Artesia Honors Fallen Deputy Dave Powell as Lakewood Sheriff’s Tradition Brings Comfort to His Family
Two decades after Deputy Dave Powell’s death, Artesia’s annual gesture of support continues to illuminate the meaning of public service.
By Brian Hews
Cerritos Outlines Aging Water and Sewer Infrastructure as Cost Pressures Mount
By Brian Hews
In a detailed assessment of its water and sewer systems, Cerritos outlined the significant infrastructure needs that have accumulated over several decades and explained why substantial long-term investments are now required.
A quiet but powerful tradition unfolded once again this week in Artesia, as deputies from the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station gathered at the home of Emma Powell to honor the memory of her late husband, Deputy Dave Powell. Powell was shot and killed in the line of duty in Artesia on November 30, 2002, during a domestic-violence call that shocked the region and forever changed the LakewoodArtesia law-enforcement family. Each year since his death, deputies have arrived at Emma’s home to help her put up Christmas decorations, turning a painful anniversary into a moment of community support, remembrance, and gratitude.
This year, Artesia officials joined the deputies, including a city councilmember who shared photos of the gathering with LCCN. Their presence underscored how deeply Powell’s sacrifice remains woven into the city’s identity. The councilmember, who attended during a lunch break from work, said the tradition struck her as a moving example of what public service looks like long after the headlines fade. The deputies’ visit was not ceremonial or staged; it was family coming back to take care of family.
Powell, a veteran deputy with 18 years of service, was known throughout the Lakewood Station as steady, kind, and unflinching in dangerous moments. On that tragic night in 2002, he and his partner responded to a disturbance near 166th Street and Elaine Avenue. As they approached the residence, the suspect ambushed them, fatally shooting Powell and seriously wounding another deputy. In the immediate aftermath, Lakewood deputies came together to support Emma and her children, and the Christmasdecoration tradition was born just one day before Powell was laid to rest. What began as a gesture of compassion has grown into a yearly reminder that the department never forgets its own.
In Artesia, the connection endures beyond the memorial. A portion of the 91 Freeway running through the city now bears Powell’s name, the Deputy David Powell Memorial Highway, giving thousands of commuters a daily reminder of his sacrifice. But the moment at Emma’s home this week created something far
An exclusive five-part LCCN investigation revealing
how
Central Basin Director
Juan Garza turned the Cardroom Cities’ Joint Powers Authority into his own operation — and the conflicts and liabilities he engineered for himself in the process.
Part 2
Garza’s Overlapping Roles — And the Law He May Have Already Violated
By Brian Hews
Last week, Los Cerritos Community News revealed that for more than four years, Central Basin Director Juan Garza has quietly operated the California Cities for Self-Reliance Joint Powers Authority, a publicly-funded agency, through Bellflower-based Six Heron, Garza’s privately owned publicrelations and government-relations firm.
Part One of this series exposed how Garza used his own email, cellphone, and Bellflower P.O. Box as the JPA’s official operational and procurement pipeline, effectively turning a public agency into a one-man operation under his exclusive control.
But the consequences of that arrangement extend far beyond procurement secrecy. Garza’s dual roles as Executive Director of the JPA and Central Basin Director for Division 4 mirror those of Gary Mendez — and in several key respects are even more
problematic. Mendez recently resigned from his Whittier Union High School District seat because of his conflict between that seat and his Central Basin seat, a situation that raised alarms about overlapping jurisdictions and divided loyalties.
Garza’s situation goes much further, involving not only overlapping jurisdictions but also continuous financial and operational entanglements with the JPA he runs, the private firm he owns, and the public water district he serves. These conflicts are embedded in his day-to-day duties, his contracting authority, and his repeated renewals of the JPA contract — actions that place his Central Basin seat in direct violation of Government Code 1099.
The Quo Warranto Case
The JPA Garza runs is not a small or symbolic entity. It represents the cardroom cities of Bell Gardens, Commerce, Compton, and Hawaiian
[ See DIRTY WATER, page 4 ]
Whittier Union School District Moves to Provisional Appointment After Central Basin’s Mendez Resignation
By Brian Hews
A few weeks ago, Whittier Union High School District formally accepted the resignation of Trustee Area 5 board member Gary Mendez as part of a legal settlement resolving his incompatibleoffice fight. Mendez stepped down from the WUHSD board, a seat he held for many years, after the Attorney General issued a quo warranto opinion finding that he could not legally serve on both the school board and the Central Basin
Municipal Water District, where he has been a director for less than a year.
For more than a year, Los Cerritos Community News closely tracked the growing incompatibility crisis surrounding Mendez, who attempted to simultaneously hold his long-time WUHSD seat while also serving as a newly elected Central Basin director. LCCN first identified the structural conflict created by Mendez’s two offices, noting that both agencies serve
[ See MENDEZ, page 7 ]
The informational report highlighted aging pipelines, wells nearing regulatory limits, reservoirs and pumps approaching the end of their service life, and sewer lines in need of inspection and rehabilitation.
While the city did not attribute these conditions to any specific decisions by previous councils, the data indicated that major components of the system had outlasted their intended lifespan and would require replacement or upgrades.
According to the document, approximately 70 percent of Cerritos’ water pipelines were installed between 1966 and 1974, with some dating back to the 1950s. These pipes are now 50 to 60 years old, well beyond typical service life, and have contributed to an increasing number of leaks and emergency repairs.
Engineering consultants recommend replacing one mile of pipeline per year, at an estimated cost of $17.6 million for the first five miles. Funding for this level of replacement is not included in the current
[ See WATER, page 12 ]
Governor Newsom Announces $1.1 Billion for Zero-Emission Transit, Safer Roads, and Resilient Infrastructure
By Stepheny Gehrig
Governor Gavin Newsom yesterday announced that the California Transportation Commission had approved $1.1 billion in new transportation investments aimed at expanding zero-emission transit, upgrading storm-damaged highways, and improving safety on local roadways. The funding was part of the administration’s Build More, Faster – For All initiative to modernize California’s transportation system while advancing the state’s climate goals.
In announcing the allocations, Newsom said California would continue making forward progress regardless of federal policy delays. “Donald Trump is asleep at the wheel on America’s infrastructure. Meanwhile, California is moving forward. We are investing in zero-emission transit, safer roads, and resilient infrastructure. That’s what Build More, Faster is all about: good-paying jobs and investments in our communities
[ See TRANSIT, page 11 ]
David Powell
TAKING THE GAVEL: (l-r) Councilmember John R. Garcia, newly appointed Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Monica Sanchez and Mayor Gustavo Camacho, and Councilmembers Andrew C. Lara and Erik Lutz.
LCCN Staff Report
The Pico Rivera City Council has appointed Councilmember Gustavo Camacho to serve as the city’s new mayor and Councilmember Dr. Monica Sanchez to serve as mayor pro tem, following a vote at the December 9 council meeting.
Camacho and Sanchez will guide the council as Pico Rivera pushes forward on long-standing priorities, including public safety, economic development, infrastructure upgrades, and community programs.
“It is an honor to be selected by my colleagues to serve as mayor of this great city,” Camacho said. “Pico Rivera is a proud, hard-working community with deep roots and a bright future. I look forward to working with our council, our staff, and our partners to improve neighborhoods, support small businesses, and ensure Pico Rivera remains a safe,
family-focused city where everyone has a chance to succeed.”
Camacho has served on the council since 2009 and has championed initiatives focused on neighborhood revitalization, infrastructure investment, youth programming, and business growth. As mayor, he will preside over meetings and represent the city at regional and statewide events.
The council also selected Dr. Monica Sanchez as mayor pro tem, authorizing her to assist the mayor and assume mayoral duties when necessary.
“I am grateful for the confidence my colleagues have placed in me,” Sanchez said. “Pico Rivera is a resilient and diverse community. I’m committed to listening to residents, lifting their voices, and helping shape policies that invest in youth, support working families, and expand opportunities for all. Together, we will continue to move Pico Rivera forward.”
Sanchez has been a strong advocate for education, women, and families throughout her public service career. In her new role, she will work closely with Camacho and her colleagues to advance the city’s strategic goals.
City Manager Steve Carmona said the leadership transition demonstrates the council’s ongoing commitment to public service and long-term community wellbeing. “Mayor Camacho and Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez bring experience, energy, and a shared focus on collaboration and community engagement. City staff looks forward to supporting their vision and continuing to deliver high-quality services to our residents,” Carmona said.
The annual leadership rotation is a longstanding practice in Pico Rivera, in which councilmembers select colleagues to serve as mayor and mayor pro tem. The two positions help set the tone for policy direction, public engagement, and regional advocacy.
Palma Council Selects Nitesh Patel as Mayor, Debbie Baker as Mayor Pro Tem
LCCN Staff Report
The La Palma City Council selected Councilmember Nitesh P. Patel to serve as Mayor for 2026 and Councilmember Debbie S. Baker to serve as Mayor Pro Tem during its regular meeting on December 9. The appointments continue the Council’s annual leadership rotation for the coming year.
