Duarte Dispatch_2/23/2026 by Beacon Media News

West Covina sues city councilman over AI use

By Joe Taglieri joet@beaconmedianews.com

TheWestCovina CityCouncilvoted 4-0 Tuesday to ﬁle a lawsuit against Councilman Brian Gutierrez for his alleged failure to comply with a public records request regarding his use of artiﬁcial intelligence during council meetings.

Gutierrez countered that the lawsuit is an attempt to discredit him for reporting misconduct by city ofﬁcials.

The lawsuit ﬁled Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court alleges that after receiving a Public Records Act request last month from former West Covina Mayor Brian Tabatabai for documents and information Gutierrez used or viewed during more than two dozen council meetings, he produced only a handful of documents that appeared largely miscellaneous, according to the city’s announcement of the legal action.

City officials also allege that despite Gutierrez’s admitted use of generative artificial intelligence in the performance of his council duties, he failed or refused to produce his prompts or chats with the AI chatbots he uses. When asked by the City Clerk’s Office to at least preserve his records of AI use, Gutierrez responded in a manner that suggested he did not intend to do so, officials said.

“We regret that the city was forced to take this action, but, as set forth in the Writ of Mandate ﬁled last night, Mr. Gutierrez is withholding public records in his personal possession and even appears to claim that he does not need to preserve them,” Acting City Manager Milan Mrakich said in a statement Wednesday. “The City is required by state law to comply with all California Public Records Act requests, and Mr. Gutierrez actions could subject the city to signiﬁcant liabil-

ity.”

Gutierrez released a statement following the lawsuit’s ﬁling.

“West Covina residents deserve transparency, due process, and public safety — not retaliation, selective enforcement, intimidation, or backroom decision-making,” he said.

“They lied to the court, saying I used a personal laptop during council meetings,”

Gutierrez said in a phone interview with HeySoCal.com.

“This is a misleading, malicious lawsuit. At no point did I say I was not going to comply with (the public records request).”

According to Gutierrez’s prepared statement, “This dispute began when a former mayor submitted a Public Records Act request that was then used as the basis to target a sitting councilmember. I complied in good faith by producing information I could reasonably produce and by repeatedly attempting to transmit documents when technical issues arose.

“Where legitimate legal questions existed about scope, I raised them responsibly. That is not refusal — that is governance.”

The District 1 councilman contends that “at no point did the City Clerk’s Office or the City Attorney’s Office call me — or otherwise clearly notify me — that I was still missing documents or that my production was deficient. I was never given a specific itemized list of what the city claimed was missing, and I was never given a reasonable opportunity to cure before litigation was authorized.

“Instead, the council majority escalated straight to a lawsuit against me. In my opinion, that decision was not driven by a goodfaith desire to resolve a records issue — it was driven by politics and retaliation.”

A bullet-pointed entry in the city’s lawsuit document says the public records request sought:

• “Documents, PDFs, spreadsheets, presentations, notes, agendas, or draftmaterials

• “Emails or messages related to city business that were opened or viewedduring meetings

• “Web-based documents or applications accessed during

meetings

• “Any electronic materials referenced, reviewed, or consulted duringpublic meetings.”

Gutierrez said he has Aspergers’ syndrome, which is a form of autism.

He has “a documented disabilityandformally approved accommodations” that require city ofﬁcials call or verbally inform him when there is a compliance concern or an allegation that something is missing, according to Gutierrez’s statement.

“That did not happen. No one called me. No one verbally identiﬁed a speciﬁc missing document,” he said. “No one gave me an itemized list or a meaningful opportunity to cure before litigation was authorized.”

Gutierrez also criticized the law ﬁrm representing the city in the suit against him.

“I also have serious concerns about the city’s reliance on outside counsel, including Buchalter, in matters now being used to litigate against a sitting councilmember,” Gutierrez said. He listed concerns about law ﬁrm

LA County ﬁles lawsuit against Roblox over child exploitation claims

By City News Service

LosAngelesCounty ﬁled alawsuitThursdayagainstgaming platform Roblox, alleging the company engaged in unfair and deceptive business practices that exposed children to sexual content, exploitation and online predators.

The civil complaint, ﬁled in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday, alleges Roblox failed to implement adequate moderation and age-veriﬁcation safeguards despite marketing the platform as a safe space for children.

County ofﬁcials contend the company prioritized proﬁt over child safety, allowing sexuallyexplicitcontent, inappropriateinteractions and grooming to occur on the platform.

“This lawsuit is about protecting children from online predators and inappropriate content,” Board of Supervisors Chair Hilda Solis said in a statement. “Roblox has a responsibility to keep kids safe, but instead it has allowed its platform to become a place where children can be exposed to grooming and exploitation.”

Roblox reports more than 151 million daily active users and over 380 million monthly users worldwide, with more than 40% under age 13, and nearly 75% of

U.S. children ages 9 to 12 playing on the platform regularly, according to the statement.

The lawsuit alleges Roblox failed to adequately moderate user- generated content, enforce age restrictions or disclose the extent of inappropriate material and risks posed by sexual predators on the platform.

The lawsuit was ﬁled by County Counsel Dawyn R. Harrison on behalf of the People of the State of California.

“This is not about a minor lapse in safety. It is about a company that gives pedophiles powerful tools to prey on innocent and unsuspectingchildren,” Harrison said. “The trauma that results is horriﬁc, from grooming to exploitation to actual assault. This needs to stop.”

The county claims violations of California’s Unfair Competition Law and False Advertising Law and is seeking injunctive relief, abatement and civil penalties of up to $2,500 per violation per day.

In a statement provided to City News Service Thursday, Roblox rejected the allegations.

“We strongly dispute the claims in this lawsuit and

Photo by Oberon Copeland @veryinformed.com / Unsplash

West Covina City Councilman Brian Gutierrez. | Photo courtesy of Rowland Heights Uniﬁed School District/Facebook

Fourth measles case in LA County confirmed in international traveler

By City News Service

LosAngelesCounty

health officials Thursday confirmed another case of measles in a resident who recently traveled internationally and visited several locations in Montebello and Whittier last week.

The patient is the fourth case of measles reported by the county Department of Public Health this year.

According to the agency, the unidentified resident arrived Feb. 9 at Los Angeles International Airport’s Tom Bradley Terminal B aboard Singapore Airlines flight #0038. Health officials said anyone who was at Terminal

B between 7:30 and 9:40 p.m. Feb. 9 may have been exposed. Passengers who were seated near the patient will be notified by their local health officials.

The patient may have also exposed people at the following locations:

-- Burger King, 1212 W. Beverly Blvd., Montebello, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Feb. 10;

-- Taqueria El Atacor, 11156 1/2 Whittier Blvd, Whittier, from 3 to 5 p.m. Feb. 11;

-- Domino’s Pizza, 803 W. Whittier Blvd, Montebello, from 4 to 5:15 p.m. Feb. 12; and

-- 7-Eleven, 1106 W. Beverly Blvd, Montebello, from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. Feb. 13.

People who might have been exposed were advised to check their immunity status and contact their doctor about receiving the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine if they are unvaccinated or unsure.

There have been 910 confirmed cases of measles in the nation as of Feb. 12, the highest number of measles cases in that period since the U.S. achieved elimination status in 2000, according to the depart-

ment. Most of the cases are linked to an ongoing measles outbreak in South Carolina and one outbreak involving Arizona and Utah.

The majority of cases involve people who were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status, according to the county.

Common symptoms of the virus are fever, cough, red watery eyes and a rash that usually starts on the head and spreads. The virus spreads through the air and by direct contact with an infected person. An infection can spread the virus for four days before the rash is noticed.

Study: Claremont extension of Metro A Line to generate

By Staff

OnWednesday,the Foothill Gold Line

Construction Authority (Construction Authority) released a report prepared by Kleinhenz Economics detailing the economic impacts from the upcoming construction and operations of the 2.3-mile Claremont extension of the Metro A Line. The report, “Economic Impact of the Claremont Extension of the Metro A Line on the Los Angeles County Economy,” quantifies the economic impact within Los Angeles County from the initial capital investment to build the light rail extension, including jobs created, economic output, labor income and tax revenues at the county, state and federal levels; as well as the ongoing economic benefits to the county once passenger service begins.

According to the report, during the seven-year design and construction phase alone

(2026 to 2032), the project will generate more than $1.13 billion in economic output, support more than 4,700 jobs and produce more than $481 million in labor income. Workers will see an average annual income of $101,000. Furthermore, construction activity is estimated to generate more than $154 million in tax revenues, including more than $20 million in revenues for Los Angeles County. For every $1 million spent during the next seven years of final design and construction, the project will generate $1.6 million in total economic output for the region, according to the report.

“This project is more than just a rail line; it is an economic catalyst for Los Angeles County,” stated Foothill Gold Line Board Chair and Claremont Vice Mayor Ed Reece. “Connecting Claremont to the Metro A Line represents a trans-

Pasadena

formational investment that will create thousands of high-paying jobs, generate substantial tax revenues and provide lasting economic benefits for generations to come.”

Once passenger service begins, the ongoing operations will continue to

Chorale

Tgenerate return on investment for the county. The report found that for every $1 million spent operating the extension, the project will generate $7.6 million in total economic output for Los Angeles County, driven by effects across the supply chain and from household

celebrates Black

American composers with ‘I BELIEVE’ concert

By Staff

he Pasadena Chorale invites the community to “I BELIEVE,” a concert honoring Black History Month through music that explores faith, hope, and social justice. This free performance by the awardwinning Pasadena Chorale will take place Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church Pasadena. “I BELIEVE” celebrates the musical legacy of two Black American composers. The program opens with original spiritual arrangements by Michal Dawson Connor, an Altadena-based composer whose settings of

“My Lord, What a Morning” and “There Is a Balm in Gilead” draw on deep traditions of resilience, devotion, and communal strength. The concert culminates in Margaret Bonds’ “Credo,” a work of conviction and hope based on the poem by W.E.B. DuBois.

Together, these works offer an evening of spiritual reflection and musical storytelling. Admission is free and open to the public. Tickets can be reserved at pasadenachorale.org. A reservation is required for entry, as seating is limited.

spending.

Under an 8-minute headway scenario during the first three years of operations (2032 to 2034) alone, the project is estimated to generate nearly $460 million in economic output, support nearly 1,200 annual jobs and produce more than $490 million in labor income. The average annual wage for supported jobs is estimated at $137,000, which, like the average annual wage during construction, is significantly higher than the county’s median earnings. More than $123 million in total tax revenues will be generated in the first three years of operations, with Los Angeles County receiving approximately $22 million of that total.

