Harbor Currents: NEWS Jan. 18, 2013

Obama Fights for Gun Control.
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama signed 23 executive orders Jan. 16, regarding guns and school safety. The executive orders mainly have to do with background checks, allowing federal access to background checks and an improved mental health plan.
Emphasis on background checks include, tightening any flaws or loopholes, and giving the federal government access to the records.
The president included in the executive orders, cooperation from the state governments in organizing mental health services. The president also clarifies the aim of the mental health programs with the states.

Janice Hahn Gets Sworn Locally
WASHINGTON — United States Representative Janice Hahn, was sworn into the house of representatives on Jan. 3. Hahn, the representative of the congress’ 44th district, was sworn in by her brother Judge James Hahn.
A ceremony was held Jan. 17, for Hahn to take her oath in public. The ceremony was held at the Juanita Millender-McDonald Community Center in Carson.

Lieu Introduces Job Training and Resources.
TORRANCE — Senator Ted W. Lieu introduced a plan to provide better training and resources to prepare workers.
If approved, this plan hopes to establish workforce education and training, mandate the board conduct an annual skills-gap analysis and ensuring the state workforce investment plan be organized around the adoption of sector strategies.
This order still faces a policy hearing, without a date being set for one.

Accident Results in Cyclist death.
LONG BEACH — A traffic accident resulted in the death of a bicyclist.
The accident took place Jan. 15, at about 7:17 p.m., on the intersection of Bellflower Boulevard and Atherton Street. Long Beach Police arrived to witness a bicyclist lying on the floor, just south of the intersection.
The driver involved, was driving down Bellflower Street and crossed the intersection at a green light. The bicyclist attempted to cross Bellflower Street at a red light and was then struck. The driver stopped the vehicle, called 9-1-1 and attempted to aid the bicyclist. The bicyclist died later that evening in the hospital. No charges will be filed at this moment.
Anyone with information on this accident can call the Long Beach Police Department at (562) 570-7355 or by visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org

Driver Dies in Car Accident

LONG BEACH — A traffic collision that took place resulted in the death of a person.The accident occurred on Jan. 15, at approximately 6:32 a.m. on Anaheim Street and Pacific Coast Highway. Officers arrived at the scene to find the victim’s car resting on top of an office building sign, with major front-end damage.Detectives believe the driver sideswiped another car, accelerated into oncoming traffic, then swerved over the sidewalk and collided with a building sign. The driver was declared deceased at the scene.

Anyone with information regarding this incident can call the Long Beach Police Department at (562) 570-7355 or by visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org.