Gonzalez, when she was 19 years old.

“We have been working together for​,​ like​,​ 32 years,” she ​added, laughing.

Courtesy USPS

Manuel Luna is among 16 United States Postal Service letter carriers in Long Beach who were recently recognized for having three decades of accident-free driving.

Out of those 32 years, Hall explained​,​she has become more patient and aware of her surroundings while she is on the job.

Both Luna and Hall stressed how appreciative they are that the postal service taught defensive driving.

“Before we actually got hired,” Hall explained, “you go through a training process. Part of the training is driver’s training, and one of the things that they taught us was to drive defensively. So, I always try to drive defensively– always looking ahead. Whenever you come to a stop, if there is somebody else at the stop, always let them go first. Never be aggressive, just kind of always be on the defense.”

As for safe-driving tips, Luna see USPS page 8

8

Signal Tribune

USPS

COMMUNITY

June 22, 2018 Visit signaltribune.com for all the latest news!

continued from page 7

explained how drivers should take their time and be courteous, while Hall recommended “looking ahead” to prevent an accident.

Luna added that the 16 letter carriers are exceptions since accidents on the job are common.

“You know,” he said, “it happens everyday.

Unfortunately, yes​ , speaking nationwide, and even here in Long Beach, we have accidents almost every day.”

Even though Luna did not expect an award, he explained his gratitude and optimism for the future of the post office. “[The award] means a lot to me, because it just shows that sometimes we just do our job and we come to work and we take our job for granted,” he

said. “It shows that they appreciate me​[...] and a​lso my coworkers that received the same award that were appreciated. Hopefully, by us doing that, it leads other carriers or postal employees to be a lot better drivers– to be safe.” ✦

Courtesy USPS

Shari Hall ​is among 16 ​USPS letter carriers in Long Beach who were recently recognized for having three decades of accident-free driving.

Hospital

continued from page 1

If the search for a new operator was the marathon, the next few weeks are the full-on sprint, because the race is on to begin negotiations with MWN and ensure a smooth transition– the handing of the “warm baton,” as MemorialCare CEO John Bishop has put it– into Community Hospital, all this while facing a lease deadline of July 3. On June 25 at 6am, Community’s emergency room is also slated to close.

During his presentation to the city council and the public Tuesday, Keisler provided three recommendations that now serve as the outline for the negotiating period between City staff and MWN. These steps require the city manager, or designee, to gather all documents necessary to begin the exclusive negotiating agreement with MWN for the lease and potential development of the property. The manager would also gather documents to “accept the assignment, management and revenue collection for existing leases between MemorialCare and tenants,” per Keisler’s presentation.

Lastly, the City Manager would make a formal request to MemorialCare to establish a transition plan to: avoid or limit the closure of the emergency room before the statewide seismic deadline on June 30, 2019; suspend the license for hospital beds or transfer the rights of hospital operations via a management agreement to MWN; and work with local hospitals and partners to limit the negative impacts that were listed in the Los Angeles County Emer-

gency Medical Services (EMS) Impact Evaluation Report, which was submitted earlier this year.

The negotiating period is 180 days, with up to two periods of a 90-days extension, per Keisler’s presentation. Keisler said city-council approval of the negotiated terms and conditions would then be required at a future date.

In its non-binding letter of interest, MWN’s conceptual proposal was that it would operate on a minimum 40-year lease for $1 per year, and Anaheim Regional Medical Center (AHMC) would run the day-to-day at the hospital and Network Medical Management (NMM) would manage care contracts, among other agreements.

During the city-council meeting, Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia said the ball is in MemorialCare’s court. With the negotiations, MemorialCare has the choice to keep the hospital open past July 3 and allow MWN to operate it under its license.

MemorialCare’s license is active through April 28, 2019, according to Keisler.

MemorialCare representatives, including Bishop, have cooperated with the City and have met with potential operators during the process. In a phone interview Wednesday afternoon, Bishop told the Signal Tribune that he has met with MWN twice in the past month to get the group up to speed on the background of Community Hospital and its seismic situation.

Bishop, although supportive of the City and the

hospital, expressed doubt about the feasibility of getting all the necessary regulatory approvals with MWN in the next two weeks in time for the July 3 lease deadline. As an example, he recalled how MemorialCare’s purchase of Community Hospital in 2011 took 10 months to get all the necessary approvals.

“No matter how hard anybody works, two weeks is not enough time to do a deal that needs to have all of these types of regulatory approvals,” Bishop said. “[...] It’s unfortunate. We’ve explained that to them. I don’t understand their perspective in thinking that it can get done, other than they would like to get the hospital. They have not even set up the legal entity yet. My understanding is that it will be a for-profit, so they will not be able to get the same dollar-a-year lease that we receive. There is not nearly enough time, given the fact that everything is undecided at this point. There is no specificity as far as deal terms or approvals. Two weeks is simply not enough time to get an arrangement done.”

Bishop then went into detail about the past eight months. Last November, MemorialCare announced Community did not meet the seismic-safety regulations established by the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD).

MemorialCare was aware of a fault line located along the back-left portion of the property when it

for you

see HOSPITAL page 10

When to use the Emergency Room or Urgent Care.

Do you know the difference?

