Signal Tribune April 6, 2018 (part 1)

S IGNA L T R I BU N E Serving Bixby Knolls, California Heights, Los Cerritos, Wrigley and Signal Hill VOL. XL NO. 15

IN THIS ISSUE NEWS ‘Homework gap’ affecting local students Students lacking Internet access face short- and long-term disadvantages.

Your Weekly Community Newspaper

www.signaltribune.com

April 6, 2018

LB City Council conducts study session on saving Community Hospital MemorialCare begins process of notifying Community employees of impending layoffs.

Cory Bilicko | Signal Tribune

Brad Johnson, a landlord who has participated in Los Angeles County’s Homeless Incentive Program, tells attendees at an outreach event Wednesday that his experiences with housing homeless people has been a rewarding one.

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Uranga, Dines get support from major union AFL-CIO spends heavily on two city council candidates.

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COMMUNITY #AlarmYourself Rose Park group gives personal-safety alarms to local foot traffic.

Page 8

CULTURE

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Open minds, open homes County, LB officials call on local landlords to house individuals, families experiencing homelessness.

Courtesy City of LB

A map from the City of Long Beach illustrates the areas of varying degress of seismic concern at Community Hospital. The buildings in red need to meet OSHPD‘s compliance by Jan. 1, 2020, according to Diana Tang, manager of Government Affairs for Long Beach.

Cory Bilicko Managing Editor

As MemorialCare, the healthcare system that has been operating Community Hospital since 2011, initiated a wave of layoff notifications this week, those seeking to keep the seismically challenged medical center open seemed to shift their focus from criticizing MemorialCare’s handling of the situation to moving forward with potential plans to address the problem.

However, local and state nurse unions this week were still vocal in criticizing MemorialCare for allegedly expediting the hospital’s closure for business goals that are unrelated to the seismic problems.

CNA/NNU allegations A quorum of Long Beach City Council members met Tuesday afternoon for a study session on preserving services at Community Hospital, including Mayor Robert Garcia, Lena Gonzalez (1st District), Jeannine Pearce (2nd), Daryl Supernaw (4th), Roberto Uranga (7th) and Al Austin (8th). Third District Councilmember Suzie Price participated in the meeting via con-

ference call.

Just before the study session, the California Nurses Association and National Nurses United (CNA/NNU), along with community leaders, conducted a press conference outside Long Beach City Hall in which nurses criticized MemorialCare for “accelerating the closure for business goals unrelated to the stated seismic reasons.” The nurse unions indicated that MemorialCare is seeking to circumvent growing public opposition with “trumped-up reasons” to hasten the shutdown.

“CNA/NNU contends that MemorialCare used bogus facts to fabricate an alleged understaffing situation that led to closing the emergency room on diversion prematurely and most likely in violation of state law,” states a press release the unions issued Tuesday. “The CNA is calling on the California Department of Public Health to require MemorialCare [to] comply with legal notice standards and not waive the 90-day notice requirement before instituting acutelife-support diversions.”

After the press conference, the Signal Tribune reached out to John Bishop, chief executive

Cory Bilicko Managing Editor

officer of MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center, MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach and MemorialCare Community Medical Center Long Beach, for his reaction to the unions’ claims.

“These assertions are not true,” Bishop said. “In November 2017, Community Medical Center announced findings from independent seismic studies which revealed a wide, active earthquake fault zone under the hospital campus. The findings were supported by significant due diligence, including consulting with seismic experts, structural engineers and architects, and the findings were recently verified by seismic experts hired by the City of Long Beach.”

City and County officials are calling on local landlords to open their properties to get homeless individuals and families into permanent housing.

During an outreach event Wednesday afternoon at the Salvation Army headquarters at 3000 Long Beach Blvd., the housing authorities of Los Angeles County and Long Beach presented information on the Homeless Incentive Program (HIP), which offers monetary incentives to encourage landlords to rent available units to homeless Section 8 voucher holders.

HIP is offering payment of rental application fees, holding fees to residential-property owners to reserve available units while applicants are referred, move-in assistance for new tenants and damage claims.

In addition to up to one month’s rent to hold units, landlords who participate will receive expedited housing-quality standard inspections, referrals to fill vacancies and access to funds for unit costs beyond normal wear and tear after the tenants move out. The City’s housing authority will also provide specialized staff to assist with concerns.

More than 120 landlords showed up for Wednesday’s event, according to city officials. Other agencies in attendance included the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs of Long Beach and West Los Angeles, who provided staff to answer questions and distribute material on available services.

Long Beach Vice Mayor Rex Richardson, who also serves as the city’s Housing Authority Commission chair, said HIP is a great opportunity for landlords to get involved with combating homelessness because it helps to address concerns that property owners have with renting to that demographic.

