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la miraDa, ca., NovemBer , 2019 Serving La Mirada and ten other surrounding communities • January 2,22 2026 • Vol. 69, No. 51 • LMLAMPLIGHTER.COM
CALTRANS TRAFFICADU WITHOUT HawaiianREROUTED Gardens Updates Rules INFORMING CERRITOS, ILLEGAL MOVE WILL COST THE CITY OVER $5 MILLION
the construction period. ta or Artesia is a city designated flows onto arterial streets.” The City is claiming to Reflect New State Housing Laws that the during The City then cited the nurerouting has caused over $5 “Caltrans has failed to coor- truck route, commercial vehicles
BY BRIAN HEWS
Hews Media Group-Los CerNew state mandates ease ritos Community News has obownerarules, fees, tained letter,cap dated September expand unit options, 6, 2019, addressed to Caltrans and speed approvals for that from the city of Cerritos blasts the state agencyinfor reroutbackyard housing ing tractor-trailer traffic through Hawaiian Gardens. the City due to I-5 construction projects. By Brian Hews Shockingly, the rerouting was done without the City. The Citynotifying of Hawaiian Gardens has adopted an urgency ordinance updating its rules for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs), bringing local regulations into alignment with new state housing laws that took effect January 1, 2026. The ordinance amends Section 18.90.080 of the Hawaiian Gardens Municipal Code and became effective immediately upon adoption by
the CityinCouncil million damageon to December the streets, 10, 2025. pollution The changes increased in thereflect area, aincreased series oftraffic state noise, laws and passed inin 2025 the that safety furtherrisk limit creased of how resicities dents. can regulate backyard housing. Further the letter states that For the ofmost Caltranshomeowners, is in violation the important affect who project’s changes final Environmental Impact obligates must liveReport on thewhich property, how the agency coordinate withhow citmany unitstomay be built, ies to those minimize large unitsadverse can be,impacts what fees can be charged, and how quickly applications must be processed. One of the most significant changes involves owneroccupancy requirements for JADUs. Under prior law, a homeowner generally had to live on the property when a JADU was created. Under the updated rules, owneroccupancy is now required only
dinate thus far, and any further lack of communication or consultation with the City and its residents is unacceptable.” The City blasted Caltrans for establishing a detour route on southbound Carmenita between the I-5 and Artesia Blvd., and eastbound Artesia Blvd. between Carmenita and the I-5. “Neither stretch of Carmeni-
over 6,000 pounds are strictly prohibited on the streets, per City Municipal Code.” The Caltrans rerouting of trucks has caused severe damage and increased traffic at peak hours, the extensive damage alone is estimated “to cost $5.2 million to repair,” and the “average daily traffic on said streets has significantly increased and
merous safety hazards caused by the rerouting of traffic, concerns that have been voiced by Cerritos residents in calls and emails to both HMG-LCCN and the City. The rerouting on Carmenita takes large trucks by two schools, Stowers Elementary and Carmenita Middle school in addition
See CALTRANS page 14
ARTESIA HIGH STAFF-MEMBER RECEIVES OFLONG VALORBEACH FROMRESCUE LAKEWOOD QUEEN MARY CARES DELIVERSAWARD GIFTS TO MISSION DELIVERING: Members of the Queen Mary team deliver grocery gift cards andjumping more than BY THOM MARTIN action, out300 of toys her to car the Long Beach Rescue Mission as part of the Queen Mary Cares holiday outreach program, bringing added grabbing the boy and helping the support to local families and individuals in need thisofChristmas season. Queen Mary. The City Lakewood held Courtesy woman.
its annual Award of Valor lunShe took them to Artesia High cheon on Nov. 6 to thank the men School, where they received medand women of the Los Angeles ical assistance and were ultimateCounty Sheriff’s Department and ly transported to the hospital. [ See UPDATE, page 12 ] LONG BEACH — The Fire Department, as well as the Because of her selfless acQueen Mary brought some community volunteers who pro- tions, the City of Lakewood readded holiday cheer to the The Gateway Cities EnHigh Stakes, Dirty Water, Red Flags: tectBrian and serve Lakewood. cently awarded Bridget with the By Hews Long Beach Rescue Mission ergy Action Award program Bridget Perrizo, a staff mem- Mayor’s Award at the city’s anthis Christmas through its highlights cities that demonber at Artesia High was honored nual Awards of Valor ceremony. Queen Mary Cares community The City of Artesia has commitment to I when she helped two people that strate"Istrong always wondered what outreach program. once again been recognized as reducing energy consumption, was being attacked by a dog. would do when faced with a situWith support from guests a regional leader in sustainBridget, was headed back to advancing ation like climate-friendly this one," said Perrizo. and crew, the Queen Mary ability, earning the Gold Level projects, work from lunch when she spot- "By the and graceimplementing of God, I had the delivered a truckload of Gateway Energy Action strategies that supted a dogCities attacking a woman and long-term courage to take action. I'm so grocery gift cards along with Award (GCEAA) for the third port a more sustainable young boy. The dog had knocked glad that both the momregion. and son more than 300 toys to the consecutive year. and they were areParticipating cities are them to the ground okay, and I'm so honored to Long Beach Rescue Mission, The award evaluated onaward.” a range of screaming for was help.presented receive this providing direct assistance to at theBridget 5th Annual GCEAA took activities, including facility immediately TRASH piles up at a condominium complex in Hawaiian Gardens. The City chose Waste Resources See HERO page 15 local families and individuals upgrades, grant acquisition Incorporated as their new hauler, who said they would immediately begin trash pick up. Photo Brian Hews. Ceremony on December 9, in need during the holiday held at the SoCalGas Energy season. Resource Center in Downey. [ See ARTESIA, page 2 ] As part of the visit, members of the Queen Mary team were given a tour of the new resiBY BRIAN HEWS included House, several adefault letters, “Poor leadership, no foresight Timothy dential facility currently Public on the situation, typical of this which, under California’sunder and Section scheduled and campus access, while While rotting trash is accumu- City Council,” former Hawaiian construction Resource Code 49000, questions go unanswered. By Diana Lambert to open early next year. The others ease penalties on lating in many parts of Hawaiian starts the clock on termination. Gardens Mayor Rey Rodriguez By Brian Hews In the High Stakes, Dirty Timothy House will serve families, limit classroom Gardens, Mayor Myra Maravilla told HMG-LCCN. City staff even went theas extra Water, Red Flags investigation, andAs theLos CityCerritos CouncilCommunity finally condistractions, and expand college housingtoforwork menwith California students are set The staff report included in transitional step and attempted LCCN has already established a ducted a hearing, waiting an enCWS to cure the breaches and last week’s meeting presented admission pathways. to see fewer cell phones, more ages 18 to 24, offering staNews resumes publication in clear factual record. tire week, and allowing the trash defaults starting in March of this clear evidence that CWS was in New Office of Civil Rights gender-neutral bathrooms, and bility and support for young the new year, the unresolved Part One documented how to accumulate even more, to once violation of its contract with the year, each of which gave CWS One of the most debated legal and governance questions Garza ran the California Cities adults working to rebuild their expanded civil rights oversight again discuss terminating CWS’ City, but Mayor Maravilla and the lives. steps to resolve the defaults. as a slate of new state education laws establishes a state Office surrounding Central Basin for Self-Reliance Joint afraid Powers contract. Council were apparently to In addition the default of Civil Rights within the Queen MarytoCares is the no- laws take effect in the coming Municipal Water District Authority through his privately Under the Ralph M. Brown pull the termination trigger, leav- ship’s tices, charitable the City also attempted to year. California Department of initiative Director Juan Garza remain owned firm, Six Heron, using his Act, Maravilla and the City Coun- ing residents driving by stinky arrange meetings with CWS but Several measures focus on hanging over the agency — and cil could have sent out a notice piles of trash for the foreseeable CWS did not attend most meet- student safety, discrimination, over every vote cast while those LAWS, 4 ]of [ See DIRTY WATER, page 4 ] [ See QUEEN MARY, page 2 ] and held a meeting within two future. ings. ARTESIA HIGH staff-member Bridget Perrizo[ See received the page Award
By Brian Hews
Artesia Earns Gold Level Gateway Cities Energy Action Award for Third Consecutive Year
What LCCN Has Proven — And What Central Basin Has Not Answered
TRASH WILL FINALLY GET CLEANED UP IN HAWAIIAN GARDENS
days to address the situation.
The voluminous staff report
See TRASH page 15
11 New Laws That Will Impact California Schools in 2026
Valor from Lakewood for saving two in a dog attack.
