“In 2019, we started this conversation with the city and they were actually looking into it, but COVID shut it down,” said Pam Chotiswatdi, a cannabis educator with Long Beach Green Room. “Bringing this birthday party, picked it up where we left off.”

Four years later, allowing any public event to have permitted cannabis use is back in front of the city council. In August, the council unanimously agreed to commission a study to see how the permit might work and how the city could manage and benefit from it.

“We are looking to put Long Beach in a place to win,” said Al Austin, Long Beach City Councilmember. “It’s an economic opportunity that we see for businesses and large events.”

Currently, state law allows temporary permits but only with approval from the local city.

Last month, the state fair in Sacramento made history by becoming the first fair in the country to allow cannabis to be sold and consumed onsite. It was deemed a big success with more than 80,000 people attending.

“It shows California is a forward-thinking state. Long Beach is a forward-thinking city and this is an opportunity to make Long Beach an entertainment destination,” said Austin.

The city council could get something on the books by the end of the year.

Cannabis stores like Green Room hope it will lead to cannabis lounges where people can gather and consume cannabis anytime they want.

If your snoozing pup has suddenly awoken and gazed at you while a blanket partially draped their head, giving them the adorable appearance of a hound wearing some sort of makeshift hat, you were likely overcome, at least momentarily, by extreme cuteness.

It isn’t often we ask our shaggy besties to go the sartorial route, but when Halloween is in sight, we will bestow a few costume-y items upon our furry friend all to up their extreme cute-a-tude (which, honestly, is already pretty darn high).

And extreme cute-a-tude will be in the autumn air at Huntington Dog Beach, Belmont Shore in Long Beach, and Playhouse Village Park in Pasadena as canine costume events capture the fancies of Fido-loving Southern Californians in the days ahead.

The Corgi Beach Day, the huge Huntington Dog Beach happening, isn’t just about the costumes, though plenty of Corgis, and honorary Corgis, do arrive rocking shark costumes, beachwear, and spooky get-ups.

There are competitions — the Loudest Barking Corgi is a new offering this time around — as well as photo opportunities and playtime. The sandy celebration is raising an adorable ruckus Oct. 26.

Huntington Beach Oct 7

Spunky pups to compete for ‘Loudest Barking Corgi' at this beach bash

LA Zoo Oct 10

LA Zoo's ‘Beloved Pets Ofrenda' invites visitors to remember their furry friends

But the utter cute-a-tude will continue into Sunday, fear not.

Two Oct. 27 dogly to-dos are on the 2024 Rover round-up, including the long-running Haute Dog Howl’oween Parade in Long Beach, which will win hearts on the afternoon of Oct. 27 near the former Belmont Pool grassy area.

Over 450 pups in costumes are expected at this outsized affair, which features a red carpet and several clever team costumes involving both hounds and humans (think “The Wizard of Oz” and “The Addams Family,” for starters).

And at Playhouse Village Park a little earlier in the day?

Group costumes are also in the spotlight at the Oct. 27 dog festival — there’s an award for Best Group Costume, in fact — and other sweet sights, including treats for the four-footed guests, photo spots, and other Halloween-inspired activities.

It’s free, but do RSVP on this site.

The bags of miniature candy bars — well, most of them, anyway — are still sitting in the pantry, awaiting the trick-or-treaters of 2024.

The uncarved pumpkin is sitting in the middle of the kitchen table and votive candles? Those must be purchased.

And all of the nostalgic TV specials, the ones that make it really feel like the eerie season? We haven’t even really begun to watch those just yet, not with Oct. 31 still several days away.

And yet? Plans of a most whimsical and wicked variety are already bubbling in the 2025 cauldron, the cauldron that holds all of the amazing and eek-inducing events that creepily crop up around Southern California.

One of the biggest celebrations has just unveiled its 2025 dates, all to give ghoulies from our region, and well beyond, the opportunity to haunt hotel sites and book ahead.

It’s Midsummer Scream, the outsized expo that’s billed as “the world’s largest horror and Halloween convention.”

The huge three-day monster meet-up will once again land at the Long Beach Convention Center, though returning fans should note that Midsummer Scream will unfurl a few weeks later than in past years, with a mid-August engagement.

Call it a weekend that’s a little bit closer to the Halloween season, meaning the desire to roam pop-up mazes, shop horror-themed vendors, and learn about the big theme park haunts will only be more fervent. Nice: The Hall of Shadows will be back and the purrfectly adorable Black Cat Lounge, too.

Keep an eye on the Midsummer Scream social pages for ticket on-sale dates, chilling announcements, and how to stay in the scary center of all the action.

Something to enjoy sooner, though? The expo is behind the Spooky Swap Meet, a springtime marketplace that pops up at Heritage Square Museum right around Half-O-Ween (so late April/early May).

And even sooner than that?

The Midsummer Scream team is sending out a weekly email featuring things to do for Halloween 2024 around Southern California, from haunted houses to theater events to festivals made for family fun.

Eager for more information?

It’s right here, Halloweenies.

Abigail Rivera is warning the public to take their time when it comes to matters of the kitchen after a rush left her with second-degree burns on her face, eyes and hands. It all started when she lit her food truck’s propane and stove in the wrong order.

“I turned off the knob as soon as I saw the explosion,” Riviera said. “Just my that was the last vision that I had. It’s just the whole fire coming in my face”

“So when I saw the fire, I turned it off and then I was still intact. So I was like, ‘Hey Abigail just breathe, you know breathe,’” she said. “My mistake was I was rushing.” 

Rivera launched the “Casa Camarón y Sushi” brand with her husband in their kitchen after they both lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. They celebrated their truck’s grand opening in April. But she’s not new to the food industry, and that came in handy Saturday when she had a face full of flames.

“I’ve been working in the food industry since I was 16 at Jack in the Box; they always say to use mustard when you get burned. So I literally layered myself in mustard,” she said.

Support from customers and loved ones alike has been pouring in, including from her famous father, Lupillo Rivera — Mexican singer and brother of the legendary Jenni Rivera.

“He brought some remedies from Mexico. He did give me some serums, which I’m using right now, and I’m really thankful for that,” Rivera said.

Abigail hopes to have the truck back in business this week at their normal location of 7th Street and Magnolia Avenue in Long Beach. But the fire has taught her to slow down.

“You know, always take your time, especially when it comes to fire. It’s safety first one step at a time and I for sure learned this from my experience,” Rivera warns the public after her experience.

Trick-or-treating isn’t something that ocean denizens participate in, nor do the fishies have a need to shop for costumes.

After all, the shimmery scales that aquatic animals often rock are pretty darn costume-y, all throughout the year. And holding a trick-or-treat bucket in one wet fin isn’t the easiest of tasks, we imagine.

But celebrating the spookiest season is something that the Aquarium of the Pacific, which is home to oodles of spectacular swimmers, pauses to do each fall.

And while the watery residents stay costume-free, humans are invited to wear their cutest Halloween outfits for an evening party.

That celebration, which is delightfully dubbed Scarium Family Night, will roam the Long Beach institution Oct. 18.

Trick-or-treat stations are part of the fish-tastic fun, as are appearances by the cute Pacific Pals. There’s a vampire magician, too, and other diversions that add to the not-too-eerie educational experience.

Plus, it is just way, way cool — that’s right, two “ways” are required here — to roam the aquarium at night.

You’ll want to read up on costume rules and all the need-to-know stuff.

Here’s hoping that some guests arrive in their best axolotl attire, as an homage to the “Frogs”-themed exhibit now on display at the aquarium.

Chef Philip Pretty and Head of Operations Lauren Pretty are basking in the glow of their new restaurant, Olive & Rose. The fine dining eatery, which rests on the first floor of a renovated mid-century motel on Atlantic Avenue, offers morsels that include black cod, caviar, octopus and house cocktails.

The siblings, who hail from Long Beach, said they worked hard to create an inviting atmosphere to pair with the delectable menu.

“The space is beautiful,” Chef Philip said. “It warrants people wanting to come here and be communal and hang out.”

The new space, a predecessor to Michelin-starred eater Heritage Restaurant, is named after the chef’s children. Family has been a central focus for the restaurants from the name to the leads.

“Chef Pretty is my brother; he’s 11 years my senior,” Lauren said. “I think that’s why we work well together in business because we never had anything to fight about growing up. He was always just a friend to me.”

Keeping family a main point of their restaurant’s success, this value also motivated the siblings to donate some of their earnings to charity.

“Our grandparents died of cancer,” Philip said. “We raise money for the Miller Children’s (Hospital) Cancer Society. We just did one Saturday and we raised $20,000.”

Earning a Michelin star with Heritage in their hometown was a feat they said they are proud to own. It also serves as inspiration to do the same with Olive & Rose.

