NEW: newly reported developments or upcoming opportunities. UPDATE: later substantive information on a covered story. ONGOING: continuing useful information. RESOLVED: the reported issue has ended. BACKGROUND: dated historical context, not a new development or confirmation of current availability. UNCONFIRMED: a story, continuing story or detail that could not be confirmed against its cited source on the edition date; the note under the headline says what is not confirmed. Today and countdown lines carry "(unconfirmed)" for the same reason. All local times are Pacific Daylight Time.
City, Roads & Planning
NEW
City Council takes up rewrite of backyard unit rules tonight
The Lakewood City Council holds a public hearing tonight on Ordinance 2026-5, which would rewrite the city's rules for accessory dwelling units, junior accessory dwelling units and second homes allowed on single-family lots under state law (SB 9). The regular meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 27, in the Council Chambers at 5000 Clark Avenue, with call-in comment by Zoom phone line.
A staff report from Community Development Director Aldo Cervantes says the state Department of Housing and Community Development wrote to the city on May 11 that its rules may be out of date, listing more than 20 state law changes. The ordinance would lower the maximum height of a detached ADU in the R-1 zone from 35 feet to 16 feet and cap detached ADUs at 1,000 square feet and SB 9 units at 800 square feet. It also reflects state changes such as a ban on ADU rentals shorter than 31 days.
The Planning and Environment Commission recommended adoption. Tonight's recommended action is to introduce the ordinance; the council has not adopted it.
NEW
Council asked to adopt a sidewalk inspection and repair schedule
A set of Sidewalk Maintenance Program Procedures is on tonight's City Council routine items, which are normally approved together in one vote. Public Works Director Kelli Pickler's staff report says the city has about 300 miles of sidewalks.
Under the procedures, crews would inspect sidewalks citywide on a four-year cycle by zone, inspect within 30 days of a resident's service request and within seven days of a reported injury or accident. Temporary patching would be done within 30 days of a service-request assessment, with school zones, senior centers and business districts given greater weight.
The report says no additional money is requested now. Residents can report a sidewalk problem through the city's service request system.
NEW
Council considers retiree health benefit changes for top managers
The City Council is scheduled tonight to consider Resolution 2026-52, which would change who qualifies for the city's retiree health reimbursement benefit among its Executive Management Officers: the city manager, assistant and deputy city managers and department directors.
Today, eligible full-time employees qualify at age 55 with 20 years of city service or age 60 with 15 years, and the city pays the full premium for Kaiser single coverage, currently $969.05 a month. Finance Director Jose Gomez's staff report says the current rules make it hard to recruit and keep executives who did not start their careers in Lakewood.
The city's prefunding trust was 101% funded as of June 30, 2025, and would be 99% funded with the change, the report says. The council discussed the proposal at an October 13 special meeting and asked staff to bring it back as a resolution. The council has not yet voted on it.
NEW
General Fund spending at 19.3% of budget after first quarter
The city spent 19.3% of its General Fund budget in the first quarter of the fiscal year, which ended September 30, according to a quarterly report on tonight's City Council agenda. The report says that is in line with the budget adopted in June, given the lag in paying invoices.
Revenue stood at 12.6% of the year's estimate, which the report calls typical because larger payments pass through state and county collection first and some, such as Southern California Edison franchise fees, arrive later in the year. The Measure L sales tax is expected to bring in about $14 million this year. The council is asked to receive and file the report.
NEW
Studebaker Road traffic-calming work expected to run through November
Construction on Studebaker Road from Del Amo Boulevard to Centralia Street, and on Centralia Street from Studebaker Road to the I-605 overpass, is expected to continue through the end of November, the city said in its September 23 project update. The work includes resurfacing, concrete medians and bulb-outs, hardscaped roundabouts and a new sidewalk from Gridley to Rynerson Park.
Crews work weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., with one lane open in each direction. Parking stalls on Studebaker Road south of Rynerson Park's main driveway are closed through the end of the project, and street sweeping on Studebaker is paused during paving. Questions go to the city at 562-866-9771, extension 2140.