“The study confirms what we have always seen throughout the various extensions of the Metro A Line from Los Angeles through the San Gabriel

Valley – that the return on investment from the project is significant,” added Foothill Gold Line CEO Habib F. Balian. “The longterm economic effect of the Claremont Extension will go far beyond what is included in this report; it will change where families decide to set down roots, where businesses locate and invest and how and where jobs are created.”

The study does not capture Metro A Line riders spending around the stations, the project serving as a catalyst for transitoriented development near the rail line, the economic activity generated by residents and businesses at these new developments, and the environmental and public health benefits from reduced traffic congestion and vehicle emissions.

The economic impact report can be viewed online at http://www.foothillgoldline. org/news/media-resources/.

Photo by CDC / Unsplash

| Photo by The West End / Flickr CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

| Image courtesy of Pasadena Chorale

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AAirbnb launches incentive program for hosts ahead of World Cup

By City News Service

irbnbThursday announced the launch of an incentive program to offer $750 to new home hosts in any of the 16 cities in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, who welcome their first guests through July 1 for the 2026 World Cup.

The company said the incentive program was driven by new data that showed high demand for stays on Airbnb during the World Cup. Searches for stays in host cities increased by an average of 80% compared to the same period last year.

Millions of soccer fans are expected to attend the World Cup this summer. Deloitte, a United Kingdom-based accounting firm, estimates that residents of host cities could earn $3,000 on average by renting their space during the tournament, according to Airbnb.

An online survey

Members of a California faith organization are speaking out against the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to reverse the rule underpinning climate protections under the Clean Air Act.

The EPA finalized a decision reversing the 2009 Endangerment Finding, a legal provision which said greenhouse gases put human health at risk and therefore must be regulated.

commissioned by Airbnb and conducted by Focaldata in December 2025 found that of 6,000 respondents, almost two-thirds said they would consider renting out space in their homes during the World Cup.

Almost half, about 49%, of respondents said earning extra income would be their primary motivation for hosting. Nearly 90% of respondents said the extra income would have a significant or moderate positive impact on their current financial situation.

About 40% of respondents said they would use the extra income to help clear debts, another 40% said they would use the income to cover living expenses, and about 33% of respondents said they would use the income to make home improvements.

“As the world’s biggest sporting event comes to

North America, Airbnb is launching its biggest new host incentive ever,” Dave Stephenson, chief business officer for Airbnb, said in a statement.

“Demand for World Cup stays on Airbnb is surging, giving residents of host cities the opportunity to boost their incomes by sharing their homes and the communities they love. There’s truly never been a better time to become a host on Airbnb,” Stephenson added.

CA faith leaders condemn move to undermine climate regulation

By Suzanne Potter, Public News Service

Susan Stephenson, executive director of the nonprofit California Interfaith Power and Light, said the EPA is betraying its own mission.

“Their mission is to protect human health and the environment,” Stephenson stressed. “This claim that global warming is not a threat is unfathomable and it is a morally reprehensible act.”

To accompany the rollback of the rule, the EPA is planning massive deregulation of federal emissions standards for cars and trucks. The President has argued antipollution measures

stymie industry and add to the cost of a vehicle.

CaliforniaAttorney General Rob Bonta has vowed to sue to stop the new EPA rule, as have a number of environmental groups but if the change stands, dozens of environmental regulations could be struck down.

Stephensonargued Americans must continue to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels, regardless.

“We have thousands of religious institutions around the state and around the country that are greening their facilities, reducing their carbon footprints, planting trees,” Stephenson outlined. “Working to make their communities healthier and make our climate more sustainable.”

CaliforniaInterfaith Power and Light submitted nearly 5,000 comments by people of faith in opposition to the new EPA rule during the public comment period.

References:

Petition (https://secure. everyaction.com/AlB3fC2Ch0-LJJWrcwVqSQ2)

Photo by Oberon Copeland @veryinformed.com / Unsplash

Photo by Howard P on Unsplash

Sentencing delayed for SoCal man who smuggled reptiles into U.S.

By City News Service

Asentencinghearing scheduled Thursday for a Southern California man who smuggled reptiles in his pockets into the United States from Mexico while claiming they were his pets was delayed until March 19, when the defendant told the judge he needed more time to prepare.

Jose Manuel Perez, 34, pleaded guilty in August 2022 to two counts of smuggling goods into the U.S. and one count of wildlife trafficking.

Perez -- who faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for each smuggling count and up to five years for wildlife trafficking -admitted to smuggling more than 1,700 wild animals into the U.S. over a six-year period, federal prosecutors said.

The defendant and his accomplices used social media to arrange details of the smuggling operation, which ran from January 2016 to February 2022, according to the plea agreement filed in Los Angeles federal court.

The smuggled animals, which included Yucatan box

turtles, Mexican box turtles, baby crocodiles and Mexican beaded lizards, were imported into the United States from Mexico and Hong Kong without declaring them to U.S. customs officials or obtaining permits required by an international treaty known as the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

Law enforcement estimates that the wildlife smuggled by Perez had a total market value exceeding $739,000.

For the animals smuggled from Mexico, Perez’s accomplices retrieved the wildlife from Ciudad Juarez International Airport in Mexico and smuggled the animals by car to El Paso, Texas. The accomplices were paid a “crossing fee” for each border crossing -- the amount of which depended on the number of animals transported, the size of the package, and the risk of being detected, court papers show.

Perez then had the animals shipped to his family’s home in Oxnard, where he resold the

animals to customers across the United States. Throughout the process, Perez used the alias “Julio Rodriguez” to conceal his involvement in the scheme.

On other occasions, Perez himself traveled to Mexico to obtain wildlife. From a rented house in Tijuana, Perez crossed into the United States at the San Ysidro Port of Entry about three-dozen times between February 2021 and February 2022.

On Feb. 25, 2022, Perez was arrested at San Ysidro while attempting to enter the United States with 60 reptiles contained in tied-up bags concealed in his jacket pockets, pants pockets, groin area and pant legs, officials said. Three of the reptiles died during the smuggling attempt.

In May 2022, Perez was ordered released on bond. On June 5, 2022, the day before a hearing, Perez removed his court-ordered ankle bracelet and fled to Tijuana. About 10 days later, Perez was apprehended and brought back to the United States, authorities said.

Yucatan box turtle. | Photo by Andrew DuBois / Flickr CC BY-NC 2.0

Attorneys, families struggle to find hospitalized ICE detainees

By Claudia Boyd-Barrett for KFF Health News.

Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the KFF Health News-Public News Service Collaboration

Lydia Romero strained to hear her husband’s feeble voice through the phone.

A week earlier, immigration agents had grabbed Julio César Peña from his front yard in Glendale, California. Now, he was in a hospital after suffering a ministroke. He was shackled to the bed by his hand and foot, he told Romero, and agents were in the room, listening to the call. He was scared he would die and wanted his wife there.

“What hospital are you at?” Romero asked.

“I can’t tell you,” he replied.

Viridiana Chabolla, Peña’s attorney, couldn’t get an answer to that question, either. Peña’s deportation officer and the medical contractor at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center refused to tell her. Exasperated, she tried calling a nearby hospital, Providence St. Mary Medical Center.

“They said even if they had a person in ICE custody under their care, they wouldn’t be able to confirm whether he’s there or not, that only ICE can give me the information,” Chabolla said. The hospital confirmed this policy to KFF Health News.

Family members and attorneys for patients hospitalized after being detained by federal immigration officials said they are facing extreme difficulty trying to locate patients, get information about their well-being, and provide them emotional and legal support. They say many hospitals refuse to provide information or allow contact with these patients. Instead, hospitals allow immigration officers to call the shots on how much — if any — contact is allowed, which can deprive patients of their constitutional right to seek legal advice and leave them vulnerable to abuse, attorneys said.

Hospitals say they are trying to protect the safety and privacy of patients, staff, and law enforcement officials, even while hospital employees in Los Angeles, Minneapolis, and Portland, Ore., cities where Immigration and Customs Enforcement has conducted immigration raids, say it’s made their jobs difficult. Hospitals have used what are sometimes called blackout procedures, which can include registering a patient under a pseudonym, removing their name from the hospital directory, or prohibiting staff from even confirming that a patient is in the hospital.

“We’ve heard incidences of this blackout process being

used at multiple hospitals across the state, and it’s very concerning,” said Shiu-Ming Cheer, the deputy director of immigrant and racial justice at the California Immigrant Policy Center, an advocacy group.

SomeDemocratic-led states, including California, Colorado, and Maryland, have enacted legislation that seeks to protect patients from immigration enforcement in hospitals. However, those policies do not address protections for people already in ICE custody.

More Detainees Hospitalized

Peña is among more than 350,000 people arrested by federal immigration authorities since President Donald Trump returned to the White House. As arrests and detentions have climbed, so too have reports of people taken to hospitals by immigration agents because of illness or injury — due to preexisting conditions or problems stemming from their arrest or detention.

ICE has faced criticism for using aggressive and deadly tactics, as well as for reports of mistreatment and inadequate medical care at its facilities.

Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) told reporters at a Jan. 20 news conference outside a detention center he visited in California City that he spoke to a diabetic woman held there who had not received treatment in two months.

While there are no publicly available statistics on the number of people sick or injured in ICE detention, the agency’s news releases point to 32 people who died in immigration custody in 2025. Six more have died this year.

The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, did not respond to a request for information about its policies or Peña’s case.

According to ICE’s guidelines, people in custody should be given access to a telephone, visits from family and friends, and private consultation with legal counsel. The agency can make administrative decisions, including about visitation, when a patient is in the hospital, but should defer to hospital policies on contacting next of kin when a patient is seriously ill, the guidelines state.

Asked in detail about hospital practices related to patients in immigration custody and whether there are best practices that hospitals should follow, Ben Teicher, a spokesperson for the American Hospital Associa-

tion, declined to comment.

David Simon, a spokesperson for the California Hospital Association, said that “there are times when hospitals will — at the request of law enforcement — maintain confidentiality of patients’ names and other identifying characteristics.”

Although policies vary, members of the public can typically call a hospital and ask for a patient by name to find out whether they’re there, and often be transferred to the patient’s room, said William Weber, an emergency physician in Minneapolis and medical director for the Medical Justice Alliance, which advocates for the medical needs of people in law enforcement custody. Family members and others authorized by the patient can visit. And medical staff routinely call relatives to let them know a loved one is in the hospital, or to ask for information that could help with their care.