Mayor Patel thanked his colleagues for their confidence and said he looked forward to working collaboratively on city priorities. “It’s an honor to serve as Mayor, and I look forward to collaborating with the staff and Council to enhance the community,” he said. Patel also recognized outgoing Mayor Mark Waldman for his
leadership, noting, “Mayor Waldman did a great job steering the ship.”
Patel, first elected to the City Council in 2018, has been active in regional and intergovernmental roles, including service on the Orange County Fire Authority Board of Directors and the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority Board of Directors. He has also chaired the City’s Business Engagement Ad Hoc Committee and joined newly appointed Mayor Pro Tem Baker on the Economic Development/Land Use Advisory Ad Hoc Committee.
Baker, who echoed Patel’s appreciation and optimism, said she was eager to continue supporting La Palma’s strong community identity. First elected at-large in 2020 and re-elected in 2024 as the representative for City Council District 1, Baker said she looked forward to working with her colleagues in the year ahead.
Following the Council’s 2026 reorganization, Mayor Nitesh P. Patel recognized outgoing Mayor Mark I. Waldman for his year of service leading the City. Waldman, who was re-elected in 2024 to represent City Council District 5, will continue serving his current term through 2028.
MAYOR Nitesh P. Patel and Mayor Pro Tem Councilmember Debbie S. Baker.
Artesia Holds Mayoral Transition Event
ARTESIA CITY COUNCIL marked its annual mayoral transition as Rene Trevino was selected to serve as Mayor for 2026 and Melissa Ramoso was appointed Mayor Pro Tem. The full Council, pictured during the ceremony, includes Councilwomen Monica Manalo and Zeel Ahir, outgoing Mayor Ali Sajjad Taj, newly appointed Mayor Rene Trevino, and newly appointed Mayor Pro Tem Melissa Ramoso. The event highlighted Artesia’s tradition of rotating leadership and reaffirmed the Council’s focus on community service, collaboration, and continuity heading into the new year.
Norwalk Selects All-Female Mayor and Vice Mayor
RECALL CORNER: Cheese, Meat, and Poultry Recalls Expand Nationwide
LCCN Staff Report
A growing series of nationwide food recalls continued this month as federal regulators expanded investigations into contamination involving cheeses, ground beef, frozen chicken, and ready-to-eat poultry products sold through major retail and food-service channels. The FDA and USDA reported that while the recalls originated from different manufacturers and facilities, the breadth of affected items underscored ongoing food-safety pressures across multiple sectors.
The latest actions included additional recalls of Brie and Camembert cheeses linked to a multistate Listeria outbreak, shredded cheeses contaminated with Salmonella, and ricotta and cottage cheese products testing positive for E. coli O157:H7. Officials said the cheese recalls continued to widen as new lot codes and distribution centers were identified, prompting major retailers nationwide to pull affected items.
Federal regulators also issued new warnings involving meat and poultry. One of the largest recalls involved ground beef products distributed nationally after routine sampling detected E. coli O157:H7 in multiple batches. The affected beef, sold in onepound trays, bulk chubs, and club-store multipacks, was shipped to retailers in more than a dozen states. USDA officials warned that E. coli can cause severe illness and urged customers to check refrigerators and freezers for specific establishment numbers.
NORWALK, Calif. – The Norwalk City Council unanimously selected Jennifer Perez as Mayor and Margarita L. Rios as Vice Mayor during its annual City Council Reorganization on December 9, 2025. Both will serve one-year terms in their new leadership roles.
Perez, who had been serving as Vice Mayor, was first elected to the City Council in 2017. She previously served as Mayor in 2018–19 and 2020–21, and her colleagues’ unanimous support returned her to the city’s top ceremonial post for the third time. She was Vice Mayor during the 2024–25 term.
Rios, also first elected in 2017, was selected as Vice Mayor for 2025–26. She has held both leadership positions multiple times, serving as Vice Mayor in 2018–19 and 2022–23 and as Mayor in 2019–20 and 2023–24. Her appointment continues Norwalk’s recent pattern of rotating leadership responsibilities among councilmembers.
The reorganization marked the second consecutive year in which Norwalk appointed an all-female mayoral team, reflecting the council’s ongoing commitment to shared leadership and balanced representation.
A separate recall involved fully cooked frozen chicken strips and diced chicken used in restaurants, cafeterias, and home kitchens. The products were recalled after tests found possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. While no illnesses were confirmed at the time of the recall, regulators emphasized that ready-to-eat chicken poses a heightened risk because it is commonly consumed without further cooking. Food-service distributors notified institutional clients, and consumers were directed to discard any affected packages.
USDA also issued an alert for ready-to-eat turkey and chicken deli meats after reports that fragments of metal were found in products during slicing. The manufacturer initiated a voluntary recall covering multiple brands of sliced turkey, smoked chicken, and sandwich cuts sold at delis and packaged for retail. Although no injuries were reported, officials urged consumers to avoid eating items with matching lot numbers.
Regulators said the overlapping recalls across dairy, meat, and poultry did not appear to be linked but reflected a combination of increased surveillance, expanded testing technologies, and seasonal production changes. Consumers were urged to monitor evolving recall lists, which continue to be updated as new information becomes available.
As the holiday season approaches, federal officials reminded consumers of basic food-safety steps: cook meats thoroughly, wash hands and surfaces regularly, separate raw and ready-to-eat foods, and promptly discard any items listed under official recall notices.
NEW LEADERSHIP: from (l-r) Councilmember Ana Valencia, Post Commander Angelo Maldenado of the American Legion Post 359 led the flag salute, Mayor Jennifer Perez, Outgoing Mayor Tony Ayala, Former Norwalk Mayor Leonard Shryock led the invocation, Vice Mayor Margarita Rios, and Councilmember Rick Ramirez.
Gardens, all of which lie inside Central Basin’s service footprint. Hawaiian Gardens sits directly in Garza’s own division.
Through the JPA, Garza is paid $6,744 per month to lobby, educate, coordinate strategy, and advocate for the cardroom industry on behalf of those member cities. Through Central Basin, he is tasked with regulating water rates, infrastructure, environmental compliance, and policies that affect those same cities.Garza is also taking over $2,500 per month in stipends from Central Basin, meaning he is being paid by both agencies at the same time: one to advocate for the cardroom cities and the other to regulate their water service. These are not two separate worlds. They are the same map.
Garza Speaks — but His Answers Only Deepen the Conflict
When questioned about representing Hawaiian Gardens both through the JPA and at Central Basin, Garza sidestepped the core issue: Hawaiian Gardens is a JPA member city that helps fund his executive-director salary and also a major Central Basin ratepayer directly affected by his votes. Garza told LCCN, “Under my employment agreement with the JPA’s Board of Directors I am compensated to undertake my employment responsibilities… In reviewing my agreement, ‘advancing a city’s cardroom revenues’ is not one of them. To clarify, I do not represent ‘the City’ at the Central Basin Municipal Water District, I represent the electorate and citizens residing within the jurisdictional City boundaries, not the City.”
Garza also claimed he is exempt from Government Code 1099, telling LCCN, “There is no conflict between
my employee role with the JPA and my public officer position… CA Govt Code 1099 section (c) states ‘This section does not apply to a position of employment’… [and] section (d) states ‘This section shall not apply to a governmental body that has only advisory powers,’ the JPA… recommends action but has no executive powers.”
Garza’s reading of 1099 ignores both the law and Attorney General precedent. He is not a civil-service employee but a contracted executive director who manages public funds, oversees operations, executes contracts, and directs lobbying strategy — all functions the AG has repeatedly held constitute a policy-making public office, not exempt employment. And his claim that the JPA is “advisory” is contradicted by its own actions: it hires contractors, approves budgets, coordinates legal and legislative advocacy, and issues public solicitations. Garza himself has spoken at multiple protest events as the JPA’s spokesperson.
When asked about conflicts created by routing JPA operations through his Six Heron pipeline, Garza argued the JPA is “legally separate and distinct” because it was formed under Government Code 6500. But that distinction exists only on paper. In practice, he operated the JPA entirely through Six Heron — using his private email, cellphone, and Bellflower P.O. Box, and personally receiving and evaluating public-agency bids. Attorney General opinions evaluate how officials *actually perform* their duties, not what an entity is labeled. By running a public agency through his private business, Garza erased any meaningful separation between the JPA and Six Heron, and the 6500 citation offers no defense to the conflicts that creates.
Conflicting Mandates, Colliding Duties
CCSR’s public mission statement underscores the direct conflict: the JPA
exists to empower communities and leadership statewide to advocate for card rooms as vital resources to cities and local services such as police, fire, schools, and transportation. Hawaiian Gardens — home to The Gardens Casino — is one of its most critical members. As Executive Director, Garza is paid to protect and advance the revenue generated by that card room on behalf of the city.
As a Central Basin director, he votes on wholesale water rates and infrastructure decisions that directly affect the city’s financial stability and the casino’s operating costs. Those dual obligations collide every time Central Basin considers any action affecting Hawaiian Gardens or the JPA cities whose interests Garza is contractually bound to advance.
The conflict becomes sharper when the missions of both agencies are placed side by side. The JPA’s stated purpose is to advocate for card rooms and protect their economic interests, working with cities to secure revenue streams and regulatory stability.
