“Veterans Day, how important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our
ly $1.7 billion in combined public and local investments through
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
ments in the future of LA County,”low us to capture, treat, and reuse millions more gallons of water, but they also give us an opportunity to improve our parks and make our green spaces more resilient for
The rerouting on Carmenita takes large trucks by two schools, Stowers Elementary and Carmenita Middle school in addition
Winner of Fourteen Club Awards from page 14
advantaged-community benefits, and local job creation. According
tively capture stormwater from over 276,000 acres, providing an
action, jumping out of her car grabbing the boy and helping the
off quality into the Los Angeles
She took them to Artesia High School, where they received medical assistance and were ultimate-
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.
La Mirada Unveils New Civic Center Fountain Plaza
"I always wondered what I would do when faced with a situation like this one," said Perrizo.
applause during a special dedication ceremony on October 30, marking a new
"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
La Mirada’s Civic Center has a new crown jewel. The newly completed Civic Center Fountain Plaza was unveiled this week to community [ See ROTARY, page 4 ] [ See FOUNTAIN, page 7 ]
staff-member Bridget Perrizo received the Award of page 15
CEREMONY: (l-r) Councilmember Steve De Ruse, Mayor Ed Eng, Mayor Pro Tem Anthony Otero, Councilmember John Lewis, Councilmember Michelle Velasquez Bean, and City Manager Jeff Boynton stand in front of the newly renovated Civic Center Fountain.
Día de los Muertos Celebration at Artesia Cemetery Southern California Restaurants Offer Free Meals to Veterans on November 11
COSTUME CONTEST WINNERS: Front row (l-r) First, Second, and Third Place. Back row (l-r) ABC School Board Member Letty Mendoza, Artesia Councilmember Monica Manalo, LA County Supervisor Hahn Field Deputy Lauren Yokomizo, Trustee Aurelia Palhinha, C+Board Chair Mike Wada, Vice Chair Mike Laughlin, Trustee Allison Stewart, Artesia Mayor Pro-Tem Rene Trevino and Trustee Arturo Sanchez, Jr.
The Artesia Cemetery held its annual Día de los Muertos celebration, drawing more than 200 attendees for an evening of remembrance, culture, and community. Families gathered among decorated memorials and colorful ofrenda tables honoring loved ones who had passed away. The event featured a children’s costume contest, a coloring table, local food vendors, and a movie night under the stars. Guests reflected, shared stories, and celebrated life in a warm, family-friendly atmosphere that blended tradition and togetherness. The celebration highlighted the cemetery’s growing role as both a place of memory and a center for community connection.
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, traces its roots to ancient Mesoamerican civilizations such as the Aztecs, who believed that death was not an end but a continuation of life in another form. They dedicated several days each year to honor and welcome back the spirits of deceased loved ones, offering food, flowers, and tokens of remembrance. These rituals were tied to Mictecacihuatl, the Aztec goddess
of the underworld, known as the Lady of the Dead. When Spanish colonizers arrived in the 16th century, they brought Catholic traditions like All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, which took place at the beginning of November. Over time, the Indigenous and Catholic practices merged, forming the modern Día de los Muertos celebration.
Today, the holiday is widely observed throughout Mexico and Latin America and has become a cherished tradition in communities across the United States, including Southern California. It is not a time of mourning but a vibrant expression of love and remembrance. Families create altars, or ofrendas, decorated with candles, marigolds, photos, sugar skulls, and the favorite foods of those who have passed away. The belief is that the souls of the departed return for a brief visit, welcomed by the sights, scents, and sounds of the living who remember them. At its heart, Día de los Muertos celebrates the enduring connection between generations and the idea that those we love never truly leave us.
Area City’s Veterans Day Celebrations
Artesia
Artesia will host its Veterans Day Celebration on Saturday, November 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Artesia Park, 18750 Clarkdale Avenue. The event is designed to honor veterans in a community-friendly park setting and will include opportunities to engage with veteran service organizations and vendor booths. (cityofartesia.us)
La Mirada
La Mirada’s annual Salute to Veterans will take place on Saturday, November 9, at Neff Park. The City invites veterans
By Brian Hews
Southern California restaurants are once again honoring veterans and active-duty service members with free meals and special offers this Veterans Day. From classic diners to national chains, dozens of eateries across Los Angeles and Orange counties will open their doors to those who have served.
Applebee’s will continue its longstanding Veterans Day tradition by offering veterans and active-duty military a free entrée from a special menu, available all day with proof of service.
Olive Garden will offer dine-in guests a free entrée from a select menu, served with unlimited breadsticks and salad.
Red Robin will once again provide a free Red’s Big Tavern Burger and bottomless fries for veterans dining in.
California Pizza Kitchen will offer a free entrée from a special Veterans Day menu and a “buy one, get one free” coupon for a return visit later in the month.
Chili’s will provide a free entrée from a limited menu that includes favorites like Oldtimer Cheeseburgers, Chicken Crispers, and Cajun Chicken Pasta.
For those looking for something quick, In-N-Out Burger will provide veterans and active military personnel with a complimentary meal that includes any burger, fries, and a drink.
Dunkin’ is offering a free donut to veterans at participating stores, while Starbucks will serve free hot or iced coffee to veterans, military members.
Sit-down restaurants are also joining in. Denny’s will provide a free Grand Slam breakfast for all veterans and active-duty personnel between 5 a.m. and noon. IHOP will offer free Red, White & Blueberry Pancakes during morning hours. BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse will give veterans a complimentary meal and soda
and families to attend a morning of recognition and community gathering. (cityoflamirada.org)
Pico Rivera
Pico Rivera will host its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Tuesday, November 11, at 10 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Plaza on Mines Avenue, next to the Mines Library. A complimentary breakfast begins at 8 a.m. for early arrivals. (pico-rivera.org)
Santa Fe Springs
Santa Fe Springs’ Veterans Day event is
[ See VETERANS, page 4 ]
Local chains: Cerritos Frantone’s Pizza and Spaghetti Villa plans to offer discounts to anyone showing military ID. Downey, Bastards Canteen will host its annual Veterans Day celebration with live music and free meals for veterans.
Most offers are valid on Veterans Day, November 11, and apply to dine-in customers only. Proof of military service such as a uniform, military ID, or veteran’s organization card is typically required. Because participation can vary by location, veterans are encouraged to call ahead to confirm details before arriving.
For those who served, it’s a small but meaningful gesture of appreciation—and a reminder that across Southern California, a warm meal is waiting as a thank-you for their service.
Senator Archuleta Leads Regional Rail Tour to Explore
Transit-Oriented Development and Sustainable Mobility
TOUR: Senator Bob Archuleta, joined by regional and local officials, tours the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC) to study Orange County’s model for sustainable rail and transit-oriented development. The visit aimed to inform ongoing efforts to bring similar projects—such as the proposed Pico Rivera Regional Rail Station—to Southeast Los Angeles County.
LCCN Staff Report
PICO RIVERA — As federal funding for California’s High-Speed Rail program faced new uncertainty from the Trump administration, State Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera), a member of the Senate Transportation Committee and LOSSAN (Regional Rail) Subcommittee, led a train tour and regional site visit on October 24.
The tour brought together local elected officials and transportation leaders to study best practices in rail connectivity, economic development, and sustainability.
The delegation traveled the LOSSAN Corridor to Anaheim, visiting key projects including the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC), OC Vibe, and the OC Riverwalk.
Each stop highlighted coordinated approaches to linking transit infrastructure with housing, recreation, and economic opportunity.
The visit came at a crucial moment after more than $4 billion was withdrawn from the state’s High-Speed Rail program.
In response, state and local officials are exploring new ways to improve passenger and freight mobility along the Los Angeles-to-Anaheim segment of the LOSSAN Corridor, a key gateway serving Metrolink, Amtrak’s Pacific
Surfliner, and BNSF Railway.
“We’re at an inflection point for how Southern California moves people and goods,” said Archuleta. “By learning from successful models in Anaheim and Orange County, we can chart a course for rail investments that improve mobility, support local economies, and create vibrant, transit-connected communities.”
Lessons from the tour are informing ongoing plans for the proposed Pico Rivera Regional Rail Station — a project that aligns with the city’s PR 2035: Community Revitalization Program.
The station aims to spur mixeduse development, connect residents to the Rio Hondo Recreation Zone, and explore partnerships with the United Soccer League to create a sports and entertainment district.
The initiative also leverages Proposition 4-Climate Bond eligibility for sustainable infrastructure, including a national manufacturing and innovation zone dedicated to micro-electric vehicles.
Both the Rio Hondo Recreation Zone and Pico Rivera Regional Rail Station are expected to qualify as priority projects under the state’s Climate Bond framework.
The regional tour underscored the growing collaboration between legislators, transit operators, and cities to secure new investments that strengthen Southern California’s rail network.
It’s Annual Property Tax Time!
The Los Angeles County
Treasurer and Tax Collector
mailed bills in October, with the first installment due November 1st.
Visit https://ttc.lacounty.gov to:
•Submit an inquiry
•Pay online (no cost for eChecks)
•View a copy of your annual tax bill
•Review your payment history
•Learn how to avoid penalties
•Manage multiple properties
Help is available in several languages.
LAHSA’s Life-Saving Winter Shelter Program Now Open for 2025-26 Season
The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority’s (LAHSA) Winter Shelter Program for the 2025-26 season opened Saturday, November 1. The life-saving program launched with 61 beds, with more expected to come online as the season progresses. The program runs through March 31, 2026.
The Winter Shelter Program offers two components to help people experiencing unsheltered homelessness escape winter weather: the seasonal Winter Shelter Program and the Emergency Response Program.
Seasonal Winter Shelter sites are open continuously during this period for 12 to 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Each site provides three meals a day, supportive services, and welcomes pets and emotional support animals.
Anyone needing a Winter Shelter bed should go directly to a site, ask a homeless service provider for assistance, engage an outreach worker, or call 211 to receive a referral to the nearest location. For more information, please visit www.lahsa.org/ winter-shelter or call 211.
During severe cold or rain, the City and County of Los Angeles may activate the Emergency Response Program to expand capacity and bring people indoors. Visit the Emergency Response webpage for activation criteria, activation periods, and shelter locations.
In addition to the beds offered as part of the seasonal Winter Shelter Program, the Emergency Response Program provides temporary motel vouchers to help people come safely inside during severe weather events.
Veterans Day Ceremony Nov. 11 at Cerritos Civic Center
The community is invited to attend the City of Cerritos’ Veterans Day Ceremony in honor of those who have defended our nation’s freedom by serving in the United States Armed Forces. The ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, November 11, at the Cerritos Civic Center near the Veterans Memorial. The Cerritos Civic Center is located at 18125 Bloomfield Avenue in Cerritos. The event will feature patriotic selections performed by the Cerritos College Community Band, City Council and dignitary comments, wreath laying, and a moment of silence. In addition, children’s patriotic crafts will be offered. Parking is available at the Civic Center. Event will occur rain or shine.
It’s Annual Property Tax Time !
The Los Angeles County
Treasurer and Tax Collector
mailed bills in October, with a first installment due date of November 1st.
