BY BRIAN HEWS
From Artesia to Downtown L.A., SB 79 and the Southeast Gateway Line Could Redraw Neighborhoods
ritos Community News has ob tained a letter, dated September 6, 2019, addressed to Caltrans from the city of Cerritos that blasts the state agency for rerout ing tractor-trailer traffic through the City due to I-5 construction projects.
done without notifying the City.
SB 79 lets developers build up to nine stories near S.E. Gateway Line stations— eight, seven, or six farther out—forcing cities from Artesia to downtown L.A. to brace for taller skylines and shrinking local control.
By Brian Hews
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 79 into law, ushering in one of the most sweeping land-use changes in state history. The new statute—officially titled the Abundant and Affordable Homes
Near Transit Act—was written to tackle California’s housing crisis by forcing higher-density housing near public transit lines. In practical terms, it overrides local zoning in eight large counties, including Los Angeles, to allow buildings up to nine stories tall within walking distance of rail or busway stations.
Under SB 79, any parcel within a half-mile of a qualifying transit stop will now be eligible for development at heights and densities that local codes may have previously prohibited. The maximums depend on distance and transit type: up to nine stories
[ See HOUSING, page 4 ]
LCCN Exclusive: Legal and Ethical Questions Mount Over Central Basin’s Repeated Brown Act Violations
Brown Act violations continue to plague Cerritos-based Central Basin while the D.A. looks the other way.
TRASH
By Brian Hews
in the boardroom for nearly an hour until Vice President Gary Mendez arrived at approximately 9:30 a.m. Only then did the board proceed to conduct business.
The Central Basin Municipal Water District convened a special board meeting at 8:30 a.m. last Monday in Cerritos to discuss the agency’s general manager position in closed session but, according to three sources, failed to reach a quorum. Those same sources told Los Cerritos Community News that the board never announced the lack of a quorum. Instead, (appointed and termed-out) President Nem Ochoa, (appointed and termed-out) Director Joanna Moreno, and Director Juan Garza remained
LCCN sent multiple emails to Central Basin officials seeking comment on the incident, but none were returned as of press time.
The action violated the Ralph M. Brown Act’s open-meeting requirement, specifically Government Code sections 54953 and 54955, which mandate that all public-agency meeting procedures—including acknowledging the lack of a quorum— must occur openly so the public is informed when a meeting has not legally convened.
Because the meeting effectively began an hour late without public disclosure, the
[ See BROWN ACT, page 7 ]
“Trump put 107% tariff on imported pasta. Apparently, the next great danger to ~LCCN Publisher
Cerritos’ Steady Sales Growth Highlights Strong Retail Base
By Brian Hews
The City then cited the numerous 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
The rerouting on Carmenita takes large trucks by two schools, Stowers Elementary and Carmenita Middle school in addition
CHAMPS! ARTESIA WINS CHAMPIONSHIP IN SWEEP
Incorporated as their new hauler, who said they would immediately begin trash pick up.
Cerritos’ sales tax revenues continued to show steady growth in the second quarter of 2025, underscoring the city’s economic resilience and strong retail base. According to a report presented to the Economic Development Commission on November 12, Cerritos’ taxable sales rose 1.5 percent from the same period last year, with actual sales up 0.4 percent when adjusted for one-time reporting factors.
The report, prepared by Hinderliter, de Llamas & Associates (HdL), revealed that Cerritos outperformed both Los Angeles County and statewide averages.
While the county saw an overall decline of 1.1 percent and California posted a modest 0.5 percent increase, Cerritos maintained solid momentum thanks to its diverse mix of auto dealerships, retail centers, and business services.
Cerritos relies heavily on
Winner of Fourteen Club Awards from page 14
THE ARTESIA HIGH girls volleyball team celebrates the program’s first CIF-Southern Section divisional championship in school history. The Pioneers swept Schurr High 25-9, 25-12, 27-25 last Saturday night in the Division 8 finals. Seen with the team is ABCUSD Superintendent Gina Zietlow, Board President Ernie Nishii and Lakewood Councilman Jeff Wood and ABC Boardmember Dr. Olga Rios. Full story on page 10
Pico Rivera Will Develop Comprehensive Zero-Emission Fleet and Infrastructure Plan
Plan is in compliance with California’s clean energy, zero-emission fleet, and statewide climate action mandates.
By Brian Hews
PICO RIVERA — The Pico Rivera City Council, at is Nov. 12 meeting, awarded a contract to develop a Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Fleet and Infrastructure Master Plan.
The proposed nearly $100,000 contract would establish a long-term roadmap for electrifying the city’s fleet and installing the charging and fueling infrastructure necessary to support it.
The City Manager’s report describes the project as a “strategic roadmap” designed to transition Pico Rivera’s gas-powered vehicles to cleaner, more efficient alternatives such as electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
The initiative supports the city’s 2025 Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and its FiveYear Strategic Plan, as well as California’s state mandates on
action, jumping out of her car grabbing the boy and helping the
She took them to Artesia High School, where they received medical assistance and were ultimate-
emissions and transportation electrification.
The state mandated that all new passenger vehicles sold in California must be zero-emission by 2035, and all mediumand heavy-duty vehicles must meet the same standard by 2045 where feasible.
The California Air Resources Board’s Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) Regulation requires public agencies to begin phasing in zero-emission vehicles starting in 2024.
Because of her selfless actions, the City of Lakewood recently awarded Bridget with the Mayor’s Award at the city’s annual Awards of Valor ceremony. "I always wondered what I would do when faced with a situation like this one," said Perrizo. "By the grace of God, I had the courage to take action. I'm so glad that both the mom and son are okay, and I'm so honored to
Pico Rivera’s plan aims to get ahead of these mandates rather than reacting to them. The plan will assess the city’s current vehicle inventory, identify optimal vehicle replacements, evaluate electrical capacity for chargers, and outline the costs and funding sources to support each phase of implementation.
The city issued a Request for Proposal in May 2025, won by ICF. ICF ranked first overall, in scoring and submitting the lowest compliant bid.
staff-member Bridget Perrizo received the Award of page 15
The firm will conduct a detailed City Fleet Assessment, gathering data on fuel use and duty cycles. Using proprietary
Artesia Cemetery Honors Veterans With Tribute Artesia City Council Reorganization Dec. 8
Artesia will hold its annual City Council reorganization and outgoing mayor celebration on Monday, December 8, 2025, at 6 p.m. at the Albert O. Little Community Center, 18750 Clarkdale Avenue.
The evening will include formal recognition of the outgoing mayor Ali Taj and the swearing-in of councilmembers, followed by refreshments and a community reception. Residents, friends, and local dignitaries are invited to attend and take part in this long-standing Artesia tradition that honors civic service and welcomes new leadership.
Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP by Monday, December 1, 2025, by emailing Christina at cnieto-linares@ cityofartesia.us.
Su Casa’s Holiday Campaign to Help Families in Need
reflections on the meaning of Veterans Day, reminding attendees of the enduring commitment of those who defended the nation’s freedoms. Photo courtesy Artesia Cemetery.
What’s Going on in Bellflower?
LCCN Staff Report
Oak Center Construction
Construction continues at the site of Bellflower’s new Oak Center. Work began on May 1 with demolition of the former Volunteer Center. Crews have completed site clearing, grading, soil testing, and compaction work. The construction pad has been certified for building.
Contractors have installed underground plumbing and electrical utilities, completed waterproofing and rebar placement, and poured the mat slab on September 23.
Concrete masonry block walls have been set, and the project is now in the wood framing phase.
Coyote Activity
Bellflower has received reports of coyote sightings in residential areas. Officials state that coyotes are common in urban environments where development borders open space.
Residents are encouraged to secure trash, feed pets indoors, and avoid leaving pet food outdoors to reduce encounters. Additional guidance is available through the City’s public safety resources.
Business Visitation Program
The City’s Economic Development Department is scheduling site visits with local businesses this winter. The
program allows business owners to discuss operations, identify challenges, and access city resources. Businesses interested in participating may contact the Economic Development office.
New Farmers Market Vendors
The Bellflower Farmers Market has added two new vendors. Tobara Bakery will sell Mexican cheesecake bread, and Packos EV Kaffee will serve espresso beverages. The market operates Mondays from 3 to 7 p.m. at Town Center Plaza, 16521 Adenmoor Avenue.
Compost Giveaway Nov. 15
Bellflower residents may pick up free compost at the CR&R Drive-Thru Giveaway on Saturday, November 15, from 7 to 10 a.m. at the Public Works Yard, 9944 Flora Vista Street. Supplies will be available while quantities last.
Holiday Donation Drive
The Bellflower Volunteer Center is collecting donations for its Christmas assistance programs.
Christmas donations will be accepted now through December 1. Gift cards, canned goods, monetary contributions, and new toys may be dropped off at the Volunteer Center, 16614 S. Clark Avenue, during regular business hours.
Su Casa Seeks Holiday Donations to Support Domestic Violence Survivors LONG BEACH — This Thanksgiving season, Su Casa ~ Ending Domestic Violence is asking the community to give the gift of safety and warmth to families rebuilding their lives after escaping abuse. With inflation, delayed benefits, and ongoing funding cuts, the nonprofit says this year’s donations are more critical than ever.
A $25 donation can buy a child warm winter shoes, $50 provides a winter jacket, $100 covers groceries for a family, and $500 sponsors an entire family for the holiday season. Each gift helps Su Casa deliver shelter, meals, counseling, and advocacy services—completely free and confidential—to women, men, and children who have fled violent situations. The organization also offers prevention education programs and operates a 24-hour crisis hotline.
This year, Su Casa hopes to assist more than 150 families across Southeast Los Angeles County, including Cerritos, Norwalk, and Lakewood. The nonprofit’s shelters have seen a 20 percent rise in calls for help since last year, reflecting the ongoing housing and economic pressures facing survivors. Donations not only provide immediate relief but also help fund transitional housing and job readiness programs.
“Every dollar directly supports shelter, meals, emotional healing, and joyful moments for survivors and their children,” a Su Casa spokesperson said.
Those wishing to donate or become recurring donors can visit Su Casa’s secure donation page. If you or someone you know needs help, call the 24-hour hotline at (562) 402-4888.
THE ARTESIA CEMETERY DISTRICT held its annual Veterans Day tribute this week, honoring those who served with a solemn ceremony and community gathering, from (l-r)Trustee Aurelia Palhinha, Chair Mike Wada, and Vice-Chair Mike Laughlin led the tribute, thanking local veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice. The event included a moment of silence, presentation of colors, and
‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’ Star Dawnn Lewis Beams Down to Cerritos
a proclamation
What’s Going on in La Mirada?
LCCN Staff Report
Several new developments are underway in La Mirada, bringing additional dining, retail, and employment opportunities to the community. The City recently approved a series of projects aimed at strengthening the local economy and revitalizing commercial areas.
Northgate Market is renovating the former Market by Superior site at 12721 Valley View Avenue. The grocery store is undergoing major interior and exterior improvements and will feature new produce, meat, deli, and prepared food sections. The project also includes approval for off-sale and in-store beverage tastings. The store is scheduled to open in early 2026.
By Stepheny Gehrig
Cerritos welcomed Dr. Dawnn Lewis for a special conversation with Mayor Frank Aurelio Yokoyama on Nov. 4 at 6:30 p.m.
Entering the stage in an all-pink suit and metallic heels, Lewis joined the mayor for a two-hour discussion about her life and career at Cerritos Library. The centerpiece of the evening focused on her experience in Star Trek: Lower Decks as Captain Carol Freeman of the U.S.S. Cerritos. Lewis shared the mystery and excitement of landing such a high-profile role.
“So we get to the table read and we all turn our scripts over and it says Star Trek: Lower Decks. That’s when I found out it was a Star Trek series,” she said. “Before that, it was just a random show—I was happy to have a job. But you open it up and there’s a list of characters, and you see Captain Carol Freeman, played by Dawnn Lewis.”
Obstacles soon arose when it came time to record. As COVID-19 surged across the world and social-distancing mandates took effect, the Lower Decks team had to adapt.
“The pandemic hit, and we were not allowed to record together. Everybody had to be in the studio individually, but by then, after that table read, we had such synergy between us,” Lewis said. “Amen to our editors, who put all of that together and make it sound like we finish each other’s sentences.”
As the second female high-ranking officer and the first captain of color in the Star Trek animated universe, Lewis said that playing a leader was a profound honor. She emphasized that empowerment and representation always have space in media, and that roles like Captain Freeman’s continue to inspire viewers.
“Opportunities of honor like that give representation such credence and such power,” she said. “There’s some young girl out there—just like I was, looking up at Nichelle Nichols—who will look at my character or the characters I’ve played and be encouraged to be brave and bold about their choices, to pursue whatever it is they
want, and to do the work for it.”
Lewis’ career extends far beyond the screen. Her foundation, A New Day, which she founded and leads as CEO, supports underserved communities through mentorship, keynote events, and leadership programs.
