Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Murder Suspect Arrested Weeks After Shooting Death Of 39-Year-Old In Long Beach

Also check out Christmas Car Wash on the Long Beach Patch calendar

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Saturday December 13th Patch AM
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Hi there, Long Beach! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Suspect arrested in fatal Cherry Avenue shooting of homeless Long Beach man
  • How deep will LBUSD’s looming cuts hit Long Beach classrooms?
  • Could your teen be Long Beach’s next Youth Poet Laureate?

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 the boat dock say when it was arrested? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Saturday: Fog to sun, with a high of 69 and low of 54 degrees.
  • Sunday: Clouds giving way to sun, temps: high: 72, low: 52.
  • Monday: Partly sunny, with a high of 77 and low of 50 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Murder Suspect Arrested Weeks After Shooting Death Of 39-Year-Old In Long Beach (patch.com) — Long Beach residents are learning more about an October shooting near the 5300 block of Cherry Avenue, where 39-year-old Dajuan Hunt was fatally wounded. Police say detectives have now arrested 40-year-old Freddie Lamont Key Jr. on suspicion of murder, and the case has been presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office while the motive remains under investigation.
   

2. ‘No layoffs!' Teachers, school employees unite against LBUSD budget cuts (sigtrib.com) — Teachers, school staff, and students rallied outside Long Beach Unified headquarters this week to protest sweeping budget cuts that could eliminate hundreds of jobs, close schools, and slash library and counseling services. Facing a projected $100 million deficit, LBUSD plans deep reductions across campuses, while union leaders and Mayor Rex Richardson urge the district to spare classrooms and shift more cuts away from direct student support.
   

3. Long Beach Youth Poet Laureate applications open for 2026-27 (sigtrib.com) — Long Beach teens ages 13 to 18 can now apply for the 2026–27 Youth Poet Laureate program, with applications due Feb. 28, 2026. Winners receive scholarships, mentorship from local poets, and chances to perform and collaborate citywide, continuing a growing literary tradition centered at the Long Beach Public Library and Arts Council for Long Beach.
   

4. Long Beach's health department receives 3 grants to expand traffic safety, education programs (presstelegram.com) — Long Beach’s health department just secured three state traffic-safety grants totaling $915,000 to expand education and prevention programs aimed at cutting crashes on city streets. The money will boost Walk & Roll LB, Greenlight LB and other efforts focused on youth, high‑risk neighborhoods and communities disproportionately affected by collisions, supporting the city’s Safe Streets goal of eliminating traffic deaths by 2026.
   

5. Long Beach Jordan girls basketball runs past Lakewood in Moore League opener (presstelegram.com) — Long Beach Jordan’s girls basketball team opened Moore League play with a 48-40 road win over Lakewood, powered by senior forward Jah’asharee Moore’s 20 points and nine rebounds. The victory gives Jordan a 6-3 record and momentum heading into a tournament final Saturday and their next league matchup at Millikan on Tuesday.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • SCAN's Independence at Home Offers Free Classes to 55+ & Their Caregivers to Keep them Healthy & Independent —Leslie Smith Read on Patch
  • Teen-Led Nonprofit Ella’s Angels Earns City Recognition After Feeding Hundreds of Families in Long Beach —Ella Shahbazian Read on Patch
  • Vast posted a job opening for Quality Inspector, Avionics in Long Beach. Apply here.
  • CVS Health posted a job opening for District Support Pharmacist - Full Time 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 demand a jury of my piers.
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