LOS CERRITOS
Winner of Nineteen LA Press Club Awards from 2012-2021 Serving Cerritos and ten other surrounding communities • March 20, 2026 • Vol. 41, No. 20 • LOSCERRITOSNEWS.NET
$36M in Park Funding in Southeast L.A.—Artesia, Bellflower, Norwalk, Santa Fe Springs Lead the Way Funds will build new parks, upgrade aging facilities, add trails, improve stormwater capture, and expand green space in underserved neighborhoods. By Brian Hews
STATUE UNDER SCRUTINY: A statue of Cesar Chavez surrounded by United Farm Workers flags reflects a legacy now facing renewed debate as allegations trigger calls to rename streets, schools, and public spaces across Los Angeles County. Courtesy New York Times.
Pink Slips Surge Across California as School Districts Edge Toward Financial Brink Thousands of layoffs hit California schools as districts battle deficits, declining enrollment, and rising costs threatening classroom stability statewide By Dianne Lambert, EdSource
School districts across California are issuing thousands of layoff notices as a worsening financial crisis—driven by declining enrollment, expiring federal Covid funds, and rising operating costs—forces sweeping budget cuts that are now hitting employees at every level. “You have some large school districts and even some
California Lawmakers Will Change Cesar mid-sized and smaller school Chavez Day to districts that are in complete financial crisis right now, and ‘Farmworkers Day’
on the verge of insolvency or going into receivership,” said Troy Flint, chief information officer for the California School Boards Association. “When the deficit is so great you almost have to make hatchet-type cuts.” Districts are required under state law to issue preliminary layoff notices, commonly known as pink slips, by March 15 to employees who could lose their jobs before the next school year. While many of those notices are later rescinded by the May 15 final deadline, the sheer volume this year reflects See SCHOOLS, Page 16
La Mirada Cancels June Election, Appoints Two Councilmembers After No Challengers File By Laurie Hanson The La Mirada City Council has canceled the June municipal election for two council districts at its March 17 meeting after only one candidate filed for each seat, allowing both candidates to be appointed rather than elected. According to a staff report, the nomination period for the June 2, 2026 municipal election closed March 6 with only two individuals submitting paperwork: John Lewis for District 1 and Michelle Velasquez Bean for District 2. Under California election law, when the nomination period closes and the number of candidates does not exceed the number of seats available, a city council may either appoint the candidates to office or proceed with the elec-
tion anyway. La Mirada officials are recommending the council appoint both candidates and cancel the election for those districts. The resolution before the council states that Lewis will be appointed to represent District 1 and Velasquez Bean will be appointed to represent District 2, each serving a four-year term. With the adoption of the resolution, the June 2 election will be formally canceled, saving the city the cost of conducting a vote in districts where no contested race exists. The City Council Reorganization will take place at the regular meeting on July 14. Also serving on the City Council are Mayor Ed Eng representing District 3, Mayor Pro Tem Anthony A. Otero representing District 5, and Councilmember Steve De Ruse representing District 4.
By Brian Hews
A fast-moving political and cultural reckoning is sweeping Los Angeles County following explosive allegations against Cesar Chavez—and Southeast Los Angeles County cities are now under pressure to respond as others begin taking action. The firestorm erupted after a New York Times investigation detailed claims that Chavez sexually abused women and girls, including allegations involving minors and accusations from fellow labor leader Dolores Huerta, who said she was raped in 1966. The report, based on interviews with more than 60 individuals, has triggered what many leaders are calling a “devastating” moment across Latino communities. Within hours, the response across Los Angeles County escalated from shock to action. County officials are now exploring the removal of Chavez’s name from parks, streets, buildings, monuments, and public programs, while also weighing whether to rename the county’s Cesar Chavez Day observance. A motion is expected to move forward directing a broad review of all county properties and honors tied to Chavez. In Los Angeles, activists and elected officials are calling for the renaming of Cesar E. Chavez Avenue—one of the region’s most prominent roadways—to Dolores Huerta Avenue. The push reflects See FARMWORKERS, Page 12
Los Angeles County is pouring $36 million into park projects across Supervisor Janice Hahn’s district, with several Southeast Los Angeles County cities—core Los Cerritos Community News coverage areas—landing major funding for long-awaited improvements. Leading the local awards is Artesia, which secured $2 million for a new botanical garden and community center—one of the more unique projects in the entire funding round. The project is expected to create a new gathering space that blends passive recreation with educational and cultural programming, giving the small but densely populated city a
rare expansion of green space. Bellflower also scored big, receiving $4 million for a regional stormwater capture project at Simms Park, along with another $482,699 for upgrades to the city’s sports park. The stormwater project is designed to improve water quality and drought resilience by capturing and reusing runoff, while the sports park funding will support facility upgrades for youth leagues and community use. Norwalk matched that $4 million mark with funding for a full rehabilitation of Hermosillo Park. Plans include modernizing aging infrastructure, improving accessibility, and expanding recreational amenities for families in one of the city’s most heavily used park spaces. Santa Fe Springs picked up three separate $500,000 grants to support projects at Clarke Estate, Lake Center Athletic Park, and a new park near the San Gabriel Riverbed. The investments are expected to enSee FUNDING, Page 7
‘Mighty Tristan’ Overcomes Challenges With Help From Shea Center Family
THERAPEUTIC: Tristan Straub, seen here with a therapeutic pony, has been a client at the Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding for 14 years and has made significant progress with the help of staff and volunteers. Courtesy Shea Center.
By Brian Hews
For more than 14 years, Tristan Straub has overcome significant challenges with the support of the Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding in San Juan Capistrano. The Shea Center is now accepting registrations for its Summer Camp and Volunteer Program and is also welcoming donations to support its therapeutic riding services. “He has truly grown up there,” his mother, Shiela
Straub, said. “From the very beginning, Shea has been woven into his story—and into ours. We are beyond grateful for the love, dedication, and belief they have poured into our sweet boy year after year.” Tristan shares a special bond with the horses he rides and works just as hard during therapy sessions in the gym. He has autism, cerebral palsy, global developmental delays, and a speech delay— but over his 14 years at Shea, See SHEA, Page 12