“Our mission is to provide programmatic and financial support to underserved youth and communities across the country and abroad,” Lewis said. “Anyone who comes through our workshops learns that where they were yesterday is not where they have to be today, nor where they ultimately have to end up tomorrow. I was living everyone’s dream, and that’s when a light went off for me—this is bigger than me. I actually have something that could benefit someone else.”
At the close of the evening, Lewis was presented with a proclamation and a key to the City of Cerritos, honoring the recognition she brought to the city. Afterward, the floor opened to audience questions, with residents asking about her early work on A Different World, her advocacy advice for young artists, and her upcoming project Nemesis (soon to be released on Netflix).
“Whether you are a writer, a scientist, or whatever it is that you have a passion for, pursuing that passion not only blesses you with that gift, but it ends up being a gift to others who are in your circle,” Lewis said.
The night ended on a humorous note when Lewis phoned Star Trek: Lower Decks creator Mike McMahan to answer Mayor Yokoyama’s final question: why was the U.S.S. Cerritos named after the city?
“A lot of the show was based on my experiences when I was a production assistant on South Park and working in animation at Fox,” McMahan said. “I was a transplant to L.A., brand new, and I spent most of my time in my car listening to the Cerritos Auto Square jingle on the radio. So I figured, if this show is based on that time of my life, what better city to honor than the one I heard about every single day driving around L.A.?”
84 Lumber will open a new 26,504-square-foot commercial building at 14447 Firestone Boulevard. The project includes outdoor storage, new landscaping, and sidewalk improvements. The new location will provide construction materials and services while generating local employment opportunities.
At 14861 Imperial Highway, construction is underway for two new restaurants, Yoshinoya and Chipotle. The project replaces the former car wash and includes two modern buildings totaling 4,425 square feet, each with a drive-thru and outdoor dining area. Both restaurants are expected to open in mid-2026.
7 Leaves Café is currently in the plan check phase to open at 14210 Imperial Highway in the Valley View Square Shopping Center. The café will feature handcrafted coffee, tea, and specialty drinks with a drive-thru option. The business is anticipated to open in early 2026.
BEAM UP: (l-r) Cerritos Mayor Frank Aurelio Yokoyama presents
to Dr. Dawnn Lewis as Councilwoman Sonia Tse looks on during Lewis’ Nov. 4 appearance at the Cerritos Library.
Lucas Museum of Narrative Art Set to Open Fall 2026
of Narrative Art, located in Los Angeles’ Exposition Park,
September 22, 2026, featuring 35 galleries of artwork, a restaurant, and
LCCN Staff Report
After years of construction delays and pandemic setbacks, the long-awaited Lucas Museum of Narrative Art has officially announced its grand opening date: September 22, 2026.
The $1 billion, 300,000-square-foot museum—designed by acclaimed MAD Architects founder Ma Yansong—broke ground in Exposition Park in 2018, next to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Initially slated for completion in 2021, the project was slowed by COVID-19 restrictions and global supply-chain shortages that forced multiple postponements.
With less than a year to go, the museum is now preparing to complete its 100,000 square feet of exhibition space across 35 galleries. The permanent collection, numbering over 40,000 pieces, spans sculpture, photography, comic and
children’s book illustrations, and science fiction art. Iconic works by Norman Rockwell, Frida Kahlo, Dorothea Lange, and Maxfield Parrish will be displayed alongside artifacts from George Lucas’ legendary film career—including treasures from Star Wars.
Highlights include a three-level research library with curved wood balconies and a grand entrance lobby featuring three glass elevators. The museum’s fifth floor will feature a full-service restaurant operated by Rhubarb Hospitality, known for its work at London’s Royal Albert Hall and Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center.
Visitors will also enjoy an 11-acre park designed by landscape architect Mia Lehrer and her firm Studio-MLA, featuring rolling green hills, native plants, and more than 200 trees. The park will be open to the public from sunrise to sunset, even for those without museum tickets.
More info: lucasmuseum.org
immediately adjacent to rail stations, seven stories within a quarter-mile, and six stories within a half-mile. Light-rail and rapid-bus corridors are capped slightly lower, at five to eight stories.
Cities can still adopt alternative transitoriented development plans, but those plans must at least match the new state housing capacity or risk being overridden entirely.
The law also carves out exceptions meant to temper some of its reach. Apartment buildings already under rent stabilization are exempt from demolition or upzoning. Cities can request delays until about 2030 for properties inside Cal Fire’s very high fire hazard zones, and historic districts can seek five-year deferrals. But for most of urban Los Angeles County, including the entire S.E. Gateway corridor from Artesia to downtown, the new rules are expected to take full effect by 2027.
Newsom’s signature immediately sets in motion a mapping process led by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). That map, expected next year, will show which parcels are officially subject to the state’s new transitdensity rules. Once adopted, it will replace decades of local zoning decisions with a single statewide framework centered on public-transit access.
For communities along the Gateway Line the change is immediate and farreaching. The line will link Artesia to downtown Los Angeles through Bellflower, Paramount, Downey, South Gate, Cudahy, and Huntington Park. Nearly every block within a half-mile of each future station will qualify for SB 79’s automatic upzoning.
City-by-City Impact
Artesia
Artesia will serve as the southern terminus of the S.E. Gateway Line, with the Pioneer Blvd. station anchoring the corridor. The city’s compact downtown core and adjacent residential streets fall squarely within the new half-mile zone. Parcels east and north of Pioneer could see six-story infill or seven- to eight-story mixed-use projects close to the stop.
Bellflower
Bellflower sits at the corridor’s midpoint and is positioned for some of the fastest transformation. The Bellflower Blvd. station and surrounding blocks from Alondra to Somerset will be eligible for eight-story developments within a quartermile and six stories across much of the central business district.
Paramount
13000 Clarkdale
Norwalk SR. Center 14040 San Antonio Dr. Norwalk City Hall 12700 Norwalk Blvd, Olive Lawn 13926 La Mirada Blvd 11832 E Carson St Pico Rivera Chamber 5016 Passons Blvd Pico River City Hall and Sheriffs 6615 Passons Blvd Rosewoods
cerritosnews.bsky.social
neighborhoods will permit six-story infill under the half-mile standard.
Cudahy
Cudahy’s compact size and density make it one of the most dramatically affected cities along the line. The Atlantic Ave. station cuts directly through established single-family neighborhoods that now sit in the six- to eight-story eligibility zone. City planners have expressed concern over displacement risk, but the new law leaves little discretion beyond temporary deferrals for historically significant blocks.
Huntington Park
The Slauson Ave. station places Huntington Park’s busy Pacific Blvd. corridor in the bullseye of SB 79’s upzoning. The area already has older three- and four-story apartments, but the law opens the door to seven- to eight-story replacements. Mixed-use buildings with retail at the base and housing above are expected to dominate future proposals.
Vernon
Vernon’s industrial core has been historically resistant to residential development, but SB 79 overrides that stance. Warehouses and aging manufacturing properties near Gage Ave. and Alameda Street fall within the new state zones. The law could push Vernon toward allowing worker housing or livework projects along rail-adjacent parcels. Extended Corridor into Los Angeles
Once the S.E. Gateway Line enters the city limits north of Florence Ave., the permitted height tiers increase sharply in Boyle Heights. Historic districts can apply for a five-year delay, but absent that, developers will have free rein.
Charter Cities Cannot Opt Out
One of the most far-reaching aspects of SB 79 is its power over California’s charter cities. Under the state constitution, charter cities normally control their own land-use and zoning laws. But SB 79 declares housing and transit access a matter of statewide concern, overriding charter status.
That means even self-governing cities such as Bellflower, Downey, Cerritos, and South Gate cannot block qualifying SB 79 projects. The bill’s language— “notwithstanding any inconsistent charter city ordinance, general plan, or zoning regulation”—makes the new rules binding statewide.
South St
VI Pharmacy
12610 South Street
WRD
4040 Paramount
Paramount’s station near Rosecrans Ave. bisects long stretches of underutilized light-industrial parcels, opening the door to wholesale redevelopment. State rules will allow seven- to eight-story projects near the platform, stepping down to six stories within a half-mile. Older duplexes and small apartment complexes west of the corridor could be replaced with higherdensity housing, bringing major changes to the city’s built form. Local infrastructure— especially parking, stormwater, and sewer capacity—will require upgrades to accommodate the density SB 79 now guarantees.
Downey
Downey’s Firestone Blvd. area, already a regional commercial hub, now becomes a prime target for redevelopment. Land along Firestone, Lakewood, and Downey Ave. corridors falls within SB 79’s halfmile band. Developers can build up to eight stories near the future station, adding thousands of potential units by right. The downtown core could see a new wave of mid-rise mixed-use construction. South Gate
In South Gate, nearly the entire Tweedy Blvd. corridor will be upzoned. Within a quarter-mile of the station, eight-story projects can rise without city council approval; surrounding residential
Once SCAG adopts the official transitdensity map, all cities, whether charter or general law, must issue building permits for compliant projects ministerially. They may impose design or landscaping standards, but cannot reduce allowed height, density, or residential use. Denying such a project could trigger penalties under the Housing Accountability Act and a court order to approve it.
Charter-city legal challenges are unlikely to succeed. California courts have repeatedly ruled that housing production and affordability are statewide concerns, citing earlier cases involving SB 35 and SB 330. By following that precedent, SB 79 effectively removes any local veto power in the half-mile zones surrounding transit stops.
What Happens Next
With SB 79 now law, SCAG and Metro will begin finalizing the official transitupzoning maps in 2026. Once those are certified, the state’s Housing Accountability Act will enforce them. Cities that attempt to block or downsize compliant projects could face fines and state intervention.
Because the S.E. Gateway Line qualifies as light rail, developers along the route can expect height allowances up to eight stories at station sites, stepping down to six within a half-mile. Those limits apply automatically—no council vote required. The law does allow cities to negotiate timing and local design guidelines, but they cannot reduce the permitted density.
THE LUCAS MUSEUM
is set to open
an 11-acre landscaped park.
Turning 65 Has My Radar Up, and What I’ve
Learned About Medicare Advantage is Infuriating
By Brian Hews, Editor/Publisher, Los Cerritos Community News
I’m turning 65 soon, which means I’ve started getting the same flood of glossy mailers and emails that every senior gets this time of year — all of them pushing Medicare Advantage plans like they’re some kind of golden ticket to better health care.
I’ll admit, I started reading them. The pitches sound great: low premiums, free gym memberships, grocery cards, and “extra benefits” regular Medicare doesn’t cover. But as an investigative reporter, I’ve learned to question anything that sounds too good to be true.
Then, while watching Last Week Tonight with John Oliver last week, I got my answer, and I was angry!
The show laid bare what’s really going on behind those smiling-senior ads and slick brochures. According to federal reports cited in the segment, Medicare Advantage plans have never saved the government money. In fact, over the last 18 years, they’ve cost taxpayers an extra $591 billion. That’s because private insurance companies running these plans get paid a fixed amount for each member — whether that person receives care or not — and they’ve learned to manipulate that system for profit.
Here’s how: these companies “upcode” patients, adding or exaggerating illnesses on paper to make them look sicker than they really are. That lets insurers bill the government more for supposedly “highrisk” patients. One federal investigation found Medicare paid $50 billion over three years for phantom diagnoses that patients never had. Eight of the ten largest insurers inflated bills. Four of the five biggest faced federal lawsuits.
UnitedHealthcare even pushed nurses on home visits to find any possible condition to bill extra for, turning onehour stops into $1,800 profit centers.
One of the fake diagnoses reportedly used by UnitedHealthcare’s system was “secondary hyperaldosteronism,” a rare endocrine disorder involving excess production of the hormone aldosterone. It’s a condition that normally requires lab tests or imaging to confirm, but UnitedHealthcare’s software was automatically suggesting it during brief home visits with no evidence. The company allegedly coded it nearly a quarter of a million times, resulting in about $415 million in extra payments from the government over just three years. One nurse said, “In a million years, I wouldn’t have come up with that diagnosis.”
It’s not just numbers. People are being hurt. The show told the story of a man who needed long-term rehab after brain surgery. His Medicare Advantage plan denied the care his doctors said he needed. He was sent home too early, developed meningitis, and died months later.
That’s not an isolated case — it’s a system that rewards denial, delay, and
LETTERS
Dear Editor:
deception.
And hospitals aren’t innocent either. Here in Southern California, I’ve received multiple press releases and mailers from major hospital systems promoting these same Advantage plans as if they’re public service announcements. They’re not. They’re marketing funnels that trade trust for referral bonuses.
What makes it worse is how hard it is to get out once you’re in. Traditional Medicare lets you see almost any doctor in the country. Medicare Advantage locks you into narrow networks that can change overnight — and if you try to switch back, you might be denied supplemental Medigap coverage for having a “preexisting condition.” It’s a trap disguised as a benefit.
