🌱 A 50-Year-Old Man's Crime Spree + Belmont Aquatics Center Setback

Good morning, everybody! Today, we savor National Bouillabaisse Day! I'm back with your fresh edition of the Long Beach Daily. Here's everything you need to know that's happening these days in town. In today's issue of the Daily, we'll cover these stories and more...

• 👮 The police department is looking for robbery victims
• 📆 The Bixby Post Office talks holiday mailing deadlines
• 👀 The school district is looking for a couple of interns

💗 Please help us grow! Send a friend or neighbor this link, so they can be in the know, like you!

🌤️ But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 63 Low: 43.

⚡️ Attention, local business owners and marketers in Long Beach! I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to secure your spot now. Click here to learn more.

⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations in the City of Long Beach

• VP Racing Fuels at 3605 E 7th St., $3.97
• ARCO at 6001 Long Beach Blvd., $3.99
• G&M at 805 E Ocean Blvd., $3.99

⏰ New Year’s Resolutions Poll! 🎶
According to Forbes, only 8% of people making New Year’s resolutions actually achieve them. Even so, the experts suggest making resolutions because they encourage intentionality, optimism, and a positive effect on others. So, what are your resolutions for 2023?

📰 Here are the top stories today in Long Beach:

1) Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) officers went to the 2000 block of Artesia Boulevard on Sunday evening just after 11 p.m. They found a male adult with a non-fatal gunshot wound. Reportedly, he and another victim were approached by a bicyclist, the three got into an argument, and shots were fired. “Gang Detectives responded to the scene to further the investigation.” However, the story doesn’t end there. Officers determined that this same suspect also carjacked a woman near the 6700 block of Paramount Boulevard. The spree ended when the suspect, a 50-year-old man, became “involved in a single-vehicle traffic collision with a pole” in Downey. (LBPD)

2) Were you the victim of an armed robbery between November 16 and December 2? The LBPD issued a press release asking victims to come forward. “During these robberies, a male suspect brandished, simulated, or struck the victim with a firearm.” Officers made three arrests; a 29-year-old homeless man, a 36-year-old Long Beach resident and a 29-year-old Lake Elsinore woman. The LBPD believes these are suspects in robberies in the 1500 and 1600 blocks of PCH, South Street and other venues. (City of Long Beach)

3) The $119 million Belmont Beach and Aquatics Center was supposed to be built in 2023. You may remember that it's supposed to replace the Belmont Plaza Pool that was demolished in 2014. However, we learned on Sunday that the city doesn’t have the money to build the center as planned. “A feasible project is likely in the $62 million to $75 million range,” which means cutting back on spectator seating and recreational swimming space. At this time, a loss of oil operations income is contributing to a projected “budget deficit of about $40 million in the next fiscal year.” (Long Beach Post)

4) The Bixby Post Office at 4470 Atlantic Avenue wants to take the stress out of holiday mailings. If you couldn’t visit the meet and greet on Tuesday, the station manager has helpful information on mailing deadlines. Military mail is due by December 16; holiday cards and anything headed to Hawaii should be in the mail by December 17; Alaska mail should be sent on December 18, and priority mail will get your cards and packages to where they need to go if sent by December 19. For diehard procrastinators, priority mail express service has a deadline of December 22. (Press-Telegram/paywall)

5) Do you know a high school student who’d love the opportunity of an internship? The Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) is looking for two interns “who are interested in education to support its leadership pipeline programs.” You have until December 23 to apply. (LBUSD)

📆 Today in Long Beach:

• Chanukah Vendor Fair at the Alpert Jewish Community Center (9 AM)
• Baby Time at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (11 AM)
• Selfies with Santa near Marina Drive and Ample Hills Creamery (4 PM)
• Kyng performs at The Hanger (5 PM)
• Free Trivia with prizes at Beachwood Brewing (7 PM)

📓 From my notebook:

• "Kristyna Jeskeova led LBSUWBB to another win, scoring a career-high 14 points as the Beach went on the road and defeated Nevada 68-57. That performance earned the junior Player of the Week honors, presented by Port of Long Beach!" (Long Beach State Athletics via Instagram)
• "Your LBFD would like to give a special thank you to the Naples Island Garden Club for their long-standing partnership and support for our Spark of Love Toy Drive!🚒🎄Each year your contributions make an outstanding, positive impact." (Long Beach Fire Department via Facebook)
• "Our Long Beach Parks, Recreation & Marine will offer FREE winter youth fun days program and teen activities during winter school break from Dec. 27 through 30 and Jan. 3 through 6, noon to 5 p.m." (Long Beach City via Facebook)
• Our Cambodia Town East neighbor says to "clean up your dog’s poo! - Just a friendly reminder for people to clean up after your dog. It’s pretty awful to see so much unattended. We can do better." (Nextdoor)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Frosty's Winter Wonderland In Corona — (Visit website)
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Events:

• Holiday Pops with your Long Beach Symphony (December 17)
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You're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Sylvia Cochran works out of sunny Southern California and has been freelance writing full-time since 2005. She loves dogs, cats, books, plays Best Fiends (don't judge), embraces social justice, and tries to live out Micah 6:8.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Long Beach Daily? Contact me at LongBeach-CA@Patch.com