🌱 Pedestrian Fatality Under Ocean Blvd. Bridge + Sesame Street Live

Hello, neighbors! Today, National Drinking Straw Day reminds us to appreciate this 1888 invention! Sylvia here with your fresh copy of the Long Beach Daily, full of all the community news you need to know right now. In this issue, you'll find news on:

• ⚠️ The incident behind Saturday’s cell phone alert
• 📕 Fallout of State Senate Bill 1137
• 🤔 Community land trusts as a tool for affordable housing

❤️ Loving the Long Beach Daily? Tell a friend and send them this link, so they can subscribe!

☁️ But first, today's weather:

An a.m. shower or two; cloudy. High: 63 Low: 54.

Business owners and marketers in Long Beach: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

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

• ARCO at 1785 Bellflower Blvd., $3.89
• Speedway Express at 998 E Anaheim St., $3.99
• ARCO at 4385 Atlantic Ave., $3.99

📰 2022 News Poll Results 📍
We asked, which was your favorite good news story of 2022? You answered! 42.9% like the collaboration to end plastic pollution, while 21.4% favor the news that Ethiopia’s civil war is over. 14.3% like news of a new malaria vaccine, and the final 21.4% are excited about hydrogen-powered trains. Nobody particularly cared for Colorado’s pardoning of those with cannabis possession charges. Thank you for participating!

📰 Here are the top stories today in Long Beach:

1. A man died at Harbor Scenic Drive and Ocean Boulevard on Sunday at 11:10 p.m. A 20-year-old in a 2013 Nissan Altima struck the pedestrian as he attempted “to cross westbound, on foot, across the lanes of traffic under the Ocean Boulevard Bridge.” The driver remained on the scene, and reportedly, “speed, distracted driving, and driving under the influence do not appear to be factors in this collision.” (Long Beach Police Department)
2. Do you remember getting a cell phone alert on Saturday about Spring Street closures? It turns out that a Metro A (Blue) Line train collided with a cyclist trying to get across the tracks. The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) learned that at 11:16 a.m., “the male cyclist rode around the crossing arms that were down” in the area of Spring Street and Del Mar Avenue, when he was hit. Authorities closed Spring Street between Long Beach Boulevard and Pacific Avenue. The cyclist was critically injured. (Long Beach Post)
3. Will Long Beach have to deal with a “potential $84 million liability?” State Senate Bill 1137 “prohibits new oil and gas wells, or major retrofitting of existing wells, within a new buffer zone of 3,200 feet between the wells and homes, schools, nursing homes, and hospitals.” However, we learned on Monday that this places the oil islands off the city’s coast within the buffer zone. Long Beach had independently determined to cut oil production — but not until 2035. Now, the oil industry is backing a petition drive to put this item on the ballot for the March 2024 election. Meanwhile, Long Beach’s Tidelands Operating Fund and projects such as the Belmont Beach and Aquatic Center or pump installations in Alamitos Bay are in jeopardy. (Press-Telegram/paywall)
4. Long Beach Residents Empowered (LiBRE) thinks it might have a new solution for creating affordable housing. Monday’s report outlines that the group is considering the formation of a community land trust that could enable them to “tentatively purchase an existing apartment or mixed-use building and lease out its units while maintaining ownership of the land itself.” A 99-year plot lease and long-term “restrictions on rent levels and resale prices” would keep housing costs stable. (Long Beach Business Journal)
5. Sesame Street Live is coming to the Terrace Theater on January 13! And, if your little one is a big Elmo fan, might get a pre-show meet & greet. The show will only be in town until January 15, so getting your tickets early might be a good idea. (Sesame Street Live)

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📆 Today in Long Beach:

• My Gym hosts a Children's Winter Camp (8 AM)
• American Red Cross Blood Drive at the Alpert Jewish Community Center (9 AM)
• Conquer Your Fear of Public Speaking Virtual Free Trial Class (3 PM)
• Free Trivia is happening at Supply & Demand (7:30 PM)
• Alex's Bar Karaoke (9 PM)

📓 From my notebook:

• "Smiling because we get to play at 🏡 this week! Thursday vs. CSUN at 7pm Saturday vs. UCI at 4pm" (Long Beach State Athletics via Instagram)
• "Tori Harris of LBSUWBB is our Player of the Week, presented by the Port of Long Beach! Harris averaged 21.5 points per game while leading Women's Basketball to a pair of wins to kick off Big West Sports action last week." (Long Beach State Athletics via Instagram)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Tuesday! See you tomorrow morning for your next 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