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Los Cerritos Community News • January 2, 2026
St. Irenaeus’ Care Center Giving Tree Parties
New 2026 California Laws Bring Sweeping Changes to Jobs, Housing, and Consumer Protections
By Rosemary Lewallen Santa, Mrs. Claus, and a team of elves brought holiday cheer to four local long-term care facilities in December as part of St. Irenaeus Church’s annual Giving Tree outreach. The effort, coordinated by the St. Irenaeus Health Ministry, delivered gift bags to every resident at the four carecenters the parish serves weekly: Orange County Health in Buena Park, Anaheim Terrace, The Karlton Residential in Anaheim, and Harvest Retirement in Buena Park. In total, 327 gift bags were distributed by volunteers dressed for the season. In addition, the ministry provided 56 hand-knit prayer shawls to homebound individuals. All gifts were donated by St. Irenaeus parishioners and members of the Shawl Ministry, under the leadership of Health Ministry Chair Donna Kriesel. Each Giving Tree celebration featured live music, with singers leading residents in traditional Christmas carols. Guitarist Alissa Rose accompanied performances at two of the facilities. Vocalists represented three choral groups: the St. Irenaeus Parish Choir, the Osher Lifelong Learning Chorus, and the NOCE Cypress Senior Chorus. Residents and community members were encouraged to sing along, adding to the festive atmosphere. The outreach required extensive coordination and volunteer support. Organizers thanked Health Ministry Co-Facilitators Faith Community Nurse Jennifer Dagarag and JoAnn Pyne for
ARTESIA from page 1 for environmental initiatives, and the integration of energy-efficient practices into municipal operations. Artesia’s continued Gold-level achievement included; • Improving City Facilities: Repairing the AJ Padelford Park Community Center roof with energy-efficient materials to reduce long-term energy use. • Securing Grant Funding: Applying for and receiving grants such as the Youth Community Access Grant to support environmental programming. • Advancing Sustainability Projects: Completing the Historic District Recreation Trail tree and landscape planting project, supporting the City’s environmental goals.
By Laurie Hanson
SANTA and Mrs. Claus, a.k.a Grace Francis, accompanied by Kenzie the service dog. overseeing the project, along with Care Center Co-Chairs Grace Francis and Jan Williams. Appreciation was also extended to the volunteer singers and musicians recruited and directed by Rosemary Lewallen. Residents expressed gratitude for the visits and the sense of connection created during the events. Those interested in learning more about the Care Center Ministry may contact Care Center Co-Chair Grace Francis at 714-742-0960 or Nurse Jennifer at 714-826-0760. The ministry provides weekly communion services at all four care centers and welcomes additional volunteers.
“This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to sustainability and our investment in projects that benefit both our residents and the broader region,” said Mayor Rene Trevino.
QUEEN MARY from page 1 focused on supporting local nonprofits and community organizations throughout Long Beach. The holiday donation effort reflects the program’s ongoing mission to partner with organizations addressing food insecurity, housing instability, and youth services in the region. The Long Beach Rescue Mission serves individuals and families experiencing homelessness by providing meals, shelter, recovery programs, and supportive services. The holiday donation comes at a critical time of year, when demand for assistance traditionally increases. Queen Mary representatives said the program was made possible through the generosity of visitors and staff who contributed to the effort, reinforcing the ship’s role as both a historic landmark and an active community partner.
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California is ushering in a sweeping set of legal changes in 2026 that will affect employment practices, real estate transactions, and consumer protections for used car buyers, with new laws expanding worker rights, increasing regulatory oversight, and strengthening protections for buyers and tenants. “In terms of employment, new wage rules, pay transparency expansions, mobility protections, and enforcement powers will take effect in 2026,” said Edwin Aiwazian, CEO of Lawyers for Justice, who specializes in employment law. He noted that employers across the state should prepare for broader compliance obligations and heightened liability. One of the most immediate changes is a statewide minimum wage increase. As of January 1, 2026, California’s minimum wage rises to $16.90 per hour for all employers, regardless of size, with some local and industry-specific rates already exceeding that level. Several new laws expand pay equity and transparency enforcement. The Pay Equity Enforcement Act broadens definitions under existing equal pay laws and extends the statute of limitations, significantly increasing potential employer exposure in pay inequity claims. Another measure expands employer pay data reporting requirements, mandating that demographic pay data be maintained separately from personnel files and authorizing civil penalties when such information is not produced upon request. Employee mobility and access to information are also being strengthened. A new law bans so-called “stay-orpay” agreements that require workers to repay training or other costs if they leave a job, limiting arrangements that restrict employee movement. Additional legislation expands the scope of personnel records that current and former employees may access, increasing compliance responsibilities for employers. Protections for crime victims have also been broadened, increasing both protected leave time and workplace accommodations. Employers will face new notice and compliance requirements as well. A “Know Your Rights” mandate requires employers to provide annual written notices outlining employee rights beginning February 1, 2026. Other legislation codifies and strengthens notice obligations related to layoffs, relocations, and terminations, with stiffer penalties for noncompliance. The gig economy is also affected. New legislation grants transportation network company drivers expanded unionization rights, signaling a notable shift in gig worker labor relations. Separately, protections for workers laid off due to COVID-related circumstances have been extended through January 1, 2027. Changes are also coming in real estate law. Itay Simchi, founder of Proven House Buyers and a national real estate investor, said California is likely to continue tightening regulation on investor activity and housing transactions. “California continues to lead the country in housing regulation,” Simchi said. He expects increased disclosure requirements for investors, expanded tenant protections, and stricter enforcement of rent-control laws. Rather than banning practices such as wholesaling, he said lawmakers appear focused on increasing [ See CALIFORNIA, page 12 ]
Los Cerritos Community News • Friday, January 2, 2026
High-Flying Guests Bring Smiles to Young Patients
Recall Corner LCCN Staff Report
FLYING IN: Seven‑month‑old Samuel and his mother share a tender moment with the festive Pilots for Kids crew during their visit to Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital. LCCN Staff Report Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital in Long Beach welcomed a special holiday-season visit from Pilots for Kids, a nonprofit organization that works with hospitals nationwide to support children receiving medical care. The group has partnered for more than a decade with the hospital’s Cherese Mari Laulhere Child Life Program to provide moments of connection and distraction for young patients. During the visit, volunteer pilots met with children at their bedsides, sharing stories about aviation and travel while distributing small gifts such as toys, gift cards, pilot wings, and airplane trading cards. The visits were designed to give patients a brief break from treatment routines and an opportunity for lighthearted interaction. Pilots for Kids is made up of volunteers from commercial airlines, the military, private aviation, and other areas of the aviation community. Many participants return annually to hospitals where long-standing partnerships have been established. Alaska Airlines pilot Capt. John Morgan helped establish the partnership with Miller Children’s & Women’s
Artificial Intelligence in ABCUSD Schools By Edna Ethington The public is invited to join members of the La Palma–Cerritos Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) for their first general meeting of 2026 on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at the ABC Unified School District Auditorium, located at 20122 Cabrillo Lane in Cerritos. A social time will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by a program on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in ABCUSD schools starting at 7:00 p.m. The Artificial Intelligence program will be presented by Mike Lawrence, ABCUSD Director of Information and Technology, and Chad Laines, Program Specialist in Instructional Technology. Members and guests will learn about the steps ABCUSD is taking to ensure students know how to use AI safely, both at school and at home. Attendees will also learn how the district is educating those who work closely with students, including teachers, administrators, site office staff, support staff, parents, and interested community members, on how to recognize and avoid the harmful aspects of AI. Parts of the presentation will be interactive. One segment will give members and guests the opportunity
Hospital more than 10 years ago and has continued to participate in the visits. He said the focus has always been on spending time with patients and offering encouragement through simple, personal interaction. For some children, the conversations became a highlight of the day. Noah, a 13-year-old patient, talked with pilots about places he has traveled and destinations he hopes to visit in the future, providing a welcome distraction during his hospital stay. Rita Goshert, director of the Cherese Mari Laulhere Child Life Program, said moments of connection play an important role in helping children cope with hospitalization. She noted that shared conversation and laughter can help restore a sense of normalcy for patients and families during difficult periods. The Child Life Program at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital focuses on supporting children and teens through play, education, and emotional support throughout their treatment. Partnerships with outside organizations allow the program to offer activities and visits that help reduce stress and create positive moments during a hospital stay, particularly during the holiday season.
to decide whether certain classroom scenarios involving AI are appropriate. Another portion will test participants’ AI detection skills by challenging them to distinguish between AI-generated and human-generated content. The program promises to be both informative and eyeopening. A short business meeting will follow the Artificial Intelligence program. For more information, call 562-924-5227.