URGENT CARE

EMERGENCY ROOM Emergency rooms are the best option in cases where conditions are life-threatening and may require advanced treatment, such as having chest pain. Because life-threatening conditions are the number one priority in the emergency room, less severe cases will take longer to be treated.

URGENT CARE Urgent care locations are staffed and equipped to respond quickly to a variety of non-life threatening illnesses and injuries. They often provide information in advance about pricing structure – making it a convenient choice for immediate but nonemergency illness and injuries.

Emergency Rooms are best for treating: • Chest pain • Uncontrolled bleeding • Seizures • Fainting, dizziness, • Stroke weakness • Sudden or severe pain • Broken bones • Head, neck, or eye injuries • Problems breathing/ shortness of breath • Severe vomiting, diarrhea

Urgent Care locations are best for treating: • Cuts that need stitches • Sore throat • Infections • Minor burns • Sprains or strains • Minor allergic reactions • Back pain • Cuts or scrapes • Animal bites • Cough • Cold or flu • Minor injuries or pain

This is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. When in doubt, or when facing a life-threatening condition, please contact 9-1-1 for emergency care.

memorialcare.org

June 9, 2017Tribune ignal June S22, 2018

NEWS

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Signal Tribune

Hospital

June 22, 2018

continued from page 8

purchased Community in 2011, however a more recent study revealed that the facility instead stood on two larger fault lines. More research indicated that the fault zone was active.

Bishop said although it invested $22 million in operational enhancements, $15 million in capital funding and $1 million in evaluating options to become compliant with seismic law, MemorialCare still found no viable solution to keep the site open.

Although it intended to operate until June 2019, the departure of staff prompted an earlier closure, thus triggering the spontaneous 120-day lease termination notice in March.

“I spent the better part of December and January meeting with elected officials and city officials to help them understand why the hospital was very likely going to need to close in the mid-summer of this year, despite the fact that we put in employee-retention bonuses to try and keep them through a transition date,” Bishop said. “At this point, obviously, it’s great that the City was able to identify someone who was willing to come in and try and go through this process, but two weeks is clearly not enough time, and there is still no approved seismic plan. The City has yet to submit any plan to bring the building into compliance with the code.

They’ll also need to have legislation passed that would defer the submission deadline for the compliance plan. So, a lot of hurdles to get done in an extremely short period of time.”

Bishop said MemorialCare worked collaboratively with OSHPD to find a solution, but they both concluded it was not feasible to develop a plan.

Bishop also detailed his account of the last eight months in an open letter June 15.

In the letter, he also wrote that he has given notice of termination to vendors and service providers, including physicians and medical-service affiliates, and that all equipment, other than what is required for remaining operations, have been removed or returned to leasing companies. He said extending the closure date past July 3 is “operationally irreversible at this late date.”

The City responded to the letter June 19, refuting some of Bishop’s statements.

Signed by Garcia, Long Beach 4th District Councilmember Daryl Supernaw and City Manager Patrick West, the letter dismisses the notion that OSHPD concluded the site was infeasible to seismically retrofit, claiming that MemorialCare never submitted a plan to OSHPD and that it does not make formal positions on feasibility until such plans have been submitted. Moreover, the letter reads that OSHPD has indicated a number of potential solutions for the hospital, including consolidating the emergency room and basic services in a smaller hospital in the seismically-safe portion of Community, the Heritage Building.

“All the objections that MemorialCare has had up to date, we think we came up with alternatives or ways to nullify those objections,” Supernaw told the Signal Tribune in a phone interview Wednesday afternoon. “I think we did a good job of that.”

Regardless of the back-and-forth between the City and MemorialCare, Keisler said City staff has worked with OSHPD, construction partner Perkins+Will and the State Geological Survey to establish a seismic plan.

In his presentation, Keisler showed a seismic timeline extending to the end of 2021 that would ultimately help Community reach absolute compliance.

As mentioned in the City’s letter, OSHPD’s proposed solution for Community is to consolidate acutecare services to the Heritage Building and move the hospital’s Central

Plant to a seismically safe area.

Time is not on the City’s side, however. The plan requires three more years of work, while the State has imposed a seismic deadline for the end of next year.

California 70th District Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell intended on extending the seismic deadline with Assembly Bill 2591 (AB 2591), introduced in February, but the Assembly Health Committee put the bill on hold in April since the City had not yet developed a seismic plan.

“Perkins+Will, our architect, is completing the conceptual design and, from there, we move into the actual construction plans,” Keisler said.

“Now, that’s the process that will likely cost an estimated $1 million worth of real hardcore engineering and architectural plans that would be required to submit to the State of California, to OSHPD, for final review and approval and, ultimately, the construction process, which we’re still in the process of doing a conceptual-cost estimation on what we’ve completed to date. We should have those costs probably toward the end of next month. All in all, we’ve got a plan that likely will take until the end of 2021, and so we will need an extension to our seismic deadline from the State of California. Our deadline for this facility would otherwise be the end of 2019, really. That’s one of the reasons we need that legislation.”

During the council meeting, the Community Hospital Long Beach Foundation offered to buy an up-to $1 million insurance policy for MemorialCare to protect it against any potential financial loss. Bishop, who live-streamed the meeting from his home, told the Signal Tribune that this was the first he had heard about it.