‘Chai With the Sheriff’s Captain’ Event in Artesia
CHAI WITH THE CAPTAIN drew a great turnout, bringing residents together for open conversation with the Sheriff’s Department. Special thanks to Captain Holguin and the LASD Lakewood Station for taking time to connect with the community, and to Paratha Grill for graciously hosting the event.
Caltrans Courts Chaos on the I-5 With Overnight Lane Closures
LCCN Staff Report
Drivers along the I-5 through Commerce, Downey, and Santa Fe Springs are in for a bumpy romance this week—a series of overnight lane closures from November 12 to 15 that could test even the most patient commuter’s love for Southern California’s favorite freeway.
Caltrans will shut down up to three lanes in both directions each night between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m., from the I-605 interchange to Washington Blvd.. The good news: no two ramps will close at the same time. The bad news: you’ll still end up on Telegraph Rd. wondering if you missed the turn into the Twilight Zone.
The closures are part of a 6.5-mile pavement rehabilitation project meant to extend the life of the freeway. Officials
say the work will “improve ride quality,” which might make sense once you get past the orange cones and the construction symphony of grinders, beepers, and jackhammers serenading you to sleep.
Residents near the project may hear some “noise, vibrations, and dust.”
Translation: don’t plan on a quiet Netflix night if your windows face the 5. Meanwhile, motorists are encouraged to check Caltrans QuickMap before heading out, though at this point most locals could probably recite detour routes in their sleep.
When it’s all finished in 2029, the stretch of freeway will be smoother, stronger, and hopefully less prone to the kind of potholes that launch your latte into the dashboard. Until then, Caltrans asks everyone to “Slow for the Cone Zone.”
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Governor Signs Archuleta Bill to Crack Down on Illegal Gambling ‘Casitas’
By Brian Hews
SACRAMENTO — Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senator Bob Archuleta’s SB 451 into law, giving the California Department of Justice (DOJ) clear authority to investigate illegal gambling operations—known as “casitas”—that have been plaguing communities across the state.
The measure closes a long-standing enforcement gap that allowed unlicensed gambling halls to operate unchecked in residential and commercial areas. These illegal casinos, often tied to violent crime, drug trafficking, and financial fraud, have multiplied since a 2022 State Auditor report restricted the DOJ’s ability to use existing funds to pursue such cases.
“Illegal gambling harms the safety of our neighborhoods, and state-level enforcement is critical to stop these operations,” said Senator Archuleta, who represents Pico Rivera and surrounding communities. “SB 451 empowers the DOJ to take action and protect Californians. Since 2022, the number of criminal gambling halls and casitas has skyrocketed due to the DOJ’s inability to pursue investigations against these outfits.”
Local police departments often lack the jurisdiction and resources to shut down the operations permanently. SB 451 provides the necessary state-level investigatory authority and is backed by the California Police Chiefs Association, the District Attorneys Association, the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC), and the Statewide Law Enforcement Association.
The Community for California Cardrooms (CCC), a nonprofit organization representing licensed cardrooms and their employees, sponsored the legislation. “The bill addresses an urgent enforcement gap, as illegal gambling operations have proliferated throughout the state, creating significant public safety concerns,” said CCC President Clarke Rosa. “CCC was honored to work with Senator Archuleta, a champion for the people of the 30th State Senate District and a steadfast leader in California’s public safety mission.”
In addition to the illegal gambling provisions, SB 451 also includes a separate clause authorizing a 50/50 charity raffle at the upcoming Super Bowls. Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara will host Super Bowl LX in 2026, followed by SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in 2027. The raffles will allow team foundations to raise funds for California charities and philanthropic causes.
Senator Bob Archuleta represents California’s 30th Senate District, which includes parts of Los Angeles and Orange counties. He serves as Chair of the Senate Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs and sits on several key committees, including Business and Professions, Government Organization, and Transportation.
Norwalk
Veterans Day Ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. at the Norwalk Cultural Arts Center. (norwalk.org)
Commerce
The City of Commerce will hold its Veterans Day Ceremony at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, November 11 at City Hall, 2535 Commerce Way.
Hawaiian Gardens
Veterans Day Ceremony on Thursday, November 7, at 6 p.m. at the C. Robert Lee Activity Center. The event will honor local veterans with presentations, music, and community tributes.
La Palma
The City of La Palma will host its inaugural Veterans Day Ceremony on Saturday, November 8, at 11 a.m. at the La Palma Community Center, 7821 Walker Street. Prior registration is required, with priority given to La Palma veterans.
Lakewood, Bellflower
While dedicated event listings for Lakewood, Bellflower, and Norwalk were not yet posted, each city traditionally holds its own Veterans Day observance. Check city websites or Parks and Recreation calendars for updates and additional local activities honoring veterans.
ROTARY from page 1
heroic role in saving an infant who had fallen into the lake at Don Knabe Park in Cerritos this past March.
Mutum credited the collaboration among all first responders involved that day, from the children who called 911 to the dispatchers coordinating both fire and sheriff’s units. “This was a lot of actions that came from a lot of different individuals,” Mutum said. “Even though I am getting this award, just know it’s a lot of people that played this part — without their help, I would not have been effective, I would not be able to do what I’m doing.”
Deputy Valdez began his career with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in March 2018 and transferred to the Lakewood Station in 2019. His recognition was driven by his dedication, dependability, and commitment to service. He noted that support from both his family and colleagues has been key to his success.
“This year has been quite a different one for all of us, but the awards received today are not just for myself, in my opinion,” Valdez said. “I am representing my department and my station with pride. I couldn’t have done anything without the loving support of my family. Including the fire department, we worked hand in hand together this year with the fires. I saw the amazing work that these guys did, and I am very proud to be here among everybody here.”
VETERANS
from page 2
set for Tuesday, November 11, at Town Center Hall Plaza, 11740 Telegraph Road. Pancake breakfast kicks off at 8 a.m. (with free pancakes for the first 200 guests), and the ceremony begins at 10 a.m. The lineup includes live entertainment, a guest speaker, veteran resource booths, and a flyover. (santafesprings.gov)
Firefighter and paramedic Andrew Mack-Vanderham, who serves at Cerritos Station 30, was honored as Firefighter of the Year. Nominated by his peers, Mack-Vanderham was recognized for his dedication to public service and his leadership within the department.
“From our chiefs to our captains — I have the best captains in the world that always back us up — it’s really more of a crew award,” Mack-Vanderham said. “I look at the previous winners here, so I know that I have big shoes to fill, and I know that I have to work harder to meet those standards.”
From ‘Not in Our City’ to ‘Welcome Home.’ How Hahn Turned a Controversial Motel Into a 54-Unit Housing Project
WELCOME: Supervisor Janice Hahn, State Senator Bob Archuleta, members of the Norwalk City Council, City staff, and representatives from Los Angeles County cut the ribbon at the new Motel 6 project in Norwalk.
Politics can be funny. One day you’re fighting a project in court, the next you’re standing beside the same people who opposed you — cutting the ribbon and smiling for the cameras. But in this case, that’s not hypocrisy. It’s progress.
Five years ago, the City of Norwalk went to battle with Los Angeles County over the plan to convert the local Motel 6 into housing for the homeless under Governor Gavin Newsom’s Project Homekey. City officials protested the lack of input, worried about lost tax revenue, and questioned the impact on local services. In 2020, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Samantha Jessner even had to issue a restraining order to let the County proceed, ruling that its duty to house people outweighed any harm to the city.
At the time, then-Mayor Jennifer Perez voiced the city’s frustration. “Unfortunately, the City of Norwalk has no legal recourse in this matter,” she said, calling out what she viewed as state overreach. The County went ahead with the $5.7 million purchase of the motel at Pioneer and Imperial, promising that conversion into supportive housing would benefit the entire region.
Fast forward to today, and the result speaks for itself. Supervisor Janice Hahn cut the ribbon last week on The Weingart Rose, a 55-unit permanent supportive housing development at 10646 E. Rosecrans Avenue.
The project offers 54 studio units and one manager’s unit, all fully furnished, plus a dog park, laundry, bike storage, community rooms, and 24-hour security. Residents receive access to case management, employment and education assistance, counseling, and health services
Dear Editor:
As union members, we know what it means to stand together for the essentials that keep families safe and communities strong. Right now, Republicans in Congress are holding the federal budget hostage and pushing cuts that would rip away healthcare from millions of families. Working families already carry enough burdens: rising costs, stagnant wages and the daily stress of making ends meet. Increasing healthcare costs in the middle of these challenges is not just irresponsible, it’s cruel.
Democrats are standing firm to protect Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) subsidies and reverse Medicaid cuts,
— a full spectrum of support aimed at stability and self-sufficiency.
“This project is proof that when we act boldly and collaboratively, we can turn vision into reality,” Hahn said. “We took an old motel and gave it new life, and now 54 people have a chance at a new beginning.”
To her credit, Hahn didn’t just push the project through — she worked with Norwalk’s leadership over the past several years to ensure the city had a voice in implementation. City officials helped identify residents, collaborated on local service coordination, and gradually turned early opposition into partnership.
State Senator Bob Archuleta, who secured $7.6 million in state funding, called the result a model of cooperation. “We’re not forgetting our veterans, we’re not going to forget our homeless,” he said.
Vice Mayor Jennifer Perez, who once led the city’s opposition, now praises the completed project. “It really has been a journey from start to finish,” she said. “There were bumps and misunderstandings, but we always kept the lines of communication open.
For Norwalk and our community, we are opening doors to another chance for individuals and families to build a stronger and brighter future.”
It’s rare in politics to see a full turnaround — rarer still to see everyone admit it worked out for the better. What began as a bitter dispute over jurisdiction and zoning ended with 54 people getting permanent homes and a city embracing collaboration over confrontation.
Sometimes, the best outcomes start with a fight — and end with a ribbon.
Brian Hews~Editor and Publisher
because they understand healthcare is a lifeline, not a bargaining chip. Working people can’t afford higher premiums or lost coverage just to satisfy an extremist agenda.
Unfortunately, Republicans are willing to gamble with our health, our jobs and our economy to score political points. Unions fight for good jobs, fair wages and benefits at the bargaining table, and Congress should do no less for the American people.
A great America is one that cares for its people and extends good will to the world.
Sincerely, Lua Rodriguez Long Beach
From the Mayor’s Desk: November 7, 2025
By Cerritos Mayor Frank Yokoyama
The City of Cerritos is committed to fiscal sustainability, a goal that is prioritized in our Strategic Plan. A key objective of this goal is that the decisions we make now support the City for the long-term. As part of these efforts, the Cerritos City Council has chosen to move forward with making potential adjustments to our water and sewer rates.
The City Council has been reviewing potential rate adjustments to align water and sewer operation rates with expenses. That’s because for years the City has been subsidizing its Water and Sewer Enterprise Funds with revenue from its General Fund. That practice is not sustainable and must change. New water and sewer funding scenarios would gradually phase out General Fund subsidies over the next five years, ensuring that the cost of providing these services is proportionally supported by the users who benefit.