“I’ve traveled a lot in my life and I’m always happy to come home,” Lauren said. “I don’t think there’s anywhere else I would want to live. I love this city.”

“Long Beach Utilities will never send a representative to a customers’ home to promote/sell residential water filter/treatment systems or offer to test water quality inside their home, without a scheduled appointment,” wrote the department.

Customers are encouraged to request official department employee identification if they are visited by a representative. They may also call 562-570-2390 to speak with the representative’s supervisor for additional verification. 

Long Beach performs 60,000 water quality tests manually to monitor quality and safety, according to Long Beach Utilities Department.

The Long Beach Utilities Department and the State Water Resources Control Board, determined on Friday it is no longer necessary to boil tap water. This is after officials issued a boil water notice Thursday to certain Long Beach residents after experiencing low water pressures during a “significant water main break.”

Additional resources for customers can be found on the utilities website.

After a significant water main break caused the water pressure to drop, the city had to follow the state guidelines to issue a boil water notice, Mayor Rex Richardson said in a news conference Thursday. 

Updated Article: Boil water notice expires

Two water distribution centers would be set up by Thursday afternoon at Houghton Park and Somerset Park.

Those who want to receive free bottled water will need to bring their utility bill to the water distribution center to prove that they live in the impacted area.

While the boil water notice was in effect, people were urged not to drink tap water or use it for food preparation unless boiled. 

As the state was testing the water sample from the city, those who live in the 90805, 90806 and 90807 zip codes were urged to boil all drinking water, including filtered water from the fridge, before drinking it. 

“The boil water notice is done out of an abundance of caution. There is no evidence that water is unsafe to drink,” said Dr. Anissa David, the city’s health officer.

Dr. Davis said that it was safe to bathe with the water despite the boil water notice.

And if people accidentally consumed the tap water, such as brushing their teeth with it, there’s no need to worry, according to Davis.

Utility officials issued a boil water notice to certain Long Beach residents after experiencing low water pressures during a “significant water main break.”

“By restoring water pressure to the water distribution system, the Long Beach Utilities Department was able to abate health hazards associated with a significant drop in pressure,” the utilities department said in a statement Friday.

“In the last 24 hours, Long Beach Utilities conducted 117 analyses of water samples in the impacted ZIP codes, and concluded the water is safe to drink.”

The break occurred Wednesday at 3502 Orange Ave., according to the Long Beach Utilities Department, which issued the notice in conjunction with the State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water.   

It applied to the following areas:

• 90805 ZIP code (east of the Long Beach Freeway);
• 90806 ZIP code (between Orange Avenue and Cherry Avenue, north of Spring Street if serviced by the Long Beach Utilities Department);    
• 90807 ZIP code.

Residents and businesses in these areas were advised to use only boiled tap water or bottled water for drinking and cooking purposes to avoid stomach or intestinal illness.

The utility was conducting specialized monitoring of water quality in the affected areas in coordination with DDW, and will inform residents when the water has been deemed safe to drink.

Manny Fabrigas has a strong spirit despite third-degree burns to the arms and second-degree burns to the neck, face and feet, according to his wife Sheila, who said the backyard Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) exploded after her husband began doing chores.

The powerful blast lifted the roof off the home and scattered debris Monday morning with neighbors saying they could feel the explosion from blocks away.

According to Sheila Fabrigas, her husband took the day off after a father-daughter cycling marathon over the weekend and was doing laundry when she called him to wash some sheets.

“According to him, he did wash the sheets. He threw the sheets in the dryer and walked out of the laundry room into the kitchen, and all he remembers (was) that he was thrown to the small pantry door,” Sheila Fabrigas said.

Neighbors rushed over to help and pulled the badly burned victim out of the rubble.

“We see a person coming out of the rubble, with skin peeled. It was gruesome,” said Juan Romero, a witness.

Long Beach Oct 8

Video shows home explosion that rattled Long Beach neighborhood

Long Beach Oct 7

Man injured after backhouse explodes in Long Beach

The Fabrigas family moved into the ADU a year ago in the backyard of their family’s house off 28th Street on Long Beach’s west side.

“They inspected before (moving) in. They had to inspect that it was safe to move in,” Sheila Fabrigas said. 

But a notice from the city posted outside the explosion site said the ADU was not permitted.

City fire officials were investigating the cause of the explosion.

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One man who was inside the home was injured in the powerful blast, which lifted the roof off the home and scattered debris. Neighbors said they could feel the explosion from blocks away.

Long Beach Oct 7

Man injured after backhouse explodes in Long Beach

Long Beach Oct 3

Long Beach food bank shut down, investigated over misuse of millions in funding

“Just see this huge explosion. I see the roof of the house the same height as the tree,” said witness Juan Romero, who lives nearby. “I was at that stop sign and I just got missed with some debris. It was bad.

“My mom said the mirrors came off the walls and stuff like that, so it was really bad.”

Some neighbors ran toward the home, an accessary dwelling unit (ADU) on West 28th Street near Gale Avenue, following the 11 a.m. explosion to see whether anyone needed help.

Romero said they saw someone coming out of the rubble. The man in his 30s was hospitalized, but details about his condition were not immediately available.

“That’s kind of a miracle to be honest,” Romero said. “From that type of explosion, I honestly thought worst case scenario to be 100 percent honest.”

The front building on the property sustained minor damage. 

Details about what caused the explosion were not immediately available.

The city of Long Beach earlier left a notice at the property indicating the detached structure was unpermitted. It was ordered to be demolished within 48 hours.

NBCLA is attempting to gather more information about the violation.

“In 2019, we started this conversation with the city and they were actually looking into it, but COVID shut it down,” said Pam Chotiswatdi, a cannabis educator with Long Beach Green Room. “Bringing this birthday party, picked it up where we left off.”

Four years later, allowing any public event to have permitted cannabis use is back in front of the city council. In August, the council unanimously agreed to commission a study to see how the permit might work and how the city could manage and benefit from it.

“We are looking to put Long Beach in a place to win,” said Al Austin, Long Beach City Councilmember. “It’s an economic opportunity that we see for businesses and large events.”

Currently, state law allows temporary permits but only with approval from the local city.

Last month, the state fair in Sacramento made history by becoming the first fair in the country to allow cannabis to be sold and consumed onsite. It was deemed a big success with more than 80,000 people attending.

“It shows California is a forward-thinking state. Long Beach is a forward-thinking city and this is an opportunity to make Long Beach an entertainment destination,” said Austin.

The city council could get something on the books by the end of the year.

Cannabis stores like Green Room hope it will lead to cannabis lounges where people can gather and consume cannabis anytime they want.

“It’s going to be hot, but the good news, the race starts early,” said Dan Cortez with the Long Beach Marathon.

Organizers have moved the start date from 6 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. for runners and bikers, 5:25 am for wheelchairs and 6:30 a.m. for half marathon participants. 

“Our operations team has been in close communication with Long Beach fire and police to implement our heat plan,” said Cortez. “We’ve ordered extra ice, we are going to add additional tables and staffing to the water stations along the route.”

Participants have taken the necessary steps to prepare to brave the heat.

“I’m trying to keep cautious about my electrolytes and making sure I have my nutrition bars and gels… because of the heat,” said Micayla Shook, who is running in the half marathon Sunday.

Organizers are concerned most for first-time runners who might struggle already to get through the 26.2-mile course, factor in the heat and it could get dangerous as new runners don’t hydrate enough during the race.

“They forget to stop for water, they forget to stop for electrolytes,” said Shook. “I’ve been telling them any chance you get… you should be stopping more.”

One in six runners is running their first marathon on Sunday.

“Yes, it’s warm. Yes, it’s going to be hard, but I think we can deal with hard things,” said Summer Willis, a 28-time Long Beach marathoner.

She is running 52 marathons this year to raise awareness for survivors of sexual assault. 

In September, she ran six marathons, a couple during the Texas heatwave. 

“We really need to start hydrating before the race. It’s Sunday, you need to start drinking a lot of fluids today.”

Starting Saturday, the city will start street closures. Eastbound Shoreline Drive from Shoreline Village Drive to Ocean Boulevard will be shut down for the Aquarium of the Pacific 5K.

On Sunday, road closures and detours will be in place at various times on a rolling basis between 5 a.m. and 2 p.m.

A map of the race course can be found here.

The California Department of Social Services terminated funding the food bank and is investigating the organization.

“They showed up with battering rams, bulletproof vests, and guns drawn,” said Brian Weaver, the new CEO of the Food Bank of Southern California, describing the raid on his offices by law enforcement one week ago today. “They took all of our food!”

Weaver said agents asked him questions about the former CEO Jeanne Cooper and at least one other former board member as they scoured the building for evidence.

“They went through all of our books, all of our records. They went through everything here,” said Weaver.