So yeah, I’m angry — both as someone about to navigate this system and as a reporter who’s spent decades covering government waste and corporate backroom deals. Medicare Advantage is being sold as a helping hand for seniors, but it’s really a profit machine for private insurers.
But if you don’t get a Medicare Advantage plan, how do you cover the 20 percent gap in Medicare coverage?
Most people don’t realize that even traditional Medicare leaves a significant coverage gap. After Medicare pays its share, beneficiaries are still responsible for about 20 percent of most medical bills, meaning a long hospital stay or major procedure could leave a retiree with thousands in uncovered costs.
That’s where supplemental Medigap coverage comes in — it fills the 20 percent hole that Medicare doesn’t pay for.
If you choose Original Medicare, you can add a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plan from a private insurer to help pay deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.
Medigap plans are sold by private insurance companies, and availability and pricing can vary by ZIP code. Major providers include AARP/ UnitedHealthcare, Blue Shield of California, Anthem Blue Cross, Mutual of Omaha, Cigna, Humana, and Aetna. While monthly premiums differ by region and age, the benefits are standardized by federal law — meaning every insurer’s Plan G, for example, covers the same services. In California, seniors also have a “birthday rule” that allows them to switch Medigap plans of equal or lesser coverage once a year without medical underwriting.
But wait one more thing! Even if you buy a Medigap plan, you’ll still need to purchase a separate Medicare Part D drug plan, since Medicare and Medigap policies do not cover prescriptions.
Part D prescription drug plans are also sold by private insurers. For 2025, the standard deductible can’t exceed $590, and new rules cap annual out-of-pocket spending. Plans typically cost between $40 and $60 a month, and enrollees can compare options at Medicare.gov.
From the Mayor’s Desk: November 14, 2025
By Cerritos Mayor Frank Aurelio Yokoyama
As your proud Mayor and a long-time Star Trek fan, I’ve celebrated the fact that Cerritos holds a special place in the Trekkie world.
The U.S.S. Cerritos is the name of the ship featured in the animated television series “Star Trek: Lower Decks.”
During a special event on November 3, we officially learned why the City’s name was prominently featured in the show.
The event honored the multitalented Dr. Dawnn Lewis, an accomplished actor and Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter. Lewis played the role of Captain Carol Freeman on “Lower Decks.” But her career started decades earlier and has dozens of television and film credits to her name. She’s also been a dedicated humanitarian and leads a nonprofit organization, for which she received an honorary doctorate.
Guests at “An Evening With Dawn Lewis” inside the Cerritos Library Skyline Room were treated to a discussion with Dr. Lewis and me on her accomplished career. It was truly a fascinating event and offered unique insights into the life of a Hollywood performer.
Dr. Lewis reflected on her upbringing in the New York City area, where she began performing as a singer before the age of five. She credits her mother for instilling the courage to explore a future in the arts. Dr. Lewis’ big break came when she landed the role of Jaleesa on the 1980’s sitcom “A Different World,” for which she also created the show’s theme song. Her success did not come without challenges, and she talked about the value of artist representation and ensuring fair contracts.
It’s not like restaurants and other eateries aren’t already struggling — rising food costs, labor shortages, and now imported pasta slapped with a 107% tariff courtesy of President Donald Trump’s economic “strategy.” Somewhere, an Italian nonna just dropped her rolling pin.
This is just part of an ongoing illegal and ill-conceived tariff policy that somehow treats pasta makers like a national security threat. Apparently, the next great danger to America isn’t cyberattacks or climate change — it’s linguine. The administration says the move will “protect American industry,” but all it really protects is inflation.
When asked if Star Trek was prominent in her youth, Dr. Lewis lit up. She’s followed it since the original series and took inspiration from Nichelle Nichols, who portrayed Communications Officer Nyota Uhura. Years later, Dr. Lewis landed the role of Captain Carol Freeman on the animated sitcom. However, neither she nor any cast members were informed of their exact roles, the name of the show, or that it was part of the Star Trek franchise until their first group reading. Lewis described a stunned and exuberant room when they turned over their scripts to reveal their character names on “Star Trek: Lower Decks.” When asked during our interview, Lewis wasn’t sure why Cerritos was chosen as the name of the crew’s ship. But she knew just who to ask: “Lower Decks” Creator Mike McMahan. The two exchanged a phone call after our event while Dr. Lewis was signing autographs. On speaker phone, McMahan spoke of his early days in Hollywood as a production assistant, often traveling by car to run what he described as “lower decker” errands like getting coffee. During those trips, he fondly recalled often hearing the Cerritos Auto Square jingle. “If this is going to be a show that’s kind of based on that time in my life, what better city to honor than the one I heard about every single day when I was driving around?” said McMahan. The revelation capped off an exciting evening and one that our guests will never forget. I’m thankful to Dr. Dawnn Lewis and all who took the time to join us at the Cerritos Library on November 3. The City is proud to offer such memorable experiences for our residents and visitors at our Civic Center venues, as well as the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, Cerritos Senior Center, our many parks, and more. I look forward to seeing you at our next event.
to office. Groceries, utilities, and transportation are all up, and now pasta joins the party. Families are already paying more for milk, eggs, and cereal — now even Kraft Mac & Cheese might need a small-business loan.
Meanwhile, the stock market doesn’t know which way is up. Investors can’t tell if these tariffs are part of a plan or just another mood swing. And since we barely have any coherent government reporting left, everyone’s flying blind — from economists to restaurant owners trying to figure out what they’ll pay for their next food shipment.
Pasta is a universal comfort food: kids eat it, parents depend on it for a tenminute dinner, and restaurants rely on it to stretch a menu.
A 107% tariff doesn’t just hit fancy imports; it drives up prices across the supply chain. If inflation was a simmer, this move cranks it to a hard boil.
Mom-and-pop restaurants that barely survived the pandemic now have to justify why spaghetti night costs more than sushi.
I just wanted to take a moment to thank Los Cerritos News for the beautiful coverage of our Rotary Club’s First Responders Dinner. Stepheny [Gehrig] did an outstanding job capturing the heart and purpose of the event, and we truly appreciate the continued support and recognition from Your paper continues to do such a great job highlighting the positive work happening in our community, and it means a lot to see our Rotary Club featured once again.
Core prices — the ones that actually hit your wallet every week — have climbed steadily under Trump’s return
Dan Rocha President, Cerritos-Artesia Rotary Club
Families will start eyeing their pantry noodles like gold bullion. Can’t wait for the Trump Supreme Court to rule on tariffs — maybe they’ll call it “rigatoni justice.”
Pasta loving LCCN Staff collaboration report
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.
Toys for Tots Donation Drive at Lakewood’s Christmas Car Wash
ACTORS PORTRAY Santa and Mrs. Claus in front of Lakewood’s Carwood Car Wash, which transforms into a festive wonderland for the annual Christmas Car Wash, running December 5–6, 12–14, and 19–23. The event combines twinkling lights, laughter, and a sparkling car wash for a uniquely merry holiday experience. Photo Carwood Car Wash.
LAKEWOOD — It’s back — the only place in town where you can deck the car, wash the halls, and still leave with a spotless windshield. Carwood Car Wash is once again transforming into the Christmas Car Wash, Lakewood’s own drive-through holiday spectacular that proves even your minivan deserves a little Christmas magic.
For a few nights in December, the joint at 2729 E. Carson Street becomes a fullblown winter wonderland. Visitors can roll through glowing tunnels of light, wave at Santa’s jolly crew of elves, and enjoy hot cocoa — all while their vehicle gets the deluxe treatment. It’s like Disneyland on rinse cycle.
Only one ticket per vehicle is required, so load up the family sleigh with everyone you can legally fit in a seatbelt. Dates run December 5–6, 12–14, and 19–23, with
30-minute slots from 5 to 8 p.m. Each visit includes Carwood’s top express wash — a $24 value — which is more than Santa’s reindeer get before takeoff.
After your car emerges you can donate to Toys for Tots, the park for a Santa photo op. You can step out for pictures, or if you’ve hit your limit of tinsel-related chaos, simply stay in the car and bask in the glow of your freshly polished ride.
Owner Brian Spongberg, who somehow convinced Santa to moonlight as a car-wash mascot, says the event started as a small idea and quickly grew into a Lakewood holiday tradition. “We wanted to bring the community together,” he said, “and give people a fun way to celebrate.”
Tickets start at $39.99 per vehicle and are available at carwoodcarwash.com. Whether you drive a sedan, SUV, or sleigh, this is one holiday experience guaranteed to leave you both merry and squeaky clean.
Hahn Hosts Huge Food Giveaway at L.A. Harbor College
You can make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. Make your appointment to donate blood or platelets directly to the patient of Memorial Care’s Long Beach Medical Center and Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach today. LCCN Staff Report
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn continued her holiday season food distribution effort this week with a major giveaway event at Los Angeles Harbor College, where approximately 2,500 families received free boxes of groceries.
This was the second of four largescale food giveaways Hahn is hosting in partnership with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
“It’s clear that so many people in our communities are hurting right now, and the response has been incredible,” Hahn said, after personally helping distribute boxes alongside volunteers and her staff. “Food is the most basic necessity, and no one should go hungry during this pause in federal food programs.”
Give the Gift of Life!
Volunteers from the L.A. Regional Food Bank directed traffic and loaded vehicles with boxes containing both fresh and nonperishable items, including oatmeal, rice, canned goods, beans, vegetables, fruit, pasta sauce, eggs, milk, cheese, yogurt, and a frozen chicken. There were no eligibility requirements or identification checks, allowing anyone in need to participate. Hahn launched her series of food distributions on November 8 in Pico Rivera. The next event, originally scheduled for this Friday, has been postponed due to rain and will now take place Friday, November 21, at Long Beach City College Veterans Stadium. The fourth and final giveaway will be held at the Fedde Sports Complex in Hawaiian Gardens on November 26.
We need your help!
LCCN Staff Report
LOS ANGELES COUNTY Supervisor Janice Hahn with volunteers at the event where over 2,500 families received food. Two more are planned in Long Beach and Hawaiian Gardens Photo by Diandra Jay.
ACT from page 1
actions taken during that session are subject to challenge under the Brown Act’s “cure and correct” process outlined in section 54960.1.
But the L.A. District Attorney’s Office of Integrity will once again turn a blind eye, despite this paper’s and Central Basin Board members’ complaints.
This is not the first time Ochoa, Vice President Gary Mendez, Garza, and Moreno have violated the Brown Act. Their actions reflect a pattern of repeated unlawful meeting conduct stretching back years under Central Basin’s current legal counsel. Below are the major violations. There are many others, but these are the violations that have caused the most havoc and transferred power to the ruling majority of Ochoa, Vice President Gary Mendez, Garza, and Moreno. Other Brown Act Violations as Documented by LCCN
May 2024 – Central Basin Special Meeting
Walk-on vote to hire Interim GM Elaine Jeng without required emergency findings to hold a special meeting; no public notice; vote was not the required 4/5 needed to hire Jeng. Violations: Gov. Code sections 54954.2(b), 54956(b), 3511.1.
November 1, 2024 – Central Basin Special Meeting
Agenda issued less than 24 hours before meeting; board president not consulted as required; removal of president and firing of GM Dr. Alex Rojas without required votes per Central Basin’s Admin. Code and the State Water Code. Violations: Gov. Code sections 54956, 54957.1; Central Basin Administrative Code Article 3, section 3.3.
February 2025 – Unauthorized Attorney General Letter
The letter argued to keep termed-out President Ochoa and Director Moreno on the board. Sent without agenda posting, approval by the board, public vote, or recusal by conflicted directors. A procedural coup and a clear violation of the Brown Act. Violation: Gov. Code section 54954.2.
March 2025 – DOJ Denial
Department of Justice rejected the argument sent without board authorization; confirmed district is a local agency. Related violation: Gov. Code section 54954.2.
June 12, 2025 – MV Cheng Contract Amendment
Exclusive story by LCCN found nobid extension was signed before any board action/vote. Violations: Gov. Code section 54953(a); Public Contract Code section 20101.
June 13, 2025 – Buchalter Hire and Countersuit Action
No public report-out of closed-session action; conflicted directors voted on litigation involving themselves. GM paid $24,999 under her authority. Violations: Gov. Code sections 54957.1, 54956.9, 87100, 1090.
November 3, 2025 – Quorum
Violation
Board waited nearly one hour without quorum and without public announcement, then proceeded. Violations: Gov. Code sections 54953(a), 54955.
CERRITOS
from page 1
sales tax revenue to fund public safety, parks, and community programs. As a city with limited property tax growth, maintaining strong sales activity remains
critical to keeping services stable. City officials said the second-quarter report affirms Cerritos’ ability to retain key businesses while adapting to shifting consumer trends and online purchasing.