Several recent food recalls serve as a reminder that some manufacturers apparently need a refresher course in reading labels, running quality checks, and keeping bacteria out of the food supply. First up is Forward Farms Grass-Fed Ground Beef, which was recalled after potential E. coli contamination turned what should have been a healthy protein choice into a roll of the food-safety dice. The affected 16-ounce packages were produced in December and distributed across multiple states, including California. While the company markets itself as wholesome and grass-fed, federal regulators clearly weren’t impressed with whatever hygiene standards were being followed behind the scenes. Then there’s Aldi’s holiday chocolate bark — a seasonal treat that arrived giftwrapped with a side of allergen roulette. Choceur Cookie Butter Holiday Bark and Choceur Pecan, Cranberry & Cinnamon Holiday Bark were pulled from shelves after packaging mix-ups resulted in undeclared nuts and wheat. For consumers with food allergies, that’s not a minor typo — it’s a potentially dangerous mistake. The recall raises an obvious question: how does a company manage to sell allergen-heavy products without double-checking what’s actually inside the bag? Not to be outdone, Endico Potatoes Inc. found itself recalling frozen peas, carrots, and mixed vegetables due to possible Listeria contamination. Because nothing says “healthy side dish” like a pathogen that can hospitalize vulnerable consumers. The products were shipped in large 2.5-pound bags to multiple states, meaning plenty of freezers may now be hosting vegetables that should never make it to the dinner table.
In all three cases, the recalls weren’t triggered by rare edge cases or freak accidents. They stemmed from basic failures: sanitation lapses, packaging errors, and quality-control breakdowns that should have been caught long before the products reached grocery shelves.
Review of Heritage Park Land Use Changes at Meeting LCCN Staff Report The Cerritos Planning Commission will hold a special public meeting on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. to consider a city-initiated proposal involving land use changes and property adjustments within Heritage Park along Bloomfield Avenue. The proposal would formally redesignate approximately half an acre of land at 18616 Bloomfield Avenue from residential use to parks and open space. While the area already functions as part of Heritage Park, the change would permanently establish the land’s use as open space in the city’s planning documents and zoning regulations, preventing future residential development on the site. No private development is proposed and the proposal does not include new construction or expansion of park facilities. If the Planning Commission recommends approval, the proposal will be forwarded to the Cerritos City Council for final consideration at a future meeting. The meeting will be held in the City Council Chamber at Cerritos City Hall and will also be broadcast live on Cerritos TV3 and streamed on the City’s website. Members of the public may attend in person or submit written comments to the Community Development Department ahead of the meeting deadline.
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Los Cerritos Community News • January 2, 2026
LAWS from page 1 Education. Assembly Bill 715 creates the office to help districts identify and prevent discrimination based on antisemitism, religion, gender, and LGBTQ status, and to handle related complaints. Paired with Senate Bill 48, the legislation creates four positions to track and report discrimination statewide, with appointments made by the governor and confirmed by the Senate after Jan. 1. “California is taking action to confront hate in all forms,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said. Opponents, including the California Teachers Association and California Faculty Association, argue the law could infringe on academic freedom and lead to educator censorship. Parents no longer face jail for truancy Beginning Jan. 1, parents of chronically truant students will no longer face fines or jail time. Assembly Bill 461 removes a Penal Code provision that criminalized parents if their child missed at least 10 percent of the school year without a valid excuse. Previously, penalties included fines up to $2,000 or a year in jail. Gender-neutral bathrooms required Starting July 1, most public school campuses must provide at least one
Coroner ID’s Man Stabbed to Death in Cerritos LCCN Staff Report A 37-year-old man who was stabbed to death in Cerritos was identified Wednesday. He was identified Wednesday by the Los Angeles County Office of Medical Examiner as Mark Brown. The fatal assault occurred at about 8 a.m. Saturday at the intersection of South Street and Studebaker Road, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Brown was stabbed in the chest and was pronounced dead at the scene. Anyone with information regarding the assault was urged to call the sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323 890-5500. Callers who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-2228477 or visit lacrimestoppers.com.
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gender-neutral bathroom open to all students. Senate Bill 760 requires clear signage and mandates that the restroom remain unlocked and accessible. Campuses with only one male and one female bathroom are exempt. Cellphones restricted during school hours School districts, county offices of education, and charter schools have until July 1 to adopt policies limiting student cellphone use. Assembly Bill 3216, known as the Phone-Free School Act, targets classroom distractions, bullying, and device addiction. Similar laws are already in place in several other states. Expanded protections from immigration enforcement New laws strengthen protections for students and families during immigration enforcement actions. Assembly Bill 49 prohibits school staff from allowing immigration officers on campus or sharing student or family information without a warrant or court order. Districts must update policies by March 1. Senate Bill 98 requires schools, colleges, and universities to notify staff and parents when immigration officers are present and to include notification procedures in safety plans. These rules remain in effect through 2031.
Safeguards for preschools and families Assembly Bill 495 expands who may temporarily care for or make decisions for children if parents are detained or deported. Beginning Jan. 1, relatives within five generations may be authorized to enroll a child in school or make medical decisions on campus. The law also extends Safe Haven protections to preschools and child care centers. Easier access to CSU admission Senate Bill 640 creates a direct admission program notifying eligible high school students that they qualify for participating California State University campuses. It also expands promotion of guaranteed CSU transfer pathways for community college students. Mental health resources on student IDs Student ID cards issued after July 1 must include The Trevor Project’s suicide prevention hotline number for LGBTQ youth. Early childhood educators gain a seat Under Assembly Bill 1123, the next open seat on the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing must go to an early childhood education teacher, marking the first time child development educators will have voting representation on the commission.
DIRTY WATER from page 1
LCCN make clear that such exemptions are narrow, fact-driven, and dependent on what an official actually does — not what the role is labeled. Managing public funds, executing contracts, directing advocacy, and renewing a paid executive agreement are not the hallmarks of exempt employment. The implications are serious. If Garza’s Central Basin seat was forfeited by operation of law when he renewed his JPA contract, then the validity of subsequent board actions involving his vote becomes an unavoidable question. Those issues have not been addressed by Central Basin majority leadership of President Nem Ochoa, VP Gary Mendez, and Directors Joanna Moreno and Juan Garza, nor resolved by any enforcement authority. High Stakes, Dirty Water, Red Flags is not finished. The final installments, to be published after the holiday break, will examine what enforcement looks like when incompatible-office violations are alleged, who has the authority to act, and why continued inaction only deepens the damage to public trust at Central Basin. The record is built. The timeline is established. The law is clear. What remains is accountability.
personal email, cellphone, and Bellflower P.O. Box as the JPA’s operational and procurement pipeline — a level of private control that erased basic safeguards expected of any public agency. Part Two showed how that private control collided directly with Garza’s elected authority at Central Basin and his appointed seat at the Metropolitan Water District, where he voted on water rates, infrastructure, and policy decisions affecting the same cities that paid his JPA executive-director salary. Part Three moved beyond conflicts and into consequences. It laid out the timeline — Garza’s paid JPA role beginning in March 2020, his Central Basin oath in December 2020, and his repeated renewals of that JPA contract — and explained how Government Code 1099 operates automatically when incompatible public offices are assumed or renewed. The law does not require corruption. It does not require intent. It requires only divided loyalty as a matter of duty. Garza has rejected that analysis, repeatedly asserting that his JPA role is exempt employment and that other statutes authorize his dual service. But Attorney General opinions reviewed by
Artesia Planning Commission to Review Mixed-Use Housing Density Rules The Artesia Planning Commission will hold a public hearing January 13 to review proposed changes to the city’s recently adopted Mixed-Use Overlay Zone, including a significant reduction in minimum residential density requirements. The hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at Artesia City Hall, 18747 Clarkdale Avenue. The most notable change would reduce the minimum required residential density from 70 dwelling units per acre to 40 dwelling units per acre. The Mixed-Use Overlay Zone was adopted in mid-2025 as part of the city’s
effort to comply with state housing mandates and encourage residential development integrated with commercial uses. The proposed amendments would apply citywide and would not approve or authorize any specific development project. Following the public hearing, the Planning Commission will make a recommendation to the City Council, which will ultimately decide whether to adopt the amendments. Members of the public may attend the January 13 hearing and provide comment on the proposed changes. Written comments may also be submitted to the Planning Commission prior to the meeting through the City of Artesia Community Development Department. Additional information is available from the Community Development Department at 562-865-6262 or by email at Planning@ cityofartesia.us.
