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Lakewood

Your Community, More Completely.
Friday, November 6, 2026 · Permanent link to this edition
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November 6 · Free sandbags begin; Long Beach Unified AI surveys closeNovember 7 · Caltrans SR-91 overnight closures endNovember 8 · Picnic shelter raffle closes at 11 p.m.November 12 · Palms Park renovation meeting
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Today in Lakewood

Long Beach Unified elementary and K-8 students have minimum days today, Friday, November 6, and again Monday, November 9, and Tuesday, November 10, for parent conferences.
A Cleveland Elementary special education teacher faces misdemeanor child abuse charges and has pleaded not guilty, the Long Beach Post reported.
Caltrans overnight SR-91 closures, including Paramount Boulevard ramps, continue tonight into Saturday morning, November 7.
Free sandbags are available to Lakewood residents beginning today, Friday, November 6.
Long Beach Unified's surveys on AI and screen technology in classrooms close today.
Project Shepherd holiday registration appointments run through Sunday, November 15.

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

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 street resurfacing, concrete medians and bulb-outs, hardscaped roundabouts with mountable curbs and a new concrete 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 entrance are closed through the end of the project, and street sweeping on Studebaker is suspended during the paving phase. Questions go to the city at 562-866-9771, extension 2140.

ONGOING

Water main work on Hayter Avenue runs through November 18

The city's water main replacement project is now on Hayter Avenue between Del Amo Boulevard and Hardwick Street, where work began Monday, October 26, and is scheduled to run through Wednesday, November 18. Crews work weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with no work on weekends, holidays or Veterans Day, November 11.

Parking is prohibited on that stretch of Hayter from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. The city says residents may park during the day on the Del Amo Boulevard frontage road between Verdura and Hayter avenues and on Hardwick Street between Verdura and Hayter, and overnight on that part of the frontage road and on Coke and Minturn avenues. Street sweeping is suspended on Hayter, Minturn and Coke avenues and the Del Amo frontage road during construction.

The project then continues in phases through other streets, ending with Del Amo Boulevard between Paramount Boulevard and Silva Street, which is scheduled for completion in spring 2027. Questions go to the Water Resources Department at 562-866-9771, extension 2700.

ONGOING

SR-91 overnight closures near Lakewood end Saturday morning, November 7

Caltrans overnight lane, connector and ramp closures on State Route 91 from Cerritos to Gardena for its sign rehabilitation project continue tonight, Friday, November 6, into Saturday morning, November 7.

Ramps near Lakewood that may close Friday night include the eastbound Paramount Boulevard on-ramp, 8 p.m. to 10 a.m., the eastbound Paramount Boulevard off-ramp, 11:59 p.m. to 7 a.m., and the westbound Downey Avenue on-ramp, 8 p.m. to 9 a.m.

Caltrans says the schedule may change because of weather or operational needs. The $34 million project is expected to be finished in summer 2029.

ONGOING

City offers Rain Ready tips for getting your car ready for wet weather

The City of Lakewood's Rain Ready series, published October 28, suggests residents prepare their cars for wet weather. Tips include testing the battery and replacing it if needed, checking tires, windshield wipers and headlights, and keeping the gas tank at least half full or an electric vehicle fully charged.

The city also suggests an emergency kit for the car with a flashlight, first-aid supplies, a phone charger and other essentials.

ONGOING

Free sandbags available to Lakewood residents starting today

Lakewood residents can fill up to 15 free sandbags beginning today, Friday, November 6, at city sandbag stations at Mayfair Park, 5720 Clark Avenue, Boyar Park, 6600 Del Amo Boulevard, and Bloomfield Park, 21420 Pioneer Boulevard. Residents should bring their own shovel.

Empty sandbags are also available at Los Angeles County Fire Stations 45, 94 and 122, while supplies last, according to the city. Residents who need help with mobility or transportation can call Public Safety at 562-866-9771, extension 2114.

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 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 in early October. Lakewood City Council members discussed the proposed closures at their October 13 meeting, according to draft minutes, and, according to the minutes, Council Member Rogers said the district did not adequately communicate information about them.

ONGOING

Cleveland Elementary special education teacher faces misdemeanor child abuse charges

A Long Beach Unified special education teacher at Cleveland Elementary School in Lakewood faces three misdemeanor counts of child abuse involving three students between February 1 and May 1, according to court documents cited by the Long Beach Post. A lawyer for the teacher said he pleaded not guilty and maintains his innocence. The charges are allegations.

The Post reported that the Sheriff's Department opened an investigation in May after a classroom aide's report, and that parents were told the teacher was placed on administrative leave.

District spokesperson Eric Mitchell told the Post the teacher remains on leave and would not provide further details, calling it a confidential personnel matter.