The food bank had already started its own internal investigation into Cooper months ago after allegations of misuse of funds.

Weaver hired an outside forensic accounting firm and realized how bad it was.

“They came up with fraud that was huge! That went on for decades,” said Weaver. “Anywhere from 5-10 (million dollars).”

Copper denied the allegations, writing in an email to NBC4, “I did not use any funds for personal use.”

The former CEO leveled counter-allegations against other board members, and she said that they pressured her to “pay them” with the money in question.

Cooper said it was her that was a whistleblower to the state officials.

“I alerted the State of California Department of Social Services, the state attorney general… to look into the practices of the board,” said Cooper.

The state would not comment on the investigation. 

Cooper said she stepped down from her role in March but remains on the payroll.

“She can make any statement that she wants, but the evidence is the evidence and we have lots of it,” said Weaver.

The food bank, which serves about 300 pantries in mostly South LA and Long Beach, is now closed down.

Weaver suspended operations and furloughed most of its staff for the next 30 days.

“We still do not know what the complete fallout of the state and federal government is going to be, but right now we are just restructuring and we are going to continue to go out a feed people,” said Weaver.

From Sept. 29 to Oct. 5, the citywide celebration will bring together a variety of Latino-owned restaurants, each offering unique dishes that reflect the rich tapestry of Latin American cuisine. The event aims to highlight the culinary talent of the Latino community, support local businesses, and celebrate the cultural diversity that makes Long Beach a unique and thriving community.

“We are in every kitchen,” said Roberto Lemus, Long Beach Latino Restaurant Week Co-Founder. “We have restaurants from Brazil, from El Salvador, from Honduras, from Colombia.”

The inaugural Latino Restaurant Week in Long Beach features a range of participating establishments that span from casual cafés to high-end dining experiences. Each restaurant showcases not only its style but also the heritage and passion that Latino chefs bring to their culinary creations.

“There is one, an Italian restaurant, owned by a Mexicano for the last 30 years… we wanted to highlight the flavor we bring to the table,” said Lemus.

With cuisines ranging from Mexican and Salvadoran to Peruvian and Cuban, this week-long event offers an opportunity for the public to indulge in an array of Latin American flavors.

“We have the best hot dog with a Peruvian twist,” said Carla Flores, chef of Alli Kaphy. “We love to create food from our two cultures.”

Flores grew up in Northern Peru but moved to Long Beach when she was 9 years old. The chef’s take on Peruvian food is known for its fresh ingredients and dedication to authenticity. From ceviche to lomo saltado, the dishes are a true representation of Peruvian culture, offering a mix of coastal, Andean, and Amazonian influences.

Another restaurant on the radar is El Barrio Cantina, offering a modern twist on traditional Mexican dishes in the heart of Long Beach’s Retro Row. Chef Ulises Pineda Alfaro has crafted a tapas-style menu featuring seasonal ingredients and innovative recipes, blending Mexican traditions with global flavors inspired by the many cultures of Long Beach and Los Angeles.

Along with the food, guests can enjoy craft cocktails that are equally influenced by local cultures and fresh, seasonal ingredients, creating a unique and modern culinary experience.

For those seeking a cozy café vibe, Confidential Coffee is a must-visit during the week. Owned by Denise Maldonado, this community-focused café has become a local favorite thanks to its minimalist design and welcoming atmosphere. Confidential Coffee serves expertly brewed espresso drinks and specialty blends alongside pastries and light bites, making it the perfect spot for breakfast or an afternoon break. Denise’s passion for both coffee and community shines through in the warm ambiance, creating an inviting space to relax or work while enjoying exceptional coffee.

The full list of participating restaurants can be found on the event’s official website, where visitors can explore the diverse range of eateries taking part in this week-long culinary journey.

The passenger number between June 1 and Aug. 31 — 1,104,994 — was 4% above the previous record-setting year in 2018, when 1,062,202 passengers used the airport, according to the city. The number was a 14% increase from the same period last year.

“This historic summer travel record is a testament to the hard work of everyone at our Long Beach Airport in providing unmatched service to travelers,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in a statement. “Their dedication is why passengers place their trust in LGB as their preferred gateway in and out of Southern California.”

According to the city, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest Airlines offer service to 24 nonstop destinations from Long Beach Airport, equating to more nonstop offerings than any other time in the airport’s 100-year history.

LAX Jul 7, 2022

LAX and Long Beach Airports Receive Grants for Terminal Projects

Long Beach May 16

Long Beach neighbors rally against flight school's noise 

The series of crimes began with a carjacking reported at about 3:30 a.m. The passenger, who was still inside the car was released shortly after the carjacking.

San Pedro Sep 28

Vincent Thomas Bridge reopens at Port of Long Beach following big rig spill

San Pedro Sep 27

Watch: Lithium ion battery explosion blows apart truck trailer in San Pedro crash

The car was then used in a pharmacy break-in reported at about 4:20 a.m. in the 200 block of Anaheim Street in Wilmington.

Pharmacy owner Ash Soliman said the burglars got away with a bottle of cold medicine. He called police after seeing the crime on video from his security camera, which showed about 11 people getting out of the carjacked Mercedes-Benz.

“What I would suggest to other pharmacy owners, as well as other business owners, don’t skimp out on your security systems,” Soliman said, adding that this was the sixth break-in in two years at the pharmacy.

Several people involved in the burglary then led police on a chase that ended on the Long Beach International Gateway bridge connecting downtown Long Beach and Terminal Island.

Occupants ran from the vehicle in the area of Pier T in Long Beach. Eight people were taken into custody, but authorities were searching for at least one more person, police said.

“LAPD SWAT responded and is searching for a suspect who was seen on a catwalk under the… bridge,” the LAPD statement said. “No suspects are believed to have jumped into the water or from the bridge.”

Search teams on boats were in the water under the bridge.

The 710 Freeway was closed at the bridge at about 6:30 a.m. Monday for the investigation and search. Details about when it will reopen were not immediately available.

Video from the scene of the pharmacy burglar showed a shattered front window at the business. Details about what, if anything, was taken were not immediately available.

The bridge, a replacement for the historic Gerald Desmond Bridge, opened to traffic in October 2020. It was officially named the Long Beach International Gateway Bridge by the California Legislature in August 2022.

About 15 percent of the nation’s imported waterborne cargo is trucked over the cable-stayed bridge with a deck that rises 205 feet above the water.

Late last week, the Vincent Thomas Bridge in nearby San Pedro was closed due to an big rig rollover crash and lithium ion battery fire.

A total of four stabbings were reported from Saturday evening to early Sunday in unrelated acts of violence, the Long Beach Police Department said. No deaths occurred in connection with any of the stabbings and officials are continuing to investigate each case.

San Pedro Sep 28

Vincent Thomas Bridge reopens at Port of Long Beach following big rig spill

Pursuit Sep 25

Passenger hangs out of vehicle during pursuit in Long Beach

6:18 p.m., Saturday

The first stabbing was reported on the 2000 block of East Pacific Coast Highway following a fight.

A man was stabbed by at least one person when the physical altercation escalated. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital in stable condition.

The stabbing suspects fled the scene. A description of those individuals was not available.

2:03 a.m., Sunday

The second act of violence was reported on the 5100 block of 2^nd Street. In this incident, two men were involved in a fight that escalated to a stabbing.

The victim was punctured in the upper body with a critical wound. He was taken to an area hospital where he is now in stable condition.

Police continue searching for this suspect, who fled the scene before officers’ arrival.

2:20 a.m., Sunday

The third stabbing occurred on the 200 block of Pine Avenue, where two women were fighting. Police officers were called to an area hospital for a report of two stabbing victims.

Detectives’ investigation revealed two women had gotten into a fight with another woman, who stabbed them in the upper body during the confrontation. The victims were taken to a hospital and described as being in stable condition.

A description of the suspect was not available. It is unclear what led to the fight.

3 a.m., Sunday

Police were called to a hospital following a fight that led to a stabbing in the 5100 block of 2^nd Street. There, the stabbing victim was in some sort of dispute with a group of women.

One of the women in the group punched the victim and a second woman stabbed the victim in the upper body.

The victim took themselves to a local hospital in stable condition. A description of the women involved in the confrontation was not available.

The law, AB 2553, allows cities to do away with parking minimums for new housing developments that are within a half mile of major transit stops, which is defined as any intersection of at least two bus routes at a frequency of 20 minutes or less during the morning and afternoon commute period. 

Residents near PCH and Long Beach Boulevard fear it could make parking worse for them. 

“Where you want them to park? There is no parking. It’s a mess,” said Denise Alvarez, who lives near two bus routes and a metro stop “All you see is this whole line of cars in the middle of the street and cars can’t pass by. You have people arguing and fighting.”

