Duarte Dispatch_5/22/2023

Summer camp’s $1M settlement to alleged abuse victim approved

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Los Angeles council approves amended version of city’s 2023-24 budget

By Jose Herrera, City News Service

The Los Angeles City CouncilThursday voted 13-1 to approve its amended version of Mayor Karen Bass’ proposed $13 billion city budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year.

The budget includes an unprecedented $1.3 billion to address housing and homelessness and approximately $3.2 billion for the Los Angeles Police Department.

Following the recommendations of the Budget, Finance and Innovation Committee, Council President Paul Krekorian said in a statement that the council “built on the broad outline of the mayor’s proposed budget” with amendments to ensure “transparency and accountability” in the city’s spending. The 2023-24 budget tops $13 billion for the first time, a $1.31 billion, or 11%, increase, from the prior fiscal year and includes $566 million in a reserve fund.

Krekorian in a statement thanked the mayor, Councilman Bob Blumenfield — chair of the Budget Committee — and the entire City Council for completing a budget that “honors the city’s priorities, respects our fiscal realities and fully reflects the needs of all our constituents.”

“I was proud to see the Council set aside very real differences to focus on areas of agreement, reflecting the best of consensus building,” Krekorian said in a statement.

The budget invests in affordable and supportive housing, funding for more personnel — police, firefighters emergency personnel, unarmed mental health responders and civilian staff — and makes “needed investments” in pedestrian, traffic safety and city infrastructure.

The vote instructed the chief legislative analyst’s office to draft an ordinance formally adopting the budget, an ordinance the council will look to adopt next week. Bass will still need to sign the new version of the budget before it becomes official.

Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez was the lone “no” vote and said the budget “fell far short” of meeting the needs of Angelenos.

“I don’t believe that the proposal put forward today is responsible budgeting, and I will not go back to my constituents and tell them that $13 billion doesn’t include enough money to deliver the basic municipal services that they deserve and demand,” Hernandez said.

Bass said the council’s action Thursday would “make Los Angeles more livable for all.”

“It will allow us to confront the emergency of homelessness with the urgency we need and make innovative investments in bold new methods to make our neighborhoods safer,” Bass said in a statement.

Among the significant items in the budget are those addressing the homelessness emergency including $250 million for the mayor’s Inside Safe program, with $65.7 million allocated initially and $184.3 million to be released as the funds are expended. Once the Inside Safe account drops below $25 million, the account would be automatically replenished up to $50 million.

The plan provides the City Council with the ability to halt the replenishment of the Inside Safe account, for example, if they wanted more information about how the funds are being expended or details of ongoing operations. Bass’ office would need to provide biweekly progress reports starting June 1, as well.

Additional funds provide for the acquisition of interim

and permanent housing; for substance use disorder treatment beds, funded with revenue received from an opioid settlement.

Key areas of the budget for Inside Safe will allocate $110 million to pay for motel and other interim housing costs; $47 million to acquire motels and hotels to reduce future program costs; $10 million set aside for staff; $62 million for ongoing services such as case management, food, residential staff and support services; and $21 million for the development of transition and permanent housing and the establishment of a 12-month

rental assistance program.

The city also expects to generate $672 million from Measure ULA, known by some as the “mansion tax,” which enacted a 4% tax on properties sold for more than $5 million and a 5.5% tax on properties sold for more than $10 million and went into effect April 1. However, ongoing litigation has caused some concerns in Bass’ office about the future of that measure.

The $150 million from Measure ULA will be used to support the city’s efforts to address homelessness.

The budget also seeks to restore LAPD staffing to 9,500

officers, at the minimum, with two full classes of recruits in training and additional funding to return retired police officers to active duty for 12 months, hire additional civilian personnel and increase staffing for 911 dispatch services.

Direct funding for the LAPD decreased by about $22 million compared to last year, as council members pointed to salary savings for that decrease.

About $1 million is slated to expedite the application

See C ity budget Page 02

Bass joins other mayors to lobby Newsom, legislators for more homeless funding

By City News Service

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass joined the California Big City Mayors for meetings with Gov. Gavin Newsom and key legislators Wednesday to seek more homeless funding for the state’s Homekey program and mental health and substance abuse beds.

“This is the number one crisis we are facing in California,” Bass said during a news conference in Sacramento. “The only way we will solve

it is by acting together with locked arms, as we say in Los Angeles, to bring folks inside for good.”

Bass said no mayor can “work alone” to face the homelessness crisis, and that’s why recent state investments and partnerships have been so critical.

“While this year’s state budget must be difficult, the need for housing interventions and services must remain a top priority,” Bass

said. “We need to ensure additional funding in this budget to make an even bigger impact.”

The California Big City Mayors, a coalition of mayors of the state’s 13 most populous cities, issued a letter to Newsom and state legislators last Thursday, one day before he released a revised budget proposal for the 2023-24 fiscal year.

In the letter, the coalition insisted the homeless

crisis continues to be its No. 1 priority, and the need to address homelessness should be reflected through the state’s budget.

“For this reason, we respectfully request — as our top budget priority — continuing and sustaining HHAP (Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention) funding with direct allocations for big cities, with a minimum allocation of $2 billion per year in FY 23-24, 24-25 and 25-26 for

a total of $6 billion,” the letter read.

As Newsom’s administration and legislators develop policy to address homelessness, the coalition proposed a framework to aid in that effort, including flexibility in the use of state funding; permanent funding; focused goals; release of HHAP bonus funding; prioritizing increased bed capacity; quicker disbursement of funding; land use waivers;

stabilizing annual allocations; and lastly, focusing funding where need is greatest.

In addition, the coalition requested $1.5 billion for Homekey to ensure all applications in round three are funded.

Newsom released his “May Revise” Friday in which he announced a $32 billion deficit in the state’s proposed

La Cañada Flintridge City Council announces new city manager PG 27

Los Angeles City Hall stands in the foreground, as the downtown skyline looms in the distance.

| Photo courtesy of RDNE Stock project/Pexels (CC0)

Summer camp’s $1M settlement to alleged abuse victim approved

By City News Service

AjudgeWednesday approved a summer youth camp’s proposal to pay $1 million to settle a lawsuit brought by a 34-yearold man who sued the facility and the San Marino Unified School District, alleging the plaintiff was sexually abused by a choir teacher years earlier who also was a counselor at the camp.

The plaintiff is identified only as John Doe in the Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit filed against the SMUSD, the River Way Ranch Camp in Sanger, east of Fresno, and the plaintiff’s alleged abuser, Howard Cheung.

On Wednesday, Judge Douglas Stern signed an order consenting to the $1 million payment to the plaintiff to settle his one negligence claim against the camp.

Cheung worked for about 12 years at River Way during the summer when he was not teaching at the SMUSD,

according to the camp’s attorney’s court papers.

“He (Cheung) was extremely popular, a crowd pleaser, and the reason why many students returned to the camp each summer,” the camp’s attorney states.

River Way did not know the plaintiff was allegedly sexually abused in the summer of 2004 until the camp was served with the complaint in 2021, according to the camp’s attorney’s court papers, which further state that the facility “has always employed strict procedures and extensive training to protect minors at the camp to prevent the type of claim made by plaintiff in this case.”

According to the suit filed in April 2021, Doe began attending Huntington Middle School in the sixth grade in the 2000-01 school year, during which he and other students went on a week-long trip to River

Way Ranch Camp, where they engaged in stargazing, hiking and singing.

The camp was run by high school-aged counselors, each of whom was in charge of nine to 10 students for the week, the suit states. Cheung, known as “Gizmo,” supervised the counselors and was a fan favorite among students at the camp, according to the suit.

Cheung was hired that same school year at HMS and Doe, like other students, was “infatuated with Cheung,” the suit states.

In the spring of his sixthgrade year, Doe and other science students went on a trip to Northern California and Cheung was one of the chaperones. On the last night, Cheung went to Doe’s room, where the two talked about their shared love for singing and how Cheung wanted to start a choir program at HMS, according to the suit.

Cheung allegedly kissed Doe on the cheek before he left.

For the remainder of sixth grade, Doe showed up early at school and stayed in Cheung’s classroom, despite a school policy prohibiting students from being in the school hallways before 7:50 a.m., the suit states.

Cheung allegedly continued to groom and manipulate Doe when the plaintiff reached the seventh grade and Cheung made sure Doe was selected to the San Marino Chambers Singers group, which Cheung supervised, the suit states.

Cheung allegedly started to sexually abuse Doe on campus and off campus during seventh and eighth grade, often in the teacher’s classroom before school, according to the suit.

In the summer of 2003 just before Doe entered San Marino High School, Cheung got him a six-week

City budget

process for candidates looking to join the LAPD. The city’s budget will also fund an incentive program providing bonuses of up to $15,000 for new officers and lateral recruitment.

It additionally funds the new Mayor’s Office of Community Safety and build out the infrastructure for non-lawenforcement responses. It will house the city’s Gang Reduction and Youth Development, Summer Night Lights, Crisis Response Team, Crisis and Incident Response Through Community-Led Engagement and the Domestic Abuse Response Team.

The budget increases funding for GRYD from $28 million to $48 million, as well

as provide funding to expand services under the Crisis Response Team and maintain seven teams operating in six regions of the city through CIRCLE, a 24/7 unarmed response program aimed at addressing nonemergency police calls related to homelessness.

DART’s funding would increase by nearly $1 million to $3.7 million, which will double the number of DART workers to address 911 calls involving domestic violence.

Bass said she carved out funding to address poverty and income inequality in various ways, such as connecting people to jobs and opportunities and supporting families and children.

