A School Community’s Response to the Danger of a Single Story
Recently, a Whitney High School student, Brooke Nam, shined a positive light on ABC (USD) at the Voices United: Youth Advocacy Conference for Social Justice. The conference cultivated the concept of intersectionality, which addresses the convergence of complex issues we face as a community and as a nation. It promotes a greater understanding and appreciation of our differences, with the goal of creating more inclusive, creative, and effective social justice solutions.
Professor Anita Deshiell-Sparks, the keynote speaker, leads the LA vs Hate–LACOE & USC Social Justice Initiative. This organization promotes cultural awareness and community-building at local high schools across Los Angeles County. In her vision of fostering a deeper understanding of cultural differences, Professor Sparks engages participants in expressing social justice issues through the arts. Introducing this concept to students, activist and conference organizer Brooke Nam serves as a beacon of hope and a role model for young people.
Similarly, ABC (USD) high school and middle school students participated in Friday’s ICE OUT walkouts, taking a firm stand against the injustice of ICE sweeps in their community. Exercising their constitutional right to peaceful protest—under adult supervision—empowered them to stand up against hate and the injustice of harmful immigration enforcement targeting their families and neighbors. If there were ever a time to ask why this is happening, it is now. If there were ever a time to listen to scholars, including promising social justice activists, it is now. And if there were ever a time to heed the warnings of academia, ethical leaders, historians, investigative journalists, fair media, and social justice advocates, indeed, it is now. Moreover, if there were ever a time to analyze where our nation is headed, most definitely, it is now.
Many of these groups have warned us about glaring red flags: repeated historical patterns, corporate greed, billionaire takeovers, and a government increasingly corrupt to its core. The president vehemently denounces those who disagree with him and complains, “Smart people don’t like me.” Could it be that they possess a wealth of knowledge that explains the chaos and crisis we are facing? Or that history clearly shows where America is headed? Perhaps they accurately and factually dispute the tsunami of disinformation poisoning the minds of far too many Americans. Or do these red flags point to the clear and present danger of a democracy hanging by its threads? If we seek greater understanding, then we must search for truth. We must resist the rampant untruths spewed by the current administration. We must resist the toxic rhetoric and manipulation by farright media. Even high school students see through the extremism. Increasingly, people are recognizing the barrage of disinformation intended to further polarize and desensitize Americans. As an educator, I question the intersectionality of the social, political, and economic issues facing a nation on the brink of collapse. To comprehend, I seek voices of reason—not extremist news outlets. Nigerian scholar Chimamanda N. Adichie, a renowned author, TED Talks contributor, and social activist, warns us of the danger of a single story—a strategy often employed by extremists to indoctrinate the public. She explains how stories, repeated about a people, are
shaped by those in power who control the narrative. These single stories are then widely disseminated through biased media outlets, politicians, ideologues, social media, textbooks, and literature.
Social media further magnifies these narratives, allowing single stories to morph into entrenched, negative stereotypes—many rooted in untruths. These lies become tools of manipulation used to dehumanize and de-legitimize groups of people, creating perfect scapegoats.
Adichie challenges us to demand authentic stories, to question disinformation, and to scrutinize the messenger. Searching for answers promotes deeper understanding and creates entirely different narratives about people. This warning applies equally to our government leaders, who are called to lead with humanity through unity—not divisiveness; through civility and compassion—not retribution.
Our current president governs from falsehoods, particularly regarding immigrants. Trump has found the perfect lynchpin: a single story that dehumanizes and criminalizes immigrants. His disparaging rhetoric appeals to a lower sense of humanity, and his cruel plan to deport 11.5 million immigrants over two terms is daunting—yet disturbingly possible given his massive funding machine and unchecked power.
Early in his second term, segments of the American public bought into this ill-conceived narrative, dismissing the vital contributions immigrants—both documented and undocumented—make to America. Polls now indicate that Americans recognize the severe human and economic consequences of Trump’s policies. They see the pain inflicted upon immigrants and citizens alike by a rogue Department of Homeland Security and an ICE force that has horrified the nation and awakened our moral conscience.
Moreover, this administration claims mass deportation preserves democracy; however, Americans, academics, and students alike understand Trump’s true motive. He weaponized a single story about immigrants to fuel division, hijack democracy, and destabilize the global economy. His tariff wars are framed as “deals,” serving as distractions from deeper economic warfare.
Yet he cannot blindside everyone. Not all Americans—and certainly not all students—agree. Many of us have questioned his single stories, his agenda, his intentions, and the dangerous consequences of his reckless leadership.
To sift through the chaos, some of us turn to history books, scholars, national journalism, social media, and investigative reporters. Adichie reminds us that narratives born from a single story are eventually institutionalized and used as weapons to control society.
She urges us to ask questions and search for truth. Does our silence and complicity allow Trump to sow deeper division? Do we embrace the vision of Voices United, voiced by a Whitney High activist? The students of the ICE OUT walkouts? A Nigerian scholar? A social justice community builder? All of us are impacted in some way and must unify.
Do we embrace common values—replacing fear with hope, anxiety with action, disinformation with truth, frustration with activism, and paralysis with progress?
When we reject the single story— when we recognize the harm it causes by sweeping an entire community into false narratives—we finally appeal to our greater humanity.
“United, we prevail.” That is the powerful message expressed by many of our ABC (USD) students. That is the message that saves a democracy.
Sandy Mercado Cerritos
By Cerritos Mayor Frank Aurelio Yokoyama
The City of Cerritos is proud to celebrate its diversity. There’s no better representation of this than at our annual Festival of Friendship, a day of celebrating cultures through traditional songs and dances.
I’m thrilled at the turnout of last Saturday’s event, the 27th annual Festival of Friendship, which was held for the first time at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts (CCPA). Approximately 1,200 people visited the Theater to witness and experience the performances of 18 different organizations. I want to extend special thanks to the Port of Long Beach for helping make this event possible, and to the following performers: The JC Culture Foundation, Filipino Seniors of Cerritos Association, Global Culture Education Foundation, Ling’s Dance Academy, Adaptive Recreation – Dance & Movement, Formosa Seniors Association, Inc., Hanabi Taiko, Da’Hawaii Seniors Club, Ray Shine Foundation, The Original Happy Seniors of Cerri -
tos, Royal Scottish Country Dancing Society – Orange County, Cerritos Ivy Club, Angklung Group of Cerritos, Cerritos Chinese-American Senior Citizens Association, Na Ipo Hula, Chinese Culture Association of Southern California, and Paso De Oro Dance Company. The City of Cerritos is fortunate to engage with residents, businesses, and visitors who represent strong cultural diversity. While our backgrounds and traditions vary, our community is united in our acceptance of those traditions. This is achieved when we treat each other equally, acknowledge each other’s values, and give one another dignity. The City is also fortunate to have such an amazing space in our Theater to host community events such as Festival of Friendship and, recently, our Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Ceremony. The CCPA is your Theater for City-sponsored cultural events, plays host to top touring musical and theatrical acts, and is a rental venue for weddings, conferences, and other uses. The Theater, the Cerritos Library, Cerritos Senior Center, and our many parks and public spaces help to achieve the City’s Strategic Goal #8: Continued Excellence in Community Recreation and Community Programming. Thank you for your support of Cerritos events and of our venues.
Cerritos Commission Raises Concerns About Tax Base
By Brian Hews
The Cerritos Economic Development Commission reviewed the city’s third-quarter 2025 sales tax update at its meeting, Tuesday night with commissioners expressing concern about the city’s continued reliance on a narrow tax base.
According to the staff report, Cerritos’ core taxable sales for the period covering July through September 2025 remained essentially flat compared to the same quarter last year, reflecting steady local economic activity despite broader regional and statewide market pressures.
The quarterly analysis, prepared by the city’s staff and sales tax consultant, noted that L.A.County taxable sales also remained consistent during the same period, while the broader Southern California region posted modest growth.
Cerritos continued to benefit from a diversified retail environment; however, commissioners discussed whether that diversity was sufficient to protect the city long term.
Autos and transportation, general consumer goods, and business and industry remained the largest contributors to Cerritos’ sales tax revenue. The report noted declines in new motor vehicle dealer receipts, driven by higher vehicle prices, tighter lending condi-
tions, and reduced consumer purchasing power. Fuel and service station revenue also declined as lower gas prices resulted in reduced tax collections. Several retail categories showed stability or modest improvement. Family apparel and department stores benefited from back-to-school shopping activity, while auto leasing increased as improved inventory availability allowed dealerships to offer more competitive leasing options.
Allocations from the countywide use tax pool, reflecting continued growth in online shopping, also supported overall revenue performance.
During discussion, commissioners raised concerns about the city’s heavy reliance on specific sectors—particularly automotive sales—and emphasized the need to further diversify the tax base to ensure long-term fiscal stability. Commissioners suggested that expanding commercial categories and attracting a broader mix of revenue-generating businesses should remain a priority.. The report indicated that some gains reflected in the quarter were influenced by one-time accounting adjustments tied to statewide reporting anomalies. When those irregularities were removed, underlying taxable sales activity in Cerritos remained largely unchanged year over year.
Commissioners concluded that while the city’s economy remained steady, greater attention should be given to diversifying revenue sources and strengthen Cerritos’ long-term financial outlook.
LOCAL DANCE CLUB at the Festival of Friendship at the CCPA.
CARDROOMS
from page 1
the economic consequences.
Kyle Kirkland, president of the California Gaming Association, said the Bureau unilaterally implemented extreme regulatory changes that will devastate working families and dozens of communities that rely on cardroom taxes. He said DOJ ignored documented legal and economic concerns, refused to identify a single public safety risk, and advanced the regulations without good-faith discussion or lawful disclosure. Kirkland said the industry intends to pursue legal remedies to protect lawful businesses and the communities that depend on them.
