Home Care In Long Beach, CA

LONG BEACH — With the chants inside Ron Palmer Pavilion rising around him and his team trailing 34-29, Long Beach Poly boys wrestler Sammy Timu found himself in a tough situation.

He was facing Millikan’s Teagan Rowsell in the final match of Thursday night’s showdown between the two Moore League rivals. Timu, a sophomore who wrestles in the heavyweight division, held a five-point advantage heading into the third and final period.

As the final minute of the match wound down, Timu found the power to escape from Rowsell’s grasp and pinned him to give Poly the six points it needed for a 35-34 win.

“I think it’s a blessing that God had given me the strength to pull the last move off,” said Timu. “It was really the crowd and my family around me. They were cheering me on and to continue to keep going even when facing adversity. I know how to struggle through it.”

The match began with the Rams earning three straight victories — from Anthony Avelar, Daniel Cullen and Kai Backstorm.

Poly’s star, state-ranked wrestler Knox Espinoza, and Damien Orozco-Mallett then gave the Jackrabbits back-to-back wins.

But then came perhaps the most shocking outcome of the match, as Millikan freshman Jimmy Alvarez Jr. pulled off a victory against senior Lincoln Chung to shift the momentum back to Millikan.

Alvarez managed a takedown in the second period and Chung’s three near takedowns weren’t enough to bring the freshman down.

The two teams kept trading wins, leading up to the final encounter between Timu and Rowsell.

Timu, who also is a defensive lineman for the varsity football team, was able to get the upper hand against Rowsell with consecutive takedowns in the first two periods, setting up the epic final period.

“(Millikan) built that tradition,” said Poly head coach Ken Lee, whose team is undefeated in league. “They built that standard in Long Beach and it’s really good to see.”

Earlier in the afternoon, Poly’s girls team also came away with a big win against the Rams 47-35.

After jumping to a 17-12 lead, thanks to three wins in the first five duals, Poly saw the match become tied when Millikan’s Meg Chelsea Pulido defeated the Jackrabbits’ Kayla Chagala 17-2.

The tide shifted when Poly’s Bowie Digregorio defeated Millikan captain Kayde Preciado 8-5 with a pin.

The Jackrabbits followed by winning the next four matches, the last three of which were forfeited by Millikan.

“I saw a lot of heart and a lot of grit from out girls,” said Lee. “We had a lot of girls that were filling a lot of big shoes. We suffered quite a few injuries this week, and, you know, they were able to go ahead and come out and just play.”

“This was an amazing night of wrestling,” he added. “I feel like this community is doing better as a whole and being able to have these competitive matches is not only great for the schools, but it’s great for the sport.”

Despite a year of trade volatility and unprecedented tariffs, the Port of Long Beach handled a record amount of cargo in 2025 and expects growth to accelerate.

Under the leadership of a new chief executive, Noel Hacegaba, the second-busiest port in the U.S. plans to invest to be ready to double the cargo it processes by 2050. That’s also the year the port is hoping to achieve zero carbon emissions.

“We have 24 years to figure this out and ensure we can handle double our capacity,” Hacegaba said.

The forecast predicted the Port of Long Beach will handle the equivalent of 20 million containers in 2050, up from 9.8 million containers last year.

Hacegaba, who joined the Port of Long Beach in 2010 and previously served as chief commercial officer before beginning his CEO role Jan. 1, said he is focused on upgrading the port’s operations. The future of the port depends on investments in infrastructure and efficiency, he said.

“A lot of what I’m going to do as chief executive resembles what a head coach of a football team would do,” Hacegaba said. “I want us to move to a hurry-up offense,” he said.

Managed by the city’s Harbor Department, the port currently handles about $300 billion in cargo annually and supports 2.7 million jobs in the U.S. The port accounts for 534,000 jobs in Los Angeles and Orange counties and 1.14 million jobs in California. Hacegaba is looking forward to increasing those numbers.

“If we double our throughput, there’s no question we’re going to need a bigger workforce to handle that,” he said.