“We recognize that housing this vulnerable population can come with challenges, and we are optimistic

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Signal Tribune

April 6, 2018

April 6, 2018

‘Homework gap’ affects local students Students lacking Internet access may face short- and long-term disadvantages.

Anita W. Harris Staff Writer

“The dog ate my homework” is rarely an excuse used by schoolchildren anymore since much of their work is now done online rather than on paper.

In the last five years, as education has increasingly integrated digital technology, the divide between students whose families can afford broadband Internet access at home versus those that can’t has become a growing concern.

Jessica Rosenworcel, a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) commissioner, has been a vocal proponent of increasing connectivity among the disadvantaged and coined the term “homework gap” to describe the challenges of access-deprived students.

“The ‘homework gap’ is real,” she stated. “In fact, according to findings from the Pew Research Center, there are 29 million households with school-aged children nationwide. Five million of them lack regular access to broadband.”

The Pew Research Center think tank analyzed 2013 U.S. Census data showing that the lower a

NEWS

Signal Tribune

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household’s income level, the less likely it is to have broadband Internet access, and 31.4 percent of households with school-aged children and annual incomes of less than $50,000 have no broadband Internet access at all.

The “Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim” region, according to a 2017 Brookings Institute study, has the largest percentage of households in the nation– 13. 7 percent or 1.8 million households– located in neighborhoods with very low Internet availability.

Long Beach has an 81.4-percent connectivity rate, coming in at 130 out of 296 cities ranked, according to Governing, a publication that provides information for government officials. This leaves nearly 20 percent, or 30,745 households, without connectivity. By contrast, Courtesy Pew Research Center the city of Irvine, Calif. has 96.3 percent connectivity, ranking third Chart by Pew Research Center showing that among households with school-age children, broadband Internet access decreases with lower income levels. FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel says this creates a “homework gap” for highest in the nation.

In an effort to catch up, the City disadvantaged students. of Long Beach has been working to upgrade and expand its public Sastokas, chief information officer nected with low student achieveAccording toLONG the National EduCOMMUNITY HOSPITAL BEACH Internet infrastructure over the last for the City of Long Beach. “This ment, it does lead to what some cation nearly 50 perNEEDS YOURAssociation, HELP TO several years. For its efforts, the approach allows the City to become researchers call “digital distress” cent of all students say they are City has been recognized as a “Top- resilient and deliver the technology among students who have to com- unable to complete a homework as10 Digital City” by the Center for infrastructure and critical tools that plete their homework by staying signment because they don’t have Digital Government, a national re- are needed to create a sustainable after school or going to public li- access to the Internet or a computer. search and advisory institute. and prosperous 21st-century city.” braries or businesses such as coffee Furthermore, 42 percent of students “We are searching for innovative COMMUNITY HOSPITAL LONG BEACH In the meantime, though lack of shops where they can get Wi-Fi say they received a lower grade on and intelligent ideas that can drive access at home NEEDS HELP TO is YOUR not causally con- access. see ACCESS page 14 our path forward,” said Bryan M.

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OPINION

Signal Tribune

Thoughts

from

Courtesy Veronica Vidal

After an invigorating visit, the group pauses for a photo. From left: Judge Nathan Scott, Diego Morales, Colin Winslow, Henry Otey, Den Leader Penny Morris, William Morris, David Dockson, Tyler Nugyen, Den Leader Adele Nguyen, Roy Vidal II, and Assistant Cub Master Veronica Vidal.

I

love my job. As a newspaper publisher, I have the opportunity to meet many interesting people. A few months ago, I met Veronica Vidal, who is one of our loyal readers. We have kept in touch and even went to the symphony together a few weeks back.

An assistant cub master for her son Roy’s Webelos Cub Scout pack #78, Veronica called me late last week and shared a sweet story about a special guest speaker who recently came and shared information about his career with the pack.

As Veronica tells it, during the Cub Scout meeting, the boys had the honor of meeting, listening to and interviewing Superior Court Judge Nathan Scott from Orange County. Having a local connection really impressed the boys as Judge Scott was born in Long Beach and attended Hughes Middle School. Also, the boys learned that the judge’s mother had been a pre-school teacher at California Heights Church, where the scout meetings now take place.