According to the association and multiple cities, cardrooms provide critical general-fund revenue in municipalities such as Hawaiian Gardens, Commerce, and Bell Gardens, where casino taxes make up a substantial share of operating budgets. Local officials have warned that the regulations could trigger immediate layoffs, service reductions, and fiscal emergencies once the rules take effect.
DOJ disputes claims that the process lacked public input, noting that two public hearings were held in late May 2025 and that it received a combined 1,764 written public comments on the two reg ulatory packages. However, despite the volume of comments and widespread opposition, DOJ made no substantive changes to either regulation before sub mitting the final package to the Office
of Administrative Law in December.
With OAL approval now final, opponents are preparing legal challenges aimed at blocking or delaying implementation before April. Cities and cardroom operators argue the regulations represent a major transfer of economic activity away from municipally regulated cardrooms, while exposing local governments to sudden and severe revenue losses.
A statement from California Cities for Self-Reliance Joint Powers Authority read, “The consequences of the regulations pushed through by Attorney General Rob Bonta will be immediate and severe for cities across Los Angeles County that rely on cardroom revenue. Cardroom revenues accounts for as much as 66%+ of the general fund in cities such as Bell Gardens, Commerce, Compton, and Hawaiian Gardens, including approximately 33+% in Bell Gardens and more than 40% in Commerce. As this revenue disappears, cities will be faced with hard decisions of city worker lay-offs, closing parks, senior centers, reduced funding for public safety, cuts to libraries and more as they work on staying solvent all due to unnecessary and politically-driven regulations on cardrooms. Thanks to AG Bonta, cities that were already struggling will now be under severe fiscal strain.”
munities and working families behind.
Requests for comment from the Attorney General’s Office were not immediately returned. Regulatory Timeline:
Rules
In early 2025, the California Department of Justice held a series of stakeholder meetings to discuss potential new regulations affecting cardroom games. In spring 2025, DOJ formally introduced two proposed rulemaking packages covering rotation of the player-dealer position and blackjack-style games. Public hearings were held on May 28 and May 29, 2025, during which DOJ accepted written and oral comments.
By summer 2025, DOJ had received 876 public comments on the player-dealer rotation proposal and 888 comments on the blackjack-style game proposal, for a combined total of 1,764 comments. After reviewing the submissions, DOJ declined to make any substantive changes to the proposed regulations.
On December 23, 2025, DOJ submitted the final rulemaking packages and written responses to all public comments to the Office of Administrative Law for review. On February 6, 2026, the Office of Administrative Law approved both regulations without substantive comment and without requiring an additional public comment period or resubmission.
The regulations are scheduled to take effect April 1, 2026. Cardrooms must submit compliance plans to DOJ by May 31, 2026. NORWALK
ments included the Creek Park Bridge, resurfacing projects along Imperial Highway and La Mirada Boulevard, slurry seal work near Rosecrans Avenue, renovations at City Hall, turf and irrigation upgrades at Stage and Alondra parks, and aesthetic enhancements such as the City Hall fountain. Several capital projects are currently under construction, including irrigation and turf renovation at Behringer Park and pavement rehabilitation on Valley View Avenue between Imperial Highway and Rosecrans Avenue. Upcoming projects identified by the city include Neff Park renovations, median improvements along Leffingwell Road, and additional Creek Park bridge replacements. Public safety data presented during the event showed a decline in Part 1 crimes per 10,000 residents, dropping from 189 in 2024 to 163 in 2025. Crimes against persons decreased from 44 to 39 during the same period, while crimes against property fell from 838 to 717, continuing a downward trend from a peak in 2023. Sheriff’s response times were also addressed. Emergency response times remained relatively stable, while priority and routine call response times showed modest increases, which officials attributed to higher call volumes rather than staffing reductions. The city also highlighted community policing efforts, including 15 Neighborhood Watch meetings and the addition of three new block captains. Officials said deputies remain visible and engaged in neighborhood-level enforcement.
mix are expected as the project advances toward construction and leasing.
According to project materials, The Walk is expected to be delivered in phases, with completion targeted for early 2027.
Developers said the location was selected to concentrate retail, dining, and residential uses near existing government services and major transportation corridors.
The development is designed as a pedestrian-oriented, open-air project, with internal walkways connecting multiple buildings and public gathering areas. Parking plans include approximately 1,050 spaces, with ground-level retail parking and structured residential parking above.
City officials said the project responds to long-standing requests from residents for additional dining and shopping options in Norwalk, particularly in a centralized location. Mayor Jennifer Perez said the goal is to create a place where residents can gather outside of traditional government uses while supporting local economic activity.
Primestor officials said the project is intended to serve both Norwalk residents and visitors from surrounding cities, citing the site’s proximity to the 5, 605, and 105 freeways. Project materials estimate significant daily traffic counts along nearby roadways, including Imperial Highway and Norwalk Boulevard, as well as high volumes of freeway traffic passing the site.
The Walk is also positioned near major employers, including Cerritos College, and City of Norwalk facilities. Developers said the surrounding employment base was a key factor in planning the retail mix.
The project will include multiple retail buildings anchored by a larger commercial space, along with signage visible from the I-5 Freeway. Renderings show a prominent freeway-facing pylon sign intended to identify the development to passing traffic.
Cerritos High School Named a Finalist for America’s Best Schools
Each year, the National Center for Urban School Transformation (NCUST) recognizes the nation’s highest-performing schools through its prestigious America’s Best Schools Award. NCUST recently announced the 17 finalists for this year’s award, and Cerritos High School is proud to be among those honored.
“Congratulations to Cerritos High School for earning a finalist spot in this year’s America’s Best Schools Awards,” said ABC Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Gina Zietlow. “It is no surprise that our schools continue to be recognized nationally for the great work happening in classrooms every day and the strong support systems in place for our students.”
NCUST looks at specific criteria and data during the America’s Best Schools Award process. These criteria include low-income eligibility, non-selective admissions, high academic proficiency rates for all student groups, high attendance rates, and low suspension rates. High schools must also meet additional criteria, including high graduation rates, the percentage of students earning college credit or participating in Advanced Placement courses, and the percentage of first-year students advancing to the second year.
“We are incredibly proud of Cerritos High School for earning this national recognition,” said ABCUSD Board President Francisco Noyola. “This finalist distinction reflects the collective commitment of students, staff, and families to academic excellence, equity, and student success.”
Cerritos High School, located in Cer-
ritos, California, serves over 1,990 students in grades 9–12. One of the most recognized schools in Los Angeles County, Cerritos High School offers a rigorous curriculum preparing students for college and careers. The school offers Career Technical Education pathways in biotechnology, engineering design, education, production and managerial arts, patient care, software and systems development, design, and visual and media arts. Through “The Cerritos Way,” students are reminded to be ready, respectful, and real to achieve academically, emotionally, and socially.
“I am extremely proud of the staff and students of Cerritos High School to be recognized as one of the top schools in our nation,” said Cerritos High School Principal Dr. Crechena Wise. “We pride ourselves in continuous growth to ensure that at CHS, the home of scholars and champions, we provide the academic rigor and opportunities for all students to belong and thrive.”
As a finalist, Cerritos High School will host an on-site visit from an NCUST evaluation team, who will learn more about the practices and programs that contribute to the school’s success.
NCUST, part of the San Diego State University College of Education, has studied and recognized high-performing schools and districts nationwide since 2005, sharing research and best practices to support student achievement across diverse communities.
Cerritos High School is the second school in the ABC Unified School District to be recognized through the America’s Best Schools program. Gahr High School earned the America’s Best Schools Award in 2024.
By Stepheny Gehrig
The new revival of Sweeny Todd at La Mirada Theatre is receiving rave reviews from Los Angeles media.
Under Jason Alexander’s inspired direction, and Lesli Margherita’s portrayal of Mrs. Lovett is one of the greatest musical comedy performances I’ve ever seen.
Lesli Margherita, who plays Mrs. Lovett, steals the show. With impeccable comedic timing, vocal control and presence, she commands the stage in every scene. Introduced with an avaricious shriek of “A customer?!,” Margherita captures every nuance of Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler’s creation — the cruelty, wicked humor and hopelessly reignited love. Her performances of “A Little Priest” and “By the Sea” reveal Mrs. Lovett’s longing and ambition with dazzling precision. “By the Sea” in particular is a comedic tour de force.
Will Swenson’s Sweeney Todd is a dark, brooding presence that lingers long after he exits the stage. He returns to Lon-
don after being wrongfully transported to an Australian penal colony, seeking vengeance on Judge Turpin (Norman Large) and his cohort, Beadle Bamford (Nicholas Mongiardo-Cooper). Upon meeting Mrs. Lovett, he enters into an infernal enterprise that sets horror and tragedy into motion. Swenson balances misery and menace beautifully. His rendition of “My Friends” is chilling and powerful, while his duet with Margherita on “A Little Priest” is sharp, witty and expertly timed.
Anthony and Johanna, played by Chris Hunter and Allison Sheppard, respectively, provide welcome romantic
relief amid the gothic chaos. Hunter’s voice shines in numbers such as “No Place Like London,” while Sheppard brings emotional vulnerability to Johanna, particularly in “Green Finch and Linnet Bird.” Austyn Myers is outstanding as Tobias, delivering a deeply moving “Not While I’m Around” that underscores the show’s themes of love, loss and tragic inevitability.
Norman Large and Nicholas Mongiardo-Cooper bring chilling energy to Judge Turpin and Beadle Bamford. Mongiardo-Cooper’s cheerfully corrupt Beadle is particularly effective, especially during “Parlor Songs.” Andrew Polec adds comic flair as rival barber Pirelli, while Meghan Andrews gives surprising emotional depth to the Beggar Woman.