The city’s three largest revenuegenerating sectors—autos and transportation, general consumer goods, and business and industry—account for nearly 70 percent of local sales tax receipts. Auto sales and leasing continued to perform well, with several dealerships, including Norm Reeves Honda, Kia of Cerritos, and Autonation Toyota, among the city’s top sales tax producers. Electronics and appliance stores also posted gains, while restaurant sales remained steady despite higher menu prices.
The city’s share of the Los Angeles County use tax pool rose by four percent compared to the previous year, a sign that regional and online purchases continue to benefit Cerritos’ retail base. Fulfillment centers and office supply companies showed healthy returns, and casual dining continued to generate strong receipts even amid tip fatigue and rising costs.
HdL’s analysis showed that consumers may have accelerated some vehicle purchases ahead of potential tariff-related price hikes. While the feared cost increases did not materialize, Cerritos’ auto sector still closed the quarter in positive territory.
Cerritos’ top 25 sales tax producers include a mix of automotive, retail, and technology-based firms such as Apple, Home Depot, Macy’s, Target, Revolve Clothing, and Walmart Supercenter. The city’s dealerships—Norm Reeves, Penske, Browning Mazda, Lexus of Cerritos, and others—remain a critical backbone of local revenue.
The September 2025 reduction in the federal funds rate could spur consumer financing for major purchases heading into 2026, HdL said. However, the report also warned that continued tariff uncertainty could limit consumer spending power and lead to uneven growth across retail sectors.
FLEET from page 1
software tools, ICF will model optimal fleet transitions and determine how many chargers, what types, and where to install them while minimizing costs and maximizing efficiency.
The scope also extends to evaluating public and employee charging opportunities. ICF will identify the best city-owned sites for public EV chargers and will assess possible micro-EV installations to support short local trips. Future-proofing is a key element of the plan, with ICF evaluating distributed energy resources such as solar and battery storage, as well as Vehicle-to-Grid and Vehicle-to-Everything technologies.
Once all work is completed, ICF will deliver a draft and final Master Plan along with a presentation for the City Council and the public. The firm’s staff will assist with community engagement and may present findings in person at up to two council meetings.
Funding for the project will come entirely from the Pico Rivera Innovative Municipal Energy (PRIME) Fund, not the General Fund. Staff concluded that ICF could deliver a comprehensive, technically sound, and implementable product that meets the city’s operational needs while ensuring compliance with all state and federal clean-energy mandates.
By Melinda Myers
Add a bit of life to your holiday gatherings with the help of succulents. You and your guests will enjoy the easy-care beauty of succulents. Their subtle colors and dramatic form make them great gifts and decorations now and throughout the year.
Small-scale succulents provide a multitude of opportunities for incorporating them into your holiday celebrations.
Just select containers that complement, but don’t overpower their charm.
Create a succulent garden to use as a centerpiece for the table. A shallow container filled with a variety of succulents with different shapes and colors is sure to capture everyone’s attention. Set the container on a
Dress Up Your Holiday Gatherings With a Few Succulents
DRESS UP your holiday table with a festive succulent centerpiece. A rustic box filled with colorful succulents adds natural charm, texture, and lasting beauty to your seasonal gatherings.
saucer to protect the table and add a complementary table runner for even greater impact.
Consider using succulents as party favors for guests to take home and enjoy for years to come. But first, use them to decorate the table by making them into place cards for your guests. Simply add a name to the decorative pot. Or display them all together in a
UNIQUE FLAIR: place cocktail glasses filled with succulents next to each guest’s place setting. This makes a unique table decoration and party favor for guests to take home.
tray, terra cotta saucer or other shallow container to use as a centerpiece throughout the evening. When the party is over, each guest can pick their own plant to take home.
Add a unique flair to the table by placing cocktail glasses filled with succulents next to each guest’s place setting. This makes a unique table decoration and party favor for guests to take home as a reminder of your fun gathering. Use a few planted cocktail glasses to decorate the beverage table or bar.
Grow these plants in a cacti and succulent potting mix. These fastdraining mixes help reduce the risk of overwatering. Further reduce this
risk by using containers with drainage holes that are only slightly larger than the succulents root system. Growing them in too large of a container for the plant size will retain moisture longer that can lead to root rot, decline, and even the death of your plants.
After the party continue to provide proper care so your centerpiece will be ready for your next event. Move the succulent planter to a cool, draft-free location near an unobstructed south-, west- or east-facing window. If light is limited, consider adding artificial lights.
Water thoroughly but only when the top few inches of soil are dry and just often enough to keep the plants from shriveling. These winter-growing conditions often encourage a spring display of colorful and unique flowers.
Share these directions with your guest and if possible, the name of the succulent. This helps your guest keep the plants alive to enjoy for years to come.
With a trip to your favorite garden center and your imagination you can create fun holiday décor and party favors. You and your guests will enjoy their beauty throughout the holidays and beyond.
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.
Monday thru Saturday6 pm to 12 Midnight
Doors open at 4pm Sunday 2 pm to 9 pm
Doors open at 12pm
South Asian Dining
Destination: Shor Bazaar in Hawaiian Gardens
By Matthew Kang
Don’t be thrown off by the ATM covering half the facade of this stripmall find in Hawaiian Gardens. Behind the double doors just to the right of the machine, a humming space dressed up like a television set welcomes diners into Shor Bazaar, a South Asian restaurant serving inventive takes on Indian, Pakistani, and Afghan classics. Chef Imran “Ali” Mookhi, previously of Tumbi in Santa Monica and founder of Michelin-recognized Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitche in Fullerton, helms the kitchen.
This might be the most destinationworthy restaurant in Hawaiian Gardens, just a short trip from much of Southeast Los Angeles’s sprawling suburbia. What to order
Dahi puri arrives in a traditional woodhandled plate filled with cool, sweet yogurt
for a refreshing appetizer. Crispy dosa comes with potato masala, a brothy beef qeema, and sambar tomato chutney—take spoonfuls and create little bites with each ingredient. Of the Afghan dishes, the yogurtlaced beef mantu, served five to an order, are a must. Skip the butter chicken—there isn’t any—and instead order the Peshawaristyle chicken karahi, a metal bowl of deep red chile sauce with minced ginger, garlic, and peppers coating tender chicken pieces. The beef top sirloin kebab comes with a smoke-filled glass cover unveiled tableside.
Latticed windows and bold swatches of teal, orange, and earth tones give the dining room a timeless appeal that escapes the confines of Hawaiian Gardens’ car-centric strip malls. It’s a modern, transportive space that would fit in downtown L.A. or Culver City, yet here it anchors a sleepy stretch of Carson Street.
There’s no alcohol here—a nod to Mookhi’s Muslim heritage—but diners can enjoy stellar non-alcoholic drinks like the passionfruit Seedlip blood-orange Sunset or a piña colada with vanilla-bean kulfi.
Chef Mookhi is already well known across Southern California’s fine-dining scene for his first venture, Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen in downtown Fullerton—a restaurant that helped redefine how South Asian cuisine is presented in Orange County. Opened in 2020, Khan Saab quickly earned a Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide, an honor recognizing restaurants that deliver both exceptional quality and value.
Located on Commonwealth Avenue in Fullerton’s historic district, Khan Saab stands out for its modern, 100 percent halal approach, refined plating, and layered spice profiles that span Indian, Pakistani, and
Afghan influences. Diners praise signature dishes such as Khan’s biryani, chicken karahi, and smoked beef kebab, which arrives beneath a glass dome filled with aromatic smoke. Reviewers from Eater LA describe Mookhi’s food as bold yet balanced, with a kitchen that treats spices like a French chef treats sauces—nuanced, structured, and deeply rooted in tradition.
The restaurant’s craft-mocktail bar underscores Mookhi’s commitment to his Muslim heritage, offering complex zeroproof drinks like the saffron-infused Old Fashioned and Seedlip-based Desi Mojito. Michelin inspectors have praised Khan Saab for pairing “fine-dining precision with cultural authenticity,” placing it among California’s most respected South Asian restaurants.
Khan Saab’s success set the stage for Shor Bazaar, which brings that same culinary ambition to Hawaiian Gardens. While Khan Saab offers white-tablecloth
refinement, Shor Bazaar feels more vibrant and local—a reflection of Mookhi’s belief that world-class cooking doesn’t need a trendy zip code. Here, he’s brought Michelin-level technique to a stretch of Carson Street better known for taco stands than tasting menus.
The connection between the two restaurants runs deeper than shared recipes. Both kitchens feature halal menus, housemade chutneys, and tandoor-fired kebabs, but Shor Bazaar experiments more freely— adding Afghani mantu dumplings, dosa with beef qeema, and fiery Peshawari-style karahi. Mookhi calls it his “spice bazaar of ideas,” where diners from Artesia to Cerritos can experience the same commitment to flavor and presentation that earned him Michelin recognition in Orange County.
Shor Bazaar is located at 12155 Carson Street, Hawaiian Gardens, CA 90716
DAHI PURI arrives in a traditional wood-handled plate filled with cool, sweet yogurt for a refreshing appetizer.
SHOR: Latticed windows and bold swatches of teal, orange, and earth tones give the dining room a timeless appeal that escapes the confines of Hawaiian Gardens’ car-centric strip malls. Photography by Matthew Kang.
NEWS AND NOTES FROM PRESS ROW:
Three area football teams remain as quarterfinal action arrives with more surprises
By Loren Kopff @LorenKopff on X
The new system that slots football teams into divisions based off ratings that the CIF-Southern Section put into place several years ago, which has been expanded to every team from all sports, has received its share of positive and negative feedback. Teams that were undefeated or league champions are no longer guaranteed a home game, unlike the past when it was a given.
Just in the first round of the football playoffs last Thursday-Saturday, topseeded teams from Division 2-14 went 8-5 as did second-seeded teams while third-seeded teams went 11-2 and fourthseeded teams won 10 of 13 games. Teams that were seeded fifth through eighth went a combined 33-19 while home teams won 70 of the 104 first round matchups.
And if you’re still wondering about competitive equity, 42 games were decided by one possession and 16 were decided by two possessions.
Of local interest, undefeated Norwalk High lost to third-seeded Warren High 17-7 in Division 9 action while fifth-seeded La Mirada High dropped a 41-21 decision to Beckman High at home. Get set for more of the unexpected.
DIVISION 9
#9 Cerritos High (9-2) @ #16 Ramona High (9-2)-From the Santa Clara River Valley to the Inland Empire, Cerritos has been the road warriors the first two weeks of the postseason. Two seasons ago, the Dons knocked off Fillmore High in the first round before winning three more games and capturing the Division 12 championship. Last Friday, Cerritos got past the Flashes again, on the road, in a 16-7 victory. Could history repeat itself?
After going 2-11 in the playoffs from 1977-2022, Cerritos has won five of its last eight postseason games. Junior running back Sam Reeves rushed 12 times for 40 yards and scored the lone touchdown for the 605 League champions while senior Mateo Arencibia booted three field goals, including one in the third quarter for the only points either team scored in the second half.
Senior quarterback Justin Sagun completed 10 of 18 passes for 106 yards and rushed eight times for 48 yards, but it was the defense that stole the show. For the fourth straight game, the Dons have allowed a touchdown or less and in the last six games, the black and yellow have not yielded more than 20 points. Senior Bailey
La
Mirada
By Loren Kopff @LorenKopff on X
After a three-year absence from the CIF-Southern Section playoffs, La Mirada High was rewarded with a home game in the first football postseason game in the newly renovated Goodman Memorial Stadium. The Matadores, who finished in fourth place in the Gateway League and were one of three at-large representatives in Division 8, gave 12th seeded Beckman High all it could handle in the first half.
But the fifth-seeded team lacked the same offensive punch it showed in the first quarter, and its defense was on the field for
Crawford had a pair of sacks and seven tackles against Fillmore.
Riverside-based Ramona upset topseeded Silverado High 21-14 last Friday as the Rams scored a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns. Quarterback Jesus Gonzalez completed half of his 24 passes for 222 yards and threw a pair of touchdowns while being intercepted twice. Lorenzo Sims led the rushing attack with 82 yards on 18 carries and Ramona piled up 335 offensive yards to 166 from Silverado.
This will be a tough one for Cerritos as Ramona, which finished in third place in the River Valley League and began the season with five straight wins, has topped 30 points half a dozen times while the Rams defense has allowed led than 15 points in the last three games, five out of the last seven games and seven times this season. If anything, defense should be the deciding factor in the first meeting between the teams.
A Cerritos win means the Dons will host either fifth-seeded Hesperia High or fourth-seeded Norte Vista in the semifinals.
Prediction: Cerritos 24, Ramona 21 HMG-Community News Game of the Week
#3 Warren (4-7) @ #6 Valley Christian High (8-3)-A pair of first quarter touchdowns from junior quarterback Graham Lunzer propelled V.C. to a 26-9 win over Chino High last Friday night. It was the first playoff victory for the Defenders since doubling up Hueneme High 28-14 in a 2022 semifinal contest.