Budget highlights include $3 million for LA: Rise, $3 million for Hire LA Youth and funding to continue CleanLA, a program that serves as a pathway to city employment.

Furthermore, the LA’s Best after-school enrichment program will receive nearly $4 million to pay for positions, bus transportation and training; the city will also provide $5 million to support childcare centers and $18 million for senior meals.

The budget includes provisions to support small and local businesses, enhancing tourism, expanding and continued the city’s al fresco program, as well as investing in the environment through zero-carbon emission goals

and green initiatives.

“Climate change is the issue of our time,” Blumenfield said. “We’re putting record amounts into decarburization into our vehicle fleet — transforming that and transforming our buildings.”

Funds for city infrastructure will also receive a boost as the mayor indicated an additional $28 million to its already required $36 million for sidewalk repairs, and $8 million to improve bus shelters and benches throughout the city.

Council members said the budget allocates $3.5 million to expand the speed hump program with a focus around schools.

Los Angeles Animal

job working at the canteen at River Way Ranch Camp, the suit states. Doe shared a cabin with Cheung, who sexually abused him nearly every day, the suit alleges.

The alleged sexual abuse continued into high school, where Cheung also taught a choir class, the suit states. Cheung allegedly also sexually molested Doe during high school-sanctioned trips, some of which were international.

Teachers earlier at HMS and later at SMH saw Cheung

and Doe alone together in the teacher’s classroom many times and did nothing, the suit states. The teachers allegedly also observed Cheung give Doe special attention and have lunch brought to him from off-campus restaurants. “They noticed Cheung taking plaintiff home after choir practice and being in his hotel room late at night during out-of-town choir performances,” the suit states. “Despite this, they took no action.”

Services will receive an increase in funding to improve volunteer coordination, hire staff and enhance animal health services and adoptions. The department’s previous allocation of $26.9 million will increase to $31.7 million — a boost of $4.8 million.

The Los Angeles Zoo will receive more funding, with $2.5 million to address facility repairs and $4.1 million for design work on larger capital improvements.

Overall, the budget projects short-term stability, but at a slower than historical growth rate in the city’s tax revenues of only 2.4%. The overall general

fund budget will grow by 5.6%, in part due to a $115 million transfer from the reserve fund. The budget also includes reserves of 10.03%, just above the 10% target set in the city’s financial policies.

“From day one, this Council — every single member of this Council — has demonstrated their deep devotion to serving the public with their incredible sense of responsibility,” Blumenfield said. “Even though we come to our issues from different perspectives, it’s very clear that there’s unanimity and the level of dedication and passion about serving the public.”

Environmental group wins legal challenge to Ballona Wetlands project

By City News Service

AjudgeWednesday ruled in favor of an environmental group whose members alleged the state’s approval of a restoration project for the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve near Los Angeles International Airport failed to properly protect wildlife species.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James C. Chalfant’s 67-page opinion in favor of Protect Ballona Wetlands also stated that engineers’ designs for excavating and bulldozing more

than two million cubic yards of soil and removing levees did not use the correct flood risk standards.

Chalfant’sopinion applied to the Protect Ballona Wetlands petition as well as three other legal actions challenging the same certification of an environmental impact report.

Chalfant granted Protect Ballona Wetlands’ request that he set aside all approvals of the certification of the EIR. The group had cited alleged violations of the California Environmen-

tal Quality Act and said that the project proposed was not adequately described. They maintained the same conclusion was reached by federal agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The three stated main goals of the state’s project were to restore wetlands and wetland functions within the Ballona Reserve, improve public access to the reserve and to maintain existing levels of flood risk management provided by the Ballona Creek channel

and levee system.

However, members of Protect Ballona Wetlands contended in their legal action filed in January 2021 that it is “disingenuous” to call the state’s plan a restoration and enhancement effort, maintaining it would have “unmitigable impacts on the environment.”

“We are so pleased that the court heard our concerns, especially because many wildlife species at the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve would have been harmed if this project were

to proceed,” said the petitioners’ attorney, Jamie T. Hall.

“We are hopeful that the California Department of Fish and Wildlife will reset the process for future management of this special place, truly involve all stakeholders and determine a new baseline of what the ecosystem includes, especially since so many more rare species have returned to Ballona since this plan first was considered.”

Environmental activist

Wendy-Sue Rosen said Protect Ballona Wetlands was formed due to what its members believe was a lack of legitimate information related to flood risk, unacknowledged damage to the environment and the high cost of a project allegedly detrimental to wildlife.

“This project is estimated to cost the public more than $250 million and more than $12 million in public funds have already been spent on a design using an incorrect flood risk standard,” Rosen said.

An aerial view of the River Way Ranch Camp. | Photo courtesy of the River Way Ranch Camp/Facebook

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The

Ahead of contract talks, SAG-AFTRA board calls for strike vote

By City News Service

Before its contract negotiations with Hollywood studios have even begun, the SAG-AFTRA actors’ union will hold a strike-authorization vote over the next two weeks, potentially setting the stage for performers to join alreadystriking writers on picket lines and further halting entertainment production.

SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher said in a statement issued late Wednesday that the union hopes to avoid a walkout, but it wants to be prepared — and have the leverage at the bargaining table.

“For the first time in a very long time, our member leadership stands in solidarity at the negotiating committee and the National Board levels on moving forward with a strike authorization,” Drescher said. “We must get all our ducks in a row should the need present itself. The prospect of a strike is not a first option, but a last resort. As my dad always says, ‘Better to have and not need than to need and not have!’ Therefore, I implore eligible members to follow the leads of both the negotiating committee and the National Board with an unprecedented show of solidarity and make three a charm with an emphatic yes for a strike-authorization vote.”

The union, representing more than 160,000 entertainment and media professionals, is scheduled to begin contract negotiations June 7 with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents Hollywood studios.

According to SAGAFTRA, strike-authorization ballots will be sent to members beginning Thursday, with voting closing at 5 p.m. June 5. The current SAG-AFTRA TV/Theatrical Agreement expires at midnight June 30. An authorization vote does not necessarily mean a strike will occur. It only gives union leaders the power to

call a strike if labor talks break down. Such votes are a common tactic by unions in labor talks to put additional pressure on employers to reach a deal.

SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said the strike authorization sends an important message.

“A yes vote gives the National Board the power to call a strike if the AMPTP does not negotiate fairly in our upcoming bargaining,” Crabtree-Ireland said in a statement. “This will be a seminal negotiation that will determine the future of what it means to be a working performer. We must be ready

to fight to secure a meaningful deal for our members.”

The AMPTP declined to comment on the SAG-AFTRA move.

AMPTP is already in the midst of labor negotiations with the Directors Guild of America. The Writers Guild of America has been on strike since May 2, and there’s been no update on whether that union has even resumed bargaining sessions with the studios.

The unions have all been expressing many of the same core issues, particularly around residual compensation for streaming services, and over concerns about the use of artificial intelligence in future productions.

‘General Hospital’ actress arrested on suspicion of DUI after Pasadena crash

By City News Service

“ General Hospital” actress Haley Pullos was arrested on suspicion of DUI for allegedly causing a wrongway crash on the Ventura (134) Freeway in Pasadena that left her and another driver injured, the California Highway Patrol confirmed Wednesday.

According to the CHP, the 24-year-old Pullos was heading east on the freeway near Orange Grove Boulevard around 1:30 a.m. April 29 when she inexplicably swerved into the eastbound lanes, slamming into another vehicle.

Pullos was trapped in her mangled vehicle and had to be pulled from the wreckage by Pasadena Fire Department crews, according to the CHP. She and the other driver were both injured and taken to hospitals, although

the exact extent of their injuries and their current conditions were not immediately known.

According to the CHP, Pullos was ultimately arrested on suspicion of “driving under the influence of alcohol and driving the wrong way on a freeway, causing injury.” CHP investigators also said Pullos had been involved in an earlier hit-and-run crash before entering the 134 Freeway, although no other details were provided.

After the crash, the Pasadena Fire Department posted photos of the mangled cars on its social media pages, saying at the time the case of the crash was unknown, “but always a reminder to stay within the speed limit, avoid drinking and driving and never be distracted by passengers, phones, etc.”

Pullos has played Molly Lansing-Davis on “General Hospital” since 2009.

The magazine Soap Opera Digest reported last week that Pullos’ role had been temporarily recast, saying Pullos was on

medical leave. Pullos sent the publication a statement saying “Unfortunately, I was involved in an automobile accident and I’m doing okay, but I am going to need a little time to recover. I will be back as soon as possible.”

| Photo courtesy of Jaguirre2192/Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Haley Pullos at The 39th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in 2012. | Photo courtesy of MinglemediaTV/Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Hyundai, Kia announce settlement of litigation over security weakness

By City News Service

Asettlementwas reached in federal court in Santa Ana of litigation brought by Hyundai and Kia car owners over a security weakness in the vehicles that was promoted on social media platforms, the automakers announced Thursday.

Thefts of the cars were driven last summer following a TikTok challenge that outlined a way to bypass security features to make it easier to steal the vehicles.

The agreement could be valued at about $200 million, but it depends on how many car owners participate in the settlement, which will offer cash for some customers who have theft-related claims. U.S. District Judge James Selna will consider preliminary approval of the settlement in July.

Part of the settlement will include software upgrades on vehicles as well as offers of wheel locks for other vehicles incompatible with the computer update.

The settlement covers about 9 million Hyundai and Kia vehicles.