The idea behind the new law is to make it easier for builders to create homes and help ease the state’s housing crisis. It also hopes to encourage more people to ditch their cars and use transit instead. 

“I’m working as a hospice nurse, I cannot go to a patient’s house here and there just using the Metro,” said Sweet Escobar, who lives near PCH and worries about working-class families being able to find a parking spot when they come home. 

“When we work at 4 or 5 in the morning, how can we use Metro?” asked Ricardo Elizalde, a resident who says asking workers to use mass transit to get to job sites is unrealistic. 

The new law, which goes into effect in January, only applies to new housing developments.

“(The sound) is like ‘woo,’ like we need to evacuate or something crazy,” said Samantha Gonzalez, who lives across the street from the Holland Construction and Development project off Pacific Avenue and 3rd Street. “It sounds pretty scary to me.”

“(The alarm) goes off about three or four times a night and it’s loud,” said Michelle, another neighbor who lives on the opposite side of the construction site. “It wakes me up. It wakes up everybody.”

The construction project, a residential community that stretches from 3rd to 4th Streets off Pacific Avenue, is run by Holland, a firm out of Washington state. 

Project manager, Sebastian Allard, told NBC4 its corporate office would respond to questions regarding neighbors’ concerns. As of Tuesday afternoon, they have yet to respond. 

“I honestly didn’t start noticing it (the alarm) until like, six months ago,” said Gonzalez. “It’s something that’s more recurring (now).”

Neighbors wondered if there was a glitch in the alarm system that made it more sensitive and set off more often.

They’ve filed noise complaints with the city and even called the constriction company to complain, but have not seen results.

“Something definitely needs to be done,” said Michelle.

NBC4 reached out to city councilwoman Mary Zendejas’ office since she represents the downtown Long Beach area. Her communication team acknowledged our request and said they had not discussed the issue with Zendejas. We asked if the councilwomen could help neighbors with the problem and are waiting a response. 

The collision in front of the station was reported at about 12:40 a.m. in the Belmont Shore area. The person died at the scene.

“The preliminary investigation indicates LBFD personnel were responding to a call for service when their fire engine collided with a pedestrian,” a Long Beach Police Department statement said. “LBFD personnel determined the pedestrian deceased at the scene. Collision Investigation detectives have responded to the scene. The investigation is ongoing.”

The man was identified by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner as 61-year-old Michael Shaun Ross. No information was provided regarding a city of residence.

“It smells like a toilet bowl,” said Lydia Santana, who walks by a porta-potty rental company whose business is sewage. “The smell is horrible.”

United Rental moved into the Cherry Avenue location in 2020, according to the manager, who refused to comment about neighbors’ complaints.

“With this hot weather, you can really smell it,” said Robert Salinas, who has lived in their neighborhood for more than 30 years. “(It smells) like poop, and sometimes it’s really overbearing.”

“It smells like a cat or something like that died,” said Ray Lou, who gets the brunt of the odor — his house is directly across the street from the company.  “We just keep in the house.“

“It’s very bad, it smells like somebody is dead, real nasty,” said Lamont Williams, who smells it as he drops off recyclables at the plant next door. “It smells bad and horrible, like death… Nobody does nothing about it.”

Neighbors said they’ve reached out to the city for help, but to no avail.

NBCLA reached out to Councilman Al Austin’s office for comment, but did not hear back early Monday afternoon.

One neighbor reached out the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD), who told them the porta-potty company could be cited if more than six complaints were filed against them. 

So far, there is officially only one complaint filed. 

“People don’t want to live like that. People don’t want to smell that smell especially if you’re a resident,” said Salinas. 

Lines wrap around the block for the family-run and operated taco stand, Tacos Uziel. Owners Adriana Mancia and Luiz Perez said they started the taco stand for their son’s future.

“My taqueria is called Taco Uziel thanks to my son,” said Mancia. “We started this business for his future, so he won’t have to suffer as much as we had to.”

The young couple migrated separately from Oaxaca but met in Southern California as they worked for other stands around Los Angeles.

“I learned to cook little by little,” said Perez.

The training paid off with rave reviews of the stand’s el pastor and carne asada tacos. 

“Sometimes the lines go all the way to the driveway back here, but we will stand in line because it’s that good,” said Chris Marquis, who lives in Long Beach and frequents Taco Uziel. “Hopefully they stay in Long Beach.”

The smell coming from the charcoal grill is enticing enough for drivers passing by to make a pitstop.

“I can smell the food from my car and I had to stop here,” said Donna Aragon, who lives in Long Beach and came for the first time with her husband to taste the tacos. 

“It makes you hungry, even if you’re not,” said Keith Aragon.

Despite the taco stand’s popularity, Long Beach’s new vendor rules may force the stand to move. 

“We don’t know how much longer we have here,” said Mancia.

Long Beach has been cracking down on unpermitted stands after working for months to educate owners on the new rules passed in February.

The city has even waived the cost of permits as well as licenses and is giving away 40 pre-approved carts that are now required.

To qualify for those carts you have to live in Long Beach.

The couple lives in Compton and said the permit process is difficult to understand.

“It’s very difficult to get permits because there are a lot of regulations for street vendors,” said Mancia,

The owners say if the city forces them to move, they’ll leave Long Beach for another city with more lenient rules. 

Customers say it would be a big loss to Long Beach, not just the food, but the dream of a small family to give their 4-year-old a brighter future.

“If they move, we will follow,” said customer Maria Marquis. “Tell me where they are. Instead of walking over, we will drive over, whatever it needs to be.”

“Billie Jean King broke barriers,” said Congressman Robert Garcia, who represents Long Beach and District 42. “She brought the idea of equity in women’s sports and women having more access to sports in our universities and professional life, (it’s) in large part because of Billie Jean King’s work.”

Garcia was one of many co-sponsors of the House bill that nominated King. Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey announced drafted the bipartisan legislation that passed the House and will now be sent to President Joe Biden for his signature.

The bill to honor King had already passed unanimously in the Senate.

The honor comes just after the 50th anniversary of King’s victory over Bobby Riggs in the “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match. It is still the most-watched tennis match of all time with more than 90 million viewers.

Before King started breaking barriers nationally, she started playing as a fifth grader on public tennis courts in Long Beach which now bears her name.

The Billie Jean King Tennis Center in Belmont Heights hosts players who are just learning tennis and those who remember King’s remarkable achievements: 17 years old when she won Wimbledon doubles and a total of 39 Grand Slam singles, doubles and mixed doubles titles.

“I just think she is an icon,” said Tracey Risso, who plays tennis at the court and honors King for her atheistic achievements and her fight for equal pay for women athletes.  “Our younger players, really anybody, who has not seen the disparity would take it for granted. I think if kids, young female players especially, knew about it, they would really appreciate what she has done for them.”

Former President Barack Obama honored King with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009 for her equal pay fight and her work for the LGBTQ+ community.

“As Billie Jean Once said, we should never ever underestimate the human spirit nor should we underestimate Billie Jean King’s spirit,” said Obama.

The medal, awarded by Congress for distinguished achievements and contributions to society, has previously been given to solo male athletes, but never to a solo woman athlete until now.

A ceremony will be announced once President Biden signs the bill.  

Haunted Events Aplenty: There’s a sudden chill in the air — quite literally — as we head for the start of fall, which must mean some of the biggest Halloween-themed events in SoCal are impishly revving up. We’re not (too) scared: Knott’s Scary Farm in Buena Park, the Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor, and Los Angeles Haunted Hayride in Griffith Park are all ghostily floating into the first weekends of their 2024 runs.

Kidspace Halloween Bash: Seeking some daytime family fun inspired by the fall occasion? This Pasadena educational museum will have daily — yes, daily — costume parades made for the littlest Halloween fans as well as autumn activities. There are two parades on weekdays and three on weekends; it all begins Sept. 20, concludes Oct. 31, and advance tickets? Very much recommended.

California Coastal Cleanup Day: If you’re especially sweet on a particular stretch of spectacular sand, riverbank, or lakeshore, you’re invited to spend the morning of Sept. 21 giving it a good tidy-up. This huge volunteer event is happening up and down the coast and inland, too. Check the map to find and join an event (there are oodles), then check the supplies you’ll need to bring along.

Frogtown Artwalk: Frogtown is always pretty darn fanciful, as its wonderful name so strongly suggests, but when this art-forward happening comes back around, the imagination flows like the river that the community famously borders. Enjoy gallery shows, musical moments, hands-on activities, and plenty of creative fun Sept. 21. And, oh yes, it’s free.

Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off: Send out summer in a big way — make that a gargantuan way — at Irvine Park Railroad, where some of the most sizable squashes around will hit the scales (gently, of course). Major prizes and cash are involved in this charming tradition, which pays admiring tribute to a cavalcade of tenacious growers. Get “pump”-ed Sept. 21 in Orange.

