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LB Beaches Reopened After Aug. 12 L.A. Sewage Spill
Double Shooting Leaves One Teen Dead, One Teen Wounded, 5900 block California Ave.
We Ask Sac'to City Hall About Cong. Richardson's House, And Code Enforcement Official Tells Us...
With Audio: Assemblywoman Karnette Delivers Sac'to Tribute To Wrigley Community Advocate John Gailey; Hear It Here, As Assembly Adjourns In His Memory CA Assembly telecast
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Family & Friends Say Farewell, Celebrate Life Of John Gailey Kevin Gailey at the pulpit. Associate Minister Rev. Libby Tigner (at left in photo) looks on. In photo right: Rev. Don Keith. Photo by Diana Lejins
With Video: L.A. TV Pioneer/Kids Show Host "Engineer Bill," Sic Transit YouTube.com video/KHJ-TV aircheck
Latest "STAR" Test Results Results; View Data For LBUSD Schools (And Beyond)
JetBlue To Add SF Flights From LB
Via AmericanShipper.com California Pacific Connection: Keith Higginbotham writes: "SoCal Ports' Truck Plan Enrollment Lagging
Updated / Now Includes Fee List: City Hall-Appointed Parks & Recreation Commission Approves Management-Sought New Fees/Increases To Existing Fees, Accepts Minor Modifications Suggested By Public Testimony

Mayor, City Manager Seek DLBA Board Backing For Parcel Property Tax...Without Speaker To Present Arguments Against Measure; Unofficial Show Of Hands On Who'd Vote For Measure Now = Roughly Half of Board Raises Hands
Pets/Advisory: CA Dept. of Public Health Warns Don't Feed Pets Certain Bags Of "Pedigree Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites," May Be Contaminated With Salmonella
L.A. Sewage Spill Near Watts Closes Nearly Four Miles of LB Beaches To Water Based Activities
Via SacBee.com: Fed'l Court Asked To Order State To Pay $8 Billion For Inmate Health Care, Would Add $3 Billion To Projected $15+ Billion Sac'to Deficit
Council Budget Session On Parks & Rec Overflows, Some Councilmembers Question & Multiple Taxpayers Criticize Proposed Cuts, Charge Lack of Time & Transparency; Mayor Agrees To Add Add'l Sessions On Parks & Rec & Libraries Screen save: LB City Council webcast
Mayor Foster Said This About Proposed Parcel Property Tax Ballot Measure During Council Budget Session Screen save: LB City Council webcast
Via LATimes.com blog: "Supes Put Sales Tax Hike On Ballot, But..."
Editorial: Dewey Defeats Truman, Further
Editorial: Do LB Dems Want Fair Forum On LB Property Tax Measure?
Via TheHill.com: House Spaker Pelosi Indicates Openness To Offshore Drilling Vote
Attempted Robbery, Downtown B of A, 150 LB Blvd. Photo credit: Daniel DeBoom, www.stealmysoul.com
Cong. Rohrabacher Says He'd Back Legislation To Ensure Ports of LB/L.A. Have Local Authority To Set Truck Emission Standards
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Cong. Rohrabacher Says He'd Support Funds To Evaluate Modest Breakwater Modification (Tidal Cleansing) If City Hall Requests It (Subject To Usual Caveats On Earmarks)
LB Dem Womens Study Club Picnic Cheers Assembly Candidate Bonnie Lowenthal, Senator (Seeking Re-Election) Alan Lowenthal, Boosts HB Mayor Debbie Cook For Congress...And Blasts Congressman Dana Rohrabacher

 Aug. 9 Friends of LB Animals Yard Sale draws buyers in ELB, funds raised support group's Spay/Neuter Incentive Program (SNIP). FoLB volunteers said that by noon hour, about half the items were gone, with nearly two hours to go. |
LBC'er In DC Training For Marathon...To Fight Blood Cancers Ruthie Flores, second from left, with friends after completing 1st Marathon in Las Vegas Photo source: Fundraising website
Still More West Nile Mosquitos & Dead Crows In ELB 90808/90815 Areas (N & S of 405); Experts Advise Prudent Precautions Throughout LB
Image: LB Health Dept. website
Aug. 15 Fundraiser Set For LB Police Historical Society To Acquire & Preserve Artifacts For Future LB Police Museum
WLB Double-Shooting, 2200 block Canal St.; 18 Yr Old Dies, 17 Yr Old Wounded...With Possible Add'l Victims; LBPD Calls It Gang Related
Is LB Approaching Taxpayer Revolt Of 2008?

July 2006: LB taxpayers told by City Manager Jerry Miller, Mayor Beverly O'Neill and Budget Oversight Committee chair Laura Richardson that proposed FY 07 budget will erase deficit completely.
August 1, 2008: LB taxpayers confront $16.9 million deficit (spending exceeding revenue) entering FY 09. City Manager Pat West and senior management acknowledge it results mainly from city employee contracts subsequently advised by management, Mayor Foster and OK'd by Council majorities with police officers (2007, 9-0), firefighters (May 08, 8-1, Gabelich dissenting) and non-public safety employees (May 08, 7-2, Gabelich & DeLong dissenting).
