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Sept. 2, 2010
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Among Stories Making News : Heat Alert For Pets | LBPD Arrests Murder Suspects & Alleged Aiders/Abetters | Sexual Assaults Suspect Sketch
New: Automated Photo-Cam Parking Tickets Re Street-Sweeping? Sac'to Lawmakers Pass Bill Letting Cities Implement It; Will Gov. Schwarzenegger Veto It A Second Time?
New: City Att'y, City Prosecutor, City Auditor Employee Groups Agree to City Mgm't/Mayor Sought Pension Cost Reduction Plan, Will Apply Their Salary Increases To Pension Payments
And multiple additional stories below on LBReport.com
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LB's Multiple Summer Concerts


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Gerrie Schipske's Blog

Gerrie Schipske's Blog


Tonia Reyes Uranga's blog
Tonia Reyes Uranga

Special event coverage with video
With Video: Mayor Foster, City Mgr. West Unveil Their Proposed FY11 Budget; Mayor Foster Calls Current Pensions & PERS Increases Unsustainable



With Video: Responses Of LB Fire Chief Patalano & Police Chief McDonnell On City Mgm't/Mayor Proposed Proportional Budget Reductions on LBFD/LBPD Services


LBReport.com Featured Writers
Volunteering their expertise and views to support independent news in LB
Greening Up with Ann Cantrell Issues affecting parks, people...and birds.
Ann Cantrell c. 2008

Former LB Mayor Eunice Sato Mayor Sato writes on...everything.
Mayor Sato, c. 2004

"Pets & Their People" by Miriam Yarden, B.Sc.. MS. Book author, co-founder Friends of LB Animals, animal behavior expert.
Miriam Yarden

Daryl Supernaw, Community Correspondent. Stories affecting ELB and taxpayers citywide.
Supernaw

Joe Mello, Community Correspondent. Enterprising and insightful stories told in words and photos
Mello

Dan Halverson, Community Correspondent. He's everywhere with cutting edge video via LBOCEAN.
Halverson

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  • Archival Access: Hear What Council Was Told In 1995 About Aquarium Paying Its Bond Debt Without Taxpayer Bailout
    Aquarium, Nov. 21/04
    Photo: T'giving wkend 2004 (not typical)
    Study Says Areas Including Downtown LB, Belmont Shore, Los Altos, Bixby Knolls At Estimated Heightened Cancer Risk From Port Operations

    "Draft Estimated Diesel PM [particulate matter] Cancer Risk From POLA and POLB" cited in Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure Assessment Study for the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, p. 8
    24 Hrs. in LB Air: Bixby Knolls AQMD Monitor, Dec. 2003. Details, click photo
    AQMD Air Monitor in LB, Dec. 2003
    In Depth: Scientists @ LB Conference Say Air Pollution in L.A.-LB Region is High Enough to Cause Illness and Deaths; Economist Says Ports Receive Subsidies That Invite More Growth

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  • Beverly O'Neill Administration
    Bev/Kim
  • Perspective / Opinion: The Mythological Mayor: Beverly O'Neill In Balance
  • Transcript Excerpts of Historic Feb. 13, 2001 City Council Vote on QW Bay "Pike" Development
  • How ELB Traffic Project Was Canceled And $1,000,000 Diverted For Downtown Walkway; Other Projects At Traffic Circle & Iron Triangle Not Delivered As Promised
  • 2003: Independent Consultant Says City Hall "Has Created A False Impression Of Solvency"
  • Deputy City Auditor Report Shows LB Convention & Entertainment Center Operations Cost LB Taxpayers $2.5 Million in FY 2000, $3.0 Million in FY 99; Cumulative operating losses since 1978 opening exceed $60 million; City Auditor Burroughs' Recommended Action: "Receive and File"
  • MORE On LBReport.com

    New: LB Area Repubs Gather To Watch Fiorina's First Debate w/ Sen. Boxer; Star Parker Upbeat In Her Challenge To Cong. Laura Richardson



    New: SB 250 "Pet Responsibility Act" Dies in Ass'y; Ass'ymembers Lowenthal & Furutani Vote "Yes" But Several Dems Join w/ Repubs In Defeating Bill
    AND
    New: CA Senate Kills Plastic Bag Ban 14-21; Sen. Lowenthal Votes Yes; Sen. Wright Votes No; Sen. Oropeza Absent
    Subsequent development above
    New: City Mgm't Tells Budget Oversight Committee No Finalized Deals Yet w/ City Employee Unions On Contract Modifications; Chair DeLong Says Council Should Prepare for "Plan B"
    AND
    New: Funding Fix Found For Library Family Learning Centers (Assumes Budget "Plan A")
    New / Includes Video: From India, Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal Uses Internet To Participate In Council's Budget Oversight Committee Meeting