After a year under the Trump administration, some things have changed for the port.

Trade with China used to account for 70% of the port’s cargo handling, but after President Trump’s tariffs on Chinese exports, that amount has fallen to 60%. Much of the movement has shifted to Vietnam, which takes longer to travel to and from, Hacegaba said.

Breaking cargo records in 2025 “is remarkable when you consider everything that we’ve gone through as an industry and as an economy,” he said.

At one point, Trump imposed a nearly 150% tariff on Chinese goods, but as of November, the tax on many goods from the country was 47%. Trump also imposed steep taxes on imports from other key trade partners, including Mexico and Canada.

As a result, cargo volumes varied drastically by month at the Port of Long Beach and the Port of Los Angeles.

“Every time there was an announcement of a new tariff, the reaction from the shippers was to advance shipments to get ahead,” Hacegaba said. “We did notice ups and downs.”

From April to May last year, the number of containers processed at the port fell from 867,493 to 639,160. By July, the number jumped up to 944,232.

International shippers who front-loaded goods to get ahead of new taxes accounted for much of the port’s cargo during its record year.

“Despite some of the doom and gloom that a lot of people were suggesting, we ended in record territory,” Hacegaba said. “The single biggest factor was all the front-loading.”

The port handled last year’s cargo without congestion or backlogs, according to Hacegaba. Over the next 10 years, the port plans to invest $3.2 billion in inland railroad connectivity to move goods faster and more efficiently.

The intricate cargo-hauling system still will rely on truck drivers, who represent a significant portion of California’s working class, but is looking to lean more towards using railways, which can be faster and greener, Hacegaba said.

“In order for us to accommodate that growth, we’re going to have to leverage every mode of transportation to get those containers out as quickly as possible,” he said.

To “grow green” and eliminate carbon emissions by 2050, the port agreed to a deal with Brookfield Properties to build a zero-emission container terminal at Pier S, located in the port complex along the Cerritos Channel.

The port has also spent the last decade preparing its infrastructure for bigger and more energy-efficient ships.

In November, the California State Transportation Agency rejected a proposal from the Port of Los Angeles to raise the height of the Vincent Thomas Bridge, which connects San Pedro to Terminal Island and Long Beach.

Hacegaba said that the Port of Long Beach is already “big ship ready.” The Long Beach International Gateway Bridge, a key artery in the port complex, is 515 feet tall, high enough for the next generation of cargo ships to pass under.

The Vincent Thomas Bridge is 185 feet tall.

The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach share a space and compete against other global gateways, Hacegaba said. But he wants Long Beach to be the best choice for shippers and marine terminal operators.

“To the rest of the world, we are one port complex,” Hacegaba said. “However, the ocean carriers, the shippers, they keep score on customer service.”

Hacegaba stepped into his new role this month, eager to usher in the next era at the Port of Long Beach. He said his 15 years working for the port have prepared him for what’s next.

“We’re going to simplify our mission and we’re going to amplify our impact,” Hacegaba said. “I know what’s working and I know what can work better.”

Animé Los Angeles will return to the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center next week, inviting fans of anime, gaming, Japanese culture, cosplay, and pop-culture fandoms to dive headfirst into an out-of-this-world weekend.

Now drawing nearly 20,000 attendees each year, ALA has evolved from a modest fan gathering back in 2005 into a full-scale celebration that still keeps a welcoming spirit at its center.

This year’s theme is “Isekai” — the anime trope of being transported to another universe.

If you knew about “Isekai” before that explanation, this weekend was made for you.

At ALA 2026, expect immersive programming that leans into fandom creativity and escapism, from lively panels and hands-on workshops to demos led by industry experts and community guests.

Throughout the weekend, attendees can roam the bustling and expansive exhibit hall where independent creators and vendors showcase original art, crafts, collectibles, and fandom must-haves.

Cosplay, of course, will be everywhere — on the show floor, in dedicated meetups, and even in crowd-favorite events like cosplay chess.