The city estimates about 18,000 mattresses are left illegally each year and “puts a strain on city resources that can be used for other cleanup efforts, creates blight and often blocks access to the public right of way,” said a Long Beach Public Works statement.

Now, the city hopes its new 24/7 mattress drop-off pilot program will reduce illegal dumping and clean up some neighborhoods.

“It makes the city look dirty,” said Ashley Alcala, who was raised and lives near downtown Long Beach. “Growing up in the city, it was not full of clutter. I don’t remember ever seeing things left on the side (of the road).”

NBC4 found at least four mattresses in the city’s Wrigley neighborhood just a few blocks apart. One mattress and a box spring were in an alleyway and another mattress was dumped right in front of a playground. 

In 2021, the city said 24,700 mattresses were picked up and of those, 9,000 were illegally dumped.

This summer, the city started a pilot program where residents can legally drop off old mattresses at one spot: 970 West Chester Place. It’s free of charge, open 24 hours a day and the mattresses that are dropped off are recycled by a non-profit partner. So far, the city has seen 175 mattresses dropped off.

The city had already been working to collect mattresses once a month at the same location since April, which saw 458 mattresses recycled.

“The addition of the 24/7 mattress drop-off pilot program will further support the City’s efforts to reduce illegal mattress dumping throughout Long Beach,” said the public works statement.

“It is a step in the right direction, but how many people are going to do it,” asked Acala, pointing out many people in her neighborhood are still dumping mattresses on the sidewalks. “Putting it in more locations will help it more, not just in one spot.”

This pilot program runs until Oct. 29.

“We are more than just our culture. We are also women on the verge of healing,” said Yvonne Marquez, the owner of Las Adelitas, a gift shop inside Agua y Viento coffee house. “It is small, but it holds so much.”

Marquez named the shop after “Adelitas” women freedom fighters in the Mexican Revolutionary War. The women soldiers wore ammo belts around their torsos and led regiments of men into battle.

“They were such strong women and I wanted to hold space for women,” said Marquez.

In addition to vending jewelry and artifacts showcasing cultural pride, the shop doubles as a safe space for Chicanas to gather, share and grow.

“It’s almost like going to your hermana’s house — your sister’s house,” said Milagro Ruiz Bello, a healer who uses sound in spiritual cleanses at the shop. “It’s a very warm (place).”

“It’s like all like the magic put into one place,” said Xochitl Brizuela, a children’s Spanish teacher, who teaches the adult women at the shop the language they’ve lost or never learned. 

“There is a need for us to learn again; Spanish is not easy for me, but it still is something I want to learn,” said Marquez.

Along with the lessons and healing, Marquez brought along Rebecca Contreras, an art curator to design the show “Nuestro Tiempo: El Grito de la Independencia”.

“It’s a real beautiful and unique space here,” said Contreras.

The show features 12 artists from around the region including Oaxaca, as well as Central and South America and their cultural expressions of strength and love.

It is the love that brightens Marquez’ heart the most. The love of women finding a space to be who they are, learn more about their culture and feel safe. 

“The love that we get has just been beautiful,” said Marquez. “I’ve had people who have gotten emotional and who have cried, who just say it just feels like my abuelita’s house.”

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Officers responded at about 11 a.m. to the 300 block of East 63rd Street after a report of a shooting. They found a woman with gunshot wounds to the upper body and an injured man.

The man — details about his injuries were not immediately available — died at the scene. The woman died at a hospital.

A man wanted in connection with the deaths entered a nearby building. Officers set up a perimeter around the building and attempted to speak with the man.

SWAT officers responded to the scene.

“SWAT made entry into the residence and located a male adult believed to be the suspect,” police said in a statement. “The man was deceased with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Homicide detectives are investigating the incident and more information will be available in a forthcoming news release.”

Details about a motive for the shooting was not immediately available.

The city is using $2.5 million dollars to fund the Affordable ADU Loan Program by offering zero and low-interest loans up to $250,000 each to homeowners wishing to build an ADU (additional dwelling unit). However, the catch is that they must rent the ADU for 5 years to a low-income family.

“It’s a good resource for low-income families and for all families,” said Yamilet Chavez, a new homeowner in Long Beach’s Wrigley neighborhood. “If I rent (an ADU), it will help us pay our high mortgage.”

The program is open now to homeowners and closes in November. If approved, the loan payments will not be required during the construction term and there is no interest as long as those units are rented to low-income residents for at least 5 years.

The city will give priority to owners who agree to rent to someone with a Long Beach housing voucher, which guarantees payment with federal funds that subsidize low-income households.

Rents, depending on the zip code, could range in Long Beach from $2,200 for a studio to $3,200 for a two-bedroom. With loan payments around $800 a month, homeowners land on the upside of the deal. 

“It benefits a lot of families,” said Chavez.

The program could help Long Beach reach its goal of building 26,000 housing units by 2028, as mandated by the state.

The city already has reduced the red tape to build ADUs by offering pre-approve building designs that reduce permit and construction times. 

The application process is open now with the first loans expected early next year.

“All we can do is use fans and hope for the best,” said Raven Wagner, a senior at Poly High School. “It’s pretty hot. We only have air conditioning in certain buildings, but other than that we just use fans and it’s still hot.”

Long Beach Unified, the fourth largest school district in the state, has been working since 2022 to put central air conditioning into all schools. 

“Approximately 84% of our schools are fully air-conditioned. The remaining schools without air conditioning are either in the design or construction phase,” wrote a Long Beach Unified spokesperson in a statement to NBC4.

The 13 schools are Tucker Elementary, Henry Elementary, Carver Elementary, Los Cerritos Elementary, Gant Elementary, Tincher Preparatory; Stanford Middle, Hoover Middle, Marshall Middle, Washington Middle; and Poly High, Sato High and Millikan High School..

The district said each school has window coverings, classroom fans and reflective window tinting. The school district has also added new water fountains and filling stations across the district.

“It’s necessary, you can’t live without air conditioning,” says Irma Soto, a mother whose kids went to Poly High. “The heat is so bad, it makes it hard for kids to concentrate.”

Long Beach Unified School District is in the middle of a multi-year plan to install central air at all of its schools by 2027.

The state of California doesn’t require air conditioning in schools.

For now, the school district has also built shade structures for students when they are outside for recreation. Recesses and lunch activities are modified during high temperatures, according to the school district.

“Ensuring student health and safety is our highest priority. We also want to emphasize the importance of learning while ensuring our students are safe and comfortable,” wrote a Long Beach Unified Spokesperson.

We’re now in the doorway to the final third of 2024, as hard as that is to believe, but there’s something equally hard to believe ahead, if we’re digging deep into the hard-to-believe files: Both of the year’s Friday the 13ths are still to come.

The last 2024 appearance by the eerie occasion will fall just two weeks ahead of Christmas, or a little less than two weeks, bringing a festive flavor to the lightly frightful holiday.

But September gets its own offbeat opportunity to honor the calendar’s most superstitious entry. And given that September has taken on some October-like properties in recent years, with more Halloween-flavored events showing up on the earlier side, you can bet that scary stuff will be afoot.

Or spooky stuff, that is.

The Queen Mary, which will soon sail into a dastardly Dark Harbor, is summoning the Halloween-y high jinks on Friday, Sept. 13 with a Spooktacular Bazaar & Movie Night.

Long Beach Aug 16

Long Beach eeks: Get tickets to the Queen Mary's fright fest

Long Beach Aug 30

Celebrate the Queen Mary's 90th aboard the stately Long Beach icon

Make that “Movies” Night: Both “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas” and “Labyrinth” will screen near the world-famous ship.

A bazaar featuring a line-up of vendors will also grace the grounds adjacent to the landmark; look for all sorts of imaginative goods, from art to wearables, that speak to the goosebumpily spirit of the season.

There are food choices, too, and live tunes, and, oh, hello: A few Dark Harbor characters will swing by for photos, a week before the large-scale fright event opens.

Want to go with the “Ultimate Movie Package”?

There are plenty of perks with this one: Tickets for four people, a couch for four people, a Queen Mary blanket, Queen Mary Champagne, and more. It’s $250; find out more here.

Happy first Friday the 13th of 2024; find the light frights just outside the Queen Mary, if you delightfully dare.

“In 2019, we started this conversation with the city and they were actually looking into it, but COVID shut it down,” said Pam Chotiswatdi, a cannabis educator with Long Beach Green Room. “Bringing this birthday party, picked it up where we left off.”

Four years later, allowing any public event to have permitted cannabis use is back in front of the city council. In August, the council unanimously agreed to commission a study to see how the permit might work and how the city could manage and benefit from it.

