January 23, 2026 La Mirada Lamplighter

BY BRIAN HEWS

Central Basin Pressured to Fund Costly Southeast Gateway Rail Pipeline Project

Internal emails reveal rising costs, unresolved alternatives, and mounting pressure on directors to approve long-term repayment despite incomplete negotiations.

ritos Community News has ob tained a letter, dated September 6, 2019, addressed to Caltrans from the city of Cerritos that blasts the state agency for rerout ing tractor-trailer traffic through the City due to I-5 construction projects.

By Brian Hews

done without notifying the City.

A decision by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power [LADWP] has pushed Central Basin Municipal Water District [CB] toward a multimilliondollar financial exposure it did not create, stemming from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s [Metro] Southeast Gateway light rail project and its impact on a recycled water pipeline owned by CB.

Reports obtained by Los

Cerritos Community News show that Metro initially identified relocating CB’s recycled water pipeline into LADWP rightof-way as the least expensive option, but later “eliminated” that alignment after telling CB that LADWP “would not allow utilities on its property.”

An internal email obtained by LCCN, sent this week by CB Interim General Manager Elaine Jeng, outlined ongoing discussions with Metro over relocating CB’s recycled water pipeline.

The message makes clear that the conversation has shifted away from whether CB should pay at all and toward how the District would finance repayment over decades.

The CB Board last addressed

[ See PIPELINE, page 12 ]

Santa Fe Springs Updates Phase Two Plans for Paul T. Nakamura Regional Aquatics Center

City details expanded amenities, refined project scope, updated construction cost and confirms summer 2026 opening.

By Brian Hews

Santa Fe Springs has released updated details for Phase Two of improvements at the Paul T. Nakamura Regional Aquatics Center, clarifying the scope of new amenities, the project cost, and the anticipated opening timeline.

The city first announced Phase Two of the aquatics center expansion in October 2025, outlining plans to add family-oriented features and improve visitor comfort. New materials released by the city provide a more detailed look at what residents can expect as construction moves forward.

According to the updated

CONSTRUCTION progresses at the Paul T. Nakamura Regional Aquatics Center during Phase Two of the city’s $9.5 million expansion project.

project information, Phase Two will add a new splash pad designed as an interactive water feature for children and families. The project also includes expanded seating areas and additional shade structures intended to improve comfort

[ See NAKAMURA, page 4 ]

By Brian Hews

On a recent weekday morning in La Mirada, Steve Olive walked between towering stacks of carpet rolls—red, green, lavender—inside his 36,000-squarefoot warehouse just east of Alondra Boulevard and Valley View Avenue. Stretched across the floor was a 150-foot section of carpet delivered days earlier from Georgia, dyed in a custom shade known as Academy Red, a color reserved exclusively for Hollywood’s biggest night.

Olive, 58, may not be a household name, but for nearly three decades, some of the world’s most famous celebrities have walked across his work. His company, Event Carpet Pros, supplies carpets for the Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Grammy Awards, and Primetime Emmy Awards, along with premieres for Disney, Marvel, and Warner Bros., and major events such as the Super Bowl.

Over the years, Event Carpet Pros has created highly customized designs, including a shimmering, sunlit pool-themed

[ See CARPET PROS, page 4 ]

By Brian Hews

The Hawaiian Gardens City Council is set to advance a major street improvement

in

project that will resurface key roadways, upgrade sidewalks and curbs, and add new bicycle lanes along two major corridors.

The project focuses on

Winner of Fourteen Club Awards from page 14

The City then cited the numerous safety hazards caused by the rerouting of traffic, concerns that have been voiced by Cerritos residents in calls and emails to both HMG-LCCN and the

The rerouting on Carmenita takes large trucks by two schools, Stowers Elementary and Carmenita Middle school in addition

action, jumping out of her car grabbing the boy and helping the

and

in a

She took them to Artesia High School, where they received medical assistance and were ultimate-

Carson Street from Pioneer Boulevard to Norwalk Boulevard, and Pioneer Boulevard from Carson Street to 221st Street. Approval would allow the city to begin advertising

Because of her selfless actions, the City of Lakewood recently awarded Bridget with the Mayor’s Award at the city’s annual Awards of Valor ceremony.

"I always wondered what I would do when faced with a situation like this one," said Perrizo. "By the grace of God, I had the courage to take action. I'm so glad that both the mom and son are okay, and I'm so honored to

the project for public bids, a key step before construction can begin.

Planned work includes

[ See PROJECT, page 5 ]

ABCUSD Weighs Reconfiguring Whitney High School as District Reviews Long-Term Enrollment Strategy

By Brian Hews

ABC Unified School District officials are considering three significantly different options for reconfiguring Whitney High School as part of a districtwide plan to move sixth grade students onto middle school campuses beginning in the 2027–28 school year.

The discussion, presented to the Board of Education this week, follows the district’s earlier approval of a school consolidation and reconfiguration plan that includes closing and merging several

elementary campuses and redefining grade spans across the district. Whitney’s future structure is now one of the most consequential pieces of that plan, with implications for enrollment, admissions, facilities, and families across ABCUSD.

District administrators outlined three possible paths forward, each carrying different financial, academic, and logistical consequences.

Under the first option, Whitney would remain a grades 7–12 school, preserving its current identity and selective admissions process. Sixth graders districtwide would attend middle schools for one year before transitioning again to high school. Staff described this as the lowest-cost option, requiring no new construction and only minor updates to board policy language. The tradeoff, however, is that students would face two school transitions in a short period of time, a concern that could require additional academic and social support for incoming students.

The second option would add sixth grade directly to Whitney, creating a single grades 6–12 pathway. District leaders said this approach could strengthen academic continuity and give students earlier exposure to Whitney’s advanced curriculum. The cost is significant. Staff estimated the need for portable classrooms, new restrooms, lockers, and related upgrades, with facility expenses projected at up to $4.5 million. Enrollment would also increase substantially, making Whitney noticeably larger than it is today.

The third option would split Whitney into two separate schools: a Whitney Middle School serving grades 6–8 and a Whitney High School serving grades 9–12. This option would also expand both resident and non-resident permits, increasing the number of students allowed to attend Whitney programs. Administrators said this model could stabilize enrollment districtwide and potentially generate up to $2 million annually in net revenue. It is also the most expensive and complex option, requiring major policy changes, additional staffing, and facility investments estimated at up to $12 million, along with a fundamental shift in how Whitney admissions are handled.

For parents, the debate comes down to stability versus scale. Families who value Whitney’s current structure may favor keeping the school unchanged, while others may support a single continuous pathway starting in sixth grade. The twoschool model raises additional questions about access, competition for seats, and whether expansion could alter Whitney’s long-standing academic culture.

District staff did not recommend a preferred option at this stage. The item was presented for information and discussion only, with further board direction expected before any final decisions are made. Any configuration change would need to align with the broader timeline for sixth grade transitions and school consolidations already scheduled for the 2027–28 school year.

Over 400 Guests Attend Cerritos MLK, Jr.Day Ceremony

CERRITOS, CA – January 20, 2026 – Approximately 400 residents and guests gathered to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the City of Cerritos’ annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Ceremony on January 19 at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts.

The program featured remarks from Yolanda Williams, president of the Pi Sigma Omega Cerritos Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and Dr. Kirk Kirkwood, co-founder of Village Life Education and faculty member with CalState TEACH. Attendees also enjoyed musical and spoken-word performances, including “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and a live recording of the “Today-Tomorrow” podcast presented by members of EMBODI, a program of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority focused on empowering African American males.

Student achievement was highlighted during the ceremony as winners of the Cerritos Library’s Martin Luther King

Jr. Writing Contest read their entries aloud. Guests were also invited to view artwork from the library’s art contest winners, displayed in the CCPA lobby.

In keeping with Dr. King’s commitment to service, attendees had the opportunity to participate in community outreach projects throughout the event. The Cerritos Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. hosted a Warm Soles, Warm Hands, Warm Heads winter collection drive, while the Pi Sigma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. collected canned food donations for local families.

This year marked the first time the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Ceremony was held in the CCPA’s main theater. The event was previously hosted in the Sierra Room, but was relocated to accommodate steadily increasing attendance, reflecting the community’s continued engagement with the annual observance.

Cerritos Sisters Continue Tradition in Los Angeles County Library Bookmark Contest

LCCN Staff Report

The L.A. County Library is hosting its annual Bookmark Contest, inviting students in grades K–12 to design original bookmarks inspired by books, reading, and libraries. Each year, the contest draws roughly 20,000 student submissions from across Los Angeles County, with selected designs reproduced and shared in local library branches.

Among the participants are two Cerritos sisters who have been part of the contest since kindergarten and continue to be recognized for their work. Ahyana, a sixthgrade student, and Amanah, a ninth-grade student, both attend California Virtual Academies and submit original bookmark designs each year. What began as a simple school-age activity has grown into a longrunning tradition rooted in their shared love of reading, art, and storytelling.