On October 27, the City Council approved a resolution that puts into motion these potential changes. This is done through a Proposition 218 process. In the coming weeks, residents will receive a Proposition 218 notice in the
mail with more details on the proposed water and sewer rate changes and their right to submit a written protest. We’ve also scheduled more opportunities for residents to meet with the City on this topic. Community information sessions are planned for November 17, December 8, and January 15, during which members of the Public Works Department will be available to answer questions. On January 26, the City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed rate adjustments. Absent a majority of written protests submitted by property owners and utility customers, the rates may be approved to go into effect in February 2026.
The City of Cerritos has among the lowest water and sewer rates of our neighboring cities. The five-year water and sewer funding scenarios, if approved, would keep the City in the lower half on the rate-comparison scale. Additionally, the City Council has directed staff to establish a low-income assistance program for those who meet eligibility criteria. This would include a fixed bimonthly discount of $40 total, covering both water and sewer charges.
To learn more about the water and sewer rate adjustments, the Proposition 218 process, and upcoming community information sessions, please visit cerritos. gov/waterrates. Thank you for your continued engagement on this important topic as we work toward strengthening fiscal transparency and sustainability for the City of Cerritos.
How State Disciplinary Boards Can Rein In Trump’s Legal Lawlessness
By David Schultz
President Trump is once again testing the limits of the law. Federal judges issue orders restraining him—on deportations, the use of military force, or lawsuits targeting political enemies—and he often ignores them. Lower courts push back, but the pattern persists, raising questions about whether the judiciary still has effective tools to check presidential defiance.
Every act of legal defiance requires attorneys who draft, file, and defend arguments that lend legitimacy to unlawful conduct. Without them, presidential lawlessness is rhetoric; with them, it becomes institutionalized.
Here’s where the “state bar theory” comes in. Lawyers aren’t above the law— their licenses are conditional privileges governed by state disciplinary systems, not federal politics. These boards, operating under the American Bar Association’s Model Rules of Professional Conduct, have the power to suspend or disbar attorneys who misuse their licenses to mislead courts or pursue meritless claims.
Presidential pardons can’t reach these sanctions.
“The law is only as strong as the lawyers who choose to honor it.”
~Ruth Bader Ginsburg
The relevant rules are clear:
•Rule 3.1 bars attorneys from filing frivolous or baseless claims.
•Rule 3.3 requires honesty with the court.
•Rule 3.4 prohibits falsifying or concealing
evidence and disobeying court orders.
•Rule 3.5 bans disruptive behavior.
•Rule 3.8 forbids prosecutors from pursuing unsupported charges.
Trump’s lawyers have crossed these lines repeatedly—from false claims of election fraud to politically motivated prosecutions. The principle is simple: restraining the lawyers restrains the client. Federal judges can sanction misconduct under Rule 11 of Civil Procedure, but state bars hold the greater, quieter power—to remove the very license that enables such conduct in the first place.
“Some people use the law the way a drunk uses a lamppost— for support, not illumination.”
~Lord Chesterfield
This isn’t about politics or revenge; it’s about protecting the rule of law. The legal profession depends on honesty, candor, and respect for the courts. Lawyers cannot use their credentials as shields for political misconduct or rely on a client’s power to evade accountability.
If democracy’s guardrails hold, it may not be the Supreme Court or Congress that finally checks lawless behavior, but the state bar associations that enforce the oldest rule in the book: if you can’t uphold the law, you can’t practice it.
David Schultz is a professor of political science and legal studies at Hamline University. He has taught legal ethics in law school for more than 25 years.
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
How Climate Change is Driving Up the Cost of Beef and Coffee
As Americans wonder when prices for beef and coffee will finally come down,
Experts and ranchers say extreme weather, drought, and supply chain strain are fueling rising prices for America’s morning cup and dinner plate.
By Laurie Hanson
industry experts say climate change, drought, and global supply disruptions are making it harder for producers—and consumers—to catch a break.
Both commodities face growing challenges linked to extreme weather, shrinking water supplies, and stressed ecosystems. In some areas, herds are thinning, crops are withering, and production costs are rising faster than most small operators can manage.
Laura Bowler, Senior Sustainability Manager at Ramboll, a European-based consulting and engineering firm involved in agricultural and energy efficiency projects, said climate change affects agriculture in many ways. “Rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events all disrupt crop yields and livestock productivity,” Bowler explained.
“Droughts and heat waves reduce soil moisture and damage crops, while flooding can destroy harvests and wash away nutrients. Warmer temperatures also expand the range of pests and diseases, reducing yields and increasing the need for costly adaptation measures.”
She said these conditions have intensified in recent years. “For beef, increasing temperatures, droughts, and heat stress are reducing the quality of pastures,” Bowler said. “That lowers fertility rates, increases animal mortality, and ultimately shrinks cattle herds. For coffee, extreme weather is reducing yields in major growing regions such as Brazil and Vietnam.”
In the United States, herd size is at its lowest in decades, according to the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, partly because drought and heat have degraded pastures. “As supply tightens, the price of beef naturally climbs,” Bowler said. “Similarly, coffee production is exposed to shifting climate patterns, and these changes are leading to volatility in global markets.”
She noted that transportation and logistics add another layer of difficulty. “Droughts, floods, and severe storms disrupt storage and ports,” she said. “These disruptions make global markets more volatile and less resilient to sudden shortages.”
Bowler said producers are working to adapt with water
conservation, pasture rotation, and diversification. “Coffee growers are experimenting with shade-grown techniques, soil restoration, and climate-resilient bean varieties,” she said. “But climate change is ultimately a global problem that requires cooperation across industries.”
In Northern California, husband-and-wife team Kristina and Jason Walker of StarWalker Organic Farms have built a regenerative operation focused on soil restoration and water conservation. Their 7,000-acre ranch raises 400 cattle and 4,000 pigs each year and became the first Regenerative Organic Certified beef producer in the United States.
“Climate change is amplifying volatility across the entire beef supply chain,” Kristina said. “When water becomes scarce or feed costs rise, those
costs ripple through to the consumer.” Jason explained that regenerative systems are more resilient. “Healthy soil holds more water, grows stronger forage, and reduces dependence on external inputs,” he said. “In conventional operations, when climate shifts hit, there’s little buffer. Regenerative ranching helps us weather those shocks.”
The Walkers say much of the U.S. beef system remains fragile because of consolidation. “A handful of processors control most of the market,” Kristina said. “That leaves ranchers vulnerable to disruptions and limits transparency. Rebuilding regional processing systems can strengthen supply stability.”
According to the USDA’s Cattle Inventory Report, the national herd is at its smallest in 70 years. Many ranchers are selling off cattle early because of high feed prices and dwindling water supplies. “When you can’t afford hay or your pasture runs dry, you have no choice,” Jason said. “It’s
not just economic—it’s ecological.”
Regenerative methods offer hope. “When you rebuild soil organic matter, you can store more water per acre and grow feed even in dry years,” Jason said. “Healthy soil equals healthy feed equals healthy cattle. That’s how you build real supply.”
Rosangela Teodoro, owner of Teodora’s Boucherie Gourmande in Cohasset, Massachusetts, and a third-generation rancher with a 2,300-acre cattle ranch in Brazil, said drought and wildfires are among her biggest challenges. “Farming begins with healthy soil and rain,” she said. “Each year brings new pressures— rising feed, fuel, and labor costs, plus more fires and droughts.”
She said Brazilian ranchers often rely on controlled burns to clear pastureland, but drought makes that dangerous. “Deforestation disrupts the natural water cycle,” Teodoro said. “Streams that once flowed from the mountains to the cowboys’ houses are drying up.”
PROJECT from page 1
ercise equipment, connects irrigation to recycled water, and improves flood management.
Long Beach – LB-MUST Phase 2 ($2.96 million): Adds a new pump station and cistern and links five existing stations to the city’s central treatment facility.
Lynwood – City Park Stormwater Capture Project ($1.25 million): Includes stormwater diversions, a new ephemeral stream, parking lot upgrades, and a butterfly garden to improve discharges to the Lower Los Angeles River.
Norwalk – Hermosillo Park ($7.26 million): Builds an 11.8-acre-foot subsurface infiltration gallery with water reclamation capabilities beneath new soccer fields to replace deteriorated grass areas.
Paramount – Spane Park
($5.41 million): Adds a 3.5-acrefoot regional infiltration facility while leveraging planned park rehabilitation work to enhance longterm resilience.
Signal Hill – Reservoir Park Stormwater Capture Project
($1.92 million): Installs an underground filtration system to clean runoff beneath Reservoir Park and adds new recreation equipment and a community garden.
Countywide Impact
The Safe, Clean Water Program helps Los Angeles County meet state and federal water-quality mandates while expanding local water sources. Over $967 million has already been allocated to 136 projects with more than $621 million in matching funds. Rough-
It takes about four years to raise cattle, she added, so losing land or water means losing part of a livelihood. “Many ranchers are forced to sell off herds just to survive. Limited supply drives prices higher, and imported beef—sometimes of lower quality—fills the gap.”
She believes ranchers must become more resilient. “We’re planting drought-resistant grasses, improving irrigation, and rotating pastures,” she said. “But we also need fair pricing systems and policies that hold imported beef to the same standards as U.S. products.”
The coffee industry faces many of the same pressures.
Leo Yuffa, president and chief operating officer of Dazbog Coffee Company in Denver, said he has never seen such volatility in nearly three decades in business. “Climate change is causing spikes in coffee pric-
ly $284 million directly benefits disadvantaged communities, and most projects use nature-based design such as infiltration galleries, bioswales, and wetland restoration rather than hard concrete channels.
“These are the kinds of smart, long-term investments that voters had in mind when they passed Measure W,” Hahn added. “They will make our cities cleaner, greener, and more drought-resilient.”
The full fiscal-year 2025-26 Stormwater Investment Plans and project summaries are available at safecleanwaterla.org/fy-2025-26projects.
PROP 50 from page 1
Republicans—Calvert and Young Kim—each claiming to best represent the area’s diverse interests. Observers say it’s a political chess match: Calvert is chasing familiar Riverside territory, while Kim is counting on her Orange County base.
The cities within Los Cerritos Community News’ coverage area—Cerritos, Artesia, Bellflower, Lakewood, La Mirada, Norwalk, Santa Fe Springs, Pico Rivera, and Downey—sit near the boundary line between the two new districts. Downey and Norwalk are firmly expected to land in the new 41st, while the rest could be carved into a revised 40th District or a neighboring seat depending on final technical adjustments. Because the Legislature’s plan reportedly
WEST DROUGHT: Over the past 15 months, cattle ranchers in parts of Texas have received barely three inches of rain.
BRAZIL DROUGHT:
A new report adds to the growing scientific consensus that as forests are cleared to make way for coffee farms, rainfall decreases and crops become more likely to fail.
es because of droughts, floods, and unseasonal frosts,” Yuffa said. “These events reduce production in key supplier countries, leading to shortages and higher prices.”
He cited recent data showing that global coffee prices rose nearly 40 percent in 2024 due to extreme weather. “Robusta coffee prices jumped 70 percent in a year, while Arabica rose 58 percent,” Yuffa said. “Farmers in Vietnam and Indonesia are dealing with droughts and floods that reduce harvests by as much as 20 percent.”
