Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Arrests Made Weeks After Historic Plaques Stolen From Long Beach Park

Coming up: Christmas Car Wash on the Long Beach Patch calendar

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Friday December 19th Patch AM
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What's up Long Beach! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Two Long Beach men arrested in MLK Park plaque theft case
  • Long Beach police set Friday night DUI checkpoint in North Division
  • How will LBUSD’s mental health cuts change your child’s school?

Also on today's calendar: Christmas Car Wash and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Long Beachfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Long Beachfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Friday: Areas of fog, then sun, with a high of 69 and low of 55 degrees.
  • Saturday: Times of clouds and sun, temps: high: 67, low: 54.
  • Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 69 and low of 56 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Arrests Made Weeks After Historic Plaques Stolen From Long Beach Park (patch.com) — Community members in Long Beach are learning more about the theft of historic plaques from the Martin Luther King Jr. statue at MLK Park, as police announce two local men have been arrested on grand theft charges. City leaders, including a council member and the mayor, condemned the vandalism and pledged to restore the plaques, emphasizing the community’s resilience and commitment to honoring shared history.
   

2. DUI Checkpoint Planned In Long Beach This Week (patch.com) — Drivers in Long Beach should be aware that police will run a DUI checkpoint in the North Division area Friday evening, targeting hours when impaired driving crashes are most common. Officials stress that impairment can come from alcohol, drugs, or even legal marijuana, and warn that a first DUI can cost thousands of dollars and a suspended license.
   

3. LBUSD cuts mental health services at schools; insiders say the need is still dire (lbpost.com) — Long Beach Unified is planning major cuts to school-based mental health services next year, including closing some wellness centers and nearly halving its social worker staff. Parents, students and social workers in Long Beach warn this could leave vulnerable kids without trusted support during a worsening youth mental health crisis, especially at middle and K-8 campuses that relied heavily on these centers.
   

4. Assault suspect dangles from fire escape on 11th floor of Long Beach office building (lbpost.com) — Downtown Long Beach streets were shut down Thursday morning as police negotiated with a man clinging to a fire escape on the 11th floor of an office building at Broadway and Long Beach Boulevard. Officers say the standoff followed reports he tried to rob DoLy’s Delectables and assaulted at least two people before fleeing upstairs.
   

5. Long Beach open swimming areas temporarily closed after 18,000 gallon sewage spill (presstelegram.com) — All ocean swimming areas in Long Beach are currently closed after 18,000 gallons of sewage spilled into the San Gabriel River, prompting a health order from the city. Officials say closures will remain until water tests meet state standards, and they note Long Beach is frequently hit by sewage spills originating upstream. Residents can track reopening updates on the city’s beach water quality website.
   

📸 Around Long Beach

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Long Beach

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

    Friday December 19
  • Christmas Car Wash
    Carwood Car Wash & Detail Center, 2729 E Carson St, Lakewood
    5:00 pm
    • Saturday December 20
  • Christmas Car Wash
    Carwood Car Wash & Detail Center, 2729 E Carson St, Lakewood
    6:00 pm
    • Sunday December 21
  • Christmas Car Wash
    Carwood Car Wash & Detail Center, 2729 E Carson St, Lakewood
    5:00 pm
    • Tuesday December 23
  • Christmas Car Wash
    Carwood Car Wash & Detail Center, 2729 E Carson St, Lakewood
    5:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Long Beach Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Long Beach PatchAM possible:

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Wells Fargo scam- got a fraud protection call from WF today from an 800 number with WELLS FARGO caller ID.
    Person asked the usual questions. Said someone tried to transfer money. I couldn’t get a straight answer from him but figured he was just a poor… (Nextdoor Plaza)
  • Hello..
    good afternoon I’m giving away my pug Benji to someone who will treat him well and be affectionate with him I can’t keep him anymore because there… (Nextdoor Westside Long Beach)
  • Kentucky Fried Chicken posted a job opening for Team Member in Long Beach. Apply here.
  • Athleta, Inc. posted a job opening for Seasonal Retail Sales Associate - 2nd and PCH in Long Beach. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Long Beach here.

Ok Long Beach! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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