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Long Beach winter, bad weather shelters open for the season

Two shelters designed to provide refuge for people who are homeless during Long Beach’s colder months have been activated for the season.
Long Beach’s winter shelter, 702 W. Anaheim St., normally operates as the city’s emergency shelter, offering 85 beds to people in need every night. But as of Nov. 17, according to a recent news release, the facility has transitioned to winter shelter operations — offering 125 beds each night.
The winter shelter will also have 24/7 services, including thee dail...
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Interested in Long Beach crime stats? New LBPD dashboard can help

The Long Beach Police Department has launched a new interactive crime dashboard to help community members interested in learning more about public safety in the city access statistics.
The dashboard, according to a Friday, Dec. 5, LBPD news release, includes information about crime statistics and reporting citywide and will replace the department’s current method of sharing crime data through PDFs published each month on its website.
“In support of our ongoing commitment to transparency, account...
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Long Beach selects new department directors for parks, public works

Two Long Beach city departments will soon have new leaders at their helms.
The city announced the new directos for the Public Works, and Parks, Recreation and Marine departments this week. Joshua Hickman, a city employee since 2017, will helm the Public Works Department,  while Stephen Scott, who has been with the city since 1999, will take over the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department.
The appointments come a little more than four months after Long Beach announced in late July that the previ...
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Here’s how to recycle your Christmas tree in Long Beach

With Christmas around the corner, Long Beach is once again offering a free way to recycle your holiday tree.
Long Beach launches its Holiday Treecycling program in late December through early January each year to help residents dispose of their trees properly and safely — while benefiting the environment.
Each year, according to a Tuesday, Dec. 2, news release, Long Beach recycles around 155 tons of trees into mulch for city landscaping. Besides helping the environment, the Treecycling program a...
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ICE detains at least 9 people in Long Beach; ramps up activity in Harbor Area

Several community members, local watchdog groups, and government representatives reported an uptick in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in both Long Beach and San Pedro on Thursday, Nov. 20.
In Long Beach, Órale — a nonprofit dedicated to advocating for immigrants’ rights and justice, which has served as a rapid response organization for those impacted by ICE raids since they began in June — confirmed that ICE conducted operations at at least six different locations around the c...
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Grunion Gazette Gift Card drive, supporting victims of domestic violence, returns for 22nd year

As the holiday season quickly approaches, the Grunion Gazette and Long Beach Press-Telegram are once again teaming up with WomenShelter of Long Beach to help make the season bright for victims of domestic violence and their families.
This year marks the 22nd iteration of the Grunion Gazette Gift Card Drive, which was launched by the Grunion’s longtime former editor — and current “Pinch of Salt” columnist, Harry Saltzgaver. Since its establishment in 2004, Saltzgaver has carried on the community...
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Sean Baker, Oscar-winning director of ‘Anora,’ to visit Art Theatre of Long Beach

Long Beach cinephiles are in for a treat this weekend, when Sean Baker — the Oscar-winning writer and director of 2024 Best Picture winner “Anora” — visits the Art Theater for a Q&A about a new project.
The new film “Left-Handed Girl,” directed by Tsou Shih-Ching and co-written, produced and edited by Baker chronicles the life of a single mother and her two daughters after they relocate to Taipei and open a night market stall, according to the Art.
A single mother and her two daughters relocate...
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Schedule for 2028 Olympic events in Long Beach is finally out

The 2028 Olympic Games are just around the corner — and the schedule of events set to get underway in Long Beach is finally out.
The city will host a total of 11 sporting events throughout the duration of the 2028 games, and 161 ticked events scheduled for 17 of the 19 days the Olympics will take place, the city said in a Thursday, Nov. 14 press release.
The Olympic Games will get underway from July 14 to July 30, 2028 with the Paralympic Games set to run Aug. 15 through Aug. 27 that year.
Sever...
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$37 million worth of upgrades coming to Long Beach Airport’s passenger concourse

A slew of infrastructure upgrades will soon come to the Long Beach Airport.
The $37 million modernization, which will include various projects, aims to enhance the airport’s passenger experience, according to a Friday, Nov. 7, news release, ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games.
Dubbed the Passenger Concourse Enhancement Project, improvements will include updates to queuing and seating configurations, upgraded seating with electrical chargers and a new open-air garden on the outside of the north conco...
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Marina Pacifica Barnes & Noble set for reopening next week after major remodel

After months of waiting, local book lovers will finally be able to return to the Barnes & Noble at Long Beach’s Marina Pacifica Shopping Center — when it celebrates its grand reopening next week.
The store, 6326 E. Pacific Coast Highway, closed in May to undergo extensive remodeling.
“Here at Barnes & Noble, Marina Pacifica, we’d like to thank you, community, friends and customers alike for all these wonderful years,” the store wrote on social media when it shut down earlier this year. “It has b...
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Long Beach sales tax increase on hold until 2027 after court ruling

A tax-related controversy involving Long Beach, California and a local watchdog organization has finally been resolved — after a Superior Court judge denied the city’s request to implement an extra quarter-percent sales levy.
The issue stems from a nearly decade-old sales tax that caused controversy when the City Council voted to amend its municipal code related to Measure A in 2024. The 1% sales and use tax, which voters initially approved as Measure A in 2016, was originally scheduled to stay...
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Long Beach to look into public safety plan for Belmont Shore, analyze violent crime citywide

Long Beach will study a proposed late-night public safety plan for Belmont Shore after councilmembers and residents expressed concerns about the popular nightlife area being unruly — while also researching ways to bring additional safety measures to the rest of the city.
The City Council and community members shared their perspectives and opinions about how to best address public safety concerns, such as gun violence and homicides on Tuesday, Nov. 11.
The spotlight on the need for a late-night p...
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Aquarium of the Pacific opening sea turtle rehab area in 2026; joins zebra shark conservation effort