Brazil, the world’s largest producer, is also struggling with heat and low rainfall. “A warmer, more humid climate increases disease outbreaks like coffee rust, which devastated plantations in Central America a decade ago,” he said. “Now those same challenges are spreading.”
To adapt, Yuffa said farmers are switching to heat-tolerant hybrid varieties, using organic
slices several Gateway Cities, analysts are still poring over the “equivalency files” that define the official city splits.
Critics of Proposition 50 call it a partisan power grab that undermines California’s decade-old experiment with independent redistricting.
Supporters counter that it’s a necessary corrective, arguing the commission’s 2021 maps fragmented communities and under-represented fast-growing Latino populations in southeast Los Angeles County. Either way, the new districts have scrambled political calculus for 2026 and beyond. Campaign consultants already predict that Southeast L.A. will become a key battleground—especially if the newly minted 41st District emerges as one of the few competitive House races in the state.
from page 1
chapter in the city’s ongoing commitment to beautification and public gathering spaces. Designed to complement the surrounding architecture and landscape, the plaza blends elegance and functionality — a tranquil space for reflection, celebration, and connection. The renovated space preserves the beloved cascading waterfall while introducing new features, including upper and lower geyser fountains,
fertilizers, and planting shade trees to protect fragile crops.
“The high prices of recent years allow some reinvestment in better irrigation, new seedlings, and pest management,” he said. “But even if supplies recover, global demand keeps growing, and that keeps prices high.”
Heather Perry, CEO of Klatch Coffee in Southern California and former president of the Specialty Coffee Association, agrees. “Coffee grows only in narrow climate zones with specific temperature and altitude ranges,” she said. “As those zones shrink, the market gets tighter.”
Perry said climate change isn’t the only factor affecting price, but it’s the most unpredictable. “Less-than-ideal growing conditions—whether drought, flood, or heat— can shrink harvests quickly,” she said. “Coffee, especially good-quality coffee, depends on a delicate balance of geography, temperature, and soil. Those ideal conditions are becoming rarer.”
Brazil and Vietnam, the world’s top Arabica and Robusta producers, have both faced extreme weather over the past few years. “The frequency of these conditions is increasing,” Perry said. “Even rumors of poor harvests affect global pricing because importers and roasters rush to secure smaller supplies.”
Coffee prices on the world
programmable LED lighting, enhanced landscaping, and upgraded plumbing and electrical systems.
Originally constructed more than 55 years ago, the fountain had been closed due to ongoing maintenance challenges. The renovation reduced the fountain pools by nearly 60 percent, creating space for new landscaped planters and shaded deck areas. Every major component, from pumps and pipes to filters and control systems, was rebuilt using modern, energy-efficient materials to ensure long-term reliability.
Mayor Ed Eng praised the collaborative effort that brought the vision to life, saying, “The new Civic Center Fountain Plaza will become one of the most beautiful and iconic landmarks in the region. With the beautiful sunset in its backdrop, calming sounds of the waterfall, and the radiant colors of the landscaping framing the plaza, this will become one of the destinations of Los Angeles County. I envision people making memories here with special events like the prom, weddings, and anniversary events — or just an impromptu selfie for their social media platforms. This tremendous undertaking could not have happened without the vision of the City Council and our talented city staff, from the city manager, public works employees, and
market hit record highs in early 2025 and remain historically elevated. Perry said tariffs and supply chain disruptions have worsened the situation. “Brazil’s weather patterns have been erratic, and that affects the total volume of the coffee harvest,” she said. “A smaller harvest in one region can drive up prices for everyone.”
Perry noted that despite these pressures, there are reasons to stay hopeful. “The industry is adapting through research and new varietals designed to withstand drought or heavy rain,” she said. “It’s possible your morning cup could someday come from a completely new type of coffee developed to thrive in tougher climates.”
While global coffee production has fluctuated, Perry said innovation continues. “Despite challenges, advancements in technology and agronomy have largely kept pace with demand,” she said. “The goal now is to make that progress sustainable in the face of accelerating climate change.”
As ranchers and growers around the world adapt, the link between climate and cost has never been clearer. From California’s cattle country to Brazil’s coffee fields, producers are confronting the same challenge: how to sustain their livelihoods in a warming world where every degree matters.
our cooperative engineering partners. I hope this iconic masterpiece will be enjoyed by the community for many years to come.”
The Civic Center Fountain Plaza is expected to serve as both a scenic centerpiece and a vibrant public venue — a place where civic pride meets everyday life. Residents are invited to visit daily between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. to enjoy the beautiful new space. Be sure to return in December, when festive holiday decorations will add even more sparkle to the season.
ABCUSD Schools of Choice Opens Dec. 1
Schools of Choice, ABCUSD’s annual open enrollment process for families residing within the District boundaries, allows families to apply for their students to attend an ABCUSD school other than their neighborhood school. The 2026–2027 application window will be open December 1–31, 2025.
The District’s Child Welfare & Attendance team will host its Schools of Choice Parent Webinar on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. to help families learn more about the process.
The website for ABC Unified School District’s Schools of Choice program is schoolsofchoice.abcusd.us/
FOUNTAIN
L.A. Zoo Lights: ‘Animals Aglow’ Returns This Holiday Season
WRD Approves $146M for Torrance Groundwater Desalter Expansion
LCCN Staff Report
The Water Replenishment District (WRD) Board of Directors has approved $146 million for the longawaited Torrance Groundwater Desalter Expansion Project, a major investment aimed at boosting local water sustainability and reducing dependence on imported water supplies.
The unanimous vote moves the project from planning to construction, marking one of the largest undertakings in WRD’s history.
The expansion will add four new groundwater extraction wells and enlarge the Robert W. Goldsworthy Desalter Facility in Torrance, pushing the total project value to $166.5 million under WRD’s agreement with McCarthy-Jacobs.
drinking water.
A groundwater desalter is a treatment system that removes salts and other impurities from underground water, turning brackish or slightly saline water into clean, potable water. The process typically uses reverse osmosis and other filtration technologies similar to seawater desalination but at lower cost and energy levels. By reclaiming previously unusable groundwater, desalter facilities like Torrance’s provide a dependable, drought-resistant supply of drinking water while also improving regional groundwater quality.
LCCN Staff Report
LOS ANGELES — L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow, the Los Angeles Zoo’s popular holiday tradition, returns November 13, 2025, through January 11, 2026, transforming Griffith Park into a glowing world of color, creatures, and creativity.
This year’s edition will immerse guests in a luminous landscape of handcrafted lantern sculptures and themed light installations. Highlights include a whimsical holiday wonderland, a vivid garden of plants and pollinators featuring enormous birds, butterflies, and flowers, and new scenes inspired by Southeast Asian wildlife and African savannas, all illuminated by thousands of lights.
Fan favorites are also making a comeback, including the giant walk-in kaleidoscope, interactive light displays,
and plenty of festive food and drink options. Guests can ride the conservation carousel and warm up with churros, s’mores, and hot cocoa. For adults 21 and older, beer, wine, and spiked cocoa will be available nightly, with full bars open Friday through Sunday.
The event will be closed most Mondays and Tuesdays, as well as Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve.
The Los Angeles Zoo spans 133 acres in Griffith Park and is home to hundreds of species, many endangered. The Zoo’s mission is to connect people with nature, promote wildlife conservation, and inspire a more sustainable future.
General admission starts at $19 for children ages 2–12 and $29 for adults. L.A. Zoo members receive a $5 discount. For tickets and full event details, visit www. lazoolights.org.
WRD Board President Joy Langford said the decision “marks a turning point,” adding that the project is “a testament to WRD’s vision, fiscal strength, and the power of publicprivate collaboration.”
Director Rob Katherman noted that the project has been years in the making, designed to restore brackish groundwater into a usable resource while ensuring long-term rate stability for residents. The project falls under WRD’s Brackish Groundwater Reclamation Program and will clean up a 14-square-mile plume of salty groundwater caused by historic seawater intrusion. When complete, the facility will treat up to seven million gallons of brackish groundwater per day—enough to supply the City of Torrance with a new, reliable source of
WRD General Manager Stephan Tucker called the approval “a landmark moment” that underscores the district’s commitment to a sustainable local water future. Sagrado Sparks, Vice President of Operations for McCarthy Building Companies’ National Water Group, said the effort “reflects the innovation and teamwork driving today’s most impactful water infrastructure projects.”
The expansion is financed through WRD’s Capital Improvement Program, state and federal grants, a state lowinterest loan, and a 2027 bond issuance under the Brackish Groundwater Reclamation Program. Construction is scheduled to begin later this month, with completion expected in 2029.
WRD manages groundwater for two of the most heavily used urban basins in California, serving more than 10 percent of the state’s population across 43 cities in southern Los Angeles County. The district’s elected board includes Joy Langford, Rob Katherman, John D.S. Allen, Sergio Calderon, and Vera Robles-DeWitt.
LIGHT ‘EM UP: Two lions illuminated by thousands of twinkling lights welcome visitors to L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow, running November 13 through January 11 at the Los Angeles Zoo in Griffith Park.
Weekend Trip: Exploring
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert
By Brian Hews
For a quick but memorable weekend escape from L.A/Orange County, consider heading east toward the desert for a layered, family-friendly adventure at the The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert.
Begin on Saturday morning and make your way toward Hadley’s Fruit Orchard in Cabazon, just off Highway 10.
Founded in 1931, the orchard is known for its date shakes, dried-fruit snacks, trail mix, and old-school charm.
It’s a perfect roadside stop for kids and adults alike: stretch your legs, grab a treat, pick up some souvenir snacks, and continue on with your drive.
On next to the Palm Springs area; take time to wander the walkable shops along
Palm Canyon Drive in downtown Palm Springs. Browse stores then stop there for lunch, pick a shaded spot, let the kids choose something fun, and enjoy the sunshine before checking into your weekend base in Palm Desert.
For your overnight stay, book a room at Embassy Suites by Hilton Palm Desert in Palm Desert. The hotel currently offers very reasonable rates, and the amenities make it especially family-friendly: a complimentary evening reception between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., a full hot breakfast in the morning, and suites that comfortably fit a family with one room.
From the hotel, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is just about two miles away— so you’ll be perfectly positioned.
You will want to head out early Sunday morning to The Zoo/Gardens. This remarkable facility blends botanical gardens of arid-land plants with a wildlife component, making it one of the more immersive natural-world experiences in Southern California. The wildlife zones are a highlight: you can hand-feed giraffes and watch cheetahs sprint. A fresh addition to the zoo’s lineup is a new monkey exhibit— an interactive habitat where small primates swing across vines and climb structures, offering up close views of their agile movements and curious personalities. It’s sure to delight children and adults alike.
Don’t miss the meerkat habitat, which draws plenty of photo-worthy attention. The little mammals stand upright on their hind legs, pop in and out of burrows, and engage in playful wrestling
After your morning exploring-it takes 2-3 hours to tour the gardens and zootake a short drive to the upscale dining
and shopping district of El Paseo in Palm Desert. Known as the “Rodeo Drive of the Desert,” it offers dozens of restaurant choices—from casual patio cafés to elegant bistros—perfect for a relaxed lunch or early dinner before the drive home.
