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CD-15 Briefs: Lomita Blvd. Grade Separation Project Advances and San Pedro Gateway Monument Sign Permits Approves

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CD-15 Briefs: Lomita Blvd. Grade Separation Project Advances and San Pedro Gateway Monument Sign Permits Approves

Downtown San Pedro Gateway Monument Sign

After several years of planning and design, councilman Tim McOsker announced the approval of the R and B engineering permits for the downtown San Pedro Gateway Monument Sign. This project will arrive in time as San Pedro prepares to host major international events. It is estimated that the San Pedro Business Improvement District will begin construction in late summer of this year.

 

 

Lomita Blvd. Grade Separation Project Moves Forward

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Lomita Blvd. Grade Separation Project.

The Lomita Grade Separation Project is officially moving forward with its first round of funding, an important milestone for Wilmington. On April 30, the South Bay Council of Governments board of directors approved the fiscal year 2026–27 Measure R and Measure M allocations, and this project was among those selected. After three years of persistent work by Councilman Tim McOsker’s office, the project has secured an initial $3.5 million allocation to fund the project approval and environmental document, a critical step that will support early design and environmental review. The goal of this project is to connect the eastern end of Lomita Boulevard with Alameda Street in East Wilmington, helping redirect commercial truck traffic away from residential areas near Drumm Avenue. For too long, residents in this community have dealt with the impacts of heavy truck traffic, and this project is designed to bring meaningful relief. While this is a long-term effort, this funding marks a major first step and puts us firmly on the path toward a safer, healthier, and more connected Wilmington.

Chronic Stress Linked to Increased Risk of Stroke

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Chronic Stress Linked to Increased Risk of Stroke

 

LONG BEACH — April marks Stress Awareness Month, drawing attention to the growing impact of chronic stress on overall health. Increasing evidence shows that stress is not only an emotional challenge but also a significant contributor to serious conditions, including stroke and cardiovascular disease.

At a time when many individuals are feeling heightened stress due to ongoing global and societal challenges, this issue is more relevant than ever. According to the American Psychological Association’s Stress in America report, nearly three in four U.S. adults say stress affects their physical health, with symptoms ranging from fatigue and headaches to high blood pressure. About half report feeling stressed on a regular basis, underscoring how widespread the issue has become.

“Chronic and unmanaged stress is not merely a nuisance; it’s a profound cardiovascular toxin. It silently inflames our arteries, spikes our blood pressure, and accelerates the march toward stroke and heart attack” said Dr. Wled Wazni, medical director of the stroke program at Dignity Health St Mary Hospital and Glendale Memorial Hospital Hospital “Prioritize stress management as unequivocally as you do diet and exercise.”

Research published in Neurology, the journal of the American Academy of Neurology, has identified a strong association between chronic stress and increased stroke risk—particularly among younger adults and women under 50. Additional studies link chronic stress to key stroke risk factors such as hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

Stress is also affecting younger populations. Research from the National Institutes of Health indicates that early exposure to chronic stress can increase the risk of long-term mental health challenges and future cardiovascular issues. Health experts emphasize that stress is manageable. Strategies such as regular exercise, mindfulness, strong social connections, and routine medical care can help reduce its impact.

“As we recognize Stress Awareness Month, it’s important to remember that small, consistent steps to manage stress can have lasting benefits for overall health,” added Dr. Wazni.

Millions March on May Day, Denounce Threats of U.S. Invasion

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Millions March on May Day, Denounce Threats of U.S. Invasion

 

HAVANA, Cuba — World Outlook reported, beginning at 3:30 a.m., May 1, Cuban working people from all over this city began mobilizing to answer the growing threats of an invasion by the U.S. government, converging on four different rally sites in the country’s capital. In Havana, 500,000 participated in the four rallies, according to the Cuban media, the reports of which are corroborated by magnificent aerial photos. An estimated 5.2 million people turned out in May Day rallies in cities and towns across the country.

Because of fuel shortages, tens of thousands walked in small groups for many miles to reach these sites throughout the city.

This time, international guests — some 827, from 38 countries, representing 152 solidarity groups, trade unions, and political parties here to celebrate May Day with the Cuban people — were not merely observers but active participants.

Details: Read more at, https://tinyurl.com/Millions-March-on-May-Day

LA County Library Launches “Summer of Soccer” with Free Events and Limited-Edition Library Card

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LOS ANGELES — As Los Angeles County prepares to welcome matches from the FIFA World Cup 2026 at SoFi Stadium, LA County Library is kicking off Summer of Soccer, a season-long celebration featuring free programs, activities, resources, and a limited-edition library card available at all LA County Library locations while supplies last.