    Editorial: Council Should Stop Nagging Police Chief About Police Levels & Start Restoring Officers It Cut


    Subsequent development above
    Council's Budget Oversight Committee Will Meet At City Hall...With Simultaneous Site At Luxury Hotel In India For Vice Mayor Lowenthal; [UPDATE] Vice Mayor Lowenthal Intends to Participate In Meeting via Teleconference, Using Internet "Skype" System; Scheduled Items Include...


    27 Yr-Old Woman Murdered, Found w/ Multiple Gunshot Wounds Along Parkway, 300 block E. 56th St.


    Man Convicted Of Boxcutter-Wielding Attacks on LB Women -- Including Robbery Of East Village Storeowner Reported By LBReport.com -- Sentenced to 400+ Yrs.
    LBPD Sat. Nite DUI/DL Checkpoint @ Anaheim St/Freeman Ave. Results In...
    Editorial: A Vegetable Garden Is Not A Substitute For Enough Cops
    With On-Demand Audio: Hear Ass'y Floor Debate On Pet Responsibility Act (SB 250); Small Number of Ass'y Dems Join Repubs in Defeating The Bill; Supporters Push For Reconsideration By Aug. 31 End of Session

    Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust Joins Environmental Stewardship Program
    by Kerrie Aley *
    ...During our walk [through the Hellman Ranch property], we saw a rare Loggerhead Shrike flying over an area abundant with Pickleweed, blooming Southern Tarplant and tall dry mustard fields. A Greater Yellow Legs bird was observed eating a fish near a dirt road. We heard native ground squirrels chipping while a rabbit scooted past unidentified mammal droppings (called scat) with undigested fur still intact. We walked past a beautiful natural section of the San Gabriel River (photo) as it flows out to the sea and saw small fish swimming in the tidal inlet...MORE


    Fire Breaks Out Saturday Afternoon At Former (Now Vacant) Press-Telegram Bldg. (Pine/6th St.)

    Screen save from video/photo credit Joshua Michael Orr (via Facebook)
    Developing / Perspective: LB's Multiplying Med Marijuana Battles

    Photo credit: Steve Baker

    Sec'y of State Says Nick Dibs Has Collected Sufficient Petition Signatures (Again) For Place On Nov. Ballot Against Dem Incumbent Congresswoman Laura Richardson and Repub Challenger Star Parker
    Mayor Sato, c. 2004
    Guest Opinion: Governor Schwarzenegger Should Veto AB 1775 (Furutani) Re WWII Japanese-American Relocation Until "Concentration Camp" Terminology Is Changed; I Was Among Those Forced To Leave My Home, And I Know
    by former Long Beach Mayor Eunice Sato
    Fed'l Trial Court Upholds L.A. Port's Clean Truck Program Against American Trucking Ass'ns Challenge (That LB Sepatately Settled Rather Than Fight)
    Pet Responsibility Act (SB 250) Fails Passage (Again) In Ass'y; This Time LB-Area Ass'ymembers Lowenthal & Furutani Vote Yes (Change From Last Yr) On City Hall Supported Bill; Small Number of Ass'y Dems Join w/ Repubs In Defeating Measure
    JetBlue Flight From LB Makes Hard Landing in Sac'to, Blows Several Tires, Fire Reported As Passengers Evacuate
    Subsequent development coming
    A Medical Marijuana Collective Will Seek Court Writ Friday To Require LB City Hall To Accept Its Application Despite Location City Says Is w/in 1500 ft. of A School (Buffer Distance in Council Enacted Ordinance); City Att'y Office Will Oppose Requested Writ
    Sexual Assault Reported to CSULB Police Weds. Nite At CSULB Pyramid; [update] Person Reporting Chooses Not To Press Charges
    Weds. Shooting, Early Evening, 1500 block Magnolia Ave.