Aug. 5, 2008: City Manager West says that barring major changes, City Hall will face add'l $21 million deficit (spending exceeding revenue again stemming in part from contracts approved with city employees) over two years starting one year from now, meaning $21 million in more cuts and/or add'l "revenue" (i.e. tax/fee hikes).
Nov. 4, 2008: LB voters will decide on:
City Hall imposed property parcel tax for general infrastructure categories with specific projects left to City Hall decisions after voters decide on tax
LB Unified School District property tax hike sought for $1.2 billion facilities construction debt bond
L.A. County sales tax hike for MTA-sought "transportation" projects
Proposed new taxes coincide with multiple proposed City Hall fee increases (will be decided by Council in coming budget), LB Water/Sewer rate increase (decided by Mayor/Council appointees with Council budget approval), possible Sac'to statewide sales tax hike (from "representatives" elected in Gerrymandered districts)
Our views, and yours, coming in Special Report on LBReport.com |
First Person: "Miracle On Andy Street" Activists & NLB's "Neighborhods USA" Nat'l Champs Get County Honors From Supervisor Don Knabe. Full Disclosure: I'm With 'Em
Special to LBReport.com
by Community Correspondent Dan Pressburg  Photo via Dan Pressburg
Pets & Their People: A Toy For Every Animal
Special to LBReport.com
by Contributing Editor Miriam Yarden
City Mgm't Budget Includes Proposed New "Municipal Cultural Affairs Bureau" Under Economic Development Bureau, Mgm't Will Seek Council OK As Part Of September Budget Vote
Supervisor Knabe Says He'll Change Vote & Will Now Vote "Yes" To Put MTA-Proposed Half-Cent County Sales Tax Hike On Ballot To Save Election Costs...BUT He Opposes The Tax Hike & Will Work To Defeat It
More West Nile Infected Mosquitos And First Dead Crow Found In LB; Virus Hits Central OC Hard
Pets & Their People: Foiling Thieves Who'd Steal Your Dog
KNBC.com: Suspect Killed, Bystanders Wounded In Shooting @ Carson Samoan Flag Day Celebration
City Manager West Doesn't Back July 07 Mgm't Memo Advising $3 Million Main Library Fix, He Pegs Cost At Closer to $10 Million
LB Taxpayer Bombshell: $21 Million In Add'l Cuts And/Or Taxes (New Revenues) Needed To Bridge City Hall Spending vs. Revenue Gap Within Two Year Period Starting About A Year From Now; Reasons Include City Employee Contracts (Backed By Mgm't/Mayor, Approved By Council Majorities)
CA Chamber of Commerce Urges Governor To Veto Lowenthal "Port Investment" (container fee) Bill (SB 974)
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Sen. Lowenthal's "Port Investment" (container fee) Bill (SB 974) Heads to Governor Photo source: Sen. Lowenthal's office website
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Perspective: Sen Lowenthal Quietly Amends His "Port Investment" (container fee) SB 974 In Ways That Arguably Allow Funding Non-Rail Projects, Such As...
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Sen Lowenthal's Office Disputes Our Perspective On What His "Port Investment" (container fee) SB 974 Allows; We Reply Further
Los Altos Armed Robbery To Business, 2000 block Bellflower Blvd.
On motion by Vice Mayor Val Lerch, a City Council majority voted on Aug. 5 to send the item by Councilwoman Reyes Uranga on Council policy re use of City vehicles to the Council's Budget Oversight Committee. Councilwoman Reyes Uranga had asked that the item be held over for a week, and Vice Mayor Lerch followed with his motion which carried 5-2 (Yes: B. Lowenthal, S. Lowenthal, DeLong, Andrews, Lerch; No: Reyes Uranga, Gabelich; Absent: O'Donnell, Schipske).