Under Jason Alexander’s direction, the production leans into psychological complexity. His staging choices — from asylum patients lingering be-
tween scenes to striking lighting effects and bold visual flourishes — add layers of interpretation. Some concepts, such as the Fogg’s Asylum framing device, may not fully land, but even those moments produce inventive theatrical imagery. Overall, the direction is skillful, creative and often thrilling.
“Sweeney Todd” is a striking addition to La Mirada’s season — dark, contemplative and haunting, yet laced with sharp comedy and romance. With mature themes, graphic depictions, loud noises and flashing lights, it may not be suitable for younger audiences or those with sensitivities. Tickets range from $33 to $165.
The original 1979 Broadway production earned eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and has since enjoyed multiple Broadway and West End revivals. Its enduring popularity led to a 2007 feature film directed by Tim Burton starring Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. Widely considered a cornerstone of modern musical theatre, “Sweeney Todd” has attracted major performers over the years, including Michael Cerveris, Josh Groban and Patti LuPone. The character itself dates back to 1867, when Sweeney Todd first appeared as the villain in the Victorian penny dreadful serial “The String of Pearls,” cementing his place as one of literature’s most enduring figures of gothic horror.
SWEENEY TODD
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
14900 La Mirada Blvd. La Mirada, CA 90638
Now through February 22
Ticket Prices: $33–$165 www.lamiradatheatre.com
WILL SWENSON stars , balancing misery and menace beautifully, capturing the character’s obsession with revenge and the weight of loss.
KILLING IT: Lesli Margherita as Mrs. Lovett and Will Swenson as Sweeney Todd lead the cast of “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” in the new revival at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, directed by Jason Alexander.
BOYS BASKETBALL PREVIEW
La Mirada in Open Division with three other area teams hosting playoffs
By Loren Kopff @LorenKopff on X
Half of the area’s boys basketball teams will continue their seasons as the CIF-Southern Section playoffs are upon us with first round games beginning on Feb. 11, second round games to be played on Friday and the quarterfinals on Tuesday. For the second straight season, La Mirada High is on the Open Division as the 12th seeded team while Cerritos High, Gahr High and Norwalk High earned automatic berths by finishing in the top three of their respective leagues and will be home for their first games.
OPEN DIVISION
#12 La Mirada (22-6 overall, 8-0 in the Gateway League) @ #4 Notre Dame High/Sherman Oaks (19-6 overall, 5-2 in the Mission League, tied for second place)-The goal for any top notch boys basketball program is to find a way to the Open Division and that’s where the Matadores are. Last season, La Mirada was seeded eighth out of eight teams and went 1-3, defeating JSerra High 64-58 in the last game of the season. This season, the CIF-SS expanded the Open Division to a dozen teams and for the second straight season, La Mirada will be on the road as long as it stays alive.
“It’s a big accomplishment for us to get back there to the Open Division, especially graduating what we graduated last year,” said head coach Randy Oronoz.
“We have four kids playing college basketball from last year’s senior team. So, to get back to the Open Division in California, which is the hardest playoff bracket in the nation, is a testament to some of the new kids who transferred in and the returners for kind of leading the way and showing us how to get back there.”
The Matadores lost to Notre Dame 71-65 in the second of the four Open Division games last Valentine’s Day, then fell to the Knights 77-60 in this season’s opener. The teams have faced each other one other time in the past two decades with Notre Dame posting a 57-36 win on Dec. 7, 2021.
While the Matadores are glad to be in the Open Division and have won over 20 games for the fourth straight season, Oronoz questions the method and reasoning of how teams are seeded.
“We’re an Open Division team; we know we’re an Open Division team,” he said. “We got in because our number was 12, but the transparency with CIF is so unclear that…we just took it with what it is. We’re all where we wanted to be and we’re just happy to get a shot and play with the big boys.”
While the CIF-SS isn’t taking head to head results into consideration, Oronoz thought his team would be seeded as high as eighth. The Matadores went 1-3 against teams in the Open Division, defeating Crespi High 68-57 on Jan. 2. The Celts are seeded ninth and they beat Harvard-Westlake High, which is seeded seventh. Damien High, seeded 10th, lost to 11th-seeded Etiwanda High, which makes Oronoz question the process.
“They’re not taking head to head into consideration,” said Oronoz. “That’s what I don’t like about the transparency
of CIF by not throwing in that ranking on Feb. 6. The problem for me is I thought we would get a home game, moving up with a 14-game winning streak regardless of who we were playing. We played some pretty good teams in January as well. We’re just happy to get in; we wished we had a home game. But hey, we’re not going to complain and we’re just going to try to do our best to get a road game.”
Another component Oronoz believes the CIF isn’t taking into consideration is the out of state games a team plays.
The Matadores went 5-1 against non-California teams and 2-2 against non-Southern Section teams. One of the out of state teams the Matadores beat is the top team in Idaho, Owyhee High out of Meridian, who defeated Damien and Harvard-Westlake. Oronoz believes it would be an Open Division team in California because of those two wins.
By Loren Kopff @LorenKopff on X
GIRLS BASKETBALL PREVIEW
One of the finest seasons in the past decade for the Valley Christian High girls basketball program has paid off as the Defenders secured the second seed in the CIF-Southern Section Division 6 playoffs. V.C. joins Cerritos High, Norwalk High and Whitney High as the other area teams advancing to the playoffs. Those four schools combined for 89 trips to the playoffs in the past 29 seasons, advancing to the divisional finals a combined nine times. First round games are on Feb. 12 with second round games on Saturday and the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
DIVISION 3
“Something is off there; there has to be a human element [in the seeding process],” said Oronoz. “I’ve been saying that…and if [high school basketball experts] Tarek Fattal and Frank Burlison and Eric Sondheimer have us at seven or eight or whatever it is, how are we dropping back to 12? That doesn’t make sense. What I’m saying is that these home games matter. We didn’t play one home game [in last year’s playoffs] and that’s ridiculous because last year, we were always better than JSerra. We beat them, but we were always going to do better. But a computer is going to tell you that they’re better than us, so they get a home game? We’ve only lost two home games since our [renovated] gym has been open in four and a half years.”
In this season’s opener, junior Jordyn Houston made his varsity debut a memorable one, scoring a career-high 22 points on nine of 14 shooting from the field with four three-pointers while junior Gene Roebuck added 16 points.
Roebuck is the teams leading scorer, averaging nearly 22 points a game. He has reached 20 points in all but nine games with a season-high 34 points coming against Roosevelt High in the second game of the season. But the Matadores lineup is stacked with seniors Andrew Castro, Santiago Lopez, Tristan Partida, King-Riley Owens and junior Cisco Munoz joining Houston and Roebuck.
“Cisco has been special for us,” said Oronoz. “He doesn’t get a lot of the hype but in some of the games where he’s scoring in double digits, he’s also having seven to nine to 10 assists as well. He guards well; he’s an experienced guard, but we’ve had Andrew Castro playing extremely well for us, too. But the issue is who’s going to show up for us? Having that many options is great, but being able to get these guys to show up in these games is what we’ve built for.”
La Mirada will travel to fifth-seeded St. John Bosco High on Friday in the second of two pool play games in the division. If the Matadores finish first or second in Pool D, they will advance to the quarterfinals, which will be on Feb. 20. All eight teams who advance to the quarterfinals move on to the state playoffs. If they finish in last place in the pool, they will face the last place team in Pool A (Corona Del
Murrieta Valley High (16-11 overall, 9-1 in the Southwestern League, league champions) @ Cerritos (17-11 overall, 10-0 in the 605 League, league champions)-After reaching the divisional finals three times in the last four seasons, the Dons find themselves traversing a tougher road if they want to get back there again. The champions of the 605 League for the fourth time in the eight-year existence of the league have overcome adversity, especially the loss of senior Madelyn Macaraeg and other injuries to key players to enter the playoffs on a 10-game winning streak. Macaraeg was averaging over 17 points through the first 15 games before she went down with an injury on Dec. 29 against Bishop Amat High.
Juniors Kalana Nguyen and Jordin Pulley have also missed a number of games, but head coach Marcus Chinen believes his team is peaking at the right moment, just like last season when the Dons began 5-14 before ending with a 17-17 record.
“It was difficult, but what it did was it gave the others an opportunity to even start or pick up some minutes which will be crucial going on into the playoffs,” said Chinen of the injuries earlier in the season. “I think that really helped us out. When we got Jordin and we got Kalana back from their injuries, they were a little smart coming off the bench. So, we were a little bit more well-balanced, having two veterans coming off the bench.”
The finalists from last season’s CIFSS Division 3AA team graduated seven, but the seven returners haven’t missed a beat, led by senior Cameron Lacorte, who is nearing 1,000 points for her Cerritos career. Sophomore Jaslyn Macaraeg has started nearly every game and Chinen has received pleasant results from sophomore Analiyah Coneita, who was plugged into the starting lineup once Mady Macaraeg went down, and junior Kianna Rangel, another starter for all but six games.
Murrieta Valley, like the Dons, got off to a slow start, losing its first three games and 10 of the first 15 contests. But the Nighthawks have lost once since Dec. 30, and that was a 44-40 setback to Murrieta Mesa on Jan. 20. Should the Dons get the first-round win, they would play either El Toro High or top-seeded and former state powerhouse Lynwood High.
“I’m totally fine with [the bracket],” said Chinen. “It’s where would they put you and where would they feel I guess how the algorithm works out. We just have to play the way it is; there’s nothing we can do about that. We just have to prep ourselves the next
few days for the game on Thursday.”
