April 17, 2020 | Vol. XLII No.17

Serving Bixby Knolls, California Heights, Los Cerritos, Wrigley and Signal Hill with 30,000 issues every Friday

VOL. XLII NO. 17

Your Weekly Community Newspaper

www.signaltribune.com

In this issue

April 17, 2020

Anxiety in the time of COVID-19

NEWS

Limit media exposure and maintain normal sleeping and eating patterns during isolation, experts say.

Anita W. Harris Staff Writer

LA County Clerk halts Measure A ballot recount, local activist group to seek court action Page 3

Long Beach Medical Center

COMMUNITY

Courtesy MemorialCare

Long Beach joins international study investigating drug to combat coronavirus MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center has administered the drug to its first three patients.

Sebastian Echeverry Managing Editor

Poly alumni, father of three dies in isolation from COVID-19 Page 3

CULTURE

Gilead Sciences, a biotechnology company that researches, develops and commercializes drugs, has selected MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center as one of the first expanded access sites on the West Coast to provide the investigational antiviral medication Remdesivir

(RDV) as a potential treatment for COVID-19.

MemorialCare officials announced Wednesday, April 15 that the hospital has enrolled its first three patients as part of an international, multicenter clinical study of the medication.

Gilead’s program began in March with a primary objective to provide expanded access of RDV for the treatment of se-

vere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV2) infection in adults over the age of 18.

Remdesivir is a drug that was initially developed by Gilead for the treatment of diseases related to the Ebola and Marburg viruses, but it also showed potential in treating several other single strand RNA viruses– including see LB STUDY page 10

SH council recap: Signal Hill City Council selects replacement planning commissioner

However, selection creates new vacancy on the Planning Commission.

Anita W. Harris Staff Writer

Long Beach artists design coloring book pages honoring essential workers Page 5

Due to COVID-19 social-distancing requirements, members of the Signal Hill City Council met virtually by video conference for their regularly scheduled April 14 meeting. Among other agenda items, the council filled a vacant seat on the Planning Commission after considering five qualified

applicants.

However, because the council selected candidate Perica Bell, and she is already on the Planning Commission, the City will now need to find a replacement to fill her previous seat.

The City will open recruitment for that position for 10 days. Any new applicants will be considered along with the candidates

the council interviewed Tuesday with the goal of selecting a new planning commissioner during the council’s May 12 meeting at the earliest.

With that selection, the Planning Commission will have a full cohort of five, though it can continue operating with four. That commission is one of three in the

Under orders to stay home during the coronavirus pandemic, or COVID-19, Long Beach residents have been hunkering down alone or with their immediate families, cut off from work associates and schoolmates since March 19.

Besides boredom, some residents are experiencing the effects of social isolation in deeper ways, such as anxiety and depression.

“We are all feeling uncertain about what could happen in the coming weeks as we hope to slow the spread of this pandemic,” Joshua Gordon, director of the National Institute of Mental Health, stated in a March message. “Feelings of anxiety and uncertainty are completely normal during times like this.”

Exposure to seemingly endless media reports of ever-increasing rates of infection and death only adds to feeling overwhelmed and uncertain, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

“It’s hard to sift through the messages and information coming at us,” NAMI states in its resource guide.

“Worse, the ‘unknown unknown’– not knowing what you don’t even know– can cause even greater anxiety.”

Jolissa Hebard, director of outreach at NAMI Long Beach told the Signal Trisee ANXIETY page 11

see SH COUNCIL page 10

Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, L.A. County has shut down all bars & restaurants, with the exception of pick-up and delivery.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer take-out at this time. So, we will be temporarily closing our doors until the crisis is over.

Stay safe and healthy!

We look forward to seeing you all very soon!

Signal Tribune

April 17, 2020

WE ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS! Our Chamber Members are here to assist you! Visit our website for a list of members who are open for business during this difficult time.

Become a Member and GetThis Size Ad (3” x 3”) For Only

$60

Curious how your home value is increasing this year?

Want a instant, FREE market evaluation?

Go to PriceMySignalHillHome.com RI CH ARD DASK A M 562.857.1965

Keller Williams Coastal Properties CalBRE 01091037 & 01443822

Garage Clean-­Up? Special Project?

Recyclables?

Contemplating Your Next Move?

BUYING • SELLING • INVESTING • RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL

I

Signal HillHill Library I the ♥ Signal

Proud Signal Hill Resident, Community Member & Commissioner!

Each office is independently owned and operated.

Bring it all to EDCO Recycling & Transfer, the Convenient One-­Stop location for Public Self Haul & Recycling Buyback Center!

2755 California Avenue in Signal Hill Open 7 Days a Week for Public Self Haul Open Tues.–Sat. for Recycling Buyback Center

(562) 997-­1122

Joseph M. hughes, D.P.M., M.S.

• Podiatric Physician & Surgeon • Certified in Foot & Ankle Surgery • Fellow, American College of Foot & Ankle Orthopedics & Medicine

Have a leak?

LET US CHECK!

LOS ALAMITOS HOSPITAL

40 5

FW Y

(562) 799-0992

KATELLA

VALLEY VIEW

CHERRY

605 FWY

DON’T WAIT UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE!



• Foot Reconstructive Surgery • Bunions/Hammertoes • Diabetic Disorders/Wounds • Amputation Prevention Center • Sports Medicine/Injuries • Foot & Ankle Sprains • Custom Rx Orthotics • Ingrown Nails • Orthotripsy

LOS ALAMITOS BLVD

2

Los Alamitos Foot Center

10961 Cherry Street, Los Alamitos, CA

Pete’s Plumbing HAVE US CHECK (562) 425-2373 petes-plumbing.com

YOUR LANDSCAPING DRAIN LINES NOW!

We’re in a drought...

Don’t leak it out!

NEWS

April 17, 2020

3

Signal Tribune

Signal Hill reports 5 cases of coronavirus Staff Report Signal Tribune

While Long Beach has reported over 300 cases of coronavirus in that city, an update from the Los Angeles County Public Health Department showed that the first five positive cases have

been recorded in Signal Hill.

“This was expected as testing continues to increase,” the Signal Hill Police Department tweeted Tuesday, April 14.

No further information was provided on these five cases as of press time.

Red Eye Media in Bixby Knolls selling masks, buying meals for health care workers with mask’s revenue Masks come in a pack of two for $15, and double layered white cotton face masks with adjustable straps sold at $20 for two.

Kristen Farrah Naeem Staff Writer

Red Eye Media in Bixby Knolls is selling masks to combat the spread of coronavirus, and using 70% of the proceeds to buy meals and supplies for local healthcare workers.

Jahaziel Romero of Red Eye Media designed a series of masks and apparel that relate to the local fight against the ongoing pandemic. Mottos on facemasks, shirts and sweaters include “Long Beach vs COVID 19” and “Forever Grateful,” the latter referring to the efforts of essential workers during the pandemic.

Masks are also available in a plain black polyester version, which comes in a pack of two for $15, and double layered white cotton face masks with adjustable straps sold at $20 for two.

While there is currently limited evidence on whether face coverings can help ‘flatten the curve,’ guidance by the City of Long Beach lists two reasons masks may help: • Individuals can be contagious yet asymptomatic, covering the nose and mouth can limit

the spread of COVID-19.

• Coverings lessen the likelihood that people will touch their face. Touching a surface contaminated with COVID-19 and then touching the face is one of the ways the virus is transmitted.

Combinations of Red Eye Media’s masks and apparel are also available, like a matching mask and t-shirt set for $20.

“The current designs were created by myself,” Romero said, “in an attempt to show support and help however we can with what we know how to do best.”

Red Eye Media specializes in screen printing and embroidering customers’ designs on apparel, as well as printing designs on promotional items like water bottles and wristbands.

The screen printing business has been contacting Long Beach health facilities to find out whether they’re in need of more supplies or a hot meal.

While it can take three to four weeks for Red Eye Media to get supplies to them because of the current stress on the medical supply chain, meal delivery is a see REDEYE page 6

LA County Clerk halts Measure A ballot recount, local activist group to seek court action

GoFundMe

Jorel Alfonso, his wife, Ashling, and their three children, Jason, Hayden, and Adelyn.

