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
ONGOING
Backyard unit rule rewrite was set for introduction October 27
Ordinance 2026-5, a rewrite of Lakewood's rules for accessory dwelling units, junior accessory dwelling units and second homes allowed on single-family lots under state law (SB 9), was on the City Council's Tuesday, October 27, agenda for a public hearing and introduction. Introduction is not final adoption, and the city has not yet posted the outcome of the meeting.
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. The ordinance would lower the maximum height of a detached ADU in the R-1 zone from 35 feet to 16 feet, cap detached ADUs at 1,000 square feet and SB 9 units at 800 square feet, and limit ADU and junior ADU rentals to 31 days or longer.
The Planning and Environment Commission recommended that the council adopt the ordinance.
ONGOING
Sidewalk inspection and repair schedule was on October 27 council agenda
A set of Sidewalk Maintenance Program Procedures was among the routine items on the City Council's October 27 agenda, with a staff recommendation to adopt them. The city has not yet posted the outcome. 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 with this action.
ONGOING
Retiree health benefit changes for top managers were on October 27 agenda
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), was on the City Council's October 27 agenda with a staff recommendation to adopt it. The city has not yet posted the outcome.
Under current rules, 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.
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 first discussed the proposal at an October 13 special meeting.
ONGOING
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., excluding holidays and weather permitting, 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.
ONGOING
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., excluding holidays, and residents get notice from the contractor 48 hours before work starts in their area. Regular street sweeping pauses during construction. Questions go to the Water Resources Department at 562-866-9771, extension 2700.
NEW
Planning commission sets November 5 hearing on YMCA outdoor gym
The Planning and Environment Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. Thursday, November 5, on a conditional use permit amendment for the YMCA at 5835 Carson Street. The agenda says the project would establish an outdoor gymnasium in conjunction with the existing commercial recreation use.
A second hearing that night covers a 2026 Lakewood Municipal Code Update Ordinance, which the agenda says would carry out new state law. The meeting is in the City Council Chambers at The Centre, 5000 Clark Avenue. A hearing is not a decision, and the commission's action had not been taken as of October 29.
ONGOING
Overnight SR-91 lane and ramp closures run tonight and Friday night
Caltrans' overnight lane, connector and ramp closures on State Route 91 from Cerritos to Gardena, for a sign rehabilitation project, continue tonight, Thursday, October 29, and Friday night, October 30, with the last closures lifting Saturday morning, October 31. Both directions are reduced to two lanes overnight between Vermont Avenue in Gardena and the Orange County line.
Closures near Lakewood include the eastbound on- and off-ramps at Paramount Boulevard, the westbound on-ramp at Downey Avenue and connectors between SR-91 and I-605, mostly starting between 8 p.m. and midnight. On Friday night, some ramp closures run later into the morning, including the eastbound Paramount Boulevard on-ramp, scheduled to be closed from 8 p.m. to 10 a.m. Caltrans says detour routes will be marked and the schedule may change for weather or operational reasons.
Schools & Youth
ONGOING
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. Board member Maria Isabel López voted to keep the schools open.
The district flagged both campuses as 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 consolidated with three nearby Lakewood elementary schools, Cleveland, Holmes and MacArthur, the Post reported earlier this month. Lakewood City Council members discussed the proposed closures at their October 13 meeting, according to draft minutes, and Council Member Rogers said the district did not adequately communicate information about them.
Elections
ONGOING
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 this 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 and mail registration deadline was Monday, October 19, 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
UPDATE
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.
The National Weather Service forecast for Lakewood, updated early Thursday, October 29, calls for a 50% chance of rain after 11 a.m. Saturday and rain Saturday night, with an 80% chance of precipitation. The city's event page lists no change to the carnivals.
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 looking for volunteers to run carnival booths and help with the haunted houses. Details are at 562-866-9771, extension 2408.
Business & Commercial Development
ONGOING
Discover Lakewood gift card launches with a 50% city bonus
The City of Lakewood announced October 28 that it is launching the Discover Lakewood community card for the holiday season, 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 $25 card comes with $12.50 more, a $50 card with $25 more and a $100 card with $50 more. 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
ONGOING
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, has helped neighbors since 1972. It also runs a December holiday program and a Teddy Bear Tree, which runs from mid-November through early December. Holiday donations are accepted at Burns Community Center and Lakewood City Hall.
ONGOING
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 next Wednesday, November 4, at The Centre. KTLA 5 traffic anchor Ginger Chan returns as master of ceremonies.
Tickets are $47. The city's guaranteed-seat reservation deadline was October 21, and seats are not guaranteed after that date. Information is available from Community Relations at 562-866-9771, extension 3123.
Sports
ONGOING
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
ONGOING
Long Beach Unified surveys families on AI in classrooms through November 6
Long Beach Unified, which runs Gompers Elementary and other schools in Lakewood, has launched surveys asking students and parents what they think about artificial intelligence and screen technology in classrooms, the Long Beach Post reported. The surveys ask how classroom technology affects learning, well-being, privacy and attention, and close Friday, November 6.
The district is forming a workgroup of teachers, students, guardians, administrators and industry experts that will review the results, district spokesperson Eric Mitchell told the Post. The findings, along with focus groups and research, may shape policy recommendations. Links to the student and caregiver surveys are in the Post's article.
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. The city said 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.
OPENUNCONFIRMEDRezoning of church-owned sites awaits City Council
Not confirmed against the source as of October 29, 2026: the count of 10 properties and the 4318 Bellflower Boulevard and three Del Amo Boulevard sites. Check the source before relying on it.
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 was not on the October 27 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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