But when a patient is in law enforcement custody, hospitals frequently agree to restrict this kind of information sharing and access, Weber said. The rationale is that these measures prevent unauthorized outsiders from threatening the patient or law enforcement personnel, given that hospitals lack the security infrastructure of a prison or detention center. High-profile patients such as celebrities sometimes also request this type of protection.

Several attorneys and health care providers questioned the need for such restrictions. Immigration detention is civil, not criminal, detention. The Trump administration says it’s focused on arresting and deporting criminals, yet most of those arrested have no criminal conviction, according to data compiled by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse and several news outlets.

Taken Outside His Home

According to Peña’s wife, Romero, he has no criminal record. Peña came to the United States from Mexico in sixth grade and has an adult son in the U.S. military. The

tion attorneys have spent weeks trying to locate clients detained by ICE, with their efforts sometimes thwarted by hospitals.

43-year-old has terminal kidney disease and survived a heart attack in November. He has trouble walking and is partially blind, his wife said. He was detained Dec. 8 while resting outside after coming home from dialysis treatment.

Initially, Romero was able to find her husband through the ICE Online Detainee Locator System. She visited him at a temporary holding facility in downtown Los Angeles, bringing him his medicines and a sweater. She then saw he’d been moved to the Adelanto detention center. But the locator did not show where he was after he was hospitalized.

When she and other relatives drove to the detention facility to find him, they were turned away, she said. Romero received occasional calls from her husband in the hospital but said they were less than 10 minutes long and took place under ICE surveillance. She wanted to know where he was so she could be at the hospital to hold his hand, make sure he was well cared for, and encourage him to stay strong, she said.

Shackling him and preventing him from seeing his family was unfair and unnecessary, she said.

“He’s weak,” Romero said. “It’s not like he’s going to run away.”

ICE guidelines say contact and visits from family and friends should be allowed “within security and operational constraints.” Detainees have a constitutional right to speak confidentially with an attorney. Weber said immigration authorities should tell attorneys where their clients are and allow them to talk in person or use an unmonitored phone line.

Hospitals, though, fall into a gray area on enforcing these rights, since they are primarily focused on treating medical needs, Weber said. Still, he added, hospitals should ensure their policies align with the law.

Family Denied Access Numerousimmigra-

Nicolas Thompson-Lleras, a Los Angeles attorney who counsels immigrants facing deportation, said two of his clients were registered under aliases at different hospitals in Los Angeles County last year. Initially, the hospitals denied the clients were there and refused to let ThompsonLleras meet with them, he said. Family members were also denied access, he said.

One of his clients was Bayron Rovidio Marin, a car wash worker injured during a raid in August. Immigration agents surveilled him for over a month at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, a county-run facility, without charging him.

In November, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to curb the use of blackout policies for patients under civil immigration custody at county-run hospitals. In a statement, Arun Patel, the chief patient safety and clinical risk management officer for the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, said the policies are designed to reduce safety risks for patients, doctors, nurses, and custody officers.

“In some situations, there may be concerns about threats to the patient, attempts to interfere with medical care, unauthorized visitors, or the introduction of contraband,” Patel said. “Our goal is not to restrict care but to allow care to happen safely and without disruption.”

Leaving Patients Vulnerable

Thompson-Lleras said he’s concerned that hospitals are cooperating with federal immigration authorities at the expense of patients and their families and leaving patients vulnerable to abuse.

“It allows people to be treated suboptimally,” Thompson-Lleras said. “It allows people to be treated on abbreviated timelines, without supervision, without family intervention or advocacy. These people are alone, disoriented, being interrogated, at least in Bayron’s case, under pain and influence of medication.”

Such incidents are alarming to hospital workers. In Los Angeles, two health care professionals who asked not to be identified by KFF Health News, out of concern for their livelihoods, said that ICE and hospital administrators, at public and private hospitals, frequently block staff from

contacting family members for people in custody, even to find out about their health conditions or what medications they’re on. That violates medical ethics, they said.

Blackout procedures are another concern.

“They help facilitate, whether intentionally or not, the disappearance of patients,” said one worker, a physician for the county’s Department of Health Services and part of a coalition of concerned health workers from across the region.

At Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in Portland, nurses publicly expressed outrage over what they saw as hospital cooperation with ICE and the flouting of patient rights. Legacy Health has sent a cease and desist letter to the nurses’ union, accusing it of making “false or misleading statements.”

“I was really disgusted,” said Blaire Glennon, a nurse who quit her job at the hospital in December. She said numerous patients were brought to the hospital by ICE with serious injuries they sustained while being detained. “I felt like Legacy was doing massive human rights violations.”

HandcuffedWhile

Unconscious

Two days before Christmas, Chabolla, Peña’s attorney, received a call from ICE with the answer she and Romero had been waiting for. Peña was at Victor Valley Global Medical Center, about 10 miles from Adelanto, and about to be released.

Excited, Romero and her family made the two-hourplus drive from Glendale to the hospital to take him home.

When they got there, they found Peña intubated and unconscious, his arm and leg still handcuffed to the hospital bed. He’d had a severe seizure on Dec. 20, but no one had told his family or legal team, his attorney said.

Tim Lineberger, a spokesperson for Victor Valley Global Medical Center’s parent company, KPC Health, said he could not comment on specific patient cases, because of privacy protections. He said the hospital’s policies on patient information disclosure comply with state and federal law.

Peña was finally cleared to go home on Jan. 5. No court date has been set, and his family is filing a petition to adjust his legal status based on his son’s military service. For now, he still faces deportation proceedings.

Julio Cesar Peña, who has terminal kidney disease, sits on his bike in the backyard of his home in Glendale, California. His family had a hard time locating him when he was hospitalized after being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. | Photo courtesy of Peña Family / Public News Service

Where and why housing is becoming unaffordable — the details behind home costs

By Susan Meyer for The Zebra via Stacker

It’s been a rough few years for home buyers, especially first-time purchasers eager to embark on the path to homeownership. A perfect storm of unfavorable conditions — including continued high list prices, steeper mortgage rates, prolonged inventory shortages and steep property tax and insurance bills — has put the squeeze on Americans and contributed to their inability to form households or move up or down to next properties. While there are some positive signs in the market lately, many areas remain unaffordable to a wide swath of prospective owners.

In this article, The Zebra takes a closer look at how we got to this point, the various challenges buyers face, key metros where prices remain out of reach, and predictions from the experts on affordability looking ahead.

Housing affordability: Why the crisis has deepened

The latest numbers paint a sobering picture for aspiring home buyers. Per the National Association of Realtors’ latest data from October 2025, the median sales price for all housing types is currently $415,200, an increase of 2.1% from one year ago and the 28th straight month of yearover-year price increases. Home prices rose in 77% of metro areas — 176 of 230 — during the third quarter of 2025, up from 75% in the previous quarter. Around 4% of metro markets posted double-digit gains, slightly below the 5% recorded in the second quarter, according to NAR data.

According to the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University’s State of the Nation's Housing 2025 report, U.S. home prices are up roughly 60% nationwide since 2019, pushing the median existing single-family home price to around five times the median household income, well above the traditional affordability benchmark price-to-income ratio of three. Home buyers are now looking at monthly mortgage payments of $2,570 on median-priced homes, which requires a yearly income of at least $126,700 just to meet standard lender debt-toincome limits. The number of cost-burdened owner household — those spending more than 30% of income on housing and utilities — now accounts for about 24% of all homeowners, according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies report.

“Additionally, mortgage

rates have increased from around 2.7% five years ago to a peak near 8% in 2023 and, even after the recent rate cuts, have hovered around 6%,” says Albert Lord, founder and CEO of Lexerd Capital Management. “Monthly mortgage payments have jumped 82% in five years, while incomes have risen only 26%.”

Additionally, labor shortages have compounded the lack of housing supply; Lord points out that the construction industry faces a shortfall of 350,000 monthly workers, adding two months to new home build times and $10.8 billion in annual economic losses, with 19,000 fewer homes being built. Factor in increased costs in building materials — which are up 41.6% since the COVID-19 pandemic — with the added burden of tariffs, which are expected to add $10,900 per new home, increased zoning regulations and activity from investors who have purchased up to 33% of single family homes in early 2025, a fiveyear high, and it’s clear to see that the deck is stacked against many hopeful buyers.

Ask Nadia Evangelou, senior economist and director of Real Estate Research for the NAR, and she’ll tell you that it’s multiple factors like these that have pushed plenty of shoppers away from the market.

“Affordability has weakened because mortgage rates surged while we were already short on homes,” she says. “We have underbuilt for years, so buyers are still competing for too few listings. Inventory has improved, but not at the prices people actually need it to be. Right now, middle-income buyers can afford only about 21% of listings, and we are still missing roughly half a million homes priced at or below $260,000. Until the market adds homes at those price points, affordability will remain tight.”

The new barriers to homeownership

Add to these hurdles the increasing concern over rising homeowners insurance rates.

“Insurance has become more expensive and, in some regions, harder to secure due to climate-related risks,” explains Beth Swanson, one of The Zebra's insurance analysts. She points to California as an alarming example of a state where steep increases in both home prices and home insurance costs — driven mainly by climate risk and the rising expense of rebuilding

— are putting extra pressure on homeowners and buyers alike. “The data show higherfrequency, higher-severity events in recent years. Losses like these translate into higher insurance premiums, stricter underwriting, or in some areas, fewer insurers willing to write new policies.”

Dennis Shirshikov, a professor of finance and economics at Queens College, CUNY, believes a lack of buying confidence is another recent impediment to purchasing.

“Just a few years ago, the talk about what was preventing Americans from gaining a foothold in the housing market centered on student debt, down payments and price appreciation,” Shirshikov says. “Today, however, another growing impediment is economic confidence. House hunters are asking themselves: Am I willing to buy when so much else feels wrong?”

What’s more, current homeowners remain reluctant to list their properties for sale.

“They’re not willing to give up the 2.5% to 3.5% mortgages they secured a few years ago to trade up to a bigger, more expensive home with a 6.5% mortgage today,” says Rick Sharga, president and CEO of CJ Patrick Company.

Where are the most unaffordable markets?