Lunzer was on fire against the Cowboys, completing five of his six passes for 114 yards while junior Liam Sweeney was six of 11 for 92 yards and two touchdowns. While the running game was stymied, gaining 26 yards on 25 carries, senior wide receiver Oliver Boateng was nearly a one man show, hauling in seven passes for 164 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Max Douglas caught the other touchdown, a 26-yarder for his only catch of the game.
Lunzer eclipsed the 2,000-yard mark and is probably the most prolific passer in V.C. history, if not one of the best. He has thrown for 23 touchdowns and rushed for another 14 as he is also the team’s leading rusher with 519 yards on 132 carries. Boateng is his favorite target as he has caught 51 passes for 907 yards and a dozen touchdowns while five other receivers have caught at least 12 passes for at least 126 yards.
As a team, the second place representatives from the Ironwood League and winners of four straight games and seven of the last eight, has totaled 3,468 offensive yards and has scored over 25
points in all eight victories.
After finishing 6-8 last season, Warren stumbled out of the gates this season with five straight losses before defeating La Mirada and Dominguez High in the first two Gateway League games. The Bears have won two straight games and have allowed 29 points in their four wins. Jeremiah Boyette and Julian Padin each caught a touchdown pass against Norwalk.
The Bears finished in third place in the Gateway League that saw them lose to Mayfair High 26-0 and city rival Downey High 40-0. This is the first meeting between the programs.
A win by V.C. will send the Defenders to either 15th-seeded Riverside Poly High or 10th-seeded San Dimas High in the semifinals.
Prediction: V.C. 31, Warren 21
DIVISION 11
#11 Valley View High (6-5) @ #14 Gahr High (7-4)-A pair of upset winners on the road will meet at Dr. Hanford Rants Stadium as Gahr is seeking to get back to a second straight championship game. The Gladiators, who finished in second place in the Mid-Cities League, knocked off previously third-seeded Chaffey High 2116 in which they held a 21-7 halftime lead. It was the first game for Gahr since Oct. 24 as the final game of the regular season was a forfeit win over Firebaugh High.
Senior quarterback Roman Acosta, senior running back Jaidyn Backus, senior wide receiver Alexander Gutierrez and sophomore Demir Cunningham are the offensive leaders for a team that has scored over 30 points four times.
Valley View took care of sixth-seeded Dominguez High 24-3 last Friday, ending a brief two-game skid in which the third place team from the Sunbelt League was outscored 69-17. The Eagles won their season-opener before losing three straight followed by a four-game winning streak. Valley View has yet to reach 30 points in any game but has allowed over 40 points twice.
Entering the Dominguez game, quarterback Jesse Vega had thrown for 1,297 yards and 13 touchdowns while gaining 655 yards and another 10 touchdowns. Alex Ramirez and Damien Randin have each caught over 30 passes for 500 yards and accounted for 10 of the 14 touchdowns passes thrown.
A Gahr win keeps the Gladiators home for the semifinals against either seventhseeded Palmdale High or second-seeded South Pasadena High.
Prediction: Gahr 21, Valley View 17
Last week’s predictions: 3-2
Season to date: 44-23
CIF-SS DIV. 8 FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS:
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Fresh off the heels of capturing the program’s first divisional title, Artesia High played in the CIF State Southern California Regionals where it easily swept South East High 25-8, 25-6, 25-9 this past Tuesday in the first round of Division V action. The fifth-seeded Pioneers improved to 15-10 and travelled to fourth-seeded Elsinore High on Nov. 13.
It was the fifth straight sweep by Artesia, while the CIF-Los Angeles City Section’s Division 4 champions had swept its previous four straight opponents, all coming in the playoffs.
After senior outside hitter Djulianne Goze began the match with a block, she served six straight points as junior Haley Robertson had her first three kills.
Senior middle blocker Kristina Palafox ended the set by serving eight straight points as she had a pair of aces while Goze pounded down her first three kills and blocked another attempt. Serving would set the tone in the second set as Goze had six kills and senior setter Isabel Cruz had five aces as the Pioneers bolted out to a 13-0 lead. The set ended with Robertson serving three straight aces followed by a kill from Goze.
The Jaguars took their only lead at 2-1 in the third set before a kill from Robertson and a pair of aced from junior libero Averie Garrison gave the hosts a 4-3 lead. The match would end with Goze serving 10 straight points, including four consecutive aces.
Robertson had 17 kills and five aces while Goze added 15 kills and six aces. Six of the seven starters all had at least one kill in the opening set and six of the seven starters combined to serve 24 aces to go along with 41 kills.
GIRLS TENNIS
Whitney High hosted Temple City High this past Wednesday in the Division 3 semifinals with both programs looking to advance to the divisional finals for the first time. However, the 605 League champions fell short of that goal, falling 11-7 and concluding their season at 18-4.
Fellow league and city rival Cerritos faced St. Joseph High in Division 5 action and also lost a tight match, 10-8. The Dons, who were tied for second place with Oxford Academy in the regular season, wrap up the season at 14-8. Cerritos was looking to go back to the finals for the first time since 2013 and fourth time in school history. The 2012 and 2013 teams won the Division 4 championship while the 2011 team was Division 4 runners-up.
runs out of steam in second half, falls to Beckman in opening round
nearly 16 and a half minutes in the second half as the Matadores (4-7) fell to the Patriots 41-21 last Friday.
After a pair of 3-7 seasons since taking over for former head coach Mike Moschetti, Lucas Mealy finally reached the playoffs with a relatively young team that was without one of its two quarterbacks, sophomore Ace Faagata (concussion) and its leading running back, junior Ismael Garcia (ankle). Both injuries occurred in the season finale against Mayfair High.
an interception.
“We were prepared; I liked our game plan,” said Mealy. “We went out and executed it. Offensively, we were moving the ball, and I thought we executed pretty well. [Part] of our game plan was to attack specific areas of their defense, and our quarterback did that. It was just a tough result tonight.”
Still, La Mirada was able to take a pair of leads in its first two possessions before the offense was stymied in the second quarter, especially late in the half when a long drive ended in
La Mirada took the opening kickoff and rode the legs of junior Josiah Fregoso, who rushed five times and caught a sevenyard pass from junior quarterback Isaac Cuevas on the third play of the game. But his 36-yard run on third and four gave the hosts a 7-0 lead eight plays into the contest.
After the Patriots tied the game three
minutes later, Fregoso was back in action, touching the ball five plays in a nine-play, 71-yard drive which ended when Fregoso went in from a yard out.
The first turning point of the game came when the Matadores forced Beckman to punt, only to see the catch muffed and recovered by Evan Dempsay of the Lamda League champions. On the next play, Sawyer Nickelson hauled in a 37-yard touchdown pass from Evan Lam and the game was tied again.
“That fumble was tough, and [senior] Logan [Martinez] has returned punts for us all year,” said Mealy. “We trust him back there and it was almost one of those things where the ball hit, he was trying to fair catch it, and it was a reaction; the ball bounced, and he put his hand up.”
[ See LA MIRADA, page 11 ]
How sweep it is…Artesia claims first girls volleyball divisional championship in school history
By Loren Kopff @LorenKopff on X
Throughout Artesia High’s magical and historical 2025 regular season, the Pioneers had posted five sweeps against three opponents in three-set matches, coming against John Glenn High twice, Pioneer High twice and Mayfair High once. It would only be fitting that in the biggest match in the history of the program, Artesia would once again bring out the brooms.
The Pioneers defeated Schurr High 25-9, 25-12, 27-25 last Saturday night to win the CIF-Southern Section Division 8 championship. It’s the first divisional title for a program that had advanced to the semifinals once before this season. In 1978, Artesia was swept by South Pasadena High in Division 2A action.
“Honestly, it just feels so unreal, and it’s just a blessing to be here today,” said senior outside hitter DJulianne Goze.
“I am feeling amazed with this team so much,” said senior setter Isabel Cruz. “I love them very much, but this is a team that kept going off from last year. It’s such an amazing feeling with them, especially since we deserved it. I think it was a really good opportunity, especially in the last set. We all pushed, we all fought, we all knew what we wanted, and we were all pushing for it.”
For the Pioneers to have success in sweeping opponents is a story in itself, considering the previous four Artesia teams combined to record a dozen sweeps, not counting tournaments. Then they breezed through the playoffs without dropping a set against Ramona Convent, de Toledo High, Vistamar High, Loma Linda Academy and now Schurr.u“We have worked so hard throughout the whole tournament and coach Juan [Serrano] actually printed the bracket with the scores 3-0, 3-0, 3-0, 3-0,” said Artesia first-year head coach Francisco Serrano. “We planted that seed in all the players and they believed it. They believed every single play.”
“This team, we just really wanted it all,” said Goze. “We wanted to take it all home for our school, for our families, for our parents, but especially for our coaches and for ourselves.”
Second-seeded Artesia (15-10) roared
LA MIRADA from page 10
Following a 50-yard punt from junior Cristian Hecker, Beckman drove 93 yards in 4:15 to take its first lead, a one-yard run from Makhi Czaykowski. Later in the quarter, the Matadores were driving and were looking good, moving from their 21-yard line to the nine-yard line. But on first and goal, Cuevas was picked off by Xavier Musselman-Cano near the corner of the end zone with 27 seconds left before halftime.
“It wasn’t the end of the world,” said Mealy. “Like I said, gameplan-wise, we knew there were certain areas of the defense we wanted to attack, and [Cuevas] did what he was coached to do. It’s tough throwing a fade ball to the field. It hurt, but the game wasn’t over. We had lots of opportunities to continue to rally.”
On the second play coming out of the locker room, Lam launched a 44yard touchdown pass to Julian Rosa as the Patriots opened a 27-14 lead. But the Matadores continued to attack the Beckman defense and four plays into their first drive of the second half, Fregoso made it a touchdown trifecta with a 42-yard run, and just like that, it was a one-possession game.
But the dagger in the heart came when
THE ARTESIA HIGH girls volleyball team celebrates the program’s first CIF-Southern Section divisional championship in school history. The Pioneers swept Schurr High 25-9, 25-12, 27-25 last Saturday night in the Division 8 finals. Seen with the team is ABCUSD Superintendent Gina Zietlow, Board President Ernie Nishii, Lakewood Councilman Jeff Wood and ABC Boardmember Dr. Olga Rios. Photo ABCUSD.
out to leads of 3-0, 7-1, 10-2, 13-3 and 22-7 in the first set as Goze (six kills, three aces, one and a half blocks), Cruz (four aces, one kill) and junior outside hitter Haley Robertson (five kills) were setting the tone.
“They all knew what they wanted,” said Cruz. “They knew where they were; we all had that communication as well. When we were all huddled up, we would tell what’s open, what’s available and we all studied [the opposing players] as well.”
In the second set, the Spartans, who had upset top-seeded Foothill Tech in five sets in the semifinals, had a 4-1 lead after a serving error and consecutive aces from Melina Sanchez, and were up 5-3 before Robertson pounded down three straight kills to give the hosts the lead they would not relinquish.
The story of the second set came when Cruz was serving with the score 11-8 as the first rotation was ending. She would reel off eight straight points with half coming off aces and Goze adding three more kills to her total. Goze would later serve her fourth ace to make it 22-10, then junior libero Averie Garrison ended the set with back to back aces.
“We learned from our first match with Oxford [Academy] in which we lost [in
Beckman took 6:03 off the clock on an 11play, 65-yard drive that ended with a oneyard sneak from Lam. Then the Patriots ran another 11 plays from scrimmage, covering 85 yards and took another 6:33 off the clock in the fourth quarter, ending in a two-yard run from Aidan Tran for the final touchdown of the game.
“Josiah is a special football player,” said Mealy. “He’s got great vision, great patience and obviously to top that off, he showed it. He’s a stud and he kind of let it develop a little bit. I think he broke one or two tackles and then he took off.”
Cuevas, who entered the game with 408 yards, completes 22 of 38 passes for 233 yards while Fregoso led the rushing attack with 145 yards on 18 carries. Sophomore linebacker Matt Ybarra had six tackles while junior safety Fernando Orozco added four and a half tackles.
Mealy eluded to the fact that the returners have to get stronger in the offseason, especially on the defensive end. The Matadores had the ball for a little over seven minutes in the second half and gave up over 200 yards in the final 24 minutes.
“One thing that’s tough; there’s no excuses [but] we’re young,” said Mealy. “So a lot of these guys don’t necessarily know how to overcome some of the adversities. I think this is a great opportunity to learn from it and move forward.
five] when we were winning 2-0…we learned from that and I always keep telling them, they’re going to play harder to win the next set,” said Serrano. “That means [we] have to play harder and defend. That was the number one thing I told them since day one.”
“I’m very confident in my team,” said Goze. “The score was because we worked so hard together, and we kept fighting together.