DIVISION 5
Whitney (17-8 overall, 8-2 in the 605 League, second place) @ Calvary Baptist High (6-22, 6-2 in the Majestic League, co-champions)-It was more of the same as last season for the Wildcats, who relied on the play from their starters to guide them into the playoffs for the 16th straight season. Under first-year head coach Carl Wilson, the defending state champions in Division V enter the postseason having won 12 of their last 15 games with two of those losses coming to Cerritos. The Wildcats are led by senior Tina Namaranian, who scored more than 10 points in all but five games, and junior Alyssa So, who posted at least 12 points in 23 of the 25 games. After that, the scoring drops off dramatically as junior starters Cheyanne Cheung and Ella Nelson each reached double digits four times, neither scoring more than a dozen points and the remaining four freshmen and three sophomores on the squad combined to score 188 points. This is a rare occasion where a team enters the playoffs with over 20 losses, but the Cougars get in because of their league record. The La Verne-based team had to forfeit the first nine games and 17 of the first 21 games. The team’s first true victory didn’t come until Jan. 20, an 82-4 romp over The Grove School. Martina Pasquini leads the Cougars with a 16.4 points per game average, followed by Gaia Giuliani at 13.6. The winner will play either third-seeded Foothill High or Temecula Prep on Saturday. DIVISION 6
Silver Valley High (19-6 overall, 11-1 in the Cross Valley League, co-champions) @ #2 Valley Christian (16-8 overall, 5-3 in the Olympic League, tied for second place)-For the first time since the 2021-2022 season, V.C. is back in the playoffs. It began the season with six straight wins and after defeating Maranatha High in the Olympic League opener on Jan. 2, the Defenders were sitting at 12-3. Despite the slide in the last nine games, V.C. still managed to secure the division’s second seed. The Defenders are paced by sharp-shooting junior Hanna Burgoyne, who was held scoreless once in the first 14 games and under 10 points another time, and have a balanced offensive attack with senior Aniyah Peoples, sophomores Molly Douglas and Jaiya Lee and freshman Ariel Martinez, the next up and coming star for the program. In her second high school game, Martinez scored 20 points against Santa Ana High. Silver Valley also began the season strong, winning nine of its first 11 games and are currently on an eight-game winning streak. For the Defenders to extend their season, they have to slow down Naomi Durrah as the sophomore is averaging close to 33 points a game, which is close to 20 points under the team average. The winner will play either Fontana High or Warren High on Saturday.
DIVISION 8
Elsinore High (5-18 overall, 3-5 in the Mountain Pass League, tied for third place) @ Norwalk (15-8 overall, 8-2 in the Mid-Cities League, second place)-After missing the playoffs last season, the Lancers return following one of their finest seasons since 2012-2013. However, Norwalk has not reached the second round since the 2020-2021 season and since the 20112012 campaign, has gotten that far. Norwalk was a game over .500 after 13 games but has lost twice since then,
[ See
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NEWS AND NOTES FROM PRESS ROW
month with winter playoffs, beginning of spring athletics
By Loren Kopff @LorenKopff on X
Every February signals the overlapping of the winter playoffs and the commencement of the new spring season for high school athletics. The CIF-Southern Section crowned champions in boys and girls wrestling team duals on Feb. 5, but the individual championships are on Friday and Saturday with the Masters Meet a week later.
BOYS SOCCER
A trio of area teams from the 605 League, one from the Mid-Cities League and one from the Olympic League began their quest for a divisional championship this past Wednesday. In Division 5, Norwalk High, the champions of the Mid-Cities League travelled to A.B. Miller High (9-3-2), the third place representative from the Mountain Valley League.
The Lancers (9-5-3, 7-1-2) advanced to the Division 5 quarterfinals last season after missing the playoffs the previous two seasons. This is the 24th time in the past 28 seasons Norwalk has been to the playoffs.
The Lancers have posted five shutouts since Jan. 6 and allowed one goal each in four of their past eight games. Offensively, Norwalk has scored 32 goals and has scored in all but one game.
When Valley Christian High missed the playoffs last season, it snapped a streak of 16 straight postseason berths. Now, the second place team from the Olympic League is back in the playoffs, V.C. (134-1, 6-2-0) went to Firebaugh High (9-72), which finished right behind Norwalk.
The Defenders have outscored their opponents 47-17 and have been blanked three times, twice to Whittier Christian High in league competition.
Division 7 is highlighted by the three area teams from the 605 League. Artesia High, which won the Division 7 championship two seasons ago, is the top-seeded team and hosted Loma Linda Academy (11-4-0). The Pioneers (9-13-2, 6-3-1) finished in third place, their worst league finish since the 20162017 season when that team placed fifth place despite going 7-5-0 in the Subur-
ban League. They outscored their opponents 45-42 and posted seven shutouts while being whitewashed seven times. On the same side of the bracket is Cerritos High, which won the program’s first league title since the 1999-2000 season when the Dons capped off a second consecutive 12-0-0 Suburban League slate. This season, Cerritos went 134-2, 9-1-0 and hosted St. Bonaventure High (10-8-1). Cerritos has not been scored upon since Jan. 6, a 3-1 loss to John Glenn High to begin league play. Overall, it has shut out 13 opponents and has yielded 15 goals while scoring 40. An Artesia-Cerritos meeting in the quarterfinals is on the horizon if each win their first two playoff games.
On the opposite side of the bracket is third-seeded Glenn (9-6-5, 7-1-2) and was home to San Gabriel Academy (11-9-1). The Eagles, who played in the Division 7 finals last season, are making their seventh trip to the playoffs in the past 29 seasons and have outscored their opponents 40-30 this season while not allowing a goal in four games.
GIRLS SOCCER (first round games played on Feb. 12)
In Division 3 action, La Mirada High, which struggled all season long, travelled to Dos Pueblos High (13-4-5). The Matadores, who fell to Sage Hill High in last season’s Division 4 finals, finished this regular season at 5-9-4 overall and had a Gateway League mark of 2-5-1, good enough for third place. La Mirada was outscored 22-17 and did not score in nine games, including the last three.
For the second straight season, Cerritos (9-9-2, 6-1-1) did not post a winning record as the second place team from the 605 League drew fourth-seeded Coachella Valley High (12-1-2 on the road) in a Division 5 contest. The Dons scored 61 goals, 30 coming against last place Glenn, and allowed 34 goals while blanking their opponents eight times, six in league action.
On the same side of the bracket, 605 League champion Artesia (15-1-5, 7-01) went to Summit High (8-5-5). The Pioneers, two seasons removed from a
NOTICE OF ADOPTED ORDINANCE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Cerritos City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1060, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS APPROVING DEVELOPMENT MAP AMENDMENT 2026-1, A REQUEST TO AMEND THE ZONE CLASSIFICATION OF APPROXIMATELY ±0.44 ACRES OF LAND, LOCATED AT 18616 BLOOMFIELD AVENUE (APN 7030-002-903), FROM SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (RS-6500) TO OPEN SPACE (OS).**Pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) and Section 15305 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, this project is exempt from CEQA Review. City Attorney Summary: This matter involves two parcels at Heritage Park, (1) 18600 Bloomfield Avenue, a 14.73-acre parcel comprising the majority of Heritage Park, including the park island, and (2) 18616 Bloomfield Avenue, a 0.44-acre parcel on the southwest part of the Park comprising the landscaped pedestrian walking path next to the Heritage Park community center. Regarding the 18600 Bloomfield parcel, structures and surfaces at the play island are aging and deteriorated and in need of rehabilitation. Measure A funds from the County of Los Angeles will be used to make the repairs. However, a condition of Measure A funds requires certain deed restrictions to be recorded on the parcel; therefore a lot line adjustment creating a new lot for the play island is necessary to facilitate the deed restrictions and the acquisition of Measure A funds. Additionally, the 18616 Bloomfield parcel was in the past a single family residence with a General Plan land use designation of ‘Low Density Residential’ and a zoning designation of ‘Single Family Residential (RS-6500)’. The City purchased the parcel in 2016 and demolished the dwelling unit and turned it into a landscaped walking path. However, the general plan land use designation and zoning designation were never changed to open space. Therefore, a general plan amendment to change the land use designation to ‘Parks and Open Space’ and a development map amendment to change the zoning designation to ‘Open Space (OS)’ are necessary to make the parcel legally conforming as an existing park/open space use. The full text of this adopted Ordinance can be obtained at the Office of the City Clerk, 18125 Bloomfield Avenue, Cerritos, CA 90703. I, Alicia Alvarez, Assistant City Clerk of the City of Cerritos, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance No. 1060 was introduced for first reading on January 26, 2026. Thereafter, said Ordinance was duly approved and adopted at a regular meeting of the Cerritos City Council on February 9, 2026, by the following vote: AYES: Councilmembers – Hong, Pulido, Tse, Johnson, Yokoyama, NOES: Councilmembers – None, ABSENT: Councilmembers – None, ABSTAIN: Councilmembers – None. /s/Alicia Alvarez, Assistant City Clerk
Published at Los Cerritos Community Newspaper 2/13/26
CIF-SS Division 7 championship, outscored their opponents 82-12 with 13 shutouts. The only loss came to Century High, 2-1, in the second game of the season back on Dec. 4 and Artesia has not allowed more than two goals in any game. Also in the division but on the opposite side of the bracket is V.C., which won its 10th straight Olympic League title and 19th since the 1997-1998 season. The Defenders (18-3-3, 7-0-1) have won 11
[ See NOTES, page 13 ]
NOTICE INVITING BIDS
like no one else.
ADA SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS - CDBG PROJECT; CIP NO. 50131
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Pico Rivera, California (“City”) invites Bids for the Project. Bids will be received electronically only through Planet Bids system (https:// pbsystem.planetbids.com/portal/41481/portal-home). A bid received after the time set for the bid opening shall not be considered. Bidders are required to submit (upload) all items listed in the BIDDER’S CHECKLIST including acknowledgement of all addenda. Bids will be received prior to 2:00 p.m. on March 10, 2026, at which time they will be publicly opened on the City’s approved electronic procurement platform.