Poly alumni, father of three dies in isolation from COVID-19

Family’s GoFundMe has reached their goal in three days.

Lissette Mendoza Online Editor

Jorel Alfonso, 38, died in isolation after succumbing to the new coronavirus on April 7. He is survived by his wife Ashling and their three children, Jason, 12, Hayden, 10, and Adelyn, 5.

Jorel’s younger brother, Justin Alfonso created a GoFundMe for his brother’s family.

“Jorel was a devoted husband and father, a loving brother and son, and the coolest friend anyone could ask for,” Justin wrote in the GoFundMe description. “His jovial attitude and presence lit every room he walked into. With his Backstreet Boys karaoke playlist, arsenal of sports memes, and unique library of foodie knowledge (eastvale still eats mayor), Jorel would find a way to bring a smile to your face.”

Jorel who resided with his family in Eastvale, California, self-admitted himself to Kaiser Riverside on March 24 for a continued fever. On March 25 he was confirmed positive for COVID-19 and was immediately sedated and intubated on a ventilator.

“That was the last time we texted, he was optimistic and sure he’d be fine. We were unable to visit or see him in the ICU but we

were able to monitor his progress through the nurses and doctors each day. He continuously fought for his life with an army of our prayers from our closest friends and family. Two weeks later, Jorel’s fight had ended,” Justin said.

His wife and three children are COVID-19 negative according to the GoFundMe page.

The family’s GoFundMe, which was started on April 8, has since raised $74,120 from 157 donations, the funds will be going directly to his wife Ashling and, three children. It will help cover any necessary costs associated with his death and the children’s

school and other educational needs.

Alfonso graduated from Poly High School in 1999.

Due to the current social distancing situation, the family will host a live stream web memorial service on Tuesday, April 14 at 6pm where family and friends can join on a video chat that will be broadcasted on social media. Prior to that from 1:30pm to 3:30pm, the family will host a live stream eulogy program and prayers that will be live streamed.

For more information contact Justin Alfonso at justinelement@ gmail.com.

A Place for Smoked Meats and Steaks

Our Dining room may be closed, but we are still open! 11a-8p Curbside Ordering & Pick-Up through our website Delivery options include GrubHub and UberEats 3502 Atlantic Ave. Long Beach, CA • derricksonatlantic.com (562) 337 - 8131

Sebastian Echeverry Managing Editor

Long Beach Reform Coalition (LBRC), a grassroots activist group, announced it intends to file a lawsuit Tuesday, April 14, against the Los Angeles County Registrar of Voter, accusing the County Clerk’s office of refusing to conduct a thorough recount of the Measure A sales tax extension, which passed by 16 votes (Dine last in Only) during month’s election.

The measure places a 1% sales tax to collect funds for public safety and infrastructure citywide. Critics of the measure have questioned the City’s spending method, thus challenging Measure A’s legitimacy.

LBRC Executive Director Ian Patton announced on Monday, April 13 that the County rejected see RECOUNT page 9

following temporary changes:

Have a craving for some of Lona's Delicious Food?

City Limits is Open for Food To Go Only!

We’re cooking up Breakfast Lunch & Dinner FULL MENU AVAILABLE Orders are taken via phone 562-427-4630 everyday from 10am-7pm.

(We stop taking orders at 6:30pm).

No need to leave your car, pick up your order in the alley, near the back entrance.

1174 Wardlow Rd., LB (West of Orange Ave.) 562-427-4630 Find us on Facebook!

Wings • Nachos • Tacos

To our valued Blackbird patrons and neighbors: We are striving to continue serving our local community, while complying with current directives for restaurants by the State of California.

We appreciate your continued patronage while we make the

* We will now be open from 7 AM to 2 PM for takeout orders only.

•We will provide free delivery within a 3 mile radius. Deliveries will start at 8 AM. • Our regular staff will be making the deliveries, and we’d appreciate if you would kindly remember to tip them.

This will be a trial period. Details are subject to change, and restrictions may apply.

•To place a order please call 562-490-2473 You can view our menu here: http:// www.blackbirdlb.com •Minimum Order 0f $25.00 or more for delivery.

•Call and walk in orders are both ok for now.

•Sorry no curbside pickup.

3405 Orange Ave. LB 562.490.2473 • blackbirdlb.com • @BlackBirdCafeLB

4

OPINION

Signal Tribune

Did Signal Hill oil save the country from economic collapse?

What was the world like after World War I and the influenza pandemic? Time, not medicine, had lessened the deaths from influenza. There was no prevention and no treatment. Isolation, quarantine, good personal hygiene and limits on public gatherings were used to control the spread… sound familiar? But what were the effects of the disease economically? Here is a look at the economic depression that struck soon after the war and the influenza pandemic ended.

We all have heard of the Great Depression that encompassed the world in the 1930s. A little talked about depression brought economic collapse and massive job losses in the years following World War I and the influenza pandemic. Those were the days when there was no government aid available to businesses and individuals, no Social Security or welfare. People had to fend for themselves.

According to today’s economists, the Depression lasted from January 1920 to July 1921, but there were signs of things to come

months earlier. In November 1919, panic conditions threw Wall Street into turmoil and interfered with the operation of the whole Federal Reserve System. Restless speculation forced “call money” up to 25% overnight. This “unnatural” demand for cash affected not only the business world; it affected all other parts of the economy. Farmers who wished to raise money on prospective crops found it more difficult to do so; small town merchants were inconvenienced in restocking their stores and builders were kept from purchasing their building supplies. Unemployment rose sharply. Automobile production declined by 60% and total industrial production by 30%. Southern California, however, escaped the economic crisis because of a major discovery–– oil.

Gas emanations, seepages of oil and asphaltum deposits had long been known throughout Southern California. Native Americans as well as mission fathers used these substances as roofing materials, natural lubricants and as liniments. The first

oil boom actually occurred in 1859 when it was found that petroleum could be used to make kerosene lamp oil, an inexpensive alternative to whale and coal oil in use at the time. With California gold production diminishing, oil speculation seized the minds of many still eager to make their fortune. By 1865, sixty-five California oil companies had sprung into existence, though many never got further than just issuing stock certificates and pocketing investors’ money. Those that did get around to drilling didn’t have enough capital to bore the wells very deep, and only a small amount of oil was obtained. The modest quantity that was pumped was found to have little value. It wasn’t the same grade as eastern oil, which was perfect for kerosene production and at the time the only valuable use for petroleum. Oil investors became discouraged and by 1884 there were only four California companies remaining that were actually producing oil.

In 1892, Edward Doheny was sitting on the porch of a Los An-

April 17, 2020 geles hotel when he saw a decrepit wagon hauling chunks of a greasy, brown substance. Curious as to what it was, the newly arrived miner ran after the wagon and asked the driver what he was hauling. The driver replied “brea,” the Spanish word for pitch. He told Doheny it came from a great hole oozing gobs of the sticky stuff in an area of the city called Westlake Park.

The driver was transporting it to a nearby ice factory where it would be used for fuel in place of coal. A light bulb went off in Doheny’s head as he realized this was a new fuel which could become the new energy source of the nation. The far seeing Doheny leased a three-lot parcel of land near the “great hole” at Patton and State streets in Los Angeles.

It was swampland, bubbling with the tarry crude. From this find, and convincing the Atchinson, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway to substitute oil for coal in their locomotives, the oil industry we know today came to be.

It took a while for the use of oil to catch on, but as World War I got underway the need for petroleum increased. In 1916, oil wells began to dot Signal Hill. First it was Union Oil Company, then in 1917 St. Helen’s Petroleum Company and Kern River Oil Fields, Inc. In 1920, Shell Oil Company arrived on the scene, leasing city owned land for oil drilling, but it wasn’t until 1921 that the speculation that Long Beach and Signal Hill was sitting on a vast oil reserve proved true. On June 23, around 5pm, Shell Oil Company struck a huge deposit of oil at its

well at Temple and Hill Street.

Oil fever quickly spread. Sandberg Petroleum Company, with massive Signal Hill oil holdings, was swamped with people wanting to invest in their company.