Central Basin’s mandate is to provide reliable, affordable water while maintaining strict financial, environmental, and governance standards. One position requires advocacy; the other requires neutrality, oversight, and regulatory independence.
California Government Code Section 1099 is clear: a person cannot hold two offices when one exercises supervisory, auditing, or regulatory authority over the other, or when the responsibilities of the two positions create conflicting loyalties. The law does not require corruption. It requires only the possibility that the duties of the two offices might conflict.
A Built-In Conflict, Not a Hypothetical
That conflict is undeniable. Garza’s elected authority at Central Basin affects every city the JPA serves. Central Basin sets wholesale water rates, oversees key infrastructure, approves project spending, and makes long-term decisions that directly impact city budgets.
Those budgets depend in part on card-room revenue, the financial backbone of the cities Garza represents through the JPA. When Central Basin considers any action affecting water rates or capital projects in Bell Gardens, Commerce, Compton, or Hawaiian Gardens, Garza is expected to represent Central Basin ratepayers independently.
But at the same moment, he is paid by the JPA to protect the financial stability of those same cities. The conflict is not abstract; it is baked into the two job descriptions.
The JPA is an agency of its member cities. Central Basin is an agency that serves those same cities. When a Central Basin director also runs the JPA representing those cities, the director’s duties are inherently intertwined. The overlap is even more striking considering the JPA’s mission: legal action, advocacy, lobbying, and political strategy. These are not passive duties. They are active, directional roles requiring Garza to advance the interests of the JPA’s member cities, even when those interests may conflict with the water district’s financial or operational needs.
California’s incompatible-office standard focuses on whether the duties of two offices could clash in practice, not whether the official believes he
can balance them. And Garza’s own behavior only deepens the conflict. While Central Basin struggles with financial uncertainty, quorum failures, and governance breakdowns, Garza has spent years building the JPA into a vehicle he personally controls. The same private channels he used to run the JPA have never been disclosed to Central Basin, leaving ratepayers unaware that one of their elected directors has been paid to advocate for the cities Central Basin serves while simultaneously voting on the water policies that affect them.
The Timeline Trap
Compounding the conflict is the timeline. Garza has served in the JPA role since March 2020, renewing his JPA contract approximately every 18 months. He joined the Central Basin board in December 2020. Under Government Code 1099, when an official assumes a second office that is legally incompatible with the first, the law is automatic: the official is deemed to have vacated the first office upon taking the second.
That sequence is critical. He was already the JPA’s executive director when he took the oath at Central Basin, and he later renewed his JPA contract while serving at Central Basin. Under Government Code 1099, he effectively forfeited his Central Basin seat the moment he renewed his JPA contract.
The MWD Extension of the Conflict
And the incompatibility issues extend directly to Garza’s Metropolitan Water District seat. The legal conflict arises from Garza’s third position as Executive Director of the California Cities for Self-Reliance JPA. In that role, he is paid to advocate for the interests of a separate public agency whose member cities can be directly affected by MWD policy decisions. Because his MWD votes must reflect the interests of Central Basin residents while his JPA duties require him to advance the priorities of entirely different municipalities, the two positions create an unavoidable conflict of loyalty that falls squarely under Government Code 1099. And since Garza holds the MWD seat only by virtue of his position on the Central Basin board, accepting an incompatible office would mean he forfeited both posts the moment he renewed his JPA contract.
Part Three: The 1099 Trigger
This second installment of High Stakes, Dirty Water, Red Flags exposes how Garza’s control of the JPA collides with his authority at Central Basin — and how that conflict intensifies when extended to the Metropolitan Water District seat he holds only because of his position on the board.
Part Three follows the legal trail to its unavoidable conclusion. California Government Code 1099 requires only one thing to determine whether a public official has forfeited office: the order in which the incompatible positions were held. Garza’s own documents make that order unmistakable. He signed his JPA contract before he took office at Central Basin—and renewed it while sitting as a director. Under the law, that renewal is the moment the first office falls away. Whether Garza admits it or not, the statute has already spoken.
DIRTY WATER
Why the U.S. Should Follow Australia
and Kick Kids Off Social Media Until Age 16
There are not many moments when a government tells trillion-dollar tech giants: “You’ve had your experiment on our kids. It’s over.” Australia just did that. The U.S. should pay attention – and take notes.
For years, American parents have been told that guarding their kids’ mental health online is a matter of better “digital literacy,” more parental controls, and one more app that allegedly filters out the worst of the sludge. Meanwhile, nearly all American teens use social media, more than a third say they are on it “almost constantly,” and a huge share of children ages 8–12 are already on platforms that technically require users to be 13. Those numbers are not an accident; they are a business model.
Australia’s law finally admits what Silicon Valley will not: the current system is structurally unsafe for children, and no amount of “safety centers” and PR campaigns changes that.
Australia’s approach is brilliant. It says: you already have the data. You already run sophisticated AI to keep advertisers happy. Now you are going to use that same sophistication to keep kids off your platforms until they are 16 – or you are going to pay.
The harm is not hypothetical
The U.S. Surgeon General has already warned that we cannot say social media is “safe” for children and adolescents and that heavy use is linked to increased risk of depression, anxiety, and self-harm. A major study found that teens who spent more than three hours a day on social media faced roughly double the risk of mental-health problems, particularly internalizing issues like anxiety and depression.
More recent work goes beyond simple “screen time” and finds that what really predicts suicidal behavior is addictive, compulsive use – the endless doom-scroll driven by notifications and algorithmic rewards that these platforms are explicitly designed to create.
We also know, from internal research now surfacing in lawsuits and leaks, that vulnerable teens who already feel bad about their bodies are shown more eatingdisorder-adjacent content than their peers, and that automated systems fail to catch the vast majority of that harmful material. This is not just “mean comments from classmates.” It is industrial-scale targeting of kids’ insecurities for engagement.
Add in sextortion scams, online grooming, and a firehose of graphic content that no parent can realistically monitor 24/7, and it is not hard to understand why parents in survey after survey say social media is hurting their kids’ mental health.
Australia’s message is simple: if the platforms cannot make it safe for minors, the minors do not belong there.
Critics – including some teenagers – argue that banning accounts under 16 “silences” young people, isolates them from peers, and cuts them off from news, activism, and creative communities. Yeah, if you grew up online, it feels like someone is taking away part of your social world.
But we need to stop pretending this is a free-speech issue. Twelve- and fifteenyear-olds will still be able to read news, watch videos, and access information. In Australia, kids can still browse some content in logged-out mode; what is restricted is account-based activity that allows platforms to build detailed profiles, push algorithmic feeds, target ads, and enable unmonitored messaging with adults.
We already accept age limits where the risks are obvious. We do not let 12-yearolds buy cigarettes, gamble at casinos, or walk into a bar. This is the same logic. High-speed, highly personalized social media is not a neutral public square; it is a highly engineered behavioral lab that has repeatedly treated kids as test subjects.
“But kids will just get around it”
Of course, some teenagers will try to evade the ban with VPNs, borrowed IDs, or older siblings’ faces in selfie scans. Officials know this; they are not naïve.
But “some kids will break the rule” has never been an argument for having no rule at all. The point is not to create a perfect digital border wall; it is to dramatically raise the friction for a 12-year-old who is currently two taps away from a universe of self-harm content, porn spam, and predatory DMs.
If evasion requires technical sophistication, older accomplices, or a level of determination that most kids do not have, then millions of children will simply not bother – which is exactly the goal.
Meanwhile, the companies know exactly how old many of their users really are. They can tell from friend networks, school email domains, the accounts you follow, and even the slang you use. The problem is not that they cannot detect underage accounts; it is that they have had no serious legal incentive to act on that knowledge.
The U.S. does not need to carbon-copy every clause of Australia’s law, but there are clear lessons.
Congress and state legislatures should move toward 16 as the age for full social media accounts, with no workarounds based on a parent clicking “I agree” on a legal page they will never read.
Second, put liability on design, not just content. Australia’s law goes after platforms that fail to take reasonable steps to keep under-16s off. U.S. lawmakers should go further and treat addictive design features aimed at minors – endless scrolling, autoplay, constant push alerts – the same way we treat dangerous product defects. If you build a system that you know entraps kids in loops of self-harm content and you ignore your own research about it, that should have legal consequences.
Third, keep enforcement on companies, not families. Parents should not be fined because their 15-year-old snuck onto an app. Penalties and reporting requirements should fall solely on platforms and app stores.
Fourth, protect privacy while you protect kids. Age-verification schemes must be designed to avoid creating new massive databases of children’s faces and IDs. Australia’s ban explicitly bars platforms from requiring government IDs as the only option and encourages privacy-preserving age-estimation tools. The U.S. should adopt similarly strict limits and audits
Finally, give kids something better to do than scroll. Any serious under-16 ban should be paired with real-world investments: youth sports, arts programs, libraries, and safe public spaces. If you are going to tell a generation of kids that the infinite scroll is off-limits for a few years, you owe them healthier ways to connect.
A cultural reset we badly need
Underneath the policy details is a deeper question: what kind of childhood do we actually want for American kids?