In response to MemorialCare’s intent to not keep the hospital past July 3, Supernaw expressed optimism.

“I would say, ‘Well, let’s try it,’” he said. “Let’s put everything in motion and see if it happens. If it doesn’t, that’s on us. That’s on the City of Long Beach. But, if you don’t allow that to proceed, then MemorialCare is the one who’s stopping it. Let us be the ones taking the risk. What I said [Tuesday] was that a lot of people commented negatively about MemorialCare, and I said, ‘Well, if they pull the trigger on this, if they allow the transfer of the license, then all is forgiven. They’ll come out looking great.’”

Bishop expressed his disappoint-

ment with the way Community’s situation has played out, maintaining his stance with closure.

“It is not feasible to bring it into compliance, and we’re taking the most prudent course of action given the circumstances and the facts that are before us,” he said. “It’s not a decision that we took lightly or wanted to even make, we had no choice. This is not an elective closure. This is one that was necessitated, I think responsibly, by seismic law.”

Keisler said the City is still hopeful that there will be no disruption of service, but if there is, that is “Memorial’s call.”

“MemorialCare has the option of keeping the hospital open,” Keisler said. “They don’t have to close.

There is nobody telling them that they have to close. [...] They’ve

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Signal Tribune

June 22, 2018

11

Our next luncheon for the Signal Hill Chamber of Commerce will be on Thursday, 6/28 from 11:45 am – 1:30 pm at the Grand Event Center, 4101 E. Willow Street, Long Beach, 90815. The theme for the luncheon will be Safety and Summer Fun. Our next mixer for the Signal Hill Chamber of Commerce will be on Thursday, 7/12 from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Asset Media Group, 2225 E. 28th St., Signal Hill, 90755. We will get a tour of the facilities, and find out how AMG is able to help businesses to create media productions.

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Signal Tribune

TST5700 / 2018 125803 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: FASTBENDER, 1941 San Anseline Ave., Long Beach, CA 90815. Registrant: FASTBENDER LLC, 1941 San Anseline Ave., Long Beach, CA 90815. This business is conducted by: a Limited Liability Company. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Ramon C. Dawson, CEO. The registrant has begun to use this fictitious business name. The registrant began using this fictitious business name in October, 2017.

This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on May 22, 2018. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. 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).

Pub. The Signal Tribune: June 1, 8, 15, 22, 2018.

TST5699 / 2018 130586 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: MLM DESIGNS, 1103 E. Colon St., Wilmington, CA 90744. Registrant: MARY LUPE MARTINEZ, 1103 E. Colon St., Wilmington, CA 90744. This business is conducted by: an Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Mary Lupe Martinez.

The registrant has not begun to use this fictitious business name. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on May 29, 2018. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. 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). Pub. The Signal Tribune: June 1, 8, 15, 22, 2018.

TST5709 / Case No. TS021097 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME, SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, SOUTH CENTRAL DISTRICT OFFICE, 200 W. Compton Blvd., Compton, CA 90220.

PETITION OF Ezekiel Getachew Simon-Thompson by his mother Adei Getachew.

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner: EZEKIEL GETACHEW SIMON-THOMPSON by his mother Adei Getachew has filed a petition with this court for a decree changing her child’s name as follows: Present Name: EZEKIEL GETACHEW SIMON-THOMPSON, to Proposed Name: EZEKIEL GETACHEW. 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted.

NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: July 19, 2018; Time: 8:30A M; Dept.

A, Room 904. The address of the court is the same as above. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county, THE SIGNAL TRIBUNE, 1399 E. 28th, Street, Signal Hill, CA 90755: June 8,, 15, 22, 29 2018 ___//ss//___ Maurice A. Leiter, Judge of the Superior Court Dated June 5, 2018 TST5705 / Case No. YS030268 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME, SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, SOUTHWEST DISTRICT OFFICE, 825 Maple Avenue, Torrance, CA 90503-5096.

PETITION OF Isaiah Allen Scott by is mother Cristina Mangram.

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner: Isaiah Allen Scott by his mother Cristina Mangram has filed a petition with this court for a decree changing her child’s name as follows: Present Name: ISAIAH ALLEN SCOTT, to Proposed Name: ISAIAH ALLEN WALKER. 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted.

PUBLIC NOTICES NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: July 13, 2018; Time: 8:30A M; Dept.

13, Room 340. The address of the court is the same as above. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county, THE SIGNAL TRIBUNE, 1399 E. 28th, Street, Signal Hill, CA 90755: June 8, 15, 22, 29, 2018 ___//ss//___ Eric C. Taylor, Judge of the Superior Court Dated April 18, 2018 TST5704 / Case No. TS021096 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME, SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, SOUTH CENTRAL DISTRICT OFFICE, 200 W. Compton Blvd., Compton, CA 90220.

PETITION OF Christopher Nevarez (minor) by Victor Nevarez (father).

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner: Victor Nevarez has filed a petition with this court for a decree changing his child’s name as follows: Present Name: CHRISTOPHER NEVAREZ, to Proposed Name: CHRISTOPHER NEVAREZ GARCIA. 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted.

NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: July 12, 2018; Time: 8:30A M; Dept.

A, Room 904. The address of the court is the same as above. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county, THE SIGNAL TRIBUNE, 1399 E. 28th, Street, Signal Hill, CA 90755: June 8, 15, 22, 29, 2018 ___//ss//___ Maurice A. Leiter, Judge of the Superior Court Dated May 31, 2018 TST5703 / 2018 134652 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: J.RAY.SHOTS, 3352 Falcon Ave., Signal Hill, CA 90755. Registrant: J.RAY. SHOTS LLC, 3352 Falcon Ave., Signal Hill, CA 90755. This business is conducted by: a Limited Liability Company. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Jeffrey R. Cooper, CEO. The registrant has begun to use this fictitious business name. The registrant began using this fictitious business name in April 2018. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on June 1, 2018. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. 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). Pub. The Signal Tribune: June 8, 15, 22, 29, 2018.

TST5702 / 2018 113983 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: DAVID’S TIRE SHOP & SERVICE, 906 E. Willow St., Signal Hill, CA 90755. Registrant: EVA GUZMAN, 2485 Pasadena Ave., Long Beach, CA 90806. This business is conducted by: an Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Eva Guzman.

The registrant has begun to use this fictitious business name. The registrant began using this fictitious business name in May, 2013. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on May 9, 2018. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. 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). Pub. The Signal Tribune: June 8, 15, 22, 29, 2018.

TST5710 / Case No. NS034443 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME, SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, SOUTH GEORGE DEUKMEJIAN COURTHOUSE, 275 Magnolia Ave., Long Beach, CA 90802 PETITION OF London Scott-Patterson, Qynice Patterson, Brynne Henderson.

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner: QYNICE PATTERSON, LONDON SCOTT-PATTERSON, BRYNNE HENDERSON has filed a petition with this court for a decree changing their names as follows: Present Name: 1.

BRYNNE CAIYA HENDERSON, 2. LONDON KEYONIE SCOTT-PATTERSON, 3.

QYNICE DE’ALAYZE’ PATTERSON, to Proposed Name: 1. BRYNNE CAIYA PATTERSON, 2. LONDON KEYONI PATTERSON, 3. DE’ALAYZE’ QYNICE PATTERSON. 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted.

NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: July 18, 2018; Time: 8:30A M; Dept.

26. The address of the court is the same as above. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county, THE SIGNAL TRIBUNE, 1399 E. 28th, Street, Signal Hill, CA 90755: June 15, 22, 29, & July 6, 2018 ___//ss//___ Michael P. Vicencia, Judge of the Superior Court Dated June 1, 2018 TST5712 / 2018 144314 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: CXI REALTY, 6251 E. Dayman St., Long Beach, CA 90815 Registrant: TPC REALTY, INC., 6251 E. Dayman St., Long Beach, CA 90815. This business is conducted by: a Corporation. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Jon R. Sweeney, President. The registrant has begun to use this fictitious business name. The registrant began using this fictitious business name in June, 2012 . This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on June 12, 2018. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. 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). Pub. The Signal Tribune: June 15, 22, 29, & July 6, 2018.

TST5713 / Case No. NS034467 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME, SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, GOVERNOR DEUKMEJIAN COURTHOUSE, 275 Magnolia Ave., Long Beach, CA 90802.

PETITION OF Elmer Adams II. TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner: ELMER ADAMS II has filed a petition with this court for a decree changing his name as follows: Present Name: ELMER ADAMS II, to Proposed Name: JAPAUL PIERRE ADAMS. 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted.

NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: August 3, 2018; Time: 8:30A M; Dept. S27, Room 5400. The address of the court is the same as above. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county, THE SIGNAL TRIBUNE, 1399 E. 28th, Street, Signal Hill, CA 90755: June 22, 29 & July 6, 13, 2018 ___//ss//___ Patrick T. Madden, Judge of the Superior Court Dated June 18, 2018 TST5714 / Case No. TS021099 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME, SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, SOUTH CENTRAL DISTRICT OFFICE, 200 W. Compton Blvd., Compton, CA 90220.

PETITION OF Felipe A. Cabezas TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner: FELIPE A. CABEZAS has filed a petition with this court for a decree changing his name as follows: Present Name: FELIPE A. CABEZAS, to Proposed Name: FELIPE ANTHONY MORALES. 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the pe-

tition for change of name should not be granted.

NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: July 26, 2018; Time: 8:30A M; Dept.

A, Room 904. The address of the court is the same as above. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county, THE SIGNAL TRIBUNE, 1399 E. 28th, Street, Signal Hill, CA 90755: June 22, 29 & July 6, 13, 2018 ___//ss//___ Maurice A. Leiter, Judge of the Superior Court Dated June 13, 2018

June 22, 2018 Visit signaltribune.com and check out the new design layout for our website! All the stories of the June 22 print issue will be available online.

Pearce

continued from page 1

required number for sufficiency, which was 6,363.

On Wednesday night, Pearce’s office issued a press release that only briefly shares the news before focusing more on the achievements the office has made in previous months, despite the recall effort, and goals for the next two years.

