Deplaning Over Masks + LBUSD BD Elects Juan Benitez + Burger Week

Up and at 'em, Long Beach! Let's get you started this Wednesday with everything you need to know going on today locally.

A LB family got off a Southwest flight after the mom allegedly did not wear a mask at all times. Also, Juan Benitez is the new LBUSD Board’s president. Finally, there’s gonna be a Burger Week, y’all!

First, today's weather: Partly cloudy throughout the day. High: 83 Low: 67.

***Please note that the City operates five cooling centers that are open daily from noon to 6 p.m. Water is available at each site. They remain in operation until October 16.***

Here are the top stories in Long Beach today:

1. A LB family with an autistic teen had problems with Southwest over the mask mandate. A call to News 4 got them on the flight, but then the mother was asked to deplane for not “wearing her mask at a point during the conversation with attendants.” (The Mercury News, CBS)
2. Juan Benitez will be the LB Unified School District’s Board of Education’s president for the 2021-22 school year. Failure to elect him last year in favor of Diana Craighead drew criticism from the mayor and a state senator. (LB Post)
3. The first ever LB Burger Week will run from August 1 to 8. It gives participating restaurants a chance to showcase their specialties at a value price. Examples are the Truffle Shuffle Burger at the LB Tap House or the Vegan Patty Melt at Hungry Angelina. (OC Breeze)
4. The Southeast Resource Recovery Facility (SERRF) on Terminal Island incinerates an estimated 450,000 pounds of drugs each year. Its contract with the City will run out in 2024. Having lost revenue, there's no word what will happen then. (LB Business Journal)
5. BNSF Railway will limit transport of international containers from the Port of LB to its Chicago terminal because of a growing backlog. It is unclear what effects this will have on supply chain issues and the local Port’s recovery efforts. (Trains)

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Today in Long Beach

• Wag 'N Walk Wednesday - Downtown Long Beach Alliance (9:30 AM)
• DigiMarCon America 2021 - Digital Marketing, Media and Advertising Conference (9:30 AM)
• Summer Lunch Cruises - Downtown Long Beach Alliance (12:00 PM)
• How to Use Instagram Reels - Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce (2:00 PM)
• The Leaf and Lion hosts a New Normal product introduction with BOGO deals at 6978 Stanley Avenue (21+). (4 p.m. to 7 p.m.)
• The 2021 Long Beach Redistricting Commission is hosting a hybrid Community of Interest Outreach meeting at Poly High School as well as online. (6 p.m.)
• LB Black Chamber of Commerce Monthly Mixer at Greater Harvest Church, 1144 Olive Avenue. (6:30 p.m.)

Long Beach Patch Notebook

• Leadership Long Beach: "Only 5 more days until the first ever Long Beach Amazing Race! We have a full day of FUN planned for our teams - you ..." (Facebook)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Torrance Antique Street Faire (July 25)
• Free Family Mini Photo Sessions (July 31)

Job listings:

• Field Technician machine shop industry (Details)

You're all caught up for today! See you tomorrow morning for your next update. If you're feeling these newsletters, consider bringing some friends and neighbors on board. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Sylvia Cochran works out of sunny Southern California and has been freelance writing full-time since 2005. Her SEO-optimized internet copy includes social media marketing projects, German to English business translations as well as human resources tutorials. She loves dogs, books, and embraces social justice.

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