Within 48 hours of the Shell discovery, Sandberg sold $112,000 ($1.6 million today) worth of stock. Real estate promoters in the area on and surrounding Signal Hill could barely keep up with sales. The City of Long Beach owned 36 acres of land between the Shell and Sandburg holdings and envisioned itself becoming the richest city in the world– a city that would end taxation.

Shell’s well No. 2, Nesa, once located on the west slope of Signal Hill, struck oil at 12:45am on Sept. 2. It came in with such an explosion that everyone thought an earthquake had struck. People as far away as Los Angeles were awakened by the blast. Other wells came in on Oct. 26, Nov. 17 and Dec. 13. On Nov. 28, the city-owned municipal oil well hit pay dirt, shooting two hundred barrels of fluid above the top of the derrick. For many years afterwards this single well brought $360 ($5,200 today) a day into city coffers.

Amid all of this oil, Signal Hill, which had been renowned for its scenic grandeur, productive soil and magnificent homes, was transformed. Building restrictions, paved streets and walkways, and curbs were supplanted by oil leases, oil stocks, derricks and drills. Palm trees and rose see BYGONE page 7

LETTERS, EMAILS, WEBSITE COMMENTS AND STATEMENTS Dear Editor, I believe that AB5 (Assembly Bill 5 restricting the right to work independently) is one of the worst things that has happened to the State of Commufornia [California]. It has basically put millions of people out of work and in danger of becoming homeless. Even out-ofstate businesses are refusing to hire these workers because they don’t want to suffer over-reaching governmental consequences.

The spirit of the law is not sound. This bill has nothing to

do with caring about workers.

It has to do with the unions wanting to gain more membership and power. It has to do with the beholding politicians who are basically supported by the unions through their huge amounts of donations and campaign support. It has to do with the State of Commufornia wanting to collect more and more tax money; the politicians will never have enough.

There is such a thing as a right to work.

The United States Declaration of Independence so states: “We hold these truths to be

MANAGING EDITOR

Sebastian Echeverry

self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

“– That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in

ONLINE EDITOR

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Katherine Green

CULTURE WRITER

Brett Hawkins

various festivals, fairs, and art/ music-oriented functions will likely fold. Normally law-abiding citizens may choose to break the law just to put food on their tables.

Please consider the far-reaching ramifications of this egregious, self-serving legislation.

AB5 should be repealed post haste before irreparable damage lays before us.

Diana Lejins Long Beach resident

STAFF WRITERS

Lissette Mendoza

Daniel Green

LEGALS COORDINATOR

such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

As for the Uber and Lyft workers, they have a right to unionize if they are unhappy.

But to foist their unhappiness onto the millions of independent contractors who willingly provide music, art, news, hair cuts and a myriad of other services is thoughtless and undemocratic.

It goes against the grain of everything this country stands for– the freedom to choose.

Commufornia is already experiencing an unprecedented exodus of priceless talent. Many

COLUMNISTS

Anita W. Harris Kristen Farrah Naeem Karla Enriquez

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

COMMUNITY

April 17, 2020

Signal Tribune

5

Long Beach artists design coloring book pages honoring essential workers Kristen Farrah Naeem Staff Writer

To keep the quarantined public occupied, The Arts Council for Long Beach will be releasing a weekly series of coloring bookstyle pages online that celebrate the role of essential workers during the coronavirus pandemic.

“We want to illuminate the unseen heroes in Long Beach doing the work every day to keep the city functioning and ensuring that everyone has access to food, care, resources and information,” Arts Council Executive Director Griselda Suarez said. “We are stronger and safer because of them.”

New coloring book pages will be released on the council’s website every Wednesday. So far, the project includes four pages by two Long Beach artists.

The Arts Council for Long Beach commissions the coloring book pages from artists belonging to its online artist registry as part of its “Keep Arts Working” cam-

paign, which seeks to sponsor art commissions, in part to “begin to recuperate the creative economy,” according to its website.

The first set of coloring book pages were released on April 8, designed by local Vietnamese-American artist Dan Nguyen.

His two images depict a masked Emergency Medical Services worker in front of an ambulance and a grocery store worker standing between aisles.

The following week’s coloring pages by artist Alex Diffin were portraits of the couple behind the Long Beach Beer Lab and Long Beach Bread Lab, Harmony Sage and Levi Fried, in honor of their service to the community during the health crisis.

“The ability to adapt and overcome while also helping others is a beautiful thing to arise out of this crisis,” Diffin said, “and I think they exemplify it.”

LB Bread Lab has dramatically ramped up its bread production to meet the needs of the community and began selling grocery items

during the pandemic. Sage also created a program where residents can buy coffee and pastries for healthcare workers through her kiosk at MemorialCare’s Long Beach Medical Center. The business is also contributing to the fund, so that it costs customers less to buy coffee and pastries at the kiosk for healthcare workers than for themselves.

“When I learned that my likeness and the story of our humble Bread Lab was going to be used by the Long Beach Arts Council in a coloring book for kids sheltering in place, I was in shock,” Sage posted on Instagram along with blank and colored- in versions of the portrait. “Alex Diffin is super talented and the work she has done is fantastic. This project embraces the spirit in the Bread Lab with hard work, great artistry and a focus on fun, curious experiments. I couldn’t be happier with the outcome, and am completely taken aback.”

Art by Alex Diffin

An online coloring book page created by Long Beach artist Alex Diffin, which depicts baker and LB Beer Lab co-owner Harmony Sage.

Long Beach City Council approves new protections for workers citywide Councilmembers also voted to approve a new city manager, the eviction ban and the March 3 election results.

Daniel Green Production Manager

At its April 14 teleconferenced meeting, the Long Beach City Council appointed a new city manager, discussed COVID-19 relief and ratified the March 3 election results.

City Manager The council voted unanimously to approve Tom Modica as the new City Manager for Long Beach.

Modica has been working in the position as acting city manager since the resignation of the former city manager, Pat West, who resigned in late 2019.

He previously worked under Pat West as an assistant city manager.

In his comments, Mayor Garcia thanked Modica for his almost 20 years of service to Long Beach and applauded him for all the work he has done since the beginning of the health crisis.

“Mr. Monica, […] your handling of the COVID crisis has been impressive and stellar, and you’ve done a great job and really risen to the occasion in this crisis,” the mayor said.

Councilmember Rex Richardson echoed this statement and described the decision as prudent, considering the ongoing pandemic.

“I’m pretty sure not many new city managers [could] walk into a crisis and be able to lead the organization, and what you’ve been able to do is truly impressive, and we have a lot more ahead of us,”

Richardson said.

In his comments, Modica thanked the mayor and the rest of the council for the appointment and their leadership.

He also thanked his team, who he says work hard every day to provide the best support to Long Beach residents.

“Our mission really is just to make Long Beach a little bit better each and every day, and that’s something that they really excel at,” Modica said.

Election Results The council voted to adopt three resolutions regarding the March 3 elections held in the 2nd, 6th and 8th Districts.

The first resolution calls for the City Council to declare the results of the Primary Nominating Election held on March 3.

The second resolution was for the council to declare the results of the Special Election held on the same date for the two ballot measures submitted by the City– Measure A and Measure B. Measure A was passed by voters, but by a narrow margin of 16 votes. The vote will allow the tax to extend past its original sunset date of 2027.

Measure B passed with more support, a margin of 20%.

The final resolution is to order and give notice for the General Municipal Election, which will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020.

Three councilmember seats from districts 2, 6 and 8 will be up for grabs.

A seat on the Long Beach Uni-

Mayor Robert Garcia during the Sept. 10 Long Beach City Council meeting

fied School District Governing Board will also be in contention.

Worker Relief The city council voted to move forward on a series of protections for workers in Long Beach.

The issue was a complicated issue for the council, who debated on specifics of the bill and how the law would affect small businesses and local workers.

One of the measures would provide the right for hospitality and janitorial workers in the hotel industry to return to their jobs at the end of the health crisis.

The initiative will apply to workers who were let go or had their

hours cut back.

