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RPV Land Movement Shares Key Community Updates – May 7

May 6, 2025 City Council Meeting Discussion Recap

At the May 6 city council meeting, city geologist Mike Phipps gave an update on movement in the landslide area. According to the latest data from April, overall, the land movement continues to decelerate or maintain a steady state in areas that are still moving. Phipps believes this is largely due to significantly below-average rainfall through April, positive effects from winterization measures implemented in the fall, and ongoing dewatering efforts by the city, the Abalone Cove Landslide Abatement District or ACLAD and Klondike Canyon Landslide Abatement District or KCLAD.

Using a $1.6 million loan from the city, ACLAD has installed: five deep dewatering wells that are removing approximately 158,000 gallons of water per day and two monitoring wells (the wells are not operating 24/7). ACLAD anticipates activating three more dewatering wells in the coming weeks. These wells are targeting the fastest moving parts of the landslide area — in the Altamira and Abalone Cove Landslides — which are moving at a rate of about 4 inches per week. For comparison, at this time last year, the landslide was moving roughly twice as fast and was rapidly accelerating.

The city’s effective deep dewatering wells at the toe of the Portuguese Bend Landslide have removed 215 million gallons of groundwater at a current rate of about 0.85 million gallons per day. The council allocated another $500,000 toward re-drilling several wells that have sheared or are anticipated to by June 30, 2025.

The council also directed city staff to revise the scope of work on a proposed hydrology and hydraulics study that would identify the source of water, ground and subsurface, contributing to land movement, including water originating outside city limits and from upper watersheds. An updated contract for the revised study will be considered by the council at a future meeting.

Finally, the council renewed for 60 days the local emergencies in the landslide area and the temporary prohibition of motorcycles, bicycles and other one- or two-wheeled devices along a two-mile stretch of Palos Verdes Drive South.

 

Update on Disaster Recovery Appeals

In March, the city formally appealed the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s or FEMA decision to deny $37.9 million in disaster recovery funding requested by the city for costs incurred responding to the landslide emergency due to the winter storms in late January and early February 2024. Earlier this week, the city was notified that the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services or Cal OES will not support the city’s appeal. This is due to Cal OES’ position that while the winter storms may have greatly accelerated land movement, what it considers to be pre-existing conditions in the landslide make the city ineligible for reimbursement under the 2024 federal disaster declaration. FEMA District 9 administrator Robert Fenton has 90 days to consider the city’s appeal, Cal OES’ recommendation, and to render a decision. His decision is then appealable to FEMA’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. Cal OES is also not supporting appeals submitted by ACLAD and KCLAD for their denials of disaster recovery assistance respectively.

One-time “reality TV” star shows real talent in one-woman play

I don’t know who the fuck Bekah Martinez is. Google says “Former TV personality” — The Bachelor, 2018. I can’t tell you how many fucks I couldn’t give. It’s a sign of the apocalypse that this got her 850,000 Instagram followers. It’s a sign of the apocalypse that seven years later there are 850,000 people who want pics of her non-Bachelor hubby and kids popping up on their phones. These are end times.

But never mind. Making her stage debut (as an adult, anyway) at the Garage Theatre in Brian James Polak’s The Call List, Martinez manages all by her lonesome to hold our attention for nearly 90 minutes, despite the fact that the entirety of the action is her side of a series of phone calls.

Samantha (Martinez) works for an attorney hired by a guy named Craig to notify a dozen or so acquaintances in the event of his (Craig’s) demise — which just happened: Craig offed himself with a bullet to the heart. Alone in a small legal office with a yoga mat, vape, and the boss’s neck massager, Samantha is tasked with said notification before leaving for a weekend with her sister and mother, while her father is in the hospital after his most recent suicide attempt.

And so, phone calls. Lots. Some of Craig’s friends/exes/people who barely knew / don’t remember him she reaches, some she can’t. She keeps forgetting to leave a callback number. As she slowly acquires pieces of the puzzle, she becomes intrigued. Who were you, Craig? Why did you die? In the midst of this, Mom won’t stop bugging her, and Dad isn’t picking up.