In the detailed email Veronica sent me about the event, she wrote the following: “I was in awe to be a part of this experience, as usually the only time a person is in front of judge is in court or jury duty. The kids had a great time hearing about his lucrative career and the educational pathway he took to reach it. During the presentation, the judge showed his badge and diplomas that he earned from Harvard and told them that what stands out clearly in his mind is what he was taught, ‘Do not follow people, but [follow] God and the Law.’” In conclusion, Judge Scott reminded the kids to follow and always remember the oath that they took to become scouts: On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

The boys were surprised that Judge Scott knew the oath by heart, and several spoke up asking him if he had memorized the pledge. The judge responded by revealing that he too had been both a Cub Scout and Boy Scout in Long Beach.

Veronica told me that the connection made at that meeting is sure to be one that will stay with those boys for the rest of their lives. “I believe having mentors like him guides our kids to stay strong, focus on their education, serve and build our community.”

COMMENTARY

Frequently asked questions about child therapy

Publisher

the

By Neena Strichart

April 6, 2018

By Patricia Costales, LCSW CEO of The Guidance Center

We’re taught throughout our lives how to treat or get help for physical ailments. We know to put a bandage on a scraped knee or see our doctor for a sore throat. We call 9-1-1 for more serious, life-threatening emergencies.

When a child experiences an emotional challenge or mental-health crisis, the treatment for healing can seem unclear by comparison if you’re unfamiliar with the hope that therapy can bring.

Maybe you’ve considered therapy for your child but are unsure of the process and have questions. I understand. Every day at The Guidance Center, we walk parents and caregivers through the process and respond to the questions they have surrounding treatment.

Here are a few common questions and answers that may help provide clarity to the healing process we go through to help children who need support.

Question: Why do you ask so many questions? I just want to help my kid.

Answer: In order to best help your child, it is important for the mental-health professional to get as much information as possible about the child’s family history, developmental history, educational history and current life situation.

Question: My kid is just misbehaving. She’s not mentally ill. Why is the therapist asking questions about hearing voices?

Answer: The therapist will ask a lot of questions about behavior and symptoms. Some of the questions may or may not apply to your child, but the mental-health professional asks in order to make sure their assessment is thorough and they have all the information needed to best help your child.

Question: All the therapist does is play with my kid. What’s that supposed to do?

Answer: Children often express their thoughts and emotions through play. The therapist plays with your child in order to get to know your child, form a trusting relationship with them, allow them to communicate at their own pace in a safe environment and provide help and intervention specific to your child’s needs.

Play is serious business!

Question: Why does the therapist want to meet with me? It’s my kid who is having the problems.

Answer: Therapists consider parents and caregivers to be an important resource for a child, and parents can provide information, guidance and positive discipline for their child. Parents and caregivers are as important to the healing process as the therapists are. After all, parents help a child for a lifetime. Therapists only help a child for a period of a time.

We hope this information is helpful to you. If you have questions other than the ones listed, we’d be happy to discuss those with you. We can be reached at (562) 595-1159 or contactus@tgclb.org.

Patricia Costales, LCSW is the CEO of The Guidance Center, a nonprofit child and family mental-health service provider headquartered in Long Beach.

It’s National Social Security Month!

By Essie L. Landry Social Security public-affairs specialist

National Social Security Month is celebrated in April and is dedicated to educating you about Social Security programs and services. From programs that help support you through life’s journey, to services that help put you in control, to systems that help protect what’s important to you, Social Security is committed to helping secure today and tomorrow for you and your family.

During National Social Security Month, we encourage people to take control of their future with “My Social Security” at socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. Create a “My Social Security” account to check your earnings history, confirm you have enough credits to retire, see an estimate of future benefits while still working or manage your monthly benefits once you begin receiving them. You can also check the status of your claim or appeal, request a replacement Social Security card and get an instant benefit-verification letter.

Our Retirement Estimator is another great tool that provides you with immediate and personalized benefit estimates based on your own earnings record. This allows you to receive the most accurate estimate of your future retirement benefits. Estimate your benefits now at socialsecurity.gov/estimator.

After you have viewed your earnings history for accuracy, confirmed you have enough work credits to retire and determined the best age to retire, you can get started on the next phase of your life right away by retiring online! It’s fast and easy at socialsecurity.gov/retireonline.

For more than 80 years, Social Security has changed to meet the needs of our customers. During National Social Security Month, and throughout the year, Social Security puts you in control with secure access to your information anytime, anywhere. From estimating or managing your benefits, requesting a replacement Social Security card, to retiring online, visit SocialSecurity.gov today, and see what you can do online at socialsecurity.gov/onlineservices.

Landry​ is a ​S ocial Security ​p ublic​- a​f fairs ​specialist in ​t he ​S ierra West ​a​rea​.​

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 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

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WALK THE WALK What First Fridays Art Walk Who Hosted by the Bixby Knolls When Friday, April 6 from 6:30pm to 9:30pm Where Atlantic Avenue from Bixby Road to San Antonio Drive More Info “The 5th annual Long Beach County Fair” will be the theme of the event. Long Beach Fresh will be showcasing locally-grown produce and a farm and garden photography exhibit. Visit firstfridayslongbeach.com.