“We appreciate the opportunity to provide additional support for our owners

who have been impacted by increasing and persistent criminal activity targeting our vehicles,” Jason Erb, chief legal officer of Hyundai Motor North America, said in a statement. “Customer security remains a top priority, and we’re committed to continuing software upgrade installations and steering wheel lock distribution to help prevent thefts and offering insurance options through AAA for those who have had difficulty securing and sustaining coverage.”

John Yoon, chief legal officer for Kia, said the company is “very pleased” by the settlement.

“This agreement is the latest step in a series of important actions, in addition to providing a free security software upgrade and distributing over 65,000 steering wheel locks, that Kia has taken to help customers whose vehicles have been targeted by criminals using methods of theft popularized on social media,” Yoon said. “Kia remains committed to assisting our customers and upholding vehicle security.”

When a car owner brings

in a vehicle for servicing the software upgrade will be automatically installed. For those with vehicles unable to take the upgrade, owners will receive up to $300 to buy an anti-theft device like a steering-wheel lock.

The cars covered are:

2011-2022 Accent;

2011-2022 Elantra;

2013-2017 Elantra GT;

2013-2014 Elantra Coupe;

2011-2012 Elantra Touring;

2011-2014 Genesis Coupe;

2018-2022 Kona;

2020-2021 Palisade;

2011-2012, 2019-2022 Santa Fe;

2013-2018, 2019 Santa Fe; Santa Fe XL;

2013-2018 Santa Fe Sport;

2011-2019 Sonata;

2011-2022 Tucson;

2012-2017, 2019-2021 Veloster;

2020-2021 Venue;

2011-2012 Veracruz;

2011-2021 Forte;

2021-2022 K5;

2011-2020 Optima;

2011-2021 Rio;

2011-2021 Sedona;

2021-2022 Seltos; 2010-2022 Soul;

2011-2022 Sorento; and 2011-2022 Sportage.

Dodgers disinvite ‘order of queer and trans nuns’ from Pride Night

By City News Service

Following criticism from various Catholic groups and even a U.S. senator, the Dodgers on Wednesday withdrew an invitation the team had extended to The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence — described on its website as an “order of queer and trans nuns” — to participate in the team’s annual LGBTQ+ Pride Night.

“This year, as part of a full night of programming, we invited a number of groups to join us,” according to a statement issued by the team Wednesday. “We are now aware that our inclusion of one group in particular — The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence — in this year’s Pride Night has been the source of some controversy.

“Given the strong feelings of people who have been offended by the sisters’ inclusion in our evening, and in an effort not to distract from the great benefits that we have seen over the years of Pride Night, we are deciding to remove them from this year’s group of honorees.”

The group had been scheduled to receive a Community Hero Award at the team’s June 16 Pride Night, honoring its efforts to promote human rights, diversity and “spiritual enlightenment.”

The Sisters’ website describes the organization as “a leading-edge order of queer and trans nuns.”

“We believe all people have a right to express their unique joy and beauty. Since our first appearance in San Francisco on Easter Sunday 1979, the Sisters have devoted ourselves to community service, ministry and outreach to those on the edges, and to promoting human rights, respect for diversity and spiritual enlightenment. We use humor and irreverent wit to

expose the forces of bigotry, complacency and guilt that chain the human spirit,” the group says.

Responding to the Dodgers’ announcement Wednesday, one of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence’s most veteran and visible members, known as Sister Roma, said the team was giving in to “right-wing pseudo-Christian media.”

“So disappointing to see the Dodgers cave to the conservative pseudo-Christian homophobes,” Sister Roma wrote on Twitter. “This weaponizing of religion is exactly what the (Sisters) have been protesting for decades.”

The Dodgers’ original decision to honor the group drew criticism from various Catholic organizations. Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, accused the team of “rewarding antiCatholicism” by honoring the group.

“The Catholic League has been the leading critic of this bigoted organization for many decades,” Donohue wrote on the organization’s website. “These homosexual bigots are known for simulating sodomy while dressed as nuns.”

He added, “Just last month, they held an event mocking our Blessed Mother and Jesus on Easter Sunday.”

Donohue said he wrote to Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred to protest the Dodgers’ decision to honor the group.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, also sent a complaint to Manfred, saying the group “mocks Christians through diabolical parodies of our faith.”

“Do you believe that the Los Angeles Dodgers are being `inclusive and welcoming to everyone’ by giving an award to a group of gay and

transgender drag performers that intentionally mocks and degrades Christians — and not only Christians, but nuns, who devote their lives to serving others?” Rubio wrote in his letter.

The organization Catholic Vote also condemned the move. Its president, Brian Burch, issued a statement Wednesday hailing the team’s decision to exclude the group, which he called “an antiCatholic hate group known for their gross mockery of Catholic nuns.”

“While we continue to wonder how such a group was selected in the first place, this incident should serve as a wake-up call for all religious believers: unchecked woke corporations have no qualms about exploiting people of faith,” Burch said.

But the team’s decision to disinvite the group also generated criticism.

“If they’re not invited, I’m not going,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath wrote on her Twitter page. “Celebrating Pride is about inclusion. Do better.”

Assemblyman Rick Chavez Zbur, D-Santa Monica and a longtime LGBTQ+ civil rights advocate, also condemned the exclusion of the Sisters.

“I’m deeply saddened by the hate & ignorance perpetuated by leaders of other states for cheap political points, & I am truly disappointed that our beloved LA Dodgers have given into their manufactured outrage,” Zbur wrote on Twitter. “LGBTQ+ lives, families, love & existence have long been characterized as offensive & controversial, but we do not give in to those calls. I urge the Dodgers to reverse this decision & ensure our home team reflects the true Los Angeles values of inclusion & acceptance.”

| Photo courtesy of Dez Hester/Unsplash

Authorities warn motorists against illegal street racing or street takeovers

By City News Service

Authorities Thursday announced a safety campaign in the Southland and statewide to combat illegal street racing and takeovers — activities that have turned deadly on multiple occasions for participants and spectators.

The campaign, in advance of the release of the latest “Fast and Furious” movie, was discussed at a Thursday morning news conference where authorities displayed wrecked vehicles, along with images of people whose deaths were related to the illegal activities.

“Our freeways, railways and bridges have been shut down illegally, causing in some cases, folks not being able to make it to the emergency room, and in others just being flat-out late for work,” said California Highway Patrol Deputy Commissioner Troy Lukkes.

“These illegal and dangerous activities put people’s lives at risk, damage public and private property, and in some cases even resulted in the death of innocent people,” Lukkes said.

Lukkes said that since 2015, incidents involving “speed and speed contests” have quadrupled around the state.

“Additionally, over a five-year period, these illegal activities have resulted in 264 crashes,” Lukkes said. “Of those 264 crashes, 30 of them have resulted in fatali-

ties, and 124 have resulted in injury that we have documented.”

To combat the problem, the CHP has been working with local law enforcement organizations, along with community-based groups, such as the organization Street Racing Kills, Lukkes said.

Among those on hand at the news conference were Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, and Lili Trujillo Puckett, founder of Street Racing Kills.

“This is not just a law enforcement issue; this is a community issue that endangers lives — young and old, innocent as well as those that are engaged in this reckless activity,” Moore said. “The message today is clear: street racing and sideshows are dangerous. They result in death and serious injury, not only to the participant, but also to the spectators and community members.

“The popularity of movies such as the ‘Fast and Furious’ series ... we believe is likely the influence (on) copycats, because of the movies’ glamorizing this very dangerous activity,” Moore said. “Movies like this are fantasy.”

Luna noted that there is also an economic cost accompanying the criminal costs of illegal street racing

and takeovers.

“We’re going to tow or impound your cars,” Luna said. “Parents — it’s going to have an impact on you. Parents — talk to your kids ... where you’re having to pay thousands of dollars to get those vehicles out. We warned you — you have to stop doing this; you’re impacting people’s lives negatively, and it’s costing some lives as well.”

Lili Trujillo Puckett spoke of her 16-year-old daughter, who was killed in 2013 while being driven home by an 18-year-old man who engaged in a street race with a co-worker.

“He crashed (while) going over 80 miles an hour, and Valentina ended up hanging from the window,” Puckett said. “She died at the scene. She died in the middle of the night on the cold asphalt. ... She was covered with a white sheet, taken to a coroner’s office, and put in a refrigerator with no clothes on. Sixteen years old in a refrigerator. And she became a number; she became a body; she no longer had a name. She was killed just by the thrill of speed.”

Authorities warned that it is not only illegal to participate in a street race or takeover, but also to attend and watch such activities. Anyone seeing a street race or takeover in progress was urged to call 911.

| Photo courtesy of LouieRBLX/Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Amid a running political feud with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, the Burbank-based Walt Disney Co. announced Thursday it has scrapped plans to relocate 2,000 workers to the Sunshine State.

Josh D’Amaro, chairman of the company’s Parks, Experiences and Products Division, broke the news in an email sent to employees. D’Amaro did not mention DeSantis by name or give specifics behind the decision, citing only “changing business conditions.”

“Given the considerable changes that have occurred since the announcement of this project, including new leadership and changing business conditions, we have decided not to move forward with construction of the (Florida) campus,” he wrote.

“This was not an easy decision to make, but I believe it is the right one. As a result, we will no longer be asking our employees to relocate. For those who have already moved, we will talk to you individually about your situation, including the possibility of moving you back.”

Disney announced

Disney scrubs plan to relocate workers to Florida

By City News Service

in 2021 that it planned to relocate the workers to a new office complex it planned to build near Orlando, home to the Walt Disney World Resort. At the time, the company cited Florida’s “business-friendly climate” and its “rich culture

of hospitality” and “lower cost of living with no state income tax.”

