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CALTRANS REROUTED TRAFFIC WITHOUT INFORMING CERRITOS, ILLEGAL MOVE WILL COST THE CITY OVERCOMMENTARY $5 MILLION BY BRIAN HEWS Hews Media Group-Los Cerritos Community News has obtained a letter, dated September 6, 2019, addressed to Caltrans from the city of Cerritos that blasts the state agency for rerouting tractor-trailer traffic through the City due to I-5 construction projects. Shockingly, the rerouting was done without notifying the City.
The City is claiming that the rerouting has caused over $5 million in damage to the streets, increased pollution in the area, increased traffic noise, and increased the safety risk of residents. Further the letter states that Caltrans is in violation of the project’s final Environmental Impact Report which obligates the agency to coordinate with cities to minimize adverse impacts
during the construction period. “Caltrans has failed to coordinate thus far, and any further lack of communication or consultation with the City and its residents is unacceptable.” The City blasted Caltrans for establishing a detour route on southbound Carmenita between the I-5 and Artesia Blvd., and eastbound Artesia Blvd. between Carmenita and the I-5. “Neither stretch of Carmeni-
Water Rates or Political Power?
ta or Artesia is a city designated flows onto arterial streets.” truck route, commercial vehicles The City then cited the nuover 6,000 pounds are strictly merous safety hazards caused by of traffic,we concerns prohibited on Three the streets, weeksper afterthe thererouting recall began, warned the water that have been voiced by CerriCity Municipal Code.” rate fight appeared to be a vehicle to change The Caltrans rerouting of tos residents in calls and emailspolitical control of Cerritos City Hall. Campaign finance trucks has caused severe damto both HMG-LCCN andfilings the now show age and increased at peak City. tenstraffic of thousands of dollars flowing through the effort. hours, the extensive damage The rerouting on Carmenita alone is estimated “to cost $5.2 takes large trucks by two schools, million to repair,” and the “aver- Stowers Elementary and Carmeage daily traffic on said streets nita Middle school in addition Combined from has significantly increased and
See CALTRANS page 14two $5000
contributors.
ARTESIA HIGH STAFF-MEMBER RECEIVES Approximately to attorney/ AWARD OF VALOR FROM LAKEWOOD paid consultants. action, jumping out of her carMoney owed grabbing the boy and helping theto attorney/ The City of Lakewood held woman. consultants. U.S. CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: The La Mirada Junior All-Stars beat Michigan 4-2 on Wednesday its annual Award of Valor lunShe took them to Artesia High on Nov. 6 to thank the men School, where they received medto advance to Saturday’s 3 p.m. PST U.S. Championship game at the Junior Leaguecheon Baseball Additional cost to the and women World Series in Taylor, Michigan. La Mirada jumped ahead early, played error-free defense and of the Los Angeles ical assistance and were ultimate-average household County Sheriff’s Department and ly transported to the hospital. used strong pitching to move within one victory of the World Championship game. Fire Department, as well as the Because of her selfless ac-over the five-year community volunteers who pro- tions, the City of Lakewood re-water-rate increase. tect and serve Lakewood. cently awarded Bridget with the Sources: campaign-finance Bridget Perrizo, a staff mem- Mayor’sdisclosures Award atfiled the with city’s anber at Artesia High Awardswater of Valor the was FPPChonored and the Citynual of Cerritos rateceremony. study. when she helped two people that "I always wondered what I was being attacked by a dog. would do when facedcalls withwere a situ-connected. Bridget, wasBy headed to ation like this one," said Perrizo. Brianback Hews Now those filings are in, and work from lunch when she spot- "By the grace of God, I had the the numbers ted a dog attacking a woman and courage to take action. I'm so are extraordinary. Cerritos residents with the young boy. The dogAhad knocked glad that the mom Two and son few months ago, this both newssame last Wendy and Robert them to the ground and they were are effort okay, and I'm so honored name, to paper wrote that the to rescreaming for help. receive this award.” Shavelle, contributed $5,000 each call Frank Aurelio Yokoyama Bridget immediately took — $10,000 combined. Another TRASH piles up at a condominium complex in Hawaiian Gardens. The City chose Waste Resources BY THOM MARTIN
La Mirada Junior AllStars Beat Michigan 4-2, Continue World Series Run
Long Beach’s New Waterfront Amphitheater Has Big Ambitions — and a Few Growing Pains
La Mirada defeats host Michigan 4-2 behind strong pitching, flawless defense and aggressive baserunning to continue its World Series run. included several default letters,
Incorporated as their new hauler, who said they would immediately begin trash pick up. Photo Brian Hews.