Timed to coincide with a summer of major international soccer events, Summer of Soccer brings communities together through engaging, soccer-themed experiences that highlight culture, teamwork, and fun.

As part of the celebration, LA County Library is offering a limited-edition Summer of Soccer library card, available at all library locations while supplies last. The special design gives customers a fun way to show their love for the game while accessing the Library’s wide range of free resources.

“Soccer has a unique way of bringing people together across cultures and communities,” said Dr. Skye Patrick, County Librarian and Director of LA County Library. “With Summer of Soccer, we’re excited to offer welcoming spaces where residents can celebrate the game, learn something new, and build community connections.”

Throughout the summer, customers can enjoy:

Soccer-themed programs and activities for children, teens, and adults

Opportunities to explore global cultures connected to the sport

Interactive events that promote teamwork, creativity, and wellness

Access to books, digital resources, and materials celebrating soccer and its impact worldwide

Programs will take place at libraries across the county, offering accessible and engaging ways for residents to participate close to home. All events are free, and many are designed to support families and youth during the summer months.

Details: Visit LACountyLibrary.org/Summer-of-Soccer to explore upcoming events and learn how to participate.

Youth Excellence on Stage at Annual “Why I Like Carson” Essay Contest Awards Ceremony

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Youth Excellence on Stage at Annual “Why I Like Carson” Essay Contest Awards Ceremony

 

The City of Carson’s public information office, with advisory support from the public relations commission, hosted the “Why I Like Carson” essay contest awards ceremony April 28. The event drew a record-breaking crowd of parents, teachers, principals, and community members filling the venue with excitement.

The atmosphere was electric as families and educators cheered for the youth. The contest, which invites students in grades 3 through 8, aims to foster civic pride and literary development. Participation was open to students attending Carson schools as well as Carson residents attending schools at-large, ensuring every young voice in the city had the opportunity to be heard.

“The city’s charm is not just in the people; it is in the history and potential of the city itself. Carson houses a rich heritage, with various areas and landmarks telling stories of past generations. In parks, and sports centers, the spirit of athleticism is shown, with both children and adults displaying their love for sports. The renowned StubHub Center, now known as the Dignity Health Sports Center, is a cemented reminder of the city’s strong connections to sports and entertainments, hosting venues that draw people from all over the United States.” Zachary Estacio, an 8th-grade student at St. Philomena School and first-place winner, wrote.

The evening was marked by exceptional talent and literary depth. Ysabella Loyola set a patriotic tone with a moving a cappella rendition of the National Anthem and later captivated the audience with a performance of “A Million Dreams” from The Greatest Showman. Adding a profound local touch, City of Carson Poet Laureate Jasmine Pitcher, known by her pen name “Sister Soul,” performed an original piece. Her poem chronicled her life in Carson since age 8, reflecting on how city park programs, contests and workshops shaped her development. In a touching moment, she shared the inspiration of watching a former Parks and Recreation leader rise to become the City’s Mayor.

Carnegie Middle School emerged as the leading institution for the 2026 contest, boasting multiple winners across various categories. However, the spirit of the night remained focused on the collective achievement of all participants.

“It is a true honor to be here to support our children,” said Mayor Lula Davis- Holmes. “This year has been coined the ‘Year of the Child,’ and this contest highlights our students’ ability to excel when given the opportunity and the support of their ‘village.’

Consumers Advised Not to Eat Recreationally Harvested Mussels from California Coast

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Consumers Advised Not to Eat Recreationally Harvested Mussels from California Coast

The public is advised of a California Department of Public Health or CDPH mussel quarantine order effective May 1 through October 31, 2026. During the quarantine, all species of mussels gathered by recreational sport harvesters from California’s ocean shore should not be consumed by humans. The quarantine area extends from the Oregon border to the Mexican border, including all bays, inlets, and harbors in Los Angeles County. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health conducts daily syndromic surveillance to identify cases of illness due to ingestion of mussels and other bivalent shellfish and works with CDPH by collecting shellfish for testing.

This quarantine is to protect and preserve public health under the California Health and Safety Code Section 131056. During the quarantine season, mussels may concentrate naturally occurring toxins that are highly poisonous to humans including paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) and domoic acid biotoxins in bivalve shellfish (mussels, clams, oysters, and scallops). Shellfish toxin levels do not have predictable cycles and can increase rapidly. Prevention of human illnesses requires the annual quarantine, combined with year-round surveillance, public education, shellfish advisories and commercial closures as needed. Cooking does not destroy the toxins.