TAKE A HIKE What Hike Who Hosted by Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust When Saturday, April 7 from 8am to 10am Where Meet at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and 1st Street More Info Ecologists will lead the nature walk to see red-tailed hawks, cooper’s hawks and ospreys.

Visit lcwlandtrust.org.

STANDING UP, SPEAKING OUT What Meeting Who Hosted by the American Association of University Women When Saturday, April 7 at 9:30am Where Old Ranch Country Club, 3901 Lampson Ave. More Info Dr. Nina M. Flores, assistant professor with the Social & Cultural Analysis of Education graduate program at California State University, Long Beach will share her research on gender-based harassment. Lunch costs $33. Email Lee Tsao at lee.tsao@hotmail.com to RSVP.

Apr 7 May 5 562-494-1014 LBPlayhouse.org 5021 E. Anaheim St.

A COMMUNITY EFFORT What Public hearing Who Hosted by the Community Hospital Task Force When Wednesday, April 11 at 6pm Where The Grand, 4101 E. Willow St. More Info Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services will provide a public hearing to discuss the status of the emergency room at Community Hospital Long Beach. Call Kathy Berry at (562) 477-1646.

CRACK A BOOK What Book club Who Hosted by the Bixby Knolls Literary Society When Wednesday, April 11 at 7pm Where Elise’s Tea Room, 3924 Atlantic Ave. More Info The featured book is Lolly Willowes

by Sylvia Townsend Warner. Email info@bixbyknollsinfo.com.

CALLING ALL BOOKWORMS What Book sale Who Hosted by the Friends of Signal Hill Library When Friday, April 13 from 11am to 4pm Where 1780 E. Hill St. More Info Each shopper will receive a free raffle ticket. Call Cecilia Fidora at (562) 494-1013.

TO THE DOGS What Spay and neuter event Who Hosted by Long Beach 3rd District Councilmember Suzie Price and 4th District Councilmember Daryl Supernaw When Saturday, April 14 from 7:30am to 3pm Where Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1140 Ximeno Ave. POP ART More Info Spay and neuter services will be proWhat Pop-up art festival vided, and attendees can make an appointment Who Hosted by Dramatic Results through fixlongbeach.com/make-an-appointment.

When Saturday, April 7 from 3pm to 7pm Other services such as microchips, flea medications, Where Dramatic Results Studio, 3310 Lime Ave. vaccinations, deworming and nail trimming will be More Info The festival will feature live music and available for local pets. Call Lisa West at (562) 570an art gallery. Admission costs $25, which includes 6300. two drink tickets. Visit dramaticresults.org.

PAGE-TURNER FA-LA-LA-LA-LAAAA What Book reading What Performance Who Hosted by author Steven Deeble Who Hosted by Long Beach Camerata Singers When Saturday, April 14 at 11am When Sunday, April 8 at 6:30pm Where El Dorado Neighborhood Library, 2900 N Where Grace First Presbyterian Church, 3955 N. Studebaker Rd. Studebaker Rd. More Info Local author Steven Deeble will read More Info The Long Beach Youth Chorus will from his newest novel, Persistence of Vision. Email perform at the free event. Tickets can be reserved Deeble at sdeeble@stevendeeble.com. through longbeachcameratasingers.org.

WRITE RIGHT LOOKING FORWARD What Meeting What Council meeting Who Hosted by the California Writers Club Who Hosted by the California State Independent When Saturday, April 14 from 3pm to 5pm Living Council Where Ruth Bach Neighborhood Library, 4055 When Monday, April 9 from 5pm and Tuesday, Bellflower Blvd.

April 10 from 9:30am to 3pm More Info Author Karen Gorback will discuss Where Courtyard Marriott Downtown Long Beach, “Writing Dazzling 500 E. 1st St. Dialogue.” Visit info@calwriterslongbeach.org.

More Info The public can provide insight and share concerns to help shape future independent-living NOW HEAR THIS programs in California. Email danielle@calsilc. What Demonstration ca.gov to RSVP. Who Hosted by Hearing Loss Association of America Long Beach/Lakewood Chapter HELP IN GIVING CARE When Saturday, April 21 from 10:30am to noon What Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group Where Weingart Center, 5220 Oliva Ave. Who Hosted by Long Beach Medical Center More Info Captioned telephones will be available When Tuesday, April 10 from 3pm to 5pm for those that qualify. A hearing-aid representative Where Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital will also be present to answer questions. Call (562) Long Beach Pavilion in 630-6141 or visithlalongbeachlakewood.org.

