🌱 6 Robberies In 2 Days + Spill Shut Down Vincent Thomas Bridge

Good day, neighbors, and happy National Shortbread Day! Sylvia here with the Thursday Long Beach Daily.

Bold robbers have been targeting businesses around Virginia Country Club, Veterans Park, Cal State, and Drake Park. Also, there were 40,000 pounds of apple concentrate on the bridge. Finally, the Acura Grand Prix got a contract extension through 2028!

First, today's weather:

Plenty of sunshine. High: 67 Low: 49.

Here are the top five stories today in Long Beach:

1. Five local businesses were robbed on Sunday – all in the span of four hours. The spree began right around 1 a.m. near the Virginia Country Club with two robberies. Next, there were two robberies near Veterans Park. Finally, the spree ended near Cal State LB. The suspect is an adult male “armed with a handgun entering a business, robbing it at gunpoint, and taking varying amounts of money from the respective business.” (LB Post)
2. Another robbery happened Monday at Leo’s Mexican Grill near Drake Park. “A man entered the restaurant with a gun and demanded money.” This robbery occurred at 6 p.m. (LB Post)
3. Forty-thousand pounds of apple juice concentrate made the Ferry Street on-ramp to the Vincent Thomas Bridge a slippery mess Tuesday. A big rig tipped over while attempting to navigate the ramp. Cleanup took several hours. (CBS)
4. The Acura Grand Prix at Long Beach is here to stay through at least 2028 because the City Council approved the contractual extension. “The Grand Prix has always been a very strong community event and this agreement just amplifies the unique relationship with the City of Long Beach going forward,” the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach President and CEO remarked. (Racer)
5. If you’re looking for a way to get around downtown, consider LBT’s Passport service. The FREE service will remain in place through January 17. The bus is for visitors and residents “to explore and shop,” and runs Friday through Sunday. (@DLBA)

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Today in Long Beach:

• Winter Family Craft Day at Friends of the Mary Wilson Library (10 AM to 5 PM)
• In-Person Long Beach Tai Chi for Beginners at Marine Stadium Park (11:45 AM)
• Anime Los Angeles 17 at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center (12 PM to 7 PM)
• Food Truck Pacifico Charbroiled Fish Grill at Brouwerij West (5 PM to 8 PM)
• Alex’s Bar presents Y2K Nite (9 PM)

From my notebook:

• Officials at Long Beach City encourage individuals to make appointments for COVID-19 testing. (Facebook)
• A Grant neighbor is looking for bike route recommendations. They're looking to do one or two 50 mile bike rides. Does anyone have any route recommendations in the surrounding Long Beach/OC area? (Nextdoor)
• The Hamilton Neighborhood Association invites you to a neighborhood clean–up. Get rid of your items for FREE! (Nextdoor)
• Our South Wrigley neighbor needs help with 3D printing. They got a 3D printer with all the accessories, but they need help! (Nextdoor)
• A kind North Long Beach neighbor found a dog wandering the neighborhood down Coke Street. Is it yours? (Nextdoor)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you soon!

— 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.