🌱 The Walter Pyramid’s Roof Leaks + Funds Approved For Davenport Park

Good morning, everybody! It’s National Slam the Scam Day; did you know that consumers lost a reported $509 million to scammers in 2022? I'm back with your new edition of the Long Beach Patch newsletter. Here's everything you need to know that's happening in town, including:

• ⚠️ An accidental overdose that turned out to be a homicide
• 👮 The latest two commercial burglaries
• 🔥 A small fire on Pine Avenue

💗 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:

Partly sunny. High: 67 Low: 53.

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

• ARCO at 1785 Bellflower Blvd., $4.39
• Sam’s Club at 7480 Carson St., $4.39
• Sinclair at 5588 Long Beach Blvd., $4.39

😋 Fair Food Poll!
Fair food is the ultimate cheat meal. Although we all know it’s unhealthy, everyone has a guilty pleasure. Which is your favorite? So far, 40% admit to loving funnel cake, and 12% each love guacamole and candy apples. Another 8% choose cheesecake, corndogs, and tri-tip sandwiches. Finally, 4% each vote for cotton candy, avocados with cheese, and fried cheese curds.

📰 Here are the top stories today in Long Beach:

1. The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) arrested a 35-year-old man and former City of Long Beach employee, in a 2020 murder case. At that time, a 36-year-old woman died in a home near the 1700 block of Cedar Avenue of an apparent “accidental overdose of methamphetamine and alcohol.” However, the man came to the police station on Monday, taking responsibility for giving the woman narcotics and saying “he is responsible for her death.” (LBPD, Patch)
2. Burglars robbed two more Long Beach businesses over the last couple of days. They hit Soggy Dog at 2001 East 7th Street and Holé Molé at 421 Obispo Avenue. “The worst part of all is trying to function afterward and pretend everything is normal,” the owner of Soggy Dog said. The LBPD is increasing patrols. However, Soggy Dog’s owner warns that small business owners aren’t safe; “if it can happen to me, it can happen to you. Just be prepared.” (Long Beach Post)
3. On Tuesday, the Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) responded to the 900 block of Pine Avenue. Initially, firefighters were told that “a large, vacant commercial building” was on fire. However, they only found a “small contents fire after arriving.” Firefighters quickly extinguished it, and investigators now look for its cause. (Long Beach Fire)
4. The Walter Pyramid’s roof is leaking! Built back in 1994, it’s been the location for countless Long Beach State University (LBSU) games. Foreseeing the eventual failure of the roof, the administration determined in 2021 that a roof replacement and “related deferred maintenance items” would come with a price tag exceeding $55 million. Last week’s rains haven’t helped, and the pyramid, which originally cost $22 million to build, ended up having “trash cans and a kid's swimming pool” placed throughout the interior to catch dripping water. The idea is now to increase the activities fees by $64 to raise funds needed to fix the roof. (Daily 49er)
5. The Ed ''Pops'' Davenport Park at 2910 East 55th Way will have the funding necessary for its 6.5-acre planned expansion. The City Council approved the funding Tuesday to create a green space measuring a total of 11.5 acres. Installations will include “a new multipurpose sports field, exercise equipment, outdoor bleachers and seating areas, a walking trail, and additional parking.” The city awarded the contract for the work to the Bitech Construction Company, with an anticipated completion date in the summer of next year. (Press-Telegram/paywall)

📆 Today in Long Beach:

• Find a job at the Harbor Occupational Center's Job Fair (10 AM)
• Enjoy Barbara Kasten's "Centric Revisited" Exhibition at the Carolyn Campagna Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum (12 PM)
• Visit the Rancho Los Cerritos during its Public Hours (1 PM)
• Head to Hot Java to participate in THRIVAL (2:30 PM)
• Watch Niall Cash perform at The Auld Dubliner (10 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "UPDATE❗️ Our warming center at the Multi-Service Center has been extended." (Long Beach City via Facebook)
• "Earlier was a “Public Health and Community Safety” Class Day for the Institute. A huge thank you to our wonderful day chairs: Rudy Garcia (LLBI’22) and Cynthia Howell (LLBI ‘20) for organizing this incredible day." (Leadership Long Beach via Facebook)
• "Need a refresher on preparing for natural disasters or other emergencies? Learn the building blocks of preparedness − be informed, make a plan, build a kit and get involved. To learn more about how to prepare for disasters and emergencies, visit: https://ready.gov" (Long Beach Health Department)
• "📣 Our Mobile Access Center (MAC) will continue through March, this month focusing on service areas throughout Long Beach. Get the full schedule and details here. ℹ️ https://bit.ly/3IL8AhD" (Long Beach City via Facebook)
• "Long Beach residents 18 and over: Become a Compost & Recycling Ambassador and help your community make an impact! Join us for this FREE 8-week program, starting Thursday, April 6 from 4 to 7 pm. Learn more & apply at http://bit.ly/longbeachcra" (Long Beach Recycles)

🏡 What are homes selling for these days in Long Beach?

• Median Listing Home Price $750K
• Median Listing Home Price/Square Foot $610
• Median Sold Home Price $695K

Check out more Long Beach real estate information!

🐶 Check out cats, dogs, and other Pets Available For Adoption at Long Beach Area Shelters!

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Featured events:

• 2023 Los Angeles International Flamenco Festival (April 1)
• Add your event

You're all caught up for today. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at LongBeach-CA@Patch.com