Dying Trees + Phone Access To Meetings In Jeopardy + COVID By ZIP

Hello, neighbors! It's me again, Sylvia, your host of the Long Beach Daily. Here are the most important things going on today in town.

Blame the tree scale insects or the City’s unwillingness to prioritize tree health, but park trees are dying and becoming dangerous. Also, will you lose the ability to participate in City Council meetings by phone after July 6? Finally, don’t aim a laser pointer at an aircraft. Seriously! We’re living near an airport and still have to have this conversation?

First, today's weather: Partly cloudy throughout the day. High: 78 Low: 63.

Here are the top stories in Long Beach today:

1. Drought, inadequate watering, budget shortfalls, pest infestations, and defoliation have combined to sicken or kill 14,000 of LB’s 29,000 park trees. In other news, residents are filing claims against the City for tree limbs falling on cars and roots damaging foundations. (LB Post)
2. Residents may lose their ability to weigh in by phone on City Council items when meetings go back to being in person on Tuesday. While Council Member Price supports the public’s ability to do so, Assembly Member O’Donnell opposes it. Sacramento Bill AB 339 seeks to amend the Brown Act to give constituents in cities with 250,000 or more residents the chance to continue phoning in. (LBReport.com)
3. The 90802 ZIP code is seeing a serious spike in COVID-19 cases. Other ZIPs with higher rates are 90803, 90804, 90805, and 90814. The ZIPs with the vaccination rates above 60% are 90803, 90807, 90808, 90814, and 90815. It’s interesting to note that the 90802 ZIP code is close, with 59.6% of residents vaccinated. (City of LB Dept of Health and Human Services)
4. Don’t aim a laser pointer at the sky. Especially not when there is a police helicopter near. The LB PD made an arrest, reminding residents “pointing lasers at any aircraft is illegal.” (@LBPD)
5. Relativity Space will locate its headquarters in LB. It is moving into a one-million-square-foot facility on the 93-acre Boeing property that is currently undergoing redevelopment. (Space News)

Today in Long Beach

• Crossroads Church is giving away free food, 1900 East South Street. (9 a.m. to 12 p.m.)
• Surfrider Foundation Long Beach Chapter fun beach clean-up, Belmont Pier. (10 a.m. to 12 p.m.)
• LB Dog Park Jam by the Bluegrass for Beginners Group, 5201 East 7th Street. (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
• Vegan District at the Pike Outlets Every 1st & 3rd Saturday of the Month at 95 South Pine Avenue. (12 p.m. to 6 p.m.)
• Rebel Rose at Shenanigans Irish Pub & Grille, 423 Shoreline Village Drive. (2 p.m.)
• 'Big Bang On The Bay' July 3 BBQ & Fireworks 2021: Long Beach (5:30 PM)

Long Beach Patch Notebook

It may not fit into news or events, but you sure want to know about it!

• Someone is intentionally hurting pelicans along Southern California’s coast. Drop a dime, and you may qualify for a $5,000 reward.

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Independence Day 5K & Firecracker Dash 2021: Redondo Beach (July 3)
• Olympics 'Rings Across America' 2021: Universal CityWalk LA (July 3)
• July 4th Country Fair - Rides & Festival 2021: Brea (July 3)
• Independence Day Fest & Car Show 2021: Print Museum Carson (July 3)
• 4th Of July Weekend Over-The-Line Tournament 2021: Artesia (July 3)
• 3rd of July Celebration & Fireworks 2021: Orange (July 3)
• Independence Day Fireworks 2021: La Mirada: UPDATE CANCELED (July 3)
• 'Big Bang On The Bay' July 3 BBQ & Fireworks 2021: Long Beach (July 3)
• LA FUNK ALL STARS Concert 2021: Torino Festival Plaza, Torrance (July 3)
• 4th Of July Festivities & Fireworks 2021: Catalina Island (July 3)
• Knott's Berry Farm July 3rd & 4th Fireworks 2021: Buena Park (July 3)
• July 4th Surf City Run, Parade, Fireworks 2021: Huntington Beach (July 4)
• July 4th Parade, Fest & Fireworks 2021: Anaheim Hills (July 4)
• July 4th Firecracker 5K / 10K Run 2021: Anaheim Hills (July 4)
• July 4th Red, White & Blue 5K 2021: Angel Stadium, Anaheim (July 4)
• July 4th Ironman 'Run, Paddle, Chug' 2021: Hermosa Beach (July 4)
• Fourth Of July 'Bike & Walk' Parade 2021: Villa Park (July 4)
• July 4th Bike Parade 2021: Belmont Shore (July 4)
• Old-Fashioned July 4th 2021: Palos Verdes Estates: CANCELED (July 4)
• July 4th Park Concert & Celebration 2021: Rancho Palos Verdes (July 4)
• July 4th Fest & Fireworks 2021: Riviera Village, Redondo Beach (July 4)
• 4th Of July Fireworks Show 2021: El Segundo (July 4)
• July 4th Buffet, Music & Fireworks View 2021: Fuego, Long Beach (July 4)
• 4th Of July Spectacular & Fireworks 2021: Yorba Linda (July 4)
• July 4th Fireworks & Fest 2021: Lynwood: UPDATE: CANCELED (July 4)
• July 4th 'Let Freedom Ring' & Fireworks 2021: Cerritos (July 4)
• LA Galaxy July 4th Fireworks 2021: Carson (July 4)
• July 4th Elton John Tribute & Fireworks 2021: Irvine (July 4)
• 4th Of July Fireworks Show 2021: Civic Center, Torrance (July 4)
• Queen Mary July 4th Fireworks 2021: Long Beach: CANCELED (July 4)
• 4th Of July Fireworks At Waterfront 2021: Long Beach (July 4)
• July 4th Fireworks Show 2021: South Gate (July 4)
• July 4th Fireworks 2021: Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos (July 4)
• 4th Of July Fireworks 2021: Seaside Lagoon, Redondo Beach (July 4)
• Disneyland July 4th Fireworks 2021: Anaheim (July 4)
• OPENING: Festival Of Arts & Pageant Of Masters 2021: Laguna Beach (July 7)
• 'Alone Together' Pie Baking Class Online 2021: Pie Hole, LA/OC (July 9)
• Summer Movies In The Park 2021: Lynwood (July 9)

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with your next update! If you're loving these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to read along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Sylvia Cochran works out of sunny Southern California and has been freelance writing full-time since 2005. Her SEO-optimized internet copy includes social media marketing projects, German to English business translations as well as human resources tutorials. She loves dogs, books, and embraces social justice.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Long Beach Daily? Email all inquiries to me at LongBeach-CA@Patch.com.