Australia has answered that question, loudly and imperfectly, but in the right direction. Parents there are not getting a magic cure, and teens are not all cheering. But for the first time, a national government has looked at the body of evidence, looked at the behavior of the platforms, and said: “We are not going to keep sacrificing kids’ mental health on the altar of engagement metrics.”
The U.S. can keep holding hearings where tech CEOs apologize, promise new features, and fly home. Or we can accept that the experiment has gone far enough. If we mean what we say about protecting kids, an under-16 social media ban should be on the table here, too. Not as a fringe idea, but as the starting point for a long-overdue reset of the relationship between our children and the companies that have been allowed to exploit them for far too long.
Brian Hews-Editor and Publisher
From the Mayor’s Desk: December 12, 2025
‘Tis the season for giving thanks and embracing the holiday spirit. For years, the City of Cerritos has proudly offered quality holiday events to our residents and visitors.
Approximately 1,400 people took part in our annual Christmas Tree Lighting event on November 24. The event is led by our Community Services Division and offers a fantastic start to the holiday season. In addition to celebrating the lighting of the Christmas tree, guests also enjoyed live performances, food, crafts, and time with Santa.
This past Saturday, December 6, we were pleased to see approximately 800 people attend our inaugural Santa’s Sleigh Day at the CCPA. Santa’s Sleigh Day is a new event in the City of Cerritos, which was inspired by my colleague, Mayor Pro Tem Lynda P. Johnson. The event featured Santa’s Sleigh, crafts, festive games, storytimes, and carolers. Guests were also treated to live holiday music from Mariachi Reyna De Los Angeles, which presented Merry-Achi Christmas at the CCPA December 5-7. At the event, staff served up more than 350 cups of hot cocoa while attendees created 200 craft ornaments and submitted over 100 postcards to Santa. I’m thankful to all who came out to enjoy this incredible day, and to our dedicated City staff from the Recreation Services Division
and Theater Department for their coordination.
Continued excellence in community recreation and community programming is emphasized in the City’s Strategic Plan. These services keep our residents active, enhance quality of life, and stimulate our City’s economy. I’m pleased that we continue to build upon our long-running services while identifying new ways to create lasting connections with our community.
2026 brings another exiting year of activities as the City of Cerritos celebrates its 70th year since incorporation. This will include the dedication of new public artwork at the Cerritos Civic Center. Milking Time – A Tribute to Dairy Valley is a series of bronze sculptures that includes a farmer, his son and daughter, the family dog, and—of course—the cow, reflecting Cerritos’ agricultural roots and the enduring values of family and community. Voting is currently underway to determine the name of the cow featured in the sculpture. Nearly 300 names were submitted in the Name the Cow contest, and 10 finalists were selected. I invite you to participate in the voting process, which continues through January 16. View finalist names and submit your vote at cerritos. gov/cow.
I’m proud to serve a community that actively participates in our City services and at our events. Thank you for helping make Cerritos a vibrant place to live, work, and visit. I look forward to seeing you again next time.
ABC Unified School District Board of Education Elects New Officers at Annual Reorganization Meeting
DEPUTIES
from page 1
more intimate. Deputies untangled lights, climbed ladders, hung wreaths, and checked on Emma—not as a formality, but as a promise kept for twenty-three years. Neighbors came by to offer hugs.
Artesia officials expressed gratitude for Powell’s service and admiration for the deputies who continue to protect the community he once patrolled.
The annual gathering stands as one of the region’s most meaningful, least-publicized traditions. No press conferences. No speeches. Just a commitment to honor a fallen deputy in a way that helps his family move through the holiday season with warmth and community behind them. It is a reminder that public safety is not just an
from the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station and Artesia officials gather at the home of Emma Powell to honor fallen Deputy Dave Powell, continuing a twenty-three-year tradition of helping her decorate for the holidays.
institution; it is people, relationships, and a willingness to show up long after the sirens fade.
As Artesia prepares for its own holiday festivities, the lights at Emma Powell’s home shine a little brighter this year, powered not by electricity alone but by the enduring bond between a city, a sheriff’s station, and the family of a deputy who gave everything to protect them.
If you upload the photos, I can craft individual captions, refine placement for print layout, or generate a TikTok storyboard highlighting the tradition.
The ABC Unified School District Board of Education held its annual reorganization meeting last Tuesday electing new officers and recognizing outgoing President Mr. Ernie Nishii for his year of leadership.
At the meeting, the Board unanimously selected Mr. Francisco Noyola (Trustee Area 7) as President, Mrs. Tatiana Yokoyama Bui (Trustee Area 4) as Vice President, and Mrs. Leticia Mendoza (Trustee Area 1) as Clerk for the 2026 term.
District, community, and elected leaders in attendance expressed appreciation for Mr. Nishii’s commitment and service throughout the past year.
Superintendent Dr. Gina Zietlow shared her gratitude and optimism for the year ahead.
“We are grateful for Mr. Nishii’s steady leadership and his unwavering support for our students and staff,” said Superintendent Dr. Gina Zietlow. “I look forward to working with President Noyola, Vice President
Yokoyama Bui, Clerk Mendoza, and the entire Board as we continue strengthening programs and expanding opportunities so every student can succeed.”
The Board reorganizes annually, giving trustees the opportunity to serve in a leadership role, supporting shared governance and collaborative decisionmaking.
Incoming President Mr. Francisco Noyola expressed appreciation for the trust placed in him and reaffirmed his commitment to the District.
“After having gone through ABCUSD schools, it’s an honor to now serve as Board President,” said Mr. Noyola. “While we know important work lies ahead, I am confident in what we can accomplish together. I am grateful to Mr. Nishii for his dedicated service this past year and for his guidance and mentorship. As a board, we will continue working as a team to support our students, families, and staff.”
POWELL
THE ABCUSD BOARD from (l-r) Board Members Ernie Nishii, Dr. Olga Rios, and Jeanne McHatton, Vice President Tatiana Yokoyama Bui, President Francisco Noyola, Clerk Leticia Mendoza, Board Member Soo Yoo, and Superintendent Dr. Gina Zietlow.
Spirit of Christmas Present at the South Coast Repertory
By Stepheny Gehrig
Ringing in the holiday season, “A Christmas Carol” has arrived at the South Coast Repertory.
The show follows Charles Dickens’ 19th century novella, taking place in London. Character Ebenezer Scrooge comes face to face with the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future, who each gives a look into Richard Doyle gave an outstanding performance as Ebenezer Scrooge. From capturing Scrooge’s frustration and animosity toward Christmas time, to then highlighting the vulnerability that comes with introspection, Doyle’s performance is a multifaceted look at the human condition.
The most impressive features of the
show are its set design and costuming. Creativity really shines with the set design as the sets for home interiors, shops, and city streets are simple yet immersive. The simplicity of the sets were beautifully countered with the extravagant costuming. From gowns to accessories, each piece of clothing on stage is beautifully chosen to compliment the character.
The Spirit of Christmas Present, played by Richard Soto, The Spirit of Christmas Past, played by Jennifer Parsons, and The Spirit of Christmas Yet-To-Come, played by Nick Slimmer, each fulfill the role of an apparition in interesting yet exciting ways. Soto and Parsons, both, ignite a sense of empathy with the audience, with many tear-jerking and heartfelt spoken moments with Doyle’s character Scrooge. Slimmer,
however, successfully brings about a sense of fear and doom without uttering a single word.
“A Christmas Carol” at the South Coast Repertory is a fun, thoughtful production that will allow for introspection and a want for personal growth. The show is fun for all ages, however, children must be at least six years old to attend.
During intermission, be sure to walk about the lobby as they offered merchandise specific to the show, like red scarves to match Scrooge’s scarf. The bar also offered specialty drinks for $10, “The Scrooge Driver” and “Marley’s Ghost”, and hot chocolate with various toppings for purchase.
With a run time of two hours, including a 15 minute intermission, “A Christmas Carol” is a perfect remedy to bring about the holiday spirit. Tickets range from around $50 to $100, can be purchased online at www.scr.org. The show will run until Dec. 28.
MENDEZ from page 1
overlapping jurisdictions and exercise supervisory and regulatory authority over the same communities — the exact scenario prohibited under California’s incompatible-office doctrine. Through a series of articles, LCCN documented how Mendez’s dual roles raised unavoidable questions about divided loyalties, disclosure failures, and the impact of his actions on ratepayers and students alike.
After LCCN’s reporting brought sustained public scrutiny to the issue, the California Attorney General issued a quo warranto opinion confirming the conflict, paving the way for legal action by Whittier Union. That process ultimately forced Mendez to resign from the school board, ending a standoff he had prolonged since taking office at Central Basin. His departure underscored the central finding of LCCN’s reporting: the law does not allow a public official to straddle two offices whose duties collide — and when they try, the consequences eventually catch up.
It was a long ordeal that cost taxpayers thousands of dollars because Mendez refused to step aside. Rather than immediately vacate one of the two positions when the conflict was raised, he remained in both roles until the district initiated legal action and forced a settlement. His resignation triggered a 60-day clock for WUHSD to either hold a costly special election or make a provisional appointment.
Citing a potential price tag of more than $1 million for a special election, the board opted for the provisional route and will recruit and interview applicants to fill the seat through November 2026.
