🌱 Hydrant Theft Suspects Caught + Learn To Reduce Kitchen Waste

Hi there, Long Beach! Today, we recommit to healthy skincare on National Hyaluronic Acid Day. I'm back in your inbox this morning to tell you everything you need to know that's going on in town, including news on:

• 💻 Zoning changes for the Westside
• 🚘 The permanent parklet kerfuffle
• 🤝 🤖 A Long Beach security company that uses AI to prevent theft

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☀️ But first, today's weather:

Sunny. High: 65 Low: 40.

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

• Sam’s Club at 7480 Carson St., $3.89
• ARCO at 6001 Long Beach Blvd., $3.95
• ARCO at 1945 E Pacific Coast Hwy., $3.99

💐 Valentine’s Day Poll! 🥂
Pink hearts, boxes of chocolates, and greeting cards – reminders that Valentine’s Day is coming are everywhere. But responses to the holiday are mixed. What are your feelings about the occasion? Do you celebrate? So far, 46.1% take a bah-humbug approach, while 44.7% plan on a Valentine’s Day with all the trimmings. 2.6% plan on celebrating Galentine’s Day, and 6.6% focus on Singles Awareness Day.

📰 Here are the top stories in Long Beach today:

1. Who’s been stealing fire hydrants across the city? It turns out that “there were multiple unrelated suspects committing thefts.” However, their sprees ended on January 11 and 12, when suspects were detained in the 1400 block of Gaylord Street and near 17th Street and Cedar Avenue. As of Thursday, five suspects ranging in age from 34 to 61 were identified. Why did they steal the hydrants? If the 2015 thefts in L.A. are any indication, they could have been making money recycling them. (Long Beach Police Department)
2. There’s word that the city’s Westside may undergo some zoning changes to “drive retail development on major corridors west of the 710 Freeway.” You may remember that Councilmember Roberto Uranga requested a building moratorium in 2021 “citing the building of single-family homes in areas where other types of development could better serve the community.” Thursday evening, city planners discussed ending residential-only projects at some intersections, including “Hill Street, Spring Street, Willow Street, and Wardlow Road.” Look for a vote on the issue by March. (Long Beach Post)
3. The City Council determined it’s time to change how it deals with the opposition to “permanent parklets that allow restaurants to offer outdoor seating.” In the past, the city’s community groups had the final approval power. We learned on Thursday that it “voted to amend a portion of its municipal code relating to the permanent parklet permitting process,” which puts an end to this practice. Now, we'll have a “system in which written opposition to a proposed parklet” must be submitted to the City Council. After hearing all sides, it will make a decision that’s “final and not eligible for appeal.” (Press-Telegram/paywall)
4. Are you hip to ECAMSECURE? It’s a private Long Beach security company that uses AI to deter rail theft. On Friday, the company said it “tailored a system to fight rail theft in Los Angeles and helped reduce calls by 68%.” While it may cause some would-be thieves to leave after being told that someone’s watching and a recording is being made, law enforcement can deal with actual thefts “by watching and recording a crime.” The company says it guides officers “into a safer environment than if they simply responded to a 911 call.” (ABC)
5. Do you know how to cut down on waste in your home? Long Beach Recycles wants to help. On February 2, it’ll host its "Reduce Waste at Home: Kitchen Edition" online workshop. “Learn strategies to reduce packaging waste and food waste in the kitchen.” (Long Beach Recycles)

📆 Today in Long Beach:

• Knitting & Crocheting Circle at the El Dorado Neighborhood Library (10:30 AM)
• Brewery Yoga & Namasté at Trademark Brewing (11 AM)
• Corgi Beach Meet Up at Rosie's Dog Beach (11 AM)
• FREE Monthly S.T.E.A.M. Saturday for students 8+ at 419 Shoreline Village Dr (1 PM)
• Read Con Amigos at the Michelle Obama Library (3 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "Public archery instruction will re-start February 4th!" (El Dorado Archers)
• "POTUS shared ways the American Recovery Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, the Bi-Partisan Infrastructure package, & the Chips and Science Act will help to shape better cities & a better America. As a major trade gateway, LB has & will continue to benefit from these commitments." (Office of Mayor Rex Richardson)
• "Alert Long Beach is a free emergency notification system designed to keep those who live or work in Long Beach informed of important information before, during and after a major emergency or disaster. For more information and to sign-up for AlertLB, visit https://bit.ly/3GFKkMJ." (Long Beach Health Department)
• "What a night! Last night, our LBPD team took the win over the Long Beach Hoops After Dark Allstar Team. These amazing officers came out in support of the LBHAD youth program and impressed all of us in attendance. The series is 1-1, and we can't wait for the tiebreaker game this year." (Chief Wally Hebeish)

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Events:

• Torrance Antique Street Faire (January 22)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (January 24)
• Lemur Mom (January 27)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday! See you tomorrow morning for your next 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