Via LATimes.com: "L.A. County Sales Tax Hike For Transit Hits Roadblock; Bd. of Supervisors Fails To Support Proposed Half-Cent Increase, Complicating Funding Effort"
Subsequent development above LB Public Library Foundation, Friends of LB Public Library Meet With City Mgr, Show Him July 2007 Mgm't Memo That Recommended $3 Million, Not $10 Million Project; Advocates Will Urge Council Not To Approve Closing Main Branch Without Plan In Place For Future
Cong. Rohrabacher Charges Port of LB Brushed Off Considering New Technology To Retrofit Old Trucks And Possibly Produce Fewer Emissions Than New Trucks; PoLB Comments For LBReport.com  Screen save via PoLB.com simulcast on LBReport.com
Gov. Schwarzenegger Proposes "Temporary" One-Cent Statewide Sales Tax Hike
Coverage via SacBee.com
Coverage via LATimes.com
House Committee Hearing @ Port of LB (Reps. Richardson, Rohrabacher & Others) With Testimony From Committee-Chosen Witnesses On Infrastructure, Possible Fed'l Container Fee; LBReport.com Carries PoLB.com Live Streaming Video  Screen save via PoLB.com simulcast on LBReport.com
Subsequent development Councilwoman Reyes Uranga Wants Council Policy On Use of City Vehicles
Armed Robber Hits ELB "Taco Bell" (Palo Verde @ Stearns) Mon. a.m., LBPD Nabs Suspect
 Photo by Daryl Supernaw
JetBlue Begins Charging Passengers For Pillows
In Depth: Taxpayer Cost For Council & Mayor's Offices...Including 40%+ Increase (FY06 vs. FY09) In "Dept. Administration" Supporting Mayor/Council "Travel Expenses" & Other Items
Saturday Nite Shootings: (1) BK (No Hit) Carson @ California (2) NLB Artesia west of Paramount Wounds Man
Mgm't/Mayor Recommended, Council Majority Approved Contracts With City Employee Unions Are Lion's Share of $16+ Million "Deficit" (Spending Exceeding Revenue) Prompting Budget Cuts Now
NLB Tree Planting Greens Up Coolidge Area
 Photo via Dan Pressburg
Crowd Of Media Non-Moguls Holds Informal Inaugural Meeting Of "LB Press Club" Photo credit: LBPRESSCLUB
LB Public Library Foundation Vows To Fight Mgm't/Mayor Main Library Closure In Proposed Budget
Central LB Walk-Up Shooting, 1100 block Orange Ave., Leaves Teen Wounded
Mgm't/Mayor Propose Bridging $16.9 Million Deficit (Spending Exceeding Revnue) With Cuts, Contracting Out, Closing Main Library (Future Plans Pending); Ending Police Athletic League; No Add'l Police, Some Budget Enhancements; FY 09 Deficit Stems Mainly from Contracts (Advised By Mgm't/Mayor, Accepted By Council Majorities) With City Hall's Public Employee Unions 
Studebaker/Loynes Site Owner/Developer Issues Statement on Future Moves After Dropping Its Appeal Of Court Ruling That Nixed Council-Approved (6-3) EIR For Home Depot-Anchored Project 
Editorial: Truth And Consequences
Subsequent development above With Flashback/Archival Photos: Studebaker/Loynes ("Home Depot" Project) Site Owner/Developer Ends Appeal Of Court Ruling That Nixed Council-Certified (6-3) EIR, Reaches Agreement With Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust & University Park Estates Neighborhood On Groups' Legal Fees
Police Chief Batts Tells PD Officers/Staff Of Proposed Budget Punches
July 31 midday drive-by shooting, 6500 block Atlantic Avenue -- LBPD says that at about 2:00 p.m., a suspect and his passenger drove alongside a victim's vehicle and shot him. The victim suffered what are called non-life-threatening wounds.
Perspective: Water Dept. Helps City Hall Gouge Taxpayers, Proposed Rate Hike Includes City Hall Imposed "Pipeline Permit Fee"
Suspect Shot By LBPD Is L.A. Police Officer; Investigation Continues Into Belmont Heights Midnight Hour Officer-Involved Shooting, 200 block Mira Mar 
Capacity crowd at Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust meeting hears presentation by new development team for 2nd/PCH (Seaport Marina hotel) site...with Q & A. Coverage coming on LBReport.com. 
Subsequent coverage coming Nino's Celebrates 50 Years In Business July 31 By Rolling Back Prices To 1958 On Selected Items For Nine Hours
Friends of LB Animals Schedules Annual Membership Meeting/Election Thurs. July 31
LB Health Dept. Reopens Mother's Beach/Alamitos Bay Beaches (& Lagoon With Advisory) After Sewage Spill Caused By LB Sewer Line Grease-Blockage
LB, Lakewood Rocked By Chino Hills Quake
PLUS:
See CalTech Video Simultation Of Seismic Waves Radiating Toward LB, OC & L.A. From Tuesday's Earthquake
PLUS
What To Do, And Not Do, If Your Cat Is Freaked Out By The Quake
by C. Miriam Yarden, B.Sc., MS
Contributing Editor, LBReport.com
Subsequent development: New Developer of 2nd St./PCH (Seaport Marina Hotel) Site Will Speak At Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust Meeting, Tuesday July 29
American Trucking Ass'n Sues To Block Cleaner Truck Programs At Ports of LB & L.A.
Subsequent development above 12,000 Gallon Sewage Spill (Suspected LB Sewer Line Back-Up) Forces Closure Of Mother's Beach & Alamitos Bay Beaches To Swimmers, Canceling Sunday's Naples Island Swim
Perspective: Ass'y Speaker Karen Bass & Ass'yman Warren Furutani Sked July 29 CSU Dominguez Hills "Town Meeting" Backing Dem-Proposed Budget; Blast Repub "Blockade," Say Further Cuts Would Hurt CA, Promise They'll "Take Questions" From Audience
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Perspective: Repub Ass'y Candidate Gabriella Holt: "Sac'to Dems' Budget Would Make CA #1 In Taxes, Recipe For Recession & Reverse Gold Rush"
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