Conference Room A1, 2801 Atlantic Ave. More Info Caregivers who attend the free event will ON A MISSION learn ways to cope with and manage the challenges What Gala of Light event of dementia. To register, call (323) 930-6256.

Who Hosted by Su Casa–Ending Domestic Violence MUSIC TO YOUR EARS When Saturday, April 21 at 6pm What Jazz showcase Where Old Ranch Country Club, 3901 Lampson Who Hosted by Millikan High School Ave. When Wednesday, April 11 from 3pm to 9pm More Info The gala will feature silent auctions, Where 2800 Snowden Ave. food and drinks and live music from the King SalmMore Info The event will showcase the musical tal- on Band. Tickets cost $100, and all proceeds benefit ents of Long Beach students. Tickets cost $5, and Su Casa and its mission to end domestic violence. food and refreshments will be available. Call Rudolf Call (562) 421-6537.

Picanco at (562) 425-7441.

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NEWS Uranga, Dines win support from major union Signal Tribune

AFL-CIO spends heavily on two candidates for city council.

CJ Dablo Staff Writer

With just a few days before the April 10 primary nominating election in Long Beach, one union has worked especially hard to help their preferred candidates for city council. The political-action committee (PAC) for the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor AFL-CIO Council on Political Education has spent extraordinary amounts to support Rich Dines and, in particular, Roberto Uranga, candidates for the 5th and 7th Districts, respectively.

The AFL-CIO has concentrated their spending on Long Beach’s 7th District, where Councilmember Roberto Uranga is seeking re-election for a second term. The union reported that its political-action committee spent a cumulative total of $98,503.35 in support of Uranga’s candidacy, according to its March 23 campaign-finance statement.

The 7th-district councilmember

does face four other opponents: Oscar Delacruz, Jared Milrad, Chris Sereno and Kevin Shin.

The AFL-CIO’s latest available statements from March 23 show that the organization supports Rich Dine’s candidacy to represent Long Beach’s 5th District. According to their records, the union has spent $7,333.32 in field-program expenses to support Dines.

Rusty Hicks serves as the president of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, also known as the LA Fed. Hicks explained that the figures that have been reported in the campaign-finance statements are independent expenditures by his organization. He confirmed that there is no coordination between his organization and council candidates Uranga and Dines.

In an interview last month, Hicks explained the union’s support of Dines and Uranga. He highlighted Dines’s career as a marine clerk and his active membership with the

International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU). Hicks also noted Uranga’s career with the City of Long Beach.

The Signal Tribune asked Hicks to explain why he felt it was necessary to raise so much money to support Uranga and Dines. The union president highlighted housing, economic growth, vitality in the port and the hospitality and tourism industry as major priorities. He also stressed the protection of the workers in all of those industries.

When the Signal Tribune asked Hicks about the level of support the union is offering to the candidates running for the 5th and 7th District, Hicks described the vast diversity of workers who are represented by his organization. It includes nurses, teachers, firefighters and construction workers.

“These are regular folks that are pooling their money together in order to support candidates that match their values,” Hicks said.

In his bid to defeat incumbent Sta-

LBCC Board of Trustees approves two new VP appointments

Photos courtesy LBCC

Kathleen J. Scott

Mike Muñoz

includes enrollment services, financial aid, counseling and student affairs. Muñoz has served at Rio Hondo College since 2008.

Most recently he was the executive dean of Counseling and Student Equity, and he also held the office of Dean of Counseling and Student Success and Associate Dean of Student Services. He teaches courses at CSU Los Angeles and USC. He is a resident

A Wilmington man was killed in a car accident in Long Beach last week, according to the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD).

On Thursday, March 29, at approximately 6:50am, officers were dispatched to the intersection of Judson Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway regarding a two-vehicle injury-traffic collision, which resulted in the death of a male adult.

Upon their arrival, officers located both vehicles in the intersection, with the driver of a 1990 Honda Civic DX having sustained major trauma. Long Beach Fire Department responded and determined that the driver was deceased.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the Civic, driven by a 24-year-old male resident of Wilmington, was traveling in the No. 1 eastbound lane of Pacific Coast Highway approaching Judson Avenue at a high rate of speed.

of Highland Park. Muñoz will officially begin his tenure at LBCC on July 2.

Both Scott and Muñoz are products of the California Community College system. Scott attended Moorpark College and Muñoz attended Fullerton College.