RICHARD DOYLE in South Coast Repertory’s 2025 production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
Photo by Scott Smeltzer.
CHRISTMAS CAROL: Isaac Person, Louis Lotorto, Ivy Granadino, Yunah Choi, Tessany Azizi and Diana Burbano in South Coast Repertory’s 2025 production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Photo by Scott Smeltzer.
By Loren Kopff @LorenKopff on X
Valley Christian High’s success during the playoffs has been built around its defense, which had given up 40 points in the last five games, including only 19 fourth quarter points. But the Defenders faced a worthy opponent last Friday in the CIF State Division 5-AA Southern California Regionals that took a page out of their playbook.
Christian High, out of El Cajon which won the San Diego Section Division 5 title game, used its defense to torment junior quarterback Liam Sweeney and the V.C. ground game in picking up a 27-13 victory, denying the Defenders an opportunity to play for a state championship.
Sweeney was sacked five times for losses totaling 34 yards and was intercepted three times, all by Hank Houston as the Patriots built a 20-7 lead with 4:03 remaining in the first half.
“They were much better defensively than I thought they would be; they were fast to the football,” said V.C. head coach Brendan Chambers. “They were slanting up front with that three-man front [which] really gave us some problems. We tried to change some things, but it was tough for us to run the ball. We got down early, and we haven’t gotten down early in the postseason except for San Dimas, and we were able to fight back and claw right back into that one.”
In addition to the five sacks, V.C. rushed 14 times for 18 yards, putting
more pressure on Sweeney, which wasn’t anything new considering he has more than enough players to throw to. But the Defenders also haven’t trailed by 13 points in any game since their last loss, which was to Aquinas High back on Oct. 10. In fact, V.C. had a combined 58-21 first half lead throughout the playoffs entering last Friday.
Christian would open the scoring five plays into the contest as Julian Morones found an opening and scampered 52 yards up the middle for the 7-0 lead three minutes in. The hosts were unable to generate much in the opening stanza as they got 54 yards on 10 plays, fumbling on their second offensive play and punting on their second possession.
But on the first play of the second quarter, Sweeney was able to find senior wide receiver Oliver Boateng open for a 13-yard touchdown play. However, it would not be the same after that. On Christian’s ensuing possession, Kaleb Runkle connected with Morones for a six-yard gain on third and five and three plays later, hit Kai Rosier for a 23-yard touchdown pass on third and nine.
“They are probably the most disciplined team we’ve played all year,” said Christian head coach Patrick Bugg of V.C. “They were well-coached, number one, and then they did what they were coached to do. You could see it in the film. So we knew going in that we couldn’t be ourselves; we knew they weren’t going to be themselves. We just had to come out and be disciplined and make plays.”
Find our paper at these convenient locations:
VALLEY CHRISTIAN HIGH senior wide receiver Oliver Boateng navigates through heavy coverage to score on a 13-yard pass from junior quarterback Liam Sweeney on the first play of the second quarter in last Friday’s CIF State Division 5-AA Southern California Regionals. Boateng would catch six passes for 70 yards in V.C.’s 27-13 loss to Christian High. Photo by Steve Ferician.
Probably the defining moment in the game came five plays into V.C.’s next possession when Sweeney was intercepted by Houston who returned it 35 yards to the house, and with 4:03 left in the half, it was 20-7 after the missed extra point.
“It comes down to one of those things, who wants it more,” said Chambers. “In this game, I felt like they wanted it a little bit more. It’s tough when you go and your whole goal is to win a CIF championship, and you do and having to come back the next week. I just didn’t feel like we had the same passion and fire.
“But I’m proud of these guys; it’s been a heck of a season and what they’ve been able to accomplish,” he continued. “The way they came together this year, I’ll remember it forever. To come up short against a quality opponent, it happens.”
Considering how Christian was dominating the first half, especially on defense as the Patriots gave up 117 yards in the first 24 minutes, it was a twopossession game, Sweeney completed nine of 13 passes for 105 yards in the first half, and the Defenders would get the ball to begin the second half. But a three and out on the opening drive of the half and Houston’s second interception on the first play of V.C.’s second drive took more air out of the balloon.
No one would score in the third quarter, but Runkle hooked up with Rosier again less than two minutes into the fourth quarter, this time for 43 yards, to open a 27-7 lead. The Defenders scored their second touchdown with 4:50 left in the game when Sweeney threw a 29yard strike to senior wide receiver Dylan Teays. An onside kick from senior Gavin Harper was misplayed by Christian, allowing senior Sean Bouma to recover the ball at the Christian 27-yard line.
However, Sweeney threw an incomplete pass, then was sacked by Houston and Hudson McFarlane for a seven-yard loss, followed by another sack, this time by Jacob Kirchhoefer for a 12-yard loss and another incomplete pass.
“It was tough for us offensively all night,” said Chambers. “They were bringing blitzes, and we had a tough time picking them up. Liam was trying to see downfield, but they were able to get guys in coverage because we weren’t able to run the ball very effectively. It was a long night offensively.”
“That’s been the key to all our wins,” said Bugg. “It’s just that defense, that
linebacking corps has been amazing for us all year; a bunch a seniors, but Hank played amazing tonight.”
Sweeney was 24 of 33 for 292 yards with Bouma (seven receptions, 55 yards), Boateng (six receptions, 70 yards) and junior wide receiver Byron Louis (five receptions, 84 yards) the top gainers. For Boateng, he leaves V.C. as one of the most decorated wide receivers as he entered the game with over 1,000 yards, a rarity for any V.C. wide receiver or tight end.
“He’s been a huge playmaker for us all year, and just his improvement from last year to this year has been drastic,” said Chambers. “A guy we’re always trying to get the football to…they did a good job trying to blanket him tonight. But I’m just proud of what he’s been able to accomplish this year, over 1,000 yards. Not too many receivers I’ve had in my coaching career have been able to do that, and he was able to do that this year. He’s driven this offense to a new level.”
Runkle completed eight passes for 128 yards while Kirchhoefer and Morones combined to gain 143 yards on 17 carries. Those numbers would be the opposite of what the Patriots have done in the first 14 games as they had passed for 2,646 yards and rushed for 1,359 yards.
“We knew going into the year, we had a pretty special group,” said Bugg. “We just got decimated early with injuries; we had a lot of guys out throughout the course of the year, especially early on. We got healthy at the right time and peaked at the right time. They just kept fighting and believing and here we are.
“We were still a little banged up on the outside, but we thought we could find an advantage in a formation we haven’t shown all year, and it turned out that it worked for us,” he later said.
Meanwhile, the Defenders capped off a memorable11-4 season that included a seven-game winning streak. Last season, V.C. won its first six games but finished in fourth place in the Ironwood League and ended with a 7-3 mark with no playoff berth.
“I’m just happy for the memories we’ve made and the moments we’ve shared together,” said Chambers. “This journey has been an incredible ride. I love all these seniors and just being able to come together as a team has been huge.”
By Loren Kopff @LorenKopff on X
Glenn goes winless in return to its own co-hosted tournament; Norwalk falls on final day
John Glenn High and Norwalk High wrapped up their annual girls varsity basketball classic last Saturday at Norwalk and the end results were not what both head coaches would have liked. While Glenn went winless in the four games, the sixth time since 2008 it has failed to win a game in the co-hosted event, the Lancers have gone 1-3 the past four seasons, which followed three straight seasons of going 2-2.
In the 13th place game, Norwalk fell to Kennedy High 49-31 as the Lancers have yet to find some type of stability through the first 10 games of the season. A twogame losing streak was erased with three straight wins, then a two-game skid, a win over Beverly Hills High on Dec. 3 and now another two game losing streak.
“That’s actually something we’ve been talking about to the girls; is our consistency and being able to stay competitive throughout our games regardless of opponents and scores up on the board,” said Norwalk head coach Ashley Baclaan. “Throughout this tournament, I feel like I saw a lot of good spurts with our physicality, picking up a little more and our intensity, especially on the defensive end. Hopefully, this can light something up for us as we move forward.”
It was a one-possession contest for the first 4:57 of the game until Liz Tirona scored a pair of baskets around one from TaNiya Paul as the Irish had a 13-9 lead
after the first quarter. But Kennedy scored the first nine points of the second quarter, and it wasn’t until the 4:16 mark that sophomore Connie Esquival ended the field goal drought. Norwalk had missed 14 straight baskets and had eight in the game, five coming in the first half.
Norwalk’s second basket of the stanza came off a putback from freshman Isha Morales with 2:29 left in the half and the third came in the final seconds when sophomore Aleeah Lopez scored off one of her two steals.
The Lancers (4-6) would go eight of 16 from the free throw line in the second half and three of 20 from the field, never scoring consecutive points until there was less than 2:45 left to play. Esquival, who was named to the All-Tournament team, was clearly the team’s leader in this game, scoring 16 points and grabbing nine rebounds while Morales added nine rebounds and half a dozen points as only four starters scored for the Lancers.
“I think I am seeing quite a bit of growth; I want it a little faster, but I know the light is starting to flicker,” said Baclaan.