ONGOING

Minimum days for Long Beach Unified elementary students continue through Tuesday, November 10

Today, Friday, November 6, is a minimum day for Long Beach Unified elementary and K-8 students, including those at the district's Lakewood elementary schools such as Gompers, for parent conferences, according to the district calendar. The calendar also lists the parent-conference minimum days on Monday, November 9, and Tuesday, November 10. The minimum days apply to elementary and K-8 students only.

Business & Commercial Development

ONGOING

Discover Lakewood gift card launches with a 50% city bonus

The City of Lakewood published details October 28 of its new Discover Lakewood community card, a digital gift card that can be spent only at participating independent local businesses, including 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 are valid for six months. Cards are delivered by email and can be added to a digital wallet.

Independent businesses interested in accepting the card can find merchant information on the city's Discover Lakewood webpage or email econdev@LakewoodCA.gov.

Community & Culture

ONGOINGUNCONFIRMED

Project Shepherd food help is by appointment at Burns and Palms Park centers

Not confirmed against the source as of November 6, 2026: the December 3 end date of this year's Teddy Bear Tree display. Check the source before relying on it.

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.

Project Shepherd is run by the City of Lakewood and the Rotary Club of Lakewood. It also runs a December holiday program that includes the Teddy Bear Tree, which this year is on display from November 16 through December 3. Utility bill assistance is also available to qualified applicants.

ONGOING

Project Shepherd holiday registration runs November 2 to 15

Lakewood residents who need help with Thanksgiving and the December holiday can register with Project Shepherd at appointments now available through Sunday, November 15. Appointments are made by calling Burns Community Center at 562-925-7512, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The program is for Lakewood residents who are low-income, unemployed or on public assistance. Applicants bring a current utility bill or government award letter and identification for each person in the household, including children.

Local Scouts will also collect food for Project Shepherd. Door hangers go out Saturday, November 7, and Scouts return to pick up bags of nonperishable food Saturday, November 14. Unexpired food can also be dropped off at Burns Community Center, 5510 Clark Avenue, weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., or at the Mayfair Park Swim Pavilion, 5720 Clark Avenue, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. November 14.

ONGOINGUNCONFIRMED

Teddy Bear Trees and holiday drives for Project Shepherd start November 16

Not confirmed against the source as of November 6, 2026: the December 3 end of the Teddy Bear Tree display (the city's article also lists the display as November 16 to 30). Check the source before relying on it.

Project Shepherd's Teddy Bear Trees go up Monday, November 16, at Burns Community Center, 5510 Clark Avenue, and in the Recreation and Community Services Department at Lakewood City Hall, 5050 Clark Avenue. Donors pick a paper ornament with a child's holiday wish, buy the gift and return it with the ornament to either location by Thursday, December 3.

Also starting November 16, residents can buy gifts from Project Shepherd's Amazon wish list at LakewoodCA.gov/PSAmazon. Other ways to help include mailing a check payable to Lakewood Project Shepherd in care of Lakewood City Hall, sponsoring canned goods or a toy through the Virtual Canned Food and Toy Drive at Lakewoodca.gov/PSholiday, and dropping off $10 grocery gift cards at Burns Community Center before December 14. The city's article says over 1,500 individuals living in Lakewood need help for the holidays. Information: 562-925-7512.

ONGOING

Used motor oil filter exchange set for November 14

Lakewood residents who change their own oil can trade a used oil filter for a new one at the AutoZone at 4945 Woodruff Avenue, from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, November 14. The limit is two filters per household, the voucher is worth up to $15 and supplies are limited.

Participants also get a free oil change recycling kit, and used motor oil will be accepted for recycling in a clean container no larger than 5 gallons. The event is for Lakewood residents only, and proof of residency is required. Questions go to the city at 562-866-9771, extension 2500.

ONGOING

Thank a Servicemember cards collected through early December

Lakewood's annual Thank a Servicemember campaign, which the city says concludes in the beginning of December, is collecting cards, letters and drawings for U.S. military members. Submissions go through the military support group Operation Gratitude. Over 50,000 cards, letters and hand-drawn pictures have been collected since 2014.

Drop-off locations listed by the city include Lakewood City Hall, The Centre, Burns Community Center, the Angelo M. Iacoboni Library and the George Nye Jr. Library. Partners collecting cards this year include the Lakewood Family YMCA and St. Pancratius School.

City Hall is closed for Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11. Trash pickup runs as usual that day, but there is no street sweeping and no DASH transit service.

ONGOING

Lakewood Beautiful awards go to 41 homes

The city's Lakewood Beautiful Home Awards recognized 41 homes this year, chosen from 81 nominated residences, as the program marked its 43rd anniversary, the city announced Tuesday, October 27.