While you’re in Palm Desert during your stay, you also have handy dining options near the hotel. On-site at Embassy Suites is the full-service restaurant, Sonoma Grille, featuring entrees, sandwiches, salads and a kids menu—ideal for families who want to stay close and not get back in the car.
For something a little more local off the property, try one of the family-friendly restaurants nearby such as Grill-A-Burger or Wilma & Frieda’s Cafe, which feature welcoming atmospheres and comfort-food menus that children enjoy. Here’s a suggested itinerary:
Saturday
• Morning departure, stop at Hadley’s
• Arrive
Palm
(20 miles) for shopping and lunch along Palm Canyon Drive.
• Check in at Embassy Suites Palm Desert in the afternoon, enjoy the pool or unwind. Evening reception and dinner at Sonoma Grille or nearby dining.
Sunday
• Early breakfast at the hotel, then off to The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens for a full morning of discovery—don’t miss the giraffes, new monkey exhibit and meerkats.
• Head to El Paseo for lunch or early dinner, browse the shops, and then hit the road home before the afternoon heat sets in (90 °F+).
This is exactly the kind of easy, fun, and memorable weekend retreat; minimal driving, maximum outdoor time. A spontaneous weekend getaway, you’ll return home recharged and sun-kissed.
Fruit Orchard in Cabazon for snacks and exploration, 80 miles from Cerritos.
in
Springs
A MEERKAT mugs for the camera inside the Living Desert Zoo and Botanical Garden in Palm Desert.
Photo by Brian Hews.
VISITORS can hand-feed giraffes (and ostriches) at The Living Desert, one of the zoo’s most popular and photogenic attractions for families. Photo by Cora Hews.
By Loren Kopff @LorenKopff on X
CIF-SOUTHERN SECTION GIRLS VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
Artesia sweeps into program’s first divisional championship appearance
LOMA LINDA-The girls volleyball program that had been laughed at and ridiculed at for over two and a half decades because of the number of futile seasons can now do the laughing all the way to the CIF-Southern Section Division 8 finals. For the first time in school history, Artesia High will be playing for a girls volleyball title after the Pioneers swept Loma Linda Academy 25-7, 25-15, 25-23 last Saturday night.
Artesia, the second-ranked team in the division which improved to 14-10, will host Schurr High on Saturday night. The Spartans (15-19) outlasted top-ranked Foothill Tech in five sets last Saturday in the other semifinal match.
The Pioneers are currently on a seasonhigh four-match winning streak after going through the season winning three straight matches twice and going on a two-match winning streak once. But the red and black never lost more than two straight matches at any time, and in the regular season, the Pioneers were never more than two wins above .500 nor two losses below .500, making this somewhat of a roller coaster season.
“I can’t even compare the roller coaster with the ones at Six Flags because it’s totally different,” said Artesia first-year head coach Francisco Serrano. “It’s a whole new level of roller coasters, emotionally, physically, everything. We’ve seen the changes significantly from when we started to now. That’s the roller coaster we’re talking about; they go down, but then they come up higher.”
Artesia, which never trailed in the first two sets, were up 4-3 in the opening set until junior outside hitter Haley Robertson
THE ARTESIA HIGH girls volleyball team made history by advancing to the CIFSouthern Section finals for the first time after sweeping Loma Linda Academy 25-7, 25-15, 25-23 last Saturday in the Division 8 semifinals. Artesia will host Schurr High on Saturday for the championship. Photo by Loren Kopff.
began to lay the groundwork for the sweep. Her second kill allowed senior opposite hitter Camilla Orozco to serve three straight aces. Seconds later, Robertson served two straight aces and added a third one after a double hit violation was called on the Roadrunners.
The rally ended after a kill from senior outside hitter Djulianne Goze and Robertson’s fourth ace, making the score 15-4.
“I’m really happy that we won,” said Robertson. “I’ve pushed myself a lot to get here, especially for my seniors DJ and Camilla. I’ve played with Camilla for three years now, one in club and two in high school, and throughout [the years] we’ve become really close. And me and DJ are really pumped to get wins; we want to win really bad.”
Scoring sprees were a thing against Loma Linda Academy, which won the 2017 CIF-SS Division 6 championship. Goze would serve the final six points of the set,
getting a pair of aces and four more kills from Robertson.
For the second straight set, it was 2-2 early and the Pioneers were leading 5-4 before a kill from senior setter Isabel Cruz paved the way for senior middle blocker Kristina Palafox to get into the serving party with three straight aces followed by a kill from Goze.
It was still within reach 15-12 when Goze spiked 2 straight kills & Orozco added 2 more aces & Robertson had a kill.
“I never tell the girls that I’m nervous because then they get nervous,” said Serrano. “But I am nervous because anything can happen; anything can happen to where [Loma Linda] can come back. We’ve experienced that once with Firebaugh and it’s not a good feeling. The mentality is let’s go hard, let’s play, let’s have fun, but we let them know it’s the playoffs and we obviously want to win.”
Loma Linda took its only lead of the match to begin the third set on a kill from
CIF-SOUTHERN SECTION FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Five area teams embark on a race to win four more games
Madison Ghosh before the third place representatives from the 605 League opened up leads of 10-4 and 12-5. But the Roadrunners weren’t about to go away quietly, scoring six straight points for the first time. Still, the Pioneers never allowed the hosts to tie the set until Malia Campbell’s kill made it 23-23. Then a serving error and a controversial net violation call on the hosts sent Artesia to its fourth straight playoff sweep.
“The nerves started to come back,” said Serrano when the score was 11-4. “But like I said, I don’t show them [to the players]. I just motivated them and encouraged them to get the job done; to remind them what they’re capable of and to move forward.”
Robertson led everyone with 19 kills while Goze added a dozen kills. They have been the face of the program for the past two seasons and are the biggest reason why the Pioneers have won more matches this season in at least the past 28 seasons. In fact, the program has seen double-digits in the victory column just three times since 1998. The 2010 team went 10-14 and the 2023 team went 11-9.
“Those two girls…they just have the desire; they’ve got the power, and they have that want,” said Serrano. “I see them both killing all the time and the same amount. Obviously, the numbers don’t lie.”
“I’m really engaged when I play; I play really hard and keep pushing myself to get better and better each game,” said Robertson. “My freshman year, I didn’t really play that much because we had better players. My sophomore year, I played a lot, and we got forced [out of the playoffs], and in my junior year now, I’m really proud of us because we pushed to get here really hard, especially in practice.”
Artesia finished with 20 aces-Orozco and Robertson (five each), Palafox (four) and Goze (three).
By Loren Kopff @LorenKopff on X
For five area football teams, 10 games wasn’t enough to keep their dreams alive of capturing a CIF-Southern Section divisional championship. They will be playing anywhere from one to four more games to achieve those dreams, starting on Friday with first round action.
DIVISION 8
#12 Beckman High (7-3) @ # 5 La Mirada High (4-6)-This is the HMGCommunity News Game of the Week and what better time for La Mirada to return to the postseason for the first time since Nov. 12, 2021 when the Matadores lost to Pasadena High 41-31 in the Division 7 quarterfinals. Since then, the program has gone 14-25 overall, 8-12 in Gateway League action and made a coaching change.
The Matadores dropped a 33-17 affair to their longtime nemesis, Mayfair High, last Thursday, but their ratings were good enough to get them the fifth seed in Division 8. Of the 17 teams in the division, 13 received automatic spots, three are at-large representatives, including La Mirada, and one team did not advance.
In the Mayfair game, the Matadores were trailing 27-3 entering the fourth quarter before getting a rushing touchdown from junior running back Ismael Garcia and a receiving touchdown from junior wide receiver Jaleel Scott. The strength of the offense is the running game where Garcia has 678
yards with seven touchdowns while junior Josiah Fregoso has added 541 yards and three touchdowns. As a team, the Matadores have gained 1,755 yards on the ground and have found the end zone 17 times.
The leading receiver is freshman Kaiden Wardlow (41 receptions, 374 yards, four touchdowns) while no one else has even caught 15 passes from either junior quarterback Isaac Cuevas or sophomore Ace Faagata.
La Mirada began the season with two straight wins, then lost five straight in which it scored a total of 49 points. The Matadores are the fourth place team from the Gateway League but will be hosting the Lambda League champions who have won six straight contests.
Beckman defeated Marina High 2114 last Friday in which it was tied 7-7 at halftime before the Patriots scored twice in the third quarter.
Quarterback Noah Nam, who had a touchdown against Marina, walks into the playoffs with 1,554 yards and 14 touchdowns. He is completing 60 percent of his passes. Five players have at least 13 receptions, led by Makhi Czaykowski (30 catches, 469 yards, eight touchdowns). He is also the team’s leading rusher with 988 yards on 110 carries and has scored 12 touchdowns.
Before the Marina game, the Patriots scored over 30 points in the other five games during the winning streak and has close to 300 points this season while the Matadores have scored 195 points. Beckman is in its 22nd year and this is the
first meeting between the programs. The winner of this game will play either No. 4 Fullerton High or No. 13 La Quinta High Prediction: Beckman 35, La Mirada 17 DIVISION 9
#9 Cerritos High (8-2) @ #8 Fillmore High (9-1)-If this matchup looks familiar, you’re not alone. Two seasons ago, they played a first round game in the Santa Clara River Valley and the Dons escaped with a 24-12 win. Three weeks later, Cerritos was crowned Division 12 champions.
“I like it; I think it’s fair,” said Cerritos head coach Demel Franklin of the bracket. “I like the opponent; it’s familiar. I know their coaching style, the type of players [Fillmore has] and the atmosphere.”
So now, the Dons return once again as 605 League champions after a 50-0 win over John Glenn High last Thursday and are ready to make another deep run in the playoffs. Cerritos has won six straight games, scoring over 25 points each time, and has eclipsed the 30-point mark six times overall. You can credit senior Justin Sagun for some of that scoring success, passing for 1,274 yards and 13 touchdowns while rushing for 341 yards and five more touchdowns. As a team, the Dons had 15 players carry the ball for a total of 2,219 yards and scored 31 touchdowns with senior La’Brenten Wilson leading the charge (715 yards, 13 touchdowns).
One advantage Franklin says he and his team doesn’t involve what goes on between the lines. Two seasons ago, the Dons left Cerritos around 2:30 p.m. and
got to Fillmore around 5:30 p.m. But on Friday, they plan to get on the bus around noon.
“We were almost scrambling to get off the bus, get on the field and start playing,” he remembers. “That was my first playoff game, and I remember every moment of that. So, we’re going to take that part away and be able to go in there calm. I want them to go in there with a calm setting.”
Fillmore’s lone loss came to Agoura High, 42-14, on Oct. 17 in a Tri-Country League game. The Flashes are a scoring machine, having reached 40 points six times and 50 points once. But there are equally efficient on defense, allowing less than 20 points in eight of the nine victories with a pair of shutouts and single digits three times.
Jasiah Patterson is averaging nearly 141 yards per game on the ground and leads the team with 1,408 yards and 16 touchdowns. Micah Harm is next in that category with 657 yards and five touchdowns.