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The Civic, for an unknown reason, locked up brakes and skidded into and collided with a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 pick-up. The truck was driven by a 46-year-old male resident of Long Beach, who was waiting to turn left, onto southbound Judson Avenue from westbound Pacific Coast Highway. The force of the impact caused the truck to be pushed backwards approximately 35 feet.

The identity of the deceased driver is pending notification of the next of kin.

Those who may have witnessed the collision are asked to contact LBPD Collision Investigation Detective Garcia at (562) 570-7355. Anonymous tips may be submitted through “LA Crime Stoppers” by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the “P3 Tips” app to a smart phone or visiting LACrimeStoppers.org.

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A shooting incident took the lives of two men and caused injury to another, according to the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD).

On Wednesday, April 4, around midnight, officers were dispatched to the 5300 hundred block of Orange Avenue regarding a shooting.

When officers arrived, they discovered a deceased male, identified as 52-year-old Suy Phavong of Long Beach, who had sustained a gunshot wound to the torso. A second male subject, identified as 35-year-old Panha Nhean of Long Beach, had also been struck in the torso. Long Beach Fire Department paramedics transported him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

A third male subject, only being identified as a 47-year-old resident of Long Beach, was also transported to a local hospital with a non-life threatening injury.

The preliminary investigation de-

Wilmington man killed in Long Beach traffic accident

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The Long Beach Community College District Board of Trustees approved two new vice president appointments at its March 27 meeting. Dr. Kathleen J. Scott is the new vice president of Academic Affairs and Dr. Mike Muñoz is the new vice president of Student Support Services for Long Beach City College.

“Dr. Scott and Dr. Muñoz bring a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be extremely beneficial to our students,” said LBCC Superintendent-President Reagan F. Romali. “I’m excited about LBCC’s new leadership and I’m looking forward to all of the accomplishments they will achieve here.”

Scott has been with LBCC since September as the acting vice president of Academic Affairs. She oversees all of LBCC’s academic programs and deans.

She previously served as associate vice president of Academic Affairs at Pasadena City College and in multiple leadership roles at Ventura College. She taught English for years at both Ventura College and CSU Northridge.

Scott has an Ed.D from California Lutheran University and master’s and bachelor’s degrees from CSU Northridge. She is a resident of Lakewood.

Muñoz will lead LBCC’s Student Support Services area, which

cy Mungo and win the 5th District seat, Dines has enjoyed major support from another committee known as Long Beach Public Safety to Support Dines for City Council 2018.

This particular group has received its contributions from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 11, Southern California Pipe Trades District Council 16 and a local chapter of the ILWU, the organization affiliated with Dines. The committee spent $40,768.45 from Jan. 1 to March 24, according to campaign-finance reports.

So far, other unions have not spent as much money on the council races. Instead, they have prioritized another issue. A measure that will be on the ballot in Long Beach’s June 5 election has preoccupied the union representing local law enforcement.

The Long Beach Police Officers Association spent $50,000 in support of the utility-transfer charter amendment.

April 6, 2018

4:21 PM

ALWAYS NO CHARGE CONSULTATIONS FOR SIGNAL TRIBUNE READERS!

NEWS

April 6, 2018

Shooting

continued from page 6

termined that all the victims were in a converted detached garage when an unknown suspect opened fire on the group. A motive for the shooting is unknown, no suspect information is available at press time and the investigation remains ongoing.

Those who may have information regarding the incident are encouraged to contact Long Beach Police Homicide Detectives Teryl Hubert and Scott Lasch at (562) 570-7244.

Anonymous tips may be submitted through “LA Crime Stoppers”

by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the “P3 Tips” app to a smartphone or visiting lacrimestoppers.org.

Source: LBPD

Contemplating Your Next Move?

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At least 30,000 Dreamers renew DACA applications after State secures injunction A quarterly report from the federal government on DACA applications has revealed that at least 30,000 Dreamers have been able to renew their DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) status and secure two more years of DACA protection, according to California Attorney General Xavier Becerra’s office.

On Tuesday night, by court order, United Citizenship and Immigration Services produced data on the number of DACA applications that have been renewed or await a pending decision as a result of the nationwide injunction Becerra secured in January. As a result of the injunction, the court ordered the federal government to publish

updated statistics. In addition, approximately 30,000 DACA applications remain pending, according to Becerra’s office.

“As a result of the nationwide injunction we secured, at least 30,000 Dreamers who have renewed their DACA status– our colleagues, our classmates, our teachers– can go home to their loved ones at night and keep helping build a better America,” Becerra said. “I’ll keep fighting at every turn in court for Dreamers’ rights and opportunities, so they may continue to make meaningful contributions in California and beyond.”

Source: Becerra’s office

Lowenthal, other Congressional climate-change leaders urge U.S. support of Green Climate Fund

In a letter to the House Appro- global and therefore actions to priations Committee regarding fight it must be multi-lateral.