From the Mayor’s Desk: January 2, 2026
Los Cerritos Community News • Friday, January 2, 2026
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OP-ED: Republicans Let ACA Subsidies Die — Millions Pay the Price Over the past 12 months, the Cerritos to better promote Cerritos businesses and
City Council has been honored to work alongside our residents, businesses, and employees in moving our community forward. We’re especially proud of the progress we’ve made in the first year of our Strategic Plan. Achieving our goals is not possible without our collective commitments to the vitality of Cerritos. The City’s eight Strategic Plan Goals guide the City’s longterm initiatives and services, and each of you play a role in how we achieve them. In 2025, your support made a difference and helped us stay true to our Strategic Plan theme: Cerritos in Progress. Here’s a snapshot of a few of the City’s achievements thus far: Goal #1: Enhance Public Safety: We took swift action to decrease residential burglaries. This included revised dispatch protocols that reduced average deputy response times, the installation of multiple Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras, and a drone program focused on crime suppression. In addition, we’ve added staff at the Sheriff’s Station and has contracted with Southwest Patrol for expanded residential and business monitoring. Goal #2: Attract and Retain a High Skilled Workforce: The City continues to enhance how we serve current and prospective employees through new policies, recruitment strategies, and organizational structures. Staff development has also been a focus, with more trainings available for City staff. Goal #3: Assess and Maintain Infrastructure: The City Council was pleased to adopt a formal Capital Improvement Program (CIP) prioritization framework. A water and sewer rate study helped us understand funding and infrastructure needs. We will also soon explore a citywide Facility Condition Assessment to bring greater understanding and options for building infrastructure. Goal #4: Strengthen Economic Development: Last spring, the City Council approved the creation of the Economic Development Commission. Work is well underway on the City’s first Economic Development Strategic Plan. Staff has also expanded marketing and outreach efforts
economic opportunities. Goal #5: Improve Technology Resources: The City is modernizing its software systems to enhance functionality, transparency, and customer service. These efforts, along with the continued digitization of paper-based processes, are streamlining internal workflows and improving service delivery. Goal #6: Focus on Fiscal Transparency and Sustainability: Earlier this year, the City Council adopted a comprehensive Financial Reserve Policy that sets clear minimum and target reserve levels for key funds. We are also working to evaluate service delivery costs and assess cost recovery options to support the long-term stability of City operations. Goal #7: Improve Community Communications: The City has strengthened coordination and communication around public safety, in addition to informational campaigns on water and sewer infrastructure and the City’s budgeting process. As demand for digital communication rises, we’ve raised the City’s social media profile and offer multiple digital newsletters. A new civic leadership academy also expands community engagement efforts. Goal #8: Ensure Continued Excellence in Community Recreation and Community Programming: We continue to meet the evolving needs of our community and grow recreation, library, senior, and cultural programs. The City now has more pickleball courts, streaming services through the library, and additional educational programming for seniors. Longstanding and new events continue to engage large crowds, including the inaugural Santa’s Sleigh Day at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts (CCPA). The CCPA is offering over 100 performances this season to suit all entertainment genres, and continues to provide its free Arts Education programming to local students. There’s much more to celebrate on the progress of our Strategic Plan goals, which you can read about at cerritos. gov/mayorsdesk. The City would not be what we are today without the dedication of our over 48,000 residents, 1,600plus businesses, and approximately 500 employees. Collectively, you help make Cerritos a beautiful place to work, live, and visit. Thank you for a fantastic 2025, and here’s to an even better 2026!
LETTERS Dear Editor, Thank you for the fine and balanced reporting of your December 26 edition on the catastrophic failure of Cerritos’ primary groundwater C-4 well which will cost approximately $600,000 to repair and $2.2 million dollars for imported water. The City of Cerritos General Fund can no longer afford Capital Improvement Projects for our 60 plus year old water and sewer infrastructure. If Cerritos residents and businesses don’t approve the water and sewer adjusted rates, we won’t be able to upgrade our aging 3 city wells and will be forced to import water from the Colorado River, Northern Sierras, the Sacramento Delta etc. which will cost 254% more and rate-payers will end up paying more for monthly emergency repairs like the 4-5 water leaks that Cerritos water pipes experience every month. The last increased water rates of 10% from 2014 to 2021 only paid for operational costs NOT Capital Improvement Projects like the critically needed valve replacements, water treatment, well desander replacements etc. If water rate adjustments aren’t approved, city services and programs will be cut like the one day closing of the Cerritos Library and our city will be
spending and depleting its reserve funds which should be safeguarded and used for sudden catastrophic events like January’s LA Wildfires just 40 miles away where 18,500 buildings were destroyed. Perhaps we would have been in a better financial situation today if Cerritos voters back in 2020 had passed the Measure C sales tax which would have cost consumers only 15 cents for a $20 purchase and would have raised approximately $11 million dollars annually but was unfortunately soundly defeated by over 2,500 voters. However painful the rate increases will be, to deter future emergencies, we vote yes for the Water and Sewer Rate Adjustments, and hope others will too. Norma and Alan Williamson Cerritos Residents The opinions and views expressed in this section are those of the individual writers and contributors and do not necessarily reflect the positions or policies of Los Cerritos Community News, its staff, or its publisher. Submissions are published as a forum for community dialogue and are the sole responsibility of their authors. Email editor@cerritosnews.net or mail PO Box 788 Artesia Ca. , 90701
Happy New Year. Millions of Americans began 2026 with a financial gut punch that was entirely predictable and entirely avoidable. Enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies expired at midnight on January 1, and with them went the affordability that kept health insurance within reach for working families, the self-employed, small business owners, farmers, and early retirees. This did not happen by accident. It happened because Republicans chose to let it happen. The subsidies, first enacted in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, were extended for several years with broad public support. They lowered premiums, expanded eligibility, and capped costs at 8.5% of income, stabilizing the ACA marketplace for more than 20 million Americans. Congress knew the expiration date. Lawmakers had years to act. Republicans did not. Instead, GOP leadership slow-walked the issue, refused to bring clean extensions to a vote, and ultimately allowed the subsidies to lapse. Democrats repeatedly pushed to extend the credits. Moderate Republicans publicly warned that failure would backfire politically. Even President Donald Trump briefly floated a compromise, then abandoned it after conservative backlash. The result is now locked in. According to health policy analysts, subsidized ACA enrollees are seeing average premium increases of roughly 114% in 2026. Millions are expected to drop coverage altogether, particularly younger and healthier people, a shift that will further destabilize the system and drive costs even higher for those who remain insured. This is not theoretical. Families are
already choosing between rent, groceries, and health care. Parents are dropping themselves from coverage to insure their children. Cancer survivors, freelancers, and small business owners are staring at monthly premiums higher than their mortgage payments. Republicans like to talk about the middle class. This is what suffocation looks like. In December, the Senate rejected two options: a Democratic bill to extend the subsidies and a Republican alternative that offered health savings accounts instead. The latter does nothing for people who cannot afford coverage in the first place. In the House, a handful of centrist Republicans joined Democrats to force a possible January vote, but even that effort remains uncertain. The damage, however, is already done. States like Florida, Texas, and California—home to the largest ACA populations—will feel the impact most acutely. Rural communities, independent workers, and early retirees will be hit hardest. Republicans claim to champion small business owners and personal responsibility. Letting health insurance become unaffordable for millions is neither. As the 2026 midterms approach, voters should remember this moment clearly. The subsidies expired not because they failed, not because they were unpopular, and not because Congress lacked time. They expired because Republicans chose ideology over people. The question now is not whether lawmakers understand the consequences. Americans are living them. The question is whether accountability will finally follow. Brian Hews~Editor and Publisher
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Los Cerritos Community News • January 2, 2026
Santa Fe Springs Rose Parade Float Earns Queen’s Award
SANTA FE SPRINGS’ 2026 Tournament of Roses Parade float, “A Great Place to Live, Work, and Play!”, celebrates the city’s history, community spirit, and future, featuring iconic Heritage Park elements including the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe steam locomotive. Courtesy City of Santa Fe Springs.
By Brian Hews Santa Fe Springs received top honors at this year’s Tournament of Roses Parade, with its float earning the prestigious Queen’s Award for most outstanding presentation of roses. Titled “Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, Inspiring the Future,” the Santa Fe Springs float paid tribute to the city’s history while highlighting its growth, diversity, and forward-looking vision. Covered in thousands of carefully arranged roses and floral materials, the float stood out for both its craftsmanship and storytelling, a key criterion for the Queen’s Award. City officials and volunteers worked for months on the design and construction, blending traditional Rose Parade artistry
with modern themes reflecting community pride, resilience, and progress. Judges recognized the float for its exceptional use of roses, visual balance, and overall presentation along the parade route. The Queen’s Award is one of the Tournament of Roses’ most coveted honors and recognizes excellence in floral design and execution. For Santa Fe Springs, the award marks a moment of regional and national recognition, showcasing the city on one of the world’s most-watched New Year’s Day stages. City leaders said the honor reflects the dedication of the volunteers, designers, and supporters who brought the float to life, and serves as a celebration not only of the city’s past and present, but of the community’s shared future.