Polak’s got an idea here, but he hasn’t done enough unpacking of either Craig or Samantha. The few details we get about Craig — he painted, he was married once upon a time, he went to the same coffeehouse every day and was pals with a priest — are not quite clues to a mystery that ultimately we don’t care about solving. “I guess you never really know someone,” Samantha eventually says more or less verbatim, as if we should be satisfied in Polak’s writing there’s no there there. (And not for nothing, but don’t we go to the theatre precisely to know the characters we encounter?)

If we get a better sense of Samantha, it’s mostly due to the idiosyncratic energy Martinez brings to the table rather than anything Polak serves up. Yes, she likes to draw and feels she’s nowhere in life, having tried her hand at a variety of jobs that left her numb. But aside from a couple of generic nods toward family dynamics (Dad’s the only one who understands her, while claws come out on the distaff side), that’s pretty much it. The synchronicity of Craig’s suicide and Dad’s attempt doesn’t even seem to register with her — though it’s unclear whether that’s more on Polak or Martinez and director Diana Kaufman.

But Kaufman has done nice work channeling Martinez’s energy, including some thoughtful blocking that helps keep the play from dying a static death. And although a particular pet peeve of mine is the one-sided phone conversation where the speaker we hear is clearly not leaving enough time for the person on the other end of the line to say what’s supposedly being said, Martinez probably strikes the right balance between realism and obvious falsity, leaning toward the former without creating too much dead air.

What doesn’t work are the music cues. A few ominous metallic overtones à la David Lynch make no kind of sense. And aside from one snatch of song that earns a chuckle, the rest of several ten-second snippets serve no apparent purpose. It’s as if Kaufman suffered a needless crisis of confidence vis-à-vis holding our attention, when that is one thing the production definitely has going for it.

Even if The Call List may not fulfill its potential as a character study or compelling work of art, it does the job as an actor showcase — a success made manifest thanks to a “Former TV personality” who actually has discernible talent. Don’t be surprised if both this showcase and the showcased have a future in theatre.*

The Call List at the Garage Theatre
Times: Thursday–Saturday 8 p.m.
The show runs through May 24.
Cost: $23–$28 (Thursdays 2-for-1); closing night w/afterparty: $40
Details: thegaragetheatre.org
Venue: The Garage Theatre, 251 E. 7th St., Long Beach

(*The Call List isn’t being touted as a world premiere, but apparently this is the first time it’s been performed, so you do the math.)

 

Kroger and Albertsons are Feeding Wall Street While Starving Stores

Read the new Economic Roundtable report

Across the country, grocery store workers are sounding the alarm: stores are dangerously understaffed, wages have fallen behind, and corporate profits are soaring at the expense of workers and customers alike.

Kroger and Albertsons have boosted their stock prices 77% more than the overall stock market, feeding Wall Street with short-term gains while their workers are left behind, and communities suffer.

If these trends continue, groceries may become harder to find and harder to afford.

A new report from the Economic Roundtable, “Bullies at the Table,” documents the devastating impact of chronic understaffing at Kroger and Albertsons stores.

READ THE REPORT FROM THE ECONOMIC ROUNDTABLE

Based on surveys from grocery workers in Colorado, Southern California, and Washington, and a financial analysis of the companies, here are some key findings:

More than nine out of ten grocery store workers in the three states studied say that there is price gouging at their stores.

Customers put groceries back on the shelf because they cannot afford to buy them and are eating less balanced and healthy food than they used to.

More than four-fifths of workers are unable to pay basic living costs.

More than two-thirds do not have secure housing.

Weekly earnings for U.S. grocery workers in real dollars dropped 15% from 2003 to 2024.

From 2018 to 2022, Kroger and Albertsons took $15.8 billion in cash out of their businesses and sent it to shareholders while neglecting maintenance of their stores.

A $5.50 per hour raise for nonsupervisory grocery workers would stimulate almost twice as much new value in the economy.

“This fight affects all of us — workers, families, and communities.” said UFCW 770. “We need fair contracts, living wages, and enough staff to safely and effectively serve our neighborhoods.