    Man Stabbed @ NLB Business (5900 block LB Blvd.), Suspect Takes His Keys, Steals His Car
    Vehicle vs. Pedestrian, 7th St/Federation Dr. (east of Park Ave.) Weds. Evening; Pedestrian Reported Stable; Traffic Backed Up As PD Follows-Up
    In Detail: Ass'ywoman Bonnie Lowenthal's Bill Letting Homeless Sue And Seek Damages For Violence or Intimidation By Threat Of Violence Passes Senate, Ass'y & Is Sent To Governor For Approval Or Veto
    See Details Of Parade-Funding Plan Devised by Councilman James Johnson; City Mgm't Says It's Viable Approach To Funding Daisy Lane Xmas, Vets, MLK Parades; Budget Oversight Committee Recommends It To Full Council


    Councilmembers Mum At Harbor & Water Depts' Budget Session On Those City Agencies' Use Of Public Money For Membership/Sponsorships Re LB Area Chamber
    LB Airport Hit 95 Degrees Tuesday; LB Weds Will Be Warm to Hot: Highs Predicted From 76 (90803/Coast) To 97 (90808/ ELB/Airport area)
    Fourth Victim Dies In Horrific Peninsula Crash, Was 19 Yr Old Man; Second Vehicle Was Reported Stolen, Its Two Occupants Face Charges
    Obama Admin. Ed. Dept. Says 14 States + DC Have Better 2nd Round "Race to Top" Education Reform Plans Than CA; Top 10 Will Get Millions in Fed'l Taxpayer Dollars That CA Won't
    Second Hugh's Bite Nite Draws Crowd To Marri's Pizza -- Including Hugh Boyle -- As He Fights Back From Near-Fatal Motorcycle Crash Almost Exactly Two Months Ago
    by Sharon Katchen
    Senior Editor, LBReport.com


    Council's Budget Oversight Committee Tackles Funding For LB Jr. Concert Band, Three City Parades (Daisy Lane Xmas, Vets, MLK) And Library Family Learning Centers And...
    One Suspect in Peninsula Crash Is Adult And ID'd; Other Is Juvenile; Here Are Booking Charges
    Perspective: A Turd in the Punchbowl: LBReport.com Seeks City Hall Records Showing Who Paid City Expenses For Corporate Flugtag Event
    Details / Developing: Battle Lines Drawn, Key Sac'to Vote Coming, On Pet Responsibility Act (SB 250); Would Require Owners Of UNlicensed Dogs To Sterilize Canine If Impounded, Forbid Cat Owners From Letting Unsterilized Felines Roam
    Flug Tag Photos, Up Close
    by Artyom Yakovlev

    Photo credit: Artyom Yakovlev

    Photo credit: Artyom Yakovlev
    AND
    Your Flug Tag Multiple Fotos & Videos


    Long Beach Business Journal: Conversation With LB Police Officers Ass'n President, Lt. Steve James

    Image source: Council webcast

    Opinion: Contracting Out Our Public Safety?
    by Tonia Reyes Uranga (7th dist. Councilmember July 2002-July 2010)
    "...The City Council of the City of Long Beach has been asking a question that has gone unanswered since the departure of Chief Tony Batts, "How many police officers do we need for a city this size to keep our city safe?" Our present police Chief refuses to answer this question but this was a question that Chief Batts did not shy away from. I wonder why the Department head of the largest city department refuses to answer the question. Is he afraid that the mayor or city manager might think the new Chief in town is rocking the boat? Or is he primed to accept yet another contracting out scenario that inevitably is the city's misguided answer to cutting costs?...MORE

    Council's Budget Oversight Committee Skeds Discussion Of Jr Concert Band, Aquarium Debt, Libraries, Parade Funding, Public Safety Revenue Enhancements And FY11 Budget On Mon Aug. 23
    West Nile Infected Mosquito Sample Now Reported In ELB Zip 90808, Dead Bird In Cerritos; Authorities Remind Residents To Take Precautions


    Three 13 Yr-Olds Arrested After Homemade Explosive Device Detonated Outside ELB Home
    Drive-By Gunfire Midday Friday Area Anaheim St./Gundry Ave. Strikes Vehicle; Both Vehicles Leave; No Victim Located At This Time


    Thurs Nite Shooting Wounds Woman, Area PCH/Lemon


    First (Again) on LBReport.com: Is Costly "Doffing/Donning" Fed'l Court Lawsuit (700+ Individual LBPD Officers Seeking Back Pay/Damages For Among Other Things Time Spent Putting On/Taking Off Uniforms & Protective Gear) Close To A Settlement? City Mgr. West Says...And City Attorney Shannon Says...
    GreaterLongBeach.com Organizing "Green is Greater Fest" For Sept. 18, Will Benefit Multiple Local Enviro Groups + EgretsNotRegrets.com Scholarship Fund w/ Music, Food + More