MANDATORY SECTION 3 PRE-BID MEETING. A mandatory Section 3 Pre-Bid Meeting will be held on February 23, 2026 at 9:00 a.m., at Pico Rivera City Hall located at 6615 Passons Boulevard, Pico Rivera, CA 90660.
SECTION 3 The work to be performed under this Contract is subject to the requirements of Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968, as amended, 12 U.S.C 1701u (Section 3). Prospective bidders/proposers should carefully read the information. Proposals that fail to comply with the requirements of Section 3 will be considered nonresponsive and excluded from further consideration.
SCOPE OF WORK. The Project includes, without limitation, furnishing all necessary labor, materials, equipment and other incidental and appurtenant work necessary to satisfactorily complete the Project, as more specifically described in the Contract Documents. Time for completion of the Work is Thirty (30) total Working Days from the date specified in the Notice to Proceed and shall be inclusive of the procurement time to furnish and install all materials associated with this project.
OBTAINING BID DOCUMENTS. Bidders may obtain free copies of the Plans, Specifications, and other Contract Documents online by visiting https://pbsystem. planetbids.com/portal/41481/portal-home. Hard copies of the Contract Documents are not available at this time.
REGISTRATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS. In accordance with Labor Code Sections 1725.5 and 1771.1, no contractor or subcontractor shall be qualified to bid on, be listed in a bid proposal, subject to the requirements of Section 4104 of the Public Contract Code, or engage in the performance of any contract for public work, unless currently registered and qualified to perform public work pursuant to Section 1725.5 [with limited exceptions for bid purposes only under Labor Code Section 1771.1(a)]. The Project is subject to compliance monitoring and enforcement by the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR)
PAYMENT OF PREVAILING WAGES ON PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS. In accordance with Labor Code Section 1770, 1771, 1774, 1775, 1776, 1777.5, 1813 and 1815 et seq the Project is a “public work.” The selected Bidder (Contractor) and any Subcontractors shall pay wages in accordance with the determination of the Director of the Department of Industrial Relations (“DIR”) regarding the prevailing rate of per diem wages. The Contractor shall post a copy of the WHD/DIR’s determination of the prevailing rate of per diem wages at each job site. This Project is subject to compliance monitoring and enforcement by the WHD/DIR.
FEDERAL AID CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT. This is a CDBG funded Federal aid construction contract. The Contractor is responsible to understand and comply with all Federal Labor Standard Provisions of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Davis Bacon and Labor Standards. The prime contractor and subcontractors are required to pay their laborers and mechanics employed under this Contract, a wage not less than minimum wage classification as specified in both the Federal and State Wage Decision when the Contract amount for the Prime Contract exceeds $2,000. The higher of the two applicable wage classifications, either State Prevailing Wage or Davis-Bacon Act Federal Prevailing Wage, will be enforced for all work under this Contract. The prime contractor is responsible for ensuring subcontractor compliance with Davis-Bacon and related Act Requirements. The Federal Labor Standards Provisions (HUD 4010) apply to this project.
BUILD
AMERICA, BUY
AMERICA ACT (BABA)
This is Federally funded project subject to the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA) preference for American materials and products, all iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in the project have been produced in the United States.
LICENSES. Each Bidder shall possess either a valid Class “A” Contractor’s license or valid Class “C-8” specialty license issued by the California State Contractors License Board. The successful Contractor must also possess a current City Business license.
MATERIALS SUBSTITUTIONS AND OTHER QUESTIONS. Bidders are required to post their questions or equivalent material or substitution request of construction materials to the City Project Manager online by visiting https://pbsystem.planetbids.com/portal/41481/ portal-home . Any questions or equivalent material or substitution request of construction materials asked by email or by telephone will not be answered. Materials substitutions or questions are acceptable until 4:00 pm on or before March 2, 2026. Any questions or equivalent material or substitution request of construction materials submitted after March 2, 2026 will not be answered.
CITY PROJECT MANAGER CONTACT INFORMATION:
Name: Nadia Carrasco
Contact Number: 562-801-4221
E-mail address: ncarrasco@pico-rivera.org
By: Noe Negrete
2/2/2026 Public
Date
Works Director
NEXT COLUMN
Los Cerritos Community News • February 13, 2026
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COMMERCE DECLARING THAT WEEDS, BRUSH, RUBBISH AND REFUSE UPON OR IN FRONT OF SPECIFIED PROPERTY IN THE CITY ARE A SEASONAL AND RECURRENT PUBLIC NUISANCE, AND DECLARING ITS INTENTION TO PROVIDE FOR THE ABATEMENT THEREOF.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN: the City of Commerce City Council will conduct a public hearing on February 24, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City of Commerce City Hall located at 5655 Jillson Street, Commerce, CA 90040 on a request from the County of Los Angeles Department of Agricultural Commissioner/Weights and Measures to the City Council to consider a Hearing of Protests where any and all property owners having any objections to the aforesaid proposed removal of weeds, brush, rubbish, dry grass, stubble, refuse, or other flammable material, may appear before the City Council and show cause why said weeds, brush, rubbish, dry grass, stubble, refuse, or other flammable material should not be removed in accordance with this resolution, and said objections will then and there be heard and given due consideration:
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COMMERCE DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT, pursuant to the provisions of Title 4, Division 3, Part 2, Chapter 13, Article 2, of the California Government Code, Sections 39560 to 39588, inclusive, and evidence received by it, the City Council of the City of Commerce specifically finds:
SECTION 1. That the weeds, brush or rubbish growing or existing upon the streets, sidewalks, or private property in the city attain such large growth as to become, when dry, a fire menace to adjacent improved property, or which are otherwise noxious, dangerous, or a public nuisance.
SECTION 2. That the presence of dry grass, stubble, refuse, or other flammable materials are conditions which endanger the public safety by creating a fire hazard.
SECTION 3. That by reason of the foregoing fact, the weeds, brush, rubbish, dry grass, stubble, refuse, or other flammable material growing or existing upon the private property hereinafter described, and upon the streets and sidewalks in front of said property constitute a seasonal and recurrent public nuisance and should be abated as such.
SECTION 4. That the private property, together with the streets and sidewalks in front of same herein referred to, is more particularly described as follows, to wit: That certain property described in the attached list hereto and by this reference made a part hereof as though set forth in full at this point.
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, pursuant to the findings of fact, by this Council heretofore made, that the weeds, brush, rubbish, dry grass, stubble, refuse, or other flammable material in and upon and in front of the real property hereinbefore described constitute and are hereby declared to be a seasonal and recurrent public nuisance which should be abated. The Agricultural Commissioner/Director of Weights and Measures, County of Los Angeles, is hereby designated the person to give notice to destroy said weeds, brush, rubbish, dry grass, stubble, refuse, or other flammable material and shall cause notices to be given to each property owner by United States Mail and said notice shall be substantially in the following form to wit.
NOTICE TO DESTROY WEEDS, REMOVE BRUSH, RUBBISH AND REFUSE
Notice is hereby given that on February 10, 2026, the City Council of the City of Commerce passed or will pass a resolution declaring noxious or dangerous vegetation including weeds, brush, tumbleweeds, sagebrush, and chaparral or rubbish and refuse were growing or occurring upon or in front of said property on certain streets in said city
or unincorporated area of the County of Los Angeles, and more particularly described in the resolution, and that they constitute a public nuisance which must be abated by the removal of said noxious or dangerous vegetation, rubbish and refuse. The resolution further declares that, if not abated, the vegetation and/or rubbish and refuse may be removed and the nuisance abated by County authorities in which case the cost of removal shall be assessed upon the land from or in front of which the noxious or dangerous vegetation, rubbish and refuse are removed. Such cost will constitute a special assessment against such lots or lands. Reference is hereby made to said resolution for further particulars. In addition, the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles authorized and directed the Agricultural Commissioner to recover its costs of details. All property owners having any objections to the proposed removal of noxious or dangerous vegetation, rubbish and refuse and the recovery of inspection costs, are hereby notified that they may attend a hearing of the City Council of said city to be held at 5655 Jillson Street, Commerce, CA 90040, in the Council Chambers on February 24, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. where their objections will be heard and given due consideration. If the property owner does not want to present objections to the proposed removal of the noxious or dangerous vegetation including weeds, brush, tumbleweeds, sagebrush, and chaparral or rubbish and refuse, or the recovery of inspection costs, the owner need not appear at the above mentioned hearing.
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Agricultural Commissioner is hereby authorized and directed to recover its costs of inspection of the properties hereinabove described in a manner consistent with prior action of the Board adopting a fee schedule for such inspections. The recovery of these costs is vital to the ongoing operation governing the identification and abatement of those properties that constitute a seasonal and recurrent public nuisance and endanger the public safety.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the 24th day of February, 2026, at the hour of 6:00 p.m. of said day is the day and hour, and the Meeting Room of the City Council of the City of Commerce in the City Hall in the City of Commerce is fixed by this City Council as the place when and where any and all property owners having any objections to the aforesaid proposed removal of weeds, brush, rubbish, dry grass, stubble, refuse, or other flammable material may appear before the City Council and show cause why said weeds, brush, rubbish, dry grass, stubble, refuse, or other flammable material should not be removed in accordance with this resolution, and said objections will then and there be heard and given due consideration; and
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the notices to destroy weeds, brush, rubbish, dry grass, stubble, refuse or other flammable material hereinbefore referred to shall be mailed by said Agricultural Commissioner/Director of Weights and Measures at least ten days prior to February 24, 2026.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Commerce on February 10, 2026 by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Kevin Lainez, Mayor Pro Tem Mireya Garcia, Councilmember Ivan Altamirano, Councilmember Hugo A. Argumedo, Councilmember Oralia Y. Rebollo
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Signed: Mayor Kevin Lainez
Attest: Deputy City Clerk Melanie Park
Melanie Park
Deputy City Clerk
Attached: Los Angeles County Declaration List, City of Commerce
Published at Los Cerritos Community Newspaper 2/13/26
DATE: 12/16/2025
6357
GIRLS
PREVIEW from page 13 NOTES from page 11
both coming to league champion Warren. One could say it’s the experience that has carried the Lancers this season as they returned eight players from a team of 11 last season, led by sophomores Connie Esquival (12.7 points per game, 10.6 rebounds per game) and Aleeah Lopez (7.9 ppg.) while freshman Isha Morales has shined all season and is averaging 11.4 ppg. and 7.4 rpg.