“I’m sure [Cruz] just tried to keep the momentum, and obviously, I can’t let the momentum go [to waste],” she later said. “So, I went ahead and…just kept going and going.”
The third set would be the defining moment as there were four ties and two lead changes amongst the first eight points. Later in the first rotation, Schurr regained the lead on a pair of aces from Emma Cobian before a kill from Goze started a five-point rally that put Artesia up 14-11 following consecutive aces from Cruz.
She would finish with a match-high 12 aces, but serving isn’t the only thing she excels at. As the quarterback of the team, she’s been a key component in getting the perfect ball to Goze, Robertson, senior outside hitter Camilla Orozco and senior
“We played a ton of underclassmen,” he continued. “We played three freshmen tonight; we played a lot of sophomores, and we have a good group of juniors coming back, and the future is bright.”
The last time La Mirada had a winning record, it was 7-5 during the 2021 season in which the Matadores lost in the Division 7 quarterfinals. While Mealy won’t shy away from playing anybody, the 2026 season plans to be another tough one, especially in league with the new conference taking place and Del Rio League power La Serna High joining the party along with Downey High, Mayfair and Warren High, just to name a few. La Mirada could be placed in the upper of three leagues, or the middle.
“We’re young, and we have a ton of studs coming back,” said Mealy. “Obviously, our senior class wanted to keep playing, but we’re young. There are a ton of starters coming back, and the growth is going to happen. I think next year is really going to be a year where you’re going to see some changes, not just as far as the talent and stuff like that. But the mentality of these kids who got to the playoffs and understand where they’re at right now and what it takes. Now we have to put it together, have a good offseason and get ready to go for next year.”
middle blocker Kristina Palafox.
“She has so much experience playing volleyball for a couple of years that it’s easier for her to set to whoever is close to her who’s ready to hit the ball,” said Serrano. “She usually sets it to Camilla because the ball is right there. But with so many years of experience has helped her to where she’s at.”
The Pioneers still had a lead until the Spartans, who did not put together more than three straight points in each of the first two sets, had a four-point rally to take an 18-17 lead. However, after a Goze kill, and two more ties, an ace from Palafox put Artesia in front 21-20. Goze then had two straight kills, and Artesia was two points away from the championship.
“Nerve-wrecking, because from what we knew, they have had history of coming back from down 2-0,” said Serrano of the closing moments of the set. “We were so nervous about that as a team, and we couldn’t let that happen. We just got together and it went through.”
“The message that he gave was nothing is over yet; we need to keep going because they like to come back as in the previous games,” said Goze. “But we needed to keep going and going because it wasn’t yet.”
from page 11
Schurr had already been involved in a pair of five-set matches in the playoffs and three in the regular season, including a Sept. 18 contest against Bell Gardens High in which the Spartans lost the first two sets before taking the next two.
“I was nervous to the max, but I knew my team had this,” said Cruz. “Yes, we had a couple of mistakes here and there, but we all made up for it with the next play. It was really nerve-wracking; I/m not going to lie.”
But Sanchez, Aleena Aguilera and Brianna Barrios combined for four straight kills to put the Spartans a point from taking the match to a fourth set. They also had a 25-24 advantage, but in typical fashion as they have done all season, Goze tied it with a kill, then Robertson ended the match with two straight kills.
Goze led everyone with 21 kills and had four aces while Robertson added 17 kills. Besides the 12 aces from Cruz, Garrison and Palafox each had a pair and Robertson one. The latter to also combined on a block which tied the third set 19-19.
“Having to know where to set them is something that we’ve practiced for a while,” said Cruz. “But they know where to go; they know where the ball is at. It’s
really much the connection that we have, and we have a really great friendship with everybody on the court as well.”
Serrano said he knew from the first day that this team had the capability of winning a CIF divisional championship. Since 2000, the program has seen eight head coaches with none posting a winning record in their first season with Artesia until this season. In fact, only the 2023 team was the only one in at least the past 28 seasons that finished above .500.
“I saw the potential in the players,” he said. “We saw what they’re capable of, and we told them, [they] have the skills, and they just had to believe in themselves. I think that was the hardest part besides working with them during practices.”
Goze, who has been on varsity her entire high school career, when through a 5-13 campaign before reaching the playoffs as a sophomore when that squad went 11-9. Last season the Pioneers finished at 8-10.
“I didn’t know what to expect at first because it was my freshman year,” said Goze. “I was really grateful to be on a varsity team my freshman year. So, I just took from that season and just kept using it and kept learning and learning for my future seasons.”
Artesia will host South East High on Tuesday in the opening round of the CIF Division V State championships.
CITY OF SANTA FE SPRINGS
SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 1165
Per Gov. Code § 36933 (1), a summary of Ordinance No. 1165 is as follows:
First Reading Date: November 5, 2025
Second Reading, Public Hearing and Adoption Date: December 2, 2025
Effective Date: January 1, 2026
CITY OF COMMERCE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 25-10
2909 SUPPLY AVENUE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the City of Commerce will hold a Special Meeting for a public hearing to consider a request from Tim Cam, owner of Dirt Dog, Inc. for Conditional Use Permit (“CUP”) No. 25-10 to change the current on-site Type 41 alcohol license (On-Sale Beer & Wine – Eating Place) to a Type 47 alcohol license (On-Sale General – Eating Place) and allow alcohol service into expanded areas of the existing sit-down restaurant (“Project”). The project site is located at 2909 Supply Avenue, within the M-2 (Heavy Manufacturing) zone. Approval of this MCUP requires the proposed modifications to meet the findings outlined in Section 19.39.420.
PURSUANT to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Public Resources Code §§ 21000 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (14 Cal. Code of Regs. §§ 15000 et seq., the “CEQA Guidelines”), the City reviewed the environmental impacts of the proposed Project and has determined that the Project is exempt from CEQA under CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, Class 1 Categorical Exemption. Class 1 consists of the operation repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, or facilities involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. The proposed changes as described for the Project do not constitute a significant expansion of the current use and therefore qualify for the categorical exemption under CEQA. No additional environmental review is required for this Project.
Said public hearing will be held before the Planning Commission of the City of Commerce in the Council Chambers, 5655 Jillson Street, Commerce, CA, 90040, on Monday, November 24, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. At that time, proponents and opponents of the proposed CUP will be heard. Any comments, objections, or other information may be offered in person at the time of the hearing or in writing, prior to the hearing. We encourage submittal of written comments supporting, opposing, or otherwise commenting on an agenda item for distribution to the Planning Commission prior to the meeting. Send emails to planning-division@commerceca.gov; written correspondence may be sent to: City of Commerce – Community Development Department, 2535 Commerce Way Commerce, California 90040; Phone: (323) 722-4805.
Per Government Code Section 65009, if you challenge this CUP in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the Planning Commission at, or prior to, the public hearing.
THE PLANNING COMMISSION
Jessica Serrano
Published at Los Cerritos Community News 11/14/25
CITY OF COMMERCE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on November 25, 2025, the City Council of the City of Commerce (“the City”) will consider adoption of Ordinance 829, and FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 the City Council of the City of Commerce by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Lainez; Councilmember Hugo Argumedo; Councilmember Mireya Garcia; Councilmember Oralia Rebollo; NOES: None; ABSENT: Mayor Ivan Altamirano; introduced said Ordinance entitled:
ORDINANCE NO. 829
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COMMERCE ENACTING ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENT (“ZTA”) NO. 25-05 AMENDING TITLE 19 (ZONING) CHAPTER 19.07 OF THE COMMERCE MUNICIPAL CODE (“CMC”) TO AMEND ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT (“ADU”) PROVISIONS TO COMPLY WITH STATE LAW
The proposed ordinance will enact Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment (“ZTA”) No. 25-05 amending Title 19 (Zoning) Chapter 19.07 of the Commerce Municipal Code (“CMC”) to amend Accessory Dwelling Unit (“ADU”) provisions to comply with state law.
A certified copy of the full text of this ordinance is available at the office of the City Clerk, 5655 Jillson Street, Commerce, CA 90040, during regular business hours.
Melanie Park, Deputy City Clerk City of Commerce
Published at Los Cerritos Community News 11/14/25
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SANTA FE SPRINGS AMENDING CITY OF SANTA FE SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTERS 150 (BUILDING REGULATIONS) AND 153 (SWIMMING POOLS) TO ADOPT BY REFERENCE THE 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE, INCLUDING THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE, THE CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE, THE CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE, THE CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE, AND THE CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE, WITH CERTAIN AMENDMENTS, ADDITIONS, AND DELETIONS THERETO
The Santa Fe Springs City Council will adopt Ordinance No. 1165, amending Chapters 150 (Building Regulations) and 153 (Swimming Pools) of the Santa Fe Springs Municipal Code to adopt by reference the 2025 California Building Standards Code, with certain amendments, additions, deletions thereto including the:
• California Building Code (Part 2)
• California Residential Code (Part 2.5)
• California Electrical Code (Part 3)
• California Mechanical Code (Part 4)
• California Plumbing Code (Part 5)
Purpose
The ordinance updates the City’s building regulations in accordance with the State-mandated 2025 California Building Standards Code, effective statewide on January 1, 2026. It replaces outdated provisions, improves administrative procedures, address assignments and ensures continued consistency with state law and local safety needs.
For additional information or to view Ordinance No. 1165 in full, contact the Office of the City Clerk, City of Santa Fe Springs, 11710 Telegraph Road, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670, or visit the City’s official website at www.santafesprings.gov
Published at Los Cerritos Community News 11/14/25 LEGAL NOTICES-
CITY OF COMMERCE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on November 25, 2025, the City Council of the City of Commerce (“the City”) will consider adoption of Ordinance 827, and FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 the City Council of the City of Commerce by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Lainez; Councilmember Hugo Argumedo; Councilmember; Councilmember Oralia Rebollo; NOES: Councilmember Mireya Garcia; ABSENT: Mayor Ivan Altamirano; introduced said Ordinance entitled:
ORDINANCE NO. 827
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COMMERCE, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING TITLE 19 (ZONING) OF THE COMMERCE MUNICIPAL CODE TO ESTABLISH ARTIFICIAL TURF REGULATIONS FOR ALL ZONES CITYWIDE AND IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
The proposed ordinance will amend Title 19 (Zoning) of the Commerce Municipal Code to establish artificial turf regulations for all zones citywide and in the public right-of-way
A certified copy of the full text of this ordinance is available at the office of the City Clerk, 5655 Jillson Street, Commerce, CA 90040, during regular business hours.
Melanie Park, Deputy City Clerk City of Commerce
Published at Los Cerritos Community News 11/14/25
CITY OF COMMERCE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on October 28, 2025, the City Council of the City of Commerce (“the City”) adopted Ordinance 825, said ordinance having been introduced for first reading (by title only and waiving further reading of the text), on October 14, 2025.
Ordinance No. 825 enacts Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment (“ZTA”) No. 25-04 amending Title 19, Chapter 19.25 of the Commerce Municipal Code (“CMC”) to allow entertainment establishments in certain manufacturing zones, create parking requirements for this use, and revise the definition for entertainment establishments.
Ordinance No. 825 was passed and adopted on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, by the City Council of the City of Commerce by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Ivan Altamirano; Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Lainez; Councilmember Hugo Argumedo; Councilmember; Councilmember Oralia Rebollo; NOES: Councilmember Mireya Garcia; ABSENT: None.
A certified copy of the full text of this ordinance is available at the office of the City Clerk, 5655 Jillson Street, Commerce, CA 90040, during regular business hours.
Melanie Park, Deputy City Clerk City of Commerce
Published at Los Cerritos Community News 11/14/25 CITY OF COMMERCE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on October 28, 2025, the City Council of the City of Commerce (“the City”) adopted Ordinance 824, said ordinance having been introduced for first reading (by title only and waiving further reading of the text), on October 14, 2025.
Ordinance No. 824 enacts Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment (“ZTA”) No. 25-02 amending Title 19, Chapter 19.25 of the Commerce Municipal Code (signs) amending existing billboard regulations and adding city-wide digital billboard regulations.
Ordinance No. 824 was passed and adopted on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, by the City Council of the City of Commerce by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Ivan Altamirano; Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Lainez; Councilmember Hugo Argumedo; Councilmember; Councilmember Oralia Rebollo; NOES: Councilmember Mireya Garcia; ABSENT: None.
A certified copy of the full text of this ordinance is available at the office of the City Clerk, 5655 Jillson Street, Commerce, CA 90040, during regular business hours.