The press release also states that the council office is “glad to have this process behind them” and that their focus in the last few months has been on governing and representing constituents.

“In spite of the noise, I am proud of my office and the work we’ve done,” Pearce wrote. “We’ve stayed focused on the needs of the district– neighborhood cleanups, community meetings, our own events and constituent services– all while accomplishing great things at council and helping the most vulnerable of our constituents.” ​Some of the goals include having the city a​ uditor perform a full audit of the city’s h​ uman-resources practices​, ​the establishment of an Ethics Commission with community oversight and a​ ddressing the rising rates of suicide over the last t​wo decades.

“My vision is a working government for all that includes representing the amazing constituents of the ​2nd district,” Pearce wrote​. ​“​I will also continue fighting for the rights of workers, women, the LGBTQ+ community, the youth, small​-​business owners, landlords and tenants, and every resident of the incredible city I call home.” ​On Thursday morning, in response to an emailed request for a statement, Patton wrote to the Signal Tribune ​that the campaign was “a very successful effort to restore integrity in Long Beach after the terrible embarrassment Pearce has inflicted upon the city.”

He wrote that nine months of concerted political pressure by the c​ ampaign led the Long Beach City Council to validate h​ is group’s charges against Pearce and ​“t​ake the moral high ground” by unanimously censuring ​her for her conduct, which Patton described as “sexual harassment, dishonesty and conflicts of interest– not to mention her well documented violent drunkenness on the 710 Freeway.”

As previously reported in the Signal Tribune, in the early-morning hours of June 3, California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers and eventually the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) discovered Pearce and her then chief-ofstaff Devin Cotter in a vehicle parked on a median of the 710 Freeway, near the Golden Shore exit. When CHP officers approached the car, they found the two city officials in the midst of what Pearce’s former attorney described as a “heated argument.”

LBPD officers performed a field-sobriety test on Pearce, who had been driving.

According to police, she passed the test and officers separated the two. Officers drove Cotter home, while Pearce was allowed to ask a friend to take her home, according to a statement from the department. However, later that morning, Pearce called police to intervene again. This time, Cotter had confronted the councilmember outside her home.

Officers discovered that there was an outstanding warrant for Cotter related to a previous charge for a 2014 DUI, and they also arrested him on a charge of public intoxication. Cotter’s attorney said that his client spent only a few hours in jail that day and thereafter enrolled in the necessary alcohol classes related to his DUI case. The attorney also claimed that Cotter sustained injuries that day.

Patton added that, while his group is disappointed t​hat voters won’t have the opportunity to remove ​Pearce this year, ​the “historic censure vote officially labeled her for all time, by the City of Long Beach, as a sexual harasser and corrupt officeholder and effectively ended her career.” ​He went on to write that ​Pearce continues to surprise his campaign with the “depths of her depravity,” considering she was apparently hosting what he characterized as “a sort of celebration” the next day.

As for the failure of the campaign to gain the necessary number of signatures, Patton explained that the division of labor was that his campaign’s partner committee, the Friends of Long Beach, conducted the paid signature-gathering program and the volunteer program, and that the recall effort’s own committee handled all other aspects of the campaign.

“There were issues with the paid program, which I first learned about on March 24 and sought to assist salvaging,” Patton wrote. “Frankly, we believe that Friends of Long Beach was defrauded by the first signature-gathering contractor it hired, Method Campaign Services, and we understand it may sue to recover fees paid for what were apparently false daily numbers being reported. I was being told that the number of valid, non-duplicate signatures by mid-March was approaching 5,000 or so but was informed on March 24 that the number was actually about half that after a re-processing of everything on hand. Unfortunately, I do not have firsthand knowledge of the situation, though, and I have to refer any further questions about what happened to the Friends of Long Beach.”

He added that he had been asked to help right the ship, which he did, he said.

“But, by then, at the peak of the statewide signature-gathering season, and with our small council district jurisdictions very low down on the totem for these statewide/multi-state professional signature-gathering companies, it was effectively too late,” he wrote. “But again, while that was a disappointing experience for us with the original, residents-formed recall campaign, we take away a great victory from this entire effort in the form of the censure vote.

We’ll just have to wait a bit longer for the full realization of our objective.” ✦

NEWS

June 22, 2018

Rancho

Signal Tribune

13

continued from page 6

“The work is right before you,” Austin said. “Right before your eyes.”

However, the work does not stop there.

“This is your national, state and local historical landmark,” Bruesehoff said. “We want each of you to share in this cultur-

al asset with the hope that it can continue to inspire learning, reflection, celebration and research as it has done for the past two centuries.”

The rancho has not only developed into a place where those in the community can indulge in local history, but it has also

become a piece of Whitaker’s story.

“It’s a hidden gem,” Bruesehoff said. “It’s a hidden treasure, and a lot of people do not know about it. When the word gets out, and you tell people to come, it’s beautiful. You want to come back.” ✦

Post

continued from page 1

the original vision of the late Shaun Lumachi, who started the Post with now Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia, and the former’s emphasis on not accepting the status quo and pushing those around him to have the courage to try something new.

For the last six years, Cindy Allen, a local small-business owner who acquired the publication after Lumachi’s death in 2011, has owned and operated the Post.