Elsinore lost it first 10 games and didn’t win until its league opener on Dec. 16 against Tahquitz High, the team it tied for third place. Niara Smith is the only player scoring and rebounding in double figures (12.9, 10.4), The winner will play either California Military Institute or Orange High on Saturday.
straight games as they hosted Godinez High (12-7-3) and have scored 64 goals while allowing 15 with 15 shutouts. Finally, in Division 6 action, Gahr High (7-12-1, 6-3-1), the third place team from the Mid-Cities League, went to Riverside Prep (12-7-3). The Gladiators were outscored 37-16 and did not score in 11 games, including a six-game stretch from Dec. 13-Jan. 2.
BOYS WRESTLING
La Mirada was the top-seeded team in Division 4 and defeated Santa Ana High 60-20 and La Serna High 35-31 before falling to eventual champion Corona High 39-34 on Jan. 31.
GIRLS WRESTLING
Second-seeded Norwalk fell to Paloma Valley High 45-36 in the first round
of Division 2 on Jan. 31 while in Division 4 action, Gahr lost to Lakeside High 48-36 in the first round, also on Jan. 31.
GIRLS WATER POLO
In Division 4 action, La Mirada fell to Arlington High 13-6 in a first round contest last Thursday.
BASEBALL
All but Artesia and La Mirada will play games from next Monday through next Thursday to get their seasons started. On Monday, Cerritos hosts St. Anthony High before going to Bellflower High on Wednesday. Gahr entertains Harvard-Westlake High on Tuesday while Glenn welcomes Whittier High on Tuesday before going to Long Beach Cabrillo High on Thursday.
Norwalk visits St. Paul High on Monday, V.C. welcomes Long Beach Poly High on Monday and Katella High on
LEGAL NOTICES- YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW!
NOTICE INVITING SEALED BIDS
GATEWAY MONUMENT I-5 SOUTH AT EASTERN AVENUE
PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the CITY OF COMMERCE, referred to as “CITY”, invites sealed bids for GATEWAY MONUMENT I-5 SOUTH AT EASTERN AVENUE
PROJECT and will receive on PlanetBids, up to the hour of 2:00 PM, Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud online. Late submittals will not be considered. It is the bidder’s responsibility to upload the bid proposal file by the due date to City’s portal on PlanetBids.
Electronic files of the Contract Documents are available for download on the City’s portal on PlanetBids.
Working hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The work shall be completed within 120 working days after the City’s Notice to Proceed.
Each Bidder shall possess a valid Contractor’s license “A” for the project issued by the California State Contractors License Board at the time of the Bid submission. The successful Contractor must also possess a current City business license.
This project is subject to the requirements of SB 854. No prime contractor or subcontractor may be listed on a bid proposal and may be awarded for a public works project unless registered with the Department of Industrial Relations pursuant to Labor Code section 1725.5.
This project is located on Caltrans right-of-way, maintained by the City. Encroachment permits have been obtained by the City. Contractor shall obtain Caltrans Authorization thru completion of contractor authorization forms.
If there are any questions regarding this project, please upload all questions to: City’s portal on PlanetBids.
Published at Los Cerritos Community Newspaper 2/12/26 and 2/19/26
Thursday while Whitney High travels to Saddleback High on Tuesday and Ambassador Christian High on Thursday. SOFTBALL
The featured game next week will take place on Thursday when Cerritos hosts V.C. Before that, V.C. travels to Providence High on Tuesday. Artesia goes to Anaheim High on Wednesday while Gahr entertains Long Beach Poly on Tuesday and Kennedy High on Wednesday. Glenn travels to Bolsa Grande High on Tuesday while La Mirada will be busy with the SoCal’s Finest Tournament at Big League Dreams in Chino Hills. The Matadores will face JSerra High on Tuesday and Riverside Poly High on Wednesday, then hosts Great Oak High in a nonleague game on Thursday while Norwalk goes to Mayfair High on Tuesday.
NOTICE INVITING SEALED BIDS I-5 AT SOUTH EASTERN ON-RAMP BEAUTIFICATION
PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the CITY OF COMMERCE, referred to as “CITY”, invites sealed bids for I-5 AT SOUTH EASTERN ON-RAMP BEAUTIFICATION
PROJECT and will receive on PlanetBids, up to the hour of 2:00 PM, Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud online. Late submittals will not be considered. It is the bidder’s responsibility to upload the bid proposal file by the due date to City’s portal on PlanetBids.
Electronic files of the Contract Documents are available for download on the City’s portal on PlanetBids.
Working hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The work shall be completed within 120 working days after the City’s Notice to Proceed.
Each Bidder shall possess a valid Contractor’s license “A” for the project issued by the California State Contractors License Board at the time of the Bid submission. The successful Contractor must also possess a current City business license.
This project is subject to the requirements of SB 854. No prime contractor or subcontractor may be listed on a bid proposal and may be awarded for a public works project unless registered with the Department of Industrial Relations pursuant to Labor Code section 1725.5.
This project is located on Caltrans right-of-way, maintained by the City. Encroachment permits have been obtained by the City. Contractor shall obtain Caltrans Authorization thru completion of contractor authorization forms.
If there are any questions regarding this project, please upload all questions to: City’s portal on PlanetBids.
Published at Los Cerritos Community Newspaper 2/12 and 2/19/26
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on March 10, 2026, the City Council of the City of Commerce (“the City”) will consider adoption of Ordinance 830, and FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 the City Council of the City of Commerce by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Kevin Lainez; Mayor Pro Tem Mireya Garcia, Councilmember Ivan Altamirano, Councilmember Hugo Argumedo; Councilmember Oralia Rebollo; NOES: None; ABSENT: None; introduced said Ordinance entitled: ORDINANCE NO. 830
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COMMERCE AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COMMERCE, CALIFORNIA AND THE BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION OF THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM.
The proposed ordinance will amend the contract between the City Council of the City of Commerce, California and the Board of Administration of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System.
A certified copy of the full text of this ordinance is available at the office of the City Clerk, 2535 Commerce Way, Commerce, CA 90040, during regular business hours.
Melanie Park, Deputy City Clerk City of Commerce
Published on February 13, 2026 – Los Cerritos News
Published at Los Cerritos Community Newspaper 2/12/26
NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF:
HYUN SANG YOON CASE NO. 26STPB01146
To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of HYUN
SANG YOON.
A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by BONG GOO YOON in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.
THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that BONG GOO YOON be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.
THE PETITION requests the decedent’s WILL and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The WILL and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.
THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.)
The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.
A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 03/17/26 at 8:30AM in Dept. 11 located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012
IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.
IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.
YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.