    LBPD Arrests Three LB Suspects Who Allegedly Opened Lockers At Local Fitness Club Using Self-Made Shims; Approx. 100 Burglaries...And In Most Cases, Victims Didn't Realize They'd Been Victimized Until Later



    KDB-Long Beach Opens at The Pike In Former Gamesworks Location
    by Joe Mello, LBReport.com Community Correspondent

    Photo credit: Joe Mello

    Wife Was Strangled In Apparent ELB Spousal Murder/Suicide


    Passing: Richard Lopez, Original Member of ELA's Cannibal & The Headhunters ("Land of a 1,000 Dances"), Sic Transit


    Perspective: Long Beach Wishes Ray Bradbury Happy 90th Birthday With Continuing Plan To Tear Down Bookstore He Sought To Save

    Aquarium Operator Seeks Quarter Million Dollars More In Public Money -- Not For Req'd Debt But w/in Council Discretion -- For "Salt Water Intake System"; Would Be Taken From Depleting Tidelands Fund If Council Approves


    Supportive Council Words But Short Of Sum Sufficient To Ensure Muni Band Funding For Now; Council Votes 8-1 (Gabelich Dissenting) On DeLong Substitute To OK Mgm't Sum As Base But Defers Further Specifics For Now


    Without Discussion, Council Votes 2nd Time To OK Aquarium Expansion; No Mention Of Restoring "Long Beach" To Facility's Name Or Allowing Public Access To Board Meetings Or Requiring Aquarium To Use All Sums Collected To Help Pay Debt Instead of Expanding; Total Elapsed Time: 35 Seconds
    George Economides/LB Business Journal Do It Again: "The $100,000 Club: 574 City Employees Are Members"
    Tues. Street Deluge w/ Cal Hts Water Main Break: Orange Ave. b/w 36th-37th


    Council (9-0) Asks City Mgm't To Examine San Diego City Hall's "Municipal Marketing Partnership Program" For Possible Use In LB, With Possible City Revenue For Corporate Marketing Ops
    LBPD Warns Of Rash of Mail Thefts, Urges These Precautions


    Audio Flashback / Perspective: Hear Then-City Mgr. Jim Hankla, Then-Councilman Alan Lowenthal & Council Vote Backing Aquarium Debt With Public Money (Aug. 1, 1995)
    Follow-Up: Wilmington/Lomita (Tom Dean LLC) Request For TI-Fwy-Adjacent Truck Transfer Facility Won't Be Heard At Aug. 19 Planning Comm'n Meeting
    See Latest "STAR" Test Results For LBUSD (And All CA) Schools
    Governor Signs LB Peninsula Parking Bill by Ass'ywoman Lowenthal...After Veto'ing One Last Year
    Inside Obama L.A. Dem Fundraiser: See Pool Reporter's Description
    SCE Cable Failure Creates Flash/Bang Area Coronado/Broadway Seen/Heard Beyond, Affects About 2,900 Customers; Most Get Power Back In About A Half Hour
    Editorial: Will Mayor Foster & Current Council Correct, Or Perpetuate, Irresponsibilities Of Past Mayor & Council On Long Beach Aquarium Tonight?

    LB Harbor Comm'ners Say They'll Back Muni Band With Bucks But Withhold Action Awaiting Council Action Tuesday (Aug. 17)
    Apparent Spousal Murder/Suicide Leaves Two ELB Residents Dead, Four Yr Old Daughter An Orphan
    Photo source: IconicAutomotive.com (family's business)

    Appeals Court Blocks Same-Sex Marriages Until At Least December; Three Judge Panel Will Conduct Expedited Review of District Court Ruling That Declared Prop 8 Unconstitutional; December Hearing Scheduled on Several Issues
    With Video: Classical Violinist Paul Dateh & Hip-Hop DJ Inka One Perform At Summer & Music In Downtown LB

    VIDEO via 562CityLife.com's Sheri 'Gal Vanized' Zampelli
    With Video & Photos: LB Muni Band Issues Reaching Crescendo: Gabelich Proposal (OK'd w/ Parks & Rec) Would Fund Five Weeks Of Muni Band Concerts, Cut Two Weeks, Seeks Longer-Term Funding w/ Non-Profit



