🌱 New Year’s Baby Born At St. Mary’s + Gerrie Schipske For Mayor

Happy Monday, neighbors, and Happy National Fruitcake Toss Day! Let's get you all caught up on what's happening locally to start today off on an informed note.

The New Year’s first baby is Emily Luna Reyes. Also, Gerrie Schipske is running for mayor! Finally, will the City Council make it easier to build granny flats?

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and cool. High: 59 Low: 42.

Here are the top five stories today in Long Beach:

1. The first LB baby to be born in the New Year is Emily Luna Reyes. She was welcomed to the world at 1:30 a.m. on Saturday. Weighing in at seven pounds and eight ounces, the staff at St. Mary’s Medical Center assisted. Welcome to the world, little one! (LB Post)
2. We learned Saturday that former LB Council Member Gerrie Schipske is running for mayor. After having been written out of the fifth council district during redistricting, Schipske’s initial plan to run for her old seat was derailed. Now, the 71-year-old politician determined to run for the seat that Mayor Robert Garcia intends to let go for a chance at a Congressional seat. With the support of her wife, she intends to “create a coalition for Long Beach progress that engages and collaborates with residents while insisting our city be more transparent and results-oriented.” (Q Voice News)
3. Council members Al Austin and Suely Saro are proposing a City Council agenda item dealing with granny flats. At the Tuesday meeting, the council members want to discuss a program that lets homeowners select from a list of pre-approved floor plans for building “accessory dwelling units.” Similar programs are already in place in Chico and Los Angeles. (LB Post)
4. Just before noon on Saturday, there was a single-vehicle collision at 7th Street and Los Altos Avenue, which resulted in the 40-year-old driver’s death. The LBPD determined that a 2008 Honda Civic was driving eastbound on 7th Street. It ran off the road and struck a light pole, as well as two empty cars. (LBPD)
5. A man was stabbed to death Sunday morning. The murder took place in the 700 block of Lime Avenue in an alley. The PD responded to reports of a man yelling for help and “two dark figures running away.” At this time, officers believe the victim may have been experiencing homelessness. If you have any information about this crime, please call Homicide Detectives Michael Hubbard or Leonel Valdez at (562) 570-7244. (CBS)

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Today in Long Beach:

• Weekday Morning Meditation at the Namasté Center for Spiritual Living (7 AM)
• Prayer Time via Facebook Live (3:30 PM)
• Country Western Line Dance Class at The Gaslamp Restaurant & Bar (5 PM)
• Good Times Pinball Tournament at 4125 Paramount Boulevard (7:30 PM)
• Bachelor Viewing Parties at Trademark Brewing (8 PM)

From my notebook:

• An Addams neighbor found a German Shepherd on Mountain View & Pine. (Nextdoor)
• Our Grant neighbor has a dog in need of a home! It's a 5-month-old female German shepherd husky mix. (Nextdoor)
• This Historic Zaferia Village-SE neighbor needs a recommendation for a place that does wheel balance and front end alignments in or near Long Beach. (Nextdoor)
• A Ridgewood Triangle neighbor wants you to know that Mia’s Babysitting Service is open for business! (Nextdoor)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Monday off right! 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.