“Under new ownership, the Long Beach Post will be quadrupling its editorial and business staff to employ the largest newsroom in the city,” Sommers wrote. “You’ll recognize some of our additions: Tim Grobaty, who’s been writing columns about Long Beach for 42 years, and Brian Addison, a former editor at the Post and an award-winning writer based in Long Beach. We are also honored that the entire existing Post team– Dennis Dean, Stephanie Rivera, Asia Morris and Jason Ruiz– has agreed to stay with the publication to continue its excellent work and join us on this journey.”

Sommers added that more staff additions will be announced in the coming months.

The newly formed local company Pacific Community Media, as a subsidiary of Pacific6 Enterprises, a Long Beach-based community investment and development firm, will now operate the Post.

Sommers said Pacific6 is made up of six local partners who are investing millions of dollars into the community.

“Though the partners of Pacific6 have invested in this new venture and will guide financial sustainability and strategic vision for Pacific Community Media, I want to make clear: they will not have any say in news and editorial decisions or coverage,” Sommers wrote. “We are grateful for their support and investment in expanding local news, and all of us have agreed to an ethical framework that will provide the

necessary separation to maintain the public’s trust. We will cover Pacific6’s investments in the city as we would any other person or business.”

Addison, who is rejoining the Post as a columnist focusing on urban development, lifestyle and other topics, had served as an editor of the publication before founding the blog Longbeachize.

In an emailed response to the Signal Tribune this week, Addison wrote that he is “humbled and privileged to be a part of such a spectacular team.”

He explained that his association with the newly organized media outlet has been in development for a while.

“My involvement has been something in the works since Pacific Community Media was in its infancy stage and, as with everything I’ve done in terms of writing and journalism, the main goal is to simply bring quality, thorough stories from the people of Long Beach to the rest of Long Beach,” Addison wrote. “With that in mind, our team agreed that merging both my own publication, Longbeachize, and the Long Beach Post, would prove fruitful in many manners. I can return Longbeachize toward its roots in handling livability issues like housing and homelessness while some of my other foci that I’ve brought to the publication– food, history, culture– can be used on the Post.”

He added that Longbeachize will act as somewhat of an “alternative” arm of the Post, providing more “contemporaneous forms of reporting” as well as serving as a platform for developing writers.

In a phone interview Tuesday morning, Grobaty explained the changes in ownership and staff came to be.

“Back in February, I guess it was, we were all sitting around feeling sorry for ourselves because of our ownership– Alden Global Capital– which was just totally destroying

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Sommers, their new publisher, worked as a television news producer for NBC affiliates before serving as director of Countywide Communications for Los Angeles County.

Staying on at the Post will be: Dennis Dean, the director of operations for the Post, where he has worked for seven years; Stephanie Rivera, who covers breaking news and general assignment for the Post, where she has worked for three years; Asia Morris, who covers arts, food, entertainment and culture and

has been with the publication for the last four years; and Jason Ruiz, who has worked there for six years and covers local government.

“Nothing is more important to the Long Beach Post than our integrity– our legitimacy comes from our readers and from the community we serve,” Sommers wrote in a press release this week. “We look forward to providing the community of Long Beach with the rigorous news coverage it deserves.” ✦

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the paper. We were down to me, my city editor and two reporters at that point,” Grobaty said. “And Melissa Evans, the city editor, said, ‘Can you ask John Molina to buy the paper?’ just kind of jokingly, and John called about two hours later and asked me what it’ll take to buy the Press-Telegram. So, we were overjoyed, but Alden wouldn’t sell the Press-Telegram. So, we were underjoyed after that.”

Grobaty said he and Molina lamented the fact that Long Beach no longer had its own newspaper that focused primarily on the city, rather than sharing stories from other publications in the region through the newspaper group.

“So, he said, ‘Let’s either buy the Post or start from scratch,’” Grobaty said. “So, after a couple of months, he bought the Post, and he asked me to come up with some people to bring aboard, and these are the people I came up with.”

Those three individuals are: Evans, the former Press-Telegram city editor who will now serve as managing editor; Jeremiah Dobruck, who will be the breaking-news editor; and Thomas Cordova, who will be visuals editor.

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Signal Tribune

June 22, 2018

Water from damaged fire hydrant causes sink hole Valve was opened during non-injury traffic accident.

Cory Bilicko Managing Editor

Water flowing from a fire-hydrant valve that was opened during a traffic accident Wednesday formed a sink hole 20-feet wide, according to Arantxa Chavarria, public-information officer with the Long Beach Police Department in an emailed response Thursday morning.

Chavarria wrote that the preliminary information i​ndicates that at approximately 6:10am that day, officers were dispatched to ​the scene of ​a non-injury traffic collision in the area of Santa Fe and Seabright avenues, where they discovered that a single vehicle h​ ad ​collided with and damaged a fire hydrant on the southwest corner of Santa Fe Ave​nue​at 29th Street​.