“We have to control the line of scrimmage, and we have to stop their running game,” said Franklin. “They’re a pretty strong running team; [Patterson] looks like he’s a little low, he’s quick and they can just keep handing [the ball] to him.”
The winner of this game plays either topseeded Silverado High or No. 16 Ramona High.
Prediction: Cerritos 38, Fillmore 31
605 LEAGUE FOOTBALL
Cerritos caps off sixth straight undefeated league season, dominates John Glenn
By Loren Kopff @LorenKopff on X
It’s no secret that the 605 League was formed because of how La Mirada High was dominating the less superior teams of the former Suburban League. The irony to that is a 75-0 La Mirada win over Cerritos High on Nov. 6, 2015 marked the beginning of a 19-game losing streak by the Dons in league competition.
Since then, Cerritos has won 18 straight 605 League contests, including a 50-0 win over John Glenn High last Thursday at Dr. Hanford Rants Stadium in the regular season finale. Cerritos goes into the CIFSouthern Section Division 9 playoffs at 8-2 and will travel to Fillmore High in Friday’s first round contest. It’s the 17th shutout for the Dons since 1998 with seven coming against Glenn, and the third shutout of at least 50 points to anyone. Another irony is that the week before getting blanked by La Mirada in 2015, the Dons defeated Glenn 22-16.
“That’s huge, because we started this league, from my knowledge, we were basically getting our butts kicked in the other league,” said Cerritos head coach Demel Franklin of the league winning streak. “We wanted [to get into another league] where we actually had a shot, and what do you know, we’re the king of this league. So, I’m proud to represent Cerritos High school.”
In three short seasons, Franklin now has a 25-11 record, tying Kurt Bruich for most Cerritos victories since 1998. From 1998-2001, Bruich went 25-17. Next on the victory totem pole over the past 28 seasons is Brad Carter, who went 13-13 in
three seasons prior to Franklin’s arrival as the head coach.
“It feels good,” said Cerritos junior running back Sam Reeves, who transferred from Glenn in January. “I finally get to go to the playoffs this year; this is my first time going to the playoffs in my whole high school career. I saw some of my boys out there [on the other sideline], but I’m happy that we executed.”
After going 6-4 in 2023, the Eagles have combined to win half that total in the past two seasons combined and will miss the playoffs for the fifth straight full season.
“I guess the positive is we finished the season,” said Glenn first-year head coach Dwon Drummer. “We were able to field a full team in Week 10. It wasn’t the outcome that we hoped; I think we just weren’t prepared to play Cerritos today. I think we put so much effort and emphasis into Artesia last week and not getting that win…like I told the guys, I think we took a step back from momentum. We had momentum after that tough loss to Artesia, and then today, we just did not want to play this game.
Reeves rushed four times for 27 yards and caught a 47-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Justin Sagun on the second play of the game after gaining eight yards on his first carry of the game. He also had a pair of tackles in the third quarter.
“It felt amazing,” said Reeves of his first Cerritos touchdown reception. “Justin [threw a] great ball, and there was great blocking up front; great blocking by my receivers, and I got in there.
“It feels good to be a part of something; a winning program,” he later added. “We have great coaches, great staff… everything. It finally felt good to get that
CERRITOS HIGH senior quarterback Justin Sagun gets loose for a 38-yard touchdown run late in the first half in a 50-0 win over John Glenn High last Thursday. Sagun completed 10 of 15 passes for 258 yards and threw three touchdown passes while rushing three times for 34 yards. Photo by David Page.
[league title].”
“They have an abundance of players, so it’s hard to say let’s focus on one,” said Drummer. “The players on the field know Sam better than I do. They have a personal relationship with him. I would imagine having a personal relationship with him… it’s wanting to stop him is probably a little bit more emphasized. But we were worried about a lot of their players, not just him.”
A sign of things to come from the Cerritos defense came on Glenn’s initial possession of the game as a high snap to Glenn senior punter Juan Navarro sailed high and landed into the end zone for a safety. Then when the Dons (8-2, 3-0)
OPINION
got the ball back, senior running back La’Brenten Wilson scored on a 21-yard run and with 7:21 left in the stanza, it was 15-0. Wilson would add a two-yard score on the second play of the second quarter and Sagun’s 38-yard touchdown run with 70 seconds remaining in the half made it 29-0. While the offense had already put up 263 yards in the half, the defense was more stellar, limiting the Eagles (2-8, 0-3) to negative 29 yards on 19 first half plays. Glenn was forced to punt on their first six possessions before running a pair of plays as time expired after the first 24 minutes.
[ See CERRITOS, page 12 ]
Losing the World Series hurts, but the healing process won’t last long
By Loren Kopff @LorenKopff on X
Due to a prior commitment covering the Artesia High girls volleyball semifinal playoff match, I wasn’t able to watch Game 7 of the 2025 World Series from beginning to end. However, through the power of SiriusXM, I was fortunate to hear Ben Shulman’s call of Bo Bichette’s three-run home run in the bottom of the third inning on the Toronto Blue Jays feed as I was approaching Loma Linda Academy.
Then I was able to keep one eye on the baseball game on my phone and the other on the match. Unfortunately, I didn’t see Will Smith’s eventual game-winning home run live—and even more unfortunate was the fact that I was driving home when Alejandro Kirk grounded into the game-ending double play that gave the Los Angeles Dodgers another World Series title and broke the hearts of Blue Jays Nation.
Needless to say, it was not an enjoyable drive home, as the loss overpowered my joy in Artesia advancing to its first girls volleyball championship appearance in school history. Just listening to Shulman and his color analyst, Chris Leroux, on Sportsnet 590 The Fan—followed by the postgame talk show with Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker—you could hear in their voices how demoralizing this loss was. You could also hear it from the people who called in to voice their opinions.
I could feel the same pain reading posts from the most loyal Blue Jays fans on X and seeing how enthusiastic they had been throughout the season. It kind of made me wish I’d been in Toronto this entire season—one of the best ever in the 49-year history of the franchise.
This World Series loss hurts more than you’ll ever know because the 2025 Toronto Blue Jays were not on anyone’s bingo card to do much when Spring Training began in February. This was a team that finished last in the American League East in 2024 and did not have rookie sensation Trey Yesavage on the Opening Day roster.
Not much was expected when the playoffs began, especially against the defending World Series champions. Many prognosticators predicted Los Angeles would either sweep or win in five, but when the Blue Jays took two out of three in Southern California, people started to notice how real this team was.
Just seeing how close the Blue Jays came to their third World Series title is enough pain for me to endure. They outscored the Dodgers 34–26, outhit them 75–53, and did not make an error in the seven games. But baseball is a game of inches, and one pitch can lose it for you no matter what the statistics say. Three of the four losses were by a combined four runs, and in those games Toronto stranded 42 baserunners to Los Angeles’ 33.
The 2015 team that went 93–69 and won the A.L. East by six games over the New York Yankees was expected to at least get to the World Series with Jose Bautista, Josh Donaldson, Edwin Encarnacion, Russell Martin, Kevin Pillar, and David Price as the stars. But that squad lost to the Kansas City Royals in the American League Championship Series in six games.
The next season, the Blue Jays—led by R.A. Dickey, J.A. Happ, Marcus Stroman, Troy Tulowitzki, and the returning stars from the previous year (minus Price)— finished second, then took care of the Baltimore Orioles 5–2 in the Wild Card game and knocked out the Texas Rangers
in the Division Series before losing to the Cleveland Indians in the ALCS in five games. That team was also expected to reach the World Series.
The 2025 Blue Jays were not expected to reach the Fall Classic, especially when they trailed the Seattle Mariners three games to two heading back to Ontario’s cosmopolitan city. But look what happened—they played in Game 7 of the World Series and were two outs away from the title, one out away from keeping the game tied going into the bottom of the 11th inning.
The turning point of the season, I think, came when they swept a four-game home series against the Yankees from June 30–July 3, going from three games behind the Bronx Bombers to a one-game lead. From that point on, Toronto remained in first place and ended the regular season winning 49 of its last 70 games.
While the Blue Jays won back-toback World Series titles in 1992 and 1993, this loss hurts more than any previous postseason setback because it came to the one team I dislike the most—and people were beginning to see the talent the Blue Jays had beyond Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Kirk, and George Springer. No one outside of Toronto, Ontario, or Canada knew who Addison Barger, Ernie Clement, Nathan Lukes, Myles Straw, or Daulton Varsho were—but now they do.
And before you even suggest I just recently jumped on the Toronto bandwagon, guess again. I’ve been a diehard fan since 1977 when Toronto entered Major League Baseball. I have memories of Otis Nixon of the Atlanta Braves bunting to Mike Timlin, who threw to Joe Carter to end the 1992 World Series—and of course Carter’s memorable home run off Mitch Williams of the Philadelphia Phillies to close out the
1993 World Series.
Most of you know my passion for the San Diego Padres because I grew up in America’s Finest City, and although I live in Orange County, I would never trade the brown and gold for the other blue team in the Southland. I will also remain a loyal fan of the Blue Jays because there’s no law against having two favorite baseball teams. I don’t know how long it will take me to get over this loss, but pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in three months. And I know Blue Jays Nation on social media can’t wait for the first game on Feb. 21 from Dunedin, Florida. The Blue Jays will be back—stronger than ever—in 2026. Don’t be surprised to see them in the World Series again, sooner rather than later.
#14 Norwalk High (10-0) @ #3 Warren High (3-7)-This one has the makings of being a barnburner as the one-time Gateway League opponents meet under unusual circumstances. Norwalk is seeking to keep its undefeated season going while visiting third-seeded Warren, which began the season with five straight losses before winning the next two. Still, according to the ratings system, Warren was at 0.9 while the Lancers, who are 12 spots behind their first round opponent, had a rating of -0.9.
Despite the higher seed and the overall record, the numbers heavily favor Norwalk, which begins the playoffs undefeated for the second time ever. The last time came in 2013 when that squad fell to La Serna High in the divisional finals.
Norwalk held on to defeat Bellflower High 14-7 last Friday, its lowest-scoring game of the season, and got touchdown runs from senior running back Daron Walker, who carried the ball 14 times for 123 yards, and senior quarterback Axel Bustamante. Senior running back Diego Cerritos gained 104 yards on 16 carries as he and Walker have been probably the best 1-2 punch around. Both have over 1,300 yards rushing with Cerritos scoring 19 times and Walker 17 times. Only one other running back, senior Keyshawn Williams, has gained over 100 yards this season. Norwalk has rushed for 2,891 yards but is still miles away from the school record of 5,314 yards set in 2009 behind Elijhaa Penny (1,339 yards), Adrian Gonzales (1,297 yards) and Billy Moore (1,110 yards).
Warren had no problems with Paramount High last Friday in a 31-6 victory, posting a season high in points scored while in the Bears yielded over 20 points in six of the seven losses. In fact, Paramount is the only common opponent as Norwalk defeated the Pirates 21-14 on Sept. 19. Two seasons ago, the Bears blasted the Lancers 50-14 and before that, Norwalk took the 2012 contest (48-13) and the 2013 meeting (47-6). But it’s hard to pick against a team that is averaging nearly 32 points a game while its opponent is giving up an average of almost 22 points. The winner of this game plays either No. 11 Chino High or No. 6 Valley Christian High.