“We are looking to put Long Beach in a place to win,” said Al Austin, Long Beach City Councilmember. “It’s an economic opportunity that we see for businesses and large events.”

Currently, state law allows temporary permits but only with approval from the local city.

Last month, the state fair in Sacramento made history by becoming the first fair in the country to allow cannabis to be sold and consumed onsite. It was deemed a big success with more than 80,000 people attending.

“It shows California is a forward-thinking state. Long Beach is a forward-thinking city and this is an opportunity to make Long Beach an entertainment destination,” said Austin.

The city council could get something on the books by the end of the year.

Cannabis stores like Green Room hope it will lead to cannabis lounges where people can gather and consume cannabis anytime they want.

Queen Mary fans are founts of fascinating tidbits about the legendary ship, from the celebrities who sailed the Atlantic while strolling its scenic decks to its permanent engagement in Long Beach, the ocean-liner’s home since 1967.

Aficionados of the seafaring superstar also know what it was called prior to becoming the Queen Mary: Cunard’s job 534.

The ship would go on to complete 1,001 transatlantic crossings, as well as serve as Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s fabled “Headquarters at Sea” during World War II.

But well before the Queen Mary, which was constructed in Clydebank, Scotland, sailed into history, and nearly two years before it began traversing the sea in grand fashion? Her Majesty Queen Mary christened the ship in September 1934, officially presenting the Royal Standard to her namesake alongside His Majesty King George V.

To mark the Queen Mary’s 90th anniversary, the ship’s staff will host a free ceremony, which is open to the public, on Sept. 26, 2024. That’s nine decades to the very day when the Queen Mary received its Royal Standard, and the occasion will be made more meaningful by the much-anticipated return of the Royal Standard.

Well, a lovely reproduction, that is; the “iconic emblem” sailed aboard the Queen Mary for over three decades during the ship’s time as “an ocean-going vessel.”

“Returning a reproduction of the Queen Mary’s Royal Standard is a momentous occasion that reconnects the ship with its royal origins and marks a significant chapter in her storied history,” shared Steve Caloca, Managing Director of the Queen Mary.

“We are honored to share this special unveiling with the community as we celebrate The Queen Mary’s 90-year legacy and the return of this iconic symbol to its rightful place on board.”

The celebration will continue in that Art Deco treasure, the Queen Mary’s Observation Bar, following the presenting of the Royal Standard.

And if you’d like to do some dancing in a truly vintage setting later in the evening? Alex Mendham & His Orchestra will perform in the Queens. That is a ticketed event, so be sure to book your $45 entry well before Sept. 26.

“The Queen Mary’s 90th anniversary is not just a celebration of the naming of this incredible ship, but a tribute to the legacy that continues to define this maritime legend, and a tribute to our wonderful guests; past, present, and future,” added Mr. Caloca.

“This marks the beginning of this new chapter into its golden era.” 

Long Beach Greek Food & Music Festival: Southern California is known for some large-scale Labor Day Weekend festivals of the foodie-est variety, and this appetizing outing is a sup-worthy stalwart. Spanakopita, Souvlaki, Feta fries, and more goodies are on the menu while music will add the joyful soundtrack. Greek dancing lessons are also on the roster; daily festival entry is $5.

Malibu Chili Cook-Off: The four-day festival isn’t just about savory spoonfuls of nicely spiced stews; there is totally rad skating to admire, and vendors to browse, and plenty of end-of-summer sweetness to bask in. A carnival, too, is at the humming heart of the fundraiser, which gives back to the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu. Be sure to get your ticket before you go.

Nerd Out at the Garden: Our plant-obsessed region has so many garden-based gatherings, but this California Botanic Garden bash, which flowers Aug. 31, is very much about the trivia, the hobnobbing, and, yes, the nature-inspired cosplay. Ever wanted to dress up as a rhododendron? Here’s your chance. The chlorophyll-y fantasia is sprouting in Claremont.

Halloween Boutique opens: There are still some free and semi-frightful (in the most fabulous way) destinations around SoCal when fall approaches, and this is one: The cool themed shop at Roger’s Gardens in Corona del Mar. The vibe in 2024 is ultra-witchy, so count on plenty of magical displays. And a small-but-swiftly-moving queue, too, through opening weekend, which starts Aug. 30.

Time to pick terrific tomatoes: The canning tools are lined up and lovers of sauces are ready to swing by Underwood Family Farms in Moorpark for this tangy tradition. You can pay to pick your own tomatoes Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 or buy some pre-picked Romas, if you prefer. As the field is just outside of the farm, no Underwood admission is required. Sweet: This annual event, popular with cooks and eaters alike, has been around for over four decades.

Jeremy Gonzalez, a 35-year-old resident of Los Angeles, was arrested Wednesday on 30 counts of invasion of privacy after he allegedly took photos of people and their property without their permission while working as a maintenance worker. 

Detectives with the Long Beach Police Department believe Gonzalez may have committed more crime between April 2023 and December 2023 at a residential complex near Ocean Boulevard and Pine Avenue. 

The suspect was taken to the Long Beach jail with his bail set at $300,000.

Long Beach Aug 20

Downtown businesses praise Long Beach's new homeless encampment crackdown

Long Beach Aug 15

Street vendors cited in Long Beach

Sex crimes investigators encouraged victims to contact them at (562) 570-7368. 

The second annual fair in Long Beach has taken on an empowering role for women as, once again, a woman is nominated by a major party for president.

“It’s time for people to start realizing that we have something to offer every single step of the way,” said Naomie Worrel, a Long Beach mother who brought her daughter, Nava Tate, to the fair. 

“Girls can be anything they want to be,” said Tate.

At the fair, the mother-daughter duo, along with numerous others, commemorated the passing of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote just 104 years ago.

“It’s really fun to see the rise that women have been having and that fuel, that flame that has sparked,” said Ashlie Brady, a member of Feminist Uprising, one of the groups that organized the fair. In addition to hosting the event, the group also highlighted the fight to implement the Equal Rights Amendment.

The fair also honored its “First Fierce Women of Long Beach” awards at the Art Theatre.

“The most important thing is we are supporting women,” said Cindy Allen, Vice Mayor of Long Beach, who is also excited about the rise of women in politics nationally and locally. 

When the newly elected city council forms in January, there will be a supermajority of women leading the way.

“Long Beach elects women and I think our country is in a place where we are going to elect more women in power,” said Allen. 

Amid the start of the city’s homeless encampment sweep, city representatives cleared speculation that the building of a chain fence at Gumbiner Park was a result of keeping unsheltered residents out.

“At Gumbiner, we do have repairs that need to happen in the park and so the fence is only temporary,” said Teresa Chandler, Long Beach Deputy City Manager. “The ultimate goal in Long Beach is to get people connected to permanent housing.”

The city identified five locations with problem encampments: Gumbiner Park, Billie Jean King Library, Lincoln Park, Jenni Rivera Park and Veterans Parks. It said the city is planning for more cleanups and police have also been given the discretion to issue anti-camping citations. 

“The citations are going to be used in a way that is a last resort if people continue to come back to locations,” said Chandler.

The city took the action after Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order for California cities to clean up encampments following a U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing cities to enforce anti-camping laws.  

Long Beach has long been focused on a housing-first approach since it declared a homeless emergency in 2023 and ended this year. The city has spent more than $60 million on transitional housing, temporary housing like motel vouchers, shelter beds and outreach to Long Beach’s approximately 3,400 unhoused residents.

Long Beach saw a 2% decrease in its homeless population from 2023-24, with about 71 fewer people counted in the city’s annual homeless count.

“We are going about this all wrong and something truly needs to change,” said Christine Berry, a homeless advocate who has a charity that has moved more than 200 people off the street. “I give out bus tickets to go home and connect with families. The city isn’t offering that.”

Berry believes the city’s approach is not delivering results fast enough. She wants more quality-of-life officers and for the city to prioritize non-drug users for housing first.

The city says it’s listened to the community’s advice, but believes its practice is the best. 

“The ultimate goal in Long Beach is to get people connected to permanent, supportive long-term housing solutions,” said Chandler, who said the practice does its results, but it takes time. “We have some real success of people, but it took years — 5, 10 years sometimes.”

At about 7:15 a.m. on Monday, Long Beach lifeguards shut down Junipero Beach and contacted the police after what appeared to be a human skull was found in the sand, the Long Beach Police Department said. 

The skull, which washed up in the area of East Ocean Boulevard and Orizaba Avenue, had parts of its face missing. Officers responded to the call and began an investigation as they searched for other body parts. 

When it seemed like a homicide investigation was imminent, medical examiners made a discovery that would halt the police in their tracks: The skull was fake, and it was made of plastic. 

Panic aside, the incident of the plastic skull will be one Long Beach lifeguards are sure to never forget. 