The contest offers students an opportunity to express creativity while promoting literacy, with entries judged by grade level and winning designs distributed throughout the county’s library system. For Ahyana and Amanah, the program has remained a consistent creative outlet as they have progressed through their academic journey.

Their experience highlights how a longstanding program offered by the LA County Library continues to encourage imagination, literacy, and artistic growth, while providing young readers with a meaningful way to connect with books year after year.

CERRITOS sisters Amanah (left), a sixth-grade student, and Ahyana, a ninthgrade student, display their artwork after participating in the Los Angeles County Library Bookmark Contest, with their submitted bookmark designs shown below.

Bellflower Council Approves Caruthers Park Dog Park Fencing

LCCN Staff Report

The City of Bellflower City Council awardedg a construction contract for fencing and related improvements at the future dog park at Caruthers Park, a project that would move the long-planned facility closer to opening.

The contract is with California Landscape and Design, Inc.

The project is part of Bellflower’s Capital Improvements Program and is funded in the city’s fiscal year 2025–26 capital budget. The total project allocation is $372,250, which covers fencing, pathway improvements, and amenities associated with the dog park area.

According to staff, the dog park will be located at the southeast corner of Caruthers Park and will include fencing that separates the area into two zones, one

designated for smaller dogs and another for larger dogs. The project also includes an extension of the sidewalk to provide a walking path to the dog park and the installation of a water fountain designed for use by both people and pets.

California Landscape and Design, Inc. submitted the lowest bid at $142,490, coming in significantly below the other bidders, whose proposals ranged from approximately $175,000 to more than $185,000.

City staff reviewed the bid and verified the contractor’s license, references, and compliance with state labor requirements.

The City Council approved the contract as recommended Construction wil begin following execution of the agreement, advancing the long-anticipated addition of a dedicated dog park at Caruthers Park.

Regional Leaders Kick Off 2026 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count

LCCN Staff Report

LOS ANGELES – Leaders from across Los Angeles County gathered Tuesday night to officially launch the 2026 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count, a regionwide effort that plays a central role in shaping homelessness policy, funding decisions, and service delivery throughout the county.

The annual count, coordinated by Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, is the largest unsheltered point-in-time homeless count in the nation and is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for local continuums of care. Over three nights, thousands of trained volunteers are deployed across the county to count people experiencing homelessness and collect demographic and situational data used to guide housing, outreach, and supportive services.

“This year’s Homeless Count comes at a pivotal moment for our region,” LAHSA Interim CEO Gita O’Neill said, noting that the homelessness response system is undergoing major changes in funding structures, program design, and service delivery. She said economic pressures and system transitions could put recent progress at risk, making accurate data more important than ever in directing resources to where they are most urgently needed.

Data collected during the count directly affects how federal, state, and local funding is allocated for shelters, housing programs, outreach teams, and supportive services. The results are also used to track trends, evaluate the effectiveness of past investments, and help local governments and service providers adjust strategies.

Supervisor Solis emphasized that reliable data is essential for ensuring resources are distributed equitably across communities. She said the count strengthens accountability, improves quality of life for residents and businesses, and helps guide efforts to reduce encampments, improve safety, and restore public spaces while affirming the dignity of people experiencing homelessness.

O’Niel said the 2026 count carries added urgency due to anticipated funding reductions at multiple levels of government. She described volunteer participation as one of the most direct ways residents can contribute to solutions, calling the count a critical advocacy tool.

LAHSA said this year’s count builds on improvements introduced during last year’s fully digital count. Enhancements include upgraded mapping tools, streamlined volunteer training, expanded on-site staffing, and stronger coordination with county partners to improve data collection in hard-to-reach areas. Additional efforts are focused on improving the accuracy of youth and sheltered homelessness data.

The 2026 count is taking place amid significant changes in how homelessness programs are funded and delivered across the region, making this year’s data especially important for shaping policy decisions in the year ahead.

Tuesday marked the first night of the count, covering the San Fernando Valley and Santa Clarita Valley (SPA 2) and Metro Los Angeles (SPA 4). Counting continues Wednesday in the San Gabriel Valley (SPA 3) and East Los Angeles (SPA 7), followed by Thursday in Antelope Valley (SPA 1), West Los Angeles (SPA 5), South Los Angeles (SPA 6), and the South Bay and Harbor areas (SPA 8).

LAHSA is still seeking volunteers. Residents can sign up and find their nearest deployment site at theycountwillyou.org

LCCN Staff Report

Nonprofit Love For Our Elders, an organization with local ties, will host its sixth annual Letter to an Elder Day on Feb. 26, continuing an initiative aimed at combating isolation among older adults through handwritten letters.

Founded in 2013, Love For Our Elders sends cards and letters to seniors who may be experiencing loneliness or social isolation. Since its founding, the nonprofit is approaching a major milestone of one million letters delivered to older adults across the country. Letter to an Elder Day was launched in 2020 by founder Jacob Cramer as a way to address the increased isolation many seniors face after the holidays, particularly during the winter months. Cramer chose Feb. 26 in honor of his grandmother Doris’ birthday, crediting her lifelong habit of writing heartfelt letters as the inspiration behind the initiative. The first observance took place at a nursing facility in East Haven, Connecticut, where handwritten letters were distributed to residents. Local media coverage helped officially establish the day, which has

since grown into a nationally recognized observance.

While Feb. 26 serves as the focal point, Love For Our Elders accepts letters yearround.

“Everyone deserves to feel loved, but not everyone does,” Cramer said. “I’m proud to be a part of a nonprofit that is all about bringing people together, especially now during a time when it’s so important to stay connected.”

Community members interested in participating can write a letter to an elder loved one or submit one through Love For Our Elders, organize a letter-writing event with friends or coworkers, or help spread awareness through social media using the hashtag #LetterToAnElderDay. The organization is also seeking an exclusive sponsor for this year’s observance.

More information on how to participate is available at bit.ly/lettertoanelder. Media inquiries may be directed to jacob@ loveforourelders.org, and questions about Letter to an Elder Day can be sent to volunteer coordinator Jamie Gonzalez at letters@loveforourelders.org

remaining sections of the pool deck that were not addressed during the previous construction phase.

carpet for the 2023 “Barbie” world premiere and a green-and-black ectoplasm drip carpet for the 2016 “Ghostbusters” premiere—an intricate design that took nearly a month to produce.

After a brief departure from tradition in recent years, the Oscars returned to the classic Academy Red carpet for last year’s ceremony. Olive grew up in Cerritos, neighboring La Mirada, and never imagined a career tied to Hollywood glamour. After high school, he took an unexpected turn into the music industry, working as a bodyguard for major 1980s acts including Mötley Crüe, George Michael, and the Thompson Twins. A former 6-foot-2 linebacker, Olive said the opportunity came suddenly while he was doing local security at a Thompson Twins concert.

“The band’s bodyguard had to fly back to England, and they asked if I could start immediately,” Olive recalled. “I was like, ‘I’m in.’”

He spent about five years on the road but eventually burned out on the lifestyle. Around that time, his brother-in-law, Mr. Clyne, who worked installing large event tents, recognized a gap in the industry: no one was specializing in event flooring. The two decided to start a company together.

In the early days, it was pure hustle. They laid down rolls of AstroTurf under tents to cover dirt and grass and relied on friends to help with installations. They pitched relentlessly to event planners and production companies. Eventually, Clyne set his sights on the biggest prize of all— the Academy Awards.

“We reached out directly to the Academy and to other vendors and contacts who referred us,” Olive said. In 1997, the Oscars became a client.

for spectators and visitors during peak summer use.

A new spa area is planned as part of the expansion, aimed at enhancing relaxation and wellness opportunities at the facility. Minor renovations to the pool house are also included to improve overall convenience and functionality.

Additional features outlined in the update include a cabana area intended to support community gatherings and leisure activities, along with a modern concession stand designed to improve food and refreshment options for visitors. The project will also replace

The city now anticipates the Phase Two improvements will open in summer 2026. The total construction cost for the project is listed at $9.5 million.

City Manager René Bobadilla said the project reflects ongoing collaboration between city leadership and the community.

“I appreciate the support of the City Council and our community as we move forward with this exciting project,” City Manager René Bobadilla told Los Cerritos Community News. “We’re especially excited about the new amenities we’ll be adding—from the splash pad and shaded seating to the spa and gathering areas— which will really enhance the experience for families and visitors. We’re grateful for the opportunity to deliver these improvements and look forward to welcoming the community when the project opens in summer 2026.”

Compared with the initial Phase Two announcement last fall, the updated information places greater emphasis on visitor amenities such as seating, shade, and recreational spaces, while also confirming the overall budget and timeline. While earlier materials introduced the concept of the expansion, the latest release provides a clearer picture of how the aquatics center will function once the new phase is complete.

City officials have described the improvements as part of an ongoing effort to enhance the regional aquatics center as a destination for recreation, family activities, and community use.

Today, Event Carpet Pros handles far more than awards shows. The company supplies flooring for Screen Actors Guild Awards, Country Music Association Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, as well as weddings, birthday parties, corporate events, and golf tournaments. With about 70 employees, the company manages up to 30 orders and 10 installations per day during peak awards season, completing more than 30,000 projects annually.

