🌱 Suspected Predator Pleads + Gazette Closes Belmont Shore Office

Happy Friday, neighbors; today is National Rescue Dog Day, which has been celebrated since 2018 and traces back to Lisa Wiehebrink, author and founder of Tails That Teach! Let's get you all caught up to start today off on an informed note.

The man who was restrained by restaurant patrons because of an alleged sex assault on a child says he’s not guilty. Also, the Grunion Gazette is moving offices. Gold’s Gym is, too.

First, today's weather:

Low clouds may break. High: 68 Low: 60.

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Poll!
Who should be the next Long Beach Mayor? Please let me know your thoughts! (As of today, Suzie Price leads the pack with 42.5% of your votes, but Rex Richardson is second with 25.1%. Franklin Sims has 16.2%, and Joshua Rodriguez comes in with 11.7%!)

Here are the top stories today in Long Beach:

1. Update: On April 5, we talked about a 33-year-old man who allegedly sexually assaulted a minor inside a Denny’s on the 600 block of LB Blvd. Patrons intervened and held the man for the police. On Tuesday, the suspect pleaded not guilty. His next court date is June 27, when there’ll be a hearing “to determine if there is sufficient evidence to allow the case against him to proceed to trial.” (Hey SoCal)
2. The Gazette Newspapers office in Belmont Shore has closed. However, the Grunion Gazette will continue publishing. Its new digs will be at 5150 East PCH in Suite 200. “There’s something special about being able to walk into the newspaper office to place an ad, offer a news tip, express an opinion or just pick up a paper and say hi.” Even so, publishers acknowledge that “foot traffic had already fallen off considerably, even before COVID-19 hit.” (Press-Telegram)
3. Speaking of relocations, Gold’s Gym at Pine Avenue and 4th Street in DTLB is also moving. We learned Thursday that next year, the fitness company will relocate to the Pike Outlets, which are close by. Although the new venue is about 5,000 square feet smaller than the current facility, “the Pike is a great location due to the ease of parking, accessibility to other businesses and overall traffic flow.” (LB Post)
4. Long Beach will be getting a Spherion Staffing and Recruiting office in June. The new franchise owner, Reverend Dr. Ade Oyeyemi, believes that his “purpose in life is to serve those around me, and Spherion provides me the opportunity to fulfill that calling.” The staffing agency will “focus on filling temporary and direct-hire staffing needs for administrative, clerical and professional roles.” (Franchising)
5. We got a Koolberry, y’all! It’s “a new locally owned açaí concept that recently opened street-side next to Steelhead Coffee.” Right now, head to the intersection of LB Blvd. and Bixby “from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and on Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.” (The HiLo)

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Today in Long Beach:

• Smart Coast California hosts a sea level rise planning Summit at The Westin Long Beach (7:30 a.m.)
• 2nd Annual Racial Justice Roots Convening at Long Beach City College (8:30 a.m.)
• Live Q&A: All About Marketing Your Small Business Webinar with the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce (11 a.m.)
• The Friends of Bixby Park host a Kids' Disco at the Bandshell (4 p.m.)
• The Carpenters Tribute at the Grand Annex (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• South Division LBPD officers had an amazing time connecting with so many community members at the latest "Coffee With A Cop" event. ☕ 💙" (Facebook)
• 🚲 There's going to be a family-friendly bike ride on Sunday, May 22 at 2 p.m.! At noon, there will be a Mini Bike Fest and safety training. (Facebook)
• Bring your bike to a free Saturday Bike Check-Up event and have a bike mechanic take a look at it and perform any basic tune-ups. (Facebook)
• A neighbor in the Los Altos-Britton Drive area wants input on a gate replacement. Who does it? (Nextdoor)
• Our Greenbelt Heights neighbor is helping a friend re-home a one-year-old Cane Corso. (Nextdoor)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• 15th Annual Seal Beach Be More Healthy Expo (May 21)
• Torrance Antique Street Faire (May 22)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (May 23)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar (May 23)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar (May 23)
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Job listings:

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That's it for today. I'll see you around!

— 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