West Covina Press_4/6/2026

Feds charge 15 in SoCal hospice fraud crackdown

By City News Service

A-- a psychologist and a registered nurse -- were among 15 defendants facing federal charges Thursday in Los Angeles as part of a crackdown on health care fraud schemes such as sham hospice facilities that pay people without terminal illnesses to pose as dying Medicare beneficiaries.

Gladwin Gill, a 66-yearold psychologist, and his wife, Amelou Gill, a 70-year-old registered nurse were arrested Thursday and charged in Los Angeles federal court.

Prosecutors allege the Gills, who ran a hospice in Glendale, paid illegal kickbacks for patient referrals, submitting more than $5.2 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare for end-of-life services that either were not medically necessary or never provided.

Medicare paid the Gills more than $4 million on the phony claims, funds the couple allegedly put toward mortgage and car payments, air travel and other personal uses, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The charges were announced at a news conference Thursday in downtown Los Angeles in conjunction with a new national antifraud task force. Vice President JD Vance last month held the inaugural meeting of the initiative as the Trump administration seeks to show it’s cracking down on misuse of social programs.

“Hospice is an entirely different level of fraud,” said Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Three nurses, a chiropractor, and the Covina psychologist were among eight defendants recently arrested in the investigation local law enforcement

dubbed “Operation Never Say Die.”

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli blamed Gov. Gavin Newsom for the problem, saying the governor is reigning over a “kingdom of fraud” and refuses to adopt emergency regulations to root out health care lawbreakers.

Newsomresponded on social media that new hospice licenses in the state were banned in 2021, and at least 280 licenses have been revoked in the last two years. He said that more than 100 criminal cases dealing with hospice fraud have been filed by state prosecutors.

“The Trump Administration -- home to the biggest fraudsters on Earth - - is trying to blame California for issues with THEIR federal programs,” Newsom wrote. “Glad to see the Feds finally taking seriously the fraud in the programs they themselves manage ... only 15 months after Trump took office.”

Also arrested Thursday was Lolita Minerd, 65, of Anaheim, a licensed vocational nurse, who owned

and operated a hospice in Artesia. According to court papers, Minerd used her company over the last five years to submit more than $9.1 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare, which paid her more than $8.5 million.

Through her company, Minerd allegedly billed Medicare for beneficiaries who were not dying. Investigators found that numerous beneficiaries had common addresses and lived far from the facility, a frequent sign of being recruited for such a scheme, federal prosecutors said.

One beneficiary couple linked to the scheme was approached at a market about signing up and then were visited at home by Minerd and three of her employees, who promised if the couple signed up everything would be free, and they each would receive $300 per month, court papers allege.

The money was delivered in an envelope in cash: $600 per month for six months. Neither beneficiary stated they had a terminal illness, which their physician confirmed. The couple also

reported receiving unneeded items such as nutritional shakes, non-prescription vitamins, and wheelchairs, according to federal prosecutors.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office stated that Minerd’s hospice had a non- death discharge rate of approximately 85%, nearly five times the national average of 17.2% from 2021.

“The Southern California region is a high-risk environment for hospicerelated and many other forms of health care fraud,” said Akil Davis, assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles bureau.

“The United States loses hundreds of billions of dollars annually to health care fraud at the expense of all American taxpayers, whose benefits decrease as premiums, co- payments and taxes grow. Our aim is to reverse that trend with `Operation Never Say Die’ and others like it.”

Health care fraudrelated charges in the cases announced Thursday carry a possible sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison, prosecutors said.

SBy City News Service

tate regulators identified a series of safety violations by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department that contributed to a 2025 grenade explosion at an East Los Angeles training facility that killed three deputies, and the department was fined more than $350,000, it was reported Wednesday.

Citing a review of state records that have not been publicly released, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday that the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, or Cal/ OSHA, issued eight citations as a result of its investigation into the blast, including a failure to provide effective training and leaving explosives unattended.

According to The Times, the sheriff’s department is appealing the decision.

“The sheriff’s department is continuing to cooperate with Cal/OSHA’s investigation, taking into account that two active criminal investigations are ongoing -- the sheriff’s department death investigation and the ATF’s (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) second device investigation,” the department said in a statement to The Times.

The paper reported, however, that Cal/OSHA went to court in January in an effort to force the sheriff’s department to turn over documents and other

Cal/OSHA officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report.

LA County assessor to host webinar on business property statement

By City News Service

Whilethedeadline tofilebusiness property statements is Wednesday, Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang reminded entrepreneurs to file their business property statement before a final deadline of May 7 to avoid penalties.

Prang announced Monday that he will host a webinar on April 15 from 11 a.m. to noon to help business owners understand the form, known as a 571-L, answer any questions about it and to file the paperwork.

The webinar is expected to provide answers to many common questions regarding the business statements, which provide a basis for determining property tax assess-

ments for business equipment and related fixtures.

Questions include why business owners receive the forms in the first place, whether a business must file a 571-L, and step-by-step instructions on how to fill out the form.

More information on the webinar is available at assessor.lacounty.gov/newsinformation/events.

The Assessor’s Office mails the forms to most commercial, industrial and professional firms in Los Angeles County.

Businesses with personal business property with an aggregate cost of $100,000 or more must file a statement each year by April 1. This is

required by state law. The state does allow a business until May 7 to file, but after that a 10% penalty will be applied.

Some businesses with total business property that cost less than $100,000 are not required to file a statement annually. Business property can include but not be limited to machinery, computers, equipment, fax machines, photocopiers, telephones, furniture and supplies.

Instead, a value may be established based on an initial filing or by an on-site appraisal. That value may be adjusted by subsequent annual on-site appraisals.

If businesses receive a form by mail, they are required by law to return the

form regardless of the amount of personal property, according to the Assessor’s Office.

Report: Golden Globes generated $133.5M for Beverly Hills, LA

By City News Service

The 83rd Annual Golden Globes, produced by Dick Clark Productions, generated an estimated $133.5 million in economic impact for Beverly Hills and the greater Los Angeles region, according to a report released Wednesday.

The analysis, conducted by Greyhill Advisors in partnership with Dick Clark Productions, found the awards show and related events supported approximately 550 jobs and produced $43.9 million in employee earnings across the region.

Officials said the economic impact stemmed from spending by attendees,

production operations and a series of events leading up to the ceremony.

“The scale of the economic impact shows that the Golden Globes is not just an entertainment event, but also an economic event for Beverly Hills and the Los Angeles area,” Ben Loftsgaarden, partner with Greyhill Advisors, said in a statement.

“Digging into the numbers reveals the surprising breadth and depth of dollars flowing into the community, to hard working industry professionals and staff behind the scenes that make the week-long celebration a success.”

Attendees and visitors accounted for about $39.8 million in spending, including $18.1 million on personal care services such as hair, makeup and styling, $16.4 million at hotels, restaurants and retail businesses, and $5.3 million on transportation and security services, according to the report.

Additional events held during the week leading up to the show, often referred to as “Golden Week,” generated another $16.8 million in economic activity, benefiting local venues and hospitality providers, the report showed.

The report also high-

event, with

4-year-old filly dies after training injury at Santa Anita

By City News Service

A4-year-old filly has died after suffering a training injury at Santa Anita Park, officials said Wednesday.

Eiffel, who had six career races and one first-place finish, died March 28, according to the California Horse Racing Board, which categorized her death as “nonmusculoskeletal.”

Eiffel’s last race was a third-place finish at Santa Anita on Saturday, March 28, according to the industry

website Equibase. She had an official workout on March 28.

“Eiffel had what appears to have been a cardiac issue as she was returning to the barn following routine training Saturday morning,” Santa Anita’s Senior Vice President and Executive Producer Amy Zimmerman told City News Service.

“The horse was immediately attended to by an expert team of on-site veterinarians but sadly, quickly passed away,” she added. “

... As is protocol, the horse will undergo a necropsy overseen by the University of California (Davis) School of Veterinary Medicine and the findings reported to the California Horse Racing Board. Unfortunately, incidents such as this are generally classified as ‘sudden deaths’ and rarely have definitive causational findings.”

Eiffel is the seventh horse to die from a racing or training injury at the Arcadia track this year.

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UUCSD study focuses on role of certain protein in breast cancer

By City News Service

C San Diego researchers have found a new way the body can stop the spread of breast cancer, possibly making it easier to treat the disease, according to a study released Tuesday.

Scientists discovered a new role for an inflammatory protein called TYK2 in mechanotransduction, the process by which cells sense and respond to their physical environment.

“Understanding mechanotransduction can provide insights into how cancer spreads and provide new avenues for treatment,” the researchers said.