Attorney for Petitioner
NATHAN K. WATANABE - SBN 233897
WATANABE & SUEMORI, LLP
17592 IRVINE BLVD., SUITE 202 TUSTIN CA 92780
Telephone (714) 838-8755
2/13, 2/20, 2/27/26
CNS-4010742# LA MIRADA LAMPLIGHTER
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Cerritos City Council will conduct a public hearing at a regular meeting on Monday, February 23, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. on the following matter: Recommendation by the Cerritos Planning Commission, on a vote of 5-0, to approve the following: Review and consideration to waive full reading of and adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE CERRITOS CITY COUNCIL APPROVING VESTING TENTATIVE TRACT MAP NO. 84686 FOR A DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL BY MELIA HOMES INC., TO CREATE THIRTY (30) FOR-SALE CONDOMINIUM UNITS ON A ±1.34-ACRE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 20223 CABRILLO LANE, CERRITOS, CALIFORNIA, 90703 (APN 7055-017-002).* Review and consideration to waive full reading of and adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE CERRITOS CITY COUNCIL APPROVING PRECISE PLAN 2026-1 FOR A DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL BY MELIA HOMES INC., TO DEMOLISH TWO (2) EXISTING COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS CONNECTED BY A SHARED ROOF AND CONSTRUCT THIRTY (30) ATTACHED THREE-STORY TOWNHOME DWELLING UNITS, INCLUDING THREE (3) AFFORDABLE UNITS, WITHIN SIX (6) BUILDINGS. THE PROJECT ALSO INCLUDES OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION AREAS, PARKING, LANDSCAPING, AND ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS ON A ±1.34-ACRE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 20223 CABRILLO LANE, CERRITOS, CALIFORNIA, 90703 (APN 7055-017-002).* Review and consideration to waive full reading of and adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE CERRITOS CITY COUNCIL APPROVING A REASSIGNMENT OF HOUSING UNITS BETWEEN SITE A AND SITE 7 WITHIN THE CITY’S 2021-2029 HOUSING ELEMENT, IN COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSING ELEMENT PROGRAM 9 AND NO NET LOSS PROVISIONS OF APPLICABLE HOUSING LAW. *Pursuant to Section 15332 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, this project is categorically exempt from CEQA review. A copy of the full text of the proposed Resolutions can be viewed or obtained by contacting the Office of the City Clerk during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., weekends and observed holidays excepted) at 18125 Bloomfield Avenue, Cerritos, CA 90703, city_ clerk@cerritos.gov, or (562) 916-1248. This public hearing will be conducted in person in the Cerritos City Council Chamber, 18125 Bloomfield Avenue, Cerritos, California, 90703. The public hearing will also air live on Cerritos TV3 and will be streamed over the City of Cerritos website at www.cerritos.gov. A copy of the related agenda report will be available for download from the website on the Tuesday prior to the public hearing. Public comments can be provided during the meeting or via email to city_clerk@cerritos.gov or by hard copy to the City Clerk’s Office no later than 3:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Please identify the agenda item number in the subject line of the email or hard copy document. All written correspondence received by the 3:00 p.m. deadline will be distributed to the legislative body prior to the meeting and the document(s) will be retained with the public record of the meeting. If you challenge the above-mentioned item and related actions 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 emailed to the Department of Community Development by the submission deadline, prior to the public hearing. Any person interested in this matter may contact the Office of the City Clerk at (562) 916-1248 for additional information and/or appear at the hearing in person or by agent and be heard. /s/Alicia Alvarez, Assistant City Clerk
Published at Los Cerritos Community Newspaper 2/13/26
11325 183RD STREET, CERRITOS, CA 90703 (3) The location in California of the chief executive office of the Seller is: SAME (4) The names and business address of the Buyer(s) are: THE THAI MASSAGE STUDIO LLC, 250 PACIFIC AVE #436, LONG BEACH, CA 90802 (5) The location and general description of the assets to be sold are: FURNITURE, FIXTURES & EQUIPMENT, GOODWILL, LEASEHOLD AND IMPROVEMENT, STOCK INVENTORY of that certain business located at: 11325 183RD STREET, CERRITOS, CA 90703 (6) The business name used by the seller(s) at said location is: LEMONTREE SPA & SALON (7) The anticipated date of the bulk sale is MARCH 4, 2026 at the office of: GUARDIAN ESCROW GROUP, INC., 1360 VALLEY VISTA DRIVE #125 DIAMOND BAR, CA 91765, Escrow No. 001674-LC, Escrow Officer: LINDA CHENG
(8) Claims may be filed with Same as “7” above (9) The last date for filing claims is: MARCH 3, 2026. (10) This Bulk Sale is subject to Section 6106.2 of the Uniform Commercial Code. (11) As listed by the Seller, all other business names and addresses used by the Seller within three years before the date such list was sent or delivered to the Buyer are: LEMON TREE SPA.
DATED: FEBRUARY 9, 2026
TRANSFEREES: THE THAI MASSAGE STUDIO LLC, A CALIFORNIA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY 4973759-PP LOS CERRITOS COMMUNITY NEWS 2/13/26
NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: HERBERT L. MILLER CASE NO. 26STPB00576 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of HERBERT L. MILLER.
A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by VICKIE YOUNGOMORDIA in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that VICKIE YOUNG-OMORDIA 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 person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.
A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 02/20/26 at 8:30AM in Dept. 29 located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012
IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you
CITY OF CERRITOS, NOTICE TO BIDDERS
Project Identification: CONSTRUCTION OF PICNIC SHELTER RENOVATIONS AT VARIOUS PARKS, PROJECT NO. 26101, BID NO. 1569-26. Project Description: The work or improvement to be performed generally consists of providing all labor, material, tools and equipment necessary to demolish and dispose of picnic shelter concrete floor slab, install new picnic shelter including concrete slab floor with footings per plan, remove and construct new concrete improvements, install benches and other tasks as specified in the Bid Sheet. Frontier Park is located at 16910 Maria Avenue in the City of Cerritos. Bids will be opened: Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Place of bid receipt: The bid submission must be received in the Office of the City Clerk, First Floor, 18125 Bloomfield Avenue, Cerritos, CA 90703. It is the responsibility of the bidder to ensure that the bid is received in the appropriate location by the deadline. Bids not received in the Office of the City Clerk by the deadline provided will not be considered. Bids must be marked: BID – CONSTRUCTION OF PICNIC SHELTER RENOVATIONS AT VARIOUS PARKS, PROJECT NO. 26101, BID NO. 1569-26 - DO NOT OPEN.” All Bids shall be made on the form furnished by the City and shall be opened and publicly read aloud at the above-stated time in the Office of the City Clerk of the City of Cerritos, City Hall. Any requests for information regarding opened bids shall be directed to the Office of the City Clerk via a formal Public Records Act request. The City has determined that opened bids are confidential and therefore the negotiations process outweighs the public interest in prematurely disclosing such records. (Gov. Code § 7922.000). Obtaining Contract Documents: A set of Contract Documents, including plans and specifications can be obtained by e-mailing the Cerritos Engineering Division at: aerdelji@cerritos.gov Any questions, please contact 562-916-1219. Each bid shall be accompanied by a bid security referred to in the Contract Documents and by a list of proposed subcontractors. Evidence of current City Business License (applies to contractor and all subcontractors), insurance, a Performance Bond, a Labor and Material Payment Bond, and Warranty Bond, as specified in the Contract Documents, will be required prior to execution of the contract. In accordance with Public Contract Code Section 22300, the bidder who is awarded the contract may substitute securities for retention money withheld by a public agency to ensure performance under the contract. The procedure and requirements for substituting said securities are set forth in Public Contract Code Section 22300, which is incorporated by this reference. The City reserves the right to reject any and all bids, or portions thereof, or to waive any informality or irregularity in a bid to the extent allowed by law. No bid will be accepted from a contractor who has not been licensed in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 9, Division III of the California Business and Professions Code. The contractor must possess a license of the following classification at the time the contract is awarded (and must maintain this license classification through completion of the project): “A” and/ or “B”. The bidder’s attention is also directed to Section 7028.15 of the Business and Professions Code for further reference, as set forth herein. The City reserves the right to reject any and all bids, or portions thereof, or to waive any informality or irregularity in a bid to the extent allowed by law. Only a contractor or subcontractor who currently is registered with the California Department of Industrial Relations (“DIR”) to bid on public works contracts in California, pursuant to Labor Code Section 1725.5, shall be permitted to submit or be listed on a bid. No bid shall be accepted, nor any contract or subcontract entered into, without proof of the contractor or subcontractor’s current registration to perform public work pursuant to Labor Code Section 1725.5. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 1770, et seq., of the California Labor Code, the DIR has determined the general prevailing rate of wages and employer payments for health and welfare, vacations, pensions and similar purposes applicable to the work to be done. These rates shall be the minimum rates for this project. Copies of the prevailing wage rates are on file at City Hall, located at 18125 Bloomfield Avenue, Cerritos, California, 90703, and shall be available to any interested party upon request. In addition, rates may be obtained by visiting http:// www.dir.ca.gov/OPRL/pwd/, calling the DIR, Division of Labor Statistics and Research’s Prevailing Wage Unit at (415) 703-4774, faxing the Prevailing Wage Unit at (415) 703-4771 or writing to DIR, Division of Labor Statistics and Research, Prevailing Wage Unit, P.O. Box 420603, San Francisco, CA, 94142. The contractor to whom the contract is awarded, and the subcontractors under him, must pay not less than these rates for this area to all workers employed in the execution of the contract. The bidder’s attention is further directed to Section 9204 of the Public Contract Code regarding the claims resolution process for all public works projects. Any dispute or claim against the City under a public works project shall be processed in accordance with Section 9204 of the Public Contract Code and any other applicable law. On March 4, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-6-22 (EO) regarding sanctions in response to Russian aggression in Ukraine. The EO is located at https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/3.4.22-Russia-UkraineExecutive-Order.pdf. All contractors shall comply with economic sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s action’s in Ukraine, per this order and other federal executive orders identified by the U.S. Department of Treasury. Failure to comply with these orders shall result in the termination of contract. By order of the City of Cerritos.
Published at Los Cerritos Community Newspaper 2/13/26
ABC UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE CALLING FOR BID
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the ABC Unified School District will receive up to but not later than 2:00 PM on the 24th day of March 2026 Bids for:
ABC Bid # 1695 Cerritos Elementary School Modernization
All bids shall be made and presented on a form furnished by the District. Bids submitted shall conform to the terms and conditions stated on said form. Bids shall be received in the office of the Purchasing Department at 16700 Norwalk Blvd., Cerritos, CA 90703 and shall be opened and publicly read aloud at the above-stated time and place. There will be a mandatory jobwalk meeting on February 18, 2026 at 9:00 AM sharp at the front of Administration building at Cerritos ES 13600 183rd St., Cerritos CA. To prequalify to bid, bidders and subcontractors with contractor license class of A, B, C-4, C-7C-10, C-16, C-20, C-34, C-36, C-38, C-42, C-43 or C-46 must submit Prequalification package no later than March 13, 2026 . Prequalification Package is available to enter and submit at the PQ Website https://pqbids.com/abc-usd-ab2031/ All public works are subject to prevailing wage payments, Valid License valid Class B Contractor’s License and DIR Registration will be required.