This advisory does not apply to commercial shellfish from approved sources.

Mussels may be used or sold for use as bait when displayed and sold in containers labeled in boldfaced type letters at least one-half inch in height as follows: MUSSELS FOR BAIT ONLY, UNFIT FOR HUMAN FOOD.

Details: For additional information call the Shellfish Hotline at 1-800-553-4133 or online at the CDPH Marine Biotoxin Quarantines and Health Advisories.

Port of Long Beach Releases Bio-Survey Report to Mark Earth Month

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Port of Long Beach Releases Bio-Survey Report to Mark Earth Month

 

LONG BEACH —The latest and fifth biological survey of the San Pedro Bay port complex-wide study since 2000 was conducted across three seasons in 2023. Released in connection with Earth Month, the survey can be viewed at www.polb.com/wildlife. The survey measures water quality and marine habitat at the neighboring ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. Survey data are used by the ports and partner agencies that monitor the harbor’s flora and fauna to evaluate progress toward improving the health of the natural resources under their stewardship.

During the survey, a team of biologists and divers observed more than 1,000 species, including 97 species of fish, 842 species of invertebrates, 110 species of birds and four species of marine mammals: sea lions, harbor seals, dolphins and seasonally visiting gray whales in the outer Harbor. Non-native species remain at only 5% of all species detected, consistent with prior biological surveys, which is a testament to the success of port environmental initiatives as well as state and federal regulatory programs.

The 2023 biological survey is the first to implement high resolution imagery from commercial satellites to map critical habitat, gauge sea surface temperature and water clarity, and track the distribution of “chlorophyll a,” the primary pigment in plants that converts light energy into chemical energy for photosynthesis. In summer 2023, this imagery measured approximately 43 acres of submerged and canopy kelp canopy within the harbor, providing abundant habitat for various species.

New survey methods similar to those used by divers to monitor the health of reef habitats were also utilized to catalog fish, invertebrates and algae communities on the port complex’s humanmade “riprap” or rocky embankments, the federal breakwater and concrete pilings. In 2023, three of the 16 fish species monitored across all surveys were only found during riprap and piling dive surveys, including cabezon, black-and-yellow rockfish, and olive/yellowtail rockfish.

In addition to the full biological survey report, a colorful, illustrative online brochure is available to learn about two decades of efforts to reduce the environmental impacts to San Pedro Bay. The “Look Beneath the Surface” pamphlet is available here.

Learn more about the Port of Long Beach’s initiatives to improve the harbor’s habitat at www.polb.com/wildlife.

 

Rancho Palos Verdes City Council to Address Landslide Impacts at May 5 Meeting

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Rancho Palos Verdes City Council to Address Landslide Impacts at May 5 Meeting

RANCHO PALOS VERDES — On May 5, Rancho Palos Verdes city council will receive the latest updates on the landslide emergency.

The most recent survey data from early April reports the landslide complex is moving 54% slower than it was one year ago, despite a slightly above average rainy season.

The average movement rate for areas still moving within the active landslide boundary was 1.42 inches per week, a 16.7% decrease since February. The Abalone Cove Landslide decelerated by an average of 16% to 1.87 inches per week and the Portuguese Bend Landslide decelerated by an average of 16% to 1.21 inches per week. The Klondike Canyon Landslide continued to see no measurable movement. The fastest moving area in the landslide complex remains the upper portion of the Abalone Cove Landslide at approximately 2.15 inches per week.

During next week’s meeting, the council will also receive a financial update. With no financial assistance from state or federal agencies, the city will have spent approximately $61.5 million (previously reported as $64.4 million) of its own funds by mid-year responding to the landslide since October 2022.

Finally, the council will consider extending by 60 days the local emergency declarations in the landslide area and the temporary prohibition of bicycles, motorcycles, and other similar wheeled vehicles from an approximately 2-mile stretch of Palos Verdes Drive South.

A staff report (PDF) with more information is available on the city website.

 

Meeting Info

Time: 7 p.m., May 5

Details: View Staff Report

Venue: McTaggart Hall at Hesse Park and via Zoom. Watch live on RPVtv’s YouTube channel, at rpvca.gov, or on Cox 33/FiOS 38. To participate in public comment during the meeting in person or virtually, complete a form at rpvca.gov/participate. Email your comments on agenda items to cc@rpvca.gov.