The carpets are manufactured using recycled materials and are recycled again after events, a practice Olive says has become standard as sustainability expectations have grown.

Olive no longer attends premieres himself, leaving on-site work to his team. “I used to go all the time,” he said. “I’m not much of a film person anymore. After COVID, I kind of got away from it—you had to go to movie theaters.”

One of Event Carpet Pros’ longtime clients is Craig Waldman, president and chief creative officer of 1540, a California-based event production company whose clients include Marvel, Disney, Netflix, and Apple. Over more than 30 years, Waldman and Olive have collaborated on thousands of events, including recent world premieres such as “Captain America: Brave New World” and “Bad Boys: Ride or Die.”

“To know him is to know a man who will do whatever it takes,” Waldman said. “He’s old school in the best way—someone who values relationships, craftsmanship, and getting the job done right.”

Olive says last-minute calls are part of the business. “I’ll get a call at midnight, and someone will say, ‘We forgot to order carpet for our event tomorrow. Can you be there by 10 a.m. with 20 rolls of black carpet?’” he said. “And we’ll be there.”

SCOTUS Is Poised to Reshape Gun Carry Laws — and Open Carry Is the Endgame

SCOTUS is on the verge of allowing open carry — and here’s why.

This isn’t about one gun case. It’s about a sequence.

Right now, the Supreme Court is reviewing what sounds like a narrow dispute: whether states like California and Hawaii can require private businesses to give explicit permission before licensed gun owners carry concealed firearms inside.

The states say it’s about property rights. Gun-rights advocates say it turns carry permits into a trap.

But that framing misses the point. This case is one move in a longer judicial progression — a step-by-step dismantling of gun regulations that leads somewhere very specific.

If the Court rules the way it appears ready to, the default flips. Silence will equal consent. Private businesses open to the public will be presumed to allow concealed firearms unless the owner posts a sign saying otherwise.

The burden shifts away from the person carrying the gun and onto the business owner.

That single shift wipes out one of the last tools states used after the Court’s 2022 ruling expanded public carry rights.

States were told they couldn’t decide who gets to carry, so they tried to regulate where guns could go. If this case falls, that strategy collapses.

Once location-based limits are stripped away, guns become harder to keep out of everyday places — stores, restaurants, parks, beaches, and bars.

And bars are where the theory breaks down completely. Alcohol and firearms have never mixed well, which is why they were traditionally regulated together.

Under this logic, instead of drawing a clear line, the Court pushes responsibility

from page 1

grinding and repaving the full width of both streets, sealing cracks, and replacing damaged curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and driveway approaches. The project also calls for the installation of new ADA-compliant curb ramps and updated traffic striping and detection loops.

A significant component of the project is the addition of Class II bicycle lanes along Carson Street between Pioneer Boulevard and Norwalk Boulevard. The lanes are part of the city’s Bicycle Master Plan and are intended to provide a safer route for cyclists traveling east and west through the city. The design includes six-foot bike lanes on both sides of the street with buffer space separating bicycles from vehicle traffic. Where that configuration is not feasible, shared-lane markings will be used.

City staff report that the impact on

downward, forcing bartenders and managers to police armed patrons themselves.

With “where you can carry” regulation gone, states turn to the only lever left: permits.

They add training requirements, fees, renewals, interviews, and background checks. Not to defy the Court, but to retain some control over public safety.

That’s where the next lawsuits come in.

Gun-rights groups will argue those permit rules are unconstitutional barriers to a fundamental right. And the Court has already warned states not to make permits “too hard” to obtain.

That’s the funnel. Each response narrows state authority further.

At that point, the concealed-carry distinction starts to unravel. If the Constitution protects carrying a firearm into ordinary public-facing spaces by default, the next question becomes unavoidable: why can the state dictate how the gun is carried?

Historically, open carry was often more accepted than concealed carry. That history will be cited. The challenges will come quickly.

This is how major shifts happen. Not with a single ruling labeled “Open Carry Approved,” but through a sequence that makes each next step feel inevitable.

Which leads to the conclusion people are avoiding.

Open carry is next.

Once the Court says guns belong in everyday private spaces unless affirmatively banned, the difference between concealed and open carry becomes a technicality.

States will try to compensate. The Court will narrow those efforts too. Eventually, permits themselves are framed as unconstitutional.

We’ve seen this pattern elsewhere: licensed carry becomes constitutional carry, and constitutional carry becomes normalized presence. Guns everywhere, all the time — and everyone else is told to adjust.

This isn’t about hunting or home defense anymore. It isn’t even really about concealed carry.

It’s about forcing guns into daily life by stripping away every practical rule that once limited where, when, and how they appear.

Open carry isn’t announced in this case.

It’s built into the sequence.

~Brian Hews-Editor and Publisher

on-street parking will be limited. Because much of the corridor already has red curbs and no-parking restrictions, only about 20 total parking spaces are expected to be removed. Officials said nearby businesses have sufficient offstreet parking to absorb the change.

The total cost of the project is approximately $1.46 million, funded through a combination of federal, state, and local transportation and infrastructure sources. Because federal funding is involved, the project will include requirements designed to encourage participation by qualifying local and disadvantaged businesses.

City engineers have already approved the plans and specifications, meaning the project is ready to move into the bidding phase. If approved by the council, construction could begin later this year, bringing roadway improvements, enhanced accessibility, and expanded bike infrastructure to two of Hawaiian Gardens’ busiest streets.

By Cerritos Mayor Frank Aurelio Yokoyama

Guests of Monday’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Ceremony at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts were treated to inspiring words and acts of service. My Cerritos City Council colleagues and I were honored to join with approximately 400 guests in celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. King.

As attendance has risen over the years, we moved the festivities from inside the CCPA’s Sierra Room to the main Theater. My thanks goes to our special guests and presenters for helping to elevate the teachings of Dr. King and the impact that his words and actions continue to have on our society.

In the words of speaker Yolanda Williams, President of the Pi Sigma Omega Cerritos Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, “Marching towards a better dream means every voice matters, every child is seen, and where service is not seasonal it’s sustained.”

Guests also heard remarks from Dr. Kirk Kirkwood, co-founder of Village Life Education and CalState TEACH faculty. Performances included “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and a recording of the “TodayTomorrow” Podcast by members of EMBODI, a Delta Sigma Theta program

that empowers African American males. In addition, winners of the Cerritos Library’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Writing Contest read their entries, and attendees could view images from the Art Contest winners in the CCPA Lobby. Aside from the performances, attendees had the opportunity to contribute to local service projects. The Cerritos Area Alumnae of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. held a Warm Soles, Warm Hands, Warm Heads winter collection drive and the Pi Sigma Omega Chapter held a canned food drive.

Cerritos’ annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Ceremony continues to play an important role in bringing people together to celebrate, reflect, and inspire change. We are thankful to all who make this event possible year after year.

In the spirit of belonging and service, we look forward to our next community event. The annual Festival of Friendship celebrates the City’s rich cultural heritage. With heavy attendance in recent years, this event has also been moved to accommodate more spectators inside the CCPA. Now in its 27th year, the Festival of Friendship honors Cerritos’ rich cultural diversity through song, dance, and the spoken word. Performances will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, February 7. We’re thankful to the Port of Long Beach for its sponsorship of this year’s Festival of Friendship and support of local cultural groups.

My City Council colleagues and I look forward to seeing all of you at Festival of Friendship and several more events in 2026.

By Melinda Myers

Include some winning vegetable variet-ies in this year’s garden. Look for the 2026 All-America Selections (AAS) winners that have been tested nationally and select-ed for their suitability in home gardens and containers. Winners must have improved appearance, flavor, performance or other features than those varieties already on the market.

Whether you like kale for its beauty, flavor or nutritional value, consider the Gold Medal winner Rubybor. This kale is both pretty and edible. The deep purple ruffled foliage is uniform and compact, making it perfect for ornamental planting beds, vegetable gardens and containers. You’ll enjoy a continuous harvest of tender non-bitter kale all season long.

This breakthrough in breeding resulted in a kale with outstanding flavor and beau-ty, causing Rubybor to become an AAS Gold Medal Winner in both the flower and vegetable category. This award is only given once or twice in a decade. Some past winners include Ruby Ball Cabbage, Sugar Snap Pea, Profusion Zinnia, Purple Majesty Millet, and Fresh Look Red Ce-losia.

Grow the award-winning Treviso basil for use in pesto, pastas, sides and your oth-er favorite recipes. This basil was selected for its disease resistance to powdery and downy mildew, its tight compact growth habit and season long productivity. The flavorful leaves stay tender longer and maintain quality even late in the season. The AAS judges, volunteers with horti-culture expertise, were impressed with its vigor, heat tolerance and its slowto-flower nature.

Wait for the danger of frost to pass and air and soil to warm before planting any basil in the garden. This is about the same time you plant your tomatoes.