TRASH WILL FINALLY GET CLEANED UP IN HAWAIIAN GARDENS BY BRIAN HEWS
and Lynda P. Johnson, ostensiblySee HERO page 15 over the water-rate increase, was contributor put in $3,000, others a mask for Cerritos Republicans contributed $1,000 each, and even to grab political power. We made a $600 contribution represents sevthat argument just three weeks eral years of the average annualafter the recall effort began, long ized cost of the water-rate increase before campaign-finance reports they were supposedly fighting. Put the $10,000 contribution revealed where the money was in perspective. According to the coming from, where it was going city’s own water-rate study, the and how closely the organizations behind the water-rate fight and reSee POWER, Page 5
“Poor leadership, no foresight on the situation, typical of this which, under California’s Public Brian Hews While rotting trash is accumu- City Council,” former Hawaiian Resource By Code Section 49000, lating in many parts ofWATERFRONT: Hawaiian Gardens The starts the clock on termination. Mayortemporary Rey Rodriguez LONG BEACH 11,000-seat Gardens, Mayor Myra Maravilla City staff even went theMI extra told HMG-LCCN. TAYLOR, — The La MiF&M Bank Amphitheater of Long Beach overlooks the harbor and and the City Council finally conThe staff report included in step and attempted to work with continued Queen Mary, giving concertgoers one of Southern California’s most rada Junior All-Stars ducted a hearing, waiting an en- last week’s meeting presented CWS to cure the breaches and distinctive entertainment backdrops. The venue is serving as a real- their impressive run at the Junior tire week, and allowing the trash clear evidence that CWS was in defaults starting in March of this world test aseven Long Beach considers whether develop permanent to accumulate more, to once violation of its to contract witha the year, eachLeague of whichBaseball gave CWSWorld Series waterfront amphitheater. Photo courtesy Urbanize LA. Wednesday, defeating host Michagain discuss terminating CWS’ City, but Mayor Maravilla and the steps to resolve the defaults. igan toDistrict 5, 4-2, contract. Council were apparently afraid to In addition the default no- at Heritage Under the Ralph M. Brown pull the termination trigger, leav- tices, the Park City also attempted to in Taylor, Michigan. Act, Maravilla and the City Coun- ing residents driving by stinky arrange meetings with CWS but Representing the West Reoptions,CWS harddid not attend most meetand emergency medical responscil could have sent out a notice piles expensive of trash for parking the foreseeable gion, La Mirada jumped ahead By Brian Hews By Brian Hews seats and portable toilets. with the center and held a meeting within two future. ings. ARTESIA HIGH staff-member Bridget Perrizo received es thewere Awardassociated of Noah days to address the situation. The venue recently hosted Ice in the second inning when The voluminous staff report or its immediate vicinity between Valor from Lakewood for saving two in a dog attack.
From Switzerland to Santa Fe Springs: Plasma Giant’s Local Center Triggers City Action
Long Beach has spent years trying to turn its waterfront into more than a collection of attractions. This summer, the city took a major step by opening an 11,000seat outdoor amphitheater overlooking the harbor and Queen Mary. The F&M Bank Amphitheater of Long Beach opened in June with Snoop Dogg and has since drawn major performers and thousands of concertgoers. City officials hope the temporary venue could eventually lead to a permanent waterfront entertainment destination. For now, it remains a trial run. The amphitheater combines professional concert production with temporary infrastructure. Fans get a large stage, strong sound, tiered seating and a spectacular waterfront backdrop. They also get shuttle rides,
Cube and Mike Epps for “Everyday’s Friday,” providing another test of how the site handles large crowds. Once fans are inside, the setting does much of the work. The Queen Mary dominates the view, particularly around sunset, giving the amphitheater an identity few Southern California venues can match. Food trucks, temporary bars and customizable areas surrounding the performance space give the grounds more of a festival atmosphere than a traditional concert venue. Getting 11,000 people there and back is more complicated. The amphitheater lacks a massive dedicated parking operation. Fans can use rideshare, public transportation, bicycles, scooters and water taxis, while some reserved parking requires a shuttle
Jauregui singled See TRASH pagehome 15 a run and Lucas Gaeta followed with a tworun double, quickly giving the All-Stars a 3-0 advantage. La Mirada added another run in the third when a batter was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, extending the lead to 4-0. From there, La Mirada’s pitching and defense took over. Adam Brewer delivered a strong start, holding Michigan scoreless through 4 1/3 innings. Brewer allowed just three hits while striking out seven and walking only one. Noel Jaime provided 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, allowing two hits while striking out two. Gaeta led the offense with two RBIs, while Jayden Valdez, Ryan Barberena, Jauregui, Ryann Rios, Gaeta, Ryder Ong and Brewer each collected a hit. La Mirada also created problems on the basepaths, stealing
See Amphitheater, Page 6
See LA MIRADA, Page 5
SANTA FE SPRINGS — One of the world’s largest human protein manufacturers is headquartered thousands of miles away in Switzerland, but part of its international operation sits on Telegraph Road in Santa Fe Springs — and activity associated with that location became serious enough for city officials to prevent another plasma center from opening. The Santa Fe Springs City Council approved an emergency 45-day moratorium Aug. 11 prohibiting the approval, establishment, expansion or relocation of blood banks, plasma centers and other specimen-donation facilities throughout the city. Behind the action is Octapharma Plasma, which operates Santa Fe Springs’ only plasma donation center at 11528 Telegraph Road. According to city records, more than 60 law enforcement
July 2024 and July 2026. The incidents included disturbances, people refusing to leave, trespassing, threats and reported assaults, theft, suspicious persons and welfare-related calls. Medical emergencies included fainting, seizures, unconscious persons and people having difficulty breathing. Several incidents required multiple public safety units, while some activity extended into adjoining parking areas and neighboring businesses. The city concluded that the volume and nature of the incidents raise questions about the recurring demands such facilities can place on law enforcement and emergency medical services. The company behind the local center is considerably larger than its Telegraph Road storefront might suggest. Octapharma is a family-owned
See PLASMA, Page 5