The Lancers hosted Samueli Academy this past Tuesday and went to Workman High the next night. They will welcome Western High on Thursday for the final game this month.
Norwalk began the tournament on Dec. 1 with a 57-27 loss to Huntington Beach High and after getting the win two days later, fell to Whittier High 35-25 last Friday. The Lancers have been dropped to the consolation side of the bracket in two straight seasons and 15 times since 1998.
Over the last 27 seasons of the tournament, Norwalk has compiled a 39-65 record in cohosted event.
It was a completely different story for Glenn, which had been absent from the tournament since 2022 because of injuries and other internal issues. But the Eagles returned only to go winless for the sixth time, first since 2021, after falling to Beverly Hills 37-13.
After defeating Lennox Academy 31-12 in the season opener on Nov. 17, Glenn has lost seven straight games, scoring a total of 59 points in the last six following a 50-35 setback to Bellflower High the day after its only win.
“I can’t sum it up,” said Glenn head coach Eric Peterson. “I really have no words to explain this year. I can’t even make anything up. To tell you the truth, it’s just one of those seasons. Players are just not as focused as they have been in the past.”
Sophomore Jay Curl scored 13 seconds into the contest last Saturday and tied the game 4-4 with 3:02 left in the first quarter. After that, the Eagles wouldn’t score again until the 4:16 mark of the second quarter. The game was still in reach at halftime, with the score 16-8, but Beverly Hills scored the first eight points of the second half to put the game out of reach.
Curl scored 10 of the team’s 13 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and had four steals. She has been the only consistent player out of a team of eight seniors and another sophomore plus a freshman that Peterson has called up from the junior varsity squad.
“She plays hard; she plays very hard,” said Peterson. “She plays hard all game
NEWS AND NOTES FROM PRESS ROW:
long. There’s a lot of potential there…and she cares a lot.”
Glenn began the tournament with a 5211 loss to Cantwell Sacred Heart of Mary High, then setbacks to Kennedy (51-10) and Gardena High (53-13). The Eagles have a similar record in this tournament as Norwalk does, going 37-55 since 1998, but has not been 2-2 since 2018. The last time Glenn won three of the four games was 2010.
“I don’t have any real feelings about that,” said Peterson. “I know we have lower level teams and those first [tournament] games pretty much went as I expected. I’m not feeling that great in the fact that we could have competed a little better in these last couple of games. But the first few games, I know the teams are way above our level of play.”
The Eagles will be busy over the next week or so as they hosted John Muir High this past Tuesday and went to Bassett High the next day and will welcome Samueli Academy on Friday before going to Firebaugh High on Monday and Santa Ana Valley High on Tuesday.
“I’m always optimistic about the teams going into [every] season,” said Peterson. “But as this season has progressed, we just haven’t had the production that I thought they’re capable of. They’re just not playing up to their expectations at all.”
Peterson later said that for the team to get somewhat better this month ahead of 605 League action, the players simply need to come to practice on a regular basis. Senior Stacy Hernandez was named to the All-Tournament team.
Fall athletic awards to be presented while winter sports are in full swing
on Friday and Bellflower High on Monday.
By Loren Kopff
@LorenKopff on X
The fall athletic season officially ends this weekend with the CIF State Championships in 11-man football. But this past Monday, the first set of All CIFSouthern Section awards were announced in girls flag football, with other sports to be announced in the coming weeks.
Senior wide receiver and defensive back Madelyn Macaraeg and sophomore wide receiver and safety Analiyah Coneita of Cerritos High made the Division 6 All CIF-SS team, the only area players to receive such award.
The HMG-Community News AllArea Teams for 11-man football and girls volleyball will be out next week.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Artesia High defeated Tarbut V’Torah High 76-68 in overtime this past Tuesday to improve to 3-4. The Pioneers head up to San Jose to participate in the Lynbrook Winter Classic where it faced Independence High on Dec. 11. Artesia will play games on Friday and Saturday in the Silicon Valley before hosting Orange High on Wednesday.
Cerritos dropped a 54-52 decision to Buena Park High this past Monday to fall to 3-6. The Dons will entertain Kennedy High on Friday before welcoming city rival Gahr High on Thursday in its annual rivalry game.
Gahr fell to 4-4 following a 66-44 setback to Mira Costa High last Saturday on the final day of the Buc Pride Classic at Bellflower High. The Gladiators will host Marquez High on Saturday and Rancho Dominguez High on Monday ahead of the city rivalry game.
John Glenn High ended a five-game losing streak with a 35-31 win over Samueli Academy this past Monday. The Eagles (25) will travel to Southlands Christian High
La Mirada High knocked off WiseburnDa Vinci High 73-62 this past Monday in the opener of the St. John Bosco Braves Winter Classic. The Matadores (2-3) faced Hesperia High this past Wednesday and will have two more games in the tournament before going to Las Vegas where it will compete in the Tarkanian Classic, which begins on Thursday.
The hottest team in the area is Norwalk High, which defeated Samueli Academy 46-32 this past Tuesday to improve to 7-2. The Lancers will host Workman High on Friday and Kennedy on Tuesday while Valley Christian High moved above .500 for the second time this season after getting by Oxford Academy 57-53 this past Tuesday. The Defenders (5-4) are home to Magnolia High on Friday and Paramount High on Thursday.
Whitney High (3-8) hosted Loara High on Dec. 11 and will welcome Godinez High and Irvine High on Monday and Thursday, respectively.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Artesia is winless in five games and will travel to Los Amigos High on Monday while Cerritos hosted North Torrance High on Dec. 11 and will visit Marlborough High on Friday before playing in the Maya Showcase held at Esperanza High on Saturday. The Dons (4-3) will also go to Garfield High on Thursday.
Gahr lost to Venice High 64-26 this past Monday to fall to 2-4. The Gladiators will be the visiting team against Westminster High on Monday and Ramona High on Wednesday.
La Mirada remains winless in five games after a 43-25 loss to Western Christian High this past Tuesday. The Matadores hosted Garden Grove High on Dec. 11 and will be home to V.C. on Friday before going to Santa Fe High on Monday and Firebaugh High on Wednesday.
After beginning the season with six
straight wins, including capturing the championship of its own tournament, V.C. fell to Whittier High 39-34 this past Tuesday. After facing La Mirada, the Defenders will host Segerstrom High on Thursday.
Whitney defeated Centennial High 51-36 last Friday to claim the consolation championship of the Calvary Chapel Downey Tournament, improving to 7-5. The Wildcats will host Savanna High on Friday for its final scheduled game until next month.
BOYS SOCCER
Artesia shutout St. Anthony High 6-0 this past Tuesday to improve to 3-1 and hosted Don Lugo High on Dec. 11. The Pioneers will then visit Tustin High on Saturday and Orange on Monday before renewing old acquaintances with Norwalk on Wednesday.
Cerritos (2-1) hosts New Roads High on Friday and will travel to St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy on Wednesday while Gahr was doubled up by Bellflower 4-2 this past Monday to go to 3-2-0. The Gladiators went to Norwalk on Dec. 11 and will host Yorba Linda High on Monday.
Glenn (1-3-1) tied Bolsa Grande High 2-2 this past Monday in the first game of the Troy Warrior Classic, where it will also face La Habra High and V.C. in pool play action. The Eagles will also host Bassett High on Monday and Samueli Academy on Wednesday.
La Mirada (1-2-0) dropped a 5-2 decision to Los Amigos this past Monday in the first game of the Troy Warrior Classic and faced Diamond Bar High this past Wednesday before playing Yorba Linda on Friday. The Matadores will have a game on Saturday in the tournament before entertaining Santa Fe on Tuesday.
Norwalk got into the win column this past Tuesday by shutting out Jordan High 4-0 while V.C., the third area team participating in the Troy Warrior Classic,
edged La Habra 3-2 this past Monday and faced Bolsa Grande this past Wednesday. The Defenders (4-1-0) will welcome Mayfair High on Wednesday while Whitney lost its fourth straight game to begin the season, a 4-0 setback to Whittier. The Wildcats travelled to Whittier Christian High on Dec. 11 and will host Workman on Friday and Chadwick High on Tuesday.
GIRLS SOCCER
Artesia defeated Westminster 4-2 this past Tuesday to improve to 2-1-1 and travelled to Godinez on Dec. 11 before participating in the annual Best in the West Winter Classic on Saturday where it will host Marquez and Victor Valley High. The Pioneers will also host Magnolia on Wednesday.
Artesia is one of five area teams to participate in the Best in the West Winter Classic. Cerritos will play its games at Marina High against Shadow Hills High and Muir High, Gahr will play Laguna Hills High and Simi Valley High at Laguna Hills, La Mirada (1-1-1) will face Cypress High and Oak Hills High at Cypress, Norwalk (1-4-0) will host Bell High and Wilson High of Hacienda Heights, and V. C. will host Calabasas High and Jordan. Cerritos (2-2) has lost two straight and visited Valencia High on Dec. 11 while Gahr (0-2) faced Fullerton High on Dec. 11 and will host La Mirada and V.C. on Tuesday and Thursday, respectively.
Glenn is winless in five games and has been outscored 41-0 this season as it will host Ramona Convent on Monday in its final scheduled game until next month while La Mirada, which was blanked by Sonora High 6-0 this past Tuesday, will host Katella High on Thursday.