NEW
Water main replacement continues in phases through spring 2027
The city's water main replacement project is working through 11 street segments in phases, ending with Del Amo Boulevard between Paramount Boulevard and Silva Street, which is scheduled for completion in spring 2027. Other streets on the list include Clubhouse Drive, Canehill, Hayter, Levelside, Castana, Oliva and Pimenta avenues, Allred and Deerford streets and Downey Avenue.
Crews work weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and residents get 48 hours' notice from the contractor before work reaches their block. Street sweeping pauses on affected streets. Questions go to the Water Resources Department at 562-866-9771, extension 2700.
Public Safety & Courts
NEW
Sheriff's Lakewood Station gives quarterly safety report tonight
Acting Captain Juan Briseno of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Lakewood Station is scheduled to present the station's quarterly public safety report at tonight's City Council meeting, which begins at 7:30 p.m. The Sheriff's Department provides police service in Lakewood from the station at 5130 Clark Avenue, which also serves Artesia, Bellflower, Hawaiian Gardens and Paramount.
Representatives of the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control are also scheduled to speak on mosquito control.
At its October 13 meeting, the council approved a proposed Justice Assistance Grant project to buy a variable message board radar trailer for traffic safety with $24,363 in grant funds, according to draft minutes up for approval tonight.
Schools & Youth
NEW
Long Beach Unified board votes to close Gompers Elementary in Lakewood
The Long Beach Unified School District Board of Education voted Wednesday, October 21, to close Gompers Elementary School in Lakewood and Edison Elementary School in Long Beach at the end of the 2026-27 school year, the Long Beach Post reported. The vote was 4-1, with board member Maria Isabel López voting to keep the schools open.
The district says both campuses are underused. Superintendent David Zaid said the closures are expected to save $2.8 million, about a tenth of what the district needs to cut this year, according to the Post.
A district letter to families said the Gompers attendance area would be split among three nearby Lakewood elementary schools, Cleveland, Holmes and MacArthur, the Post reported earlier this month. Lakewood City Council members criticized the proposed closure at their October 13 meeting, according to draft minutes.
Elections
NEW
Iacoboni Library vote center is open; five more open October 31
Lakewood voters can cast ballots in person for the November 3 general election at the Angelo M. Iacoboni Library vote center, 4990 Clark Avenue, which opened October 24. Five more Lakewood vote centers open Saturday, October 31: Buena Vista High School, Calvary Apostolic Tabernacle, Lakewood Country Club, Lakewood First United Methodist Church and the Lakewood Youth Center.
Vote centers are open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Monday, November 2, and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. Mailed ballots must be postmarked by November 3. Official drop boxes at the Iacoboni Library, the George Nye Jr. Library at 6600 Del Amo Boulevard and the CVS at 6510 South Street are open around the clock until 8 p.m. on Election Day.
The online registration deadline has passed, but eligible residents can still register and vote at any vote center through same-day conditional registration. The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk runs the election; the city clerk's office can help at 562-866-9771, extension 2200.
Arts, Culture & Events
NEW
Halloween Carnivals return to eight Lakewood parks October 31
The city's free Halloween Carnivals run 6 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, October 31, at Biscailuz, Bloomfield, Bolivar, Boyar, Del Valle, Mayfair, Palms and San Martin parks.
Each park has a theme, from Toy Story at Bloomfield and Scooby Doo at Del Valle to Ghostbusters at San Martin and K-Pop Demon Hunters at Bolivar. Haunted houses are planned at Bolivar, Del Valle and San Martin parks, and Mayfair Park will have inflatable attractions for an extra fee.
The city is still looking for volunteers to run booths. Details are at 562-866-9771, extension 2408.
Business & Commercial Development
NEW
New Discover Lakewood gift card comes with a 50% city bonus
The City of Lakewood is offering the Discover Lakewood community card, a digital gift card that can be spent only at participating independent Lakewood shops, restaurants and service providers. For a limited time, the city adds a 50% bonus: a $100 card comes with $50 more to spend.