Grocery workers are determined to fix these issues at the bargaining table, but if the company will not show any interest to improve, we will continue to escalate our actions in coordination with our customers.”

Labor Caucus Members Demand Answers on DOGE Access to NLRB Information

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, Labor Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Mark Pocan (WI-02), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Steven Horsford (NV-04) and Debbie Dingell (MI-06) on April 28 led over 50 House Democrats in demanding answers from the National Labor Relations Board or NLRB management regarding a recent whistleblower report detailing Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE officials accessing sensitive NLRB information.

“We are writing regarding the recent whistleblower report filed by a [NLRB] employee that makes several serious allegations of [DOGE] officials accessing sensitive NLRB information” wrote the lawmakers to NLRB General Counsel William Cowen. “This account alleges that not only were DOGE officials granted access to this sensitive information, but also that DOGE officials extracted a high volume of information, intentionally removed any details about the information that was extracted, and left workers’ data exposed in the process.”

“These revelations from the whistleblower report are highly concerning for a number of reasons,” continued the lawmakers. “If true, these revelations describe a reckless approach to the handling of sensitive personal information of workers, which could leave these workers exposed to retaliation for engaging in legally protected union activity. Additionally, given DOGE’s desire to access sensitive information at other federal agencies with a focus on payment information, it is unclear why DOGE would be interested in NLRB data that has nothing to do with federal payments. Furthermore, Elon Musk, whom Donald Trump has repeatedly said is “in charge” of DOGE, has a number of cases before the Board and is also pursuing several lawsuits to challenge the constitutionality of the Board itself.”

“Accordingly, it is critical that you work to address these complaints as soon as possible, especially after it was reported that DOGE officials were again recently present at the NLRB headquarters.” concluded the lawmakers.

The Members of Congress also requested responses to a series of oversight questions regarding DOGE’s access to sensitive NLRB data by no later than May 5.

A full copy of the letter can be found here. The letter was signed by over 50 House Democrats.

Rep. Barragán Fights Back: Joins Petition to Stop GOP Attacks on Medicaid and Food Assistance

WASHINGTON, DC – On May 6, Rep. Nanette Barragán (CA-44) signed a discharge petition to force consideration of a special rule to prevent the largest cuts to Medicaid and food assistance in American history — just so Donald Trump and Republicans can pay for massive tax giveaways to their billionaire donors. The petition is led by Rep. Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02), ranking member of the House budget committee. The petition is now open for signature by any Member of the House who is committed to protecting access to Medicaid and SNAP for millions of Americans.

Under House rules, once a discharge petition receives 218 signatures, it triggers a vote on the House Floor. Ranking member Boyle’s petition would trigger a special rule that includes the text of his Hands Off Medicaid and SNAP Act — amending the Congressional Budget Act to protect Medicaid and SNAP from any reduction in coverage or benefits in the reconciliation process.

“This is the chance for House Republicans to do the right thing and prove that they do indeed work for the American people,” said Rep. Barragán. “Donald Trump and House Republicans’ budget would cut healthcare and food assistance for the hardworking families who struggle more than ever to put food on the table and secure the care that they deserve. House Democrats will fight and take every possible path of action to prevent this budget from passing, because we believe that working- and middle-class families having access to essential benefits is far more important than funding tax breaks for Republicans’ billionaire donors.”

“The Republican budget includes the largest cuts to Medicaid and SNAP in our nation’s history—cuts that would jeopardize health care and food assistance for millions of Americans,” said budget committee ranking member Boyle. “This discharge petition is an opportunity for every Member of Congress to show where they stand. We intend to gather 218 signatures from both parties, and I sincerely hope my colleagues across the aisle will join us. If they truly believe in protecting these essential benefits, this is their chance to prove it.”

The Hands Off Medicaid and SNAP Act is led in the House by Representatives Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02), ranking member of the house budget committee; Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), ranking member of the energy and commerce committee; Angie Craig (MN-02), ranking member of the agriculture committee; Greg Casar (TX-35), chair of the Congressional progressive caucus; Brad Schneider (IL-10), chair of the New Democrat Coalition; and Lou Correa (CA-46), Blue Dog Coalition co-chair for policy and legislative strategy.