In the time since, however, Disney has been in a seemingly endless political battle with DeSantis, sparked last year with his signing of legislation

restricting instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades. Disney came under fire from critics and some employees for failing to publicly condemn the legislation. That ultimately led to an apology issued by

then-CEO Bob Chapek, and the company issued a statement in opposition to the Florida law.

Chapek was fired late last year and replaced by former CEO Bob Iger.

Countering Disney’s public criticisms, DeSantis

began publicly blasting the entertainment conglomerate and started an effort to crack down on Disney’s operations by stripping away self-governing privileges that were granted to the company’s theme park property more than 50 years ago.

Last month, Disney filed a federal lawsuit against DeSantis, accusing him of orchestrating a “government retaliation” campaign against the company that threatened its business operations.

DeSantis is expected to announce a bid for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination sometime soon.

In his letter to employees Thursday, D’Amaro said the company remains committed “to our teams who call Central Florida home.”

“It is clear to me that the power of this brand comes from our incredible people, and we are committed to handling this change with care and compassion,” he wrote. “I remain optimistic about the direction of our Walt Disney World business. We have plans to invest $17 billion and create 13,000 jobs over the next 10 years. I hope we’re able to do so.”

CA governor’s May budget gets mixed reviews from higher ed

By Suzanne Potter, Producer, Public News Service

GovernorGavin Newsom’s new budget proposal, called the May Revise is being met with relief from the highereducation sector - which had feared big cuts. The higher ed budget is stable, despite a projected budget deficit of $35.1 billion.

Joshua Hagen, director of policy and advocacy for the Campaign for College Opportunity, said the revise fully funds promises made to the UC, CSU and community college systems.

“The May revise of the budget keeps intact the higher education compacts for the UC and the CSU in the roadmap for Califor-

nia’s future for the community colleges,” he said. “That provides stable base funding increases to all three systems of public higher education in California. “ By law, the core budget must be balanced and passed by June 15th so lawmakers and interest groups will be busy hammering out a final package over the next few weeks.

The governor’s plan puts money toward a program that would require UCLA to set aside slots to guarantee admission for students transferring from a community college. Hagen would like to see that expanded to all the UC campuses, similar

to the existing Associate Degree for Transfer pathway to the Cal State system.

“What we would like to see is that if a student earns a 3.0, to earn systemwide access to the UC that would guarantee access not to a specific campus but say that we are going to have a spot for you within the UC system based on how you performed while you were in community college, “ Hagen explained.

Lawmakers are also currentlyconsidering Assembly Bill 1749, which would require the UC Schools to develop a guaranteed system-widecommunity college transfer pathway.

The entrance to the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Floriday. | Photo courtesy of Jrobertiko/Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

UCLA. | Photo by Ignacio Andrade (CC BY-NC 2.0)

The Los Angeles Dodgers faced mounting criticism last week for the team’s decision to withdraw an invitation it extended to a group dubbed The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to participate in the team’s annual LGBTQ+ Pride Night.

The team’s decision, announced Wednesday, came after complaints raised by several Catholic organizations and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, who said the group -- billed as an “order of queer and trans nuns” -- regularly disparaged Christians.

“This year, as part of a full night of programming, we invited a number of groups to join us,” according to a statement issued by the team Wednesday. “We are now aware that our inclusion of one group in particular -- The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence -- in this year’s Pride Night has been the source of some controversy.

“Given the strong feelings of people who have been offended by the sisters’ inclusion in our evening, and in an effort not to distract from the great benefits that we have seen over the years of Pride Night, we are deciding to remove them from this year’s group of honorees.”

The group had been scheduled to receive a Community Hero Award at the team’s June 16 Pride Night, honoring its efforts to promote human rights, diversity and “spiritual enlightenment.”

The Sisters issued a statement Thursday expressing “deep offense” at being uninvited to the event, calling the decision a capitulation to “hateful and misleading information from people outside their community.” The group insisted it is a nonprofit organization that “annually raises thousands of dollars to distribute to organizations supporting marginalized communities.”

“Our ministry is real. We

LGBT groups, LA County delegation decry Dodgers for uninviting group to pride night

By City News Service, Staff

promulgate universal joy, expiate stigmatic guilt and our use of religious trappings is a response to those faiths whose members would condemn us and seek to strip away the rights of marginalized communities,” Sister Rosie Partridge, described as the “abbess” of the group, said in a statement.

Other high-profile Southland supporters of LGBTQ rights also chimed in, expressing disappointment in the Dodgers’ decision.

“We call on the Dodgers to reconsider their decision, honor the Sisters, and bring the true spirit of Pride back to Dodgers Stadium,” Los Angeles LGBT Center CEO Joe Hollendoner said in a statement. “If the decision is not reversed, we strongly encourage the Dodgers to cancel Pride Night. Any organization that turns its back on LGBTQ+ people at this damning and dangerous inflection point in our nation’s history should not be hoisting a rainbow flag or hosting a `Pride Night.’

“We want the Dodgers ally ship to be consistent with our experience partnering with them over the past many years. The people of Los Angeles County have consistently and overwhelmingly shown up for LGBTQ+ equality. If one of our most

beloved institutions -- the Dodgers -- refuses to stand by us at this moment, we are terrified of what will come next. Los Angeles is a leader -- not a follower. We call on the Dodgers to set an example.”

The organizers of LA Pride issued a statement saying they “are very disappointed” in the Dodgers’ decision.

“As a result and in solidarity with our community, LA Pride will not be participating in this year’s Dodgers Pride Night event,” according to the group. “Pride is a fight for equality and inclusion for the entire LGBTQ+ community and we’re not going to stop now. Let’s make this year’s Pride celebration louder than ever.”

Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Long Beach, wrote on his Twitter page, “Hey Dodgers, this is shameful and you will not divide and separate our community. I hope we all boycott your `Pride Night’ and protest this cowardly decision.”

The Sisters’ website describes the organization as “a leading-edge order of queer and trans nuns.”

“We believe all people have a right to express their unique joy and beauty. Since our first appearance in San Francisco on Easter

Sunday 1979, the Sisters have devoted ourselves to community service, ministry and outreach to those on the edges, and to promoting human rights, respect for diversity and spiritual enlightenment. We use humor and irreverent wit to expose the forces of bigotry, complacency and guilt that chain the human spirit,” the group says.

The Dodgers’ original decision to honor the group drew criticism from various Catholic organizations. Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, accused the team of “rewarding antiCatholicism” by honoring the group.

“The Catholic League has been the leading critic of this bigoted organization for many decades,” Donohue wrote on the organization’s website. “... These homosexual bigots are known for simulating sodomy while dressed as nuns.”

He added, “Just last month, they held an event mocking our Blessed Mother and Jesus on Easter Sunday.”

Donohue said he wrote to Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred to protest the Dodgers’ decision to honor the group.

Rubio also sent a complaint to Manfred, saying the group “mocks

Christians through diabolical parodies of our faith.”

“Do you believe that the Los Angeles Dodgers are being `inclusive and welcoming to everyone’ by giving an award to a group of gay and transgender drag performers that intentionally mocks and degrades Christians -- and not only Christians, but nuns, who devote their lives to serving others?” Rubio wrote in his letter.

The organization Catholic Vote also condemned the group’s inclusion in the Dodgers’ event. Its president, Brian Burch, issued a statement Wednesday hailing the team’s decision to exclude the group, which he called “an anti-Catholic hate group known for their gross mockery of Catholic nuns.”

“While we continue to wonder how such a group was selected in the first place, this incident should serve as a wake-up call for all religious believers: unchecked woke corporations have no qualms about exploiting people of faith,” Burch said.

On Wednesday night, Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath blasted the team for dis-inviting the Sisters.

“If they’re not invited,

I’m not going,” she wrote on her Twitter page. “Celebrating Pride is about inclusion. Do better.”

Assemblyman Rick Chavez Zbur, D-Santa Monica and a longtime LGBTQ+ civil rights advocate, also condemned the exclusion of the Sisters.

“I’m deeply saddened by the hate & ignorance perpetuated by leaders of other states for cheap political points, & I am truly disappointed that our beloved LA Dodgers have given into their manufactured outrage,” Zbur wrote on Twitter. “LGBTQ+ lives, families, love & existence have long been characterized as offensive & controversial, but we do not give in to those calls. I urge the Dodgers to reverse this decision & ensure our home team reflects the true Los Angeles values of inclusion & acceptance.”

On Friday, Assemblymember Luz Rivas, chair of the Los Angeles County delegation of California State Senate and the State Assembly members, released a statement expressing disappointment at the Dodgers’ decision to “choose exclusion over pride” and extended solidarity to the LGBTQ+ Caucus.

“While the L.A. Dodgers were preparing to host an event centered around inclusivity, they instead chose to exclude a well-known LGBTQ+ organization with a rich history of philanthropic and community engagement,” Rivas said. “The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence were to be presented with a Community Hero Award for their countless hours of community service, ministry, and outreach to those on the edges, in addition to promoting human rights and respect for diversity and spiritual enlightenment. These are values that should be celebrated, not suppressed.”

SCAN ME!

Photo by Patrick Perkins on Unsplash

It will cost up to $21.5 billion to clean up California’s oil sites. The industry won’t make enough money to pay for it.

By Mark Olalde, ProPublica, Co-published with LAist and KVPR

For well over a century, the oil and gas industry has drilled holes across California in search of black gold and a lucrative payday. But with production falling steadily, the time has come to clean up many of the nearly quarter-million wells scattered from downtown Los Angeles to western Kern County and across the state.

