New / With News Conference Video: Churchgoers' Recollections + Business' Surveillance/Security Cam Video + LBPD Detectives = LB Woman Arrested, Centuries-Old Relic Stolen From St. Anthony's Church Recovered And Returned

(June 16, 2011, updated June 17) -- Combining churchgoers' recollections and surveillance/security cam video from nearby businesses, LBPD Detectives identified, located and arrested a Long Beach woman and recovered and returned a nearly 800 year old religious relic stolen on Monday (June 13) from St. Anthony's church, an artifact that includes an encased portion of a bone from St. Anthony.

At a Thursday evening (June 16) news conference attended by LBReport.com on the steps of the downtown Long Beach church, LBPD Deputy Police Chief Robert Luna announced the arrest of Maria Solis, 41. at her residence about a mile away...where they said they found the object displayed...MORE

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Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Ass'n: "Dems Achieve New Low, Use Gimmicks, Phony Budget"...Calls Redev Fund Shift "Likely Illegal"

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LBReport.com Reported First: Insider Memo: League of CA Cities & CA Redevelopment Ass'n Litigation Team "Substantially Prepared" To File Lawsuit Shortly After Governor Signs Budget Bills

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With On-Demand Audio: HEAR Senators Rod Wright, Alan Lowenthal & Ass'yman Chris Norby: State Senate & Ass'y Majorities Vote For Budget Package Incl. Ending/Phase Out Of Local Redevelopment Agencies; Sen Lowenthal Supports; Sen. Wright Opposes; In Assembly: Bonnie Lowenthal & Warren Furutani Vote To Support; Redevelopment Measure (Saving $1.7 Billion) Is Part of Dem Budget Package Passed On Majority (Not 2/3 Vote) That Includes Tax Extensions And Maintains Local School Funding

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Weds. WLB Car Theft + LBPD Pursuit + Air Surveillance = Suspect Arrested Area Spring/Chestnut

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In Detail / Perspective: While Sac'to Extends Sales Taxes On Nearly All, It Continues Sales Tax Break On Ship Bunker Fuel; Measure Co-Authored By 2003 LB-Lawmakers Betty Karnette & Alan Lowenthal Continues Amid Silence From Incumbents Today

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Alert Resident Spots Suspicious Activity, Calls Cops...And LBPD Takes Three Residential Burglary Suspects Into Custody (One Man, Two Women) And Returns Loss To Owner; Police Believe They May Be Responsible For Other Area Burglaries
Police commend resident who reported suspicious activity & called 9-1-1

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ELB Woman Surprises Burglar Inside Her Home (NW of Los Coyotes Diagonal b/w Clark & Bellflower), He Physically Assaults Her & Flees As Cops Arrive; PD Makes Major Search But Suspect Eludes Capture

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Editorial: Openness & Oversight Needed: Council Should Withhold Approval of "Armory Park" Grant Application Tonight For One Week Until...
Follow-up: Council voted 9-0 to approve the item as agendized.

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Subsequent development above: Someone Steals 700-800 Year Old Religious Relic (file photo, left) From St. Anthony's Church in Downtown Long Beach; LBPD Would Like To Speak With Person of Interest (LBPD artist sketch, below)

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Not First (This Time) on LBReport.com: PressTelegram.com's Segura & Robes Meeks Scoop Us, Report LBFD Says No To Alamitos Bay Fireworks Show

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Follow-Up: Peninsula Beach Preservation Group Board Majority Votes In Favor Of One-Year Trial For July 4th Fireworks In/Around Alamitos Bay; Naples Improvement Ass'n & Alamitos Bay Garden Club Boards Haven't Voted On Whether They Favor/Oppose
Councilman DeLong says applicant for the event is McKennas on the Bay

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Monday update: With a June 15 deadline approaching for passing a state government budget (or losing their pay), state legislators are expected to debate and vote in the coming days on itmes including local school funding, extending taxes and ending local Redevelopment agencies in adopting CA state government's FY12 budget. At noon today, the state Senate met for less than twenty minutes, then adjourned until Tuesday morning. At 1:30 p.m. the Assembly met and adjourned at 1:57 p.m. (until "call of the Speaker"). Neither took any action on budget items. Earlier today, Gov. Jerry Brown held a news conference on the approaching budget deadline...and what type of budget balancing devices he would or wouldn't sign if sent to him by the legislature. For coverage, see SacBee.com here

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Sunday Nite Shooting Leaves Man Wounded, 2400 block E. 15th St. just east of Junipero Ave. in Zaferia District

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First (Again) On LBReport.com: July 4th Fireworks In/Around Area of Alamitos Bay? LBFD Says It's Reviewing An Applicaton But Won't Disclose Applicant Until Process Completed; Councilman DeLong Comments: "Hopefully All Details Can Be Worked Out"; UPDATE: Councilman DeLong Says Applicant Is McKennas on the Bay