Details: More information about the Hands Off Medicaid and SNAP Act is available here.

Hepatitis A Outbreak Declared in Los Angeles County

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has declared a community-wide outbreak of hepatitis A following a sustained increase in clinical cases and elevated virus levels detected in local wastewater. Public Health confirmed 165 hepatitis A cases in LA County in 2024, which is three times the number of cases reported in 2023. Although unhoused individuals are at higher risk for contracting hepatitis A infection because they often have limited access to handwashing and toileting facilities, of the 29 hepatitis A cases confirmed to date in 2025, most have been among people without travel or housing risk factors. This increase in hepatitis A infections among people without risk factors has corresponded with recent increases in hepatitis A wastewater concentrations. While the risk to the general public remains low, community-wide protection actions are needed to ensure that transmission of hepatitis A is reduced.

Vaccination and good hygiene are the best ways to prevent hepatitis A.

“The ongoing increase in hepatitis A cases signals that quick action is needed to protect public health,” said Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, Los Angeles County Health Officer. “The hepatitis A vaccine is safe, effective, and offers long-term protection. Getting vaccinated is simple, and it’s one of the most important things you can do for your own health and the health of our entire community. It is also important for residents to wash their hands with soap and water regularly and especially before eating and preparing food and after using the bathroom.”

Public Health continues to monitor for and immediately investigate suspect hepatitis A cases and is working closely with healthcare providers to request that they remain vigilant for hepatitis A. Public Health is also working with organizations that serve people experiencing homelessness to educate the community about the increase in hepatitis A, encourage people to get vaccinated, and recommend those with symptoms of hepatitis A to seek medical care.

The hepatitis A vaccine is typically a two dose vaccine series that is safe, highly effective in preventing infection, and has been routinely given to children for over a decade. Residents are urged to check if they have been vaccinated for hepatitis A by contacting their medical provider. To protect community health, Public Health strongly encourages vaccination for:

  • Any LA County resident who did not previously receive a hepatitis A vaccination and is seeking protection
  • People experiencing homelessness
  • People who use drugs (including non-injection)

Full protection requires two doses of hepatitis A vaccine administered at least 6 months apart. Additionally, previously unvaccinated people can receive hepatitis A vaccine soon after exposure to protect against developing the infection.

In addition to vaccination, Public Health recommends residents follow good hygiene practices including washing their hands with soap and water before eating and preparing food and after using the bathroom.

For questions or to find a nearby clinic or doctor, call the Public Health InfoLine at 1-833-540-0473, open every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Details: ph.lacounty.gov/HepA.

Public Health Urges Measles Vaccination Amid Rising Cases in LA County and Summer Travel Season

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is alerting residents of an increase in measles cases among people who have recently traveled internationally and domestically. With measles outbreaks happening both in the United States and internationally, an increase in cases in our county highlights how important it is for residents to get protected before residents begin making summer travel plans. Public Health encourages all residents to get protected by receiving the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine if they are not immune.

“Measles is a serious respiratory disease that spreads easily through the air and on surfaces, particularly among people who are not already protected from it,” said Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, Los Angeles County Health Officer. “A person can spread the illness to others before they have symptoms, and it can take seven to twenty-one days for symptoms to show up after exposure. Measles can lead to severe disease in young children and vulnerable adults. As LA County residents begin to travel this summer and with measles cases increasing among those who have recently traveled, we remind everyone that the best way to protect yourself and your family from infection is with the highly effective measles vaccine.”

Public Health has confirmed a measles case in a visitor who traveled to Los Angeles County recently from abroad. This is the fourth confirmed case of measles in a Los Angeles County resident or visitor this year. The traveler was not infectious during the time of travel. At this point, there are no public locations in Los Angeles County where others may have been potentially exposed, outside of healthcare facilities who are directly contacting their own exposed patients and staff. Public Health is identifying others who may have been potentially exposed and taking steps to confirm if they have been vaccinated against measles.