“We do have a lot of issues with the homeless out here. Sometimes they come into our business and act kind of crazy,” said Jazmin Robledon, a barber on Pine Ave. “I think it will help us as a community.”

It’s not clear when the city will begin the crackdown on Billie Jean King Library, but if it’s anything like Monday — when cleaning crews with police arrived and cleared Gumbiner Park — Robledo thinks it’s a good start to getting more aggressive with the problem.

“I know some of them don’t want help, but there is only so much you can do,” said Robledo.

One Long Beach resident who is unhoused, however, feels differently. He expressed his concern over what will happen to him if he’s impacted by the city’s sweeps.

“I think it’s kind of rough and it sucks a lot,” said Jack, a young man who says he had been recently homeless and is worried about the aggressive action to clear the library encampment he once used.  “Cracking down on encampments doesn’t really do nothing.”

The city already fenced off a portion of the library outside. The library says kids use it for summer outdoor activities. 

“We know enforcement alone is not the solution,” wrote Mayor Rex Richardson in an op-ed for the Pioneer Press. “We are committed to a human-centered approach  as we prioritize major encampments — particularly parks, beaches, and libraries — with significant outreach, offers of shelter and services, and other methods to achieve positive outcomes, with  enforcement as an additional tool to address difficult situations.”

The outreach is underway at Veterans Park, where about half a dozen tents are part of an encampment, and at Jenni Rivera Park, where RVs line the street. If the unhoused don’t take offer for alternative housing and refuse to leave, they could be cited by police.

“I don’t know if getting cited is going help them because they are already homeless as it is,” said Pedro Martinez, a grandfather who brings his young granddaughter to the library weekly. 

Martinez supports the clearing the encampments but would prefer the city focus on housing and services.

“That’s definitely one of things we got to work on especially in the downtown area,” said Martinez. 

“We are filling 5,000 potholes a month,” said Eric Lopez, Director of Public Works. “Our goal is to get to 10,000 potholes and keep going to zero.”

Six crews have been working six days a week to tackle the pothole problem, fixing 28,000 of the 63,000 that Lopez said was caused largely by unprecedented rains this past Winter. 

“I love rain, but I hate potholes. And unfortunately, rain creates potholes,” said Lopez. 

Lopez told the city council 23 inches of rain last winter pummeled streets as historic flooding submerged cars and uprooted massive trees.

The city had 100 employees at the height of the storms, clearing gutters and removing debris.

Crews, who have also being filling cracks or sealed more than 15 million square feet of pavement, are on track to tackled 30,000 square feet of sidewalks, curbs and gutters as part of the city’s “Elevate 28” project to get infrastructure in tip top shape in time for the Olympics.

“It’s obviously great because it makes the neighborhood look better,” said Brandon Castagna, who was enjoying an afternoon walk with Lizbeth Garcia Nunez along their newly pavement street in North Long Beach.

“The streets right now are very beautiful,” says Garcia Nunez.

Compton Mar 7

Compton couple helps fix the city's pothole problem

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The couple said it was a 180-degree change from how the streets had been the last few years.  

“It looked a little off roady, but in the middle of the road. It would be nice and then all of the sudden, bup bup bup for a couple of feet,” said Castagna, who hopes it will have a trickle-down effect of homes. “A lot of people do take pride in their home.. This is what they work for. This is where they raise their family. A little changes like that just right outside your doorstep really find their way inside your doorstep.”

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Every successful haunted attraction, no matter how huge or humble, has a memorable backdrop, the sort of spooky setting that might involve mood lighting, fake spiderwebs, monster cut-outs, or foam tombstones.

But only one fall festival has the Queen Mary, the famous and famously phantom-laden ocean-liner, as its incredible backdrop. It’s Dark Harbor, the said-to-be-haunted ship’s annual autumn spectacular.

The longtime Halloween-inspired happening, which is returning after five frightful years away is back at the Long Beach landmark beginning Sept. 20, 2024.

A presale for the atmospheric event, which will be helmed by the fright-making group Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group, is happening now.

As with bygone Dark Harbors, monster-filled mazes and eye-popping attractions will dominate the fun in dastardly fashion.

Shopping Aug 12

Witches, come gather at an enchanted Roger's Gardens boutique

Theme Parks Jun 25

Six Flags Magic Mountain's ‘Fright Fest Extreme' will up the eek this autumn

Hewing to the Shipyard setting, and the Queen Mary’s ocean-roaming past, is at the heart of the spooky storytelling: Vintage characters and fanciful figures weave through the terrifying tales told at the event, and encountering more than a few of these not-so-mortal stars is a distinct possibility.

The Ringmaster is a circus-inspired favorite, as are Scary Mary and Lady Mabel.

More throwback charms await, like pop-up speakeasies, the kind that rose to prominence back when the ship first sailed, as well as “The Maiden Voyage Launch Party,” the chilling moment when the creepy characters “rise from their graves” each evening.

And “The Final Voyage” dance party, a sound-tastic send-off, will happen nightly an hour ahead of the eerie event’s closing time.

“We’ve said from day one that we will honor the history, legacy, and stories of this legendary event,” said Brett Bertolino, Director of Special Projects for Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group.

“But we’re also committed to guiding the event’s evolution by adding new and cutting-edge experiences.”

Find ticket information, the full slate of dates, and all of the oceanic eek-a-tude at the Dark Harbor site.

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“They just rolled up like they are stalking me,” said Donald Davis, who was cited Tuesday. “They just rolled up and basically told me to shut it down.”

He posted a video to his Instagram account with Long Beach police telling him they were cracking down. 

“(We’re) Long Beach police department. We’re just coming along the bike path, checking businesses for business licenses,” said an officer in the video. 

Davis, a recent transplant from Arizona, had just started to sell clothes on the beach bike path this week. He said he was unaware of the city’s new vending rules.

“A warning would have been nice. You take somebody to court — that’s more time. I’m new here. They could have gave me a warning,” said Davis. 

Long Beach has spent months holding town halls and outreach events trying to educate vendors on the new permit rules that went into effect Feb. 26.

Many of the permit fees have been waived for the first year as the city is helping vendors out with the cost of insurance. 

“Right now, I’m stuck in the process. I’ve been compliant with health department, city officials, everything they’ve been asking me. The issue I have is I can’t afford to buy a $25,000 cart,” said Zhukry Gonzalez, an acai bowl vendor.

The city required most food vendors to have a pre-approved cart to obtain a license and health permit. The carts can cost between $5,000 and $30,000, depending on the type of food a vendor sells. The city has allocated $430,000 to purchase 40 carts to give away to vendors. 

“But they are not ready,” said Gonzalez. “They say it won’t be ready until 2025.”

Without a pre-approve cart, Gonzalez can’t get a permit, and he can’t get the money for the cart without selling his acai bowls.

“I really want to comply, but I can’t,” said Gonzalez.

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NBC4 reached out to the city for comment Thursday.

In May, city health officials said they were working hard to inform vendors, waive fees and offered the free carts to make the process easier for struggling vendors. 

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Long Beach Deputy City Manager Teresa Chandler sent a memo Monday that the city will focus on outreach efforts to inform unhoused residents of alternatives available as opposed to living on the street. If those efforts fail, individuals who remain in dangerous encampments could be fined as a last resort.

The move comes weeks after Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered state agencies to remove homeless encampments, threatening to withhold funding from cities that refuse to comply.

“They pee and they defecate on the patio, and it’s tough for us to have to deal with that,” said Danielle Soldati, co-owner of Ubuntu Café.

Sodalti opened her café just a few weeks ago and said operating her business with unhoused residents in the area has been difficult.

“We want to run a business but if no one is going to come because of they are afraid to be in Long Beach it makes it even harder for us to survive,” she said.

The memo states it will target encampments in areas that block access to public spaces such as parks, libraries and beaches. It’s been met with mixed feelings from residents.

“I don’t think it’s right to arrest a homeless person but at the same time, you can’t defecate and have your business out in public areas,” said Alexander Lam, a Long Beach resident.

I think we need to do a better job of helping these people and finding them a place to live,” Long Beach resident Michelle Lorenz said.

The city did not release a timeline of when possible citations may be issued. To read the memo in its entirety, click here.

“In 2019, we started this conversation with the city and they were actually looking into it, but COVID shut it down,” said Pam Chotiswatdi, a cannabis educator with Long Beach Green Room. “Bringing this birthday party, picked it up where we left off.”

Four years later, allowing any public event to have permitted cannabis use is back in front of the city council. In August, the council unanimously agreed to commission a study to see how the permit might work and how the city could manage and benefit from it.

“We are looking to put Long Beach in a place to win,” said Al Austin, Long Beach City Councilmember. “It’s an economic opportunity that we see for businesses and large events.”