The study, published in the scientific journal Nature, found the following:

-- TYK2 acts to suppress breast cancer, in response to stiffness in material surrounding and connecting cells; -- if stiffness is at a low rate, TYK2 is found on the cell membrane, where it stops cancer cells; -- for high stiffness rates, TYK2 is inactivated and found throughout the cell, resulting in an invasion

of cancer cells; and -- in tests on mice, inhibiting TYK2 with drugs “promoted breast cancer invasion and metastasis.”

Drugs that inhibit TYK2 are also being looked at as treatments for autoimmune diseases, according to UCSD researchers. They added the study “highlights the need to consider these drugs’ impact on breast cancer progression.”

Zhimin Hu, a project scientist at UCSD’s Moores Cancer Center and the study’s lead author, said findings reveal “how extracellular matrix stiffness regulates breast cancer metastasis through TYK2 and provides new insights into how physical cues in the tumor microenvironment control cancer progression.”

The study shows “significant implications for the

clinical use of TYK2 inhibitors and underscore the importance of considering the mechanical microenvironment in cancer therapy,” said Jing Yang, a corresponding author and pharmacology professor at the UCSD School of Medicine. The study was funded in part by The National Cancer Institute and the American AssociationofCancer Research.

Latino activists worry about dust, heat at CA mega-solar projects

By Suzanne Potter, Public News Service

West Fresno County will soon be home to multiple huge solar projects but local groups want to make sure they address community concerns.

The San Joaquin Valley is well known for oil and gas development but is now seeing more industrial-scale solar and battery storage projects as the state works toward 100% clean energy by 2045.

Angela Islas, project coordinator for the Central California Environmental Justice Network, said the potential effects need to be carefully considered.

“The research is very unclear whether solar panels to this magnitude contribute to rising temperatures and exposure to valley fever because dust is an issue,” Islas outlined.

Valley fever is a respiratory infection caused by breathing in fungus spores from dust. Islas would like to see state and local agencies work with the companies to control air pollution and reduce energy bills in

surrounding low-income communities.

The Westlands Water Agency approved the 130,000acre Valley Clean Infrastructure Plan in December. The California Energy Commission approved the 9,500-acre Darden solar project in June. The project’s owner signed a “community benefits agreement” promising $2 million over the next 10 years for local nonprofits dedicated to

food security, clean air, and affordable housing.

Pedro Hernandez, California state program director for the advocacy group GreenLatinos, said large-scale energy projects must be implemented fairly.

“There’s a lot of potential for advancing California’s climate goals but also potential for increasing impacts on Latino communities,” Hernandez pointed

out. “This is going to set a benchmark for how California can address the moment we’re facing.”

The Darden Clean Energy Project will include more than 3 million solar panels. The developer estimates the project will generate $232 million for the county over the next 10 years and create 16 permanent jobs and 1,200 temporary positions during construction.

Trump’s Justice Department dropped 23,000 criminal investigations in shift to immigration

By Ken B. Morales and David Armstrong, ProPublica

In the first days after Pam Bondi was appointed attorney general last year, the Department of Justice began shutting down pending criminal cases at a record pace.

The cases included an investigation into a Virginia nursing home with a recent record of patient abuse; probes of fraud involving several New Jersey labor unions, including one opened after a top official of a national union was accused of embezzlement; and an investigation into a cryptocurrency company suspected of cheating investors.

In total, the DOJ quietly closed more than 23,000 criminal cases in the first six months of President Donald Trump’s administration, abandoning hundreds of investigations into terrorism, white-collar crime, drugs and other offenses as it shifted resources to pursue immigration cases, according to an analysis by ProPublica.

The bulk of these cases, which were closed without

prosecution and known as declinations, had been referred to the DOJ by law enforcement agencies under prior administrations that believed a federal crime may have been committed.

The DOJ routinely declines to prosecute cases for any number of reasons, including insufficient evidence or because a case is not a priority for enforcement.

But the number of declinations under Bondi marks a striking departure not only from the Biden administration but also the first Trump term, according to the ProPublica analysis, which examined two decades of DOJ data, including the first six months of Trump’s second term. ProPublica determined the increase is not the result of inheriting a larger caseload or more referrals from law enforcement.

In February 2025 alone, which included the first weeks of Bondi’s tenure, nearly 11,000 cases were declined, the most in a

month since at least 2004. The previous high was just over 6,500 cases in September 2019, during Trump’s first administration. Some of the cases shut down were the result of yearslong investigations by federal agencies such as the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration. For

complex cases, the DOJ can take years before deciding whether to bring charges.

The shift comes as the DOJ has undergone an extraordinary overhaul under the Trump administration, with entire units shuttered, directives to abandon pursuit of certain crimes and thousands of lawyers quitting or, in some cases, being forced out of the agency.

In doing so, the DOJ is retreating from its mission to impartially uphold the rule of law, keep the country safe and protect civil rights, according to interviews with a dozen prosecutors and an open letter from nearly 300 DOJ employees who have left the department under Trump. The Trump DOJ, the employees wrote, is “taking a sledgehammer” to longstanding work to “protect communities and the rule of law.”

The change in priorities was outlined in a series of memos sent to attorneys early last year. Trump’s DOJ has said it is “turning a new page on white-collar and corporate enforcement” and emphasizing the pursuit of drug cartels, illegal immigrants and institutions that promote “divisive DEI policies.” Trump, in an address last March at the department, said the changes were necessary after a “surrender to violent criminals” during the past administration and would result in a restoration of “fair, equal and impartial justice under the constitutional rule of law.”

The department prosecuted 32,000 new immigration cases in the first six months of the administration, which was nearly triple

the number under the Biden administration and a 15% increase from the first Trump term. It has pursued fewer prosecutions of nearly every other type of crime — from drug offenses to corruption — than new administrations in their first six months dating back to 2009.

The DOJ has also closed hundreds of cases involving alleged crimes that the administration has publicly emphasized as enforcement priorities. Even as the Trump administration unleashed Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency operatives to root out waste, fraud and abuse in the federal government, the DOJ declined over 900 cases of federal program or procurement fraud. About three times as many cases of major fraud against the U.S. were declined under Trump compared with the average of similar time periods under prior administrations. And while the Trump administration has promised to “make America safe again,” its DOJ has declined more than 1,000 terrorism cases, also more than prior administrations.

Federal prosecutor Joseph Gerbasi had spent years in the department’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section helping build cases against major suppliers of fentanyl ingredients in India and China. After Bondi came in, he was left bewildered when his team was ordered to abandon its work.

“All of the building blocks of what would become successful prosecutions were pulled out,” said Gerbasi, who retired as the section’s acting deputy chief for policy in March 2025 after 28 years with the department.

The move had an “overwhelming deflating effect on morale,” he said.

Barbara McQuade, who worked as a federal prosecutor in Michigan for two decades until 2017 during Republican and Democratic administrations, said it was not unusual for new administrations to come to office with a few “pet priorities” — such as a focus on violent crime or drug trafficking. But she said those changes usually involved modest adjustments in policy and that most of the decisions on what crimes to focus on were typically made at the

local level by the district U.S. attorney in coordination with the FBI or other agencies.

“We would revise those about every five years, not having anything to do with any administration, just because it made sense,” she said.

A DOJ spokesperson, in an emailed response to questions about the spike in declinations, said that in “an effort to clean, remediate, and validate data in U.S. Attorneys’ case management system,” the department reviewed all pending criminal matters opened prior to the 2023 fiscal year, which included updating the status of closed cases. “This Department of Justice remains committed to investigating and prosecuting all types of crime to keep the American people safe, and the number of declinations is a direct result of our efforts to run the agency in a more efficient manner.”

The agency did not respond to questions about the types of cases declined.

The spike of declined cases began in February 2025 when the department ordered prosecutors to review every open case launched prior to October 2022 and determine whether to close it. Such a review would typically take months, according to one attorney tasked with reviewing cases. A memo, which was described to ProPublica reporters, ordered the review to be completed within 10 days.

Former DOJ prosecutors told ProPublica that they typically reviewed caseloads every six months with supervisors and that closing out languishing cases wouldn’t ordinarily be cause for concern. They said the February directive, however, was unusual. None could recall a similar order.

The directive came as higher-ups in the department had begun making frequent demands for data about specific types of cases and charging decisions, such as the outcome of fentanyl cases, according to former prosecutor Michael Gordon. Gordon, who helped prosecute Jan. 6 cases before moving to white-collar crime prosecutions, said the “fire drills” from officials in Washington became so regular that he grew used to the forlorn

look on his supervisor’s face when he showed up at Gordon’s door, apologetically delivering yet another frantic request.

“It was either ‘give us stats we can use to make ourselves look good’ or ‘give us the stats to show how bad things are in this area,’” Gordon said. “It was never productive fact-finding.”

Though Gordon didn’t see the memo, he remembered getting the request to review all cases that had been open for more than two years and report back on their status, entering into a master spreadsheet basic information about any that he wanted to keep pursuing.