Bonus cards are available while promotional funds last, with a limit of three per person, and bonus cards are valid for six months. Cards are delivered by email and can be added to a digital wallet for tap-to-pay. Independent businesses can sign up to accept the card through the city's Discover Lakewood page.
Community & Culture
NEW
Project Shepherd food help is by appointment at Burns and Palms Park centers
Food help from Project Shepherd's year-round emergency pantry is by appointment, not drop-in. Residents of ZIP codes 90712 and 90713 call Burns Community Center, 5510 Clark Avenue, at 562-925-7512. Residents of ZIP code 90715 call Palms Park Community Center, 12305 207th Street, at 562-865-6414. Utility bill help is also available to qualified applicants.
Project Shepherd, the assistance program run by the city and the Rotary Club of Lakewood since 1972, also runs a December holiday program and a Teddy Bear Tree, which runs from mid-November through early December. Donations are accepted at Burns Community Center and City Hall.
NEW
Award of Valor luncheon honors deputies and firefighters November 4
Lakewood's annual Award of Valor luncheon, which recognizes sheriff's deputies, firefighters and civilians for heroism and service in the city, is at noon Wednesday, November 4, at The Centre, 5000 Clark Avenue. KTLA 5 traffic anchor Ginger Chan returns as master of ceremonies.
Tickets are $47. The city's guaranteed-seat reservation deadline was October 21, so seating is no longer assured. Information is available from Community Relations at 562-866-9771, extension 3123.
Sports
NEW
Youth Sports Hall of Fame nominations due December 3
Nominations for the 45th annual Lakewood Youth Sports Hall of Fame awards are due Thursday, December 3. Athletes must live in Lakewood or attend a school in Lakewood to be eligible.
Categories include Athlete of the Year, Performer of the Year by sport, the Larry Van Nostran Future Star Award for a high school freshman and an award for long-term contributions to youth sports. The awards banquet is Monday, February 22, 2027. Forms are on the city's website, and questions go to Recreation and Community Services at 562-866-9771, extension 2408.
AI in Your Community
BACKGROUND
Council voted in March not to continue Flock license plate camera system
At its March 24 meeting, the Lakewood City Council voted 3-2 not to move forward with a proposed agreement to continue parts of a pilot program using automated license plate recognition (ALPR) technology from Flock Safety Inc., the city reported.
The pilot placed 59 license plate recognition cameras and 10 video cameras at high-traffic locations around the city. According to the staff report, the system was used as an investigative tool in a number of cases, including assisting with arrests, recovering stolen vehicles and generating investigative leads. The proposed agreement would have continued the system for one year, without its acoustic audio detection element and without automatic renewal.
More than 40 speakers addressed the council. Some raised concerns about privacy, data use, civil liberties and Flock's record in other communities, while others supported the technology as a crime-fighting tool. In September 2025, the city said the cameras could identify vehicles by color, make, model and other details even when plates were missing or obscured.
Still Developing
The latest confirmed movement, the open question and the next checkpoint.
OPENRezoning of church-owned sites awaits City Council
A citywide General Plan amendment and zone change (GPA 2026-1 and Zone Change 115) would change 10 properties, including 3507-3601 St. Pancratius Place, 4318 and 6150 Bellflower Boulevard and three Del Amo Boulevard sites, from single-family to multiple-family residential zoning. The Planning and Environment Commission was scheduled to consider recommending it to the City Council on October 1. The city says the state requires the rezoning of certain church-owned properties under Lakewood's Housing Element, that no church will be required to build housing or sell its land, and that no housing projects are proposed on the sites. More than a dozen speakers raised concerns at the October 13 council meeting, according to draft minutes. The rezoning is not on tonight's council agenda.
First covered October 27, 2026.
OPENFuture use of the Gompers Elementary campus
Long Beach Unified's board voted October 21 to close Gompers Elementary in Lakewood at the end of the 2026-27 school year. Board member Juan Benitez told the Long Beach Post earlier this month that the campus would not sit vacant and that additional uses would be proposed for Gompers. The district has not announced a new use for the site.
First covered October 27, 2026.
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