🌱 Murder Probe Near Scherer Park + Belmont Shore's Sushi Nikkei Opens

Hello, everybody! Today, we look around the house for National Re-Gifting Day! Sylvia here with your fresh copy of the Long Beach Daily, filled with all the local news you need to know right now. Today you'll read about:

• ⚠️ A state of emergency over homelessness
• 🏀 A Let’s Play Ball update
• 🚢 The Queen Mary’s membership program

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☀️ But first, today's weather:

Sunshine and patchy clouds. High: 69 Low: 47.

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

• Sinclair at 5588 Long Beach Blvd., $3.79
• Noil USA, Inc. at 1234 W Cowles St., $3.84
• ARCO at 3401 Long Beach Blvd., $3.95

⏰ 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? So far, 21.1% intend to meet new people or interact more with current friends. Letting go of negativity is the goal for 15.8%, and 10.5% want to travel or experience something new. Another 26.3% want to live healthier, and the final 26.3% plan to embrace change.

📰 Here are the top stories in Long Beach today:

1. The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) is investigating a murder near the intersection of 49th Street and Del Amo Boulevard, which is close to Scherer Park. Officers arrived Tuesday morning around 5:13 a.m. and found “an unresponsive male adult off the roadway,” who was declared dead. So far, homicide detectives “revealed the decedent sustained an injury to their upper body.” (LBPD)
2. New Mayor Rex Richardson intends to declare a state of emergency over homelessness in Long Beach. Following the example of Los Angeles’ new Mayor Karen Bass, Richardson linked homelessness to a lack of affordable housing and noted his intention at Tuesday’s inauguration event. “Just this year, 99 people died on our streets before we could get them housing. Responding with urgency matters,” he said. This declaration will likely be followed by the launch of a new website to “show city data and services as well as let the community know how to get engaged in helping.” (Patch)
3. How’s the "Let’s Play Ball" project going? The collection of new balls is to benefit Long Beach Schools and the Boys and Girls Club in Long Beach. The goal set by organizers is 2,800 balls, but things aren’t looking good. As of Monday, only around 934 balls were counted. Boathouse on the Bay stepped in and held a donation drive on Tuesday. However, your donations are still needed. You can drop off any type of ball at Big 5 Sporting Goods, Phil Trani’s Restaurant, Legends Sports Bar and several other venues. (Press-Telegram/paywall)
4. You can financially help out with the Queen Mary’s restoration process. The city announced last week the launch of an annual membership program that “will support the ongoing conservation and restoration efforts of the historic landmark.” The membership dues are tax-deductible, cost $150 per person, and entitle you limited general admission, two day passes each year, and other financial breaks on visiting the attraction. Future membership variations are under consideration. (City of Long Beach)
5. It’s official! Sushi Nikkei’s Belmont Shore location opened Wednesday at 5020 2nd Street! You may remember that its first location at 3819 Atlantic Avenue recently became part of the Michelin Guide for its Peruvian-style food. Check it out — with a reservation. (Sushi Nikkei)

📆 Today in Long Beach:

• CSU Long Beach Virtual Transfer Workshops (1:30 PM)
• Chanukah Candle Lighting with Cantor Kelly Cooper and the Temple Israel Youth Choir at the Alpert Jewish Community Center (4 PM)
• Thursday Night Market at 300 Promenade North (5 PM)
• Comedy Collision at the Laugh Factory (7:45 PM)
• FEAR returns for two nights at Alex's Bar (8 PM)

📓 From my notebook:

• "👏🏽👏🏽 We would like to congratulate our newly elected officials and 🙏🏽 thank everyone who attended or tuned-in to watch the inauguration ceremony. Watch the ceremony on YouTube 📺 youtu.be/CIXqyfGPnZg" (Long Beach City via Facebook)
• "In observance of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, some of the City of Long Beach facilities will be closed and services may be impacted. Get the full list of closures here. 🔗 https://bit.ly/3VbVP3V" (Long Beach City via Facebook)
• A neighbor in West Bixby Knolls says, "people with pets at Lindenwood: pick up after your pets inside the condominium. - It’s your pet, pick up after your pet. Don’t depend on the cleaning ladies to clean up after your hot mess. There’s ONLY 2 cleaning ladies, not 20." (Nextdoor)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with 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