LA Smogiest US City For 26th Year

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LA Smogiest US City For 26th Year

 

Los Angeles once again had the worst ozone pollution in the US, as it has for 26 of the 27 years that the American Lung Associations has produced its “State of the Air Report,” which was released on Earth Day. “Ozone pollution in Los Angeles worsened from last year’s report,” the report announced. It had far more smoggy days than the three other California metro areas that dominated the top 5: Visalia (#2), Bakersfield/Delano (#3), and Fresno-Hanford-Corcoran (#5).

LA ranked 7th in PM (particulate matter) pollution on both daily and annual measures, but there’s far less of a gap between cities on those measures. For annual PM, four other California metro areas were worse: Bakersfield/Delano (#1), Fresno-Hanford-Corcoran (#4), San Diego/Chula Vista/Carlsbad, and Visalia. (#5, tied). For daily PM, three California metro areas scored worse: Bakersfield/Delano (#3), Visalia (#5) and Fresno-Hanford-Corcoran (#6).

 

Letters to the Editor: Port’s Pollution Claims and Call to Organize After “No Kings”

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Letters to the Editor: Port’s Pollution Claims and Call to Organize After “No Kings”

“Green” in Name Only: Ports Face Fresh Legal Blow Over Pollution Claims

All credit to Earthjustice and Communities for a Better Environment for successfully challenging yet another phony “Environmental Impact Report “ from the Port of Long Beach. It has to be said that the Port of Los Angeles is just as guilty. Congratulations to Paul Rosenberg and RLN for speaking truth to power for all of these years. Although power refuses to listen.

Attorney Espino-Padron is correct that the ports brand themselves as “green” and yet behave in ways that reveal the “green “ brand as a cynical Public Relations cover for business as usual. They wrapped themselves in the PR “green “ flag after POLA lost the China Shipping lawsuit. Over 20 years later they still remain the largest sources of toxic air pollution in Southern California.

Commenters on port EIRs have raised the issue of environmental justice for years. They have been ignored. Perhaps AB 617 will bring some relief to the “environmental justice communities “ of Wilmington, Carson, and West Long Beach, or at least recognition of the problem. It will have to be seen to be believed.

Again, all credit to Earthjustice, Communities for a Better Environment and RLN for fearlessly continuing to fight this battle. Alas, it is destined to continue for many more years.

Noel Park

6715 El Rodeo Rd, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

562-413-5147

 

Beyond the Two-Party System: A Call to Organize After “No Kings”

First, the content of RLN reporting and editorials has widely supported the “No Kings” wildly successful demonstrations. I’d also reference several of my favorite news and commentary shows like “Turning Points” with Saager and Crystal Ball and John Stewart’s Show and political commentary that has touted and supported the largest mass demonstrations since the anti-Vietnam War demos. Add to this list the hugely popular anti-Oligarchs rallies headlined by Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

But, enough of the talk, the words, no matter how on point! Organize, organize, organize!

Organize what? (RLN editor Paul Rosenberg raised the question, “What’s next for Democracy,” at the end of last year) All other democratic countries in the world have multiple and many different political parties. Our two-party system is bankrupt, compromised and run by elitist and feckless so-called party leaders.

But rather than constant commentary and political pundits pontificating, we need to organize a new political party. We need to be energized, not just by Mamdani’s words and ideas, but by his “grassroots” campaign. Like we did with Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaigns.

Which was compromised and hijacked by the mainstream Democratic Party and its presidential candidates in those primaries who all ganged up to stop the Sanders’ iconic campaign. We should have parlayed that organizing to form another political party!

Yes, I know third parties are generally frowned upon but a successful third party already exists. It is the “War Mongers’” Party made up of Republicans and Democrats. They have successfully continued to fund the war in Ukraine, fund the genocide is Gaza, and now the Iran War. They are the party that keeps Johnson as Speaker and even if the Democrats take the House in the mid-term elections, Jefferies, like Biden and Harris, will still support Netanyahu and Israel’s imperialism.

“Rock n roll”, let’s parlay the successful “No Kings Day” demonstrations into a People’s founding convention for a Third Party!

PS: I know it may end in a circular firing squad because we can’t find a progressive consensus. Every group has its litmus tests, but can’t we find common ground? No, only a small part of it is anti-Trump. What issues and ideas can we offer vis-à-vis Mandani’s initiatives in New York City? What are we for, not only against?

Humbly submitted by:

Warren T. Furutani

Gardena, CA

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