The Aquarium of the Pacific had a busy Monday.
Alongside announcing the arrival of its new president and CEO, Jeffrey Flocken, the Long Beach aquarium also unveiled two new additions to its programming and conservation efforts on Monday, Nov. 10.
The first will see the creation of a new sea turtle rehabilitation area next to the aquarium’s Molina Animal Care Center, which will play a crucial role in supporting existing turtle rescue and rehabilitation efforts that have been ongoing there since 2...
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Jeffrey Flocken joins Aquarium of the Pacific as new president and CEO

The Aquarium of the Pacific is ushering a new era of animal conservation, education, and national and international leadership as it welcomes its new president and CEO — Jeffrey Flocken.
Flocken has taken over leadership of the aquarium from its previous president and CEO, Peter Kareiva, who held the position since 2020. Kareiva was under a five-year contract in the position, and opted to end his tenure as the institution’s leader to focus on other personal and professional endeavors, according...
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2026 Grand Prix of Long Beach tickets on sale Monday morning

Race fans, your time is coming.
The 2026 edition of the Grand Prix of Long Beach is just around the corner, with next year’s racing extravaganza set to take place from April 17 to 19.
And tickets for the event will go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 10, according to the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, the event’s organizers.
The 2025 Grand Prix was a milestone in many ways. The “200 mph beach party,” as its dubbed, not only broke its own attendance record for the third year running — with...
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With federal benefits on hold, local groups step up to put food on the table

With food benefits continuing to hang in the balance amid the ongoing federal government shutdown — leaving millions of Californians unsure how much assistance they’ll get this month and moving forward — local cities, organizations, businesses and more are working to collect and distribute food to those in need.
The federal government shutdown began on Oct. 1 after Congress failed to pass a budget for the 2026 fiscal year — with Republicans clashing with Democrats over the latter’s demands to ad...
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Dodgers celebrate 2025 World Series with parade, rally — and look forward to possible three-peat

It’s dynasty day in Los Angeles.
Fresh off their second World Series win in a row — and their third in the past six years — the Los Angeles Dodgers were gearing up to celebrate their latest championship with thousands from around Southern California, who descended on Downtown L.A. and Dodger Stadium on Monday, Nov. 3.
Here’s what’s going on downtown and at Dodger Stadium.
The World Series celebration at Dodger Stadium has officially ended, with players and their families mingling on the stage as...
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Children treated to Halloween spectacular at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital

Dozens of children at MemorialCare’s Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital in Long Beach were treated to a thrilling event to celebrate Halloween on Friday, Oct. 31.
Donning costumes ranging from princess to superheroes, the children were escorted by the Long Beach Fire Department through the hospital’s event hall — which had been transformed into a frighteningly fun Halloween haunt — to trick-or-treat, meet their favorite characters, get face paintings, and more.
“Around this time of year, many...
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Long Beach considers changes to City Council policies to boost public participation

Some changes to how the City Council operates may be on the horizon, as Long Beach considers ways to make its meetings more engaging and accessible to the general public.
The Government Operations and Efficiency Committee recently forwarded several recommendations on how to make public meetings more accessible to the City Council for consideration — while asking for additional research and city input on some other proposals intended to achieve the same thing.
“Frankly, we’ve heard from residents...
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Food Finders to expand grocery distribution in Long Beach program as CalFresh delays loom

Food Finders, a nonprofit serving four counties across Southern California, will expand its grocery distribution program in Long Beach as the ongoing federal government shutdown threatens to delay CalFresh food assistance benefits for millions in Los Angeles County.
The federal government has been shut down for nearly an entire month, starting on Oct. 1, after Congress failed to pass a budget for the 2026 fiscal year — with Republicans clashing with Democrats over their demands to address the af...
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Costumed pups take over Long Beach for annual Haute Dog Howl’oween Parade

A beloved local event, the Haute Dog Howl’oween Parade, returned to Long Beach for its 24th year on Sunday, Oct. 26.
Each year, pets and their owners take to the streets in costumes to celebrate Halloween at the event, which is organized by Justin Rudd’s Community Action Team.
This year’s Haute Dog Howl’oween Parade saw a wide variety of creative costumes and references — from alien dogs to Elvis pups. There was even a reference to the recent robbery of crown jewels at The Louvre.
The Community...
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Teenage passenger dies after crash in San Pedro; driver arrested

A minor driving a speeding Ford Mustang that crashed and killed his passenger in San Pedro on Saturday night has been arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, police said Sunday.
At around 11 p.m., the car was traveling eastbound on 22nd Street and made a left onto Harbor Boulevard when it struck a power pole, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. A male passenger in the car, 17- or 18-years-old, according to police, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver sustained minor...
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Man and woman arrested in Belmont Shore shooting death

A man and a woman have been arrested in the shooting death early Saturday of a man in Belmont Shore, Long Beach police said Sunday.
Officers responded around 1:40 a.m. on Oct. 25 to reports of a shooting in the 100 block of La Verne Avenue. When police arrived, they found a man suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite receiving medical aid, the man was pronounced dead.
Detectives believe the shooting stemmed from a dispute that began at a nearby bar in Belmont Shore. The confrontation continued ou...
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Plan for 440-acre Wilmington project, Five Points Union, submitted to replace Phillips 66 site

By the end of 2025, a key part of the South Bay’s legacy and historic relationship with the oil industry will shutter.
The Phillips 66 refinery, a massive complex with two sites in Carson and Wilmington, announced its closure earlier this year.
And the news that Phillips 66 would cease operations at its Los Angeles County refinery complex drew mixed reactions, primarily concerns about the closure’s impact on the local and national economy, as the refinery is among the largest fuel providers and...
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