“The office was pushing us to close everything by a certain date so that when they had to report up to D.C. they had a low number of open cases,” he said. “You really had to go to bat to keep open a case that was more than two years old.”

Gordon said he was fired by the DOJ last June. He has filed a lawsuit alleging his termination was politically motivated. The department did not respond to questions about Gordon’s comments or his lawsuit. The government filed a motion to dismiss the case late last year, arguing that the federal court did not have jurisdiction over the matter. The court has not yet ruled on that motion, and the case is still pending.

Investigations into individuals or corporations declined for prosecution are generally not reported to courts and usually only disclosed in summary form by the DOJ in annual reports.

To conduct its analysis, ProPublica obtained declination data from the DOJ and the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, a center that obtains data through Freedom of Information Act requests.

Here are some of the areas most impacted by the spike in declinations.

Drugs

As president, Trump has spoken frequently about the “scourge” of drugs coming into the country. At the same time, the Justice Department has declined to prosecute nearly 5,000 cases of federal drug law violations, including trafficking and money laundering. The number of declinations were 45% higher than the average of the prior three new administrations.

Gerbasi, the counternarcotics prosecutor, declined to comment on specific cases that might have been declined in his office. But, he said, once Bondi was appointed, the priority in the office became building cases against Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan group that the Trump administration has labeled a foreign terrorist organization.

“Tren de Aragua was not anywhere close to the scale or impact of the cartels we were focused on,” Gerbasi said. “But we were told to generate those cases.”

He said his office had to scramble to fly people to investigate local gangs in small towns that were reportedly affiliated with Tren de Aragua. “They never would have merited a fullscale federal investigation,” he said.

“It told me that decisions were going to be based on political appearances and not based on the merits of where investigative resources should be placed.”

The DOJ declined to comment on Gerbasi’s remarks.

National Security

Under Bondi, the DOJ declined more than 1,300 cases involving terrorism and national security, nearly twice what was typical at the start of the most recent new administrations. While domestic terrorism was the hardest-hit program, just over 300 cases involving charges of providing material support to foreign

Immigration

terrorist organizations were also dropped.

The DOJ program handling matters relating to national internal security — which considers cases of alleged spy activity and the security of classified information — saw over 200 declinations, which is four times as many as typical in the first six months of a new administration. Some of the cases related to serving as an unregistered foreign agent, a charge Bondi ordered prosecutors to stop pursuing unless they involved “conduct similar to more traditional espionage by foreign government actors.”

Jimmy Gurulé, a former federal prosecutor and George W. Bush appointee to the U.S. Treasury Department who investigated the financing of terrorism, said the decline in terrorism cases was troubling.

“The Trump DOJ has been used as a political weapon,” he said. “It’s a question of prioritizing resources. Are they going to be used for national security threats or to prosecute his political enemies and critics?” The DOJ did not respond to a request for comment on Gurulé’s remarks.

Labor

The DOJ shut down over 60 union corruption and labor racketeering cases, 2.5 times the number in Trump’s first term. Nearly half of the cases turned down for those offenses were out of the New Jersey U.S. attorney’s office, which in the past has aggressively pursued alleged union corruption. All were noted as declined for insufficient evidence.

Most of those cases had been opened by Grady O’Malley, an assistant U.S. attorney who oversaw several prosecutions of union corruption while working in the New Jersey office over four decades. He retired in 2023 and was

disturbed to learn from former colleagues that the office was shutting down the open union probes.

A Trump supporter, O’Malley said that while he doesn’t blame the president, he worries the decision to drop so many cases could embolden unions that he and his colleagues spent years working to hold accountable. “No one is assigned to do labor union cases, and the unions have every reason to believe no one is looking.”

The New Jersey U.S. attorney’s office said it had no comment on the declination of labor cases.

White-Collar Crime

The Trump administration has pledged to root out “rampant” fraud in federal benefit programs like food stamps and welfare. The controversial surging of federal agents to Minnesota in January began as a stated crackdown on noncitizens allegedly ripping off nutrition and child care programs.

The DOJ, however, shut down more than 900 cases of federal program or procurement fraud in the first six months of the administration, including one targeting a mortgage lender accused by several state regulators of defrauding the Federal Housing Administration. The case was dropped due to “prioritization of federal resources and interests.”

The U.S. attorney’s office for the Northern District of Alabama, which declined the case, did not reply to a request for comment. The number of fraud cases closed was about double that in the same time period of the Biden and first Trump administrations.

The agency also closed over 100 health care fraud cases as a result of “prioritization of resources and interests” even though the Trump administration has said it is making this area of enforcement a priority.

Among other cases the DOJ determined weren’t a priority: the probe into the Virginia nursing home accused of abuse, as well as investigations in Tennessee into fraud at a national hospital chain and one of the largest Medicaid managed care companies.

The Western District of Virginia U.S. attorney’s office, through a spokesperson, declined to comment on the nursing home case.

A spokesperson for the U.S. attorney in the Middle District of Tennessee said the office does not comment on investigations that do not result in public charges.

The DOJ’s Antitrust Division, which focuses on preventing big businesses from creating harmful monopolies, also declined an unusually high number of cases in Trump’s second term. More than 40 cases were dropped within the first six months of Bondi’s tenure. That’s more than double the number declined in the same time period by the prior three new administrations.

Despite the declinations, the department said it charged slightly more people with fraud in 2025 compared with the final year of the Biden administration, and those cases alleged larger financial losses.

Promises Kept

The DOJ under Bondi has also rapidly pursued many of the priorities laid out in Trump’s early executive orders and her own “first day” directives to staff.

Trump in February 2025 issued an executive order pausing new investigations under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits citizens and companies from bribing foreign entities to advance their business interests. The order asked the attorney general to review and “take appropriate action” on any existing probes to “preserve Presidential foreign policy

prerogatives.”

In the first six months, Bondi’s DOJ shut down 25 such cases, which is more than the combined number dropped by the prior three new administrations over the same time period. One of the cases declined for prosecution involved a major car manufacturer, which had reported possible anti-bribery violations to federal investigators involving a foreign subsidiary. The DOJ declined the case for prosecution last June, citing the “prioritization of federal resources and interests.”

On her first day, Bondi ordered a review of criminal prosecutions under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances, or FACE Act, which prohibits people from illegally blocking access to abortion clinics and places of worship. The department dropped as many cases under the act in its first six months as the past three new administrations combined, over the same time frame. Bondi’s order focused on “non-violent protest activity,” although at least one of the closed cases was being investigated as a violent crime. The DOJ has since charged protesters against Immigration and Customs Enforcement and journalists in Minneapolis under the FACE Act. The defendants in the case have pleaded not guilty.

The agency closed three times the number of cases alleging environmental crimes as the Biden administration did and one-anda-half times as many as compared with Trump’s first term. The declinations came as the DOJ reassigned and cut prosecutors working on environmental cases. Onefifth of all of the dropped environmental protection cases were shut down for “prioritization of federal resources and interests.”

Republished with Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0).

SoCal native aboard as historic Artemis II lunar mission launches

By City News Service

Piloted by a Southern Californianative, NASA’sArtemisII mission, the first crewed lunar mission in more than 50 years, launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida Wednesday, sending four astronauts on a roughly 10-day journey around the moon and back.

The Orion spacecraft, powered into space by a Space Launch System rocket, launched just after 3:30 p.m. California time, beginning a journey that will carry the astronauts farther from the Earth than any other previous mission. The astronauts will also travel closer to the moon than any human has been in more than a half-century.

Among the astronauts aboard is Victor Glover, who was born in Pomona, attended Ontario High School and graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Serving as pilot of the Orion spacecraft, he is the first person of color to take part in a lunar mission.

Glover spent more than five months aboard the International Space Station in 2020-21, traveling there aboard SpaceX’s first full

crew rotation flight by a U.S. commercial spacecraft. That work made him the first Black crew member to ever serve on the ISS.

“The Artemis II crew represents thousands of people working tirelessly to bring us to the stars. This is their crew, this is our crew, this is humanity’s crew,” then-NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in 2023 when announcing the team.

“NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Hammock Koch, and CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen, each has their own story, but, together, they represent our creed: E pluribus unum -- out of many, one. Together, we are ushering in a new era of exploration for a new generation of star sailors and dreamers -- the Artemis Generation.”

Glover also has extensive ties to Southern California beyond his upbringing, having served as a test pilot at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in the Mojave Desert and earning a master’s degree from Air University at

Edwards Air Force Base.

Commander Wiseman, pilot Glover and mission specialists Koch and Hansen arrived at Kennedy Space Center last week to begin final launch preparations.

The Artemis II mission will not land on the moon but will travel thousands of miles beyond it, providing astronauts with views of the lunar far side before returning to Earth.

Once the spacecraft departs Earth orbit, communications will be handled in part by NASA’s Deep Space Network, which is managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena.