V.C. (3-0-2) tied Mayfair 2-2 this past Tuesday and will entertain Calvary Chapel Santa Ana High on Wednesday.
Los Cerritos Community News • December 12, 2025
CITY OF LA MIRADA
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that on December 9, 2025, at 6:30 p.m., the City Council of the City of La Mirada adopted the following Ordinance:
ORDINANCE NO. 744 ADOPTING ELECTRIC MOBILITY DEVICE REGULATIONS, AMENDING THE LA MIRADA MUNICIPAL CODE, AND APPROVING A CEQA EXEMPTION
Summary of Ordinance No. 744
Ordinance No. 744 added Chapter 10.27 to the La Mirada Municipal Code to regulate electric mobility devices (EMDs). The ordinance prohibits operating or riding EMDs on a sidewalk; in any public drainage facility, culvert, ditch, or channel; outside of any roadway or other paved public area; in or upon any public athletic field, athletic/sports court, or gymnasium in the City; and over any equestrian trail or hiking or recreational trail. EMD operators are required to exercise all due care and reduce the speed of the device, obey all traffic control devices, and take all other actions relating to the operation of the device as necessary to protect the safety of the operator, passengers, and any persons or other vehicles or devices in the vicinity. EMD operators riding in violation of the new Chapter 10.27 could receive an administrative citation pursuant to La Mirada Municipal Code Chapter 1.08.
A certified copy of the entirety of the text of Ordinance No. 744 is available in the office of the City Clerk, City of La Mirada, 13700 La Mirada Boulevard, La Mirada, California, and is available for public inspection at that location.
The names of those Councilmembers voting for or against Ordinance No. 744 are as follows:
AYES: Councilmembers Bean, De Ruse, Lewis, Mayor Pro Tem Otero, Mayor Eng
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
A certified copy of the entirety of the text of Ordinance No. 744 is available in the office of the City Clerk, City of La Mirada, 13700 La Mirada Boulevard, La Mirada, California, and is available for public inspection at that location.
Leticia Revilla, City Clerk
Published at La Mirada Lamplighter 12/12/25
County of Los Angeles Department of Treasurer and Tax Collector
Notice of Divided Publication
Pursuant to Revenue and Taxation Code (R&TC) Sections 3702, 3381, and 3382, the Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector is publishing in divided distribution, the Notice of Online Sealed Bid Auction of Tax-Defaulted Property Subject to the Tax Collector's Power to Sell in and for the County of Los Angeles, State of California, to various newspapers of general circulation published in the County. A portion of the list appears in each of such newspapers.
Notice of Online Sealed Bid Auction Tax-Defaulted Property Subject to the Tax Collector's Power to Sell (Sale No. 2025C)
Whereas, on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles, State of California, directed the County of Los Angeles Treasurer and Tax Collector (TTC), to sell certain tax-defaulted properties at the online sealed bid auction.
TTC does hereby give public notice, that unless said properties are redeemed, prior to the close of business on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, the last business day prior to the first day of the online sealed bid auction, TTC will offer for sale and sell said properties on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, beginning at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time, through Thursday, December 18, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time, to the highest bidder, for not less than the minimum bid, at online sealed bid auction at https:// www.govease.com/los-angeles.
Free computer access is available at public libraries located throughout Los Angeles County. The County and its employees are not liable for the failure of any electronic equipment that may prevent a person from participating in an online auction. The only persons that are eligible to submit bids are owners of contiguous parcels or a holder of record of either a predominant easement or right-of-way easement.
Bidders are required to pre-register at https://www.govease.com/ los-angeles and submit a deposit of $250.00, or 10 percent of the spend limit that is set by each registered bidder, whichever is greater. Bid deposits must be in the form of a wire transfer, cashier's check, bank-issued money order, or electronic check (eCheck) at the time of registration. Registration will begin on Friday, November 21, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time and end on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time.
Pursuant to R&TC Section 3692.3, TTC sells all properties ``as is`` and the County and its employees are not liable for any known or unknown conditions of the properties, including, but not limited to, errors in the records of the Office of the Assessor (Assessor)
pertaining to improvement of the property.
If TTC sells a property, parties of interest, as defined by R&TC Section 4675, have a right to file a claim with the County for any proceeds from the sale, which are in excess of the liens and costs required to be paid from the proceeds. If there are any excess proceeds after the application of the minimum bid, TTC will send notice to all parties of interest, pursuant to State law.
Please direct requests for information concerning redemption of tax-defaulted property to the Treasurer and Tax Collector, at 225 North Hill Street, Room 130, Los Angeles, California 90012. Phone calls can be directed to (213) 974-2045, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, visit TTC's website at ttc.lacounty.gov and emails can be directed to auction@ttc. lacounty.gov.
The Assessor's Identification Numbers (AIN) in this publication refers to the Assessor's Map Book, the Map Page, and the individual Parcel Number on the Map Page. If a change in the AIN occurred, the publication will show both prior and current AINs. An explanation of the parcel numbering system and the referenced maps are available at the Office of the Assessor located at 500 West Temple Street, Room 225, Los Angeles, California 90012, or at assessor.lacounty.gov.
I certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed at Los Angeles, California, on October 17, 2025.
ELIZABETH BUENROSTRO GINSBERG
Treasurer and Tax Collector County of Los Angeles State of California
The real property that is subject to this notice is situated in the County of Los Angeles, State of California, and is described as follows:
PUBLIC AUCTION NOTICE OF SALE OF TAX-DEFAULTED PROPERTY SUBJECT TO THE POWER OF SALE(SALE NO. 2025C)
2203 AIN 7068-018-034 SHARP,LUANGELA LOCATION
CITY-HAWAII GDNS $250.00
2208 AIN 7069-010-020 LADD,ROBERT A LOCATION CITYHAWAII GDNS $250.00
2545 AIN 7049-018-034 CANCHE,VICTOR M LOCATION
CITY-CERRITOS $250.00
2546 AIN 7068-018-035 GERGO,DIMENY LOCATION CITY-
HAWAII GDNS $250.00
2589 AIN 7423-021-002 MCLAUGHLIN,MARY C TR
CHARLENE A BERGON DECD TRUST LOCATION CITYLOS ANGELES $250.00 CN122170 538 Nov 28, Dec 5, 12 2025
intends to sell the personal property described below to enforce a Lien imposed on said property. The undersigned will be sold at public auction conducted on www.storagetreasures.com (bond #63747122) ending on or after Tuesday, December 16th, 2025, at 9:00AM. NAME UNIT #
REGINALD K RAYMOND AA62 (G47)
This notice is given in accordance with the provisions of Section 21700 et seq. of the Business and Professions Code of the State of California. Storage Treasures' Principal Auctioneer and Auctioneer on Record: Auctioneer License Numbers for Christopher Paul Rosa-California 3112562 Sales subject to prior cancellation in the event of settlement between Owner and obligated party Published at LCCN 11/28/25 12/05/25 & 12/12/25
CITY OF COMMERCE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 25-10
2909 SUPPLY AVENUE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the City of Commerce will hold a public hearing to consider a request from Tim Cam, owner of Dirt Dog, Inc. for a Modification to Conditional Use Permit (“CUP”) No. 25-10 to change the current on-site Type 41 alcohol license (On-Sale Beer & Wine – Eating Place) to a Type 47 alcohol license (On-Sale General – Eating Place) and allow alcohol service into expanded areas of the existing sit-down restaurant (“Project”). The project site is located at 2909 Supply Avenue, within the M-2 (Heavy Manufacturing) zone. Approval of this MCUP requires the proposed modifications to meet the findings outlined in Section 19.39.420.
PURSUANT to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Public Resources Code §§ 21000 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (14 Cal. Code of Regs. §§ 15000 et seq., the “CEQA Guidelines”), the City reviewed the environmental impacts of the proposed Project and has determined that the Project is exempt from CEQA under CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, Class 1 Categorical Exemption. Class 1 consists of the operation repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, or facilities involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. The proposed changes as described for the Project do not constitute a significant expansion of the current use and therefore qualify for the categorical exemption under CEQA. No additional environmental review is required for this Project.
Said public hearing will be held before the Planning Commission of the City of Commerce in the Council Chambers, 5655 Jillson Street, Commerce, CA, 90040, on Monday, December 17, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. At that time, proponents and opponents of the proposed CUP will be heard. Any comments, objections, or other information may be offered in person at the time of the hearing or in writing, prior to the hearing. We encourage submittal of written comments supporting, opposing, or otherwise commenting on an agenda item for distribution to the Planning Commission prior to the meeting. Send emails to planning-division@commerceca.gov; written correspondence may be sent to: City of Commerce – Community Development Department, 2535 Commerce Way Commerce, California 90040; Phone: (323) 722-4805.
Per Government Code Section 65009, if you challenge this CUP 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 Planning Commission at, or prior to, the public hearing.