Los Cerritos Community News • Friday, January 2, 2026
By Melinda Myers When creating a new garden or looking for new additions, check out the Perennial Plants of the Year (PPOY). Selected by members of the Perennial Plant Association, winners must be suited to a wide range of climate conditions, low maintenance, and provide multiple seasons of interest. The 2026 PPOY is Blackhawks big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii ‘Blackhawks’), a cultivar of one of the dominant grasses of the North American tallgrass prairies. Its smaller stature makes it easier for most gardeners to include in home landscapes. It grows five feet tall and two feet wide as opposed to the species that can grow up to eight feet tall and readily self-seed, dominating a garden. Combine Blackhawks big bluestem grass with other early and late season perennials in natural and cottage-style gardens. Watch as the foliage emerges dark green in the spring then develops red tips in summer and ends the season with deep purple leaves and stems. Its three-parted flower tops the plant in late summer, providing additional texture and motion in the garden. Grow Blackhawks in full sun with well-drained soil. It is hardy in zones three to nine and drought tolerant once established. Just cut it back in late winter or early spring and watch as new growth emerges.This grass combines nicely with past winning perennials. In addition to its ornamental value, Blackhawks big bluestem provides important ecological benefits. Like many native prairie grasses, it offers shelter for beneficial insects and birds while supporting pollinators that rely on diverse plantings throughout the growing
A MIX of Perennial Plant of the Year winners and past standouts fills the garden bed, showcasing ornamental grasses, flowering perennials, and shade-loving foliage plants chosen for their reliability, low maintenance, and multi-season color in home landscapes.
season. Leaving the foliage standing through winter adds visual interest to the landscape while also providing overwintering habitat for wildlife. The dried seed heads and upright form catch frost and snow, adding texture to otherwise dormant gardens. Blackhawks is also well suited for rain gardens, erosion control, and low-input landscapes. Its deep root system helps improve soil structure and water infiltration while making the plant resilient during extended dry periods. Gardeners looking to reduce mowing, watering, and fertilizer use will appreciate how well this grass performs with minimal care. Whether used as a focal point, mass planting, or backdrop for flowering perennials, Blackhawks big bluestem brings year-round beauty and durability to home landscapes while
honoring the role native plants play in sustainable gardening. The Arkansas bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii), a 2011 winner, is still popular thanks to its fine foliage that turns amber in the fall. This, along with its light blue, star-shaped flowers that appear in late spring to early summer, provide season long beauty. It is hardy in zones four to nine, drought tolerant once established and the deer tend to leave it be. Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) was selected as the 2022 Perennial Plant of the Year. This North American native grass adds beauty, texture and motion to the landscape. Grow the species or one of the cultivars like Jazz, The Blues, Standing Ovation or Blue Heaven that is best suited to your growing region.
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Calamint (Calamintha nepeta nepeta), the 2021 winner, is a long-blooming, drought-tolerant perennial. Its small white flowers cover the plant summer through fall, attracting bees and other pollinators while deer tend to leave it alone. It works well with ornamental and native grasses and other perennials in meadow, natural or more formal gardens. For those shadier spots in your landscape consider Aralia ‘Sun King’. It grows best in full to part shade where the bold foliage combines nicely with other shade-loving perennials. A bit of sun increases the yellow in the leaves while they are more chartreuse colored in shadier spots. Variegated Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum odoratum var. pluriflorum ‘Variegatum’) is another shade-tolerant PPOY. The upright arching stems, subtle leaf variegation and yellow fall color make it a welcome addition to any shade garden. Its fragrant white flowers appear in late spring and dangle from the stems and are followed by bluish-black berries in fall. Consider one or more of the Perennial Plants of the Year as you create your 2026 plant list. Then watch for future winners suited to your garden design. Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” streaming courses and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and her website is www.MelindaMyers.com.
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Los Cerritos Community News • January 2, 2026
9th ANNUAL THE CLASSIC AT DAMIEN
OXFORD ACADEMY DOUGLAS USELTON MEMORIAL D5 CHALLENGE TOURNAMENT
Early turnovers leads to La Mirada’s loss in opening round of prestigious tournament
Valley Christian’s second half three-point shooting sinks Norwalk in tournament opener
By Loren Kopff @LorenKopff on X
LA VERNE-Just three days after winning the Nike Division of the Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas, the La Mirada High boys basketball team was hoping to keep the momentum going in a stacked Platinum Division of the 9th Annual The Classic at Damien tournament, one of the best in the nation. First up for the Matadores was a meeting with Richmondbased Salesian College Preparatory, a MaxPreps. com Top 25 team. Head coach Randy Oronoz knew it was going to be a battle with anyone in the Platinum Division, a who’s-who of the best high school boys basketball teams in the nation. But he didn’t anticipate his team would turn the ball over 10 times in the first half, leading to 20 points as the Pride did not trail the final 30:22, easily defeating La Mirada 80-60 last Friday at the Damien Athletic Center. “That team is really good; that team is a top 25 team in the nation, and they’re good for a reason,” said Oronoz. “They’re probably the best team in Northern California, and we kind of shot ourselves in the foot by
turning the ball over early. Once we reduced those turnovers, we played them even. They had [20] points off turnovers and you can’t do that in this division. So, we were constantly playing from behind.” La Mirada won the opening tip and five seconds later, junior Gene Robuck scored the first points of the game. From that point on, it would be all Salesian as it went on a 13-0 run and never looked back. The Matadores tried to stay close with the Pride, reeling off three straight baskets late in the first quarter to make it a 15-10 contest. But three straight three-pointers from Juelz Richo, Tayshaun Bozeman and Asante Johnson quickly made it a 24-10 game and the Matadores would not got get closer than 11 points the remainder of the contest. And if it wasn’t the perimeter shooting that was hurting La Mirada, which had allowed over 80 points once through the first 12 games of the season, it was its ball handling. Meanwhile, the Pride turned the ball over twice in the first half, connected on 19 of 30 shots from the field and had 12 rebounds to La Mirada’s 10 as part of a 45-26 lead at the break.
By Loren Kopff @LorenKopff on X
CYPRESS-The Valley Christian High boys basketball team was making its debut at the Oxford Academy Douglas Uselton Memorial D5 Challenge Tournament and made the most of its first time here. After a sluggish first half that saw the Defenders shoot 29 percent from the field and lead Norwalk High by a point at the half, they went to town from beyond the arc in the second half. V.C. connected on nine of 13 threepointers after halftime and ran away for a 55-33 victory last Friday afternoon. V.C. head coach Dijon Thompson credits the Christmas meal his team had for the sudden barrage of shots made in the second half. “I think it was just the holiday dinner yesterday,” said Thompson. “That first quarter, we were just in the holiday funk; we were just sleepwalking in the first quarter and first half, and we just woke up [in the second half].” “It was definitely the difference for them,” said Norwalk head coach Jim Webster. “We couldn’t keep up, and we could not figure out their run and jump defense to take advantage of that and get some easy baskets when I thought we probably could have.” V.C. trailed the entire first quarter until freshman Michael Alviar tied the game with 30 seconds left in the stanza, [ See LA MIRADA , page 10 ] then took its first lead of the contest
25 seconds into the second quarter on senior Nathan Maurer’s basket. The lead would change hands three more times in the next two minutes, but V.C. would have the final say over the last 1:25 of the half, getting a pair of free throws from senior Mikey Fuentes and another basket from Alviar to take a 17-16 lead into the intermission. The Lancers were six of 22 from the field in the half and had three players score while half a dozen players found the scoring column for the Defenders. “We were missing opportunities by not playing faster,” said Thompson. “I think in the second half, we played a little bit faster and started pushing the ball up the court a little bit.” “You can look at it two ways,” said Webster. “I thought we should have been able to score a little easier and get a lead. But I knew at some point they were going to start making some shots, which they did, and were we going to be able to keep up? “I was trying to get them to get out of that run and jump and keep the ball in the middle of the floor and then find the guy we were trying to trap and move the ball on attack,” he later said. “But we weren’t able to really take advantage of it. Then obviously not making any shots spurred a lot of their transition and some of those easy looks.” When sophomore Simon Vasquez drained the team’s second trifecta just 55 seconds into the second half, it gave [ See USELTON, page 10 ]
Find our paper at these convenient locations: AAA 18642 S. Gridley ABC Adult School 12254 Cuesta Dr. ABC District Office 17215 Studebaker Road Suite 290 Cerritos, CA 90703 ABCFT 19444 Norwalk Blvd. Aikan Sushi 12155 South St All Cerritos Parks Amor Y Tacos 13333 South St IHOP Towne Center 12741 Towne Ctr. Dr. Artesia City Hall 18747 Clarkdale Ave. Artesia Library 18801 Elaine Avenue Artesia Cemetery 11142 Artesia Blvd. Artesia Christian Home 11614 183rd St, Artesia Artesia Senior Apts 10427 Artesia, Bellflower Ave. 3 12612 South Street Bellflower City Hall Bellflower Terrace Apts. 9920 Flora Vista Belmont Place Apts. 9830 Belmont St., Bellflower Ramona Senior Ctr. 9843 Ramona St. Bellflower Bellflower Friendship Manor 9550 Oak St. Cassidy’s Cafe 15010 La Mirada Blvd Cerritos Chamber 13259 South St. Cerritos College Cerritos City Hall Sheriff’s/Community Center Cerritos Library 18125 Bloomfield Ave Cerritos Park East 13234 E 166th St. Cerritos Medical Center 11911 Artesia Blvd.