Another measure will also require hotels to prioritized Long Beach-based employees by placing them at the front of the line when businesses begin to re-open.

longbeach.granicus.com

Additionally, the council voted to approve a measure that businesses with a presence in Long Beach with at least 500 employsee LB COUNCIL page 9

CURIOUS HOW YOUR HOMES VALUE IS INCREASING THIS YEAR? Want an Instant, Free market evaluation?

Go To PriceMySignalHillHome.com Richard Daskam (562) 857-1965

Keller Williams Coastal Properties CalBRE 01091037 & 01443822

-AVOID PROBATESet up your trust today to avoid probate and to prevent Medi-Cal recovery.

Make things easy for your loved ones.

SINCE 1961

3900 Kilroy Airport Way Ste. 240 Long Beach, CA 90806

YOUR GO-TO SOURCE FOR WILLS, TRUSTS AND PROBATE

A complete estate plan package includes a living trust, pour over will, durable power of attorney and advance health care directive.

Flat fee prices include deeds to transfer your real estate to your trusts.

Always no charge consultations for Signal Tribune readers!

Jennifer Sawday, ESQ | (562) 923-0971 | jsawday@tldlaw.com

6

COMMUNITY

Signal Tribune

Redeye

April 17, 2020

Board of Supervisors unanimously approve emergency rent-assistance program

continued from page 3

The program would provide up to $1,000 a month for three months to renters whose income has been severely impacted by the pandemic.

Karla Enriquez Staff Writer

Courtesy of Red Eye Media

Masks and apparel from Red Eye Media help fund meals for local healthcare workers.

more immediate way of supporting healthcare workers.

“We want to be able to offer support right now to them, that is why we are doing the food donations,” Romero said. “It helps them and it also helps our local restaurants which we are supporting.”

The Hypertonicity Clinic and the Pediatric X-ray Department of Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital

Long Beach were the first to receive a breakfast delivery funded by Red Eye Media’s new line of merchandise on Wednesday, April 8.

Red Eye Media is also communicating with St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach to plan a meal delivery to their emergency room staff.

Red Eye Media is continuing to reach out to health care facili-

A motion to create a countywide emergency rent-assistance program amid the COVID-19 crisis was approved unanimously Tuesday, April 14 by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

The motion was authored by LA County Supervisors Janice Hahn and Hilda Solis.

The program would provide up to $1,000 a month for three months for renters whose income has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, according to a press release from the office of Supervisor Hahn.

“As we fight the spread of this virus and do everything we can to save lives, this crisis has devastated families who were already living on the brink of poverty,” Supervisor Hahn said

ties, and local healthcare workers who need more medical supplies or would like a meal delivered for them and their coworkers should send a message to Red Eye Media on Facebook.

“Our mission has always been to help others with the resources we have,” Romero said.

* FAST DELIVERY *

498-8788 3225 E. PCH • LONG BEACH Visit us online at

www.bigepizza.com

Se Habla Español

* Limited Delivery Area

Pickup area cleaned twice an hour. • Safe distance markers for patrons. th

* FAST CELEBRATING OUR DELIVERY 34 YEAR*

Staff washing hands after each order. • Drivers wearing masks and gloves.

498-8788

E. PCHwhen • LONG BEACH We appreciate 3225 your support we need it most!

Visit us online at #BigEPizza

www.bigepizza.com

Se Habla Español

* Limited Delivery Area

Almost Always Open

CELEBRATING OUR 34th YEAR We We Almost Deliver Deliver Always Beer Beer & & Open Wine Wine DOUBLE TROUBLE SPECIAL

JIMMY’S CHOICE

2 LARGE PIZZAS with up to 2 toppings

• 1 LARGE PIZZA with 2 toppings • 1 DOZEN CHICKEN WINGS 2 LITER CHOICE SODA

$

2799 + TAX

$

99 + TAX 27We We

SUPER SIZE IT FOR ONLY $6.00 MORE (THE $6.00 IS FOR THE WHOLE DEAL NOT PER PIZZA) NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS. LIMITED TIME ONLY.

WHAT A DEAL • 1 LARGE PIZZA with 3 toppings 2 Liter of Soda

$

1850

+ TAX

SUPER SIZE IT FOR ONLY $3.00 MORE

SUPER SIZE IT FOR ONLY $3.00 MORE

NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS. LIMITED TIME ONLY.

NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS. LIMITED TIME ONLY.

Deliver Deliver Beer & BeerHOME & ALONE SPECIAL PICK UP SPECIAL Wine • SMALL PIZZA with 1 topping Wine •PERSONAL Monday thru Thursday SMALL DINNER SALAD

SODA • MEDIUM PIZZA with 1 topping: $9.99+ TAX DOUBLE TROUBLE SPECIAL WHAT A DEAL JIMMY’S CHOICE• •LARGE 1/2 WINGS • LARGE PIZZA with 1 topping: $12.50 + TAX • 1 LARGE PIZZA • 1 LARGE PIZZA with 2 toppings 2 LARGE PIZZAS • XL PIZZA with 1 topping: $14.50 + TAX + TAXwith 3 toppings • 1 DOZEN CHICKEN WINGS with up to 2 toppings 2 Liter of Soda PICK UP ONLY. 2 LITER CHOICE SODA $ 99

$

27

+ NOT TAX VALID WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS. LIMITED TIME ONLY.

$

BIGEFEB2020VS-012820.indd

1

99

27

SUPER SIZE IT FOR ONLY $6.00 MORE (THE $6.00 IS FOR THE WHOLE DEAL NOT PER PIZZA) NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS. LIMITED TIME ONLY.

1750

$

1850

NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS. LIMITED TIME ONLY.

+ TAX

+ TAX

BIGEFEB2020VS

Distributed with RetailMeNot Everyday™

SUPER SIZE IT FOR ONLY $3.00 MORE

SUPER SIZE IT FOR ONLY $3.00 MORE

NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS. LIMITED TIME ONLY.

NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS. LIMITED TIME ONLY.

PICK UP SPECIAL Monday thru Thursday $9.99+ TAX • LARGE PIZZA with 1 topping: $12.50+ TAX • XL PIZZA with 1 topping: $14.50+ TAX • MEDIUM PIZZA with 1 topping:

PICK UP ONLY. NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS. LIMITED TIME ONLY.

HOME ALONE SPECIAL

1/13/20

11:22 AM

• SMALL PERSONAL PIZZA with 1 topping • SMALL DINNER SALAD • LARGE SODA • 1/2 WINGS

$

1750

+ TAX

NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS. LIMITED TIME ONLY.

BIGEFEB2020VS

Distributed with RetailMeNot Everyday™

BIGEFEB2020VS-012820.indd

1

1/13/20

11:22 AM

in a press release. “The eviction moratorium we have in place has provided some relief, but many families are going to struggle to pay back the rent they owe after this crisis is over.

A countywide rent assistance program would help keep people in their homes and lessen some of the long-term economic damage this pandemic will have on families.”

This emergency-relief program comes after The LA County Board of Supervisors implemented a rent freeze and eviction moratorium to make sure families didn’t lose their homes during the pandemic.

That rent however, would need to be paid back following the crisis.

“Rent assistance through the proposed program would not need to be paid back and could prevent families from falling into even worse economic hardship,” the press release stated.

“The majority of LA county renters, about 57%, are rent-burdened,” Solis said. “Nearly one third are considered severely rent burdened meaning that they spend more than 50% of their household income on rent. “[…] I know this will help those impacted, low and moderate income families that are experiencing this financial uncertainty right now that is destabilizing their households. I am very much supportive of this.”

It is not yet known how many families will be eligible for the emergency assistance, that number will be contingent on the level of funding the county expects to receive from the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES).

“We don’t know how much funding we will get from CARES round two,” the Supervisor’s Communications Director, Liz Odendahl said. However, this information will be available soon.

Additional funding could come from philanthropy and private sources, according to the press release.

It is not yet known if there will be a minimum or cap on renter’s income to be eligible for the program, according to Odendahl.

During the meeting, it was announced that 38 comments, all in support, were submitted for the program by the public.

“There’s a huge need for this now, […] the sooner we can do this, the sooner we can get ahead of all this, the better we’ll be,” Hahn said.

An implementation plan for the program will be reported back to the Board in 30 days.