You can start seeds indoors six to eight weeks before moving transplants into the garden. Wait for the soil to warm when planting seeds directly in the garden. Grow basil in a sunny location and water thoroughly and often enough to keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy wet. Boost the disease resistance in your to-mato patch with BadaBing! Tomato. This large cherry tomato boasts resistance to septoria leaf spot, early blight, late blight and other diseases. You’ll enjoy the 1.5-inch diameter juicy red fruit that resists cracking. This indeterminate tomato will keep flowering and fruiting until frost but only grows 36 to 40” tall. It was selected as a regional winner in the Great Lakes, Heartland, Mountain/ Southwest and the Southeast. AAS judges praised BadaBing! for its productivity, fla-vor and meaty texture.

Check out other AAS winning vege-table and flower varieties. This nonprofit organization has been trialing never-be-fore-sold varieties and selecting winning plants for home gardeners for more than 90 years. Trial gardens are located at seed companies, universities and botanical gar-dens. Judges are volunteers who monitor and rate varieties’ performance compared to similar varieties already on the market.

Plan a visit to one of the nearly 200 AAS Display Gardens located at public gardens, extension offices and some retail-ers. You’ll have a chance to see the win-ners in a garden setting to help you plan for future additions. In the meantime, look for the AAS Winner logo when searching catalogs and your favorite garden center.

Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening, her website is www.MelindaMyers.com.

By Loren Kopff @LorenKopff on X

Cerritos’ Franklin coaches handful of area football players in all-star game

DOWNEY-Over two dozen area football players with high postseason accolades got together one last time on the gridiron as they accounted for more than half the North All-Stars in last Saturday’s 605 All-Star Football Classic at Warren High. The team would drop a 26-7 decision to the South All-Stars, but memories were

the athletic directors to get phone numbers of the seniors from the schools involved.

After holding the South on downs on the first drive of the game, the North took over at its three-yard line and went to work. On third and eight at the five-yard line, Cerritos quarterback Justin Sagun scrambled around the left side for a nineyard gain. Then on third and 10 from the 14-yard line, Sagun threw a 16-yard completion to Valley Christian High’s Oliver Boateng. However, the North

Saturday’s

defeated

turn the ball over two plays later. After the South went up 18-7 almost five minutes into the fourth quarter, it recovered an onside kick and added the final touchdown two plays later.

“Defense first, defense first; on offense, we stubbed out toe,” said Franklin. “I’m so proud of our defense. Again, you have a bunch of guys who never played in this

made as these seniors had a chance for one final sendoff.

Cerritos High head coach Demel Franklin coached the North, headlined by a dozen of his players from this past fall’s team which went 9-3, won the 605 League and fell to Division 9 finalist Ramona High in the quarterfinals.

“Oh, it’s fun; the challenge is you only get so many days [with the team],” said Franklin. “You get like five days. What can you really put in in five days with a bunch of the best of the best guys? You have to

would get two yards in the next four plays and La’Brenten Wilson of Cerritos punted, which led to the first score of the game.

“Man, we had a block in the back moving the ball and all year long, we get a penalty and for whatever reason, we cannot recover on that drive,” said Franklin.

On the third play of the drive, Kade Casillas of Lakewood High launched a 55-yard touchdown pass to high school teammate Tiwan Jones Jr. The extra point would be blocked by Anthony Magana of St. Paul High and the score remained 6-0

have team guys; now I’m used to getting the ball, but I have to block. I’m used to playing receiver, but now I’m playing tight end. It’s a lot of that, and we had a bunch of great guys. We just came up short tonight.”

Franklin said he had to volunteer to be the head coach and he and Alfred Rowe of Long Beach Jordan High were the two who agreed to coach in the game. After that, the only things left to decide were which sides would be coached by who and how the teams were going to be split up. Franklin, who was approached by Brian Arrington, the game coordinator and owner and General Manager of Fox Sports 1270 AM in Palm Springs, admitted that he would like to do this again.

Franklin was asked if he would be interested in coaching in the game on Dec. 2. He said Arrington separated the teams into the North and South and contacted all

the remainder of the first half. In fact, on the next two drives for the North, it picked up 7 yards on six plays, which included a fumble.

The South had a chance to go up 9-0 with 3:23 left in the half, but a 23-yard field goal from Lynwood High’s Giovanni Morales was blocked. The lead would grow to 12-0 with 4:57 left in the third quarter when Marcus Williams of Jordan hauled in a nine-yard catch from Millikan High quarterback Ashton Pannell.

On the ensuing drive, Norwalk High running back Da’Ron Walker picked up three yards, then Santa Fe High wide receiver Xander Arias caught a 15-yard pass before Kon Scott of Long Beach Wilson High scored from 23 yards out with 3:15 left in the third quarter. Over the next 9:39 of the half, Wilson intercepted Casillas at the North 11-yard line, only two

system. So we have to simplify to make sure they could handle it, and I think coach Devin Franklin did an amazing job.” Demel Franklin said he wanted to try to throw the ball deep down the field and get to the edges. But the ends of the South were ‘big and strong’ and his players were unable to get around the ends.

2025 HMG-Community News All-Area Football Honors

Artesia High

Jaell Rueda

Lineman

First team All-605 League

HMG-Community News Honorable Mention

Cerritos High

Mateo Arencibia Kicker

Second team All-605 League

All-CIF SS Division 9

Jonathan Avendano Center

First team All-605 League

HMG-Community News First Team Offense

Luke Bocanegra

Offensive lineman

Second team All-605 League

HMG-Community News Honorable Team Offense

Bailey Crawford

Edge/fullback

605 League Co-Most Valuable Defensive

Lineman

All-CIF SS Division 9

HMG-Community News First Team Defense

Jacob Hoosac

Linebacker

First team All-605 League

HMG-Community News First Team Defense

Makai Ortiz

Defensive lineman

First team All-605 League

Chidubem Ozoagu

Lineman

First team All-605 League

Suvan Pradhan

Wide receiver

Second team All-605 League

Justin Sagun

Quarterback

605 League Co-Most Valuable Offensive

Back

HMG-Community News Second Team Offense

Sebastian Soto

Defensive lineman

First team All-605 League

Devion Stinson

Lineman 605 League Most Valuable Offenisve Lineman

All-CIF SS Division 9

HMG-Community News First Team Offense

La’Brenten Wilson Athletic

605 League Co-Most Valuable Player

All-CIF SS Division 9

HMG-Community News Second Team Offense

Gahr High

Jai’Dyn Backus

Defensive back

First team All-Mid-Cities League

All-CIF SS Division 11

Alex Gutierrez

DB/WR

First team All-Mid-Cities League

HMG-Community News Second Team Offense

Bradley Park

Lineman

First team All-Mid-Cities League

HMG-Community News Second Team Offense

Malachi Williams

Strong safety

First team All-Mid-Cities League

John Glenn High

Okaro Lee

Running back

First team All-605 League

HMG-Community News Second Team Offense

Martin Lopez

Lineman

Second team All-605 League

HMG-Community News Second Team Offense

Norwalk High

Axel Bustamante

Quarterback

Second team All-Mid-Cities League

Tristan Romero Offensive lineman

Second team

All-Mid-Cities League

Da’Ron Walker

Running back

First team All-Mid-Cities League

All-CIF SS Division 9

HMG-Community News First Team Offense

Valley Christian High

Oliver Boateng

WR/DB First team All-Ironwood League

All-CIF SS Division 9 Offensive Player of the Year

HMG-Community News First Team Offense

HMG-Community News First Team Defense

Cole Hefner

RB/LB

First team All-Ironwood League

All-CIF SS Division 9 Defensive Player of the Year

HMG-Community News First Team Offense

HMG-Community News First Team Defense

HMG-Community News Defensive Player of the Year

Isaac Morales

Lineman

First team All-Ironwood League

HMG-Community News First Team Defense

HMG-Community News Second Team Offense

Santa Fe Springs Holds Reorganization, Appoints New Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem

LCCN Staff Report

SANTA FE SPRINGS, CA – At its January 13, 2026 City Council meeting, the City of Santa Fe Springs City Council recognized the dedicated service of former Mayor Bill Rounds and announced the appointment of new City leadership for the coming year.

The City proudly honored former Mayor Bill Rounds for his leadership and commitment during his term as Mayor. Councilmembers expressed their appreciation for his service to the community, highlighting his dedication to strengthening City programs, supporting residents, and advancing initiatives that benefit Santa Fe Springs.

During the meeting, the City Council selected Mayor Pro Tem Joe Angel Zamora to serve as Mayor for his first year-long term.

Mr. Zamora is a lifelong resident of Santa Fe Springs who has been actively involved in the community for many years. His service includes participation through his church, involvement in the City’s youth sports programs, coaching at Santa Fe High School, and ongoing support of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

Mr. Zamora has served multiple terms on the Santa Fe Springs City Council and has also contributed to the City in several appointed roles, including as a member of the Parks and Recreation Committee and as a Planning Commissioner. In addition, he has participated in longstanding community traditions such as the City’s Christmas Float Program.