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Los Cerritos Community News • Friday, January 2, 2026
60th ANNUAL ORANGE HOLIDAY CLASSIC:
NEWS AND NOTES FROM PRESS ROW:
Valley Christian holds off Laguna Hills in pivotal pool play contest
League action begins for winter sports in a one month race for playoff positioning
By Loren Kopff @LorenKopff on X
ORANGE-The hottest girls basketball team in the area remained on fire in the early games of the 60th Annual Orange Holiday Classic and in one of the rare occasions this season, Valley Christian High was pushed to the limit. The Defenders had lost a pair of games by five and six points, respectively, but found a way to hold off Laguna Hills High 53-50 last Saturday in a pool play game. V.C. took the lead for good nearly halfway through the third quarter when sophomore Molly Douglas completed a three-point play to give her team a 31-30 lead midway through the third quarter. Over the next minute, junior Hannah Burgoyne sank a three-pointer, and a two-pointer as the Defenders went on a 13-3 run to lead by eight points. That advantage would be cut in half as the Hawks scored the final four points of the stanza to end the quarter. But the teams would trade baskets in the fourth quarter with the lead anywhere from two to six points and despite hitting on 33 percent of their fourth quarter shots, the Defenders had enough to hold off Lagina Hills for their narrowest victory this season. “We were trying to keep them on
their heels, so I kept trying to switch back and forth from zone to man and it takes a little bit for us to be organized, and they’re getting it,” said V.C. head coach Dan Leffler. “I feel like they [had] good enough shooters; they ran a pretty good offense. We weren’t able to pressure as much as we want to because they had us so spread out, and they had their offense spread out.” From the game’s opening tip to the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, the game would be dictated by a pair of blonde sharp shooters who coincidentally wear #11 on their respective team’s uniform. Burgoyne was five of 12 from the field in the first half, scoring 17 of her team’s 26 points including three of nine from beyond the arc while Keira McDermott was doing her part to keep up with Burgoyne as she connected on six of nine trifectas from the 5:52 mark of the second quarter to the midway mark of the fourth quarter. In the end, it was McDermott who had a game-high 26 points while Burgoyne led her team with 24 points along with nine steals and seven rebounds. “I think because of the style we play, we’re trying to pressure and then at times, they want to go try to double, which isn’t always the best option,” said Leffler about McDermott. “So, we have [ See HOLIDAY, page 10 ]
By Loren Kopff @LorenKopff on X
The final December high school basketball tournaments ended this past Tuesday and as the calendar flips over to 2026, that could mean only one thingleague action gets underway. While there may be a few non-league games sprinkled in here and there, January figures to be an exciting month to kick off the new year as the area teams have until Feb. 4 to prove that they are worthy of an automatic berth to the CIFSouthern Section divisional playoffs. This past Tuesday in the third place game in the 60th Annual Orange Holiday Classic, the Cerritos High boys basketball team rallied from a ninepoint deficit against Irvine High with 7:12 left in the game and roared all the way back to post a 53-49 victory. Freshman Jace Ribac, who was named to the All-Tournament team, scored 11 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter while junior Rocco Chua, also named to the All-Tournament team, hit a threepointer in the third and fourth quarters, the last coming with 1:50 left to play to bring the Dons to within a point at 45-44. But it was Ribac’s three-point play with a minute remaining that proved to be the game-winner. Junior Devon Hardy added 13 points and seven rebounds and three steals while Chua had eight points.
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Also this past Tuesday, the Gahr High boys basketball team fell to Mission College Prep 46-42 in the championship game of the South Pasadena Tournament while in girls basketball action, Cerritos fell to Glendora High 59-40 in the Glendora Tournament, where the Dons went 1-3, and the Gahr girls basketball team defeated Coachella Valley High 46-34 to split its four games in the Desert Mirage Tournament. Here’s a look at the upcoming week on a league to league basis with the 605 League girls soccer teams playing at the opposite site as the boys soccer and boys and girls basketball teams while the Valley Christian High boys soccer team plays at the opposite site as the school’s other winter teams in Olympic League action. 605 LEAGUE The first league games take place on Tuesday with Artesia High hosting Pioneer High, Cerritos visiting John Glenn High and Whitney High going to longtime rival Oxford Academy. In addition, the Artesia boys basketball team hosts Loara High on Friday and travels to Oakwood High on Saturday while the Artesia boys soccer team entertains Mayfair High on Saturday. The Cerritos girls basketball team travels to St. Margaret’s High on Saturday and the Whitney girls basketball team visits Peninsula High on Monday. [ See NOTES, page 10 ]
10 Los Cerritos Community News • January 2, 2026
USELTON from page 8
LA MIRADA from page 8
HOLIDAY from page 9
the Defenders a 20-18 lead they would not relinquish and was the beginning of a 15-6 run that also saw Fuentes hit four three-pointers and one more from Vasquez. The Defenders closed out the final 1:28 of the quarter on an 8-0 run to lead 40-23, and after Norwalk senior Jeriel De Los Reyes sank a pair of free throws in the opening seconds of the fourth quarter, V.C. went on a 12-0 run, aided by a pair of three-pointers from freshman Hamza Harvey. Norwalk was led by senior David Zazueta and sophomore Noah Correa, each scoring eight points with the former grabbing four rebounds while sophomore Bhavya Verma came off the bench to add seven points and pull down five boards. The V.C. bench was the star of the game, outscoring its starters 43-12 with Fuentes leading the charge with 13 points, followed by Harvey (12 points, three rebounds), Alviar (10 points, four rebounds) and junior Finn Berkes (eight points, two steals). Last season, the Defenders graduated just four players from a team of 12, but only five of the eight players returned with Mauer the only one with extensive playing time. “We’re always going to be kind of like a brand new team, in a way,” said Thompson. “A lot of guys don’t have a lot of varsity experience, but we’re working, we’re developing and they’re doing the best they can.” Norwalk would bounce back to defeat Chowchilla High 68-48 last Saturday before falling to Pacifica High 52-40 this past Monday. This past Tuesday, the Lancers defeated Santa Fe High 46-24 behind a careerhigh 12 points from Correa, and at 10-7, they are in a familiar position of putting more pressure on themselves to finish in the top three in the Mid-Cities League and not relying on the 50-50 chance of getting an at-large berth to the CIF-Southern Section playoffs. Norwalk would have to go at least 4-6 in league action to finish with an overall record north of .500. The Lancers host Firebaugh High on Friday before going to Downey High on Wednesday. “This is our third year in the tournament, and we haven’t really played well here overall,” said Webster. “I think it’s kind of like a Christmas mental break, and it’s hard to tell. It’s not a turning point, but it’s more of a ‘can we turn it on once we get back to school and get back to normal’ [situation].” V.C would lose to Pacifica 57-43 last Saturday and defeat Chowchilla 56-28 this past Monday. The Defenders wrapped up the tournament playing Kennedy High for third place this past Tuesday and were 9-6 entering the contest. They begin Olympic League action on Friday with a home game against Maranatha High before going to Newport Christian High on Tuesday and hosting Tarbut V’ Torah High on Wednesday in a pair of none-league games.