The mission is part of NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the moon for the first time since the Apollo era and eventually establish a sustained presence there, ultimately serving as a base assisting in the effort to send humans to Mars.

Artemis II is expected to provide NASA with a wealth of scientific data, assisting in planning for an anticipated landing on the moon in a few

years. That data is expected to include information about the effects of deep space travel on the body and mind, along with photographs and geologic analysis about the far side of the moon that is always facing away from Earth.

The full match schedule for the 2026 World Cup was finalized Wednesday following European play-off qualifiers, with Inglewood set to host eight matches -- including games featuring the U.S. Men’s National Team -- at SoFi Stadium.

Five group-stage matches are set, beginning June 12 with the United States vs. Paraguay, with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey newly added to the openinground lineup, followed by three knockout-stage matches.

A marquee matchup is set for June 25, when the U.S. will face Turkey in a Group D contest at the Inglewood venue. SoFi Stadium, designated as “Los Angeles Stadium” for

the tournament, will also host two Round of 32 matches and a quarterfinal scheduled for July 10.

“With the final schedule now set, we are focused on delivering an exceptional experience for players, fans and our local communities,” Kathryn Schloessman, CEO of the Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee, said in a statement.

The tournament will be played across multiple cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada and will be the largest in history, featuring 104 matches.

Officials said the final phase of ticket sales opened this week, with tickets available on a first-come, firstserved basis while supplies last.

The schedule includes a

By City News Service

group-stage match involving Iran, although uncertainty has surrounded the team’s participation. Iran’s sport minister said last month the country would not participate in the World Cup following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes.

FIFA said it was working with all participating teams to ensure the tournament goes as planned.

“FIFA is in regular contact with all participating member associations, including (the Islamic Republic of) Iran, to discuss planning for the FIFA World Cup 2026. FIFA is looking forward to all participating teams competing as per the match schedule announced on 6 December 2025,” FIFA said in a statement last month.

The current program schedule calls for the Artemis III launch sometime next year, testing lunar landers being developed by Hawthorne-based SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin. Artemis IV is expected to launch in early 2028, marking the return of astronauts to the lunar surface using a lunar lander.

Artemis V, another lunar surface mission, is expected to occur in late 2028, with additional missions planned roughly once a year after that.

World Cup schedule finalized; Bosnia, Turkey added to LA matches

Iran had attempted to negotiate with FIFA to move its matches to Mexico.

The eight matches scheduled for SoFi Stadium are:

-- June 12, United States vs. Paraguay;

-- June 15, Iran vs. New Zealand; -- June 18, Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina; -- June 21, Belgium vs. Iran; -- June 25, Turkey vs.

United States; -- June 28, Round of 32; -- July 2, Round of 32; and -- July 10, Quarterfinal. More information can be found at https://losangelesfwc26.com/.

CSU survey: AI content must be verified for accuracy

By City News Service

Use of artificial intelligence across Califor-

nia State University’s campuses is high, with most faculty, staff and students agreeing that AI-generated content must be verified, according to a CSU survey released Wednesday.

The CSU AI Survey found a near universal demand for transparency, ethical use and responsible regulation of AI content. Of the more than 94,000 survey respondents, just over 80,000 were students -- 85% undergraduates -- while more than 6,000 were faculty and over 7,300 were staff.

“We launched the largest AI initiative in higher education last year to ensure that this extraordinary technology equitably expands opportunity for CSU students, bolsters faculty and staff excellence, strengthens the

California workforce, and is implemented in a manner that reflects the CSU’s core values,” CSU Chancellor Mildred García said in a statement.

“Data must inform and guide our decision-making moving forward, and this survey -- given its size -- sets not just a CSU benchmark, but a national one. And it marks an exciting moment for the CSU, one that demonstrates our commitment to student success by boldly and thoughtfully leading through innovation.”

Among the survey’s key findings:

-- More than half of students, six in 10 faculty and two-thirds of staff regularly use AI-powered tools;

-- 95% of respondents used at least one of the 21 AI tools listed in the survey;

-- ChatGPT is the most

commonly used AI tool across CSU, used by more than 84% of survey participants;

-- More than eight in 10 staff respondents and roughly seven in 10 faculty want formal AI training;

-- About 80% of student respondents oppose submitting AI-generated work as their own;

-- The majority of faculty, staff and student respondents say it is necessary to verify the accuracy of

AI-generated content;

-- More than half of faculty respondents use AI to develop course materials, and 69% provide students with guidance on how to use AI effectively;

-- About 82% of staff respondents, 78% of faculty and 69% of students believe AI will become an essential part of most professions; and

-- 82% of students, 78% of faculty and 74% of staff express concern about AI’s impact on job security.

Developed by researchers at San Diego State University, the CSU AI Survey was conducted in fall 2025.

The survey “captures a moment of transition in higher education, where both students and faculty are actively assessing how AI fits into teaching

and learning,” said David Goldberg, SDSU AI Faculty Fellow, associate professor of management information systems and a lead researcher on the survey.

“The data gives us a powerful foundation to better support faculty by tailoring training to real needs, bringing more consistency to AI use in the classroom, and ensuring that its use strengthens learning outcomes,” he said. “It also offers a roadmap for institutions nationwide to better understand AI’s role and to implement it thoughtfully, consistently, and responsibly.”

CSU’s 18-month, $17 million deal with OpenAI, launched in February 2025, provides ChatGPT to nearly 470,000 students and 63,000 faculty and staff. The contract ends in July.

LGBTQ+ advocates slam Supreme Court ruling on conversion therapy

Groups advocating for the LGBTQ+ community are slamming a March 30 Supreme Court decision overturning a Colorado law banning conversion therapy for minors.

Justice Neil Gorsuch argued for the majority that the bill violated therapists’ First Amendment free speech rights.

Jorge Reyes Salinas, communications director for the group Equality California, said conversion therapy, which tries to change a person’s sexual orientation or

gender identity, hurts patients by fostering self-loathing.

“Every major medical and mental health organization continues to condemn conversion therapy because of its harmfulness,” Salinas pointed out. “It creates depression, anxiety, and suicide.”

Currently, 20 states, including California, ban conversion therapy for minors. The Supreme Court decision does not lift those bans immediately but makes them vulnerable to legal challenges. Justice Ketanji

By Suzanne Potter, Public News Service

Brown-Jackson argued in her dissent that states should be able to regulate professional conduct in the medical field without running afoul of the First Amendment.

Angela Dallara, director of rapid response and campaigns for the advocacy group GLAAD, said we need to prioritize people’s right to effective, science-based medical care.

“We must amplify the voices of survivors and continue to hold liable anyone who peddles in this junk science,” Dallara argued.

“Conversion practices are also very much a form of medical malpractice and consumer fraud, because they don’t work.”

In California, adults can sue for medical malpractice if they believe they have been harmed by conversion therapy. A new bill in the state legislature, Senate Bill 934, would make it easier to sue and extends the time limit for filing a suit.

References: State data: https://www. lgbtmap.org/equality_maps/ profile_state/CA

UCLA study finds gaps in care for women with diabetes

By City News Service

Women with diabetes are less likely to receive preventive care and routine health screenings than women without the condition, according to a UCLA-led study published Friday.

The research, based on an analysis of more than 40 studies from multiple countries, found gaps in services including contraceptive counseling, cancer screenings and pre-conception care.

Researchers said the findings, published in the Journal of General Internal

Medicine, highlight how routine preventive care is often overlooked for women with diabetes, potentially increasing their risk for complications such as issues during pregnancy.

“These findings are important because they identify that women with diabetes are not receiving recommended well-woman care, which is essential to support both managing their diabetes and their overall health,” senior author Lauren Wisk, an associate professor of medicine at the David Geffen School

of Medicine at UCLA, said in a statement. “Providers need to be aware that they should not forget to provide these essential services for women with diabetes.”

The study examined care patterns among women ages 15 to 49 with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, focusing on four areas: contraceptive services, breast and cervical cancer screenings, pre-conception counseling and screenings for sexually transmitted infections.

Among the findings, about 48% of women with

diabetes received contraceptive services compared to 62% of women without the disease. Cervical cancer screening rates ranged from 38% to 79% for women with diabetes, compared with 46% to 86% for those without. Breast cancer screening rates were also lower among women with diabetes.

Researchers found particularly low rates of preconception counseling, with just over 1% of women with diabetes receiving such care compared with 46% of women without the disease who were

planning to become pregnant.

The study also noted a lack of research on screening for sexually transmitted infections among women with diabetes, calling it a significant gap.

Researchers said better coordination among care providers could help improve access to preventive services, noting that patients who receive care from multiple specialists are more likely to receive recommended screenings.