NEWS

April 17, 2020

Bygone continued from page 4

Signal Tribune

New dashboard will track COVID-19 data for Long Beach

7

City will use ethnic disparities in virus response to direct resources.

Anita W. Harris Staff Writer

File Photo

Oil workers knew where to find the speakeasies.

gardens were removed to make way for boilers and tool houses.

It was now dangerous living on the Hill, residents were regularly routed from their homes by blowouts from the oil wells. Families escaped through the rain of greasy crude oil, leaving behind everything but the clothes they were wearing. They would pile into their automobile, trying to drive to safety but finding it difficult to get through the oil that coated everything. On returning home they found their once white home now black, trees in their orchard destroyed, stripped of branches by the clinging oil, the contents of their homes worthless, and the building, soaked with highly flammable oil, a fire trap in which no one could safely live.

Because of oil, Long Beach and the rest of Southern California was able to escape the economic recession striking the rest of the United States in 1920. Signal Hill was considered the greatest oil field in the United States. A multitude of new industries associated with oil fields and interests were springing up. Gas refineries, absorption plants, casing-head gasoline plants and several hundred miles of pipe lines were being built. But all was not as rosy in the rest of America. The United States was experiencing a severe, post-war recession due to industrial overproduction and elimination of defense related industries.

The result was widespread wage cuts and unemployment that reached 5.7 million in Aug. 1921.

Thousands traveled west to Long Beach to take advantage of the jobs and other benefits accompanying the oil boom. On Oct. 7, 1921, Long Beach Mayor Charles Buffum spoke about the “propaganda” being spread through the east, calling attention to the alleged employment advantages of Southern California.

“We can take care of the people we have here, but the continued invasion of the army of the unemployed will result most seriously for those who come”, he said in

an article in the Daily Telegram.

“Keep the idle away from the city, Long Beach can take care of its own people, but the influx must stop.”

But the influx did not stop. In the decade 1920-1930, over 2 million people moved into California, 72% of whom settled in Southern California. The migration into Southern California in this decade was the largest internal migration in the history of the American people, according to author Carey McWilliams. In 1923, oil from Signal Hill alone caused ship traffic through the Panama Canal to double By 1924 (the same year Signal Hill

decided to become its own city), oil surpassed agriculture as the leading industry in California.

In Southern California alone that year 230 million barrels of crude oil was pumped out of the ground.

The 1920s– which brought Prohibition, rum runners, jazz, gambling ships and gangsters– also brought tremendous growth to the Southland. But speculation in the oil industry became rampant, with many swindlers out to make a quick buck. More about this next time when I will tell of how this uncapped speculation pauperized at least 500,000 Southern Californians.

Join the rest of our 2,180 followers!

Give us a like on Facebook to receive the latest news updates!

Facebook.com/signal.tribune

The City of Long Beach announced last Friday, April 10, that it is developing a new data dashboard to track coronavirus information for Long Beach.

The dashboard site will be available as soon as this week, according to the announcement.

However, Kate Kuykendall, a spokesperson for the City’s Joint Information Center, told the Signal Tribune on Monday that though the site will be up soon, there is no exact launch date yet.

When it’s up, the dashboard will appear on the City’s www.longbeach.gov/COVID-19 website, Kuykendall said.

The data dashboard’s main purpose is to help the Health Department’s Communicable Disease Control Program (CDCP) focus on outbreak response, according to the announcement.

Data will include not only the numbers of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths, but it will be sorted by zip code and ethnicity, Kuykendall said.

“The goal of the new data dashboard is to provide factual information that helps keep the public informed about COVID-19 here in Long Beach,” Kuykendall said.

“Once launched, we anticipate that it will be updated daily.”

Kuykendall added that the dashboard’s development team is working closely with the Health Department and includes staff from the Emergency Operations Center, Technology and Innovation Department and the Office of Civic Innovation.

The dashboard will present information more dynamically than it has been so far to help focus the City’s response to the pandemic, Kuykendall said.

“The previous version of the data lived on a PDF rather than built into a website,” she said.

While Long Beach’s ethnicity data will provide a local lens on the problem, the State began releasing virus-related ethnicity data for California as of last week. The data covers 62% of COVID-19 cases and 86% of deaths statewide. see DASHBOARD page 9

Lic #571388

HONEST PRICING ON ALL REPAIRS Broken Springs

$35000 $29500

$69500

LIMITED TIME

NO BAIT & SWITCH PRICES

Standard Double Garage Door 16’x7’

Call For A Phone Quote 562.404.3833 – 714.739.2073 www.DouglasDoors.com

8

PUBLIC NOTICES/NEWS

Signal Tribune

EYE ON CRIME CRIMES REPORTED BY THE SIGNAL HILL POLICE DEPARTMENT Thursday, April 9 6:42am, Elder abuse, 2000 block Alamitos Ave. Friday, April 10 7:50am. Burglary, 2600 block Lime Ave. 12:46pm, Auto burglary, 2400 block California Ave. Saturday, April 11 12:28pm, Grand theft, 2400 block Cherry Ave. Sunday, April 12 7:17pm, Stolen vehicle – recovered, 2500 block Gundry Ave. 11;10pm, Auto burglary, 2500 block Temple Ave. Monday, April 13 6:49am, Burglary, 2800 block Gardena Ave. 8:49am, Forgery, 2400 block Skyline Dr. 9:40am, Grand theft, 900 block Patterson St. 10:22am, Identity theft, 2600 block Junipero Ave. Tuesday, April 14 9:15am, Forgery, 2600 block Cherry Ave. Wednesday, April 15 5:03am, Burglary, 3300 block E. PCH

Have a leak?

LET US CHECK! FREE LEAK ASSESSMENT! Pete’s Plumbing • BATHROOMS (562) 425-2373 petes-plumbing.com

• KITCHENS • LANDSCAPING LINES

We’re in a drought... don’t leak it out!

TST6215 / 2020 061820 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: DHT EQUITY, 4601 N. Cerritos Drive, Long Beach, CA 90807. Registrant: 1.

DANIEL THOMPSON, 2. HEARESE THOMPSON, 4601 N. Cerritos Drive, Long Beach, CA 90807. This business is conducted by: a Married Couple. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Daniel Thompson. The registrant has begun to use this fictitious business name. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on March 12, 2020. 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: March 27, & April 3, 10, 17, 2020.

TST6216 Case No. 20STPB02786 NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: VINCENT MICHAEL D’ADDIO 1.

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both of VINCENT MICHAEL D’ADDIO 2, A Petition For Probate has been filed by DONNA DALE in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles.

3.

The Petition for Probate requests that Donna Dale be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

4.

The Petition requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any,

be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

5.

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

6.

A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: a.

April 28, 2020 Time: 8:30a.m. Dept: 79, located at b.

Stanley Most Courthouse

111 North Hill St.,

Los Angeles, CA 90012.

7.

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

8.

If you are a creditor or con-

Check out our new “En Español” section now!

Noticias • Commentario • Communidad • Cultura

signaltribunenewspaper.com/category/en-espanol/

April 17, 2020

tingent creditor of the decedent, you must file

your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appoint ed by the court with the later of either (1) four months from the date of issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an a t t o rney knowledgeable in California law.

9.

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

10.

Petitoner: Donna Dale

2302 Solano Ave.

Tulare, CA 93274 559-679-0384 Pub. Signal Tribune, April 3, 10, 17, 2020

TST6224 Case No. 20NWCP00094 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME, SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, NORWALK COURTHOUSE, 12720 NORWALK, CA 90650 PETITION OF: Denise Rochelle Hernandez TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioners: DENISE ROCHELLE HERNANDEZ has filed a petition with this court for a decree changing her name as follows: Present Name: DENISE ROCHELLE HERNANDEZ to Proposed Name: ROCHELLE CHUNG. 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: May 27, 2020; Time: 1:30p.m., Dept. C, Room 312. 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, April 17, 24 & May 1, 8, 2020

CITY OF SIGNAL HILL TST6225 NOTICE OF VACANCY PLANNING COMMISSION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that one vacancy for an unexpired term through May 31, 2021 exists on the Signal Hill Planning Commission. The City of Signal Hill will be conducting a recruitment to fill the vacancy. All interested residents are encouraged to apply.