Before the valve could be shut, the flowing water caused ​the sink hole ​to develop. ​The ​Long Beach Fire, Water and Public Works ​departments r​esponded, and o​fficers assisted with traffic and pedestrian control, according to ​Chavarria. Southbound Santa Fe Avenue​ between Spring and Columbia s​treets​ was temporarily closed b​ ecause of the excavation and repairs needed.​ Chavarria ​said the r​eason for ​the ​collision is unknown ​and that n​o injuries​ were ​reported ​. ​ ​The i​nvestigation is ongoing.​✦ Water flowing from a fire-hydrant valve that opened during a traffic accident Wednesday formed a sink hole 20-feet wide, officials say.

WANA

continued from page 5

and Seattle/Tacoma.

Similar to the narrative provided

by Mario Cordero, executive director of the Port of Long Beach, in January at his State of the Port address, Padilla also emphasized the importance of e-commerce, citing that customers expect to get what they want, when they want it and where they want it.

“In this industry, time is money,” she said, “more so than in any other industry.”

In his remarks in January, Cordero quipped that the port would soon become the “Amazon” and “Tesla” of harbors. In the same way Tesla is innovative in technological advancements, the Port of Long Beach strives to do the same.

In her presentation, Padilla demonstrated an automated-guided vehicle (AGB), which requires no driver and operates completely on mechanical engineering and sensors.

“It’s a real amazing thing to see,” she said, “this technology that you really don’t see at any other port in the world.

And, it’s working very efficiently here.”

The Port of Long Beach has also been consistently working on updating its Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP), which was last updated in 1990. The California Coastal Act of 1976 requires that ports have master plans that outline strategic goals, operational initiatives and environmental policies.

The Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement Project is about a year away from completion, according to Padilla.

As reported by the Signal Tribune this month, the project, in its final phase, led to a new detour route that opened this month for traffic heading north onto the I-710. The detour will be accessible for one year until the bridge is completed.

The two main towers of the bridge, sized at 515 feet, were topped off earlier this year, and the project generated 3,000 jobs, Cordero said in January.

Duane Kenagy, deputy executive director with the Port of Long Beach, said in an interview with the Signal Tribune this month that the final result will be “an iconic addition to the skyline of Long Beach.”

Padilla said there is currently not a finalized name for the bridge.

The next WANA meeting is Monday, July 16 at 7pm at Veterans Park.

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June 22, 2018

Corinthians

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and fees.

The complaint further accuses Corinthian of steering students into high-interest, private student-loans under its “genesis loan program,” which it hid behind in order to seem compliant with federal law requiring for-profit schools to receive at least​ 10 percent of revenue from a source other than federal financial aid.

Corinthian then sold those loans to a third party, which transferred them to Balboa. The complaint accuses Balboa of attempting to collect the unpaid loan balances by threatening borrowers with legal action, despite a debt-collection agreement barring it from doing so.

Balboa thus violated the Unfair Competition Law, the Business and Professions Code and the Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, according to the complaint.

Becerra, himself the son of immigrants and ​a ​ first-generation college-goer, said institutions such as Corinthian and Balboa take advantage of those seeking a better life.

“All too often, unfortunately, there are unscrupulous players who engage in unscrupulous practices at some of

our post-secondary institutions,” he said. “There are lenders who are in cahoots who do the same thing. They turn what should be an American dream into a nightmare.”

Federal limits Becerra also said the DOJ filed suit against U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos last December for failing to process debt-relief claims of Corinthian students who had taken out federal loans.

“Today, once again, I call for Secretary DeVos to do her job– do the right thing– for these former Corinthian College students,” Becerra said.

To further comment on this, Becerra introduced at the news conference Debbie Cochrane, vice president of the Institute for College Access and Success, an organization working to ensure students have an affordable path to a college education.

“Federal law provides federal loan borrowers to get their loans discharged if their school closes or mistreats them,” Cochrane said. “No such protections exist for private loans.”

She noted, however, that the cur-

rent federal administration is currently revising two rules instated under the Obama administration protecting student borrowers– the Gainful Employment Rule and the Borrower Defense Rule.

“These rules have been delayed and undercut by the Trump administration and are now being rewritten” Cochrane said, adding that they are expected to be released shortly and would substantially reduce student protections.

“Without strong rules, for-profit colleges will once again be free to overcharge students for substandard educations that won’t deliver,” Cochrane said.

In light of this, Cochrane underscored the important role of states in protecting students but said that even this is under threat.

“The U.S. Department of Education and some in Congress seek to restrict the authority of states,” she said, noting that new rules would even limit states from protecting students against predatory colleges in other states.

Cochrane noted that Corinthian Colleges– also known as Everest College, Everest University, Heald College and WyoTech– is not the only company that engages in such practices, citing the now-defunct ITT Technical Institute as another example.

“While Corinthian Colleges may be the most notorious of for-profit college companies, it is not alone in pushing students towards expensive, private loans they know they will not be able to repay,” she said.

Cochrane warned that such private student-loans are not only costlier than federal loans but also riskier, akin to using a credit card.

“Private-loan borrowers are not entitled to the same types of forbearances and deferments for borrowers facing short-term financial struggles,” she said, adding that such loans are also ineligible for longer-term payment options based on how much borrowers earn rather than how much they owe.

Despite impending federal limitations, Becerra emphasized his department’s commitment to protecting California students “cheated out of a college education.”