Currently, state law allows temporary permits but only with approval from the local city.

Last month, the state fair in Sacramento made history by becoming the first fair in the country to allow cannabis to be sold and consumed onsite. It was deemed a big success with more than 80,000 people attending.

“It shows California is a forward-thinking state. Long Beach is a forward-thinking city and this is an opportunity to make Long Beach an entertainment destination,” said Austin.

The city council could get something on the books by the end of the year.

Cannabis stores like Green Room hope it will lead to cannabis lounges where people can gather and consume cannabis anytime they want.

There are a few questions that a Southern Californian is likely to be asked following an earthquake, especially if relatives from other places are checking in.

“How are you doing?” is the first question to arise, quickly followed by “is everyone okay, pets and people included?” Soon, though, the conversation moves specifically to any animals in the home, and whether our beloved critters sensed the approach of the temblor.

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A post shared by Aquarium of the Pacific (@aquariumpacific)

The Aquarium of the Pacific also encounters similar questions, with fish fans being understandably curious as to how the underwater residents of the Long Beach institution fare during a quake.

The answer: Some aquarium animals dart or change course while others don’t seem to notice.

Video captured by the explore.org cameras on Aug. 12, which are placed around the aquarium, tell the interesting tale.

Some of the fishes of the Honda Blue Cavern, the colossal tank found near the aquarium’s entrance, instantly reacted to the Aug. 12, 2024 earthquake, which occurred at 12:20 p.m. near Highland Park.

A giant sea bass apparently wasn’t feeling it — the animal quickly sped up when the quake began — but the Shark Lagoon scene remained fairly placid, save for some obvious water ripples.

And the penguins didn’t seem to sweat the strong shaking at all: They’re in “migration mode,” shared the aquarium team, so “nothing can deter them.”

View all of the fascinating video clips now on the Aquarium of the Pacific’s social pages. Need more around-the-clock animal wonder? Head to explore.org for all sorts of live, happening-now, the-world-is-amazing videos.

“In 2019, we started this conversation with the city and they were actually looking into it, but COVID shut it down,” said Pam Chotiswatdi, a cannabis educator with Long Beach Green Room. “Bringing this birthday party, picked it up where we left off.”

Four years later, allowing any public event to have permitted cannabis use is back in front of the city council. In August, the council unanimously agreed to commission a study to see how the permit might work and how the city could manage and benefit from it.

“We are looking to put Long Beach in a place to win,” said Al Austin, Long Beach City Councilmember. “It’s an economic opportunity that we see for businesses and large events.”

Currently, state law allows temporary permits but only with approval from the local city.

Last month, the state fair in Sacramento made history by becoming the first fair in the country to allow cannabis to be sold and consumed onsite. It was deemed a big success with more than 80,000 people attending.

“It shows California is a forward-thinking state. Long Beach is a forward-thinking city and this is an opportunity to make Long Beach an entertainment destination,” said Austin.

The city council could get something on the books by the end of the year.

Cannabis stores like Green Room hope it will lead to cannabis lounges where people can gather and consume cannabis anytime they want.

“There had been a lot of talent that has come out of Long Beach,” said Shannon Fisher, Wilson head track coach. “Wilson has turned out a lot of great athletes since I’ve been there.”

It all started with two-time gold medal winner, diver Pat McCormick in 1952, Wilson has produced a total of nine gold medal winners, 12 silver and seven bronze-winning athletes.

This year, water polo player Max Irving competes in his second Olympics, and 22-year-old Rachel Glenn is her first in the high jump.

“(Glenn) is actually a person we thought probably would make it to the Olympics,” said Fisher. “She was consistently asking what could she do to make herself better.“

“We’re going to be famous, we’re going to the Olympics,” said Glenn in a video Fisher shared with NBC4.

Glenn, a 2020 grad, had her sights set on the first Olympics she could get to in any event. This year, that meant the high jump.

“(Glenn) was pretty much new to the high jump when she came to us. She is still young in the sport, and for her to be with the top in the world, with maybe four to six years in the high jump, is amazing.”

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Fisher said hurdles were Glenn’s biggest event at Wilson. 

“She is one of the top American in the 400 meter hurdles also, which I think she finished 4th or 5th at the Olympic trials,” said Fischer. “She has a possibility of making to the hurdles the next time (in LA 2028,)”

Glenn competes in the qualifying round of the high jump event Friday morning, and finals are set for Sunday. 

Fisher says he will be watching and hoping Glenn brings home a medal so it will inspire another generation of athletes at Wilson high.

“They are chasing their dreams and just to have that little part of opening the door for them… I think that’s what we are here for,” said Fisher. “The sports part of it good, but helping create good human beings is probably the best part of it.”

ETHEREAL ENTHUSIASTS — those seekers of the supernatural, who keep an open mind about a place’s unusual energies, strange cold spots, and odd apparitions — have their favorite phantom-themed locations. These spots are often located around the planet and tantalizing tales abound about the otherworldly vibes found in these storied destinations. The Queen Mary in Long Beach has frequently sailed through the minds and imaginations of those who adore ghost stories, even as the celebrated ship remains permanently moored in Long Beach, where it has been located since 1967. Though, given the ghostly nature of the stately, sea-roaming icon, perhaps “eternally moored” is more fitting.

THE QUEENLY LANDMARK… has long been rumored to be an active nexus for paranormal incidents, but few corners of the sizable ship have garnered the ghostly enthusiasm of the living like Room B340. The reimagined space debuted to modern guests on Friday the 13th in 2018 — April 13, to be specific — providing supernaturalists the chance to snooze, or stay wide awake, among those from beyond (if, of course, those from beyond choose to visit). The room shuttered in 2020, along with the rest of the ship, and closed it remained as major repair work took place around the Queen Mary. But ghost fans, be cheered and maybe a tad chilled: Room B340 will return Sept. 13, which, yes indeed, is a Friday.

BOOKING INFORMATION… will soon materialize on the Queen Mary social pages, so stay tuned. When Room B340 shimmered into re-existence in 2018, the suite included atmospheric details like a Ouija board and text on the walls detailing sightings and spirited matters. How the room has transformed, or remained close to its original “spirit,” will be revealed when the first guest floats inside in just a few weeks. Not planning to stay in B340 but still interested in one of the ship’s bustling “Haunted Encounters” experiences? Gho, er, go here, ghost seekers, for more information.

If you’re going to talk about Long Beach favorites with legs, those long-running businesses that appeal to both visitors and lifelong LBC lovers, you’re going to pay heartfelt homage to Parkers’ Lighthouse.

It’s easy to see why this sunset-blessed eatery will be near the top of your Long Beach-loving list: After all, not many structures are full-on postcard staples, but Parkers’ Lighthouse, with its red roof and handsome, window-gabled tower, is a vibrant visual symbol of the city’s waterfront.

The charms of the Shoreline Village staple don’t solely spring from its instantly recognizable structure: Fans return again and again for grilled fish, celebratory cocktails, and a host of appetizers that draw inspiration from the (very) nearby ocean.

Those regulars have been coming back for four decades now, which means that Parkers’ Lighthouse is standing on the threshold of a milestone year.

And to celebrate? The seafood-centric eatery, which added new beyond-the-sea fare along the way, will be throwing it back, for a full year, to dishes of the past.

Starting in August, Parkers’ Lighthouse will revisit a few festive but long-gone dishes each month.

Up first? Tune poke nachos, which popped up on the 1999 menu, and Mud Pie, a sweet, straight-from-2010 selection.

The “nostalgic culinary journey” will include fresh spins on these classics, which will be available for just a few weeks once they debut.

“We are thrilled to celebrate 40 years of Parkers’ Lighthouse. This milestone is a testament to our dedicated team and loyal patrons,” said Stacy Lee, General Manager of Parkers’ Lighthouse.

“The throwback menu items are a tribute to our history and a thank you to our guests who have supported us throughout the years. We hope these dishes bring back wonderful memories for our longtime customers and create new ones for first-time visitors.”

To view all of the appetizing anniversary odes as they roll out, month-by-month, you’ll want to “shine a light” on the restaurant’s social pages.

Happy 40th anniversary, Parkers’ Lighthouse!

The first incident occurred at around 11:25 p.m. on the 1500 block of Alamitos Avenue. 

According to the preliminary investigation, Long Beach police said two people approached the victims, a man and a woman, and demanded their money. One of the thieves was armed with a knife. 

They left before officers arrived. No injuries were reported.

The second robbery of a street vendor was reported early Monday at the 1000 block of east Pacific Coast Highway.

According to the preliminary investigation, at approximately 12:01, two men approached a street vendor with a knife and demanded his money. 

A coworker handed the thieves the money and they fled the scene before police arrived. 

The street vendor had a minor injury but did not need medical attention.