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New / WITH VIDEO: (1) Heartfelt Turnout For Jalen Thayer Memorial 5k Run (Benefits Scholarship Fund & Middle School Athletics); (2) Dad Confirms Budget-Related LBUSD Lay-Off Letter @ Millikan High; (3) UPDATE: Monday Fundraiser Benefiting Thayer Family ("Meatball Off" @ Kelly's of Naples) Is Completely Sold-Out

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VIDEO As Seen LIVE On LBReport.com: Relay Runners From Law Enforcement/Gov't Agencies Carry Special Olympics "Flame of Hope" From Belmont Shore To ELB's Whaley Park, Completing Lengthy Southern Cal Journey, Will Ignite Flame Opening So. Cal Special Olympics Summer Games
by Michelle Lecours, Special to LBReport.com

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First (Again) on LBReport.com Two NLB Shootings w/in Seven Hours

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First (Again) on LBReport.com Man Robbed at Knifepoint in MLK Park

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First (Again) on LBReport.com 2700 block Studebaker (east side/park side of street): Someone Sets Off Small Explosive Device (Not Near Bldgs, It's Near Tennis Court Area); No Property Damage or Injuries; LBPD Investigating

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See Officially Released, Citizen Comm'n Drawn, 1st Draft of Proposed LB Congressional, State Senate, Assembly Districts Assembly

State Senate

Congress

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Chronic Truancy Consequences: LBPD Arrests & City Prosecutor's Office Charges Mother of Middle School Student Under New State Law For Allegedly Failing To "Reasonably Supervise & Encourage" Her Son's School Attendance
State Senators Lowenthal and Wright, and Assemblywoman Bonnie Lowenthal, voted in favor of new state law used for prosectionrs; Assemblyman Furutani voted against

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With VIDEO: Lafayette Elementary School Parents/Kidlets Demonstrate Against LB School Budget Cuts They Say Unfairly Impact Their School, Seek Sac'to Funding Action (Incl. Tax Extensions)

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ELB "24 Hr Fitness" Club Expansion / Upgrade Discussed @ Community Meeting; Bellflower @ Spring Location Plans Enlargement; Reps Hear Neighborhood Residents' Concerns
by Joe Mello, LBReport.com Community Correspondent

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Sharp Exchanges As Councilman Johnson Moves To Remove Nearly 3,400 Residents From 8th District Along East Side of Atlantic Ave. b/w Bixby Rd-San Antonio Rd. And Put Them in 7th District...Where Adults Among Them Would Be Unable To Vote in 2012 Council Election; Council Advances Proposal 5-4 For Public Comment
X indicates current 8th dist. residents that Councilman Johnson proposed moving into his 7th Council dist...where they'd be unable to vote in April 2012 8th dist. Council election.

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Tweaked & Revised: Latest Map Handouts From CA Redistricting Comm'n Again Propose Reuniting LB In One Congressional District; State Sen District Proposal Changed To Remain in LA County, Not Extend Into OC

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Update: City Council Approves Study on New Regulations for 2nd Street Bars

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LB Plastic Ban To Face Promised Legal Challenge From SF-Based "Save the Plastic Bag Coalition"

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Fed, State & County Officials Want Apple Moth Pest Out of LB And Will Release Sterile Moths In One-Mile Square LB Area

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Exclusive: Twelve-Year LB Councilman Jeff Kellogg Recalls Past Council District Line Drawings, Says Attempts To Cut Out Candidates Failed And Energized Challengers

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Amnesia File / Perspective: Recalling 1990s Council Action Re Alan Lowenthal As Current Council Confronts Potential De Facto Gerrymander Against Council Candidate Mike Kowal
Portion of city management option 3

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Happy Birthday, Prop. 13
by Jon Coupal, President, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Ass'n

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War Of Words Escalates b/w Longtime 2nd St. Businessman/Now Soon-To-Be-Exiting Legends Owner Rotondo vs. 3rd dist. Councilman DeLong With Dueling Emails; Precedes Tuesday Council Agenda Item Proposing Study Of Potential Amendments To City Hall Regs Re Belmont Shore Bars Open After Midnight

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Analysis / Perspective: Here's How Initially Released Citizen Comm'n Redrawn Election Maps -- If Ultimately Implemented -- Could Affect Who Reps LB In DC & Sac'to

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First (AGAIN) on LBReport.com: CA Redistricting Comm'n Has Released This Proposed Congressional District Map As A Meeting Handout

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First (AGAIN) on LBReport.com: CA Redistricting Comm'n Has Released These Proposed Assembly & State Senate District Maps As Meeting Handouts

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City Mgm't Releases Four Options To Redraw Some Council District Lines...One of Which Would Cut 8th dist. Council Candidate Mike Kowal Out of District

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Four People Stabbed Downtown About 1:30 a.m. Sunday Near Promenade/Broadway, All Transported To Hospital

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Editorial: Silence Of The Plastic Bag Banners

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First (Again) on LBReport.com: Mayor Foster SIGNS Plastic Bag Ban/Paper Bag Fee Ordinance

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Remembering Tiananmen Square's Radio "Tankman"