The bill for that work, however, will vastly exceed all the industry’s future profits in the state, according to a first-of-its-kind study published Thursday and shared with ProPublica.

“This major issue has sneaked up on us,” said Dwayne Purvis, a Texasbased petroleum reservoir engineer who analyzed profits and cleanup costs for the report. “Policymakers haven’t recognized it. Industry hasn’t recognized it, or, if they have, they haven’t talked about it and acted on it.”

The analysis, which was commissioned by Carbon Tracker Initiative, a financial think tank that studies how the transition away from fossil fuels impacts markets and the economy, used California regulators’ draft methodology for calculating the costs associated with plugging oil and gas wells and decommissioning them along with related infrastructure. The methodology was developed with feedback from the industry.

The report broke down the costs into several categories. Plugging wells, dismantling surface infrastructure and decontaminating polluted drill sites would cost at least $13.2 billion, based on publicly available data. Adding in factors with slightly more uncertainty,

like inflation rates and the price of decommissioning miles of pipeline, could bring the total cleanup bill for California’s onshore oil and gas industry to $21.5 billion.

Meanwhile, California oil and gas production will earn about $6.3 billion in future profits over the remaining course of operations, Purvis estimated.

Compounding the problem, the industry has set aside only about $106 million that state regulators can use for cleanup when a company liquidates or otherwise walks away from its responsibilities, according to state data. That amount equals less than 1% of the estimated cost.

Taxpayers will likely have to cover much of the difference to ensure wells are plugged and not left to leak brine, toxic chemicals and climate-warming methane.

“These findings detail why the state must ensure this cost is not passed along to the California taxpayer,” state Sen. Monique Limón, a Santa Barbara Democrat who has written legislation regulating oil, said in a statement.

“It is important that the state collect funding to plug and abandon wells in a timely and expeditious manner.”

Representatives of the state’s oil regulatory agency, the California Geologic Energy Management Division, did not respond to ProPublica’s request for comment on the report’s findings.

Rock Zierman, CEO of the California Independent Petroleum Association, an industry trade group, said in a statement that companies spent more than $400 million last year to plug and clean up thousands of oil and gas wells

in the state. “This demonstrates their dedication to fulfilling their obligations and mitigating the environmental impact of their operations,” he said.

Fees on current oil and gas production will offset some of the liabilities, but they’re nowhere near enough to address the shortfall quantified by the new report.

“It really scares me,” Kyle Ferrar, Western program coordinator with environmental and data transparency group FracTracker Alliance, said of the report’s findings. “It’s a lot for the state, even a state as big as California.”

Industry in Decline

High oil prices have translated to huge profits for the industry in recent years, but Carbon Tracker’s report found that’s likely to be short-lived. Only two drilling rigs were operating in the state at one point this year, meaning few new wells will be coming online, and more than a third of all unplugged wells are idle.

Judson Boomhower, an environmental economist and assistant professor at the University of California, San Diego who has studied California’s oil industry, said there are inherent uncertainties in estimating future oil revenues. For example, one variable is how quickly the country shifts from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric. But, he said, Carbon Tracker’s estimates for environmental liabilities track with his research.

“It’s a state in the twilight of its production period, and that means big liabilities,” Boomhower said. He added that now is the time for regulators to prevent companies from offloading their wells to “thinly capitalized firms” unable to shoulder the

cleanup.

As ProPublica reported last year, the major oil companies that long dominated in California and have the deep pockets necessary to pay for environmental cleanup are selling their wells and leaving the state, handing the task to smaller and less well-financed companies.

Roughly half of the wells drilled in California have changed hands through sales and bankruptcies since 2010, according to data Ferrar analyzed.

Smaller companies are often one bankruptcy away from their wells being orphaned, meaning they’re left to taxpayers as companies dissolve. The Biden administration recently committed $4.7 billion in taxpayer funds to plug orphan wells.

And the industry’s environmental liabilities in California are far bigger than Carbon Tracker’s report quantifies.

Purvis only included environmental liabilities associated with onshore oil and gas production. Billions of dollars more will be needed to plug offshore wells, remove rigs and reclaim artificial islands used for drilling off the coast of Long Beach, Ventura and

Additionally, the report did not quantify the emerging risk of “zombie wells,” which were plugged years ago to weaker standards and are likely to leak if they aren’t replugged. That’s an expensive endeavor, as the average cost to plug one well in California — to say nothing of cleaning up surface contamination — is $69,000, according to Purvis’ research. But some California wells have already begun failing, including in neighborhoods in Los Angeles.

“They’re Not Going to Have Money to Do It Later”

Time is running out to rectify the funding shortfall, for example by increasing the money companies must set aside for well plugging.

Carbon Tracker’s report — using state production data and financial futures contracts on the New York Mercantile Exchange — estimated that as production declines, 58% of all future profits from drilling oil and gas in the state are likely to come over the next two years.

“We have our backs up against the wall in California right now,” Ferrar said. “If companies don’t put money towards it now, they’re not going to have money to do it

CAR: SoCal home prices in April edged up from March

By City News Service

Prices of homes in Southern California edged up in April for the second straight month, but still remained below the prices of a year ago, the California Association of Realtors reported Thursday.

In the Los Angeles metro area, the median sale price of a single- family home was $740,000 last month, up from $735,000 in March, but down from $800,000 in April 2022,

according to the association.

Los Angeles County saw single-family home prices of $738,520 in April, a rise from $718,370 the previous month, but a drop from the $801,680 median sale price reported one year ago, CAR determined.

Orange County’s $1.22 million median sale price for a single-family home last month showed a drop from $1.25 million in March. However, in April 2022, similar

houses sold for $1.32 million, the association reported.

In April, the Los Angeles metro area’s ratio of new houses for sale to new houses sold was 2.6, a rise from 2.3 in March. The ratio in April 2022 was 1.9, according to CAR’s survey. Time on the market last month was 25 days.

For Los Angeles County, the ratio was 2.6 last month, 2.2 the previous month, and 1.9 in April 2022, CAR deter-

mined. Homes were on sale for 22 days in April before being sold.

In April, Orange County saw a ratio of 2.3, with 2.0 the previous month, and 1.7 in April 2022, the association reported. Homes were on the market last month for 22 days.

Statewide, April’s sales pace was down 4.7% on a monthly basis from 281,050 in March and down 36.1% from a year ago, when a revised

418,970 homes were sold on an annualized basis, the report stated.

Sales of existing singlefamily homes in California remained below the 300,000unit pace for the seventh consecutive month in April.

“While home sales declined in April, the market is getting more competitive as we’re seeing time on the market before selling down to 20 days in April from 33 days

later.”

Environmental policies could accelerate the industry’s decline. California voters will decide on a ballot initiative in 2024 that would reinstate large buffer zones between communities and oil wells, limiting drilling.

Purvis said acting quickly to plug wells would also “stimulate economic activity” and help smooth the transition for oil and gas workers who stand to lose well-paying jobs in the shift away from climate-warming fossil fuels. Spending large sums to plug old wells would create shortterm employment for oil field workers.

As California faces the consequences of its failure to quickly clean up aging oil and gas infrastructure, there are likely several million more wells around the country that are either low-producing or already orphaned and will soon need to be decommissioned.

“California’s going to be a test case or the leading edge of this,” Boomhower said. “This same problem is eventually going to manifest everywhere.”

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

in January and the share of homes sold above asking price double from one in five at the beginning of the year to more than two in five in April,” said CAR President Jennifer Branchini.

“This increase in market competition continued to provide support to the statewide median home price in April, which climbed above $800,000 for the first time in six months.”

Santa Barbara.

This story was originally published by ProPublica. ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox.

Oil fields in Bakersfield, California. | Photo by Babette Plana (CC BY-NC 2.0)

Arcadia City Notices

NOTICE OF UNCLAIMED MONEY

NOTICE IS HEREBY given that on December 31, 2022, Monies in the amount of $500.00 were located and delivered to the Arcadia Police Department for safekeeping/return to owner. As the identity of the owner has not been ascertained and no party has appeared with proof of ownership as of the date of this publication,

per California Civil Code 2080.3(a) these monies will become the property of the finder on (7 days after date of publishing).

Prior to this date, any person or persons who believe they have the legal right to this money must submit a claim to the Arcadia Police Department Property Division.

CITY OR ARCADIA

/s/ Linda Rodriguez

Assistant City Clerk

Date: May 18, 2023

Publish: May 22, 2023

ARCADIA WEEKLY

Temple City Notices

CITY OF TEMPLE CITY NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Temple City will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, June 6 and June 20, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers located in the Civic Center facility at 5938 N. Kauffman Avenue to consider the following:

• Adoption of the Proposed Annual Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24;

• Adoption of the Annual Appropriations Limit for Fiscal Year 2023-24;

• Adoption of Master Fee and Fine Schedule for Fiscal Year 2023-24 amending certain fees for programs and services related to building and safety, planning and zoning, public works and engineering, and facility use.

Any interested persons are invited to attend the Public Hearing and present testimony regarding this matter. Testimony may also be provided in writing to the City Clerk. If you challenge the proposed action in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the Public Hearing described in this notice or in written correspondence delivered to the City Council at or prior to the public hearing.

For further information regarding this matter, please contact Susan Paragas in the Administrative Services Department at (626) 2852171 or sparagas@templecity.us.