To serve as a Planning Commissioner, you must be a U.S. citizen, 18 years of age or older; and a registered voter and resident of the City at least 29 days prior to the date of appointment. Each member shall continue to reside in the City for the duration of the term of office (Signal Hill City Charter Section 602).

If you are interested in serving as a Commissioner, please apply online via the City’s website at www.cityofsignalhill.org. If you have any questions, please contact the City Clerk’s office at (562) 989-7305.

Online applications will be accepted until Sunday, April 26, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.

Published in the Signal Tribune Newspaper Posted in accordance with S.H.M.C. Section 1.08.010 on or before

April 17, 2020 April 17, 2020

Public Notice

Public Notice

On 5-17-19, Signal Hill Officers found money on the ground in a residential street, in the city of Signal Hill.

If the found money belongs to you, please call the Signal Hill Detective Bureau at (562) 989-7220

On September of 2019, money was found on the floor inside a Signal Hill store.

If the found money belongs to you, please call the Signal Hill Detective Bureau at (562) 989-7220

Interim Long Beach City Manager Tom Modica gets job on permanent basis City News Service Southern California Local News

Thomas B. Modica was appointed as Long Beach’s city manager Tuesday, April 14 after filling the role on an interim basis since September.

The City Council voted unanimously to appoint Modica to replace Patrick H. West, who resigned at age 65, intending to work in the private sector as a management consultant.

Modica started working for Long Beach as a management assistant in 2002, later becoming director of government affairs and strategic initiatives, deputy city manager and assistant city manager, according to biographical information provided by the City.

“Through his leadership, Modica has guided the city through some of the City’s most significant proj-

ects, initiatives and issues in recent history,” said Kevin Lee, the chief public affairs officer for the Office of the City Manager.

“He has been instrumental in the city’s financial planning and budgeting, as well as coordination of housing policies including affordable housing, tenant assistance, short term rentals, and coordination of major innovative policies regarding homelessness.”

Modica also led efforts for the implementation of the Long Beach Civic Center project, the City’s $150 million infrastructure investment plan and oversight of the $120 million the City received through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. City officials used a national executive search firm and conducted extensive interviews to fill the vacancy, Lee said.

NEWS

April 17, 2020

Recount

LB Council

Housing Inspections and fees Due to the ongoing health crisis, the city council voted to have the City manager work with other departments to work on a suspension of the Proactive Rental Housing Inspection Program (PRHIP) and business-related fees.

The recommendation initially called for a suspension of business licensing renewal fees. Still, during the meeting, council members discussed expanding the suspension– due to the inability of many landlords and businesses to make a profit during the shutdown order.

Additionally, the recommendation also requested that the city manager looks into providing more financial re-

lief for residential and commercial owners impacted by COVID-19.

During the discussion, Linda Tatum, director of the Long Beach Development Services Department, stated that the City will still be responding to calls regarding safety concerns.

The PRHIP’s function is to ensure apartment buildings are inhabitable and meet the standard set by the City’s municipal code. Inspections are done through reviews by the City.

“Let me clarify, [the City] is still responding to complaints regarding health and life safety issues,” Tatum said. “It’s just that they’re not going out and doing the routine proactive PRHIP inspections. But we are doing the proactive life and health safety for PRHIP and for any other code enforcement complaints that we receive.”

Evictions After weeks of debate, the council officially voted to declare an ordinance temporarily prohibiting evictions until May 31, 2020. The new directive goes into effect immediately.

Dashboard continued from page 7

It shows that the numbers of COVID-19 deaths among Whites and Asians roughly mirror the percent of each in the state’s population– 41% for Whites and 17% for Asians– according to the State’s data as of April 12.

However, the number of Latino deaths represents only 28% of total deaths so far, though that group reflects 39% of the state’s population. Conversely, African Americans represent 6% of the population, yet they’ve suffered a disproportionate 10% of COVID-19 deaths.

Nationwide, African Americans represent one-third of all COVID-19 deaths and are 2.3 times more likely to die than would be expected based on their population, according to APM Research Lab, an independent research organization, in an April 14 report.

“While Black Americans represent 13% of those living in places releasing data by race, they have suffered 32% of all known COVID-19 deaths in those places,” APM reports, adding that ethnicity data is currently only available for about a third of total coronavirus deaths.

Locally, according to Census estimates, Long Beach is home to about 467,000 residents, who are 42% Latino, and 13% each African American and Asian, including a sizable Cambodian community.

Tom Modica, newly appointed city manager, stated in an April 13 memo to the mayor and city council that it’s difficult for Long Beach to gather ethnicity data because people are not required to provide that information when they sign up for a COVID-19 test.

Nevertheless, the City has

9

continued from page 3

continued from page 5

ees nationally provide 80 supplemental hours of sick for employees.

This ordinance will not apply to businesses that were closed due to the health order.

The council will officially vote on the measures when the City attorney returns with a revised ordinance.

Signal Tribune

found that 21% of those hospitalized in Long Beach are African Americans though they represent only 13% of residents, according to the memo.

“The virus most severely impacts those with underlying health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes and high blood-pressure and African Americans are overrepresented in the percent of those in Long Beach experiencing these conditions,” Modica stated.

Implicit bias in healthcare and other social determinants might contribute to those statistics, Modica said, including living in overcrowded housing, relying on public transportation and having limited access to testing and treatment.

“We plan to offer additional free drive-through testing sites in these communities to help identify when people are infected, better educate the community on physical distancing protocols, sanitation practices and quarantine/isolation protocols to slow the spread of the disease to those with underlying health conditions,” Modica said.

He added that the City will identify isolation sites for those who can’t isolate at home if they test positive for COVID-19.

Though federal law prohibits the City from releasing ethnicity or other data until there are at least five deaths in each category, Modica said the information will be released as soon as its available. “[While] Long Beach and the County are requesting [ethnicity data] be added,” Modica said, “Long Beach is working to create its own testing website for local testing that can capture our own local data.”

longbeach.granicus.com

During the Oct. 15 Long Beach City Council meeting, Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean Logan presents information about new voting methods that will be implemented beginning with the 2020 election.

their offer to continue the recount process in a manner that aligned with the state’s Election Code.

“Mr. [Dean] Logan directed his Election Division Manager Alex Olvera to hand us a letter from county counsel, which made it clear that he would terminate the recount unilaterally at 5pm [Monday], despite our having brought the requisite daily deposit amount, according to his office’s own published ‘Requesting A Recount 2020’ guidelines,” Patton stated in an email. “The letter also falsely suggested that we had agreed to their untested, untried [and] newly devised digital facsimile recount method, which in fact we had explicitly rejected in writing in a letter with our payment on the first day.”

The Signal Tribune previously reported that the LBRC was attempting to collect about $20,000 dollars to pay for the recount process.

A deposit for a manual recount of votes is between $4,136 and $10,854 and includes labor, equipment, material and personnel, according to the Registrar’s website, which adds if a computer or machine recount is requested, costs will vary.

The LBRC was informed that a new ballot-recount system would be used to conduct their request, jumping the price to about $200,000.

On April 9, the coalition re-

t ʼ n o D et! forg

quested 40 people be made available to count ballots. The Registrar’s office provided eight, four of which were only available after 2:30pm, and a total of just over 1,000 ballots were counted, the LBRC said.

The coalition claimed under the previous voting system, four people could recount an average of 6,500 ballots a day.

The LBRC also challenged 50 rejected, but not counted, votesby-mail and provisional ballots on Thursday, all of which Logan had not ruled on as of Monday.

A second request for 40 workers to count ballots was made on Friday and the Registrar’s office provided 16 ballot counters, and about 6,700 ballots were counted, the coalition said.

In a phone interview on April 10, Patton said the LBRC encouraged the LA County Registrar Recorder to ask the state’s courts for more time to conduct an in-person ballot recount, citing the ongoing coronavirus health crisis as a reason.

Patton said the County did not consider it but carried on with the computerized recount on April 8.

In a series of letters obtained by the Signal Tribune between Patton and Mary Wickham, from the County Counsel, the LBRC gave an ultimatum to the County Clerk, saying it would pay $10,854.50 for eight teams of ballot counters to conduct the count.