THE PLANNING COMMISSION
Jessica Serrano
Published at Los Cerritos Community News 12/5/25
CITY OF LA MIRADA NOTICE INVITING BIDS
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 2025-05 SPLASH! LA MIRADA HEATER REPLACEMENT
Notice is hereby given that the City of La Mirada, California invites sealed bids for the furnishing of all labor, materials, equipment, and services for Capital Improvement Project No. 2025-05, Splash! La Mirada Heater Replacement. Work includes remove and replace the heaters for the existing 50-meter Pool, Leisure Pool, and 25-yard Pool, and replace with new, per plan, in the City of La Mirada.
Project Documents are available online from American Reprographics Company (ARC). Bidders may obtain free copies of the Plans, Specifications and other Contract Documents online by visiting the ARC Southern California website: https://customer.e-arc.com/ arcEOC/PWELL_Main.asp?mem=29. Look under PUBLIC PLANROOM and click GO, then search for City of La Mirada from the dropdown list titled “in all company”. You can also contact ARC at (949) 660-1150 or costamesa.planwell@e-arc.com to request Plans and Specifications.
Sealed bids shall be delivered to the City Clerk at or before 11 a.m. on January 22, 2026. Bids must be submitted on the blank forms, prepared and furnished for that purpose and included in the Plans and Specifications. The City reserves the right to reject any and all bids, or delete portions of any or all bids, or waive any informality or irregularity in the bid or the bid procedures.
Leticia Revilla, City Clerk
Published at La Mirada Lamplighter 12/12 and 12/19/25
NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF:
THOMAS ALBERT HAIT CASE NO. 25STPB13527
To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of THOMAS ALBERT HAIT.
A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by LETA M. MARTIN in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that LETA M. MARTIN be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.
THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.)
The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested pearson 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: 01/07/26 at 8:30AM in Dept. 9 located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012
IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.
IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b)
while delivering on our world-leading climate goals. Californians won’t wait for Washington to get its act together. We’re moving forward.”
The approved projects included major allocations for both statewide and regional improvements. Among the largest investments was $53 million to purchase 12 clean-energy locomotives for Southern California’s Metrolink system, replacing older diesel engines. Another $57 million was directed to repairing storm damage on State Route 1 near Lucia, and $9.5 million was approved for a clean-energy mobility center in Santa Maria intended to support regional zero-emission bus service.
California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin said the new projects demonstrated the state’s commitment to long-term transportation resilience and modernization. “Today’s investments show what it looked like when California chose to lead with both urgency and intention,” Omishakin said. Caltrans Director Dina El-Tawansy added that the funding supported the department’s work to strengthen aging assets, respond to climate-related impacts, and enhance mobility for local communities.
In Orange County, the California Transportation Commission approved $1.583 million for a project on State Route 22 in the City of Orange. The funding, which included federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act dollars and Senate Bill 1 allocations, will support installation of High Friction Surface Treatment on the La Veta Avenue westbound on-ramp to increase roadway traction and improve safety.
Of the $1.1 billion approved statewide,
$463 million came from SB 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, and another $190 million came from the 2021 federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Since its passage, SB 1 has provided approximately $5 billion annually for state and local transportation projects, helping agencies accelerate construction timelines and address deferred maintenance.
State officials emphasized that California continues to lead the nation in clean-energy transportation and electric vehicle infrastructure. The report noted more than 200,000 publicly accessible EV charging stations statewide, along with an estimated 800,000 home chargers. California’s greenhouse gas emissions have fallen 21 percent since 2000 even as the state’s GDP increased by 81 percent over that same period, making the state the world’s fourth-largest economy while expanding its clean-energy footprint.
California has also continued to achieve record levels of clean electricity generation. In 2023, two-thirds of the state’s power came from clean energy sources, and the state operated on 100 percent clean electricity for portions of most days throughout the year. Battery storage capacity, which has grown significantly under the Newsom administration, now totals nearly 17,000 megawatts — roughly one-third of the estimated requirement to reach California’s 2045 clean-energy target.
The state’s Build More, Faster – For All infrastructure agenda is expected to guide transportation and climateresilience planning in the coming years as California continues to invest heavily in modern rail fleets, roadway safety improvements, bridge repair, wildfiredamaged highway reconstruction, and expanded EV-charging access.
Monday thru Saturday6 pm to 12 Midnight
Doors open at 4pm Sunday 2 pm to 9 pm
Doors open at 12pm
3
budget.
WATER from page 1 system, including reservoirs and booster stations, are also approaching the ends of their useful lives. The C-2 Reservoir, built in 1978, will require major structural rehabilitation, and booster stations dating back to 1977 are in need of pump and electrical upgrades. Estimated costs for these projects range from several hundred thousand to several million dollars and remain unfunded in current capital plans.
The city’s groundwater wells also reflect decades of wear. Several wells, including “C-1, C-2, C-3, and C-5,” require new treatment systems due to elevated levels of naturally occurring manganese and arsenic, with some readings above federal maximum contaminant levels.
The report notes that necessary treatment upgrades, well casing replacements, and pump improvements are unfunded at this time. The age of the wells ranges from 48 to nearly 60 years old, and regulatory requirements will increasingly limit their operation without investment.
Additional components of the water
The city’s sewer system shows similar aging trends. Much of the network, comprising 116 miles of pipe and six pump stations, is 40 to 60 years old and built from materials susceptible to cracking, corrosion, and root intrusion. The report recommends closed-circuit television inspection of older segments, pipe lining or replacement, and pump station rehabilitation, none of which are currently budgeted. A recent sewer overflow on Studebaker Road
underscores the operational challenges created by older infrastructure. The rate study also shows that Cerritos’ current residential sewer charge, at just sixty-four cents per bimonthly cycle, is far below neighboring agencies. Even modest dollar differences translate into steep percentage differences: Santa Fe Springs’ $5.33 rate is 733 percent higher, South Gate’s $7.00 rate is 995 percent higher, and Downey’s $7.48 sewer bill is 1,068 percent higher. Cerritos’ proposed 2026 rate of $9.82 is 1,434 percent above the current charge, while Compton and Norwalk are 1,894 and 2,269 percent higher, respectively.
At the upper end of the comparison, La Habra Heights, Whittier, Long Beach, and Lynwood range from 3,389 percent to more than 6,000 percent above what Cerritos customers currently pay.
Several recent emergency events illustrate the financial impacts of deferred
system replacement. A major water-main failure on Bloomfield Avenue required an emergency shutdown and temporary bypass installation, costing more than $200,000 compared to roughly $50,000 for a standard repair. The C-4 well experienced a casing failure that forced it offline, and the November sewer backup required immediate cleanup and jetting.
Cerritos’ current bimonthly residential water bill is $65.11. By comparison, Paramount’s average bill of $72.28 is about 11 percent higher, while Lakewood’s $88.12 bill is roughly 35 percent higher. Rates in nearby Whittier and La Mirada, served by Suburban Water Systems, are 78 percent higher at $115.76, and Bellflower’s Somerset Mutual Water Company is 79 percent higher at $116.82. Cities including Santa Fe Springs, Cal American’s Bellflower service area, South Gate, Lynwood, Norwalk, and Compton range from 84 to 141 percent above Cerritos’ current rates. The two major investor-owned utilities in the region, Golden State Water and Liberty Utilities, are the highest in the comparison, at 202 to 209 percent above Cerritos’ current bill.
Cerritos’ current bimonthly commercial water bill is $461.32. By comparison, Lakewood’s average commercial bill of $500.93 is about 9 percent higher, while Paramount’s $547.35 bill is roughly 19 percent higher. Compton’s commercial rate of $555.81 is 20 percent higher, and Whittier and La Mirada, served by Suburban Water Systems, are 34 percent higher at $618.71. Bellflower’s Somerset Mutual Water Company is 43 percent higher at $659.50, and Norwalk’s $697.95 bill is 51 percent higher. Long Beach and Santa Fe Springs are 56 to 58 percent above Cerritos’ current rate, while Lynwood, Cal American Water’s Bellflower service area, and South Gate range from 63 to 70 percent higher. At the upper end, Signal Hill, Liberty Utilities, and Golden State Water charge between 136 and 152 percent more than Cerritos’ current commercial rate.
City officials describe the report as a baseline assessment intended to provide transparency about the condition of Cerritos’ water and sewer infrastructure. The findings show that much of the system has exceeded its original lifespan, and major improvements will be necessary in the coming years to maintain reliability, meet regulatory standards, and reduce the frequency of emergency repairs. Future funding options will be presented to the City Council in separate reports.
Under California’s Proposition 218, the city was required to notify all affected property owners of the proposed water and sewer rate adjustments and provide an opportunity for written protest. The law specifies that a rate increase cannot be adopted if a majority of property owners submit valid written protests before the close of the public hearing. With roughly 15,000 to 16,000 taxable parcels in Cerritos, this would have required approximately eight thousand written protests to block the changes. Only one protest per parcel is counted, and verbal objections made at the hearing do not qualify. Because such a high threshold is rarely met in any city, Proposition 218 protests seldom succeed, and most California municipalities ultimately adopt their recommended rate schedules after completing the required noticing and tabulation process. The city’s rate study and supporting infrastructure assessment were prepared to satisfy the legal cost-ofservice requirements under Proposition 218 and to document the financial and regulatory basis for the increases.