FY19 federal funding, Congress“We must help developing namember Alan Lowenthal (CA- tions adapt, and safeguard vulner47) joined with 58 of his House able communities from bearing Ranked in The Top 50 Real estate Agents 2017 and 2018 colleagues in supporting United the brunt of the worst effects,” States financial pledges for the Beyer said. “Congress’ support 2621 20th St. Unit 19 3350 Gundry Green Climate Fund (GCF), an for the Green Climate Fund is a international effort to address cli- critical step needed to address SOLD SOLD mate change. climate change and fill the leadYour Local REALTOR® The House Members point out ership gap left by the Trump AdServing The Community. in the letter that “the GCF is a ministration.” critical tool for the multinational Blumenauer said, “The United effort to address climate change, States has an obligation to keep and funding would be used to in- its climate commitments, no mat2 bd 2 ba $430,000 4 bd 2 ba Zoned R2 $710,000 vest in resilient and low-emission ter who is in the White House. As development around the world. one of the largest emitters of carThe property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations.

U.S. support of the GCF is abso- bon pollution, our country owes Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential lutely critical to the fund’s suc- it to the international community Brokerage are independent contractor agents and are not employees of the Company. ©2018 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker, the Coldwell Banker Logo, Coldwell cess and ensuring that developing to help others adapt to this global Banker Global Luxury and the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury logo service marks are registered or pending registrations owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.. CalRE# 01037853 nations are engaged in addressing problem.” our climate challenges.”

Peters said combating climate The letter concludes, “…cli- change has always required a mate change is not a problem that global solution. the U.S. can tackle alone. Demon“Given the White House’s strating strong support for the threat to pull the U.S. out of the GCF will help protect our nation’s landmark Paris Climate Agreeinterests and ensure every country ment, supporting global investdoes its fair share.” ment in greenhouse gas and cliJoining Lowenthal in leading mate mitigation programs is more the effort are Congressmembers important than ever,” Peters said.

Bobby Rush (IL-01) and Earl Blu- “The Green Climate Fund helps menauer (OR-03), co-chairs of developing countries meet emisthe Bicameral Task Force on Cli- sion and resiliency goals, particmate Change; Congressmember ularly for countries that are most Don Beyer (VA-08), co-chair with vulnerable to the threat of climate Lowenthal of the Congressional change. The U.S. can’t relinquish Safe Climate Caucus; Congress- its leadership role on climate and member Scott Peters (CA-52), in the absence of action from the chair of the Climate Task Force White House, Congress needs to of the Sustainable Energy and En- invest in programs that protect vironment Coalition (SEEC); and our planet for future generations.”

Congressmember Jared Huffman Rush said the Green Climate (CA-02), co-chair of the Environ- Fund is critically important to mental Message Team of House developing nations, especially as Democratic Leadership. they work to address the real chal“No country is immune to a lenges of climate change. damaged climate, and no country “This fund is not a scheme as can fix this problem alone. The it has been foolishly characterized Green Climate fund assists the by President Trump but plays a world’s most vulnerable commu- vital role in helping the poorest nities in adapting to a changing countries limit or reduce their climate using contributions from greenhouse gas emissions, develmany of the world’s worst pollut- op robust, viable low-carbon eners, including the U.S.,” Lowen- ergy economies, and adapt to their COMMUNITY HOSPITAL LONG BEACH thal said. “I am optimistic that by new reality,” Rush said.

NEEDS YOUR HELP TO following through with our comThe full text of the letter is mitments to the Green Climate available at lowenthal.house.

Fund the U.S. will continue to gov/uploadedfiles/fy19-greenclilead in making our environment mate-fund.pdf. safe and healthy– both now and Source: Lowenthal’s office COMMUNITY HOSPITAL LONG intoBEACH the future.”

NEEDS YOUR HELP TO Beyer said climate change is

“How may I be of Service”?

SAVETHEER IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE

COMMUNITY HOSPITAL LONG BEACH NEEDS YOUR HELP TO

SAVETHEER

SAVETHEER IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE Share your voice, make a difference in the community

savetheer.com

Share your voice, make a difference in the community

savetheer.com

8

COMMUNITY

Signal Tribune

April 6, 2018

WomenShelter to host gala to benefit educational programs, victim-supportive services In honor of the opening of its new emergency shelter– Cherese’s Safe Home– which is expected to open by the end of the summer, and its 41 years of providing supportive services in Long Beach, WomenShelter of Long Beach (WSLB) will host its annual gala at the Long Beach Convention Center in the Pacific Gallery, from 5:30pm to 9:30pm on Wednesday, April 25. The new shelter will provide safety and support to those fleeing abuse and violence, regardless of gender, according to WSLB. At the gala, WSLB will recognize four honorees, all of whom have contributed to and improved the lives of victims throughout the community, according to the nonprofit organization.

