🌱 LBUSD And TALB Agree On Raise, TK + State Stymies Hospital Transfer

Happy Wednesday, neighbors; today is National Star Wars Day, which was first organized at the Toronto Underground Cinema in 2011! Let's get you all caught up to start today off on an informed note.

They might not get a 6% raise, but school district and union did reach a tentative agreement. Also, the Community Hospital may not become a mental health campus after all. Finally, local officials joined LBFD and LBPD to honor fallen first responders.

First, today's weather:

Areas of low clouds, then sun. High: 77 Low: 58. Today’s pollen breakdown shows moderate levels for grass.

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Poll!
Who should be the next Long Beach Mayor? Please let me know your thoughts! (As of today, Suzie Price leads the pack with 50% of your votes, but Rex Richardson is second with 31.1%. Franklin Sims is making a showing with 8.1%!)

Here are the top fivestories today in Long Beach:

1. On Tuesday, the Teachers Association of Long Beach and the Long Beach Unified School District reached a tentative agreement regarding full-day kindergarten and raises. “The agreement includes a 4.5% raise for teachers and a 2.5% one-time payment on 2021-22 earnings, as well as language governing how to move forward with full-day kindergarten and transitional kindergarten programs beginning in the fall.” The union officially votes on the terms next week. (LB Post)
2. When the Community Hospital at PCH and Termino Avenue shut down last time, the City intended to give the property to the Molina Mu Network “to pay back $30 million in losses.” Molina was going to turn it into a “mental health and wellness campus.” However, we learned Tuesday that the State “found Community Hospital to be (a) surplus property that should be offered on the open market to affordable housing developers,” in keeping with a 2019 law focusing on construction of affordable housing. (The Real Deal)
3. Mayor Robert Garcia joined the LBPD and LBFD Tuesday morning in front of City Hall “to honor the 29 police officers and 14 firefighters who have been killed in the line of duty.” “Long Beach is profoundly grateful to all who have served, and we remain indebted to the first responders who have given their lives to keep the rest of us safe,” the Mayor said. (Office of Mayor Robert Garcia)
4. Did you know the city has a Golf Hall of Fame? Organizers opened up voting on Tuesday for the public to nominate community members “who have left their mark on golf” in the city. Inductees would join the likes of Betty Hicks, Jamie Mulligan, Eldrick “Tiger” Woods and Phil Kessler. (Long Beach Parks)
5. Mark your calendars! Malala Yousafzai will be in town on May 16 as a participant in the Terrace Theater’s Distinguished Speakers Series. “Born in the Swat Valley region of Pakistan, Yousafzai was only 11 when she began to take action against the Taliban’s attempts to prevent girls from going to school.” (The Hi Lo)

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Today in Long Beach:

• LBGLCC Grow With Google Bruncheon featuring Dean Triolo at The Grand (9 AM)
• Love, Blessings And Miracles Amidst A Pandemic with Erin Sommerville from MemorialCare (online) (10 AM)
• Star Wars Day at the LB Beer Lab (11 AM)
• Long Beach Leadership Webinar: How to Manage The 4 Different Types Of Millennials (1 PM)
• Marina Stadium Farmers' Market at Appian Way and Nieto Avenue (3 PM)

From my notebook:

• Our neighbor from the DeForest Park area is singing the praises of a vendor! They just had a beautiful fence installed and a wooden gate built. The handyman did such a beautiful job that they wanted to spread the word. He's good, polite, and shows up on time. Name is Alberto Ramos, 323-743-0343. (Nextdoor)
• A Carson Park neighbor wants to give a heads-up to anyone who might be going to Birdcage Park. People have seen a skunk walking in the middle of the park two nights in a row around 7 pm. (Nextdoor)
• Our Lakewood Village neighbor found a hidden little gem: The Modern. Please try this wonderful restaurant and bar! Very delicious pastries, coffee bar, gourmet foods, and delightful spirits. (Nextdoor)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. I'll see you around!

— 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