Single, savvy and secure: 3 steps to owning your financial future

By Sarah Maddigan for Ally Financial via Stacker

The beauty of being single is that you can design your life on your own terms. Whether it’s cultivating your personal sanctuary or making big career moves and travel plans without a second opinion, you’re the sole architect of your future. While this freedom is a major asset, it also means being completely responsible for everything — a challenge that requires both savvy and strategy.

Single spender? A financial peek behind the curtain

Unless you have roommates or outside financial support, being single likely means you’re covering all of the expenses for me, myself and I.

That’s not necessarily a disadvantage. It just requires a different approach to set yourself up for success.

In Ally Bank’s “The Cost of Singledom” consumer report, only 17% of singles feel they spend more money because they are single, and only one-third claim they’ve experienced a “singles’ tax.” Many actually feel that being single offers a better benefit: the freedom and independence to make their own choices. Ally Financial shares highlights from the report and offers tips for managing finances as a single person.

Your money, your rules: 3 financial tips for a party of 1

For many, being single can be a time to get finances in order because they don’t have to consider another person’s debts or spending habits. Still, 75% of singles say they worry about money at least several times a year, compared to 69% of those in a relationship. Women, both single and partnered, also feel significantly more overwhelmed, anxious and worried about their finances than men, reporting higher levels of anxiety, worry and frustration.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help you feel more in control of your financial situation.

1. Feel the support of a solo safety net

When you’re single, you typically can’t depend on another person’s financial support during emergency situations. Because of this, one of the best ways to prepare for unexpected expenses, like medical bills or home repairs, is to build an emergency fund. While how much you should save depends on factors like your income and monthly costs, general guidance suggests keeping three to six months’ worth of essential expenses in your emergency savings. Start building your solo safety net (emergency fund) by:

• Creating a budget: List out all of your essential and nonessential expenses

to assess how you’re spending and where you could cut down.

• Automating your savings: Set recurring transfers to help your account grow with minimal effort.

• Saving unexpected income: Keep your raise, bonus or tax refund for a rainy day by automatically routing it to your emergency fund.

2. Break up with debt on your terms

According to the survey, 39% of singles find debt to be the most challenging expense to cover on their own. If you’re unsure of how to tackle debt, consider following one of these methods:

• Snowball strategy: Pay the minimum balance on all debts and apply remaining funds to your smallest debt first.

• Avalanche strategy: Pay the minimum balances on all debts and apply remaining funds to the debt with the highest interest first.

• Debt consolidation: Combine debts into one manageable payment.

• Debt management: Work with a professional if debt becomes overwhelming.

3. Making money moves: Other paths toward financial independence Being single has its advantages, like the ability to tailor your savings and

investments to your lifestyle and goals. Some smart money moves to consider include:

• Taking advantage of employer benefits: Make sure you’re using your employer benefits to the fullest. These might include contributing to a 401(k), opting into health insurance that matches your lifestyle or taking advantage of access to financial planning tools.

• Investing early: When it comes to investing, time can be your biggest advantage. Putting even a small amount of money in the market could pay off in the future. Keep in mind, investments have the potential to grow, but also carry the risk of loss.

• Build a personal financial system: Optimize your

accounts for everyday spending and short- and long-term savings goals.

2 hearts, 1 budget, same stress

Plot twist: Being coupled doesn’t necessarily relieve financial anxieties. Ally’s survey shows that levels of financial confidence are actually fairly similar, regardless of relationship status, with 38% of coupled respondents saying they’re able to set aside money in savings each month and 29% of singles say the same. Sentiment around debt repayment is also similar: 54% of couples say they will be able to pay off their debt over time, and 45% of singles say the same.

If you have a special someone in your life, it’s important to discuss finances openly and regularly about

things like:

• Spending habits

• Debt and financial obligations

• Short- and long-term goals

Having these conversations often and early can ensure you’re both on the same page as you transition from being single to merging finances with another person.

The sole architect: Building a financial foundation

Financial confidence depends on your intention, not on your relationship status. By building strong habits now, you’re securing the freedom to live exactly how you choose, now and in the future.

This story was produced by Ally Financial and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Re-published with CC BY-NC 4.0 License.

Dodgers’ Ontario California League affiliate loses debut

By City News Service

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ new single-A California League affiliate, the Ontario Tower Buzzers, fell short in a comeback attempt at the Ontario Sports Empire Complex Thursday evening in their first game.

Ontario scored four runs over the final three innings in a 7-5 loss to the Lake Elsinore Storm in front of a crowd announced at 6,611 at ONT Field, whose listed capacity is 6,000.

Brendan Tunink hit solo home runs in the second and seventh innings and Chase Harlan went for 3-for-4 with an RBI for the Tower Buzzers, who out- hit the San Diego Padres’ single-A California League affiliate, 8-7.

The Storm scored five runs in the third and two in the seventh.

The Tower Buzzers are

owned by Diamond Baseball Holdings, which was established in 2021 by the media conglomerate Endeavor and owns more than 40 minor league baseball teams, including five of the California League’s eight teams.

DiamondBaseball Holdings announced the purchase of the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, then the Dodgers’ single-A affiliate, on Dec. 12, 2024, and said they would mover to Ontario for the 2026 season and retain the affiliation with the Dodgers.

In conjunction with the announcement of the Quakes’ move to Ontario, Diamond Baseball Holdings announced the San Bernardino-based Inland Empire 66ers, then the Angels’ single-A affiliate, would move to Rancho

Cucamonga in 2026 and retain the Angels’ affiliation.

DiamondBaseball Holdings also announced the purchase of the Modesto Nuts on Dec. 12, 2024, the Seattle Mariners’ single-A affiliate, and their move to San Bernardino for the 2026 season to play as the Inland Empire 66ers.

The Tower Buzzers nickname is a salute to Ontario’s aviation legacy and inspired by the following line from the 1986 film “Top Gun”: “Sorry Goose, but it’s time to buzz the tower.”

“The airport is a huge player in our market, transformational for the city and economy and we wanted to lean in,” general manager Allan Benavides told reporters at the Sept. 18 announcement at Ontario

Town Square.

“There were a lot of fun assumptions made about what the (team) name would be, like Aviators and Pilots, but those were already taken.”

Furthering the tie to “Top Gun,” the team’s bee mascot is named Maverick, the code name for the character played by Tom Cruise.

The 6,000-seat ONT Field at the 160-acre Ontario Sports Empire Complex has traditional fixed seats, premium hospitality areas, a grass berm and terraced seating. It also includes a private club, exterior food hall and a kids zone with a splash pad.

The sports complex includes 20 multipurpose fields for soccer, lacrosse and other sports; 14 youth diamond fields and eight

full-size diamonds for baseball and softball tournaments; four football/ rugby fields; and a second “championship baseball field” for major regional and national competitions.

The Tower Buzzers are managed by John Shoemaker, who has been a manager, coach, coordinator or instructor in the Dodgers’ organization since 1981 after playing in their minor league system from 1977-80, reaching Triple- A. Shoemaker was named the Dodgers’ Captain of Player Development in 2015 by then-Director of Player Development Gabe Kapler for displaying “superior teammate behavior over his coaching career.” Following the hockey tradition, he will wear the letter C on his uniform for the remainder

of his career.

The Tower Buzzers’ roster also includes 19-yearold shortstop Emil Morales, selected for top-100 prospect lists by Baseball Prospectus, FanGraphs, ESPN, The Athletic, and MLB Pipeline. He was selected as the Dominican Summer League MVP in 2024 after hitting .342 with 14 home runs and 46 RBIs in 46 games with the DSL Dodgers Mega.

Morales split the 2025 season between the Rookie classification Arizona Complex Dodgers, hitting .300 with 9 home runs and 43 RBIs in 59 games, and Rancho Cucamonga, hitting .339 with 5 home runs and 27 RBIs in 30 games.

Morales was hitless in three at-bats Thursday, but walked twice and scored.

Temple City City Notices

TEMPLE CITY

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PLANNING COMMISSION

The Planning Commission is holding a public hearing on the project described below. You are receiving this notice because your property is located near the project, the project may directly, or indirectly affect you, or because you have requested to be notified.

Project Location: Citywide, City of Temple City, County of Los Angeles

Project: PL 22-3598: An Ordinance to amend Chapter 2 (Subdivision Regulations) of the Temple City Municipal Code. The proposed amendments will update the City’s Subdivision Ordinance to reflect recent changes in State law, clarify applicable procedures and standards, and maintain compliance with current statutory requirements related to the division of land. In addition, this amendment will implement policies of the Housing Element. The Planning Commission will review and make a recommendation to the City Council. The City Council will make the final decision on this project.

Applicant: City of Temple City, 9701 Las Tunas Drive, Temple City, CA 91780

Environmental This Ordinance is not subject to environmental Review: review under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (activities that will not result in physical change in the environment) and 15162 (subsequent environmental review) of the CEQA Guidelines.