For over five years, Mayor Zamora

has served with the Little Lake Educational Foundation and currently serves as its Chair, continuing the mission of expanding opportunities for students. At the regional level, he also serves as Chair of the Gateway Cities Council of Governments Homeless Committee, collaborating with cities across the county to lead compassionate and sustainable approaches to addressing homelessness.

The City Council also appointed Councilmember Annette Rodriguez to serve as Mayor Pro Tem for 2026, marking her second term in this leadership role.

Councilmember Rodriguez has been actively involved in numerous community organizations and has served the City of Santa Fe Springs in a wide range of leadership and volunteer capacities. Her service includes participation on the Safe Neighborhood Team and the Family and Human Services Committee, as well as serving as President of the Santa Fe Springs Women’s Club.

Councilmember Rodriguez is also an Executive Board Member of the Los Angeles Centers for Alcohol and Drug Abuse. Her extensive volunteer involvement includes participation in Santa Fe High School’s Mentor Program, serving as an Ambassador to the Santa Fe Springs Chamber of Commerce, and membership in Soroptimist, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls. In recognition of her dedication to the community, she was awarded Citizen of the Year by the Santa Fe Springs Chamber of Commerce in 2002.

“I’m grateful to my colleagues for the trust they’ve placed in me and excited to serve our community as Mayor,” said Mayor Zamora. “I’m looking forward to working with the City Council, staff, and residents to keep moving Santa Fe Springs forward and make our city an even better place to live.”

Shorthanded

When the regular season began on Nov. 17, there were lofty expectations for the Gahr High girls basketball team with three solid returning players, despite the departure of Ella Mims, who had shined for the past two seasons. But season-ending injuries to a pair of starters have curtailed what would have been another banner season for head coach Alfred Howard and his team.

Chole Beard, the only senior for the Gladiators, sprained her meniscus in the season-opener against Wilson High and junior Rachel Fredenburg, the team’s leading scorer who had been averaging 16.8 points through the first 12 games were critical components to a Gahr program that was hoping to make waves in the Gateway League this season.

Beard tried to come back against Serra High in the first game of the San Pedro Holiday Classic but after a fast break, planted her feet the wrong way. The day after Christmas, Fredenburg was undercut by an opposing San Pedro High player after going up for a rebound and landed

Norwalk Community Link Debuts On-Demand Transit to Connect Neighbors to

Jobs, Services, and More

LCCN Staff Report

Norwalk, Calif. – The City of Norwalk, in partnership with public transit technology provider Via, has launched Norwalk Community Link, a new on-demand microtransit service that expands flexible transportation options for residents.

Via operates microtransit programs in hundreds of cities worldwide, including Los Angeles County communities, and is commonly used by municipalities to pilot new transit options, reduce operating costs, and improve access to jobs, schools, medical appointments, and major transit hubs.

Norwalk Community Link offers shared rides that can be booked through a mobile app or by phone.

The service provides a modern alternative to fixed-route transit and helps connect riders to transit hubs, jobs, schools, medical appointments, and other essential destinations throughout the city.

“Norwalk Community Link gives residents a flexible option that connects neighborhoods to services, transit, and daily needs,” said Mayor Jennifer Perez. “During the first year, this service will help us learn how flexible, on-demand service can support everyday trips and improve access for our community.”

The service uses Via technology to match riders traveling in similar directions into shared trips.

The Norwalk Community Link app is available in the App Store and Google Play.

City officials say the program is designed to complement existing transit services while improving mobility for residents who may face barriers using traditional fixed-route systems.

Data collected during the first year will help guide future transportation planning and potential service expansion.

Key features of the service include operating hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with a fleet of approximately a dozen vehicles, including wheelchairaccessible options.

The fare is $1.25 one way for each rider, and one ride request can include up to four additional riders. Children under 4 years of age ride free. Riders must be 13 years of age or older to ride independently.

Riders can book trips immediately, schedule rides for a future date and time, or subscribe for regular trips. Trips are optimized in real time to support shared rides, efficient routing, and reduced traffic and environmental impact.

Norwalk Community Link operates within defined areas of the city, providing connections to key destinations and transit centers. Service maps and coverage details are available in the app and online.

For more information, visit Norwalk. org/RideNow.

Gahr wins battle of winless Gateway League girls basketball teams

awkward. The Gladiators were up by two with 18 seconds left and lost 41-39 to the Pirates, who were 11-1 at the time. Without those two, Gahr’s lineup was reduced to eight players.

“It’s tough when you lose the only senior that you have in the first game of the year, and you look at the schedule and you have 26 more games without her,” said Howard. “But you know, we just picked ourselves up and we leaned a little bit more on Rachel; actually a lot more on Rachel at that point, and she was playing out of her mind. She had a game of 31 points and a couple of games of 20+ points and 20+ rebounds.

“So, we were really excited about the year that she was having, especially moving from the post to the wing and eventually point guard,” he continued. “We were excited about that, and for her to get hurt right before we left for the [Desert Mirage Holiday Classic] was devastating. However, it gave other players a chance to play and show what they have.”

The Gladiators hosted La Mirada High last Friday in a battle of teams who were seeking their first league victory, and featured a combined 19 players, none of whom were seniors. When the dust

had settled, Gahr, with four juniors, two sophomores and a freshman, had come away with a 31-19 victory.

“It’s definitely good to get a league win,” said Howard. “I’ve been [saying] for years, I think this is one of the top leagues in California with the top being Paramount, Lynwood and Downey. So, being able to get a win against anyone in this league is good for your program.”

The Gladiators (8-13, 1-3) never trailed as they got out to a 9-2 lead after the first quarter despite turning the ball over 10 times. They scored another nine points in the second quarter as sophomore Ella McIntosh, one of the key returning players, hit a three-pointer with 6:47 remaining in the half to put the hosts up 12-2, and freshman Aren Cornejo added a threepointer with 23.8 seconds left to give Gar an 18-7 halftime lead.

Gahr kept the momentum up to begin the second half, going on an 8-0 run as sophomore Maya Moreau scored consecutive baskets in a 40-second span, an offensive putback from junior Brayla Madison and the last of her three baskets from McIntosh.

“I just sent out a personal challenge; I just said, ‘hey, Rachel was out her getting 20+plus rebounds and you can’t get five’,” Howard said to Aguilar and Moreau. “I think tonight, they took that personal challenge and tried to step up and show me that hey, we can rebound. So, I was proud of their effort. Ella McIntosh has been great. She was expected to be Robin to Chloe’s Batman, and then once [Beard] went down, she found herself driving the Batmobile. I’m so proud of her because she’s growing up fast.”

The Matadores (3-13, 0-5), who then fell to Downey High 64-24 this past Wednesday, were led by junior Jordin Shaw, the team’s only returning player, who grabbed 10 rebounds and scored nine points while junior Juliet Tapia added four points and junior Cyena Elmore pulled down seven rebounds. La Mirada, which will host Lynwood High on Friday and go to Paramount High on Wednesday, was four of 50 from the field against the Gladiators, who will welcome Paramount on Friday and visit Downey on Wednesday.

McIntosh led the squad with eight points and had six rebounds, four assists and four steals while Madison and Moreau each added eight rebounds, and half a dozen points. Junior Mia Aguilar also had six rebounds as both teams had 34 boards.

GATEWAY LEAGUE BOYS BASKETBALL:

La Mirada pulls away from Gahr in third quarter to win eighth straight game

By Loren Kopff @LorenKopff on X

As the La Mirada High boys basketball team continues to carve though the Gateway League, considered as one of the toughest leagues in the CIF-Southern Section, many expect the Matadores to win by huge margins. That’s not going to be the case all the time, as the kings of the league were tested in the first half by Gahr High last Friday.

Gahr, which never led or even tied the Matadores in the first half, trailed by as many as 16 points before going on an 11-0 run late in the half and trailed by seven points at the break. But the Matadores outscored the Gladiators 20-9 in the third quarter and ran away with a 68-50 win to conclude the first half of league action undefeated in four games. Coupled with a 67-55 win over San Diego-based Francis Parker High the next day, La Mirada, winners of nine straight games, improved to 17-6 overall.

“We were just mixing up lineups and rotations,” said La Mirada head coach Randy Oronoz. “We have a lot of guys on our team who can play. So, we were trying to get them in early. We talked as a staff about different scenarios if this happens and if we have this group; how are we going to look at it so we can use this as film in the future. We just told them what we always tell them, which is play hard, make sure we defend and share the ball.”

“It was kind of similar with the first two quarters; not making enough shots,” said Gahr head coach Marcus Girley of the third quarter. “We played really hard; we kind of even tried to match their physicality. They had an advantage, obviously, in size, and I thought we even for the most part negated that. We just didn’t make enough shots to keep up with a high level team like that.”