Then, when the sun goes down, the energy will shift to dances and DJ-driven nightlife that keeps the convention buzzing well into the evening.

One of Animé Los Angeles’ most beloved traditions will also make a colorful return. At the Ribbon Station, ribbons become living scrapbooks as attendees collect, trade, and show off these badges that mark memories, jokes, achievements, and chance encounters with kindred animé lovers.

With four packed days of panels, performances, and creativity, Animé Los Angeles continues to prove why it keeps growing year after year — no portals to parallel worlds required.

The event will get underway from Jan. 8 through Jan. 11. Visit animelosangeles.org to view the full schedule of events.

Let’s be honest. When you put a famous franchise ‘on ice,’ it often gets dismissed as cheesy or childish.

But if you’re looking for a family-friendly outing that’ll actually delight audiences of all ages, “Disney on Ice” at the Long Beach Arena now through Jan. 4 is an ice spectacle that’s worth a place on your calendar.

First launched in 1981 as Walt Disney’s “World on Ice,” this touring ice show has been skating across arenas worldwide for more than four decades, bringing Disney stories to life with professional figure skaters portraying classic characters like Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, and Donald Duck.

The show was renamed “Disney on Ice” in 1998 and has since become a staple of live family entertainment, evolving with new themes, music, and choreography every year.

Expect an upbeat celebration of Disney’s greatest hits, as classic characters dance to fan-favorite tunes and act out stories on ice.

Part concert, part ballet, and part theatrical showcase, this production blends high-energy skating, acrobatics, interactive sing-alongs, and dazzling special effects.

Surely you know that one of the charming parts of attending a “Disney on Ice” show is the family-friendly atmosphere, so be sure to sing along and soak up the experience with fellow Disney lovers of all ages.

Beyond the nostalgia and spectacle, though, “Disney on Ice” offers a collective experience that’s rare in today’s digital world — families laughing together, kids wide-eyed with wonder, and even grown-ups rediscovering the joy of Disney.

For showtimes and tickets, go to shorturl.at/A9jFm.

Prepare to be amazed — and humbled — when The Peking Acrobats take the stage at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center on Saturday, Jan. 17.

This internationally acclaimed troupe blends ancient tradition with jaw-dropping athleticism, offering a performance that is as much a cultural spectacle as it is an exhibition of human skill.

For more than three decades, The Peking Acrobats have redefined what audiences in the United States and around the world expect from acrobatic performance.

Their art is rooted in a Chinese tradition that stretches back more than 2,000 years, evolving from early entertainment forms to the polished, global-touring ensemble you’ll see on stage later this month.

The evening promises a mix of gravity-defying feats and expressive physical storytelling.

For example, through towering stacks of chairs, hair-raising balancing of hands, and tumbling bodies, these acrobats make us feel the exhilaration of going beyond our physical capabilities.

The show also evokes the energy of a traditional Chinese carnival, combining handcrafted costumes, expressive music (typically featuring traditional instruments), and theatrical pacing that keeps audiences of all ages engaged.

Bring friends, family, and anyone who delights in human possibility in the new year.

In an echoing Long Beach studio, an ambitious team of designers is trying to reinvent how electric vehicles are made.

Slate Auto has assembled a team of EV engineers from Tesla, Rivian and elsewhere to develop America’s least-expensive EV truck. In the warehouse space near construction supply shops and a Western-themed bar, designers have built clay models and prototypes of a customizable EV truck that could cost half as much as the competition.

The company, which has raised more than $700 million from Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and others, says it will have a truck on the market next year for roughly $25,000.

How does it plan to keep its sticker price so low?

Buyers will start with a blank slate — a basic truck without power windows or even paint — and can then customize it however they like.

They can pay extra for power windows, speakers, colored wrap or paint. A $5,000 kit even converts the truck into an SUV.

Squeezing out as much cost as possible while making it as easy as Legos to snap on different options has required complex engineering, which is why the company decided to set up its design studio in Southern California.