Los Cerritos News
February 6, 2026
February 13, 2026
Published at CCN 2/6/13 and LCCN 2/13/26
ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME
CASE NO. 26VECP00048
TO ALL INTERESTED
PERSONS: Petitioner JORDAN BROOKLYN FRANSEN filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: JORDAN BROOKLYN FRANSEN to JORDAN BROOKLYN FRANSEN DOOST. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant a petition without a hearing. Court date March 20, 2026, at the SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF VAN NUYS, 6230 SYLMAR AVE., VAN NUYS, CA 91401, BRANCH: VAN NUYS EAST COURTHOUSE. A HEARING will be held MARCH 20, 2026 at 8:30 AM., DEPT. 107, ROOM 507. Published at Hawaiian Gardens Community Newspaper 1/30, 2/6, 2/13 and 2/20/26
ABC UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE CALLING FOR BID
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the ABC Unified School District will receive up to but not later than 2:00 PM on the 26th day of March 2026 Bids for:
ABC Bid # 1696 Kennedy Elementary School Modernization
All bids shall be made and presented on a form furnished by the District. Bids submitted shall conform to the terms and conditions stated on said form. Bids shall be received in the office of the Purchasing Department at 16700 Norwalk Blvd., Cerritos, CA 90703 and shall be opened and publicly read aloud at the above-stated time and place. There will be a mandatory jobwalk meeting on February 18, 2026 at 11:00 AM sharp at the front of Administration building at Kennedy ES, 17500 Belshire Ave., Artesia CA. To prequalify to bid, bidders and subcontractors with contractor license class of A, B, C-4, C-7C-10, C-16, C-20, C-34, C-36, C-38, C-42, C-43 or C-46 must submit Prequalification package no later than March 13, 2026 . Prequalification Package is available to enter and submit at the PQ Website https://pqbids.com/abc-usd-ab2031/ All public works are subject to prevailing wage payments, Valid License valid Class B Contractor’s License and DIR Registration will be required.
Los Cerritos News
February 6, 2026
February 13, 2026
Published at CCN 2/6/13 and LCCN 2/13/26
ABC UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE CALLING FOR BID
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the ABC Unified School District will receive up to but not later than 2:00 PM on the 31st day of March 2026 Bids for:
ABC Bid # 1697 Burbank Elementary School Modernization
All bids shall be made and presented on a form furnished by the District. Bids submitted shall conform to the terms and conditions stated on said form. Bids shall be received in the office of the Purchasing Department at 16700 Norwalk Blvd., Cerritos, CA 90703 and shall be opened and publicly read aloud at the above-stated time and place. There will be a mandatory jobwalk meeting on February 18, 2026 at 1:00 PM sharp at the front of Administration building at Burbank ES 17711 Roseton Ave., Artesia CA. To prequalify to bid, bidders and subcontractors with contractor license class of A, B, C-4, C-7C-10, C-16, C-20, C-34, C-36, C-38, C-42, C-43 or C-46 must submit Prequalification package no later than March 13, 2026 . Prequalification Package is available to enter and submit at the PQ Website https://pqbids.com/abc-usd-ab2031/ All public works are subject to prevailing wage payments, Valid License valid Class B Contractor’s License and DIR Registration will be required.
Los Cerritos News
February 6, 2026 February 13, 2026
Published at CCN 2/6/13 and LCCN 2/13/26
CITY OF LA MIRADA
NOTICE OF PROPOSED ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 748 WHICH WOULD ADOPT BY REFERENCE THE 2026 LOS ANGELES COUNTY BUILDING CODES, INCLUDING TITLES 26 (BUILDING), 27 (ELECTRICAL), 28 (PLUMBING), 29 (MECHANICAL), 30 (RESIDENTIAL), 31 (GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS), AND 33 (EXISTING BUILDING CODE) OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY CODE. UPON ADOPTION, THESE CODES WOULD BE INCORPORATED INTO TITLE 17, CHAPTERS 17.04 THROUGH 17.19 OF THE LA MIRADA MUNICIPAL CODE AND WOULD SERVE AS THE CITY’S ENFORCEABLE BUILDING REGULATIONS. THE PROPOSED ACTION IS EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PURSUANT TO CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15061(B)(3), AS IT CAN BE SEEN WITH CERTAINTY THAT THERE IS NO POSSIBILITY THE ACTIVITY MAY HAVE A SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON THE ENVIRONMENT.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of La Mirada introduced Ordinance No. 748 on January 27, 2026, proposing to adopt by reference the 2026 Los Angeles County Building Codes, and will consider adoption of the ordinance at its meeting scheduled for February 24, 2026, at 6:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, in the Council Chambers, located at 13700 La Mirada Boulevard, La Mirada, California
Summary of Ordinance No. 748
Ordinance No. 748 would adopt by reference Titles 26 (Building), 27 (Electrical), 28 (Plumbing), 29 (Mechanical), 30 (Residential), 31 (Green Building Standards), and 33 (Existing Building Code) of the Los Angeles County Code. Upon adoption, these codes would be incorporated into Title 17, Chapters 17.04 through 17.19 of the La Mirada Municipal Code and would serve as the City’s enforceable building regulations.
The ordinance is intended to align the City’s building regulations with the most current editions of the State of California model codes as amended and administered by the County of Los Angeles, which provides building plan review, permitting, and inspection services on behalf of the City.
The City Council will consider adoption of Ordinance No. 748 following a duly noticed public hearing scheduled for February 24, 2026.
The proposed action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant effect on the environment.
A certified copy of the entirety of the text of Ordinance No. 748 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.
Manuel Muñoz, Community Development Director
Dated: February 13, 2026
Mar High, Crespi, Sierra Canyon High) in a State Play-In game, also on Feb. 20.
DIVISION 3
La Salle High (16-12 overall, 8-4 in the Santa Fe League, third place) @ Gahr High (18-9 overall, 4-4 in the Gateway League, third place) -The Gladiators moved on to the playoffs the past four seasons but have not advanced to the second round since 2017 and have not been to the quarterfinals since playing in the Division III-AA title game in 2015.
Gahr spent the first part of the season either a game above or a game under .500 before going on a six game winning streak from Dec. 13-30. Since their league opener on Jan. 7 against Mayfair High, the Gladiators have won eight of their last 12 games, paced by seniors Kingston Nathaniel and sophomores Xavier Brown and Bryce Titus. After an opening-season victory, the
Lancers lost five straight games. Since then, they have not lost more than two in a row while going on a four-game winning streak and a trio of two-game winning streaks. Kristupas Miselis leads La Salle with a 12.8 points per game average and is the only player averaging double digits. He is also averaging just over nine rebounds per game. The winner will play either Aquinas High or Knight High in the second round on Friday.
DIVISION
5
Adelanto High (17-11 overall, 5-3 in the Desert Sky League, second place) @ Cerritos High (17-11 overall, 9-1 in the 605 League, co-champions)-For the 19th straight season, Cerritos is in the playoffs as the kings of the 605 League the past eight seasons just capped off their fifth league title, sharing it with Pioneer High. The Dons are peaking at the right time as they enter the postseason winners of 12 of their past 13 contests with the lone set-
back coming on Jan. 27 against Pioneer. Cerritos may have eight players with varsity experience, but it’s been freshman Jace Ribac who has been the leader. He posted a career-high 29 points against Kennedy High on Dec. 12 and has reached 20 points two other times and at least 10 points 18 other times. Ribac has started every game this season and with juniors Rocco Chua, Noah Edwards, Devon Hardy and Noah Lai joining him in the starting lineup, the Dons have nicely navigated a bumpy season that began with multiple injuries to over five players. Adelanto began the season 9-6, never winning more than three games in a row, but the Saints turned their season around with a six-game winning streak from Jan. 10-22.
The winner will face either fourth-seeded Sierra Vista High or Vasquez High in the second round on Friday.
DIVISION 7
La Puente High (13-12 overall, 9-1 in the Miramonte League, co-champions)
@ Norwalk High (15-12 overall, 5-5 in the Mid-Cities League, third place)-It’s been a long time coming for the Norwalk boys basketball program, but the Lancers are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2020 when that team shocked many by advancing to the quarterfinals. Norwalk had a 16-11 record last season, but finished tied for third place in the Mid-Cities League and there were not enough at-large positions in Division 3A “Well, it’s been our goal, obviously every year,” said head coach Jim Webster, who is in his second season of a second stint with Norwalk. “And the only way to control your own destiny is to get in the top three [in league]. Last year we were 16-11 and we didn’t get an at-large [berth]. So, I think our focus this year was to get in the top three and it came down to the last game. I told our players that if it came down to this, this is where we would want it.”
Webster was referring to the Feb. 3 home game against Paramount High which decided third place as both teams were 4-5 in league play. The Lancers were nipped by Paramount 50-49 on Jan. 16 on the road, the middle of three straight road league contests. “It’s not a matter of being confident,” said Webster of the second meeting with Paramount. “It’s just hoping the players can execute and stay poised. We got out to a pretty good lead; we tried to give it away a little bit here and there. But we made nine out of 10 free throws in the fourth quarter. They really came through.” The Lancers won eight of their first 10 games of the season, then lost five of their next seven before league play. The heart and soul of the team has been senior David Zazueta, who has been held to under 10 points eight times, scoring a season-high 27 points in the season opener against La Quinta High. But the team has received contributions from seniors Emmanuel Castellanos and Jesus Sanchez and sophomores Noah Correa and Bhavya Verma.
“Depending on what they plan to do defensively, I think it will come down to our defense, just overall,” said Webster. “If we can play solid defense like we have most of the year, and able to execute on offense just enough...hit a few shots, we should be a little more comfortable [at home] than them. But I think overall, the defense will dictate, hopefully, the game.”
La Puente began the season losing 10 of its first 12 games but has turned it on since league play began and ride into the postseason on a five-game winning streak and 10 out of the last 11 games.
The only loss was to Edgewood High, 2928, on Jan. 21. Both teams have a common opponent in Workman High, whom the Lancers defeated 56-19 on Dec. 12 and the Warriors swept in league action.
For Webster personally, he went to the playoffs seven times in the 14 seasons he was Norwalk’s head coach from the 2002-2003 season through the 20152026 campaign, However, those seven appearances came within eight seasons.
“Every year, it’s always hard for us,” said Webster. “So, that’s our goal; we’ve geared our schedule to try to get at least an at-large [bid]. But being in third place feels really good and the players are really excited.”
The winner will face either Arroyo High or Rowland High in the second round on Friday.