La Mirada began the game on an

11-3 run and never looked back as junior Gene Roebuck scored the first four points within the opening two minutes. He had eight points, three rebounds and a steal in the stanza. Meanwhile, Gahr had three three-pointers in the first quarter for its only baskets in the stanza. The first came from sophomore Bryce Titus to make it 4-3, then sophomore Xavier Brown to make it 11-6 and finally senior Makhi Montgomery at the end of the quarter to bring the hosts to within seven points at 18-11.

putback from junior Jordyn Houston and ended with a trifecta from junior Cisco Munoz.

After the Matadores opened a 30-14 advantage with 3:36 remaining in the half, the Gladiators answered back with the 11-0 run as four different players scored, including three-pointers from senior Austin Woon, Montgomery, and Titus.

In fact, both teams were getting most of their scoring from the long ball as Gahr was six of 14 from downtown in the first half while La Mirada was four of nine from beyond the arc before halftime.

“We’re not here for moral victories,” said Girley of his halftime talk to his team. “We’re playing hard, we’re playing great, but let’s flip that scoreboard in our favor. We have a lot of potential and upside [but] they’re young. When you’re young, you don’t have your young bones just yet. And I tell the kids we’ve had a lot of peaks and valleys. But if you look at our overall record, we’re comparative to some of these higher level Division 1 and 2 teams. We’ve only had one game where we were out of it from beginning to end.”

But whatever momentum Gahr had late in the second quarter was wiped out in the first 2:25 of the second half when the Matadores scored the first nine points to lead 41-25. It began with an offensive

NOTICE AND SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 25-978

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARTESIA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING TITLE 9, CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE 45 OF THE ARTESIA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS TO COMPLY WITH RECENT CHANGES IN STATE LAW, AND FINDING THE ACTION TO BE STATUTORILY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) UNDER PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE § 21080.17

Notice is hereby given that on January 12, 2026, the City Council of the City of Artesia adopted Ordinance No. 25-978 making certain amendments and additions to the Artesia Municipal Code related to the Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance. The following is a summary of the proposed Ordinance:

• This Ordinance only amends select provisions of Title 9, Chapter 2, Article 45 of the Artesia Municipal Code to comply with recent changes in State Law. The Ordinance was adopted by the City Council by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmembers , Taj, Ahir, Manalo, Ramoso, Trevino; Noes: None

Please note that the above is simply a summary of the Ordinance. To obtain a full understanding of the Ordinance it should be read in its entirety. A copy of the full text of the Ordinance is posted in the City Clerk’s office at 18747 Clarkdale Avenue, Artesia, California 90701.

Date: January 23, 2026

Jennifer Alderete, City Clerk

“They were just physical,” said Oronoz of Gahr. “I think we gave ourselves a lot of the problem. Credit to them for how they played physicality-wise. But switching up those lineups…having [senior] King-Riley [Jones come off the bench]; he had the flu all week, so this was the first time he’s even been with the team.

Having him get some spotty minutes to get ready to bear a little load tomorrow was important. We were doing a lot of things that maybe the score might have been closer than what others would expect. We’re worried about us getting guys better and getting guys ready to go.”

Senior Kingston Nathaniel, who was limited to two first half points, led Gahr with 14 points while Montgomery came off the bench to add eight points and grab three rebounds. On the other side of the court, four players scored in double figures with Roebuck leading the way (18 points, seven rebounds, two assists, one steal). Next was Houston with 13 points and eight rebounds, senior Andrew Castro (11 points, four rebounds) and Munoz (10 points).

Houston has quietly become a force in La Mirada’s lineup, creating a third scoring option behind Roebuck and Owens. Houston is the team’s third leading scorer and has reached at least 10 points in 14 of the first 19 games.

“You can go further back; Jordyn in the summer would have one good game every four games,” said Oronoz. “Now it’s like three good games every four games. Not that his fourth game is a bad game, we’re just expecting more out of him. So his growth all season has been

phenomenal. I love that he’s a workhorse; he tries to get better. He rebounded the ball really well today.”

La Mirada has now won 20 straight league wins; its last league loss was to Downey High 48-47 on the last day of the 2022-2023 regular season. The Matadores would play in the CIF-SS Division 2A championship game where they lost to Rancho Christian High 6355.

The Matadores began the second round of league action at Dominguez High on Jan. 21 and will host Bellflower High on Friday and Rancho Christian on Saturday in another non-league tilt before visiting Mayfair High on Wednesday.

“I’ve said it before, we challenge ourselves in the preseason and we’ve won a lot of league games the last five years if you include this year,” said Oronoz. “We’re just trying to get better; I don’t really take a look at it introspectively. I just try to work hard every day to get this team better. They’re working hard to get better. We’re playing back to back [games], so we limited some minutes. Some stats might look a little different there, but it’s been a long season and we’re just trying to continue to get better. We want to win a league championship undefeated, and we just made another step to that goal.”

Gahr (14-7, 2-2) knocked off Dorsey High 62-41 this past Monday in the MLK Showcase at Dominguez and will host Mayfair on Friday before going to Dominguez on Wednesday.

“Right where I thought we would be,” said Girley on is progress after the first round of league. “I wish we had another one or two wins on our belt; we gave up a couple. But like I said, we’re an inexperienced team and even my seniors are inexperienced. I love where we are, but now I told the kids we have enough buzz around our name and to really be in the spotlight, you have to win games; you have to win these big time games.”

NOTICE AND SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 25-976

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARTESIA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF TITLE 1, TITLE 3, TITLE 5, AND TITLE 9 OF THE ARTESIA MUNICIPAL CODE, TO MAKE MINOR REFINEMENTS, CORRECTIONS, AND CLEAN-UP AMENDMENTS; AND ADDING ARTICLE 10 TO CHAPTER 4 OF TITLE 4 REGULATING TEMPORARY STREET CLOSURES; AND DETERMINING THE ORDINANCE TO BE EXEMPT FROM CEQA

Notice is hereby given that on January 12 2026, the City Council of the City of Artesia adopted Ordinance No. 25-976 making certain amendments and additions to the Artesia Municipal Code related to the Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance. The following is a summary of the proposed Ordinance:

• Section 1-2.06 (Fees, Charges, Licenses, and Taxes) – Updates the process for collection of fees, charges, assessments, debts owed to the City.

• Section 1-7.02 (Definitions) – Updates the definition of “property or premises” to include “streets, alleys, sidewalks, right-of-ways.”

• Section 1-7.03 (Administrative Citation) – Clarifies that a reasonable amount of time for compliance is no more than 30 days unless extraordinary circumstances exist.

• Section 3-1.206 (Presentment of License) – Updates the section to authorize City inspection of business premises to ensure compliance.

• Section 3-1.317 (Grounds for Denial) – Adds owing any “costs” to subsection (e).

• Section 3-1.505 (Grounds for Revocation of Business License) – Adds failing to allow inspection of business premises or property as grounds for revocation as well as unpaid license fees, fines, costs, or taxes.

• Section 5-1.03 (Prohibited Public Nuisance Conditions) – Adds clarifying language regarding canopies and makes dumping of any kind of waste a prohibited public nuisance.

• Section 5-2.05 (Prohibited Noises - Specific Violations) – Adds specific times when construction is prohibited on Saturdays.

• Article 10 to Chapter 4 of Title 4 (Public Safety) – Revised Highway Permit process for temporarily closing streets for special events.

• Section 9-2.3453 of the Artesia Municipal Code – Add the Artesia Downtown Specific Plan and remove the South Street Specific Plan.

The Ordinance was adopted by the City Council by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmembers , Taj, Ahir, Manalo, Ramoso, Trevino; Noes: None

Please note that the above is simply a summary of the Ordinance. To obtain a full understanding of the Ordinance it should be read in its entirety. A copy of the full text of the Ordinance is posted in the City Clerk’s office at 18747 Clarkdale Avenue, Artesia, California 90701.

Date: January 23, 2026 Jennifer Alderete, City Clerk

Los Cerritos Community News • January 23, 2026

PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF PICO RIVERA

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO THE FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2024-2025 ANNUAL

ACTION PLAN & SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE FY 2025-2026 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing will be held before the City of Pico Rivera City Council to receive public comment for Substantial Amendments to the Annual Action Plans for Fiscal Years (FY) 2024-2025 and FY 2025-2026.

WHEN: Tuesday, February 24, 2026

TIME: 6:00 p.m.

WHERE: City Hall Council Chambers 6615 Passons Boulevard Pico Rivera, CA 90660

The City of Pico Rivera is an entitlement community and receives federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) each fiscal year. The City is required to prepare and submit to HUD and Annual Action Plan that generally describes how the City intends to use its CDBG funds to meet the goals and objectives approved by the City Council as included in its Five-Year Consolidated Plan.

Proposed Amendments to the FY 2024-2025 & 2025-2026 Annual Action Plans are noted in the table below.

The City Council will conduct a public hearing to consider the modification in activity funding levels for programs. The source of the proposed reprogrammed funds are from previously unencumbered funds ($65,800) and the 2024 Handyworker Program ($125,000). The following programs may be added, increased, reduced, or eliminated:

Pursuant to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Section 24 CFR 58.34(a) of the National Environmental Protection Act (“NEPA”), the approval of the proposed substantial amendments are exempt from CEQA and NEPA respectively. Under CEQA, the approval of the proposed substantial amendments are exempt from CEQA under the Section 15061(b)(3)’s common sense exemption that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment and where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA.