Peggy Kuo City Clerk

Published in: Temple City Tribune

Date: May 22, 2023

San Gabriel City Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE: CITY OF SAN GABRIEL

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL

You are invited to participate in a public hearing before the San Gabriel City Council. You will have an opportunity to present your opinion regarding this item at the meeting or in writing prior to the meeting. Please submit all written comments to the City Clerk Department, in person or electronically using the online public comment form at https://www.sangabrielcity.com/PublicComment by the hearing date to be considered by the City Council. The meeting will be broadcast on the City of San Gabriel’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/CityofSanGabriel

HEARING DATE: Tuesday, June 6, 2023 TIME: 6:30 p.m.

LOCATION OF HEARING: Council Chambers located on the second floor of San Gabriel City Hall (425 South Mission Drive, San Gabriel, CA 91776) The meeting can be viewed live at: https:// www.youtube.com/CityofSanGabriel

PROJECT: Adoption of the Annual Budget, Capital Improvement Program, Fee Schedule and Appropriations Limit for Fiscal Year 2023-24.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The purpose of the hearing is to consider the City’s Proposed Operating Budget, Capital Improvement Program (CIP), Fee Schedule, Position Classification and Salary Schedule, and Appropriations Limit for Fiscal Year 2023-24.

QUESTIONS: For additional information or to review the docu-

ments, please contact Will Kaholokula, Finance Director at 626457-4610 or wkaholokula@sgch.org.

Per Government Code Section 65009, if you challenge the nature of the proposed actions in court, you may be limited to only raising those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the Planning Division at or prior to the public hearing.

SAN GABRIEL CITY COUNCIL

By Julie Nguyen, City Clerk

Publish May 22 & 25, 2023

SAN GABRIEL SUN

El Monte City Notices

CITY OF EL MONTE PUBLIC NOTICE

POLICE UNCLAIMED MONEY

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT in accordance with Title 2, Chapter 2.64, Section 160 of the El Monte Municipal Code, the El Monte Police Department is holding unclaimed money in the amount of $370,211.85. This money has remained unclaimed for over three (3) years. Funds not claimed within 45 days of publication of this notice will become the property of the City of El Monte.

Published on: Monday, May 22, 2023

Gabriel Ramirez, City Clerk

City of El Monte

EL MONTE EXAMINER

CITY OF EL MONTE PUBLIC NOTICE

POLICE UNCLAIMED MONEY

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT in accordance with Title 2, Chapter 2.64, Section 160 of the El Monte Municipal Code, the El Monte Police Department is holding unclaimed money in the amount of $50,760.85. This money has remained unclaimed for over three (3) years. Funds not claimed within 45 days of publication of this notice will become the property of the City of El Monte.

Published on: Monday, May 22, 2023

Gabriel Ramirez, City Clerk City of El Monte

EL MONTE EXAMINER

Probate Notices

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF

LI QING ZHU

Case No. 23STPB04656

To all heirs, beneficiaries, cred-itors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of LI QING ZHU

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Michael Yip, Angela Musa in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that Michael Yip & Angela Musa 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. (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 administra-tion authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objec-tion to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held on June 2, 2023 at 8:30 AM in Dept. No. 5 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 ap-pearance 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

requests that IRENE W. CHEW be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests the decedent’s WILL and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The WILL and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.)

The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 06/07/23 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 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

MARTHA EAGER - SBN 234089, MONTELEONE & MCCRORY, LLP

725 S. FIGUEROA STREET, SUITE 3200 LOS ANGELES CA 90017 5/15, 5/18, 5/22/23

MONROVIA WEEKLY NOTICE OF $20,000 REWARD OFFERED BY THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Notice is hereby given that the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles has established a $20,000 reward offered in exchange for information leading to the apprehen-sion and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the heinous murder of 40-year-old Carlos Alva-rez-Diaz, who was fatally shot while he drove north on Norwalk Boulevard at 226th Street in the City of Ha-waiian Gardens, on October 8, 2022, at approximately 1:09 a.m. Si no entiende esta noticia o necesita mas informacion, favor de llamar al (213) 974-1579. Any person having any information related to this crime is requested to call Lieutenant Patri-cia Thomas at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Homi-cide Bureau at (323) 890-5564 or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222- 8477 and refer to Report No. 020-09995-0372-011. The terms of the reward provide that: The infor-mation given that leads to the de-termination of the identity, the apprehension and conviction of any person or persons must be given no later than July 16, 2023. All reward claims must be in writing and shall be received no later than September 14, 2023.The total County payment of any and all rewards shall in no event exceed $20,000 and no claim shall be paid prior to conviction unless the Board of Supervisors makes a finding of impossibility of conviction due to the death or incapacity of the person or persons responsible for the crime or crimes. The County reward may be apportioned between various persons and/or paid for the conviction of various persons as the circum-stances fairly dictate. Any claims for the reward funds should be filed no later than September 14, 2023, with the Executive Office of the Board of Supervisors, 500 West Temple Street, Room 383 Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, Los Angeles, Cali-fornia 90012, Attention: Carlos Alvarez-Diaz Reward Fund. For further information, please call (213) 974-1579. CELIA ZAVALA EXECU-TIVE OFFICER BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES CN995442 04049 May 4,8,11,15,18,22,25,29, Jun 1,5, 2023 AZUSA BEACON

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 knowl-edgeable 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:

ABRAHAM APRAKU ESQ SBN 263656 LAW OFFICE OF ABRAHAM APRAKU 119 SOUTH ATLANTIC BL STE 307 MONTEREY PARK CA 91754 CN996384 ZHU May 15,18,22, 2023

ROSEMEAD READER

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF:

ALBERT D. CHEW CASE NO. 23STPB04662

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

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by IRENE W. CHEW in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE

CNS-3700517#

ARCADIA WEEKLY

Public Notices

NOTICE OF $10,000 REWARD

OFFERED BY THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVI-SORS

Notice is hereby given that the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles has extended the $10,000 reward offered in exchange for information leading to the apprehen-sion and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the fatal shooting of 46-year-old Terry Alford, who was found in front of a residence located on the 100 block of Los Angeles Avenue in the City of Mon-rovia suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on January 29, 2021, at approximately 5:00 p.m. Si no entiende esta noticia o necesita mas informacion, favor de llamar al (213) 974-1579. Any person having any information related to this crime is requested to call Detective Cynthia Sanchez at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5617 or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 and refer to Report No. 02100014-3199-011. The terms of the reward provide that: The information given that leads to the determination of the identity, the apprehension and conviction of any person or persons must be given no later than October 16, 2023. All reward claims must be in writing and shall be received no later than De-cember 15, 2023. The total County payment of any and all rewards shall in no event exceed $10,000 and no claim shall be paid prior to conviction unless the Board of Supervisors makes a finding of impossibility of conviction due to the death or inca-pacity of the person or persons responsible for the crime or crimes. The County reward may be apportioned between various persons and/or paid for the conviction of various persons as the circum-stances fairly dictate. Any claims for the reward funds should be filed no later than December 15, 2023, with the Executive Office of the Board of Supervisors, 500 West Temple Street, Room 383 Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, Los Angeles, Cali-fornia 90012, Attention: Terry Alford Reward Fund. For further information, please call (213) 974-1579. CELIA ZAVALA EXECUTIVE OFFICER BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES CN995441 04046 May 4,8,11,15,18,22,25,29, Jun 1,8, 2023

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME PETITION OF Jasmine Dailey by and through Ja’Zarya Veronica Otieno, Fahari Ismail Otieno, Zuri Dorothy Otieno, a minor FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER: 23VECP00202 Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles 6230 Sylmar Avenue, Van Nuys, Ca 91401, Northwest Judicial District TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner Jasmine Dailey filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name a. OF Ja’Zarya Veronica Otieno to Proposed name Ja’Zarya Marilyn Dailey ; b. OF Fahari Ismail Otieno to Proposed name Fahari Eugene Dailey ; c. OF Zuri Dorothy Otieno to Proposed name Zuri Love Dorothy Dailey 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall 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 reason for the objection at least two court 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 the petition without a hearing NOTICE OF HEARING a. Date: 06/22/2023 Time: 8:30AM Dept: U. Room:620 The address of the court is same as noted above. 3. a. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the day set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Arcadia Weekly DATED: May 3, 2023 Virginia Keeny JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT Pub. May 15, 22, 29, June 5, 2023 ARCADIA WEEKLY

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN the undersigned intends to sell the personal property described below to enforce a lien imposed on said property pursuant to Sections 21700-21716 of the Business & Professions Code, Section 2328 of the UCC, Section 535 of the Penal Code and provisions of the Civil Code. Any vehicles sold will be under Section 3071 of motor vehicle code.

The Online bidding starts on (05/22/2023 at 10:00 AM) and ends at (06/05/2023 at 10:00AM). Full access to this auction can be viewed at www.bid13.com. The undersigned will be sold by competitive bidding at BID13 on or after the 06/05/2023 at 10:00AM or later, on the premises where said property has been stored and which are located at:

Company Name Stor-Mor Self Storage 8635 E. Valley Blvd. Rosemead CA 91770 626-287-3865

Unit sold appear to contain: Misc. furniture, household goods, and boxes

Belonging to:

UNIT# A527, Lopez, Erika R. UNIT# B605, Lopez, Erika R. UNIT# A603, Alvarez, Lydia M Unit# B912, Alvarez, Lydia M Purchases must be paid for at the time of purchase in CASH ONLY. All purchased items sold as is and must be removed at the time of sale. Sale subject to cancellation in the event of settlement between

LEGALS

Glendale City Notices

NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISSION HEARING APPEAL OF PLANNING HEARING OFFICER’S DECISION VARIANCE CASE NO. PVAR2200992

LOCATION: 1916 NIODRARA DRIVE, 91208

APPELLANT: Catherine Jurca for Verdugo Woodlands West HOA

APPLICANT/OWNER: Amanda J. Dillin

ZONE: “R1-I HD” (Low Density Residential) Zone, Floor Area Ratio District I Historic District

LEGAL DESCRIPTION/APN: Lot 21 and Portions of lots 22 and 23, Fernbrook Place Tract / (APN: 5614-019-039)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Appeal of the Planning Hearing Officer’s approval of a variance to allow the removal of an existing three-foot high fence located within the required 25-foot street front setback, which spans across the entire width of the lot facing Niodrara Drive and install a new, six-foot high wrought iron fence setback five feet from the street front property line where a minimum 25 feet is required by the Zoning Code. The 14,389 square-foot lot is developed with a three-story, 3,012 square-foot single-family residence (built in 1941) and an attached 547 sqare-foot garage.

ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION

The project is exempt from CEQA review as a Class 3 “New Construction or Conversion of Small structures” exemption pursuant to Section 15303 of the State CEQA Guidelines because the project involves the construction of a new six-foot high wrought iron fence, and as a Class 31 “Historical Resource Restoration/Preservation” exemption pursuant to Section 15331 because the approval of a variance for the fence location would not have an adverse impact on the subject property’s ongoing status as a contributor to the subject historic district. The property is located in a designated Historic District developed with a three-story house (built in 1941) identified as a contributor (5D1 status).

PUBLIC HEARING

The Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing regarding the above project in ROOM 105 OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUILDING, 633 E. BROADWAY, GLENDALE, CA 91206, ON JUNE 7, 2023, AT 5:00 PM OR AS SOON THEREAFTER AS POSSIBLE.

The hearing will be open to the public. For public comments and questions during the meeting, the public may call 818-937-8100. City staff will be submitting these questions and comments in real time to the appropriate person during the meeting. You may also testify in person at the hearing if you wish to do so. Written comments may be submitted to the planner above prior to the hearing.

The meeting can be viewed on Charter Cable Channel 6 or by streaming online at: https:// www.glendaleca.gov/government/departments/management-services/gtv6/live-videostream

If you would like more information on the proposal, please contact the case planner Milca Toledo in the Planning Division at (818) 548-2140 or (818) 937-8181 (email: mitoledo@ glendaleca.gov). The staff report and case materials will be available before the hearing date at www.glendaleca.gov/agendas.

Any person having an interest in the project described above may participate in the hearing, by phone as outlined above, or appear in person and may be heard in support of their opinion. Any person protesting may file a duly signed and acknowledged written protest with the Director of Community Development not later than the hour set for public hearing before the Hearing Officer. "Acknowledged" shall mean a declaration of property ownership (or occupant if not owner) under penalty of perjury. If you challenge the decision of this project in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Glendale, at or prior to the public hearing. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, please notify the Community Development Department at least 48 hours (or two business days) for requests regarding sign language translation and Braille transcription services.

Dr. Suzie Abajian, The City Clerk of the City of Glendale Publosh May 22, 2023

GLENDALE INDEPENDENT

Probate Notices

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF DAVID KANAREK

Case No. 23STPB04608

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

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Michael Kanarek in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

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

THE PETITION requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

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

A HEARING on the petition will be held on June 2, 2023 at 8:30 AM in Dept. No. 79 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

Court of California, County of RIVERSIDE.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that KYUNG ROK CHOI 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: 06/02/23 at 8:30AM in Dept. 11 located at 4050 MAIN STREET, RIVERSIDE, CA 92501

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 ALEXANDER HOYT-HEYDON, ESQ. - SBN 329332, NM LAW, APC 15147 WOODLAWN AVENUE TUSTIN CA 92780 BSC 223379 5/15, 5/18, 5/22/23 CNS-3701168# CORONA NEWS PRESS

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

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

Attorney for Petitioner: Martha B. Spalding, State Bar No. 207592 215 South Main Street Templeton, CA 93465

Telephone: 8054342138 5/15, 5/18, 5/22/23

CNS-3700936# PASADENA PRESS

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF JERRY WAYNE CRAIG Case No. 23STPB05122

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

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Robert E. Craig in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that Robert E. Craig 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. (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 administra-tion authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objec-tion to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

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

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Michele Akbari in the Superior Court of California, County of SAN BERNARDINO.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that Michele Akbari 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. (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 administra-tion authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objec-tion to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held on June 15, 2023 at 9:00 AM in Dept. No. S35 located at 247 W. Third St., San Bernardino, CA 92415.

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 ap-pearance 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 knowl-edgeable 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:

before the hearing. Your ap-pearance 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 knowl-edgeable 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:

RICHARD MIYAMOTO ESQ SBN 217754

TABATABAI & MIYAMOTO APC 11755 WILSHIRE BLVD STE 1250 LOS ANGELES CA 90025 CN996624 RAMIREZ May 15,18,22, 2023 ONTARIO NEWS PRESS

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF:

GORDON JAMES HAZLITT CASE NO. 23STPB05171

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

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by CHRISTOPHER CARL HAZLITT in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that CHRISTOPHER CARL HAZLITT be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal rep-resentative 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:

ABRAHAM APRAKU ESQ SBN 263656

LAW OFFICE OF ABRAHAM APRAKU

119 SOUTH ATLANTIC BL STE 307

MONTEREY PARK CA 91754

CN996382 KANAREK May 15,18,22, 2023

ALHAMBRA PRESS

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF:

DALE S. UCHIYAMA

CASE NO. PRRI2300425

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of DALE S. UCHIYAMA. A PETITION FOR PROBATE has

NOTICE OF ANCILLARY PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF CHRISTOPHER ANDERSEN CASE NO. 23STPB05024

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

A ANCILLARY PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Anna Curnes in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles.

THE ANCILLARY PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that Anna Curnes be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE ANCILLARY PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act with full authority . (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.)

The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held on 06/13/2023 at 8:30 AM in Dept. 2D located at 111 N. HILL ST. LOS ANGELES CA 90012 STANLEY MOSK COURTHOUSE

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

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and

A HEARING on the petition will be held on June 16, 2023 at 8:30 AM in Dept. No. 29 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 ap-pearance 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 knowl-edgeable 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:

WILBUR GIN ESQ SBN 93826

EDWARDS ASHTON AND GIN LLP

100 W BROADWAY STE 860 GLENDALE CA 91210-1202 CN996631 CRAIG May 15,18,22, 2023 BURBANK INDEPENDENT

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF GEORGE RAMIREZ

Case No. PROSB2300573

RICHARD MIYAMOTO ESQ SBN 217754

TABATABAI & MIYAMOTO APC 11755 WILSHIRE BLVD STE 1250 LOS ANGELES CA 90025 CN996625 RAMIREZ May 15,18,22, 2023 ONTARIO NEWS PRESS

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF SONIA RAMIREZ

Case No. PROSB2300574

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

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Michele Akbari in the Superior Court of California, County of SAN BERNARDINO.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that Michele Akbari 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. (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 administra-tion authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objec-tion to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held on June 14, 2023 at 9:00 AM in Dept. No. S36 located at 247 W. Third St., San Bernardino, CA 92415.

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

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.)

The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 06/16/23 at 8:30AM in Dept. 29 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

NLRB certifies union vote of NoHo topless dancers

By City News Service

First 5 San Bernardino kicks off Kid Safe Summer campaign

By Staff

One day after club owners withdrew their opposition, the National Labor Relations Board on Thursday certified a vote by dancers at a North Hollywood topless bar, making them the only strippers in the nation to be represented by a union.

Dancers at Star Garden Topless Dive Bar voted unanimously to unionize with the Actors’ Equity Association, which represents more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers nationally. Formal tabulation of the dancers’ vote, which was conducted late last year, had been on hold due to opposition by the bar owners to the unionization effort.

But the union announced Wednesday that the bar owners had dropped that opposition.

“Strippers are live entertainers. While some elements of their job are unique, they are essentially performance artists, and have a lot in common with other Equity members who dance for a living,” Actors’ Equity Association President Kate Shindle said in a statement.

“Every worker who wants a union deserves a union. The Star Garden dancers have been absolute warriors throughout this long process, and I’m thrilled that we’ve won recognition of their rights to safety and democracy in the workplace and representation at the bargaining table.”

The roughly 30 dancers at Star Garden began picketing outside the club last year to protest alleged unsafe working conditions with the assistance of Strippers United, an organization that advocates for strippers’ rights. The club’s dancers said they were not adequately protected from threatening and abusive behavior by patrons.

“If you have been following our journey, then you know this has been a long, exhausting fight, which is why this victory is so sweet,” one of the dancers, named Reagan, said in a statement Wednesday. “We put everything we have into this campaign, and we were fortunate to have the support and solidarity from the club’s patrons, our allies and friends, the labor movement and our union, Actors’ Equity Association.”

The Star Garden dancers are not the first strippers to ever unionize. Strippers at San Francisco’s Lusty Lady organized the Exotic Dancers Union in 1996. They were affiliated with the Service Employees International Union. The Lusty Lady closed in 2013.

La Cañada Flintridge City Council announces new city manager

By Staff

At their May 16 regular meeting, the city of La Cañada Flintridge City Council unanimously approved an employment agreement with Daniel Jordan to become the city’s seventh city manager effective on June 14. Jordan will take over the role from retiring City Manager Mark Alexander, whose last day will be June 13.

Jordan returns to the city of La Cañada Flintridge after previously serving as the city’s finance director for nine years, leaving in 2017 to assume the director of finance position for the city of Westlake Village.