The region is full of experts.

Although Slate’s headquarters is in Troy, Mich., and its vehicles will be manufactured in Indiana, much of how they will look and be assembled came together in the Los Angeles area, said Jeremy Snyder, Slate’s chief commercial officer.

“The design presence on the West Coast, specifically in Los Angeles, has been a huge part of the automotive industry for a very long time,” he said. “Having that pool of talent that resides here was super important.”

If the idea clicks with enough consumers, company executives are hopeful that their unique business model will bolster widespread EV adoption.

Skeptics say it has yet to be proved that American consumers really want a vehicle broken down to the basics, but thousands of potential EV owners already have shown interest.

More than 150,000 potential buyers put down $50 deposits to reserve their place in line to buy the truck once it is on the market.

A large slice of that demand is coming from Los Angeles, Snyder said.

“Los Angeles has played such a critical role in the zero-emissions auto industry,” he said. “I think that it is going to play a very important role in the roll-out of Slate vehicles.”

The company’s first deliveries are expected in late 2026.

Slate is entering the EV market at a difficult moment, as demand for green cars has cooled under the Trump administration. The president ended many tax breaks and regulations that were created to nudge more consumers and companies into EVs.

The EV company Rivian laid off more than 600 workers in October, and Tesla sales have slid this year.

Tesla has shown how tough it is to build a business around an affordable EV by putting its own affordable vehicle plans on the back burner.

These days, Elon Musk seems more focused on developing humanoid robots for the masses than on an affordable EV.

Slate thinks that for a radically reduced price, there will be demand. It is imagining that there are customers who don’t need four doors, the size or the power of a standard truck or the autonomous driving tech of a Tesla.

Slate’s big bet is that a radically reduced sticker price and a new kind of business model can rekindle excitement about the industry. The company is hoping that customers will be thrilled to save the money and then splurge only on the features they want.

“We’re going to make the truck, and then after that, you make it yours,” said Slate’s head of communications, Jeff Jablansky.

Slate trucks have a steel frame and external plastic panels that can be wrapped in any color. If customers want to paint their vehicle, they can do it themselves or take it to a partner shop.

The standard version will have an electric range of 150 miles. That can be increased to 240 miles by paying more for a bigger battery.

And those are some of the most obvious options.

Slate’s online customization tool gives customers the freedom to design their EV however they want. Jablansky said potential customers have created more than 10 million different configurations of a Slate truck online.

Slate hopes that if it can make EVs more affordable to buy, a new group of consumers will get to experience that EVs also often cost less to own and maintain.

“The entire company was built around this idea of the affordable vehicle,” Snyder said. “We scrutinize every accessory in the same way that we scrutinize the vehicle to keep prices as low as possible.”

Although only about 25 of Slate’s 500 employees work out of the Long Beach studio, it has a disproportionate effect on the company’s product.

To trailblaze and succeed in the harsh EV market, the company decided it needed a presence in California, as well as near the traditional heart of car building in and around Detroit.

“We knew we needed to have a presence in both places to really understand what people wanted,” Jablansky said. “Some companies say they’re a California company, some say they’re a Detroit company. We need to be an American company.”

What you need to know: The Governor’s SAFE Task Force conducted an encampment operation in Long Beach, helping shelter 25 people and 8 pets in a recently opened state-funded Homekey shelter.

LONG BEACH — As part of Governor Newsom’s statewide strategy to address homelessness, the Governor deployed his State Action for Facilitation on Encampments (SAFE) task force to address a persistent encampment in Long Beach this last week. Working with local partners, including the City of Long Beach and PATH homeless services, the task force helped connect 25 people and 8 pets with shelter at a state-funded shelter with supportive services. Established in August, the SAFE Task Force works with local partners to address encampments on state rights of way in California’s 10 largest cities.

“There’s nothing humane about letting people languish outdoors without shelter or support. We’ve been leaning in with unprecedented state help — real resources for our cities and counties — to turn this national homelessness crisis around and to get people the care they need. We’re standing with our local partners like Long Beach to move people out of encampments and into a safe, stable place.”