PERSONS INTERESTED IN THIS MATTER wishing to observe the meeting may do so in the following ways:

(1) Visit the City’s website at https://bit.ly/picorivera-ctv3live;

(2) Email public comments to publiccomments@pico-rivera.org prior to 4:00 pm on the day of the meeting;

(3) Attend the public hearing in person.

The City of Pico Rivera encourages citizen participation in the substantial amendment process. For more information, please contact Julia Gonzalez, Deputy Director, at (562) 801-4447 or via email at juliagonzalez@pico-rivera.org.

Members of the public wishing to make public comments may do so via email to the City Clerk at publiccomments@pico-rivera.org

Availability of Document for Public Comment: The City of Pico Rivera encourages citizen participation in the planning process. The 30-day public review period for the Substantial Amendments to the FY 2024-2025 & 2025-2026 Annual Action Plans starts on Friday, January 23, 2026, and runs through Tuesday, February 24, 2026. A copy of the draft Plans will be made available for public review on the City of Pico Rivera’s website: https://www.pico-rivera.org/community-development-block-grant/. For more information, please contact Julia Gonzalez, Deputy Director, at (562) 801-4447 or via email at juliagonzalez@pico-rivera.org.

If you challenge the consideration or adoption of the proposed applications 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 written correspondence delivered to the City of Pico Rivera City Clerk at, or prior to, the public hearing.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the City of Pico Rivera is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for a person with a disability. Please contact the City Clerk Office at (562) 801-4389 if special program accommodations are necessary and/or if program information is needed on an alternative format. Special requests must be made in a reasonable amount of time so that accommodations can be arranged.

Published: January 23, 2026

Los Cerritos Community Newspaper

Published at Los Cerritos Community Newspaper 1/23/26

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File Number 2026004415. THE FOLLOWING PERSON(S) IS (ARE) DOING BUSINESS AS: ADM PROPERTY SERVICES, 20523 ARLINE AVE, LAKEWOOD, CA 90715, LOS ANGELES COUNTY; Registered Owner: ALBERTO MALDONADO, 20523 ARLINE AVE, LAKEWOOD, CA 90715. THIS BUSINESS IS CONDUCTED AS AN INDIVIDUAL. The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 1/2026. I declare that all the information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000).) /S/ ALBERTO MALDONADO, Owner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on 1/08/2026. In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the of notice of the County Clerk, except, as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to Section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. Effective January 1, 2014, the Fictitious Business Name Statement must be accompanied by the affidavit of identity form. 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 14411 et seq., Business and Professions

2/6/26

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF:

MICHAEL F. CALDERON

CASE NO. 26STPB00486

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

MICHAEL F. CALDERON.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by JEFFREY SCROGGIN in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that JEFFREY SCROGGIN 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 with limited authority. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before

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: 02/18/26 at 8:30AM in Dept. 2D located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should

Attorney

KELSEY B. COOPER - SBN 356359

CALIFORNIA ESTATE PLANNING SERVICES, PC

170 E. YORBA LINDA BLVD., #212 PLACENTIA CA 92870

Telephone (714) 584-5009

BSC 227946

1/23, 1/30, 2/6/26 CNS-4005100# LOS CERRITOS COMMUNITY NEWS

ABC UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE CALLING FOR BID

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the ABC Unified School District will receive up to but not later than 2:00 PM on the 25th day of February, 2026 Bids for:

ABC Bid # 1694 Roofing at Melbourne Elementary School

All bids shall be made and presented on a form furnished by the District. Bids submitted shall conform to the terms and conditions stated on said form. Bids shall be received in the office of the Purchasing Department at 16700 Norwalk Blvd., Cerritos, CA 90703 and shall be opened and publicly read aloud at the above-stated time and place. Only Bidders participating at the mandatory jobwalk on February 2, 2026 9:00 AM Melbourne Elementary School, 21314 Claretta Ave., Lakewood CA 90715 qualified to bid. Valid License Class C-39 Contractor’s License and DIR Registration will be required.

Los Cerritos News January 23, 2026 January 30, 2026

Published at Los Cerritos Community News 1/23 and 1/30/26

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

ZONING CODE AMENDMENT TO AMEND TITLE XV (LAND USAGE), CHAPTER 155 (ZONING), PART 6.A. OF THE SANTA FE SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE TO CONDITIONALLY PERMIT OUTDOOR STORAGE USES IN THE MU, MU-DT, AND MUTOD, MIXED-USE ZONE DISTRICTS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the City of Santa Fe Springs will hold a Public Hearing to consider the following:

PROJECT: A Zoning Code Amendment (ZCA) to amend Title XV (Land Usage), Chapter 155 (Zoning), Part 6.A of the Santa Fe Springs Municipal Code to conditionally permit outdoor storage uses in the MU, MU-DT, AND MU-TOD, Mixed-Use Zone Districts.

LOCATION: Mixed-Use Transit Oriented Development Zones

CEQA STATUS: 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.

THE HEARING will be held before the Planning Commission of the City of Santa Fe Springs in the Council Chambers of the City Hall, 11710 Telegraph Road, Santa Fe Springs, on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.

ALL INTERESTED PERSONS are invited to participate in the Public Hearing and provide input on the items listed above. Please note that if you challenge these items in judicial proceeding, you may be limited to issues raised during the Public Hearing or submitted in writing to the office of the Commission, on or before the Public Hearing.

PUBLIC COMMENTS may be submitted in writing to the Community Development Department at City Hall, 11710 Telegraph Road, Santa Fe Springs CA 90670 or, otherwise, e-mail your comment to the Planning Commission Secretary at esmeraldaelise@ santafesprings.gov. Please submit your written comments by 12:00 p.m. on the day of the Planning Commission hearing. You may also contact the Community Development Department at (562) 868-0511 ext.7550.

FURTHER INFORMATION on this item may be obtained from Cuong Nguyen, Director of Community Development, via e-mail at: cuongnguyen@santafesprings.gov or otherwise by phone at: (562) 868-0511 ext. 7359.

Published at Los Cerritos Community Newspaper 1/23/26

PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF BELLFLOWER

Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG)

Announcement of Citizen Participation Notice of Fund Availability Request for Proposals FY 2026-2027

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Bellflower is entitled to receive an estimated $943,279 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. Of the total estimated amount, a maximum of fifteen percent (15%) or approximately $141,491 will be available to applicants for Public Service projects.

CDBG funds may be used for a variety of community development and housing activities, including public services, social services, public facility and infrastructure improvements, and residential code enforcement and housing improvement projects. A complete list of the eligible activities is available at City of Bellflower Economic Development Department webpage.

CDBG applications are available now. A Public Services Technical Assistance Workshop will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. to address any questions potential applicants may have.

Applications must be received by the City of Bellflower no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday February 12, 2026. Please mail applications to the Economic Development Department, located at 16600 Civic Center Drive, Bellflower, California 90706. Late applications will not be accepted.

Those desiring an application and/or wanting to participate in the Technical Assistance Workshop should contact:

Contact: Karla Pineda, Senior Project Manager Phone: (562) 804-1424 Ext. 2013 Email: kpineda@bellflower.ca.gov.

The City will evaluate proposals for CDBG eligibility. After the proposals are evaluated, the staff will make recommendations for the total amount of CDBG funds which should be allocated. The City Council will hold a public hearing regarding the funding allocation recommendations. The Bellflower City Council approves final CDBG allocations.

Published: January 23, 2026

Los Cerritos Community Newspaper

Published at Los Cerritos Community Newspaper 1/23/26

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NO. 25NWCP00556 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Rebeca Jasmine Garcia filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Rebeca Jasmine Garcia to Rebeca Jasmine Garcia-Vega. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant a petition without a hearing. Court date March 13, 2026, at the SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, 12720 NORWALK BLVD., NORWALK, CA 90650. A HEARING will be held MARCH 13, 2026 at 8:30 AM., DEPT. C, ROOM 312.

Published at Los Cerritos Community Newspaper 12/19, 12/26, 1/2, 1/9/25

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the City Council of the City of Artesia will hold a Public Hearing in the City Council Chambers of Artesia City Hall located at 18747 Clarkdale Avenue, Artesia, California at 7:00 pm on Monday, February 9, 2026, to consider approval of the 6th Cycle Housing Element.

APPLICANT: City of Artesia

LOCATION: The proposed Housing Element Update (General Plan Amendment) would be effective citywide.

PROPOSAL: The City Council will consider approval of the 6th Cycle Housing Element of the Artesia General Plan for the 2021-2029 planning period. The Housing Element includes analysis of the community’s housing needs, resources, opportunities and constraints, as well as goals, policies, programs and objectives to facilitate the construction, rehabilitation, and preservation of housing for all economic segments of the community.