Prediction: Norwalk 35, Warren 20
#11 Chino (5-5) @ #6 Valley Christian (7-3)-Before the season started, V.C. head coach Brenden Chambers was confident his team would finish in second place in the Ironwood League, losing only to Aquinas High. His predictions were spot on as the Defenders, who went 7-3 last season with a fourth place finish in the league, are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2022.
“I think that getting an automatic qualifier, it was nice after our game knowing that [last] weekend, we didn’t have to look at the CIF website wondering if we were going to be in or not,” said Chambers. “It’s a huge relief getting an automatic qualifier, and I was just happy for these guys; this group, especially these seniors with what they have gone through the last couple of years and kind of getting cheated out last year and how it all went down.”
V.C. smashed Ontario Christian High 56-0 last Thursday to put an end to an explosive offensive season that saw the team average over 31 points a game with five games of over 40 points.
The heart and soul of the team is junior quarterback Graham Lunzer, who passed for 1,951 yards, rushed for a team-high 521 yards and accounted for 35 of the
40 touchdowns the Defenders scored. He tossed 21 touchdowns and saw half a dozen players catch at least 11 passes with at least 110 over yards.
“It’s been honestly a little bit of a surprise with how well we played offensively,” said Chambers. “It shows the commitment they had and the ability to adapt and adjust to the talent that we had.
“Obviously Graham’s been a huge player for us this year,” he continued. “But the receivers have come up big when we needed them. Moving [senior] Cole Hefner to running back has been an added bonus for us, and just the play of the offensive line…they’ve gotten better every single week.”
Senior Oliver Boateng is the leading receiver with 44 catches, 743 yards and nine touchdowns, followed by senior Sean Bouma (32 receptions, 491 yards, three touchdowns) and Hefner (25 receptions, 318 yards, three touchdowns).
Despite the .500 record, Chino is a formidable opponent, winning five of the last six games after a slow start in which the Cowboys were outscored 153-68. But in the five victories, including last Thursday’s 42-9 contest with Diamond Bar High, the team has scored at least 29 points each time. The lone loss in Hacienda League action was to Los Altos High, 28-14, on Oct. 16.
Quarterback Carson Hoover has passed for 1,353 yards and 10 touchdowns while Nathan Bull leads the team in rushing with 762 yards and 10 touchdowns. As a team, Chino has rushed for 1,619 yards.
“When we got the draw and looked at MaxPreps, the guys said…they’re pretty balanced,” said Chambers. “Then when we watched the film, it was the same thing. [Hoover] has a decent arm; he throws the ball pretty hard and puts it in the right spot. They have a couple of good receivers on the outside, and then they’re big up front. They run the ball really well. I think for us, we always try to stop the run first, which makes [opponents] them throw the ball.”
This is the third meeting between Chino and V.C. in the past four seasons with the Cowboys posting a 33-0 win two seasons ago and a 17-14 victory in 2022.
Prediction: V.C. 31, Chino 24
DIVISION 11
#14 Gahr High (6-4) @ #3 Chaffey High (5-5)-Gahr surprised many last season by playing in the Division 13 championship game after a 5-5 regular season. But in 2025, the Gladiators won one more game with their forfeit win over Firebaugh High last Friday. Still, the Gladiators, who lost three of their first four games, have had to earn every win, whether it was a surprising 48-13 affair with Bellflower High on Oct. 3, or a 16-6 road win the next week against Lynwood High.
If Gahr, which finished in second place in the Mid-Cities League, is to win this contest, the running game has to improve and lessen the burden that has been put on senior quarterback Roman Acosta. Chaffey has had an up and down season, losing its first two before winning the next two, then splitting the next two before losing two straight and finally winning the last two, including last Friday’s game with Montclair High, 27-10. The Tigers love to run a lot as Carlos Vasquez leads the team with 1,016 yards and 12 touchdowns while Alexis Almeida is next with 678 yards and five touchdowns.
This is the first meeting between the two and the winner will play either No. 6 Dominguez High or No. 11 Valley View High.
Prediction: Chaffey 37, Gahr 21
Last week’s predictions: 4-2 Season to date: 41-21
CERRITOS
from page 11
In fact, it took a roughing the passer penalty early in the second quarter to put Glenn into Cerritos territory for the first time, at the 48-yard line, and it took a fumble recovery on the team’s fourth punt from senior lineman Oscar Sanchez to set up the Eagles at the Cerritos 31-yard line.
“This week, we didn’t go full gear one day,” said Franklin. “I was trying to rest up a little bit just to heal from my injuries and it kind of showed out there. We were rusty, and at halftime we made our adjustments like we always do, and then we came out firing.”
After junior defensive back Terrence Grissom picked off sophomore quarterback Ryder Perez, the Dons went up 36-0 as Sagun threw a 43-yard touchdown strike to senior wide receiver Jayden Bagaygay. Three plays later, senior Sebastian Soto’s interception led to Sagun connecting with junior Matthew McCoy for a 13-yard score. Grissom would cap off the game’s scoring with a 52-yard run on the first play of the fourth quarter.
Sagun would complete 10 of 15 passes for 258 yards and had 34 yards on three carries while seven other ball carriers picked up 127 yards on 14 touches. Defensively, senior Tyler Ky had three first quarter tackles while Soto had two and a half tackles, the interception and a sack.
Still, the performance by Reeves, who has played in five games this season, brought a smile to Franklin’s face. In the previous four games, Reeves had gained 200 yards on 22 carries and scored twice
while catching two passes for a yard.
“I love it, because when we played Glenn [last year], he wasn’t doing the things he’s doing now,” said Franklin. “He’s matured, he’s worked his butt off and he’s a Don now. I loved that he was able to perform on the stage in front of his old school.”
“I just wanted to come out, do my job, make no mistakes and get in that box,” said Reeves.
Perez completed five passes for one yard and was sacked four times for a combined loss of 27 yards while senior Christian Afonin had 39 yards on seven carries, all coming in the last 18 minutes of the game. He also had a 32-yard reception late in the third quarter. Of the 39 offensive plays, 13 went for negative yardage. Sanchez had three tackles and a fumble recovery while Afonin, sophomore lineman Jayden Chavarin and freshman defensive back Kevin Huckleberry all added three tackles. Afonin also had an interception.
“They’re a great team,” said Drummer of Cerritos. “I’m not going to take anything away from them. They are the flagship team of this league. There’s a reason why they’ve won 18 straight league games. They’re really good.
“We’re not where we need to be and they are where they need to be,” he continued. “They do a great job; kudos to their staff for having their team prepared. We were outmatched, but we still have to look in the mirror, we have to evaluate, and we have to get better.”
CITY OF SANTA FE SPRINGS NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1165: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SANTA FE SPRINGS AMENDING CHAPTERS 150 (BUILDING REGULATIONS) AND 153 (SWIMMING POOLS) OF THE CITY OF SANTA FE SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE 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
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Santa Fe Springs will hold a Public Hearing to consider the following:
PROJECT: SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1165: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SANTA FE SPRINGS AMENDING THE 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
PROJECT SITE: Citywide, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
APPLICANT: City of Santa Fe Springs
HEARING DATE AND TIME: Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter possible.
CEQA DETERMINATION: Adoption of this Ordinance is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) (Pub. Res. Code § 21000 et seq.) pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21065 and CEQA Guidelines (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15000 et seq.) Section 15378, because the action does not approve a project nor result in a direct physical impact on the environment, contemplate known future projects, and as such, there are no reasonably foreseeable environmental impacts at this time. As a separate and independent basis adoption of the Ordinance is exempt from the requirements of CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) (“Common Sense Exemption”) because it can be shown with certainty that there is no possibility that the Ordinance will have a significant effect on the environment. Therefore, no further action is required pursuant to CEQA.
ALL INTERESTED PERSONS are invited to attend the Public Hearing before the City Council at 11710 Telegraph Road, Santa Fe Springs, California and express their opinion on the subject item(s) listed above. It should be noted that if you challenge the aforementioned item(s) 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 office of the City Council at, or prior to, the Public Hearing.
WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS may be submitted to the City Clerk at cityclerk@ santafesprings.gov. Please submit your written comments by 12:00 p.m. on the day of the Public Hearing. You may also contact the City Clerk's Office at (562) 868-0511.
FURTHER INFORMATION on Ordinance No. 1165 and CEQA documentation may be obtained at the City of Santa Fe Springs City Clerk’s Office located at 11710 Telegraph Road, California or by contacting James Enriquez, Director of Public Works, at (562) 8680511, Extension 7611, or e-mail at jamesenriquez@santafesprings.gov Published at Los Cerritos Community News 11/7/25
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 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 Wednesday, November 19, 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
Publish date: Los Cerritos Community News, November 7, 2025
Published at Los Cerritos Community News 11/7/25
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 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 Wednesday, November 19, 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
Publish date: Los Cerritos Community News, November 7, 2025
Published at Los Cerritos Community News 11/7/25
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 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 Wednesday, November 19, 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
Publish date: Los Cerritos Community News, November 7, 2025
Published at Los Cerritos Community News 11/7/25
CITY OF COMMERCE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 25-04 6241 TELEGRAPH ROAD
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the City of Commerce will conduct a public hearing on a request from Matthew Clemente on behalf of Starbucks for Conditional Use Permit (“CUP”) No. 25-04 to allow a drive-thru lane in conjunction with the construction of a new Starbucks café building at 6241 Telegraph Road within the C/M-1 (Commercial-Manufacturing) zone (“Project”). The proposed CUP must meet the required findings under Section 19.39.420 for approval.