In response, Wickham wrote that they were informed that on April 8 the recount for Measure A would proceed with the digital-ballot method at the LBRC’s direction. She added that they would accommodate the in-person ballot count request, and that the LBRC would have to pay $11,694.49 now that County staff would manually retrieve ballots for the recount in the order of precincts as directed.

“Please remit the full deposit amount of $11,694.49 and confirm in writing your intention to proceed with the physical retrieval of ballots by no later than 5pm [Monday] and we will proceed accordingly on April 14, 2020,” Wickham wrote. “Importantly, please note that failure to advance the deposit amount required by the Registrar pursuant to Elections Code section 15624 by the date and time indicated could result in the termination of the recount.”

The coalition was informed five hours after it arrived that Los Angeles County attorneys had rejected the coalition’s check for physical counters, leading the LBRC to file a lawsuit later Tuesday morning against the Registrar’s office.

There was no immediate comment from the Registrar’s office.

City News Service contributed to this report

Your DBAs must be filed every 5 years!

Let the Signal Tribune help with your fictitious business statement publication. We have one of the lowest prices in the county and the forms to get you started right away!

We also run LEGAL NAME CHANGES at low, low rates.

Call 562-595-7900

or Email legalnotices@signaltribune.com

10

NEWS

Signal Tribune

SH Council

LB Study

continued from page 1

continued from page 1

multiple strains of coronavirus, according to a press release from MemorialCare.

As the coronavirus pandemic expanded and health officials raced to fine a cure or vaccine, Gilead sought and received rapid acceptance from the FDA to launch multiple clinical trials related to RDV, including the recently approved expanded access treatment protocol.

According to the FDA, expanded access, commonly referred to as “compassionate use,� is a potential pathway for a patient with an immediately life-threatening condition or serious disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.

The study is taking place all over the globe, targeting different stages of the virus.

In China, their studies will determine the safety and efficacy of Remdesivir as a potential treatment for the coronavirus. In France, health officials are administering Remdesivir while using a master protocol developed by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The results from some studies so far have shown positive results. On April 10, Gilead published a study of 53 COVID-19 patients in the New England Journal of Medicine, which showed that 68% of patients resulted in “clinical improvements.� “Currently there is no prov-

April 17, 2020

en treatment for COVID-19.

We cannot draw definitive conclusions from these data, but the observations from this group of hospitalized patients who received Remdesivir are hopeful,� Jonathan D. Grein, MD, Director of Hospital Epidemiology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, and lead author of the journal article, said. “We look forward to the results of controlled clinical trials to potentially validate these findings.�

Long Beach Medical Center’s research team is led by infectious disease specialist and Principal Investigator Henry Su, M.D. “Our participation in the Remdesivir expanded access study is consistent with our goal of providing patients with severe COVID-19 infection access to the latest and most potentially efficacious treatment options,� Dr. Su said. “Patients will be closely monitored as part of the study protocol to ensure their safety.�

Kevin Jones, MD, medical director of MemorialCare Office of Research Administration said that it is too early to tell if the medication is working or not, but his staff remains hopeful. “Anything we have at this early stage would qualify as anecdotal, since we have only a limited number of study participants at this stage,�

Dr. Jones said. “However, we remain hopeful that this drug will have a positive impact on these patients.�

Sean Belk

2014 file photo of Signal Hill City Hall

Follow us on

@signaltribune For the latest news updates

city, along with the Civil Service Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission.

The Planning Commission seat had become vacant earlier this year after one member, Tom Benson, informed the council that he was moving out of the city and, as a nonresident, could no longer serve.

Bell will serve out the remainder of Benson’s term, which expires May 31, 2023. Her previous seat, which now needs to be filled, expires May 31, 2021. The council had appointed Bell last year to complete the remaining term of Carmen Brooks, who was elected city clerk in March 2019, as reported in the Signal Tribune.

During Tuesday’s meeting, Mayor Robert Copeland presided over the commissioner-selection process, beginning by allowing candidates to speak about their qualifications and interests for three minutes. Council members then asked questions of each.

Candidates Bell, Jewel Cowart, Armando Lopez and Randy Shipp were present to be interviewed.

One applicant had to drop out of the virtual meeting and will be invited back for the next selection process in May. Copeland then took nomina-

Ayanna Cares

tions from council members.

While both Bell and Lopez received nominations, the council voted unanimously to select Bell.

City Attorney Dave Aleshire said that because appointing two candidates was not on the agenda, doing so at this meeting might invite a challenge to the decision.

The council agreed to open up a new recruitment but allow the remaining existing candidates to automatically be part of that pool. “If we get more applications, we would conduct more interviews, and if we don’t, we would use these interviews to make a determination,� Councilmember Edward Wilson said.

To potentially avoid having to open a new recruitment, Councilmember Keir Jones had suggested that Bell could reapply during the commissioner appointments next year rather than create a new vacancy this year. However, Wilson said that since the council valued Bell’s expertise on the commission, it should ensure a longer appointment term for her now.

During her interview, Bell said she has worked on numerous development projects in the city in her year of service on the commission and hopes to continue to addressing issues like the need for housing. “I hope to keep bringing that expertise,� she said. “I really want to be part of the city’s post-pandemic challenges.�

Lock in your price Cowart said during10th. her interbefore May

SPRINGTIME SAVINGS

In Home Care Services

Call for details.

For the Elderly and Physically Handicapped Including Alzheimers Patients

• Adult Daycare • Post Hospital Care • Meal Preparation • Light Housekeeping

Auto Repair & Maintenance, Tires 1000 E. Wardlow Rd (562) 981-2222 Signal Hill, CA 90755

experienCe

Lock “A-ratedâ€? in your price • Bbefore ixBy KnoLLs resident May 10th. on angieslist.com LiCensed onded • insured Call• B for details.

Ayanna & Dwyane Armstead OďŹƒce: (562) 633-2195 Cell: (562) 576-3893 License# 011231

www.ayannacares.com

• Hundreds of local references • Over 35 years experience • Bixby Knolls resident • Hundreds of SPRINGTIME LoCaL • LicensedreferenCes & fully insured (General & Worker’s • SAVINGS oLiability ver 40 yearsComp)

Check out at “A-rated� onus angieslist.com

Present Coupon in Mobile or Print

We test all Vehicles- RV, Diesel & all old cars

Expires 4/30/2020

NextDoor.com • Hundreds local Check us out atof NextDoor.com Contractor’s 629882 C ’License L references ##629882 • Over 35 years experience • Bixby Knolls resident • Licensed & fully insured ontraCtor s

iCense

(General Liability & Worker’s Comp)

view that she recently retired from the aerospace industry and would bring 25 years of experience in project management to the commission. One idea she had for the city was adding parking meters to generate revenue and prevent overnight parking.

Lopez, who had also applied for the Planning Commission last year, said he works for SpaceX in design, construction and planning and is a proponent of increasing housing with accessory-dwelling units and multifamily complexes.

He added that he created a community group in West Long Beach when he lived there and wants to bring that same connectivity to Signal Hill by expanding the trail system, adding more sidewalks and connecting businesses to neighborhoods. “I enjoy this type of work– plan reviewing and looking at layouts and dealing with problems it creates and finding the solutions for it,� Lopez said.

Shipp, the final candidate interviewed who will be invited back in May, said he would bring 15 years of project management proficiency in aerospace, along with military experience and graduate coursework. He also completed the Signal Hill Police Department’s Citizens’ Police Academy course. “My favorite thing about Signal Hill is probably the smalltown feel,� he said.

The next Signal Hill City Council meeting will take place virtually on Tuesday, April 28 at 7pm.

For information on accessing and participating in the meeting, visit the council’s webpage at www.cityofsignalhill.org/79/ City-Council.

RETIRED COUPLE

Has $$$$ to lend on California Real Estate* V.I.P. TRUST DEED COMPANY OVER 35 YEARS OF FAST FUNDING Principal

(818) 248-0000 Broker

WWW.VIPLOAN.COM *Sufficient equity required - no consumer loans Real Estate License #01041073 CA Department of Real Estate, NMLS #339217

Private Party loans generally have higher interest rates, points & fees than conventional discount loans

NEWS

April 17, 2020

Anxiety

Signal Tribune

11

continued from page 1

pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.”