The Planning Commission Public Hearing will be held: Meeting Date & Time: Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 7:00 P.M. Meeting Location: City Council Chambers, 5938 Kauffman Avenue, Temple City, CA 91780

If you have a request for reasonable modification or accommodation due to a disability covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act please contact staff 48 hours in advance of the meeting at planning@templecityca. gov or (626) 656-7316.

For questions or concerns regarding this project, or if you wish to review the project file, please contact: Project Planner: Andrew Coyne, AICP, Associate Planner (626) 285-2171, extension 4344 acoyne@templecityca.gov or visit the Community Development Department offices at City Hall located at: 9701 Las Tunas Drive, Temple City, CA 91780 Monday – Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

A separate public hearing for the project will be held before the City Council. When scheduled, the hearing will be separately noticed. If you challenge any of the foregoing actions in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing or in written correspondence delivered to the hearing body at, or prior to, the public hearing.

Date: April 6, 2026

Signature: Andrew Coyne, AICP, Associate Planner

Publish April 6, 2026

TEMPLE CITY TRIBUNE

EL Monte City Notices

CITY OF EL MONTE CITY COUNCIL NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Hablamos Espanol - Favor de hablar con Sandra Elias (626) 258-8626

TO: All Interested Parties

FROM: City of El Monte Community & Economic Development Department

LOCATION: Citywide

TOBE CONSIDERED: The City Council will hold a public hearing to consider an Urgency Ordinance instituting a 10 month 15-day moratorium extension prohibiting processing, approval, and acceptance of new data center land use applications within the City of El Monte

LEGALS

pursuant to Government Code Section 65858(a).

ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTATION: Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) (Pub. Res. Code§ 21000 et seq.) and CEQA Guidelines (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15000 et seq.) the proposed Ordinance is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) because it is reasonably foreseeable that the adoption of the proposed Ordinance would not result in a physical change in the environment, either directly or indirectly. Therefore, no additional environmental analysis is required.

TIME AND PLACE OF PUBLIC HEARING: Pursuant to State Law, the City Council will hold a public hearing to receive testimony, orally and in writing, regarding the proposed Ordinance. The public hearing is scheduled for:

Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Place:El Monte City Hall East - City Council Chambers 11333 Valley Boulevar El Monte, California 91731

OPTIONS TO PARTCIPATE:

Observe the Meeting Remotely (1) Turn your TV to Channel 3; or (2) City’s website at http://www.elmonteca.gov/378/Council-Meeting-Videos; or (3) In person

Provide Public Comment in Person

Persons wishing to address the City Council in person are asked to attend the City Council meeting on the date and at the time noted in this notice. Persons will be asked to fill-out a blue speaker card providing their name and identifying the agenda item. Speaker cards should be submitted to the City Clerk or the Sergeant at Arms (a uniformed El Monte Police Officer) before the City Council's approval of the agenda, if possible.

The City Council shall be under no obligation to entertain comments from persons who submit a speaker card after the City Council closes the applicable commenting period. With this in mind, speakers are strongly encouraged to submit cards or call in as early as possible to avoid missing the opportunity to speak. The City Council shall be under no obligation to respond to or deliberate upon any specific questions or comments posed by a speaker or take actionon any issue raised by a speaker beyond such action as the City Council may be lawfully authorized to take on an agendized matter pursuant to the Brown Act (Govt. Code Section 54950 et seq.) ("Brown Act").

Members of the City Council may provide brief clarifying responses to any comment made or questions posed. Persons who wish to address the City Council (in person or by calling-in) are asked to state their name and address for the record. Speakers may not lend any portion of their speaking time to other persons or borrow additional time from other persons. All comments or queries presented by a speaker/caller shall be addressed to the City Council as a body and not to any specific member thereof. No questions shall be posed to any member of the City Council except through the presiding official of the meeting, the Mayor.

If you challenge the decision of the City Council, in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City Council at, or prior to, the public hearing. For further information regarding this proposed Ordinance please contact Steven Fowler at (626) 258-8626 or sfowler@elmonteca.gov, Monday through Thursday, except legal holidays, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

The staff report and attachments on this matter will be available 72 hours in advance on the City of El Monte website,

which may be accessed at https://www. elmonteca.gov/AgendaCenJer.

AMERICAN WITH DISABILITIES ACT: In compliance with Section 202 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12132) and the federal rules and regulations adopted in implementation thereof, the agenda will be made available in appropriate alternative formats to persons with a disability. Should you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s Office by calling (626) 580-2016. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City of El Monte to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting.

PUBLISHED ON: Monday April 6, 2026

EL MONTE EXAMINER

Probate Notices

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF ASHLEY WANDSCHNEIDER CASE NO. 26STPB02851

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of: ASHLEY WANDSCHNEIDER

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by ROBIN STIEGELMAR in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that ROBIN STIEGELMAR be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act with full authority . (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held on 04/16/2026 at 8:30am in Dept. 79 located at 111 N. HILL ST. LOS ANGELES CA 90012 STANLEY MOSK COURTHOUSE.

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for Petitioner: Dmitriy Aristov SBN 298467 Forward Estate Planning, A Law Corporation

222 N. Pacific Coast Hwy., Suite 2000 El Segundo, CA 90245

Telephone: (424) 259-3550 3/30, 4/2, 4/6/26 CNS-4027523# AZUSA BEACON

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF:

JOAN ELIZABETH SMOTHERS

CASE NO. 26STPB03173

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of JOAN ELIZABETH SMOTHERS. A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by MICHAEL JOHN FORSMAN in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that MICHAEL JOHN FORSMAN be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests the decedent’s WILL and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The WILL and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court. THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 04/23/26 at 8:30AM in Dept. 11 located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for Petitioner

DANIEL B. BURBOTT - SBN 279759 GAUDY LAW INC. 267 D STREET UPLAND CA 91786 Telephone (909) 982-3199 4/2, 4/6, 4/9/26 CNS-4027022# AZUSA BEACON

business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on May 2004. Signed: Echelon Creative, LLC (CA-200414910213, 8800 Venice Blvd. Suite 201, Los angeles, CA 90034; Tony Manzella, CEO. The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on April 2, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code).

Pub. Monrovia Weekly 04/06/2026, 04/13/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/27/2026 sc

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026073041

NEW FILING.

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as So Green Design Studio, 2345 Atlantic Blvd #1161, Monterey Park, CA 91754. This business is conducted by a individual. Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on March 2026. Signed: Yi Chun Wang, 2345 Atlantic Blvd #1161, Monterey Park, CA 91754 (Owner). The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on April 2, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code).

Pub. Monrovia Weekly 04/06/2026, 04/13/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/27/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026058327 NEW FILING.

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as (1). Gun Fighter TV (2). gunfightertv (3). gunfightertv , 230 Termino Avenue 5, Long Beach, CA 90803. This business is conducted by a individual. Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on January 2026. Signed: Andrew Serrata, 230 Termino Avenue 5, Long Beach, CA 90803 (Owner). The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on March 16, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code). Pub. Monrovia Weekly 04/06/2026, 04/13/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/27/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026064786 NEW FILING.

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as Arrowhead Financial Group, 21550 Oxnard Street, Fl 3, woodland hills, CA 91367. This business is conducted by a general partnership. Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on March 2026. Signed: (1). Livinus Reuben Uku, 21550 Oxnard Street, Fl 3, woodland hills, CA 91367 (2). Livinus Reuben Uku, 21550 Oxnard Street, Fl 3, woodland hills, CA 91367 (General Partner). The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on March 24, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code). Pub. Monrovia Weekly 04/06/2026, 04/13/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/27/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026072035 NEW FILING. The following person(s) is (are) doing business as CURESTAT HOSPICE, 1157 S Beverly Dr STE c, Los Angeles, CA 90035. This business is conducted by a limited liability company (llc). Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. Signed: BRIGHT SOURCE HOSPICE LLC (CA-202012210239, 1157 S Beverly Dr STE c, Los Angeles, CA 90035;

QUERUBIN M IGNACIO, CEO. The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on April 1, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code). Pub. Monrovia Weekly 04/06/2026, 04/13/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/27/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026072261 NEW FILING. The following person(s) is (are) doing business as (1). Gold State Interior & Staging (2). Gold State Staging , 41734 32nd St W, Lancaster, CA 93536. This business is conducted by a individual. Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on April 2026. Signed: SHIRLEY REYES, 41734 32nd St W, Lancaster, CA 93536 (Owner). The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on April 2, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code). Pub. Monrovia Weekly 04/06/2026, 04/13/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/27/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026072756 NEW FILING.

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as CURESTAT PALLIATIVE, 1157 Beverly Way Ste B, LOS ANGELES, CA 90035. This business is conducted by a limited liability company (llc). Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. Signed: BRIGHT SOURCE HOSPICE LLC (CA-202012210239, 1157 Beverly Way Ste B, LOS ANGELES, CA 90035; QUERUBIN IGNACIO, MEMBER. The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on April 2, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code). Pub. Monrovia Weekly 04/06/2026, 04/13/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/27/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026072450 NEW FILING.