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 and has determined that the Project is exempt from CEQA under CEQA Guidelines Section 15332, Class 32 Categorical Exemption. Class 32 exemptions apply to infill developments within an urbanized area on sites no more than 5 acres. The project is consistent with the General Plan, zoning regulations, and development standards. 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 Wednesday, November 19, 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
Publish date: Los Cerritos Community News, November 7, 2025
Published at Los Cerritos Community News 11/7/25
NOTICE OF SALE OF ABANDONED PROPERTY
Notice is given pursuant to sections 21700-21713 of the Business and Professions Code, Section 2328 of the Commercial Code, Section 535 of the Penal Code. 1812.607,
CITY OF CERRITOS NOTICE TO BIDDERS
Project Identification: CDBG-FUNDED CURB RAMP/SIDEWALK REPAIRS AT CERRITOS TOWNE CENTER PHASE III (CDBG PROJECT NO. 60274925), PROJECT NO. 24302, BID NO. 1566-25 Project Description: The work or improvement to be performed generally consists of the removal and replacement of wheelchair access ramps, along with any associated sidewalk panels, curbs, and gutters directly related to the installation of these ramps. This includes ensuring accessibility compliance and addressing adjacent concrete improvements necessary for the successful integration of the new ramps, as well as other items identified in the bid schedule. Bids will be opened: 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 26, 2025. Place of bid receipt: The bid submission must be received in the Office of the City Clerk, First Floor, 18125 Bloomfield Avenue, Cerritos, CA 90703. It is the responsibility of the bidder to ensure that the bid is received in the appropriate location by the deadline. Bids not received in the Office of the City Clerk by the deadline provided will not be considered. Bids must be marked: “BID – CDBG-FUNDED CURB RAMP/SIDEWALK REPAIRS AT CERRITOS TOWNE CENTER PHASE III (CDBG PROJECT NO. 602749-25), PROJECT NO. 24302, BID NO. 1566-25 - DO NOT OPEN.” All bids shall be made on the form furnished by the City and shall be opened and publicly read aloud at the above-stated time in the Office of the City Clerk of the City of Cerritos, City Hall. Any requests for information regarding opened bids shall be directed to the Office of the City Clerk via a formal Public Records Act request. The City has determined that opened bids are confidential and therefore the negotiations process outweighs the public interest in prematurely disclosing such records. (Gov. Code § 7922.000). Obtaining Contract Documents: A set of Contract Documents, including plans and specifications can be obtained by contacting Cerritos Engineering Division at (562) 916-1219. The cost of the bid documents is $10.00 ($15.00 if mailing is requested), only if a printed copy of plans and specifications is requested. There will be no refund for return of the Contract Documents. Return of such documents is not required. Each bid shall be accompanied by a bid security referred to in the Contract Documents and by a list of proposed subcontractors. Evidence of current City Business License (applies to contractor and all subcontractors), insurance, a Performance Bond, a Labor and Material Payment Bond, and Warranty Bond, as specified in the Contract Documents, will be required prior to execution of the contract. In accordance with Public Contract Code Section 22300, the bidder who is awarded the contract may substitute securities for retention money withheld by a public agency to ensure performance under the contract. The procedure and requirements for substituting said securities are set forth in Public Contract Code Section 22300, which is incorporated by this reference as set forth herein. The City reserves the right to reject any and all bids, or portions thereof, or to waive any informality or irregularity in a bid to the extent allowed by law. No bid will be accepted from a contractor who has not been licensed in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 9, Division III of the California Business and Professions Code. The contractor must possess a license of the following classification at the time the contract is awarded (and must maintain this license classification through completion of the project): “A.” The bidder’s attention is also directed to Section 7028.15 of the Business and Professions Code for further reference. Only a contractor or subcontractor who currently is registered with the California Department of Industrial Relations (“DIR”) to bid on public works contracts in California, pursuant to Labor Code Section 1725.5, shall be permitted to submit or be listed on a bid. No bid shall be accepted, nor any contract or subcontract entered into, without proof of the contractor or subcontractor’s current registration to perform public work pursuant to Labor Code Section 1725.5. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 1770, et seq., of the California Labor Code, the DIR has determined the general prevailing rate of wages and employer payments for health and welfare, vacations, pensions and similar proposes applicable to the work to be done. These rates shall be the minimum rates for this project. Copies of the prevailing wage rates are on file at City Hall, located at 18125 Bloomfield Avenue, Cerritos, California, 90703, and shall be available to any interested party upon request. In addition, rates may be obtained by visiting http://www.dir.ca.gov/OPRL/pwd/, calling the DIR, Division of Labor Statistics and Research’s Prevailing Wage Unit at (415) 703-4774, faxing the Prevailing Wage Unit at (415) 703-4771 or writing to DIR, Division of Labor Statistics and Research, Prevailing Wage Unit, P.O. Box 420603, San Francisco, CA, 94142. The contractor to whom the contract is awarded, and the subcontractors under him, must pay not less than these rates for this area to all workers employed in the execution of the contract. The bidder’s attention is further directed to Section 9204 of the Public Contract Code regarding the claims resolution process for all public works projects. Any dispute or claim against the City under a public works project shall be processed in accordance with Section 9204 of the Public Contract Code and any other applicable law. On March 4, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-6-22 (EO) regarding sanctions in response to Russian aggression in Ukraine. The EO is located at https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/ uploads/2022/03/3.4.22-Russia-Ukraine-Executive-Order.pdf. All contractors shall comply with economic sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine, per this order and other federal executive orders identified by the U.S. Department of Treasury. Failure to comply with these orders shall result in the termination of contract. By order of the City of Cerritos.
Published at Los Cerritos Community News 11/7/25
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 PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Cerritos City Council will conduct a public hearing at a regular meeting on Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. on the following matter:Review and consideration to waive full reading of and adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE CERRITOS CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZING UTILIZATION OF RESTRICTED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FUNDS, TOTALING APPROXIMATELY $169,000, DURING FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027, TO CONSTRUCT AND RETROFIT ACCESSIBLE CURB RAMPS ALONG TOWNE CENTER DRIVE AND PARK PLAZA DRIVE WITHIN THE CERRITOS TOWNE CENTER. This public hearing will be conducted in person in the Cerritos City Council Chamber, 18125 Bloomfield Avenue, Cerritos, California, 90703. The public hearing will also air live on Cerritos TV3 and will be streamed over the City of Cerritos website at cerritos.gov. A copy of the related agenda report will be available for download from the website on the Friday prior to the public hearing. Public comments can be provided during the meeting or via email to city_clerk@cerritos.gov or by hard copy to the Office of the City Clerk no later than 3:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Please identify the agenda item number in the subject line of the email or hard copy document. All written correspondence received by the 3:00 p.m. deadline will be distributed to the legislative body prior to the meeting and retained with the official meeting record. If you challenge the above-mentioned item and related actions in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence received in the Office of the City Clerk by the submission deadline, prior to the public hearing. Any person interested in this matter may contact the Office of the City Clerk at (562) 916-1248 for additional information and/or appear at the hearing in person or by agent and be heard. /s/Cynthia Nava, City Clerk
Published at Los Cerritos Community News 11/7/25
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Planning Commission of the City of Artesia will hold a Public Hearing in the City Council Chambers of Artesia City Hall located at 18747 Clarkdale Avenue, Artesia, California at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, to consider the following:
Project Description: The Planning Commission will consider the following: (1) Amendment to Article 45 of the Zoning Code (Accessory Dwelling Units) to update provisions to ensure consistency with recent changes in State ADU law (“ADU Ordinance”); and (2) Amendments to various sections of the Zoning Code to correct clerical errors and provide consistency with the Zoning Code in light of the recent adoption of the Artesia Downtown Specific Plan, including removal of all references to the now obsolete South Street Specific Plan (“Cleanup Ordinance”) and adding or replacing those references with references to the Artesia Downtown Specific Plan.
Project Location: Citywide Case Number: 2025-26
CEQA: Under California Public Resources Code section 21080.17, CEQA does not apply to the adoption of an ordinance by a city implementing the provisions of Chapter 13 of Division 1 of Title 7 of the Government Code, which is California’s ADU law. Therefore, the proposed ADU Ordinance is statutorily exempt from CEQA in that the proposed ordinance implements state ADU law. The Cleanup Ordinance is not subject to CEQA because the ordinance is not a CEQA “project” pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b) (5), which provides that organizational and administrative activities of governments that will not result in physical environmental impacts are not CEQA projects, and here the proposed amendments refine and clarify Zoning Code provisions and correct clerical errors. Further, the State CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3) exempts those activities for which it can be seen with certainty that there is no potential to result in significant environmental effects. The Cleanup Ordinance has no potential to result in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly, as the ordinance refines, clarifies, and corrects clerical errors in the Zoning Code and does not propose nor authorize any action that would have the potential to cause a physical change in the environment, directly or indirectly.
If you challenge any of these proposals in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in the notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Artesia Planning Commission at or prior to the public hearing. All interested persons are invited to attend this hearing and express their opinion on the matters listed above.
Salvador Lopez Jr., Interim Community Development Director
Phone: 562-865-6262 Ext. 200 or 224
Email: Planning@cityofartesia.us
Published at Los Cerritos Community News 11/7/25
CITY OF LA MIRADA
NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE SCHEDULE OF PARKING FINES AND PENALTIES
Notice is hereby given that at 6:30 p.m. on November 25, 2025, the City of La Mirada will conduct a public hearing to consider a resolution amending the Schedule of Parking Fines and Penalties. The public hearing will be held in City Council Chambers at 13700 La Mirada Boulevard, La Mirada, California 90638.
All interested persons will be given an opportunity to comment on this item at the public hearing. In addition, written comments may be submitted to the City prior to the hearing, mailed to 13700 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada, California 90638, Attention: City Clerk. Please reference hearing title and date of hearing in any correspondence.
If you wish to challenge the above in court, the challenge will be limited only to those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing or in written correspondence delivered to the City Clerk at, or prior to, the public hearing described in this notice.
The agenda report for this item will be available at 5 p.m. on ¬¬¬¬November 20, 2025, and a copy may be obtained. For more information, contact the City Clerk’s Office at (562) 943-0131.
Leticia Revilla, City Clerk
Published at La Mirada Lamplighter 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 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
SUE C. SWISHER - SBN 243310 LAW OFFICE OF SUE C. SWISHER 20955 PATHFINDER ROAD, SUITE 100
DIAMOND BAR CA 91765
Telephone (909) 843-6490
11/7, 11/14, 11/21/25
CNS-3983186# LA MIRADA LAMPLIGHTER
NOTICE INVITING BIDS
VENTILATION, AND AIR CONDITIONING AT RIVERA PARK AND PICO PARK GYMNASIUMS
Project Number: 50069
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Pico Rivera, California (“City”) invites Bids for the Project. Bids will be received electronically only through Planet Bids system (https:// pbsystem.planetbids.com/portal/41481/portal-home). A bid received after the time set for the bid opening shall not be considered. Bidders are required to submit (upload) all items listed in the BIDDER’S CHECKLIST including acknowledgement of all addenda. Bids will be received prior to 2:00 p.m. on January 8, 2026, at which time they will be publicly opened on the City’s approved electronic procurement platform.
All Bids must be made on the forms furnished by the City. Bids must remain valid and shall not be subject to withdrawal for 90 calendar days after the Bid opening date.
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 (at both sites simultaneously) is Seventy (70) Working Days from the date specified in the Notice to Proceed and shall be inclusive of the procurement time to furnish and install all materials associated with this project. No time extensions will be granted and liquidated damages at the rate of $1,000 per calendar 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.
MATERIALS SUBSTITUTIONS AND OTHER QUESTIONS. Bidders are required to post their questions or equivalent material substitutions on the PlanetBids System prior to 4:00 pm on December 2, 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 4:00 pm on December 16, 2025. Any questions or equivalent material or substitution request of construction materials asked by email or by telephone will not be answered. 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. Bidders shall acknowledge receipt of all addenda documentation (if any) with the submitted bid proposal.
CITY PROJECT MANAGER CONTACT INFORMATION:
Name: Gene Edwards
Contact Number: 562-801-4225
E-mail address: gedwards@pico-rivera.org
By: Noe Negrete
11/4/2025
Public Works Director Date
Published at Los Cerritos Community News 11/7/25
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 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 Wednesday, November 19, 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
Publish date: Los Cerritos Community News, November 7, 2025
Published at Los Cerritos Community News 11/7/25
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 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, 6357-019-905 AND 6357-018900).
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 Wednesday, November 19, 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
Publish date: Los Cerritos Community News, November 7, 2025