The LA County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) concurs, noting that media coverage can make the situation seem worse.

“When you hear, read or watch news about an outbreak of an infectious disease, you may feel anxious and show signs of stress— even when the outbreak affects people far from where you live and you are at low or no risk of getting sick,” LACDMH says.

Parents can watch for signs of stress in their children, including excessive crying, reverting to outgrown behaviors such as bedwetting, unhealthy eating or sleeping habits, difficulty concentrating and acting out, the CDC suggests.

Parents can also talk to their children about COVID-19 in ways they can understand while limiting families to news coverage.

“Children may misinterpret what they hear and can be frightened about something they do not understand,” the CDC says.

“Reassure your child or teen that they are safe. Let them know it is okay if they feel upset. Share with them how you deal with your own stress so that they can learn how to cope from you.”

Being a role model in other ways, such as through keeping up regular routines and healthy eating and sleeping behaviors, also helps children, the CDC says.

Hebard concurs that kids need reassurance that they are safe and kept to their routines.

“Understand this is strange for them, too,” she said. “They may have questions or fears. Listen to them non-judgmentally, respect their concerns as valid and reassure them that this, too, shall pass.

Life will get back to normal.”

Adults can take care of their elderly parents by connecting with them remotely, helping manage their medications and medical supplies, and helping them stock up on non-perishable food items such as canned foods and pasta, the CDC suggests.

Hebard added that this is also the time to value the experience of the elderly who have faced situations much worse or heard about them from their parents.

“Learn from them how to sew or cook,” Hebard suggested.

“Many older folks are technologically challenged; however, this is a great time to help them learn a new skill. A call over Zoom, Facebook Live or even just Facetime on your phone are great ways to feel connected.”

However, the CDC also stresses that adults should take care of their emotional health as well.

“Caring for a loved one can take an emotional toll, especially during an outbreak like COVID-19,” the CDC says.

NAMI encourages relaxing activities such as reading or listening to audiobooks; journaling or writing; creating art, such as drawing or building something; playing games and doing puzzles; taking a free online course or learning a new skill; or garden-

Anita W. Harris | Signal Tribune

COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, has disrupted much of normal life, including mental health.

ing, cooking and rearranging the home environment.

“If working from home, we encourage you to create a structured, dedicated work environment and build in self-care as well as daily benchmarks of achievement,” NAMI suggests.

NAMI also suggests regularly phoning friends and family and sharing virtual activities, such as crafting or eating dinner.

LACMH adds to that list connecting with community or faith groups, many of which now offer online services.

Dr. William Parham, a psychology professor at Loyola Marymount University, notes that forced isolation can also be an opportunity for growth.

“Hidden in the challenges in this still-unfolding journey are opportunities to discover more about ourselves and how we manage our emotional health and

wellbeing,” Parham says.

He notes that normal responses to COVID-19 can include a range of emotions– not only anxiety, panic, fear and uncertainty but confusion, feeling blindsided, hypervigilance, depression, sadness, mourning and an increased sense of vulnerability.

“Acknowledge all feelings that surface!” Parham says. “[Just] because you may not be able to fully understand or explain your feelings at any given moment during this pandemic, doesn’t mean that they are any less valid.”

He suggests expressing feelings but also knowing they may be tied to past situations and unresolved traumas. Speaking to a mental-health professional may help.

“While we have little to no control over what is happening,” Parham says, “we have 100% control over how we respond to the challenges with which we are now confronted.”

For more information and help, visit NAMI Long Beach at www. namilongbeach.org or call the LACDMH hotline at (800) 8547771.

BOOKKEEPING & TAX SERVICES

TAXHave SEASON a IS

HERE

TAX EXTENSION? Call the experts and get started NOW! Individual and business taxes Year-end Tax Planning Payroll • Quickbooks Setup 1099 Preparation • Sales Tax

Let us help you with your BOOKKEEPING NEEDS! Cambodian Khmer • + Spanish speaking!

MadKat, Inc

bune in an email that more residents have been contacting her office for help in the last month.

“Many more people are searching for support and mental illness doesn’t stop for pandemics,” Hebard said. “We are still getting requests for housing, clinical and medical services, as well as info on COVID-19.”

Hebard added that NAMI Long Beach and other providers and nonprofits are offering online support groups to help.

“We have resources on our website and even a new chatbot feature we are beta-testing to answer questions quickly and get needed info to the public ASAP,” she said.

Nearly one in five people in California already suffer from an anxiety disorder, according to NAMI California. While statistics on how the current lockdown is contributing to the number of anxiety and depression cases are not yet available, Hebard says there has been an increase.

“Capsized travel plans, indefinite isolation, panic over scarce resources and information overload could be a recipe for unchecked anxiety and feelings of isolation,” California psychologist Aarti Gupta of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America states.

Simply isolating can lead to fear and worry, altered eating patterns, difficulty sleeping, increased smoking and alcohol or drug consumption, and the worsening of existing chronic health problems and mental conditions, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Those at risk for mental illness may also face additional fears about socially isolating and having health, community and transportation services cut off, according to the CDC. Their distress may increase further if they live in lower-income households or experience language barriers.

To help address the problem, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced on April 3 that it is providing emergency grants of up to $2 million per state for crisis intervention services, mental and substance-use disorder treatment, and other support for children and adults impacted by the pandemic.

“People throughout the nation will struggle with increases in depression, anxiety, trauma, and grief,” the organization said.

In the meantime, NAMI suggests simple measures residents can do daily, such as making your bed, getting dressed, connecting with loved ones via phone and video, and moving, such as through walking, dance or yoga.

Walking in the neighborhood is still allowed under Long Beach’s “safer at home” policy.

Health officials also suggest reducing stress by limiting exposure to constantly changing media information.

“Take breaks from watching, reading or listening to news stories, including social media,” the CDC states. “Hearing about the

LIVES LIVED

Cindy Fox 63 Desiree Di Foggio 28 John Finn 93 Joann Gibson 87 Miriam Griffin 96 Norma Newman 101 Charles Yoshida 84 Carolyn Hollis 61 Joann Tutson 76 Julia Alexander 81 Lanny Thomas 67 Eugene Postert III 73 Laura Donnelly 96 Wilhelmina Fitzpatrick 95 Kendra Colley 52 Gregory Cook III 24 Garry Bowie 59

The families were assisted

by McKenzie Mortuary.

For more details on service dates and times, contact (562) 961-9301.

Pet of the week: Juniper

Juniper is one of the few pets remaining in our shelter. She’s a beautiful 4-year-old steel-gray pit bull who came in as a stray and immediately warmed up to the staff and volunteers.

She’s happy and loving and will follow you anywhere.

Unfortunately, she has a health issue—masses that need examination and attention. She’d do so much better in your home with you, and she’ll certainly make your own stay-athome nicer! Meet Juniper on the shelter side at the P. D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village, 7700 East Spring St., (562) 570-PETS. Ask for #A641644.

(The usual suspects contributed to this rescue)

12

Signal Tribune

April 17, 2020

Skip a Seat, Skip a Row, Stop the Spread.

For those continuing to ride the bus to get to essential services in Long Beach, we ask that you please observe new LBT guidelines to stay safe while riding.

When you board, think “Skip a Seat, Skip a Row,” so you can maintain distance between yourself, fellow customers, and operators.

The more we spread out, the safer we’ll all be. Thank you for your cooperation.

Skip a Seat, Skip a Row, and Stop the Spread. helps to protect our customers and operators.

T O U C H

T O U C H

H E R E

H E R E

T O

T O

O P E N

O P E N

D O O R

D O O R

T O U C H

T O U C H

H E R E

H E R E

T O

T O

O P E N

O P E N

D O O R

D O O R

For the safety of our operators, plastic chains have been installed to keep rear-boarding customers at a distance.

Board/Exit buses through the rear doors. Customers who need boarding ramp can use the front door.

For the latest updates, visit ridelbt.com/basics