Melanie Park, Deputy City Clerk City of Commerce
Published at Los Cerritos Community News 11/14/25
CITY OF SANTA FE SPRINGS
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING & CEQA EXEMPTION
(DEVELOPMENT
AND 155.637 (MINI-WAREHOUSES) WITHIN TITLE 15 (LAND USE), CHAPTER 155 (ZONING), OF THE SANTA FE SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the City of Santa Fe Springs will hold a Public Hearing to consider the following:
PROJECT: A Zoning Code Amendment (ZCA) to amend Sections 155.175.2 (Uses), 155.175.4 (Development Standards), and 155.637 (Mini-Warehouses) within Title 15 (Land Use), Chapter 155 (Zoning), of the Santa Fe Springs Municipal Code to allow Mini-warehouses subject to Conditional Use Permit.
PROJECT LOCATION: Applicable to Mixed-Use Transit-Oriented Development (MU-TOD) Zone District, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
APPLICANT: City of Santa Fe Springs
CEQA STATUS: The Zoning Code Amendment is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in accordance with State CEQA Guidelines, Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption).
THE HEARING will be held before the Planning Commission of the City of Santa Fe Springs in the Council Chambers of the City Hall, 11710 Telegraph Road, Santa Fe Springs, on Monday, December 8, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
ALL INTERESTED PERSONS are invited to participate in the Public Hearing and express their opinion on the item listed above. Please note that if you challenge the aforementioned item in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues raised at the Public Hearing, or in written correspondence to the office of the Commission at, or prior to the Public Hearing.
PUBLIC COMMENTS may be submitted in writing to the Community Development Department at City Hall, 11710 Telegraph Road, Santa Fe Springs CA 90670 or e-mail the Planning Commission Secretary, Esmeralda Elise, at esmeraldaelise@santafesprings.gov. Please submit your written comments by 12:00 p.m. on the day of the Planning Commission meeting. You may also contact the Community Development Department at (562) 868-0511 ext. 7550.
FURTHER INFORMATION on this item may be obtained from Laurel Reimer, Planning Consultant, via e-mail at laurelreimer@santafesprings.gov or by phone at: (562) 868-0511 ext. 7354.
Published at Los Cerritos Community News 11/14/25
NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S SALE MARQUEZ, LUIS VS 15722 LAKEWOOD BOULE-VARD CASE NO: 24STLC05784 Under a writ of Execution issued on 04/28/25. Out of the L.A. SUPERIOR COURT STANLEY MOSK, of the CENTRAL DISTRICT, County of Los Angeles, State of California, on a judgment entered on 10/23/24. In favor of LUIS MARQUEZ and against 15722 LAKEWOOD BOULEVARD, LLC showing a net balance of $7,397.44 actually due on said judgment. (Amount subject to revision) I have levied upon all the right, title and interest of said judgment debtor(s) in the property in the County of Los Angeles, State of California, described as follows: LOT 1 AND 2 OF TRACT 15168 IN THE CITY OF BELLFLOWER, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AS SHOWN ON MAP FILED IN BOOK 376, PAGE 5 AND 6 OF MISCELLANEOUS MAPS
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMERCE CITY COUNCIL AMENDING THE COMMERCE MUNICIPAL CODE BY MODIFYING TITLE 15 THEREOF ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING, ELECTRICAL, PLUMBING, MECHANICAL, AND RESIDENTIAL CODES WITH CERTAIN AMENDMENTS, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS THERETO AND ADDING A CHAPTER FOR AN EXPEDITED, STREAMLINED PERMITTING PROCESS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN: the City of Commerce City Council will conduct a public hearing on a request from the Community Development Department to the City Council to consider a second reading to amend the Commerce Municipal Code (“CMC”) by amending Chapters 15.07, 15.08, 15.09, 15.10, 15.11, 15.12, 15.13 of Title 15 in their entirety to add a chapter establishing an electric vehicle charging station permitting process and adopt by reference the following codes:
1. 2025 California Building Code, Title 24 Part 2 of California Code of Regulations, Chapter 1, Division II through Chapter 35 and Appendices C, F, H, I, J, O, P and Q;
2. 2025 California Residential Code, Title 24 Part 2.5 of California Code of Regulations, Chapter 1, Division II through Chapter 10, Chapter 44 and Appendix AH, AJ, AQ, and AS;
3. 2025 California Electrical Code, Title 24 Part 3 of California Code of Regulations, Article 89, Article 90, Chapters 1 through 9, and Annexes A, B, C, D, E, F, G, I and J;
4. 2025 California Mechanical Code, Title 24 Part 4 of California Code of Regulations, Chapter 1, Division II through Chapter 17 and Appendices B, C and D; and
5. 2025 California Plumbing Code, Title 24 Part 5 of California Code of Regulations,Chapter 1, Division II through Chapter 17 and Appendices A, B, D, H, I and J (“Ordinance”).
At its meeting held on October 28, 2025, the City Council introduced first reading of this Ordinance. Copies of the proposed Ordinance are available for review at the Commerce City Hall with the City Clerk and on our website at: https://www.commerceca.gov/city-hall/ economic-development-and-planning/planning/planning-environmental-documents-forreview.
PURSUANT to the California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code §§ 21000 et seq., “CEQA”) and the CEQA Guidelines (14 Cal. Code Regs. §§ 15000 et seq.), the proposed Ordinance is exempt from CEQA because it is a code amendment to adopt the latest and updated versions of the all relevant construction codes, which will not have a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment and does not qualify as a “project” under CEQA because it will not make physical changes to the environment pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5). In addition, the Ordinance is also exempt from CEQA under CEQA Guidelines Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15061(b)(3) - Common Sense Exemption where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment and CEQA Guidelines Sections § 15301 and § 15303. All future construction will require their own environmental review as outlined by CEQA guidelines.
Said public hearing will be held before the City Council of the City of Commerce in the Council Chambers, 5655 Jillson Street, Commerce, CA, 90040, on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 6:30 p.m., at which time proponents and opponents of the Ordinance will be heard. Any comments, objections, or other information may be offered in person at the time of the hearing or in writing, prior to the hearing. We encourage submittal of written comments supporting, opposing, or otherwise commenting on an agenda item, for distribution to the City Council prior to the meeting. Send emails to cityclerk@ commerceca.gov; written correspondence may be sent to: City of Commerce - 2535 Commerce Way Commerce, California 90040; Phone: (323) 722-4805.
f you challenge this Ordinance, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City Council at, or prior to, the public hearing.
Melanie Park Deputy City Clerk
Published at Los Cerritos Community News 11/14/25
CITY OF COMMERCE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on November 25, 2025, the City Council of the City of Commerce (“the City”) will consider adoption of Ordinance 828, and FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 the City Council of the City of Commerce by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Lainez; Councilmember Hugo Argumedo; Councilmember Mireya Garcia; Councilmember Oralia Rebollo; NOES: None; ABSENT: Mayor Ivan Altamirano; introduced said Ordinance entitled:
ORDINANCE NO. 828
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COMMERCE, CALIFORNIA ENACTING ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENT (“ZTA”) NO. 25-03 AND ZONE CHANGE (“ZC’) NO. 25-01 AMENDING TITLE 19 OF THE COMMERCE MUNICIPAL CODE (“CMC”) BY ESTABLISHING A MIXED-USE OVERLAY ZONE, AMENDING THE SITE PLAN REVIEW PROCESS AND DEFINITIONS SECTIONS, ADDING NEW LIVE/ WORK STANDARDS, AND AMENDING THE ZONING MAP TO APPLY A NEW MIXEDUSE OVERLAY ZONE ON CERTAIN PROPERTIES
The proposed ordinance will enact Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment (“ZTA”) No. 25-03 and Zone Change (“ZC’) no. 25-01 amending Title 19 of the Commerce Municipal Code (“CMC”) by establishing a mixed-use overlay zone, amending the site plan review process and definitions sections, adding new live/work standards, and amending the zoning map to apply a new mixed-use overlay zone on certain properties.
A certified copy of the full text of this ordinance is available at the office of the City Clerk, 5655 Jillson Street, Commerce, CA 90040, during regular business hours.
Published at Los Cerritos Community News 11/14/25
Melanie Park, Deputy City Clerk City of Commerce
CITY OF COMMERCE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 25-07
7136 – 7140 SLAUSON AVENUE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the City of Commerce will conduct a Special Meeting for a public hearing on a request from FENICO, LLC for Conditional Use Permit (CUP) No. 25-07 to allow a business primarily engaged in manufacturing steel investment castings. Pursuant to Chapter 19.11, Table 19.11.030A of the Commerce Municipal Code (CMC), a CUP is required for any business involved in metal manufacturing. The Project site is located at 7136 - 7140 Slauson Avenue, within the City’s M-2 (Heavy Manufacturing) zone.
PURSUANT to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Public Resources Code §§ 21000 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (14 Cal. Code of Regs. §§ 15000 et seq., the “CEQA Guidelines”), the City reviewed the environmental impacts of the proposed Project and has determined that the Project is exempt from CEQA under CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, Class 1 Categorical Exemption. Class 1 consists of the operation repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, or facilities involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. The proposed Project constitutes a minor alternation of an existing facility and therefore qualifies for the categorical exemption under CEQA. No additional environmental review is required for this Project.
Said public hearing will be held before the Planning Commission of the City of Commerce in the Council Chambers, 5655 Jillson Street, Commerce, CA, 90040, on Monday, November 24, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. At that time, proponents and opponents of the proposed CUP will be heard. Any comments, objections, or other information may be offered in person at the time of the hearing or in writing, prior to the hearing. We encourage submittal of written comments supporting, opposing, or otherwise commenting on an agenda item for distribution to the Planning Commission prior to the meeting. Send emails to planning-division@commerceca.gov; written correspondence may be sent to: City of Commerce – Community Development Department, 2535 Commerce Way Commerce, California 90040; Phone: (323) 722-4805.
Per Government Code Section 65009, if you challenge this CUP in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the Planning Commission at, or prior to, the public hearing.
THE PLANNING COMMISSION
Jessica Serrano
Published at Los Cerritos Community News 11/14/25
CITY OF COMMERCE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
SITE PLAN REVIEW NO. 24-04 & CONDITONAL USE PERMIT NO. 25-06 4542 DUNHAM STREET
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the City of Commerce will conduct a Special Meeting for a public hearing to consider a request submitted by from Bob Close of Bridge Logistics Properties for Site Plan Review (“SPR”) No. 24-04 and Conditional Use Permit (“CUP”) No. 25-06 to demolish an existing 201,678 square foot industrial warehouse and allow the construction of a new 127,032 square foot industrial warehouse on a 5.57 acre site (“Project”). The Project site is located at 4542 Dunham Avenue (“Property”), within the M-2 (Heavy Manufacturing) zone.
PURSUANT to the California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code §§ 21000, et seq., “CEQA”) and the regulations promulgated thereunder (14 Cal. Code of Regs. §§ 15000, et seq., the “CEQA Guidelines”), the City reviewed the environmental impacts of the proposed Project. Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15302, the proposed Project is exempt from CEQA under a Class 2 (Replacement or Reconstruction) categorical exemption. Class 2 exemptions apply to the replacement or reconstruction of existing structures on the same site where the new construction will not result in a significant increase in size, capacity, or potential environmental effects.
Said public hearing will be held before the Planning Commission of the City of Commerce in the Council Chambers, 5655 Jillson Street, Commerce, CA, 90040, on Monday, November 24, 2025 at 6:30 p.m., at which time proponents and opponents of the proposed SPR and CUP will be heard. Any comments, objections, or other information may be offered in person at the time of the hearing or in writing, prior to the hearing. We encourage submittal of written comments supporting, opposing, or otherwise commenting on an agenda item, for distribution to the Planning Commission prior to the meeting. Send emails to planning-division@commerceca.gov; written correspondence may be sent to: City of Commerce – Community Development Department, 2535 Commerce Way Commerce, California 90040; Phone: (323) 722-4805.
Per Government Code Section 65009, if you challenge this SPR and CUP in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the Planning Commission at, or prior to, the public hearing.
THE PLANNING COMMISSION
Jessica Serrano
Published at Los Cerritos Community News 11/14/25
NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF:
PAUL NORMAN STUTZKE
CASE NO. 25STPB12473
To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of PAUL NORMAN STUTZKE.
A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by CAITLIN STUTZKE in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.
THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that CAITLIN STUTZKE 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: 12/11/25 at 8:30AM in Dept. 11 located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012
IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.
CITY OF COMMERCE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
SCHEDULED MATTER
SITE PLAN NO. 25-02
MODELO SPECIFIC PLAN PROJECT AREA
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the City of Commerce will conduct a Special Meeting to consider a request from Adrain Comstock, Comstock Gage LLC regarding a Site Plan Review (No. 25-02) to allow the construction of 65 attached, 3-story condominiums on 3 acres (“Project”). The proposed development is part of the approved Modelo Specific Plan project area located at 7316 Gage Avenue and 6364 Zindell Avenue (Assessor’s Parcel Numbers 6357-018-005, 6357-019-904, 6357019-905 AND 6357-018-900).