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First (Again) on LBReport.com: O'Donnell Supports, Garcia & Johnson Don't Say, In Council Committee Discussion Of SB 568 By State Sen. Alan Lowenthal To Ban/Restrict Styrofoam Food Containers
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First (Again) on LBReport.com: Updated List of Supporters, Add'l Information, In Fact Sheet from State Sen. Lowenthal's Office re SB 568
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First (Again) on LBReport.com: LB Chamber Pres/CEO Gordon Sends Letter -- With Text Nearly Identical To CA Chamber Letter -- Opposing Sen. Alan Lowenthal's Bill To Ban/Restrict Styrofoam Food Containers

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New: Via BelmontShore.Patch.com: More Light Shed on 2nd + PCH Proposal's Traffic

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First (Again) on LBReport.com: Albertsons To End Offering Plastic Bags At Its Long Beach Stores As of July 1 (Month Ahead of LB Ordinance Deadline)

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Teen Sentenced To 17+ Yrs In State Prison For Four-Fatality Peninsula "Drag Racing" Crash (Aug. 2010)
LBReport.com Aug. 22, 2010 photo by Bruce Tennant

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Former LBPD Officer Sentenced For Embezzlement

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Weds. June 1: Oops...Roofing Co. crane tips onto bldg., 800 block E. Anaheim St...Per LBFD, no injuries reported.

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Perspective: Behind the Scenes on Final Council Plastic Bag Vote: Frantic Phone Calls As O'Donnell Signals Opposition And Andrews & DeLong Exit; With Supporters One Vote Short, DeLong Returns To Provide Enacting Margin

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Yikes: World Health Org./Int'l Agency For Cancer Research Says RF Electromagnetic Fields Possibly Carcinogenic To Humans, Increased Risk For Glioma (Brain Cancer) Associated w/ Wireless Phone Use

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Subsequent developments above: Bill To Ban Polystyrene Foam Food Containers (But Allow With Specified Local Recycling Option) Authored By State Senator Alan Lowenthal Moves Toward Senate Floor Vote; LB Council Committee Meets Today On Whether To Recommend Full Council Support
Polystyrene items dot L.A. River litter in LB following Jan. 2008 storm. LBReport.com photo.

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Subsequent development: Bill passes state Senate on same day Council Committee asks Council to support it. Proposed CA Law, Poised For Full State Senate Vote, Would Require Microchipping Pets Claimed Or Adopted From Animal Shelters: Council Committee Today (May 31) Considers Recommending Council Position On Bill...Although Senate Analysis Says LB City Hall Already Supports It

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With VIDEO: Long Beach 2011 Memorial Day Observance Includes Emotion-Packed 27 Minute Keynote Address by Palm Springs Pastor, Produces Standing Ovation & Much Talk Afterward; Hear It/See It On Demand

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Disturbing Development: Someone May Have Fired Weapon At Responding CHP Officer On Scene Where Two Men Found Fatally Shot in Vehicle (Northbound 405 Fwy south of 710 Fwy) in Long Beach
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Further Updated: 405 Fwy Double Homicide Victims Identified; Two Men Found Dead From Gunshot Wounds in Vehicle on Northbound 405 south of 710 in Long Beach

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First (Again) on LBReport.com: LB Cops Spot Vehicle With "Armed & Dangerous" Want In System (From Monrovia PD) Related To Alleged History of Explosive Devices; Vehicle Pulls Into Gas Stn Bellflower/Del Amo Where LBPD Conducts High Risk Traffic Stop, Arrests Suspect

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VIDEO Coverage: Better Balance for Long Beach's Jack Smith & Dan Pressburg Bring City Grand Prize -- Neighborhood of the Year -- At Nat'l Neighborhoods USA Conference for "One Day Christmas Store: Shopping With Dignity"
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With Audio Reaction: Better Balance for Long Beach Wins Grand Prize -- Neighborhood of the Year -- From Neighborhoods USA For "One Day Christmas Store: Shopping With Dignity"
Hear Reactions of Jack Smith & Dan Pressburg From NUSA Conference in Anchorage; LB "Peace Garden @ MLK Park" finishes second in its category

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VIDEO: Third Summer & Music Series Skeds Three Months of Live Music Downtown; See/Hear Preview Of Three Performers

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With Details: LBReport.com Publishes LB-Area Details of State Agency Findings Re Methylmercury and PCBs In Some LB-Area Sport Fish
PCB Levels In LB-Area White Croaker Highest In State

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Exclusive: Long Beach Retro Row Gets Hipper with Exene Cervenka Performance
by Joe Mello, LBReport.com Community Correspondent
(May 27, 2011) -- Rock icon Exene Cervenka and friends will deliver a spoken word performance on Long Beach’s 4th Street Retro Row on Saturday night (May 28), further solidifying the independent retail, restaurant and entertainment area's reputation as the hippest neighborhood in L.A. County's second largest city. We spoke with her exclusively as she was preparing for her upcoming performance...MORE