Eleven homeowners received the Lakewood Beautiful Award and one received an Honorable Mention, while 24 received the Neat & Tidy Award. Five received Transformation Awards, for exterior or landscaping improvements over the past three years, and five received Water Wise Awards for efficient irrigation and drought-tolerant landscaping. The city's category counts do not add up to 41. Questions go to Community Relations at 562-866-9771, extension 3123.

ONGOING

Picnic shelter raffle for January 2027 weekends is open through November 8

The city's online raffle for weekend picnic shelter reservations in 2027 opened Wednesday, November 4, at noon, for the January 2-3 weekend. That raffle closes Sunday, November 8, at 11 p.m. Raffles for later weekends open on Wednesdays at noon and close the following Sunday, on a schedule the city has posted.

The raffle is open to Lakewood residents only, and proof of residency is required. Winners are notified the business day after the raffle closes, and any remaining dates are then available first-come, first-served. Help with the entry form is available at 562-866-9771, extension 2408.

ONGOING

City recognizes Native American Heritage Month

The City of Lakewood has issued a proclamation recognizing November as Native American Heritage Month, according to a city post dated Sunday, November 1. The city points residents to the Lakewood library webpages for activities and resources.

ONGOING

City to hold November 12 meeting on Palms Park renovation ideas

The City of Lakewood will hold a community meeting 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, November 12, at Palms Elementary School, 12445 207th Street, on a potential renovation of Palms Park's outdoor recreation spaces. The city says it is in the early planning stages.

Input will help set priorities for amenities, recreational features and playground equipment. Residents can RSVP at LakewoodCA.gov/PalmsMeeting or share feedback through a survey at LakewoodCA.gov/PalmsSurvey.

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 and awards for outstanding sustained contribution 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 AI classroom surveys close today

Long Beach Unified, which runs Gompers Elementary and other schools in Lakewood, has surveys open 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, including AI, affects learning, well-being, privacy and attention, and close today, Friday, November 6.

The district is forming a workgroup of teachers, students, guardians, administrators and industry experts. After the surveys close, the workgroup will review the results and identify common themes, and district spokesperson Eric Mitchell told the Post the findings, along with focus groups and research, may inform 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 shared perspectives on the technology and on Flock Safety as a company, the city said.

Three weeks later, on April 14, the council voted unanimously to buy license plate readers from Motorola Solutions instead (see the item below).

BACKGROUND

Council approved 44 Motorola license plate cameras in April

On April 14, the Lakewood City Council voted 5-0 to buy and install automated license plate readers (ALPRs) from Motorola Solutions for $979,496, plus $290,000 for preventative maintenance services, for a total not to exceed $1,269,800, according to the meeting minutes. The vote came three weeks after the council declined to continue the Flock Safety pilot.

Staff estimated it would take three to four months to install the 44 cameras, the minutes say.

According to the minutes, City Manager McCormack told the council the vendor would not have access to the data and the city would own the cameras and all of their collected data.

BACKGROUND

ABC Unified has updated guidance on AI use in its schools

ABC Unified School District publishes a guide to ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence in teaching and learning. The district's page says its AI Literacy Task Force updated the guidelines in 2025-26 and that a draft was presented to the board of trustees on May 19.

An AI addendum to the district's technology agreement asks students to be open about using generative AI, cite the prompts they used, protect personal information and check AI output for accuracy. The district's page says community roundtables on AI are held quarterly in the 2025-26 school year and lists one on May 13, 2026, at Gahr High School.

Still Developing

The latest confirmed movement, the open question and the next checkpoint.

OPENUNCONFIRMED

Rezoning of church-owned sites awaits City Council

Not confirmed against the source as of November 6, 2026: the description of the amendment as citywide (the city's hearing notices say it covers certain properties in Lakewood). Check the source before relying on it.

A citywide General Plan amendment and zone change (GPA 2026-1 and Zone Change 115) would change certain church-owned properties, including 3507-3601 St. Pancratius Place and 6150 Bellflower Boulevard, 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 it is not requiring any church to build housing or sell its property, and that no current housing projects are proposed on the sites. Fifteen 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.

Sources: City of Lakewood: public notice, GPA 2026-1 and Zone Change 115 (3507-3601 St. Pancratius Place); City of Lakewood: public notice, GPA 2026-1 and Zone Change 115 (6150 Bellflower Boulevard); City of Lakewood: What residents should know about church property rezoning; City of Lakewood: draft minutes of the October 13 City Council meeting; City of Lakewood: October 27 City Council agenda
OPEN

Future 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 in early October 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.

Sources: Long Beach Post: LBUSD moves to close 2 more schools as enrollment continues to fall; Long Beach Post: Gompers and Edison elementary schools will close at the end of the school year

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