“At the California Department of Justice,” he said, “we will continue to hold accountable those who would prey on America’s college students, their parents and their American dreams.” ✦

Signal Tribune

Lowenthal expresses disappointment in SCOTUS punt on partisan gerrymandering cases Congressman Alan Lowenthal (CA47) issued a statement Monday morning expressing disappointment in that day’s two U.S. Supreme Court rulings, which put off a “much needed” decision on the constitutionality of partisan gerrymandering. The high court’s two rulings did not address the merits of the gerrymandering issues behind either Gil v. Whitford or Benisek v. Lamone but did return the Gil v. Whitford case to a lower federal court for further consideration.

“Congressional maps drawn across the nation in 2010 were some of the most partisan ever devised,” Lowenthal said. “Not only will the software used in packing and cracking political boundaries improve, but today’s decision does nothing to prevent political parties from gerrymandering. While I am disappointed in the overall ruling, I am hopeful a reconsideration by the lower court in Wisconsin will lead to a decision, either in Wisconsin or at the Supreme Court next year, on the constitutionality of partisan gerrymandering. But, we are running out of time.

If something isn’t done before the upcoming 2020 decennial census, the maps that we will see some state legislatures draw will continue the legacy of partisan gerrymandering and will be potentially among the most undemocratic ever imagined.”

Lowenthal agreed with the dissenting opinion written by Justice Elena Kagan, which stated in part, “Partisan gerrymandering, as this Court has recognized, is ‘incompatible with democratic principles.’ More effectively every day, that practice enables politicians to entrench themselves in power against the people’s will. And only the courts can do anything to remedy the problem, because gerrymanders benefit those who control the political branches.”

California Secretary of State Alex Padilla also issued a statement of disappointment in the Supreme Court’s refusal to act on the two cases.

“It is disappointing that the Supreme Court has punted on its responsibility to address the constitutionality of manipulative gerrymandering practices that favor one party over another and dilute our representative democracy,” Padilla said. “By not addressing the constitutionality of partisan gerrymandering, they are allowing state after state to continue to draw lines in pursuit of political power instead of fairness. This is a bad decision for fair representation and a bad decision for voting rights.”

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15

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Padilla said the lack of action is even more troubling considering the already problematic preparations underway for the 2020 Census.

“Concerns about lack of funding, testing and leadership [have] cast doubt over the 2020 Census, which will be used for redistricting purposes in 2021,” Padilla said. “Faulty Census data combined with partisan gerrymandering will undermine voting rights, the reapportionment process and lead to even more partisanship in Congress.”

Lowenthal indicated there will be more such cases coming before the nation’s highest court.

“It’s only a matter of time before the issue of gerrymandering is heard again by the Supreme Court,” he said. “The abuses of partisan and discriminatory gerrymandering must be brought to an end, sooner rather than later.”

In September 2017, Lowenthal led the bipartisan Member of Congress amicus brief to the Supreme Court for the Gill v. Whitford case. Further, he joined with a number of colleagues in signing onto the bipartisan Member of Congress amicus brief in the Benisek v. Lamone case.

In the Gill v. Whitford case, a group of Wisconsin voters in 2015 challenged the Wisconsin State Legislature’s 2011 redistricting map in federal court as an excessively partisan gerrymander barred by the Constitution. A lower court ruling last year agreed with the plaintiffs and found the map violated both the Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause and the plaintiffs’ First Amendment freedom of association. In the Benisek v. Lamone case– the plaintiffs were a group of Maryland voters who challenged the congressional redistricting plan for Maryland’s 6th Congressional District that was enacted by the Maryland General Assembly following the 2010 Census. The plaintiffs in the case claim that it is an unconstitutional partisan gerrymander, violating their right to representation and political association.

“I truly believe that voters should pick their politicians, not the other way around,” Lowenthal said. “Voters should be guaranteed choices at the ballot box, not treated like political pawns to keep entrenched power embedded. Guardrails must be put on the redistricting process, otherwise, politicians will take advantage of the system and the result will be a continuation of the unfair, unconstitutional practice of gerrymandering. The issue of partisan gerrymandering isn’t simply a tool being used by one party, it is used by the party in power at the time of redistricting--Democrat, Republican, it doesn’t matter.”

Lowenthal introduced legislation while serving in the California Legislature to stop politicians from drawing their own legislative districts. That legislation served as the precursor to what eventually would become the California Citizens Redistricting Commission, according to Lowenthal’s office.

When he joined Congress in 2013, his first piece of introduced legislation was the Let the People Draw the Lines Act of 2013, which would have required each state to establish an independent redistricting commission similar to California’s redistricting commission.

In 2015, Lowenthal led the bipartisan Member of Congress amicus brief for Supreme Court case Arizona State Legislature v. Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, supporting the right of citizens to establish independent redistricting commissions.

Lowenthal is also the coauthor of the bipartisan H.Res.283, which expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that congressional redistricting should be reformed to remove political gerrymandering.

Source: Lowenthal’s office

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Signal Tribune

June 22, 2018

City of Signal Hill Presents

CONCERTS IN THE PARK WEDNESDAYS AT 6:30 PM 2175 CHERRY AVENUE, SIGNAL HILL

Join us for six evenings of live music and family fun at the annual Concerts in the Park!

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