Jordan has served as city manager for the city of Duarte for the past three years where he focused on restructuring and improving operations to increase financial reserves, creating organizational efficiencies by implementing new information flows and procedures and initiating long-range planning processes, including the city’s first Five-Year General Fund Projection and first Five-Year Capital Improvement Program.

“Daniel not only has first-hand experience in our community, but he also brings a proven track record in local government and is an experienced leader that will build upon our successes and help us navigate through future challenges,” said Mayor Keith Eich. “His strengths in financial management, team building, and operational efficiencies will allow us to continue to lead our city into a positive future for residents and businesses alike.”

First 5 San Bernardino (F5SB) launched a new bilingual campaign called Kid Safe Summer aimed at heightening awareness of keeping little ones safe around water, in the direct sun, during playtime and even on road trips. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to visit F5SB’s website, for more information on how to keep babies, toddlers and young kids safe this summer.

“Summer is such a fun and exciting time for young children, but it’s important to take steps to keep them safe,” said First 5 San Bernardino Executive Director Karen Scott. “By being aware of the potential dangers and taking proactive safety measures, parents and caregivers can make sure that summertime fun isn’t ruined by a trip to urgent care or the hospital.”

The Kid Safe Summer campaign focuses on three messages: water safety, sun safety and on-the-move safety. The campaign uses

digital and radio advertising to share safety messages and encourage visits to the F5SB website which offers videos, quick tips, easy downloads and other summer safety resources.

Water Safety focuses on critical awareness of toddlers around water — drowning is the leading cause of injuryrelated death for young children in California. Caregivers are encouraged to always designate a water watcher, learn the ABCs of Water Safety and understand what is and what isn’t an appropriate flotation device when swimming or playing in the water.

Sun Safety reminds parents of how hot temperatures can cause heatstroke, dehydration and even death. “Children should never be left alone in a parked car, even for a short time,” said Scott. “Babies and young children are particularly vulnerable because their bodies can heat up three to

five times faster than adults. Cars can heat up to deadly temperatures as quickly as in 10 minutes.”

On-the-Move Safety reinforces the need for parents and caregivers to be vigilant with outdoor playtime as well as summer road trips. California law requires that all children under the age of 8 must be properly secured in a car seat or booster seat in the back seat of the vehicle. Additionally, children who are under 2 years old or who weigh less than 40 pounds must be secured in a rear-facing car seat.

F5SB is also presenting Summer Safety virtual workshops in partnership with Safe Kids Inland Empire and Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital. Parents and professionals alike are encouraged to register for these free informational sessions from the area’s leading experts on child safety.

| Image courtesy of Actors’ Equity/Twitter

OC power board chair rips Huntington Beach withdrawal from agency

By City News Service

tion or not,” Jung said. “And you also have choice,” he said. “I don’t think monopolies are a good thing. Offering choice does tend to build competition and, as a result, you get a better product and a cheaper product.”

Huntington Beach Mayor Tony Strickland issued a statement saying the agency “has been a disaster from day one.”

Rhonda Bolton voted no.

The move came weeks after Brian Probolsky was pushed out as the agency’s CEO and replaced by interim CEO Joe Mosca, who had been a public relations director of the agency.

Kalmick said the special meeting was unexpected.

and the fundamentals have always been good so I don’t quite understand what the need is to leave,” Kalmick said. “There’s no staff report so it’s unclear what is actually going on here.”

The chairman of the Orange County Power Authority board blasted Huntington Beach officials Wednesday for voting to withdraw from the fledgling agency and said he believes it remains viable.

But Fred Jung, chairman of the agency’s board as well as Fullerton’s mayor, told City News Service that he hopes his own city council will not entertain a withdrawal from the authority.

“If you believe the impacts for climate change are real and we as adults have a duty to the next generation to mitigate the negative impacts on climate change then this is the biggest move we’ve made as a city in a very long time if ever, so I am perplexed at some of my council

members that may look at this,” Jung said.

“Even if you don’t believe in the agency and the management thus far you have to believe in savings and choice and climate change to some extent. I hope they stay and hope we can make it.”

No one has put the move to withdraw on the agenda of the Fullerton City Council, Jung said.

The authority’s officials earlier calculated the effect of Irvine exiting the agency when there were multiple discussions of doing so last year, Jung said.

“This isn’t foreign to our staff,” he said. “Irvine at the time was the largest entity and we found it was viable at the time for the agency even without Irvine.”

Jung warned that Southern California Edison had plans to “increase electricity rates another 45% by 2020. By choosing to stay with OCPA, Huntington Beach businesses and residents have the ability to select OCPA’s Basic Choice renewable energy plan, which costs 2% less than SCE and offers more renewable energy.”

The board chairman added that for many small businesses such as restaurants, which operate on razor-thin profit margins, “That 2% savings could be the difference between letting go an employee or keeping one.”

For seniors on a fixed income, “That 2% savings could be the difference between affording a medica-

He added, “I don’t need to reiterate all of the problems, first and foremost being the agency’s lack of transparency and unqualified leadership, which is evidenced by both the state and county audits, as well as whistleblower complaints.”

Strickland said the agency “doesn’t even meet the state’s minimum Renewables Portfolio Standard. They can say their energy is green, but the facts show otherwise. After disagreeing with county officials, who also decided to opt out of the OCPA, I believe this is the right time to withdraw. I have an obligation to protect the residents of Huntington Beach and to act in their best interest, whichever way you look at it, the OCPA isn’t good for Huntington Beach.”

The city council voted 4-3 on Tuesday night to withdraw. Council members Gracey Van Der Mark, Pat Burns and Casey McKeon sided with Strickland. Council members Dan Kalmick, Natalie Moser and

“No one knew this was coming, which is horrible for business,” Kalmick said. “Businesses don’t like surprises and this is a surprise to everyone.”

The move to exit the agency was surprising “now that they’ve fixed 90% of the issues enumerated in the audits,” Kalmick said. “And there’s new management coming on board.”

Kalmick said he believes the city cannot get out of the agency until July 2024 and added that the move could cost the city money and invite lawsuits.

“And is Edison ready to take back Huntington Beach at this point?” Kalmick said.

“If the city pulls out Edison would be 2% more expensive — at least,” Kalmick said. “I have no idea what this would cost. And there’s a whole set of legal stuff that has to happen for us to withdraw.”

It was easier for the county to withdraw in December because it had not yet taken any power from the authority, Kalmick said.

“I think the power authority is in good shape

Orange County Board of Supervisors Chairman Don Wagner, who also serves on the power authority’s board, said he understood the request.

“I certainly understand the desire to withdraw,” Wagner said. “The county’s analysis following our giving notice of withdrawal shows that the power contracts are more valuable now than when purchased, so can be sold without a loss to the agency. That means it’s the right time for any city to get out of an organization that is, unfortunately in my view, no longer sustainable.”

The other cities in the agency are Fullerton, Buena Park and Irvine.

A state audit of the agency was critical of how many customers it was losing and cited issues with transparency. The state audit followed two other critical audits.

The agency was founded as a Community Choice Aggregator, which aims to increase the use of renewable energy and scale up to reduce costs. The authority was criticized in the state audit for not making it clearer to customers on how they can opt out and make informed decisions.

budget for 2023-24 fiscal year, up from the $22.5 billion shortfall that was projected in his proposed January budget. Newsom indicated spending reductions and pullbacks would be necessary to ensure a balanced budget. In terms of funding for homeless projects and cleaning up encampments, he said “we are not backing away” and his proposed budget would commit $3.7 billion to do so.

In his May Revise, $1 billion in one-time funding from the General Fund would be used for HHAP and focus on “reducing unsheltered homelessness,” including prioritizing spending on Homekey operating sustainability and Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment Act housing supports.

According to his office, Newsom has invested $15.3 billion overall to address the homelessness crisis, including $3 billion for flexible aid to

local government; $3 billion for Homekey; $2.2 billion for behavior health infrastructure; $1.5 billion for behavioral health bridge housing; $860 million for community care expansion; $750 million for encampment clean up grants; and $262 million for Project Roomkey.

Bass met with state legislators throughout the day and discussed funding and ongoing efforts to address homelessness, among other

priorities.

The trip is Bass’ first since May 4 when she flew to Chicago to appear at the 22nd annual “Ultimate Women’s Power Lunch,” a major Democratic fundraiser in Illinois hosted by Rep. Jan Schakowsky, where she gave advice to Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson.

Bass was scheduled to return to Los Angeles Wednesday evening, according to a spokeswoman.

A local of the San Gabriel Valley area, Jordan’s current and previous community activities include serving as a director on the boards of both Saint Francis High School in La Cañada Flintridge and the Pasadena Southwest Little League. His long-standing ties to the La Cañada Flintridge community began in the 1980s when he attended Saint Francis High School and in the 1990s when he completed a one-year internship at La Cañada Flintridge City Hall. These connections have continued to the present day as all three of his sons have attended La Cañada Flintridge schools.

“I am honored to be given the opportunity to serve as the next city manager for La Cañada Flintridge,” said Jordan. “I have so many personal and professional ties to this community and am looking

Homelessness

New city manager

| Photo by axexlucru123/Envato Elements

Mayor Karen Bass discusses strategies on the homelessness crisis in Sacramento. | Photo courtesy of MayorOfLA/Twitter

forward to working with the residents, city council, businesses and staff to enhance and preserve the area’s unique character and

the quality of life. This is a special place and I feel very lucky to be a part of the La Cañada Flintridge team again.”

Daniel Jordan. | Photo courtesy of the city of Duarte