Currently, the 10 most expensive markets in the country, as identified by the National Association of Realtors, are:

1. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif. (third quarter 2025 median sales price: $1.915 million, up 0.8% year over year)

2. Anaheim-Santa AnaIrvine, Calif. ($1.4 million, +0.1%)

3. San Francisco-OaklandHayward, Calif. ($1.315 million, +0.5%)

4. Urban Honolulu, Hawai’i ($1.128 million, -0.9%)

5. Salinas, Calif. ($1.019 million, +6.3%)

6. San Diego-Carlsbad, Calif. ($1.009 million, 0.0%)

7. Los Angeles-Long BeachGlendale, Calif. ($954,100, +0.7%)

8. Oxnard-Thousand OaksVentura, Calif. ($935,700, -1.2%)

9. San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, Calif. ($931,800, -1.9%)

10. Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, Conn. ($844,900, +7.8%)

The inclusion of many metros named on that former list, topped by San Jose, doesn’t surprise Evangelou.

“In markets like San Jose and Los Angeles, there are a lot of high-income jobs and not enough housing. The land is limited, zoning is restrictive and it takes a long time to build,” she notes, adding that she doesn’t expect these 10 rankings to change much in the coming years. “There may be some movement, but many of the same markets will stay near the top. We could also see fast-growing markets move up the list if housing construction doesn’t keep up with population and job growth.”

Consider that most of the areas on that 10 most expensive list are coastal California metros, where the same basic recipe applies, per Shirshikov: very high incomes for a subset of workers living there, severe land-use constraints and regulations that limit new construction, and decades of underbuilding relative to job growth.

Areas with the highest increases in 2025

Meanwhile, the 10 largest markets with the highest yearover-year median home price increases are Trenton, New Jersey, +9.9%; Lansing/East Lansing, Michigan, +9.8%; Nassau/Suffolk, New York, +9.4%; New Haven/Milford, Connecticut, +9.0%; New York/Jersey City/White Plains, New York-New Jersey, +8.1%; Manchester/Nashua, New Hampshire, +8.0%; St. Louis, Missouri +7.9%; Bridgeport/ Stamford/Norwalk, Connecticut, +7.8%; Toledo, Ohio, +7.7%; and Cleveland-Elyria, Ohio, +7.7%.

Identifying regional housing trends

Median prices for existing

single-family homes vary across regions, the NAR reports.

• In the Northeast, prices have risen to $540,100, up 6.0%.

• In the Midwest and South, they’ve hit $331,100, up 4.2%, and $372,800, up 0.5%, respectively.

• Prices in the West, meanwhile, dipped slightly to $633,900, down 0.1%.

Price gains were most robust in locations with tight housing supply, particularly in the Northeast and parts of the Midwest, while modest declines in several southern markets show the impact of significant new construction. But these softer Southern prices are considered temporary, a hypothesis bolstered by strong job growth.

“The South and Midwest are generally more affordable, because it’s easier to build there. The Northeast and West, meanwhile, tend to be more expensive due to land constraints and regulations. That gap is likely to stick around,” continues Evangelou.

But Sharga notes that Midwest and Northeast markets, where inventory remains extra low, are still seeing home prices increase by 3% to 6%.

“However, in other parts of the country, particularly the South, Southeast and Mountain states, where inventory is much higher, we are seeing prices fall,” he adds. Housing forecast: Will affordabilityimprove anytime soon?

The experts spot a few silver linings among the affordability gray clouds. First, the NAR noted in its third quarter report that 23% of markets saw home prices decline. Additionally, the typical existing singlefamily home with a 20% down payment now carries a slightly lower monthly mortgage of $2,187, down 2.8% from the previous quarter, with families spending an average of 24.8% of their income on payments, down from 25.6% last quarter and 25.2% last year. Also, first-time buyers are allocating a slightly smaller portion of their income to payments: 37.4% versus 38.6% last quarter and 38.1% a year earlier.

“Also, more inventory is coming. Realtor.com has forecast an 8.9% increase in existing inventory for 2026. More listings lead to more supply — and more negotiating power for buyers,” says Lord. “Also, price cuts are becoming common. The average time to sell a home is longer now, 62 days, which gives buyers an advantage. Additionally, institutional investors are now net sellers for six consecutive quarters; almost 45% of their sales go to traditional buyers. And more politicians are paying attention to this focus on housing. So far, 22 states have introduced favorable legislation to make housing more affordable, while zoning reforms have gained traction in a few states.”

Selma Hepp, senior vice president and chief economist

| Photo courtesy of The Zebra/Stacker

Lawsuit slams censorship at national parks in CA, across US

By Suzanne Potter, Public News Service

Acoalitionofconservation groups, park groups,scientists and historians filed a lawsuit last week against the Trump administration over censorship at National Park Service sites.

President Donald Trump ordered a review of all signs and educational materials to make sure they focus on natural beauty and grandeur, and censor factual information that may disparage Americans, past or living.

Kristen Brengel, senior vice president for government

About 10% of the paint purchased each year in the United States goes unused, according to a study by the Product Stewardship Institute and now, there’s an easy way to donate and recycle large volumes of leftover paint in California.

The industry-backed nonprofit PaintCare offers free pickup for anyone with 100 gallons or more of unused paint.

affairs at the National Parks Conservation Association, said staff at Muir Woods, north of San Francisco, recently took down an exhibit on the role of women in protecting the park.

“We’re seeing similar changes being made to parks across the country,” she said, “where either their brochures, exhibits or signage is being flagged to be changed in order to not tell stories about slavery, climate change, women’s rights and Indigenous history.”

The Park Service is required by law to present high-quality education and peer-reviewed science. The administration is appealing a judicial order requiring Inde-

pendence National Historical Park in Philadelphia to re-install an exhibit it recently took down about slaves who lived in George Washington’s house. Rangers at Acadia National Park in Maine have taken down signs about climate change.

Brengel called it ridiculous to try to bury certain chapters in the nation’s history.

“People like to know what’s going on – not just the wonderful, cute stories,” she pointed out. “They want to know what’s actually happening or what happened

Free recycling available in CA for leftover paint

Terri Marsman, California program manager for PaintCare, said a lot of people and companies could benefit from this kind of large-volume pickup service.

“We do count that quantity by container size,” Marsman explained. “A onegallon bucket that’s half full still counts as one gallon, so it does add up to 100 gallons pretty quickly. And households, businesses, contractors – and really, anyone who

By Suzanne Potter, Public News Service

has large amounts of paint – can utilize this program.”

Marsman noted PaintCare also accepts smaller amounts of leftover paint at retail stores, household hazardous waste facilities and solid waste facilities across California.

Marsman pointed out that since 2012, PaintCare has collected over 43 million gallons of leftover paint and has made over 7,000 largevolume pickups in California.

“We just ask that the latex and the oil-based paint is separated,” Marsman emphasized. “If someone doesn’t have enough paint to qualify for a large-volume pickup, they can go to one of our 800 drop-off sites statewide. And they can use our site locator – at paintcare.org as well – to find a drop-off site near them.”

She added the PaintCare website has tips on how to reduce waste by buying the

Home prices

in those parks. It just completely defies logic, why you would try to hide certain parts of science and history from our parks.”

Theadministration ordered signs posted at all sites with a QR code, asking visitors to report so-called “negative information” about past or living Americans. Many people responded with complaints about the policy or compliments about park staff. The Park Service has lost 4,000 people to layoffs or forced retirements over the past year.

for Cotality, also expresses optimism for buyers in 2026.

“Price momentum has cooled, listings are rebuilding, more builders are offering

in the low 6% range, flatter home prices and modest inventory gains.”

region and metro to metro. The most likely outcome is not a crash in home prices across the country, but a gradual adjustment in which

incentives like rate buydowns to buyers, and rates are easing, creating more choices for first-time buyers,” she says. “I expect gradual, uneven improvement into 2026, with rates remaining

Shirshikov anticipates that affordability will continue to improve at the national level over the next few years, though not at the pace most buyers and renters would prefer.

“There will be wild price variations from region to

mortgage rates fall back from their recent highs and income slowly catches up, with expectations of price growth to average out over the longer run,” he says. “I’m encouraged that the market

has begun to transition from ‘panic and bid up the price to whatever it takes’ in many metros. Moving toward a more balanced price-bidding environment matters because expectations drive behavior. Overall, the indications are that we could be past the worst of the mortgage payment shock if rates continue to slip as they have been.”

Sharga reminds readers

that current home price appreciation, 2.1%, is actually lower than the rate of inflation, 3%, and wage growth at roughly 4%.

“In some markets, especially states like Florida and Texas, and certain metro areas where home prices skyrocketed during COVID, like Boise, Las Vegas and Phoenix, prices have actually declined yearover-year while mortgage rates are down by about

a half percentage point,” continues Sharga. “That combination — rising wages, flat or declining home prices and lower mortgage rates — will help at least some buyers be able to afford to become homeowners in 2026.”

| Image courtesy of NAR/The Zebra/Stacker

| Image courtesy of Macrotrends/The Zebra/Stacker

| Photo by Riccardo Tuninato / Unsplash

correct amount of paint for your job, sealing it well for storage, and donating the leftover paint to be recycled.

Photo by Jacob Campbell / Unsplash

Rosemead City Notices

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD ON

MARCH

4, 2026

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Director of Community Development will conduct a public hearing on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., at Rosemead City Hall, located at 8838 East Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, CA 91770.

CASE NO.: ADMINISTRATIVE USE PERMIT 25-02 – Tong Tan has submitted an Administrative Use Permit application, requesting to establish the use of a 925 sq. ft. beauty health spa, which includes services of facials, aromatic therapy, waxing and massage, in an existing structure. The project is located at 2547 San Gabriel Boulevard (APN: 5284-004-019) in the Medium Commercial (C-3) zone. Per Rosemead Municipal Code Table 17.16.020.1, approval of an Administrative Use Permit is required to establish a beauty health spa use within a Medium Commercial (C-3) Zone.

ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines exempts projects consisting of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. Accordingly, Administrative Use Permit 25-02 is classified as an exempt project, pursuant to Section 15301 (Class 1 Categorical Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines. Written comments should be received before March 4, 2026. Comments should be sent to: 8838 East Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, CA 91770, Attention: Candice (Yuxin) Jiang, Assistant Planner.

Pursuant to Government Code Section 65009 (b), if this matter is subsequently challenged in court, the challenge may be limited to only those issues raised at the public hearing described in this notice or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Rosemead at, or prior to, the public hearing.