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as (1). Ross Alley Productions (2). Ross Alley Entertainment (3). Ross Alley Media (4). Ross Alley Creative , 3579 E Foothill Blvd Suite 296, Pasadena, CA 91107. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. Signed: Clearform Inc. (CA-B20250188337, 3579 E Foothill Blvd 296, Pasadena, CA 91107; Kelly Li, CEO. The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on April 2, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code). Pub. Monrovia Weekly 04/06/2026, 04/13/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/27/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026066843 NEW FILING. The following person(s) is (are) doing business as Velocity Reign Stunt team, 3223 N San Fernando Rd, glassell park, CA 90065. This business is conducted by a individual. Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. Signed: Vardan Kasabyan, 3223 N San Fernando Rd, glassell park, CA 90065 (Owner). The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on March 25, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The

LEGALS

filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code).

Pub. Monrovia Weekly 04/06/2026, 04/13/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/27/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026064788 NEW FILING.

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as 10500 Foothill Ranch LLC, a limited liability company, 21550 Oxnard St, Fl 3, woodland hills, CA 91367. This business is conducted by a limited liability company (llc). Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on March 2026. Signed: Livinus Reuben Uku, 21550 Oxnard St, Fl 3, woodland hills, CA 91367. (Owner). The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on March 24, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code).

Pub. Monrovia Weekly 04/06/2026, 04/13/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/27/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026072047

NEW FILING.

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as CURESTAT HOME HEALTH, 1157 S Beverly Dr STE C, Los Angeles, CA 90035. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. Signed: PROVIDE HOME HEALTH INC (CA4688036, 1157 S Beverly Dr STE C, Los Angeles, CA 90035; QUERUBIN M IGNACIO, CEO. The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on April 1, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code).

Pub. Monrovia Weekly 04/06/2026, 04/13/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/27/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026071569 NEW FILING.

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as OhBento Productions, 5500 Owensmouth Ave APT 318, Woodland Hills, CA 91367. This business is conducted by a individual. Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on March 2026. Signed: Matthew Bento, 5500 Owensmouth Ave APT 318, Woodland Hills, CA 91367 (Owner). The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on April 1, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code).

Pub. Monrovia Weekly 04/06/2026, 04/13/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/27/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026071478 NEW FILING. The following person(s) is (are) doing business as (1). Infocus Vision Optometric Center (2). Infocus Vision , 29 E. Huntington Dr Suite B, Arcadia, CA 91006. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on February 2026. Signed: Deborah Duan OD, AOC (CA-B20260023725, 29 E. Huntington Dr Suite B, Arcadia, CA 91006; Deborah Duan, CEO. The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on April 1, 2026.

NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code).

Pub. Monrovia Weekly 04/06/2026, 04/13/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/27/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026070838

NEW FILING.

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as Deportes Contigo, 1512 S Garfield Ave, Alhambra, CA 91801. This business is conducted by a individual. Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on February 2026. Signed: Sergio Sanchez, 1512 S Garfield Ave, Alhambra, CA 91801 (Owner). The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on April 1, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code).

Pub. Monrovia Weekly 04/06/2026, 04/13/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/27/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026069463

NEW FILING.

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as Jek Theatre, 5047 Topanga Canyon Boulevard, Woodland hills, CA 91364. This business is conducted by a individual. Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on March 2026. Signed: Fatih Haciosmanoglu, 5047 Topanga Canyon Boulevard, Woodland hills, CA 91364 (Owner). The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on March 31, 2026.

NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code).

Pub. Monrovia Weekly 04/06/2026, 04/13/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/27/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026071558

NEW FILING.

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as Jesus is Lord Apparel, 9514 Beach st, Los Angeles, CA 90002. This business is conducted by a individual. Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. Signed: Rodolfo Paz, 9514 Beach st, Los Angeles, CA 90002 (Owner). The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on April 1, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code).

Pub. Monrovia Weekly 04/06/2026, 04/13/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/27/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026070219 NEW FILING.

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as AAAA Demo and Hauling Trash Removal Plumbing Electrical Flooring, 12327 222nd St, Hawaiian Gardens, CA 90716. This business is conducted by a individual. Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. Signed: Alfredo Trinidad Gracian, 12327 222nd St, Hawaiian Gardens, CA 90716 (Owner). The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on March 31, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code).

Pub. Monrovia Weekly 04/06/2026, 04/13/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/27/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026071425 NEW FILING. The following person(s) is (are) doing business as Thompson Real Estate Media, 11036 Woodward Ave, Sunland, CA 91040. This business is conducted by a individual. Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name

or names listed herein on January 2026. Signed: Robb Thompson, 11036 Woodward Ave, Sunland, CA 91040 (Owner). The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on April 1, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code).

Pub. Monrovia Weekly 04/06/2026, 04/13/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/27/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026071471

NEW FILING.

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as Kleon Painting, 17000 E Orkney, Azusa, CA 91702. This business is conducted by a trust. Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. Signed: Kevin Leon, 17000 E Orkney, Azusa, CA 91702 (Trustee). The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on April 1, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code).

Pub. Monrovia Weekly 04/06/2026, 04/13/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/27/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026071495

NEW FILING.

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as All Dream Events, 400 Ferrara Ct 205, Pomona, CA 91766. This business is conducted by a individual. Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on March 2026. Signed: Elias Cota, 400 Ferrara Ct 205, Pomona, CA 91766 (Owner). The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on April 1, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code). Pub. Monrovia Weekly 04/06/2026, 04/13/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/27/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026071102 NEW FILING.

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as Akami Sushi, 10658 Riverside Dr, North Hollywood, CA 91602. This business is conducted by a limited liability company (llc). Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. Signed: Kinakami, LLC (CA-B20260032400, 10658 Riverside Dr, North Hollywood, CA 91602; Juliady Juliady, CEO. The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on April 1, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code). Pub. Monrovia Weekly 04/06/2026, 04/13/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/27/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026071153 NEW FILING.

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as Common Grounds, 12048 Guerin St, Studio city, CA 91604. This business is conducted by a limited liability company (llc). Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on March 2026. Signed: Common Grounds Cafe LLC (CAB20260139426, 12048 Guerin St, Studio city, CA 91604; Lorenzo Ramirez, Manager. The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on April 1, 2026.

NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a

fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code). Pub. Monrovia Weekly 04/06/2026, 04/13/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/27/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026067661 NEW FILING. The following person(s) is (are) doing business as Vada Soap, 15942 Francisquito Ave., La Puente, CA 91744. This business is conducted by a individual. Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. Signed: Deidreh Valmar, 15942 Francisquito Ave., La Puente, CA 91744 (Owner). The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on March 26, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code). Pub. Monrovia Weekly 04/06/2026, 04/13/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/27/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE

or names listed herein on March 2026. Signed: Lin Guo, 2289 Shady Hills Dr, Diamond Bar, CA 91765 (Owner). The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on April 1, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the

Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code). Pub. Monrovia Weekly 04/06/2026, 04/13/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/27/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026063605 NEW FILING. The following person(s) is (are) doing business as Graphic Solution, 658 W Hawthorne Street Unit A, Glendale, CA 91204. This business is conducted by a general partnership. Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. Signed: (1). Vigen Rostami, 658 W Hawthorne St Unit A, Glendale, CA 91204 (2). Armik Aghajanian, 658 W Hawthorne St Unit A, Glendale, CA 91204 (General Partner). The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on March 23, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code). Pub. Monrovia Weekly 04/06/2026, 04/13/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/27/2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026068674 NEW FILING. The following person(s) is (are) doing business as Creative Thread, 1422 California Ave Apartment 1, Santa Monica, CA 90403. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on March 2026. Signed: Rhythm ‘n You Piano Studio (CAC4320602, 1422 California Ave Apartment 1, Santa Monica, CA 90403; Nicole Ouwenga Scott, CEO. The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on March 27, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code). Pub. Monrovia Weekly 04/06/2026, 04/13/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/27/2026

LA County Library offers unlimited access to George Takei memoir

By City News Service

LACountyLibrary announced Wednesday it is expanding access to its regional reading initiative, One Book, One Coast, by offering unlimited digital copies of George Takei’s memoir “They Called Us Enemy” through the Libby app.

The expanded access, which began Wednesday and runs through June 6, eliminates waitlists for the e-book, allowing readers with a valid library card to borrow the title instantly.

Officials said the initiative is part of a larger West Coast effort involving 190 library systems across California, Oregon and Washington, aimed at encouraging shared reading and discussion.