Governor Gavin Newsom

“Every person in Long Beach deserves safety, stability, and a real path forward. For too long, our neighbors living along the riverbed have faced dangerous conditions that have been difficult to address because they span multiple jurisdictions,” said Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson. “By strengthening our partnership with Governor Newsom’s SAFE Task Force and Caltrans, we’re finally able to take a coordinated, compassionate approach that connects people with housing, services, and long-term support.”

“Housing stability is a critical first step to address and end homelessness,” said Business, Consumer Services and Housing Secretary Tomiquia Moss. “In California, we’re prioritizing meeting people where they are to help provide access to permanent housing and ongoing services. This work is not possible without strong partnership at the local level, including from cities like Long Beach and community organizations that offer people direct support. Our ultimate goal is to make sure everyone has a safe and affordable place to call home.”

“California is building a stronger, more equitable behavioral health system so every person can get the right care at the right time,” said Kim Johnson, Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency. “The SAFE Task Force is a powerful example of this work in action, demonstrating what’s possible when we come together with a shared commitment to helping people stabilize, recover, and thrive.”

About the Governor’s SAFE Task Force

California’s SAFE Task Force brings together expertise and programs from across state agencies to target encampments. The SAFE Task Force not only clears encampments but also brings together emergency management, social services, health care, drug treatment, and public safety. SAFE focuses on removing encampments on state property in California’s most populous cities. SAFE has now cleared encampment in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Anaheim, Fresno, and San Diego–with more to come.

The Long Beach encampment operation addressed an encampment located on state property alongside freeways at the State Route 91 and I-710 Interchange, which endangered not only the people in the encampment, but also motorists and the public. To facilitate clean up, the task force worked with local service providers for weeks to provide outreach to inhabitants of the encampment, offering shelter and supportive services including health care.

After moving people into shelter and off the encampment site, Caltrans teams picked up debris and hazardous materials, clearing approximately 150 tons of debris over three days.

Providing shelter in Long Beach

Twenty-five people in the encampment were connected with shelter through the operation, being moved from the hazardous outdoor location to a state-funded Homekey site nearby. The Homekey site, which opened on October 29, is an interim housing location that is already paving the way toward stability and permanent housing. The Homekey program is an effort launched in 2019 to rapidly house individuals experiencing homelessness. Through the program, the state provided local communities with funding to transform existing buildings — such as commercial spaces, hotels, motels, adult residential facilities, and manufactured housing — to permanent or interim housing for the target population. Across three rounds of the original Homekey program, HCD awarded more than $3.6 billion to fund 261 projects with 15,962 homes expected to house more than 175,000 Californians over the projects’ lifetimes.

This includes Steve, who was connected with shelter after living in the encampment for a number of years and who expressed that this shelter “saved my life.”

Strategies that work

Governor Newsom is the first Governor to make addressing homelessness – a decades-in-the-making issue – a top priority. Since taking office in 2019, Governor Newsom has created unprecedented policy and structural changes in state government to help California better address its housing and homelessness crises, including additional and unprecedented support for local governments, stronger accountability and enforcement, transformational changes to mental health services and state government, and groundbreaking reforms to create more housing, faster than ever before

Turning around a nationwide crisis

The Newsom administration is making significant progress in reversing decades of inaction on homelessness.

Last year, the state held the growth of unsheltered homelessness to just 0.45%, compared to a national increase of nearly 7%. States like Florida, Texas, New York, and Illinois saw larger increases both in percentage and absolute numbers. In 2024, while homelessness increased nationally by over 18%, California limited its overall increase to just 3% — a lower rate than in 40 other states. California also achieved the nation’s largest reduction in veteran homelessness and made meaningful progress in reducing youth homelessness.

And this year, many of California’s communities are reporting reductions in homelessness – with a particularly notable reduction in unsheltered homelessness.