For further details on this proposal, please contact Candice (Yuxin) Jiang, Assistant Planner at (626) 569-2252 or yjiang@rosemeadca. gov. Any person interested in the above proceedings may appear at the time and place indicated above to testify in support of, or in opposition to, the item(s) indicated in this notice.

Notice and Publication Date: February 23, 2026

ROSEMEAD READER

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD ON MARCH 4, 2026

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Director of Community Development will conduct a public hearing on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 9:00 AM, at Rosemead City Hall, located at 8838 East Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, CA 91770.

CASE NO.: ADMINISTRATIVE USE PERMIT 25-01 – Feliberto Enriquez has submitted an Administrative Use Permit application to operate an existing 1,415 square foot eating and drinking establishment with a new On-Sale Beer and Wine – Eating Place (Type 41) ABC license located at 9219 Valley Boulevard (APN: 5391-013025) in a Central Business District (CBD) with Design Overlay (DO) Zone. Per Rosemead Municipal Code Section 17.30.040(E)(1) (b), the approval of an Administrative Use Permit is required for sit-down restaurants with 1,000 square feet of floor area or larger that sells beer/wine for on-site consumption.

ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines exempts projects consisting of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. Accordingly, Administrative Use Permit 25-01 is classified as an exempt project, pursuant to Section 15301 (Class 1 Categorical Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines. Written comments should be received before March 4, 2026. Comments should be sent to: 8838 East Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, CA 91770, Attention: Candice (Yuxin) Jiang, Assistant Planner.

Notice and Publication Date: February 23, 2026

ROSEMEAD READER

Probate Notices

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF:

DENNIS BRIAN DULING AKA

DENNIS B. DULING

CASE NO. 26STPB01501

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the lost WILL or estate, or both of DENNIS BRIAN DULING AKA DENNIS B. DULING.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by NANCY D. DULING in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that NANCY D. DULING be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests the decedent’s lost WILL and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The lost 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: 03/13/26 at 8:30AM in Dept. 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.

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 AARON B. BROBERG - SBN 353282 CALLISTER, BROBERG & BECKER, A LAW CORPORATION

700 N BRAND BLVD. SUITE 560 GLENDALE CA 91203

Telephone (818) 500-1890 2/19, 2/23, 2/26/26 CNS-4013293# SAN GABRIEL SUN

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF:

ESTEBAN RIOS CRUZ CASE NO. 25STPB13145

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in

the WILL or estate, or both of ESTEBAN RIOS CRUZ.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by MARIA FELIX RIVERA RIOS in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that MARIA FELIX RIVERA RIOS 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: 03/13/26 at 8:30AM in Dept. 2D located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

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.

Attorney for Petitioner

RICHARD W. SHARPE - SBN 51548

COMSTOCK & SHARPE, INC. 11100 WASHINGTON BOULEVARD CULVER CITY CA 90232

Telephone (310) 559-8820 2/19, 2/23, 2/26/26 CNS-4013323# AZUSA BEACON

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: JOHN S. LUCERO CASE NO. 26STPB01263

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of JOHN S. LUCERO. A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by FRANCES MARGARET MICALIZZI & JOSEPHINE ANN LUCERO in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that FRANCES MARGARET MICALIZZI & JOSEPHINE ANN LUCERO 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 exami-

nation in the file kept by the court.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 03/13/26 at 8:30AM in Dept. 2D located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

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.

Attorney for Petitioner

KYLE R. GRAVES - SBN 332702

GOLDEN OAKS LAW GORUP, LLP 1317 W. FOOTHILL BLVD., SE. 245 UPLAND CA 91786

Telephone (909) 981-6177

BSC 228065

2/19, 2/23, 2/26/26 CNS-4013593# ROSEMEAD READER

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF Ruben James Flores (aka Ruben J. Flores)

CASE NO. 26STPB01411

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of: Ruben James Flores (aka Ruben J. Flores)

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Stephen D. Fantazia in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that Stephen D. Fantazia be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

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

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

A HEARING on the petition will be held on 03/19/2026 at 8:30 AM in Dept. 11 located at 111 N. HILL ST. LOS ANGELES CA 90012 STANLEY MOSK COURTHOUSE.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/ selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court. There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www. courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case. ¡AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 días, la corte puede decidir en su contra sin escuchar su versión. Lea la información a continuación. Tiene 30 DÍAS DE CALENDARIO después de que le entreguen esta citación y papeles legales para presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefónica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y más información en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte.ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede más cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretario de la corte que le dé un formulario de exención de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podrá quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin más advertencia. Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remisión a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar

filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et seq. Business and Professions Code). Publish: 02/23/2026, 03/02/2026, 03/09/2026, 03/16/2026. ARCADIA WEEKLY. AAA1451568.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026021385 NEW FILING.

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as Eastern Sierra Pest Control, 720 Rio Del Sol Ave, Montebello, CA 90640. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. Signed: Eastern Sierra Pest Control, Inc (CA-B20260032873, 720 Rio Del Sol Ave, Montebello, CA 90640; Albert Salazar, CEO. The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on January 29, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code). Pub. Monrovia Weekly 02/23/2026, 03/02/2026, 03/09/2026, 03/16/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026033601 NEW FILING. The following person(s) is (are) doing business as (1). BUCHANAN & ASSOCIATES (2). SMALLBIZPRO (3). SMALLBIZPRO TV , 560 W. Main Street, Suite C#105, Alhambra, CA 91801. This business is conducted by a individual. Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on May 2006. Signed: Gilbert Buchanan, 560 W. Main Street, Suite C#105, Alhambra, CA 91801 (Owner). The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on February 12, 2026.

NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code). Pub. Monrovia Weekly 02/23/2026, 03/02/2026, 03/09/2026, 03/16/2026 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME 2023038911. The following person(s) have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name: ACE PELIZON PLUMBING, 138 E Badillo St, Covina, CA 91723. The fictitious business name referred to above was filed on: August 10, 2022 in the County of Los Angeles. Original File No. 2022178059. Signed: PELLYO SERVICES INC (CA-2318099, 138 E Badillo St, Covina, CA 91723; JOHN N PELLIZZON, PRESIDENT. This business is conducted by: a corporation. This statement was filed with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder on February 19, 2026. Pub. Monrovia Weekly 02/23/2026, 03/02/2026, 03/09/2026, 03/16/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026031674 NEW FILING. The following person(s) is (are) doing business as (1). MyyShop USA (2). MyyShop , 360 E 2nd Street ste 350, Los Angeles, CA 90012. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. Signed: MSHP LAB INC (CA-6134442, 360 E 2nd Street ste 350, Los Angeles, CA 90012; BIN LU, ceo. The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on February 11, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code). Pub. Monrovia Weekly 02/23/2026, 03/02/2026, 03/09/2026, 03/16/2026

LEGALS

under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code). Pub. Monrovia Weekly 02/23/2026, 03/02/2026, 03/09/2026, 03/16/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026028117

NEW FILING.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026038658 NEW FILING. The following person(s) is (are) doing business as DTLA COLLISION CENTER, 3320 S Broadway Unit B, Los Angeles, CA 90007. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. Signed: S AND A AUTO REPAIR (CA-5311053, 3320 S Broadway St Unit B, Los Angeles, CA 90007; SERYOZHA ABOVYAN, CEO. The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on February 19, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code). Pub. Monrovia Weekly 02/23/2026, 03/02/2026, 03/09/2026, 03/16/2026

STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME 2026037002. The following person(s) have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name: (1). PRIMARY RESOLUTION SERVICES (2). PRIMARY RESOLUTION SERVICES DBA PRS , 12144 E Carson Street, Suite 513, Hawaiian Gardens, CA 90716. The fictitious business name referred to above was filed on: January 28, 2026 in the County of Los Angeles. Original File No. 2026020972. Signed: Chris Clauson, 12144 E Carson Street, Suite 513, Hawaiian Gardens, CA 90716 (Owner). This business is conducted by: a individual. This statement was filed with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder on February 18, 2026. Pub. Monrovia Weekly 02/23/2026, 03/02/2026, 03/09/2026, 03/16/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026032931 NEW FILING. The following person(s) is (are) doing business as Crown and Key Properties, 5638 Pickering Ave Unit B, Whittier, CA 90601. This business is conducted by a individual. Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on February 2026. Signed: Nicole Martinez, 5638 Pickering Ave Unit B, Whittier, CA 90601 (Owner). The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on February 12, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code). Pub. Monrovia Weekly 02/23/2026, 03/02/2026, 03/09/2026, 03/16/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026031977 NEW FILING. The following person(s) is (are) doing business as SeventhStar Studio, 466 Foothill Blvd Ste 261, La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011. This business is conducted by a individual. Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on February 2026. Signed: Caden Chung, 466 Foothill Blvd Ste 261, La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011 (Owner). The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on February 11, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026007706 NEW FILING. The following person(s) is (are) doing business as (1). Lin Realty Group (2). Eva Lin , 910 San Pasqual Street, Pasadena, CA 91106. Mailing Address, 530 S Lake Ave #602, Pasadena, CA 91101. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on January 2015. Signed: Yess Investments, Inc. (CA-3493654, 910 San Pasqual Street, Pasadena, CA 91106; Joseph Rock, CEO. The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on January 13, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code). Pub. Monrovia Weekly 02/23/2026, 03/02/2026, 03/09/2026, 03/16/2026

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as Mex Cutz, 642 E FOOTHILL BLVD, AZUSA, CA 91702. This business is conducted by a individual. Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. Signed: MEXTLI MORENO, 1081 W Arrow Hwy Space 93, Azusa, Ca 91702 (Owner). The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on February 6, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code). Pub. Monrovia Weekly 02/23/2026, 03/02/2026, 03/09/2026, 03/16/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026029123

NEW FILING.

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as (1). Nori’s Piano Service (2). Nori Kashiwa , 530 Royal Oaks Dr, Monrovia, CA 91016. This business is conducted by a individual. Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on April 2016. Signed: Norimitsu Kashiwa, 530 Royal Oaks Dr, Monrovia, CA 91016 (Owner). The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on February 9, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code).

Pub. Monrovia Weekly 02/23/2026, 03/02/2026, 03/09/2026, 03/16/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026037507 NEW FILING.