“This initiative reflects our commitment to ensuring equitable access to stories that educate, inspire, and connect our communities,” Dr. Skye Patrick, director of LA County Library, said in a statement. “By offering

unlimited digital access, we are removing barriers and inviting everyone to take part in a shared reading experience that encourages reflection, dialogue, and deeper understanding.”

The memoir, “They Called Us Enemy,” recounts Takei’s childhood experience in U.S. incarceration camps during World War II and is intended to spark conversations about history, identity and civic engagement, officials said.

In addition to digital access,participating libraries will host programs, discussions and events throughout the spring.

A featured event will include an author talk with Takei scheduled for May 31 at the East Los Angeles Library, followed by a book signing.

More information about the program is available at https://lacountylibrary.org/one-book-onecoast/.

LASD

information related to the explosion, saying the agency’s failure to do so was impeding the state probe.

The July 18, 2025, explosion at the department’s Biscailuz Regional Training Center in East Los Angeles killed sheriff’s detectives Joshua Kelley- Eklund, Victor Lemus and William Osborn. Sheriff’s officials said one of two grenades that had been found the previous day at a Santa Monica apartment building detonated, killing the trio. Investigations were continuing into the cause of the explosion, and into the disappearance of the second grenade, which could not be located after the blast and remains unaccounted for.

Last week, the sheriff’s department confirmed that it was conducting an internal

investigation into the possible sharing of gruesome photos taken by one or more deputies at the scene of the explosion.

“The department is aware of the photo allegations and there is an ongoing investigation,” according to a sheriff’s department statement provided to City News Service. “If the investigation reveals evidence that misconduct occurred and policies were violated, then the appropriate action will be taken.”

The department also verified that a department commander -- identified by The Times as Cmdr. Thomas Giandomenico -- has been relieved of duty in connection with the probe. According to The Times, he is a 38-year department veteran.

“The employee was

relieved of duty on September 11, 2025, pending the outcome of an internal criminal investigation,”

LA Superior Court warns of traffic text scam

By City News Service

The Superior Court of Los Angeles County warned people Thursday about an ongoing scam involving text messages falsely claiming recipients owe toll road fees or payments for traffic violations.

“Spam texts claiming toll and traffic violations requesting payment are not from the Court,” officials said in a statement.

The court “continues to receive reports of spam texts, often including a link or QR code for payment, that have been sent to the public informing them that they have a traffic ticket or toll violation that they must pay ....,” according to the statement. “The public is advised that these texts do not come from the Superior Court of Los Angeles County.”

Officials said the court

never requests payment by text message and urged the public not to click on links, scan codes or provide personal or credit card information.

A Scam Alert page has been set up on the court’s website, where users can view examples of reported messages in a “Scam Library” and find information on how

to avoid being victimized. To verify a legitimate ticket or case, users can visit the court’s website at www. lacourt.ca.gov and select “Traffic Citations,” then search using a citation or driver’s license number. The public can also call the court’s Traffic Call Center at 213-6336300 or check the issuing agency’s official website.

according to the sheriff’s department.

News of the investigation came the same week

LA

--

the department and county,

County launches 2nd round of fund to help businesses buy property

By City News Service

LosAngelesCounty officialsThursday announced the launch of the second funding cycle of a program aimed at helping small businesses and nonprofits acquire commercial properties and stabilize neighborhood business corridors.

The county Department of Economic Opportunity, in partnership with Genesis LA Economic Growth Corporation, will make about $2.6 million available through the Commercial Acquisition Fund, including $1 million in discretionary funding from Supervisor Holly Mitchell for projects in the county’s Second District, according to a statement.

The program offers forgivable financing to support property acquisitions by small businesses, nonprofit organizations and

mission-aligned developers, with the goal of reducing displacement and promoting long-term economic growth in local communities, officials said.

Officials said the effort builds on the first funding cycle, which distributed $10 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds to support seven property acquisitions, creating space for 39 small businesses, three nonprofits and more than 125 creative workspaces.

“LA County’s AntiDisplacement Commercial Acquisition Fund allows communities to directly own and shape the future of their neighborhoods -by the community, for the community,” Mitchell said in a statement.

“I’m proud to build on the success of the program’s

first phase with additional funding to support more community-based organizations and developers to preserve and expand affordable commercial and mixeduse space to keep legacy businesses and residents in place and create opportunities for growing entrepreneurs.”

Applications for the new funding cycle are expected to open May 5, with outreach and informational sessions planned ahead of the launch to guide prospective applicants through the process.

County officials noted that demand for funding is expected to exceed available resources, but they said the program remains a key part of broader efforts to revitalize commercial corridors and expand community ownership opportunities.

Arrests made, firearms seized during raids targeting Pasadena gang

By City News Service

Pasadena police and law enforcement partners from other agencies arrested eight alleged street gang members early Thursday morning during the service of search warrants that resulted in the seizure of firearms.

The lead agency in the raids, which were conducted around 3 a.m., was the Pasadena Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit, with the assistance of tactical teams from the Arcadia Police Department, Azusa Police Department, Baldwin Park Police Department, Burbank Police Department, El Monte Police Department, Irwindale Police Department, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Upland Police Department, and the United States Marshals Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force, according to Lisa Derderian of the city of

Pasadena. Pasadena police described the raids as a

“coordinated, multi-jurisdictional warrant operation targeting individuals associated with a particular street gang. “The operation was

part of an ongoing investigation into gun trafficking activity associated with the

gang,” police said. “The operation involved the simultaneous service of search warrants at 10 locations across multiple jurisdictions. As a result of the operation, officers seized seven handguns and one AK-style rifle.”

Eight individuals were arrested in connection with the investigation.

Pasadena Chief of Police Gene Harris said the complex operation represents the department’s “continued commitment to disrupting gun trafficking networks and the violent criminal activity they support.”

Anyone with information was urged to call the Pasadena Police Department at 626-744-4241. Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or http:// lacrimestoppers.org.

LA Zoo welcomes cape vulture chick, first from new exhibit

By City News Service

The Los Angeles Zoo has welcomed a Cape vulture chick, marking the first successful hatching from its new habitat that opened in 2025, officials announced Thursday.

The chick hatched March 14 and is being cared for behind the scenes until it is strong enough to join the public exhibit, where visitors can currently observe the adult vultures in the Animals of Africa section.

Zoo officials said the birth is a significant milestone for the species, which is classified as vulnerable in the wild.

“Bringing a vulnerable species into the world is always cause for celebration, but this chick is especially meaningful,” Director of Animal Care Dominick Dorsa II said in a statement.

“Successful breeding is generally a sign that animals are content and comfortable in their space. The fact that this exhibit is new and was designed to specifically mimic the species’ wild habitat is a testament to the design and construction, as well as the care that these magnificent birds receive.”

The Cape vulture habitat

opened in February 2025. Zoo staff said the successful hatching suggests the exhibit is meeting those goals.

“Welcoming a Cape vulture chick is a thrilling moment for our team and a beacon of hope for African vultures,” said Curator of Birds Rose Legato. “We spent years meticulously planning a space that would encourage their natural roosting and nesting behaviors, and this successful hatching proves we hit the mark.”

Cape vultures are native to southern Africa and play a

critical role in ecosystems as scavengers, helping prevent the spread of disease by consuming animal carcasses. They can grow up to three feet tall with wingspans reaching more than eight feet.

According to zoo officials, the species faces threats from poisoning, habitat loss and other human-related factors.

The Los Angeles Zoo is part of a broader conservation effort through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Saving Animals From Extinction program, which aims to protect African vulture populations.

Dodgers Foundation plans Dreamteam expansion to serve 17,000 youth

By City News Service

The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation announced Wednesday it is expanding its Dodgers Dreamteam program for the 2026 season, aiming to serve 17,000 youth across 156 locations throughout Los Angeles County.

The program, an affiliate of Nike’s Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities initiative, provides underserved youth with access to baseball and softball along with educational and health resources, according to the foundation.

Registration for the

upcoming season is now open through 20 partner organizations, with new affiliates including the city of El Monte and expanded programming in Pomona, officials said. “Cost or circumstance should never determine whether a child gets to play and grow, and Dodgers Dreamteam is how we put that belief into action,” Nichol McKenzie-Whiteman, CEO of the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, said in a statement. “By partnering with local organizations, facilities,

and leaders, we’re able to increase capacity, strengthen neighborhoods, and tackle the most pressing problems facing Los Angeles through a variety of resources.”

Participants receive free uniforms and equipment, while the program also offers services such as literacy resources, STEMbased curriculum, college and career workshops and access to scholarship opportunities, according to the foundation.

The expansion follows continued growth in recent

years. In 2025, the program served about 15,000 youth and provided community resources to more than 7,500 participants and their families, the foundation said.

Officials said the program also focuses on training coaches in youth development practices and fostering positive environments for participants both on and off the field.

Families and prospective coaches can learn more or register at https://Dodgers. com/DodgersDreamteam.