Wendi McLendon-Covey and Greg Covey will receive the Philanthropist Award, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn will receive the Protector Award, and Cherese Mari Laulhere, in memoriam, will be honored with the Legacy Award.

“The contributions, advocacy and support that each of these individuals have provided has helped WSLB deliver critical intervention, life-saving education and crisis support to thousands of victims,” states a press release from WSLB. “We cannot thank each one of our honorees enough for all they do for WomenShelter and our families,” said WSLB Executive Director Mary Ellen Mitchell. “Our honorees are leaders in our community. They represent hope and have made a direct impact on the lives of many people.”

The event program will focus on the importance of supporting and educating the youth within the community.

“It is our responsibility to provide our youth with information so that they understand that a healthy relationship is built upon trust and understanding, not jealousy and control,” said WSLB Board President Kristi Fischer. “This is the only way that we can ensure that the next generation builds healthy relationships. This is how we at WSLB plan to change the future.”

In the spirit of this event, WomenShelter will launch its new scholarship program, Opportunities Abound. As part of the gala presentation, Ellis Sanchez, a WSLB youth survivor, will receive the inaugural award, which is a scholarship to assist him with his academic pursuits.

The event will include a dinner, silent-auction items, opportunity drawings and a vocal performance.

The community is invited to attend. Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased online at wslb.org or by contacting Tatiana Dorman at TDorman@wslb.org or (562) 437-7233, ext.27. All proceeds will benefit WomenShelter of Long Beach’s victim-supportive services and educational programs.

Photos Izzie Hallock | Signal Tribune

Izzie Hallock

#AlarmYourself

Editorial Intern

Gretchen Swanson, president of the Rose Park Neighborhood Association (RPNA), set up a booth to support neighborhood safety and women’s empowerment alongside 10th Street and across from Frances Willard Elementary School on Friday, March 30. Swanson said that it was important to note the location of her table being just on the other side of the street from a school dedicated to 19th-century women’s suffragist and president of Women’s Christian Temperance Union, Frances Willard.

Three years ago, RPNA teamed up with Moms for a Beautiful 10th Street to improve the quality of life for the neighborhood families, and each year, the two groups continue advocating for a safer community. In an interview with the Signal Tribune, 2nd District Councilmember Jeannine Pearce explained how meaningful the event was for her and her daughter. “The most inspiring thing is that they put together these little beautiful crafts and ribbons that we are going to be putting on trees where we can write down women’s names that have inspired us,” Pearce said. “So, when you look at the names over there, they are everything from moms to housekeepers to Dolores Huerta. My five-and-a-half-year-old put her two best friends on there that inspire her, so it is a great moment to just reflect on what it takes to build a community and community strength.” In addition to recognizing impactful women, Swanson also looked to increase safety measures throughout the neighborhood by handing out personal-safety alarms to local foot traffic along 10th Street. “This year, we are working on this sense of safety,” Swanson said. “The idea that we are not vulnerable and that we need a space to be who we need to be– to maintain the lives that we have. So, it is called #alarmyourself, and the idea is that when people walk away, they are part of a community and a community that respects them.”

Source: WSLB

CELEBRATING OUR

WOMEN OF BIXBY KNOLLS

THESE WOMEN HELP MAKE OUR COMMUNIT Y STRONG.

DR. SHARON BRUCE LUMBAR YARD 4425 ATLANTIC AVE. #A10 (562) 961-7660

JEANNE CARR, EA TAXCO 3958 ATLANTIC AVE. (562) 663-6800

MELODY BRANDON & EILEEN FRANCABANDERA SWEET & SAUCY SHOP 3722 ATLANTIC | (562) 595-1100

JODY WILLIAMS SALON 36 4136 ATLANTIC AVE. (562) 612-0086

DR. CHAUDHARY PSYCHIATRIST 4401 ATLANTIC AVE. #220 (562) 988-2777

BARBARA JAMES

RENAISSANCE DENTAL 3740 ATLANTIC AVE. (562) 426-4100

TERI CHHAN & PISEY CHHAY DAVE’S BURGERS 3396 ATLANTIC AVE. (562) 424-3340

JOHNEEN HARDWICK WONDERFUL HANDS 911 E SAN ANTONIO #5 (562) 682-0084

INNA TSEIKHIN STATE FARM 3912 ATLANTIC AVE. (562) 490-0779