PURSUANT to the California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code §§ 21000 et seq., “CEQA”) and its implementing regulations (14 Cal. Code of Regs. §§ 15000 et seq., the “CEQA Guidelines”), the City has thoroughly evaluated the environmental impacts associated with the Project. Potential impacts of the Project were previously analyzed and mitigated by the Final Environmental Impact Report (“FEIR”) (State Clearinghouse No. 2019080312) for the Modelo Project, certified on February 22, 2022. The FEIR adequately describes and considers the Project since the Modelo Project approval consists of a mixed-use project, including up to 850 residential units. Accordingly, the Project is not subject to further environmental review.
Said scheduled matter will be considered by the Planning Commission of the City of Commerce in the Council Chambers, 5655 Jillson Street, Commerce, CA, 90040, on Monday, November 24, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. At that time, proponents and opponents of the proposed Project will be heard. Any comments, objections, or other information may be offered in person at the time of the meeting or in writing, prior to the meeting. We encourage submittal of written comments supporting, opposing, or otherwise commenting on an agenda item for distribution to the Planning Commission prior to the meeting. Send emails to planning-division@commerceca.gov; written correspondence may be sent to: City of Commerce – Community Development Department, 2535 Commerce Way, Commerce, California 90040; Phone: (323) 722-4805.
Per Government Code Section 65009, if you challenge this Project in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public meeting described in this notice, or written correspondence delivered to the Planning Commission at or prior to the public meeting.
THE PLANNING COMMISSION
Jessica Serrano
Published at Los Cerritos Community News 11/14/25
CITY OF COMMERCE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
SCHEDULED MATTER
SITE PLAN REVIEW NO. 25-01
6000 SOUTH EASTERN AVENUE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the City of Commerce will conduct a Special Meeting to consider a request submitted by from Amanda Criscione of Link Logistics Real Estate Management for a Site Plan Review (“SPR”) No. 25-01 to demolish three existing industrial warehouses totaling 289,422 square feet and allow the construction of a new 275,400 square foot industrial warehouse on a 12.26 acre site (“Project”). The Project site is located at 6000 South Eastern Avenue (“Property”), within the M-2 (Heavy Manufacturing) zone.
PURSUANT to the California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code §§ 21000, et seq., “CEQA”) and the regulations promulgated thereunder (14 Cal. Code of Regs. §§ 15000, et seq., the “CEQA Guidelines”), the City reviewed the environmental impacts of the proposed Project. Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15302, the proposed Project is exempt from CEQA under a Class 2 (Replacement or Reconstruction) categorical exemption. Class 2 exemptions apply to the replacement or reconstruction of existing structures on the same site where the new construction will not result in a significant increase in size, capacity, or potential environmental effects. The project is consistent with the General Plan, zoning regulations and development standards. No additional environmental review is required for this Project.
Said scheduled matter will be considered by the Planning Commission of the City of Commerce in the Council Chambers, 5655 Jillson Street, Commerce, CA, 90040, on Monday, November 24, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. At that time, proponents and opponents of the proposed Project will be heard. Any comments, objections, or other information may be offered in person at the time of the meeting or in writing, prior to the meeting. We encourage submittal of written comments supporting, opposing, or otherwise commenting on an agenda item for distribution to the Planning Commission prior to the meeting. Send emails to planning-division@commerceca.gov; written correspondence may be sent to: City of Commerce – Community Development Department, 2535 Commerce Way Commerce, California 90040; Phone: (323) 722-4805.
Per Govexrnment Code Section 65009, if you challenge this Project in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public meeting described in this notice, or written correspondence delivered to the Planning Commission at or prior to the public meeting.
THE PLANNING COMMISSION
Jessica Serrano
Published at Los Cerritos Community News 11/14/25
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
PIERRE J. RODNUNSKY, ESQ. - SBN 182888
RODNUNSKY & ASSOCIATES
5959 TOPANGA CANYON BLVD #220
WOODLAND HILLS CA 91367
Telephone (818) 737-1090
11/14, 11/21, 11/28/25
CNS-3984930# LA MIRADA LAMPLIGHTER
SMITH
CIP
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Pico Rivera, California (“City”) invites Bids for the Project. Only approved Pre-Qualified General Contractors from the City’s Request for Qualifications solication from April 2025 are approved to bid the project. Prospective Subcontractors may contact approved Pre-Qualified General Contractors to submit a proposal. Bids will be received electronically only through Planet Bids system (https:// pbsystem.planetbids.com/portal/41481/portal-home) A bid received after the time set for the bid opening shall not be considered. Bidders are required to submit (upload) all items listed in the BIDDER’S CHECKLIST including acknowledgement of all addenda. Bids will be received prior to 2:00 p.m. on January 8, 2026, at which time they will be publicly opened on the City’s approved electronic procurement platform.
SUBMISSION OF BIDS. All Bidders are required to enter and submit their bid pricing electronically via Planet Bids’ Bid Schedule Tab. In addition, an electronic copy of the Bid Proposal Package must be uploaded to the Planet Bids system.
SCOPE OF WORK. The Project includes, without limitation, furnishing all necessary labor, materials, equipment and other incidental and appurtenant work necessary to satisfactorily complete the Project, as more specifically described in the Contract Documents. Time for completion of the Work is Three Hundred Sixty (360) Working Days excluding the forty (40) working days prior to the commencement of construction work to complete the preconstruction requirements and the sixty (60) working day landscape/irrigation site maintenance period, following written Notice to Proceed from the City. The contractor’s bid shall reflect a schedule that utilizes sufficient amount of crews and equipment to complete all work within the required amount of time. No time extensions will be granted and liquidated damages at the rate of $10,000 per working day will strictly be enforced.
OBTAINING BID DOCUMENTS. Bidders may obtain free copies of the Plans, Specifications, and other Contract Documents online by visiting https://pbsystem. planetbids.com/portal/41481/portal-home Hard copies of the Contract Documents are not available at this time.
LICENSES. Each Bidder shall possess a valid Class “B” Contractor’s License issued by the California State Contractors License Board.
BUILD AMERICA, BUY AMERICA REQUIREMENTS. This agreement is for services related to a project that is subject to the Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act requirements under Title IX of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (“IIJA”), Pub. L. 117-58. Absent an approved waiver, all iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in this project must be produced in the United States, as further outlined by the Office of Management and Budget’s Memorandum M-22-11, Initial Implementation Guidance on Application of Buy America Preference in Federal Financial Assistance Programs for Infrastructure, April 18,2022 or May 14, 2022.
MANDATORY PRE-BID MEETING: All potential bidders are encouraged to meet for a mandatory site visit and pre-bid meeting to be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the Smith Park Community Center Building located at 6016 Rosemead Boulevard, Pico Rivera, CA 90660. Requests for separate pre-bid site meetings are discouraged. The City has no obligation to arrange for a separate pre-bid site meeting, however requests for separate visits may be considered in special circumstances and at the City’s sole discretion.
MATERIALS SUBSTITUTIONS AND OTHER QUESTIONS. Bidders are required to post their questions or equivalent material or substitution request of construction materials to the City Project Manager online by visiting https://pbsystem.planetbids.com/portal/41481/ portal-home . Any questions or equivalent material or substitution request of construction materials asked by email or by telephone will not be answered. Materials substitutions or questions are acceptable until 5:00 pm on or before Friday, December 5, 2025. Any materials substitutions or questions uploaded after the deadline, or asked by email or by telephone, will not be answered. The City will post on the PlanetBids System any applicable Addenda and/or supplemental information by Friday, December 12, 2025. It is the Bidder’s responsibility to check online for any addenda that are released. Any changes or corrections to the original Bid Documents or any other information that will affect the completion of the award will be disseminated and posted on the City’s website.
CITY PROJECT MANAGER CONTACT INFORMATION: Name: Kenner Guerrero; Contact Number: 562-801-4351; E-mail address: kguerrero@ pico-rivera.org
By: Noe Negrete
November 6, 2025 Public Works Directior Date
Published at Los Cerritos Community News 11/14/25
T.S. No. 134911-CA APN: 8038-034-007 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE IMPORTANT NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST, DATED 1/15/2009. 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 On 1/6/2026 at 10:30 AM, CLEAR RECON CORP, as duly appointed trustee under and pursuant to Deed of Trust recorded 1/22/2009 as Instrument No. 20090085425 of Official Records in the office of the County Recorder of Los Angeles County, State of CALIFORNIA executed by: RICHARD J SVOGER AND SARA M DAQUILA, TRUSTEES OF THE RICHARD J SVOGER AND SARA M DAQUILA LIVING TRUST DATED APRIL 14, 2004 WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH, CASHIER’S CHECK DRAWN ON A STATE OR NATIONAL BANK, 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; BEHIND THE FOUNTAIN LOCATED IN CIVIC CENTER PLAZA, 400 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA, POMONA, CA 91766 all right, title and interest conveyed to and now held by it under said Deed of Trust in the property situated in said County and State described as: MORE ACCURATELY DESCRIBED IN SAID DEED OF TRUST. The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 12612 OXFORD DRIVE, LA MIRADA, CA 90638 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be held, but without covenant or warranty, express or implied, regarding title, possession, condition, or encumbrances, including fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust, to pay the remaining principal sums of the note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligation secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale is: $535,267.24 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 beneficiary under said Deed of Trust heretofore executed and delivered to the undersigned a written Declaration of Default and Demand for Sale, and a written Notice
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
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
Notice Inviting Proposals
City of Santa Fe Springs Request for Qualifications No. 26 – 1
On-Call Professional Architectural Consulting Services
The City of Santa Fe Springs invites proposals from qualified consultants to provide OnCall Professional Architectural Consulting Services, following the terms and conditions of Request for Qualifications (RFQual) No. 26 - 1.
To view the complete proposal package and associated documents, visit https://pbsystem. planetbids.com/portal/65093/portal-home and click “Bid Opportunities” or https://vendors. planetbids.com/portal/65093/bo/bo-detail/133971 to access the project directly. You can also visit the City's website and find the link on the "Bids & Proposals" webpage.
Questions/inquiries regarding this opportunity must be submitted via the PlanetBids Portal by Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Pacific. The City will not respond to any questions/inquiries submitted after this deadline.
Responses must be submitted electronically via the City’s PlanetBids Portal by Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Pacific. Any proposals received after this deadline will be deemed non-responsive, and the City reserves the right to reject them.
Responses to this request will be evaluated to determine the most qualified and responsive vendor/contractor. Responses must adhere to the format and content described in the RFQual. Responses will only be evaluated if all parts requested are submitted in a complete package.
Published at Los Cerritos Community News 11/14/25
LEGAL NOTICE CITY OF BELLFLOWER ORDINANCE NO. 1451
AN ORDINANCE APPROVING DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FILE NO. 1118, IN A FORM APPROVED BY THE CITY ATTORNEY, BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF BELLFLOWER AND ARTESIA PALM REALTY, LLC, TO FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SELF STORAGE FACILITY; TO ACTIVATE THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT ZONE LAYOVER (“DAZL”) IN BELLFLOWER MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 17.67; AND TO AMEND THE ZONE MAP (ZC 25-03)
The City Council of the City of Bellflower introduced Ordinance No. 1451 at its Regular Meeting of November 10, 2025.
If adopted, Ordinance 1451 would approve Development Agreement File No. 1118, in a form approved by the City Attorney, by and between the City of Bellflower and Artesia Palm Realty, LLC, to facilitate the development of a self-storage facility; activate the Development Agreement Zone Layover (“DAZL”) in Bellflower Municipal Code Chapter 17.67; and amend the Zone Map (ZC 25-03).
For a copy of Ordinance No. 1451, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (562) 804 1424.
Approved as submitted above: Karl H. Berger, City Attorney
ATTEST: Mayra Ochiqui, City Clerk
Published at Los Cerritos Community News 11/14/25
ABC UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
NOTICE CALLING FOR REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the ABC Unified School District will receive up to but not later than 11:00 AM on the 18th day of November 2025 sealed bids for:
RFP # ABC – 1687 Cleaning, Sanitizing and Air Scrubbing
All bids shall be made and presented on a form furnished by the District. Bids submitted conform to the terms and conditions stated on said form. Bids shall be received in the Purchasing Department at 16700 Norwalk Blvd., Cerritos, CA, 90703.
Bids and specifications may be obtained from the Purchasing Department at the above address on November 10, 2025 or later.
Los Cerritos Community News November 7, 2025 November 14, 2025
Published at Los Cerritos Community News 11/7/25
NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: RICHARD L. ZAVALA AKA RICHARD LOPEZ ZAVALA CASE NO. 25STPB12086
To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of RICHARD L. ZAVALA AKA RICHARD LOPEZ ZAVALA.
A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by FRANK ANTHONY ZAVALA in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.
THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that FRANK ANTHONY ZAVALA be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.
THE PETITION requests the decedent’s WILL and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The WILL and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.
THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.
A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 12/04/25 at 8:30AM in Dept. 44 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