🌱 Traffic Circle Area Stabbing + Ring In The New Year At The Aquarium

Hi all! Today, we savor Bacon Day! I'm back in your inbox this morning with your new edition of the Long Beach Daily. Keep reading for the most important things happening these days in town, including news on:

• 🚢 Federal approval for the Port’s deepening project
• 🧑‍🚒 A rotation of sworn command staff who will serve as acting fire chief
• 🎆 The fireworks show will go on — even if it rains.

💗 Please help us grow! Send a friend or neighbor this link, so they can be in the know, like you!

☁️ But first, today's weather:

Cloudy with a sprinkle. High: 63 Low: 55.

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

• Sam’s Club at 7480 Carson St., $3.76
• ARCO at 1785 Bellflower Blvd., $3.79
• United Oil at 2995 N Long Beach Blvd., $3.99

📰 2022 News Poll 📍
There was a lot of bad news in 2022. However, there was some great news, too. Which was your favorite good news story of 2022? So far, 50% like the collaboration to end plastic pollution, while 37.5% favor the news that Ethiopia’s civil war is over. The final 12.5% like news of a new malaria vaccine.

📰 Here are the top stories in Long Beach today:

1. The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) is investigating a non-fatal stabbing in the Traffic Circle area. On Wednesday evening, after 7:18 p.m., officers connected with the victim in the 1700 block of Coronado Avenue. The victim reported that an “assailant approached him from behind, stabbed him in his upper body, and then fled the scene.” (Patch)
2. The Port of Long Beach received federal approval for its proposed deepening project. We learned on Wednesday that approval was part of the National Defense Authorization Act, which the president signed before Christmas. You may remember that the Port proposed “deepening the Long Beach Approach Channel from 76 to 80 feet, easing turning bends in the Main Channel to deepen a wider area to 76 feet, deepening parts of the West Basin from 50 to 55 feet, constructing an approach channel and turning basin to Pier J South with a depth of 55 feet, improving the breakwaters at the entrance to Pier J, and depositing dredged material in nearshore sites for reuse.” (gCaptain)
3. Because the city still hasn’t found a fire chief, the city manager announced Wednesday that “sworn members of the Long Beach Fire Department Command Staff will serve as Acting Fire Chief in rotation.” This directive begins Saturday. Meanwhile, recruitment efforts to fill the position are ongoing. (City of Long Beach)
4. Even if it rains all day on Saturday — and right now that’s what the forecast says — the New Year’s Eve fireworks at the waterfront are happening! The Downtown Long Beach Alliance announced on Thursday that the shows will start promptly at 9 p.m. and midnight. Get there early; parking won’t be easy to come by. (Downtown Long Beach Alliance)
5. If you prefer to celebrate without the risk of rain, consider heading to the Aquarium of the Pacific. It'll have “a live band playing in the Great Hall and DJs spinning in the galleries - all leading up to the confetti countdown at midnight.” Besides that, the festivities will include cash bars, food from Café Scuba, a photo booth, karaoke, and a chance to visit your favorite nocturnal sea creatures to see them in action. (Aquarium of the Pacific)

📆 Today in Long Beach:

• Breast Ultrasound Screening at 3771 N Lakewood Blvd (9 AM)
• Noon Year's Eve Celebration at the Billie Jean King Main Library (11 AM)
• Fallen Angel performs at Que Sera (9 PM)
• Madd Scientist spins at The Harbor (10 PM)
• Craic Haus Shamrockabilly at the Auld Dubliner (10 PM)

📓 From my notebook:

• "Remembering a great man! Happy 50th Birthday, Captain Rosa." (Long Beach Fire Department via Facebook)
• "Only 50 more days until our season opener! ⏳" (Long Beach State Athletics via Instagram)
• "Menus for Luncheon on the RMS Queen Mary, Ca. 1955. People sometimes mail or bring us items such as these menus as they clear out old treasures, often with a note about how the person came to own the items." (Historical Society of Long Beach via Facebook)
• "🗣Friendly reminder! In observance of New Year’s Day, some of the City of Long Beach facilities will be closed and services may be impacted. Get the full list of closures here. 🔗 https://bit.ly/3VbVP3V" (Long Beach City via Facebook)
• "📖 Take a look at the Long Beach Strategic Vision 2030. The vision affirms and reframes the City’s commitment to supporting the diverse Long Beach community." (Long Beach City via Facebook)

You're all caught up for today! See you tomorrow morning for another 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