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: Staff has determined that this project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that this amendment may have a significant adverse effect on the environment. Adoption of the Housing Element would not approve any development project or other physical change to the environment. Therefore, this amendment is exempt from the requirements of CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines.

Members from the public who would like to address the City Council may appear at the public hearing during the consideration of this item and state their opinion. If you have written comments that you wish to submit, please deliver them to the Artesia City Clerk’s Office, 18747 Clarkdale Avenue, Artesia, CA, or by email: planning@cityofartesia.us prior to the start of the public hearing. If you have questions about this notice or the proposed action, please contact the Artesia Community Development Department at (562) 865-6262 or by the email above.

If you challenge any action related to this public hearing in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered at, or prior to, the public hearing.

PUBLISHED: January 23, 2026

Paul Bollier, Community Development Director

Phone: 562-865-6262 Ext. 200 or 224

Email: Planning@cityofartesia.us

CITY OF ARTESIA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the City Council of the City of Artesia will hold a Regular City Council Meeting at the Artesia Council Chambers, 18747 Clarkdale Avenue, Artesia, California at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 9, 2026, to conduct a Public Hearing to consider the following items:

ORDINANCE NO. 26-979 OF THE CITY OF ARTESIA, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING BY REFERENCE TITLE 26 OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY CODE, INCORPORATING TITLES 26 - BUILDING CODE, 27ELECTRICAL CODE, 28 - PLUMBING CODE, 29 - MECHANICAL CODE, 30 - RESIDENTIAL CODE, 31 - GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE, TITLE 32 – FIRE CODE, AND TITLE 33 - EXISTING BUILDING CODE OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY CODE BY REPEALING THE PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THESE TITLES, WHICH HAD INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE THE 2022 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE AND REPLACING THEM WITH PROVISIONS INCORPORATING BY REFERENCE THE APPLICABLE PORTIONS OF THE 2025 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE, PUBLISHED BY THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS COMMISSION, WITH CERTAIN CHANGES AND MODIFICATIONS; TOGETHER WITH CERTAIN AMENDMENTS, DELETIONS AND ADDITIONS, INCLUDING FINDINGS, FEES AND PENALTIES; AND AMENDING THE ARTESIA MUNICIPAL CODE

COPIES OF THE APPLICABLE PORTIONS OF THE 2025 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE, PUBLISHED BY THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS COMMISSION, ARE ON FILE WITH THE CITY CLERK AND ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AND ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE LINK: HTTPS://WWW. DGS.CA.GOV/BSC/CODES

If you challenge the City’s actions in regard to this matter in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in the notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City at, or prior, to the public hearing.

PUBLISHED: January 23, 2026, and January 30, 2026

Jennifer Alderete, City Clerk

Published at Los Cerritos Community Newspaper 1/23/26 and 1/30/26

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File Number 2025284244. THE FOLLOWING PERSON(S) IS (ARE) DOING BUSINESS AS: SOMATIC SLEUTH MASSAGE THERAPY 2263 N LAKEWOOD BLVD, LONG BEACH CA., 90815, LOS ANGELES COUNTY; Registered Owner:ALYSSA MARIA GRANT, 8431 HOLDER STREET, BUENA PARK, CA 90620. THIS BUSINESS IS CONDUCTED AS AN INDIVIDUAL. The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: N/A. I declare that all the information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000).) /S/ SOMATIC SLEUTH MASSAGE THERAPY ; Owner; ALYSSA GRANT. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on 12/24/2025. In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the of notice of the County Clerk, except, as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to Section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. Effective January 1, 2014, the Fictitious Business Name Statement must be accompanied by the affidavit of identity form. 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 14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code). LCCN 1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30/26

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF:

LAN PING CLARK CASE NO. 26STPB00349

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of LAN PING CLARK.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by CHARLES H. BROWN in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that CHARLES H. BROWN 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 limited 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 in this court as follows: 02/18/26 at 8:30AM in Dept. 67 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

STEPHANIE COOK - SBN 319472

VARELA LAW, PC (DBA: THE WAGON LEGACY)

3040 SATURN STREET, SUITE 201 BREA CA 92821

Telephone (714) 451-5766

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1/23, 1/30, 2/6/26 CNS-4004110# LOS CERRITOS COMMUNITY NEWS

ABC UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE CALLING FOR BID

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the ABC Unified School District will receive up to but not later than 2:00 PM on the 13th day of February 2026 Bids for:

ABC Bid # 1692 Intrusion and Access Control at Cerritos, Gahr and Whitney High Schools

All bids shall be made and presented on a form furnished by the District. Bids submitted shall conform to the terms and conditions stated on said form. Bids shall be received in the office of the Purchasing Department at 16700 Norwalk Blvd., Cerritos, CA 90703 and shall be opened and publicly read aloud at the above-stated time and place. There will be a mandatory jobwalk meeting on January 26, 2026 at 9:00 AM sharp at the front of Administration building at Cerritos High School 12500 183rd St. Cerritos CA 90703. All public works are subject to prevailing wage payments, Valid License valid Class C-7 and/or C-10 Contractor’s License and DIR Registration will be required.

Los Cerritos News January 16, 2026 January 23, 2026

Published at Los Cerritos Community News 1/16 and 1/23/26

the issue on November 5, 2025, when directors directed staff to pursue three parallel tracks: attempt to relocate the pipeline into LADWP’s right-of-way because it would be far less expensive, explore financing and outside funding sources, and refine a reimbursement agreement with Metro. At that meeting, staff highlighted the significant cost gap between alternatives, with a potential LADWP alignment estimated at roughly $2.5 million compared to other options approaching $10 million.

According to the November staff report, Metro initially developed an alignment that would relocate the recycled water line into LADWP right-ofway, identifying it as the least expensive option, before removing it from consideration after LADWP’s refusal.

More than two months later, the email

confirms that the LADWP option has not, in fact, been resolved. CB staff met with LADWP representatives shortly before Thanksgiving, but those discussions notably involved the water side of the department rather than the power division that controls the property in question. A follow-up meeting scheduled for late December was cancelled by LADWP, and no written approval or denial has been issued. According to the email, LADWP is still “considering the request and will circle back.”

Despite that uncertainty, Metro is pressing CB to set a deadline to conclude discussions with LADWP so Metro’s design work is not delayed. CB staff has requested additional time until March 2026 to pursue the cheaper option, effectively placing a clock on negotiations that have not yet reached the correct decision-makers.

Cost estimates for the non-LADWP

alignments have escalated sharply since the project was first presented to the CB Board. Earlier engineering estimates placed the “Blue, Green, and Red” alignments in the roughly $5 million to $7 million range, but those figures were later revised upward after Metro retained a contractor to refine construction costs. According to the November 5 staff report, the lowest remaining option is now estimated at approximately $9.6 million for construction alone, with design and construction management costs explicitly excluded. The report also identifies a newly discovered conflict requiring replacement of existing concrete encasement with steel casing at pipeline crossings within Metro right-of-way, a change Metro says is necessary to meet its utility standards and avoid disruption to rail operations—adding further, yet-tobe-quantified costs.

The email also details “progress

on financing discussions” with Metro, including agreement on a twenty-year repayment period after CB informed Metro it could not repay the project within two to three years. Interest rates, payment frequency, and the possibility of balloon payments were discussed, and an updated reimbursement agreement is expected for CB review.

What the email does not include is a firm total project cost, a cost cap, or protections against overruns. Nor does it indicate that Metro would assume financial responsibility if estimates continue to rise. Instead, the focus has shifted to repayment mechanics, signaling an assumption that CB will ultimately pay.

Situations like this occur frequently in large public works projects, and the default outcome is often that the project sponsor pays. Across California, when a new rail line, highway, or major public facility forces existing utilities to relocate, the agency building the project typically covers relocation costs, even when utilities occupy another agency’s land under permits or accommodation agreements.

The underlying principle is simple: the entity creating the conflict bears the cost of resolving it. Utilities have frequently delayed payment or avoided it entirely by documenting cheaper alternatives, refusing to accept uncapped cost escalation, and asserting their duty to protect ratepayers from funding projects they did not initiate. Long-term repayment plans, in those cases, are viewed as a last resort—not a justification for shifting responsibility.

That shift carries consequences. A twenty-year repayment plan does not reduce cost; it distributes risk across future boards and ratepayers. The email also places directors on notice that CB lacks sufficient reserves and cannot afford the project as currently framed. If CB moves forward without fully trying the LADWP option or locking in strong financial safeguards, it will be a choice by leaders—not something they were forced to do.

At its core, the issue remains unresolved. Metro’s rail project created the conflict, yet Central Basin is being asked to shoulder long-term financial responsibility because some infrastructure sits on Metro property under an old accommodation agreement. The least expensive alternative has not been conclusively rejected, and Metro’s design timeline does not change Central Basin’s fiduciary duty to its ratepayers.

Until LADWP provides a definitive answer and Metro agrees to clear cost limits and risk sharing, the fundamental question remains unanswered: should Central Basin be paying at all?