“That’s what they do; Salesian is known for that type pf pressure,” said Oronoz. “They’re very Redondo Union-like where they’re just non-stop pressuring. It’s good for us to get into this Platinum Division and face an Open Division team like that and kind of see where we’re at. Sure, if we don’t turn it over, we give ourselves a better chance because offensively, we’re not bad. But when you give up 45 points in the first half, you’re not going to win a lot of games.” The Matadores came out strong in the second half, going on a 6-2 run in the first 1:19 on a basket from senior Andrew Castro, an offensive putback from Roebuck and a steal and basket from senior King Riley-Owens. But Salesian immediately responded with a 6-0 run of its own and La Mirada’s deficit would be anywhere from 16 to 22 points in the second half. Roebuck led the Matadores with 24 points, had three assists and grabbed three rebounds while Riley-Owens added 13 points, four assists and four rebounds. “Gene is trying to improve on the little things,” said Oronoz. “Everyone knows he can score; everyone knows he can put the ball in the hole. He’s trying to work on getting better at defense, rebounding, playmaking, keeping an even keel on not being too emotional.” La Mirada would fall to Layton Christian Academy out of Layton, Utah 63-58 last Saturday as Roebuck scored 28 points and pulled down seven rebounds while junior Cisco Munoz added 12 points and had a pair of steals. The Matadores would get back to their winning ways with a 6246 victory over American Fork (UT) High this past Monday as Roebuck scored 22 points, had nine rebounds and four assists while junior Jordyn Houston pitched in with 17 points and six rebounds while Riley-Owens had a dozen points and three assists. La Mirada closed out the tournament with a 65-56 win over Owyhee High out of Meridian, ID this past Tuesday as Houston scored a game-high 16 points and had six rebounds while Castro added 13 points and five rebounds. Munoz chipped in with 10 points and had four assists while Riley-Owens had six assists. La Mirada lost to the Storm 64-57 in this tournament two seasons ago in the Gold Division. This is La Mirada’s fifth straight season in The Classic at Damien, second straight in the Platinum Division. “There are no easy games; it doesn’t matter,” said Oronoz. “Everyone who is on the left side where we’re at are really good teams or have a chance to be really good and special. We know going into the Platinum Division that… whoever is in Platinum Division, you have a chance to be facing collegiate players. But that’s what we signed up for; that’s what we like.” La Mirada, which improved to 10-6, will host Crespi High on Friday and open Gateway League action on Monday with a home game against Dominguez High before going to Bellflower High on Wednesday.
to get better at that. We have to get better at probably being in more of a help spot rather than…having all five people on one side of the court. That’s definitely on us to be better at that.” Douglas and freshman Ariel Martinez each had nine points with the former grabbing 10 rebounds and the latter adding three steals. However, one area that plagued the Defenders in the game and the final two games of the tournament came in the ball handling department. Against Laguna Hills, the Defenders turned the ball over 19 times, however just seven after halftime. This past Monday in a 57-39 win over Apple Valley High, V.C turned the ball over 17 times and in the championship game against Fullerton High this past Tuesday, the maroon and gold had 17 miscues in a 44-33 setback. “I think it’s a lot more about being used to being able to finish what you started,” said Leffler. “And, I’d like to think we’ve been there enough by this point, but it’s still a work in progress. We still panic a little bit with the ball. I don’t know if we’ve been in this spot enough to be able to be familiar with what this looks like. “I’m excited about playing games like this because I feel like it makes us a lot better and helps us with the decision making process that we’re not good at,” he later added. “We have to take care of the ball in the fourth quarter and be able to finish what we’ve done.” Burgoyne would have 17 points and 13 rebounds against Apple Valley while
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NOTES from page 9 GATEWAY LEAGUE The La Mirada High boys basketball team hosts Dominguez High on Monday and visits Bellflower High on Wednesday while the Gahr boys basketball team visits Mayfair on Wednesday. La Mirada also plays Crespi High on Friday. The La Mirada girls basketball team hosts Downey High on Monday and goes to Lynwood High on Wednesday while the Gahr girls basketball team goes to Paramount High on Wednesday. In boys soccer action, Gahr travels to Lynwood on Saturday and Warren High on Thursday in between a home game with Paramount on Tuesday. In girls soccer action, La Mirada visits Paramount on Tuesday before hosting Warren on Thursday. MID-CITIES LEAGUE Both Norwalk High basketball teams welcome Firebaugh High on
Martinez added 13 points and three steals. Against Fullerton, Martinez had a team-high 14 points and senior Gracie Verhoef added 11 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Burgoyne grabbed 15 rebounds, had three steals and two assists but was limited to just a three-pointer, which came 33 seconds into the game. V.C. led Fullerton 23-12 with 3:44 left in the first half but would connect on just four of 31 field goals the remainder of the game. To add insult to injury, sophomore Jaiya Lee picked up her fourth foul with a minute left in the first half and senior Aniyah Peoples fouled out 46 seconds into the fourth quarter. Burgoyne and Martinez were named to the All-Tournament team. Despite the loss in the championship game, V.C. (11-3) is off to the program’s best start through 14 games since the 2001-2002 season when that team also went 11-3 and finished 22-6. It’s the first time V.C. has won 11 games since going 11-10 in the 2021-2022 season. In fact, the Defenders have reached 10 wins just four times in the past eight seasons. “I have some girls that this is their third year with me, and I think they’re getting used to the system,” said Leffler. “We’re figuring out how to win games. Obviously, we’ve played some games that probably were games that if we had to over again, I wouldn’t have scheduled them knowing what we can do. But it’s a credit to the girls; they’ve worked really hard, they buy in, they created a culture where we want to figure out how to be relevant.” V.C. will host Maranatha High on Friday in the Olympic League opener, then travel to Long Beach Wilson High on Monday in a non-league tilt.
Friday while the boys go to Downey on Wednesday and the girls visit Dominguez on Wednesday. The La Mirada boys soccer team goes to Mayfair on Monday, hosts Norwalk on Tuesday and visits Firebaugh on Thursday while the Norwalk boys soccer team entertains Firebaugh on Friday and Bellflower on Thursday. In girls soccer action, Gahr hosts Mayfair on Friday, travels to Norwalk on Tuesday and welcomes Firebaugh on Thursday while Norwalk visits Firebaugh on Friday and Bellflower on Thursday. OLYMPIC LEAGUE V.C. hosts Maranatha High on Friday while the boys basketball team travels to Newport Christian High Tuesday and entertains Tarbut V’ Torah High on Wednesday while the girls basketball team visits Long Beach Wilson High on Monday and the girls soccer team travels to California High on Tuesday.