    Editorial: The "Not-Friends-of-the-LB-Junior Concert Band"
    So how many LB Councilmembers do you think to date have contacted the Long Beach Junior Concert Band -- an institution with a nearly 60 year LB history, whose 12-21 year-old talented, enthusiastic musicians are from LB and vicinity (not paid for hire from anywhere) -- about providing music for two of the seven weeks that LB will lose if City Hall "saves" the Municipal Band by cutting it to five (four-day) weeks from seven, meaning nearly 30% less music for the public?...MORE
    Photo Gallery: Democratic Women's Study Club Holds 80th Annual Summer Picnic
    by Diana Lejins

    Photo credit: Diana Lejins

    17 Yr Old Sentenced To 255+ Yrs In 2008 Murder of Florentino Rivera
    Heather Altman, Creator/Publisher of EgretsNotRegrets.com, Creates Egrets Not Regrets Scholarship Fund @ CSULB
    Citing the escalating costs of college tuition (coinciding with higher education budget cuts), Heather Altman, creator and publisher of EgretsNotRegrets.com, has announced that she is creating the Egrets Not Regrets [ENR] Scholarship Fund at CSULB...MORE

    Perspective: ProtectMarriage.com & Prop 8 Supporters File 73 Page Emergency Motion To Stay Same-Sex Marriages Beyond Aug. 18 Until Higher Courts Decide Appeals; Read It Here And Tell Us How You'd Rule & Why


    L.A. Sheriff High Speed Pursuit Ends w/ Suspect Arrested in LB, Area 15th/Ximeno

    Photo credit: Dan Halverson

    ELB Biz Burgled, Suspect(s) Get Away w/ Property & Cash
    Several Shots Fired Wardlow/Magnolia Midday Weds (Aug. 11); Bullets Miss Person Driving Thru Area But Shatter Rear Window of Driver's Car
    LBPD Seeks Public's Help In Finding Suspect Accused Of Elder Financial Abuse After Allegedly Stealing Millions From LB Woman

    LBPD released photo

    Downtown Condo Residents + Observant Patrol Cop = Arrests Of Two Bike Theft Suspects And Ten Felony Charges Filed By DA
    Community Alert: LBPD Says Seven Sex Assaults b/w July 15-Aug 5 In Apt Complexes Near Area South St/Paramount Blvd.; Police Seek Your Help In ID'ing Suspect In This Image (Includes Video)

    LBPD released image

    First (Again) on LBReport.com: City Hall Lessee Wilmington/Lomita (Tom Dean LLC) Seeks Permission For Truck Transfer Facility on Southern Portion of TI-Fwy Adjacent Property

    Image from Planning Comm'n item; boxed area is subject of requested CUP; in photo, Willow St. at top, PCH at bottom
    Via LATimes.com: Judge Keeps Same-Sex Marriages On Hold Till Aug. 18 While Prop 8 Supporters Appeal
    TJ Maxx Opens in the Los Altos Shopping Center
    by Joe Mello
    LBReport.com Community Correspondent

    Photo credit: Daryl Supernaw

    Photo credit: Joe Mello

    Crowd Fills Council Chamber, Urges Funding Muni Band; Gabelich Proposes Funding Plan Crafted w/ Parks & Rec
    Mayor Chides Councilwoman Gabelich For Raising Unscheduled Item, Slams Taxpayer For Saying City Needs "Someone Who Knows How To Handle Money"; Mayor Defends Handling of LB Fiscal Matters, Says City Will Find Band Funding Solution



    Read City Mgm't Memo To Mayor/Council Detailing Costs of LB Muni Band Concerts; Councilwoman Schipske Makes Memo Publicly Available On Her Non-Taxpayer-Paid Blog, Urges Residents To Contact Potential Corporate Sponsors


    Follow-Up: UPDATE: Monday Midday Murder Was Walk-Up Robbery, Two Males vs. Man Shot To Death In WLB, 16th St. b/w 710 Fwy and Santa Fe Ave.
    AND
    FLASHBACK / Reported by LBReport.com on Aug. 4: LBPD Says Numerous Street Robberies Have Occurred Citywide w/in Past Few Months; Victims Robbed of Gold/Silver Necklaces; Some Victims Assaulted Before Robberies; Most Victims Female
    Extended Photo Coverage: Here's A Sneak Peak Inside New CSULB Student Recreation & Wellness Center
    by Daryl Supernaw, LBReport.com Community Correspondent




    First (Again) On LBReport.com: Arianna Huffington, Co-Founder & Editor in Chief of HuffingtonPost.com, Coming To CSULB In Distinguished Speaker Series Oct. 2010









    Mike Kowal
    Mike Kowal, Realtor
    Excellence @ (562) 595-1255


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    Call (562) 422-2800 or (714) 836-7050

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