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as Ow My Neck! Productsions, 3946 Tracy Street, Los Angeles, CA 90027. This business is conducted by a limited liability company (llc). Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on February 2026. Signed: Jeffrey Kent LLC (CAB20250148305, 3946 Tracy Street, Los Angeles, CA 90027; Jeffrey Kent, Manager. The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on February 18, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code). Pub. Monrovia Weekly 02/23/2026, 03/02/2026, 03/09/2026, 03/16/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026036966 NEW FILING.

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as (1). Madera Mia Kitchen and Bath (2). Turnkey Cabinet Systems , 8030 Elden Avenue, Whittier, CA 90602. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on February 2026. Signed: Milton Street Residential Acquisitions, Inc (CA-3657884, 8030 Elden Avenue, Whittier, CA 90602; heriberto gonzalez, President. The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on February 18, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code). Pub. Monrovia Weekly 02/23/2026, 03/02/2026, 03/09/2026, 03/16/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026025273 NEW FILING. The following person(s) is (are) doing business as Inner Child Publishing, 1100 N Fairview St, Burbank, CA 91505. This business is

conducted by a individual. Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on January 2025.

Signed: Kimberly Robinson, 1100 N Fairview St, Burbank, CA 91505 (Owner). The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on February 3, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code).

Pub. Monrovia Weekly 02/23/2026, 03/02/2026, 03/09/2026, 03/16/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026029897

NEW FILING. The following person(s) is (are) doing business as The Coco’s Barber Shop, 1401 Valinda Ave Unit D, La Puente, CA 91744. This business is conducted by a individual. Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. Signed: Karen Yelitza Quicano Torres, 1401 Valinda Ave Unit D, La Puente, CA 91744 (Owner). The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on February 9, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code).

Pub. Monrovia Weekly 02/23/2026, 03/02/2026, 03/09/2026, 03/16/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026036844

NEW FILING.

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as Defense University, 481 Reims Street, Pomona, CA 91767. This business is conducted by a individual. Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. Signed: David Moreno II, 481 Reims Street, Pomona, CA 91767 (Owner). The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on February 18, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code).

Pub. Monrovia Weekly 02/23/2026, 03/02/2026, 03/09/2026, 03/16/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026036629 NEW FILING.

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as Sofa King Help, 18700 San Fernando Mission Blvd, Porter Ranch, CA 91326. This business is conducted by a limited liability company (llc). Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on February 2026. Signed: Sofa King, LLC (CA202461011500, 18700 San Fernando Mission Blvd, Porter Ranch, CA 91326; Randy Sosin, President. The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on February 17, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code).

Pub. Monrovia Weekly 02/23/2026, 03/02/2026, 03/09/2026, 03/16/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026031737

NEW FILING.

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as Frederick O Lee M.D., 2155 E Villa St, Pasadena, CA 91107. This business is conducted by a married couple. Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. Signed: (1). Frederick O Lee M.D., 2155 E Villa St, Pasadena, CA 91107 (2). Siu Jen W Lee, 2155 E Villa St, Pasadena, CA 91107 (Owner). The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on February 11, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing

of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code). Pub. Monrovia Weekly 02/23/2026, 03/02/2026, 03/09/2026, 03/16/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026020861 NEW FILING.

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as COMPASS PAIN MANAGEMENT, 2501 W Burbank Blvd Suite 206, Burbank, CA 91505. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. Signed: COMPASS PALLIATIVE CARE, INC. (CA-4735458, 2501 W Burbank Blvd Suite 206, Burbank, CA 91505; David Kay, CEO. The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on January 28, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code). Pub. Monrovia Weekly 02/23/2026, 03/02/2026, 03/09/2026, 03/16/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026024247 NEW FILING. The following person(s) is (are) doing business as Clear Scan, 1801 W. Valley Blvd #208, Alhambra, CA 91803. This business is conducted by a individual. Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on January 2026. Signed: Stephanie Baez, 1801 W. Valley Blvd #208, Alhambra, CA 91803 (Owner). The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on February 2, 2026.

Pub. Monrovia Weekly 02/23/2026, 03/02/2026, 03/09/2026, 03/16/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026033606

NEW FILING.

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as Ford Recovery, 621 Bradshawe Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90022. This business is conducted by a individual. Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on February 2026. Signed: Joshua Ford, 621 Bradshawe Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90022 (Owner). The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on February 12, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law (See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code). Pub. Monrovia Weekly 02/23/2026, 03/02/2026, 03/09/2026, 03/16/2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2026036380

NEW FILING.

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as Rainbow Feather Healing Arts, 3701 Madison Road, Flintridge, CA 91011. This business is conducted by a limited liability company (llc). Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. Signed: The Fantastical Workshop LLC (CA-202027510323, 3701 Madison Road, Flintridge, CA 91011; Stephen Bialecki, Managing Member. The statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on February 17, 2026. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state or common law

(See Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professional Code).

Pub. Monrovia Weekly 02/23/2026, 03/02/2026, 03/09/2026, 03/16/2026

Starting a new business? Go to filedba.com

Monterey Park City Notices

BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MONTEREY PARK –COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES – STATE OF CALIFORNIA

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Monterey Park will hold a public hearing on March 4, 2026, at the hour of 6:30 p.m. located at 320 W. Newmark Avenue, Monterey Park, CA 91754, in the Council Chambers or soon thereafter. The meeting information can be obtained by contacting the City Clerk’s office at (626) 307-1359 or online at www.montereypark.ca.gov/AgendaCenter.

SAID hearing is to allow parcel owners who received abatement notices from the County of Los Angeles Agricultural Commissioners and Weights and Measures Weed Abatement Division for noxious and dangerous weeds and rubbish and whose parcel is included on the weed abatement declaration list for 2025 an opportunity to challenge their parcels’ inclusion on the weed abatement declaration list.

REFERENCE is hereby made to the documents on file with the Code Compliance Division for further particulars. The Staff Report on this matter will be available in the City Clerk's Office on or about February 26, 2026, and copies may be obtained at cost or online at www.montereypark.ca.gov/agendacenter.

ANY interested individual may appear in person or by agent at such hearing and be heard on any matter relevant to such proceedings. 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 additional information about this matter, please contact the Code Compliance Division at (626) 307-1415.

Maychelle

Yee, City Clerk

PUBLISHED: February 23, 2026

POSTED: MONTEREY PARK PRESS

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF:

DAVID MARTIN OLIVA

CASE NO. PROVA2600092

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

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by VINCENT R. OLIVA in the Superior Court of California, County of SAN BERNARDINO.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that VINCENT R. OLIVA be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 03/17/26 at 9:00AM in Dept. F2 located at 17780 ARROW BLVD, FONTANA, CA 92335

(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.

Attorney for Petitioner

RANDAL P. HANNAH - SBN 138778

LAW OFFICE OF RANDAL P. HANNAH 489 N CENTRAL AVENUE UPLAND CA 91786

Telephone (909) 608-1220 2/16, 2/19, 2/23/26 CNS-4013723# ONTARIO NEWS PRESS

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF LAURA LOWE BARKER

Case No. 26STPB00057

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

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Shawna Cokkinos in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that Shawna Cokkinos be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any,

LEGALS

be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

A HEARING on the petition will be held on March 6, 2026 at 8:30 AM in Dept. No. 99 located at 111 N. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.

Attorney for petitioner: CARMEN CHENG ESQ

SBN 276242

PINNACLE LEGAL AND CONSULTING APC 1613 CHELSEA ROAD STE 334 SAN MARINO CA 91108 CN124576 BARKER Feb 19,23,26, 2026 WEST COVINA PRESS

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF BRENDA L. BALLESTEROS aka BRENDA LEE BALLESTEROS

Case No. 26STPB01421

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of BRENDA L. BALLESTEROS aka BRENDA LEE BALLESTEROS

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

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

A HEARING on the petition will be held on March 12, 2026 at 8:30 AM in Dept. No. 67 located at 111 N. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA

90012.

CN124585 BALLESTEROS Feb 19,23,26, 2026

BALDWIN PARK PRESS

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF JERRY CLINTON GETMAN Case No. 26STPB01200

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

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Alejandra Daniela Spitalier Pena (also known as Alejandra Daniela Spitalier Pena de Moreno) in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that Alejandra Daniela Spitalier Pena 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.

A HEARING on the petition will be held on March 17, 2026 at 8:30 AM in Dept. No. 11 located at 111 N. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.

nia 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:

JERRY J RUIZ ESQ SBN 96054

JAMES R CUNNINGHAM ESQ SBN 218358 FTB GIBBONS LLP 633 W FIFTH ST STE 900 LOS ANGELES CA 90071

CN124591 GETMAN Feb 23,26, Mar 2, 2026

MONTEREY PARK PRESS

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: PATRICIA ANN TERRELL CASE NO. 26STPB01511

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

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by KELLEE NICOLE TERRELL in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that KELLEE NICOLE TERRELL be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 03/13/26 at 8:30AM in Dept. 44 located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

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.

Attorney for Petitioner DELA P. ROMEN, ESQ. - SBN 307926

RONEN PRIVATE WEALTH, PC 9350 WILSHIRE BLVD., STE. 200 BEVERLY HILLS CA 90212

Telephone (323) 379-5079

BSC 228070

2/19, 2/23, 2/26/26

CNS-4013712# PASADENA PRESS

West Covina Press DATED: January 28, 2026 Allison L. Westfahl Kong JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT Pub. February 9, 16, 23, March 2, 2026 WEST COVINA PRESS

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME PETITION OF Reiko Carol Shinoda FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER: 26NNCP00045 Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles 300 East Olive Ave, Burbank, Ca 91502, North Central Judicial District TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner Reiko Carol Shinoda filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name a. OF Reiko Carol Shinoda to Proposed name Carol Reiko Fujinaka Shinoda 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court at