PUZZLE SOLUTION: MIDNIGHT
Los Cerritos Community News • Friday, January 2, 2026 11 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NO. 25NWCP00556 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Rebeca Jasmine Garcia filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Rebeca Jasmine Garcia to Rebeca Jasmine GarciaVega. 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 13, 2026, at the SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, 12720 NORWALK BLVD., NORWALK, CA 90650. A HEARING will be held MARCH 13, 2026 at 8:30 AM., DEPT. C, ROOM 312. Published at Los Cerritos Community Newspaper 12/19, 12/26, 1/2, 1/9/25 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE T.S. No. 24-02341-US-CA Title No. DEF-648888 A.P.N. 7050-005-027 YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 01/11/2022. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. A public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash, cashier’s check(s) drawn on a state or national bank must be made payable to National Default Servicing Corporation, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state; will be held by the duly appointed trustee as shown below, of all right, title, and interest conveyed to and now held by the trustee in the hereinafter described property under and pursuant to a Deed of Trust described below. The sale will be made in an “as is” condition, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the note(s) secured by the Deed of Trust, with interest and late charges thereon, as provided in the note(s), advances, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, interest thereon, fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee for the total amount (at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale) reasonably estimated to be set forth below. The amount may be greater on the day of sale. Trustor: Cleodis Howell, unmarried Duly Appointed Trustee: National Default Servicing Corporation Recorded 01/27/2022 as Instrument No. 20220108837 (or Book, Page) of the Official Records of Los Angeles County, California. Date of Sale: : 02/05/2026 at 9:00 AM Place of Sale: Doubletree Hotel Los Angeles-Norwalk, Vineyard Ballroom, 13111 Sycamore Drive, Norwalk, CA 90650 Estimated amount of unpaid balance and other charges: $138,464.17 Street Address or other common designation of real property: 11248 Bertha St, Cerritos, CA 90703 A.P.N.: 7050-005-027 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address or other common designation, if any, shown above. If no street address or other common designation is shown, directions to the location of the property may be obtained by sending a written request to the beneficiary within 10 days of the date of first publication of this Notice of Sale. If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder’s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee, and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. The requirements of California Civil Code Section 2923.5(b)/2923.55(c) were fulfilled when the Notice of Default was recorded. NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property. You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property. NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call 800-280-2832 or visit this internet website www.ndscorp.com/sales, using the file number assigned to this case 24-02341-US-CA. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the internet website. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale. NOTICE TO TENANT*: You may have a right to purchase this property after the trustee auction pursuant to Section 2924m of the California Civil Code. If you are a “representative of all eligible tenant buyers” you may be able to purchase the property if you match the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction. If you are an “eligible bidder,” you may be able to purchase the property if you exceed the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction. There are three steps to exercising this right of purchase. First, 48 hours after the date of the trustee sale, you can call 888-264-4010, or visit this internet website www.ndscorp.com, using the file number assigned to this case 24-02341-US-CA to find the date on which the trustee’s sale was held, the amount of the last and highest bid, and the address of the trustee. Second, you must send a written notice of intent to place a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 15 days after the trustee’s sale. Third, you must submit a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 45 days after the trustee’s sale. If you think you may qualify as a “representative of all eligible tenant buyers” or “eligible bidder,” you should consider contacting an attorney or appropriate real estate professional immediately for advice regarding this potential right to purchase. *Pursuant to Section 2924m of the California Civil Code, the potential rights described herein shall apply only to public auctions taking place on or after January 1, 2021, through December 31, 2025, unless later extended. Date: 12/17/2025 National Default Servicing Corporation c/o Tiffany and Bosco, P.A., its agent, 1455 Frazee Road, Suite 820 San Diego, CA 92108 Toll Free Phone: 888-264-4010 Sales Line 800-2802832; Sales Website: www.ndscorp.com Deandre Garland, Trustee Sales Representative A-4861115 12/26/2025, 01/02/2026, 01/09/2026 NOTICE OF SALE OF ABANDONED PROPERTY Notice is given pursuant to sections 21700-21713 of the Business and Professions Code, Section 2328 of the Commercial Code, Section 535 of the Penal Code. 1812.607, that Norwalk Self Storage at 11564 E. Firestone Blvd., Norwalk, CA 90650 intends to sell the personal property described below to enforce a Lien imposed on said property. The undersigned will be sold at public auction conducted on www.storagetreasures.com (bond #63747122) ending on or after Tuesday, January13th, 2026, at 9:00AM. NAME LUCIANA LOERA MARTINEZ LIZA RODRIGUEZ JIMMY ROSADO A227
UNIT # B476 B782
This notice is given in accordance with the provisions of Section 21700 et seq. of the Business and Professions Code of the State of California. Storage Treasures’ Principal Auctioneer and Auctioneer on Record: Auctioneer License Numbers for Christopher Paul Rosa California #3112562 Sales subject to prior cancellation in the event of settlement between Owner and obligated party. Publication Dates: 12/26/25 & 01/02/26
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Cerritos City Council will conduct a public hearing at a regular meeting on Monday, January 12, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. on the following matter: REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL DIRECTION REGARDING THE CITY’S EXISTING TRANSPORTATION SERVICES, THE CERRITOS ON WHEELS FIXED-ROUTE SERVICE AND THE DIAL-A-RIDE DEMAND RESPONSE SERVICE.* *Pursuant to Sections 15061(b)(3) and 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, this administrative activity is not a “project” under CEQA, and, even if it were, the proposed scopes of service and request for authorization are exempt from CEQA review. This public hearing will be conducted in person in the 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 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 Office of the City Clerk 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 retained with the official meeting record. 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 received in the Office of the City Clerk 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/Cynthia Nava, City Clerk Published at Los Cerritos Community Newspaper 1/2/26 NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: BRENT C. MADESH AKA BRENT MADESH AKA BRENT CHARLES MADESH CASE NO. 25STPB13541 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of BRENT C. MADESH AKA BRENT MADESH AKA BRENT CHARLES MADESH. A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by JULIE LYNN FAIRBROTHER in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that JULIE LYNN FAIRBROTHER 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: 01/20/26 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 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 CHRISTINE P. SNAPP - SBN 228378 PATTERSON LAW FIRM, APC 1800 E. IMPERIAL HIGHWAY, SUITE 110 BREA CA 92821 Telephone (714) 441-1410 BSC 227799 12/19, 12/26/25, 1/2/26 CNS-3993825# LA MIRADA LAMPLIGHTER
NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ES-TATE OF TERUO SAKODA Case No. 25STPB14013 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of TERUO SAKODA A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Diane Shibata and Joyce Ochiai in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that Diane Shibata and Joyce Ochiai 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 on January 15, 2026 at 8:30 AM in Dept. No. 62 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: STACI TOJI ESQ SBN 299385 TOJI LAW APC 3655 TORRANCE BLVD STE 300 TORRANCE CA 90503 CN123051 SAKODA Dec 26, 2025, Jan 2,9, 2026
12 Los Cerritos Community News • January 2, 2026
CALIFORNIA from page 2 transparency and oversight. Tenant protections and eviction restrictions are also expanding nationwide, with lawmakers pushing for longer eviction timelines, stronger just-cause eviction standards, and limits on rent increases in high-cost markets. Simchi said many investors are already adjusting their strategies as holding costs and legal timelines grow longer. Several states are also formalizing wholesaling laws, requiring registration, licensing, or clearer disclosure to sellers. While these changes raise compliance costs, Simchi said they are more likely to increase paperwork than eliminate the practice altogether. He also expects continued experimentation with higher transfer taxes and investor-specific fees to fund housing programs, measures that can
reduce margins and slow resale activity. Energy and climate-related housing regulations are another area of growth. California is expected to add requirements tied to electrification, solar readiness, and energy efficiency in both renovations and new construction, increasing upfront costs and reshaping how deals are evaluated. Regulators are also paying closer attention to fair housing compliance and advertising practices, particularly online. Simchi said scrutiny of investor marketing language, seller outreach, and tenant screening is likely to continue into 2026. “In short, most 2026 real estate laws won’t be about stopping investing,” Simchi said. “They’re about increasing transparency, consumer protections, and affordability controls. Investors who adapt early tend to stay profitable.” Major changes are also coming for used car buyers. Michael Ouziel, founder
of MMO Law, APC, said California’s new CARS Act represents a significant expansion of consumer protections. Signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, the law takes effect October 1, 2026. “For the first time in the nation, California will require dealers to give buyers of most used cars priced at $50,000 or less a mandatory three-day cooling-off period,” Ouziel said. During that time, buyers may return a vehicle for any reason, provided it has been driven fewer than 400 miles and returned without damage beyond normal wear and tear. Dealers may charge a restocking fee. Ouziel said the law fills a longstanding gap in consumer protection. While California’s Lemon Law strongly protects new-car buyers, it generally does not apply to used vehicles unless they are sold with a manufacturer-backed certified pre-owned warranty.
He noted that court rulings have confirmed Lemon Law coverage for certified pre-owned vehicles, but not for standard used car sales, making the new cooling-off period a major shift for consumers navigating the used car market. Taken together, the 2026 legal changes signal a broader push by California lawmakers to expand worker protections, regulate housing markets more closely, and strengthen consumer rights, reshaping the legal landscape for employers, investors, and buyers alike.
UPDATE from page 1 if the JADU shares a bathroom with the main home. If the JADU has its own bathroom, the property owner does not need to live on the property at all. This change makes it easier for homeowners to rent out both units or relocate without losing compliance. The ordinance also formally prohibits JADUs from being used as short-term rentals, such as Airbnb or other vacation rental platforms. While many cities already enforced similar restrictions, the prohibition is now required by state law and applies statewide. Homeowners planning to build an ADU or JADU will also benefit from clearer size definitions. Under the new rules, allowable square footage is measured by interior livable space only. This means walls, storage areas, and other non-living spaces are not counted toward maximum size limits, which can allow for more flexible design options. Fee limitations are another key change. The city may not impose development impact fees on ADUs that are 750 square feet or smaller, or on JADUs that are 500 square feet or smaller. In addition, ADUs and JADUs under 500 square feet are exempt from school impact fees. For homeowners, this can significantly reduce the overall cost of adding a unit. The ordinance also reflects expanded state rules on how many units can be built on a single property. On lots with a single-family home, homeowners may now build a detached ADU while also converting part of the existing home into an ADU and creating a JADU, depending on configuration. On multifamily properties, combinations of converted and detached ADUs are also expressly allowed. These changes increase the potential housing capacity of individual parcels. Permitting timelines are now more tightly regulated. The city must determine whether an ADU application is complete within 15 business days. If information is missing, the city must clearly identify what is needed. Resubmitted applications must also be reviewed within 15 business days. If an application is denied or deemed incomplete, homeowners are entitled to a written appeal process, with a final decision required within 60 business days of filing an appeal. The ordinance is exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act because it implements state-mandated housing law changes. Homeowners interested in building an ADU or JADU are encouraged to review the updated regulations and consult with the City’s Planning or Building Division early in the design process to understand how the new rules apply to their property. A copy of the full ordinance is available through the City Clerk’s Office or on the City of Hawaiian Gardens website.