Public Health encourages all residents to:

  • Review their immunization and medical records to determine if they are protected against measles, especially before international travel or domestic travel in areas experiencing measles outbreaks. People who have not had measles infection or received the measles immunization previously are not protected from the measles virus and should talk with a health care provider about receiving the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) immunization.
  • Contact and notify their health care provider as soon as possible about a potential exposure if they are pregnant, an infant, have a weakened immune system and/or are unimmunized regardless of vaccination history.
  • If symptoms develop, stay at home, and avoid school, work and any large gatherings. Call a healthcare provider immediately. Do not enter a health care facility before calling them and making them aware of your measles exposure and symptoms. Public Health can assist health care providers in appropriately diagnosing and managing your care.

In the United States, as of May 2, a total of 935 measles cases have been reported this year. Most of these cases are linked to an ongoing measles outbreak in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. The majority of cases are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status. Eleven percent of these cases required hospitalization for management of measles complications or isolation and three have tragically died from measles-related complications. The last case of measles in a Los Angeles County resident was reported in April 2025.

 

For more information on measles, visit: ph.lacounty.gov/measles.

Supervisors to Probation Chief: Consider Recommendations to Reduce Los Padrinos Population

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors May 6 approved a motion directing Chief Probation Officer Guillermo Viera Rosa to assess recommendations by the probation oversight commission to safely reduce the population of Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall.

On April 18, Judge Miguel Espinoza ordered the Los Angeles County Probation Department to submit a proposal and timeline to reduce the population of Los Padrinos until the facility can come into compliance with the Board of State and Community Corrections’ regulations.

The Probation Department has made it clear that moving youth to other facilities is the primary strategy they plan to deploy to comply with the Judge’s order. However, there is an opportunity to do more. The LA County probation oversight commission held a special meeting on April 24, where commissioners unanimously approved a broader set of recommendations to safely reduce the population of Los Padrinos.

“The Probation Department is going to need to move youth from Los Padrinos to other Probation facilities, but that shouldn’t be the only strategy we rely on,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “Our Probation Oversight Commission has put forward thoughtful recommendations to reduce the number of young people coming into our custody and work with the Courts to identify youth who can and should be safely released with supportive programs or ankle monitors. Our Probation Department needs to consider all these strategies and if there are any they won’t pursue, they need to be transparent about why.”

The Probation Department’s depopulation plan projects that it will reduce incarceration at Los Padrinos from 278 to 175 youth, but during today’s meeting, Supervisor Hahn said she would like to see the population at Los Padrinos go down to fewer than 100.

“In the absence of a clear, transparent, and community-informed plan from our struggling Probation Department, we must rely on the leadership of the Probation Oversight Commission and the meaningful solutions they’ve developed in collaboration with County stakeholders and the public,” said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath. “None of the options before us are perfect, but doing nothing—or simply moving forward with Probation’s inadequate proposal—is unacceptable. I fear we will replicate the same failures in new locations at a time when our youth are counting on us to provide the care and rehabilitation they deserve.”

Hahn and Horvath’s motion directs Chief Probation Officer Viera Rosa to assess the probation oversight’s recommendations to reduce the population at Los Padrinos in compliance with Judge Espinoza’s ruling and report back to the commission in writing or verbally at the May 8, 2025 meeting on his assessment including which recommendations are currently being implemented, which can be implemented in the future, and which the department does not plan to implement and why.

The probation oversight commission’s recommendations that the Probation Department will assess are:

  1. Reassessing youth who are currently detained to see if they can be returned to court for potential release with supportive services and/or ankle monitoring
  2. Sending youth who have already been sentenced to their court-ordered placements within 24-48 hours
  3. Slowing the influx of youth to Los Padrinos by reforming the intake detention and control division
  4. Moving girls and gender-expansive youth awaiting sentencing from Los Padrinos to Dorothy Kirby Center
  5. Recommitting to reducing incarceration of girls and gender-expansive youth
  6. Moving lower-risk boys awaiting sentencing to Probation camp facilities
  7. Evaluating the youth who are currently sentenced to the secure youth treatment facility to see if any are eligible for step down programs or the State’s Pine Grove Fire Camp

Details: Read the details of the probation oversight commission’s recommendations here: https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/bos/supdocs/POC25-0062.pdf?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=

 

UPDATE: Murder Investigation Arrest– 0 Block of Cedar Walk


Homicide detectives have made an arrest regarding the April 12, 2025 murder of Brandon Villarreal, a 21-year-old resident of Long Beach.