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: 04/03/2026 Time: 8:30AM Dept: B. The address of the

you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property. NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call 916-939-0772 or visit this internet website, www.nationwideposting. com, using the file number assigned to this case T.S.# 9462-5059. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the internet website. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale. NOTICE TO TENANT: You may have a right to purchase this property after the trustee auction pursuant to Section 2924m of the California Civil Code. If you are an “eligible tenant buyer,” you can purchase the property if you match the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction. If you are an “eligible bidder,” you may be able to purchase the property if you exceed the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction. There are three steps to exercising this right of purchase. First, 48 hours after the date of the trustee sale, you can call 916-939-0772, or visit this internet website www.nationwideposting.com, using the file number assigned to this case T.S.# 9462-5059 to find the date on which the trustee’s sale was held, the amount of the last and highest bid, and the address of the trustee. Second, you must send a written notice of intent to place a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 15 days after the trustee’s sale. Third, you must submit a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 45 days after the trustee’s sale. If you think you may qualify as an “eligible tenant buyer” or “eligible bidder,” you should consider contacting an attorney or appropriate real estate professional immediately for advice regarding this potential right to purchase. If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder’s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. NBS Default Services, LLC 14841 Dallas Parkway, Suite 300 Dallas, TX 75254 800-766-7751 For Trustee Sale Information Log On To: www.nationwideposting.com or Call: 916-939-0772. NBS Default Services, LLC, Jessica Kahler, Foreclosure Associate This communication is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. However, if you have received a discharge of the debt referenced herein in a bankruptcy proceeding, this is not an attempt to impose personal liability upon you for payment of that debt. In the event you have received a bankruptcy discharge, any action to enforce the debt will be taken against the property only. NPP0484856 To: WEST COVINA PRESS 02/23/2026, 03/02/2026, 03/09/2026 WEST COVINA PRESS

Fictitious Business Name Filings

business as: GummiByte, 12760 Golden Leaf Dr, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739. Mailing

Address, 12760 Golden Leaf Dr, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739 . # of Employees 1. Steven Tran. County of Principal Place of Business: San Bernardino This business is conducted by: a individual. Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. By signing below, I declare that I have read and understand the reverse side of this form and that all information in this statement is true and correct. A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000). I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code Sections 6250- 6277). /s/ Steven Tran. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on January 26, 2026 Notice- In accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920. A Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to Section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code) File#: FBN20260000577 Pub: 02/02/2026, 02/09/2026, 02/16/2026, 02/23/2026 San Bernardino Press

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. FBN20250012120

The following persons are doing business as: Families First 1, 12376 Reche Canyon Rd, Colton, CA 92324. Mailing Address, 30 N Gould Ste N, Sheridan, WY 82801. # of Employees 1. Inter Axis Holdings LLC (WY-B20250438399, 30 N Gould St Ste N, Sheridan, WY 82801; james gibbs, Managing Member. County of Principal Place of Business: San Bernardino

This business is conducted by: a limited liability company (llc). Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on November 21, 2025. By signing below, I declare that I have read and understand the reverse side of this form and that all information in this statement is true and correct. A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a

LEGALS

fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000). I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code Sections 62506277). /s/ james gibbs, Managing Member. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on December 30, 2025 Notice- In accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920. A Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to Section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code) File#: FBN20250012120 Pub: 02/02/2026, 02/09/2026, 02/16/2026, 02/23/2026 San Bernardino Press

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as ROBERTO VAZQUEZ TRUCKING 24935 McPherson Rd Perris, CA 92570 Riverside County Roberto Vazquez Matias, 24935 McPherson Rd, Perris, CA 92570

Riverside County

This business is conducted by: a individual. Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 2006. I declare that all the information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code, that the registrant knows to be false, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousands dollars ($1000).)

s. Roberto Vazquez Matias Statement filed with the County of Riverside on February 3, 2026 NOTICE: In accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920, a fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of the five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any changes in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under fed-

eral, state, or common law (see Section 14411 Et Seq., business and professions code). I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office.

Peter Aldana, County, Clerk

File# R-202601573

Pub. 02/09/2026, 02/16/2026, 02/23/2026, 03/02/2026

Riverside Independent

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as CUTZ N STYLES 1683 7th street Coachella, CA 92236

Riverside County Anthony Espinoza Cuevas, 1683 7th Street, Coachella, CA 92236

Riverside County

This business is conducted by: a individual. Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. I declare that all the information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code, that the registrant knows to be false, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousands dollars ($1000).)

s. Anthony Espinoza Cuevas Statement filed with the County of Riverside on February 3, 2026

NOTICE: In accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920, a fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of the five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any changes in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 Et Seq., business and professions code). I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office.

Peter Aldana, County, Clerk File# R-202601539 Pub. 02/09/2026, 02/16/2026, 02/23/2026, 03/02/2026 Riverside Independent

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as The Goddard School 2490 River Road Norco, CA 92860 Riverside County Mailing Address, 51 Monte Vista, Laguna Hills, CA 92653. Riverside County Meena Norco LLC (CA, 51 Monte Vista, Laguna Hills, CA 92653

Riverside County

This business is conducted by: a limited liability company (llc).

Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. I declare that all the information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code, that the registrant knows to be false, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousands dollars ($1000).)

s. Jesal Mehta, Member Statement filed with the County of Riverside on February 11, 2026

Peter Aldana, County, Clerk File# R-202602010 Pub. 02/16/2026, 02/23/2026, 03/02/2026, 03/09/2026 Riverside Independent

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as Kissprom 2785 Cabot Dr # 7-165 Corona, CA 92883 Riverside County Medon Inc (CA, 2785 Cabot Dr # 7-165, Corona, CA 92883 Riverside County This business is conducted by: a corporation. Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. I declare that all the information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code, that the registrant knows to be false, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousands dollars ($1000).)

s. Chuanrong Zhang, CEO Statement filed with the County of Riverside on February 2, 2026 NOTICE: In accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920, a fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of the five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any changes in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a

change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 Et Seq., business and professions code). I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Peter Aldana, County, Clerk File# R-202601482 Pub. 02/16/2026, 02/23/2026, 03/02/2026, 03/09/2026 Riverside Independent

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. FBN20260001215

The following persons are doing business as: Oh Snap Rentals, 1493 N Yucca Ave, Rialto, CA 92376. Mailing Address, 1493 N Yucca Ave, Rialto, CA 92376 . Erika Ballina. County of Principal Place of Business: San Bernardino This business is conducted by: a individual. Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. By signing below, I declare that I have read and understand the reverse side of this form and that all information in this statement is true and correct. A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000). I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code Sections 6250- 6277). /s/ Erika Ballina, Owner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on February 18, 2026 Notice- In accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920. A Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to Section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code) File#: FBN20260001215 Pub: 02/23/2026, 03/02/2026, 03/09/2026, 03/16/2026 San Bernardino Press

OC board set to discuss losing multimillion-dollar verdict

By City News Service

Orange County supervisors this week are scheduled to privately discuss a $3.5 million verdict last week against the county stemming from harassment claims involving a former high-ranking prosecutor, as board leaders voiced concern about mounting legal costs with multiple related cases still pending.

Jurors in San Diego County deliberated for about a total of one day before reaching verdicts on 11 questions with the panel unanimous on 10 and 9-3 in favor of the plaintiff Deputy District Attorney Bethel Cope-Vega on one and 11-1 in her favor on another.

Cope-Vega’s legal victory trails a triumph for Tracy Miller last year in her lawsuit against the county, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer and his former top assistant, Shawn Nelson -- now an Orange County Superior Court judge. Miller, who won a $3 million verdict and $1.5 million in attorneys fees, said she was forced to retire due to retaliation for moving to protect whistleblowers alleging harassment from former prosecutor Gary LoGalbo, who retired during an investigation of the claims and has since died.

Still to be determined is how much money in attorneys fees Cope-Vega will receive. But given settlements for two other plaintiffs amounting to a total of $1.3 million, that brings the

total losses for the county to $9.3 million with five more lawsuits still awaiting trial. It is unknown how much the firm representing the county, Sheppard- Mullin, has billed the county.

The county’s risk-assessment attorneys had negotiated a settlement for about $6 million that would have resolved all of the cases, but the Board of Supervisors rejected it in August 2021 and hired Sheppard-Mullin to defend the county.

The cases were all moved to San Diego because of Spitzer’s status as Orange County’s top prosecutor and Nelson’s position on the Orange County bench.

“These are cases I inherited,” board Vice Chairwoman Katrina Foley told City News Service. “They were already existing when I

joined the board, and I have consistently said we have a high risk on these cases and that we need to resolve them informally, and we need to change the way we handle our employment personnel matters with the District Attorney’s Office.”

Foley, who is an employee rights attorney, supported moving the district attorney’s human relations office to the central county human relations department.

“That’s something I had been asking for for a long time,” Foley said. “We also set up an ability for people to make anonymous complaints, which was not part of our policies. I feel very strongly that we have to take seriously complaints of harassment in the workplace and we have to have a working environment where

people don’t feel they’re being assaulted, threatened, or suffering any kind of retaliation in their job.”

Foley hopes the county will pursue mediation or a global settlement of the remaining claims.

“Some of these (plaintiffs) still work for us,” Foley said. “We want them to have closure. The guy was reprehensible, and I feel like anyone who tried to say they didn’t know maybe wasn’t paying attention.”

Board Chairman Doug Chaffee noted that Spitzer was a damaging witness for the county in Cope-Vega’s lawsuit. He said jurors apparently did not find Spitzer credible.

“This guy, LoGalbo, was at one time his best friend, his best man at his wedding, so for him to then deny that

Councilman

he didn’t know about the guy’s character, well, he loses credibility when he does that. I don’t know how to solve that if another trial comes along,” Chaffee said.

On the other hand, Chaffee said the county’s attorneys believe “there may have been errors” in testimony allowed in the trial, and that it could help bolster an appeal to overturn the verdicts.

“We’ll see where that goes when we get our briefing” in private session Tuesday, Chaffee said.

In Cope-Vega’s trial, there was evidence that a heart condition was aggravated by the harassment that apparently swayed jurors, Chaffee said.

See OC boardPage 28

“All of these cases have different facts, so it’s hard to judge in the future” how the county’s defense will stand up, Chaffee said.

“I don’t know what to do regarding Spitzer,” Chaffee said. “He’s an elected leader so we can’t do much with him.”

Chaffee said, “There’s some negotiation that can still happen... I’m looking for more information. But I am concerned about the remaining cases. Though each of them have to be looked at separately.”

Supervisor Don Wagner told City News Service that it was “premature for any of us to say what we’ll do” going forward.

“It’s all very tentative,” he said. “I haven’t seen any analysis from our lawyers. But my preliminary understanding is there are some issues for an appeal.”

Wagner, however, acknowledged, “It costs money to appeal, and if you win you’re right back in the trial court. But if we can win an appeal and can get the numbers down, it may affect any settlement in those cases.”

Wagner also said it appears Spitzer’s testimony has hurt the county’s defense when he claims he wasn’t aware of the harassment.

“They’re not believing Todd,” Wagner said.

billing.