Through their investigation, Homicide detectives identified the suspect as a 15-year-old resident of Long Beach. Detectives obtained information that the suspect had travelled to Las Vegas, Nevada, but was returning to California on May 4, 2025. Detectives obtained a warrant for the suspect and arrested him on May 4, 2025 during a pedestrian stop in the City of Barstow. The suspect was processed at the Long Beach City Jail and transported to Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, where he was booked for murder. His bail was set at No Bail.

The motive remains under investigation.

Detectives presented the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Long Beach Police Homicide Detectives received assistance from and would like to thank the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, as well as the FBI Criminal Apprehension Team.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Homicide Detectives Eric Thai or Chasen Contreras at 562-570-7244, or anonymously at 800-222-8477,www.lacrimestoppers.org.

 

Original News Release April 13, 2025
Homicide detectives are investigating the murder of a male adult that occurred on April 12, 2025 in the 0 block of Cedar Walk.

On April 12, 2025 about 5:50 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 0 block of Cedar Walk regarding a shooting. Upon arrival, officers contacted a male adult victim with gunshot wounds. Officers rendered medical aid until they were relieved by Long Beach Fire Department personnel, who transported the victim to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Homicide detectives responded to the scene. The preliminary investigation suggests the victim and a suspect(s) were engaged in a verbal dispute, which escalated when the suspect(s) shot the victim. Additional circumstances of the incident are currently under investigation.

The identity of the victim is being withheld pending notification of the next of kin by the Los Angeles County Department of the Medical Examiner.

Detectives believe there may be additional witnesses and video related to the incident and urge anyone with information to contact Homicide Detectives Eric Thai and Chasen Contreras at 562-570-7244.

Los Angeles County Moves to Protect Education for Immigrant Students

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors May 6 approved a motion introduced by chair pro tem and supervisor for the First District Hilda L. Solis and supervisor for the Second District Holly J. Mitchell to ensure that immigrant students are not deterred from receiving an education due to federal immigration enforcement actions.

“Now more than ever, it is imperative that we stand by our commitment to provide education to all children, regardless of immigration status, and respond to the needs of our families who have been deterred by changing federal policy from sending their children to school,” said chair pro tem Hilda L. Solis. “The approval of today’s motion is a critical step in ensuring that immigrant students have access to education without fear or barriers.”

Earlier this year, the federal government rescinded a longstanding “sensitive locations” policy that had protected schools, hospitals, and places of worship from immigration enforcement actions. The change has created significant fear among students and parents, with many concerned that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or ICE could raid schools. Following the policy shift, school attendance in Los Angeles County dropped, with some schools seeing declines of up to 30%. Recently, U.S. Department of Homeland Security agents attempted to enter two Los Angeles Unified School District or LAUSD campuses, requesting to speak with students. School principals, adhering to district protocols, asked for identification and a judicial warrant. Without a warrant, the agents’ requests were declined.

In response to these concerns, the Los Angeles County Office of Education or LACOE has worked with school districts across the county to provide resources and support for immigrant students and families, ensuring that all students, regardless of immigration status, can access public education. Despite these efforts, the federal actions have created a chilling effect, deterring many immigrant families from sending their children to school or participating in daily life.

The motion directs LACOE, in partnership with the Office of Immigrant Affairs or OIA, to assess the resources and supports available to immigrant students and families. This includes ensuring that alternative learning options, Know Your Rights presentations, and mental health support services are available across all districts. The motion also calls for outreach materials and training to be culturally and linguistically responsive to the diverse needs of immigrant communities.