“I have not been provided clear documentation showing the procurement basis ... scope limits, and total taxpayer cost for this outside counsel engagement,” the councilman said, calling for officials to disclose

•“the contract authority and procurement method used” to approve the contract for legal services with Orangebased Buchalter LLC;

•“any ‘not-to-exceed’ limits” in the agreement;

•“total amounts billed and paid to outside counsel; and

•“who approved expanding outside counsel’s role into matters involving constitutional governance and public records litigation,” according to Gutierrez’s statement.

He also denied the allegation that he used a personal laptop during public meetings, resulting in the city allegedly not having possession of his records relevant to

fulfill Tabatabai’s request.

“The city’s petition claims I used a ‘personal laptop.’ That is false,” Gutierrez said. “The laptop I use for council duties is city-issued and bears a city of West Covina asset tag. Mischaracterizing city-issued equipment as ‘personal’ undermines the credibility of the filing.”

The city’s attorneys argued that “using this computer, Gutierrez routinely views, accesses, and reads materials during City Council meetings, which, on information and belief, include AI generated information,” according to the city’s petition for writ of mandate.

“Others in the meetings have viewed him doing this, and it can be seen when reviewing publicly available videos of City Council meetings. Gutierrez appears to have referred to materials viewed on his monitor or smartphone during multiple City Council meetings.”

The councilman called that “speculation about how I draft and communicate, including insinuations that my communications ‘appear’ AI-assisted,” according to his statement. “Using modern drafting tools is lawful and common in public service. The issue is compliance with public records law — not stigmatizing technology use.”

Gutierrez added, “This lawsuit is being used to chill oversight and stop questions. In my opinion, this lawsuit is not truly about transparency — it is about silencing oversight. I have asked direct questions that taxpayers deserve answered, including:

•“outside counsel fees and billing practices;

•“contracting and vendor relationships — who benefits and why; •“public expenditures tied to events, sponsorships, and vendors; and

•“whether West Covina is being pushed to accept the status quo without a deep dive into spending and governance decisions.”

Gutierrez made allegations of his own regarding City Council colleagues.

“I ... have serious conflictof-interest and transparency concerns involving the current majority,” he said. “Publicly recorded real-property documents reflect that Mayor Leticia Salazar Lopez Viado has two deeds of trust associated with a mortgage company connected to Councilmember Tony Wu. These instruments are public records and raise legitimate questions that require transparency and public accountability.”

Gutierrez also brought up taxpayer funds going to events connected with Wu’s wife.

“(The Chinese American Association of West Covina’s)

own event packet includes vendor and sponsorship paperwork and invoices reflecting amounts collected and amounts marked ‘pay,’ along with an internal accounting summary indicating that funds were to be transferred to the city. ...

“The city has not produced public proof of remittance — no deposit receipt, no transfer confirmation, and no ledger entry showing the city actually received the funds referenced in that packet. If the transfer occurred, the city should publish the receipt and transaction details. If it did not occur, the public deserves a clear explanation why.

“Because (the Association’s) treasurer is Councilmember Tony Wu’s spouse, transparency is non-negotiable,” Gutierrez alleged.

He also made allegations involving city contracts with

architects and nonprofits as well as alleged Brown Act violations involving council decision-making on land-use issues done outside public meetings.

In an email to HeySoCal. com, City Manager Mrakich said Gutierrez’s prepared statement “goes far beyond this litigation and includes allegations against other councilmembers that are not relevant to his own failure to comply with his obligations under the California Public Records Act and his obligation to preserve and protect city records.”

The council made its decision to sue Gutierrez in a closed session Tuesday from which Gutierrez was recused due to a conflict-of-interest in the matter, officials said. The decision was announced during the council’s ensuing public meeting, and the lawsuit was filed with the court later that evening.

| Screenshot courtesy of OC Board of Supervisors

LA records 2nd consecutive annual budget deﬁcit, controller says

By City News Service

Revenueshortfalls, rising liability payouts anddepartmental overspending contributed to a second consecutive annual budget deficit for Los Angeles, City Controller Kenneth Mejia reported Wednesday.

On Wednesday, the controller’s office released its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the 2024-25 fiscal year, which ended June 30, 2025. While the report recognized that LA’s deficit is a “culmination of decades of unsustainable budgeting,” it also found that crumbling infrastructure and reduced city services have worsened since 2023.

Mejia repeated his urgent call for Mayor Karen Bass and the City Council to make “bold” governmental reforms.

“We’ve gone from record levels of General Fund Reserves of $648 million two fiscal years ago to $420 million,” Mejia said in a statement. “In addition, four rating agencies (S&P, Fitch, Moody’s and Kroll) have given the City a `negative outlook’ with the same concerns that we have been raising over the past three years coupled with the potential liabilities and damages from the Palisades Fire.”

Reporthighlights

included:

-- Revenues came in $160 million below budget projections, prompting the City Council and Bass to tap reserve funds to cover the shortfall;

-- Liability claims represented the largest area of overspending, exceeding the $87 million budgeted by $199 million -- more than 228% -- for a record total of $287 million during the fiscal year. Departments with the highest liability payouts included police ($152 million), street services ($44 million) and transportation ($20 million);

-- Capital improvement projects accounted for the largest area of underspending, with the city spending $25 million, or 19%, of the $131 million allocated for the category;

-- Revenues increased by $234.9 million, or 3.4%, from fiscal year 2023-24, primarily due to higher property and business tax collections; and

-- Expenditures rose by $63.8 million, or 0.9%, from fiscal year 2023- 24, largely driven by increased salaries and employee benefits.

Mejia urging city leaders to curtail prolonged overspending.

“Although we are

SupervisorVicente

Sarmiento declined to discuss how he thinks the county should move forward regarding the remaining cases. But he was critical of Spitzer’s handling of the harassment.

“This most recent jury award against the District Attorney’s Office and its leadership highlights the high cost the taxpayers bear as a result of the toxic environment experienced in that office,” Sarmiento said in a statement.

“Clearly, there is a price to be paid in employee safety, morale, and performance when employees are harassed in the workplace and worried about retaliation on the job.

Though the conduct at the center of this case took place before my election to the board, I have supported changes to the department, including removing HR functions from the DA, and I remain open to further action by the board.”

Supervisor Janet Nguyen declined comment.

Attorney Matt Murphy, a former prosecutor for the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, said the county’s attorneys have not made any goodfaith efforts to resolve the cases. He noted that one of the first things the county’s attorneys did in the cases was move to force the plaintiffs to have their names be put

halfway through the current fiscal year, the City continues to have General Fund budget challenges. The current fiscal year’s budget assumes modest revenue growth, however revenue has been relatively stable during the first half of the year,” Mejia said.

Unchecked overspending and liability claims will be the cause of financial troubles, Mejia added.

“While departments are expected to absorb or manage remaining costs, many departments are unlikely to be able to. This could result in the use of the Reserve Fund and in future fiscal years, more furlough days and the risk of more layoffs,” Mejia said.

The controller also recommended that elected officials adopt a two- year budget, implement a comprehensive capital infrastructure program and pursue a more transparent budgeting process.

He further urged Bass and the City Council to expand Los Angeles’ tax base rather than relying primarily on additional sales taxes, such as a vacancy tax or levies on rideshare companies and autonomous vehicle operators.

Mejia also called for strongeraccountability measures for departments

that overspend or generate liability claims, along with consideration of performance-based and participatory budgeting models.

“Guiding the City back to fiscal health will not be easy, but we can do it. I know we can. It will only get harder the longer we wait,” Mejia said.

In response to the controller’s annual report, Bass expressed appreciation for Mejia’s “diligence in forecasting revenues and anticipating trends that will impact our budget outlook in the next fiscal year.”

She pointed to what she described as promising trends — including rising property and business tax revenues

-- that could help bolster the city’s finances. Bass said the city will work to address “City Hall inefficiencies” and reduce costs.

She added that those efforts can continue alongside initiatives to reduce homelessness, lower crime, clean city streets, repair broken street lights and strengthen neighborhoods ahead of upcoming major events.

“I look forward to continuing to work in partnership with Controller Mejia on these priorities as we proceed into 26-27,” Bass added.

In a statement, City Councilwoman Eunisses

Hernandez, a member of the council’s Budget and Finance Committee, said the report reinforces concerns that the city cannot rely on short-term fixes amid growing structural deficits.

“Years of draining reserves, soaring liability payouts, and underinvestment in infrastructure have left us in a perilous financial position that our communities are now forced to absorb. We need transparent, multi-year budgeting rooted in long-term planning and fiscal responsibility,” Hernandez said.

The full report is available at pafr25.lacontroller. app.

on the record, which was later reversed by the current judge overseeing the trials in San Diego County.

“LoGalbo’s actions were terrible, but the way the county has treated these women ever since has been even worse. The harm is ongoing,” Murphy said. “The board has rebuffed every good-faith effort we have made to resolve these cases, it has already cost them millions, and with five more trials on deck, we are just getting started. This has been awful for my clients, and it sucks for the taxpayers of Orange County.”

Cope-Vega said, “Having to sue the job I continue to love has been heartbreak-

ing. This was never about money for me or the other victims. It has always been about standing up to injustice and doing what is right.”

Vega said in the lawsuit she worked next to LoGalbo’s office and was “exposed to inappropriate sexually harassing comments on a daily basis, all of which created a hostile and offensive work environment.”

She accused LoGalbo of “leering” at her “to the point where coworkers would notice.”

She said he would comment on her clothing and tell her “he knew the color of her underwear,” and that he would dream of her in the nude.

will defend against it vigorously,” the company said.

“Roblox is built with safety at its core, and we continue to evolve and strengthen our protections every day. We have advanced

safeguards that monitor our platform for harmful content and communications, and users cannot send or receive images via chat, avoiding one of the most prevalent opportunities for misuse

seen elsewhere online. Safety is a constant and consistent focus of our work. We take swift action against anyone found to violate our safety rules and work closely with law enforcement to support

investigations and help hold bad actors accountable.”

The company added,

“There is no finish line when it comes to protecting kids, and while no system can be perfect, our commitment to

safety never ends.”

County officials described the lawsuit as the first filed by a California governmental entity targeting Roblox for alleged child endangerment and exploitation.

Parents with complaints regarding their child’s experience on Roblox were encouraged to contact the county Department of Consumer and Business Affairs at dcba@dcba.lacounty.gov.

| Image courtesy of the LA City Controller’s Oﬃce

LoGalbo would call her at night to ask her what she was wearing, she alleged in the suit.

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. | Photo courtesy of Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer / Facebook