Hawaiian Gardens, CA, May 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aqua-Tots Swim School is excited to announce the opening of its ninth California location in Hawaiian Gardens The new 8,000-square-foot facility offers flexible swim lesson schedules Located within Hawaiian Gardens Town Center at 12130 E the school is conveniently accessible via Highway 605 Aqua-Tots Swim School’s trusted program has been parent-approved for more than 30 years and is used in schools around the world to create safe and confident lifelong swimmers The company is dedicated to incorporating “safety first and fun every second” into every lesson Aqua-Tots Hawaiian Gardens teaches small group classes of four students so each child can receive the individualized attention they need This year-round swim school also offers Flex Pass lessons for those who want extra practice or need to refresh their skills Clint Mansour and the Tomina families are excited to support the local community in keeping youth safe near water “We are thrilled to officially open Aqua-Tots Hawaiian Gardens and welcome families to our new facility,” Carlson said and we are looking forward to offering a place where families can come together and enjoy peace of mind as we prepare for the busy summer season ahead.” Aqua-Tots Hawaiian Gardens is home to a 2,100-square-foot Parents can relax in signature red chairs and watch their child’s lesson from the floor-to-ceiling glass viewing area The school features 15 changing rooms and a fully stocked vanity for families' pre-and-post swim lesson prep ensuring a comfortable experience from start to finish Founded in 1991 and headquartered in the Phoenix area Aqua-Tots Swim School is making waves as the largest international provider of year-round community outreach and drowning prevention education Its trusted program is dedicated to children of all abilities from four months to 12 years old and features a proven curriculum used to teach more than five million swim lessons each year 2025 – Lakewood Sheriff's Station officials report that the Hawaiian Gardens Special Assignment team conducted routine patrol checks throughout the city they identified an individual in the area known to be associated with the Varrio Hawaiian Gardens gang it was discovered that the individual had an active burglary warrant out of Orange County Deputies detained the individual and subsequently arrested him on the outstanding warrant Source & photo: Lakewood Sheriff's Station https://youtu.be/LofU0m8OsJ4 Every second counts during an emergency response emergency vehicles rely on drivers to do their part and clear the… See the most recent messages from LASD - Lakewood Station, Los Angeles County Sheriff, powered by Nixle Sign up to receive messages by email & text message The primary Mission of Parking Enforcement Detail (PED) is to ensure the residents of the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County are provided with expeditious vehicle movement to help alleviate parking congestion improve the availability of parking choices and to assist the communities in addressing all parking related matters apportion scarce parking spaces for all legitimate vehicles by insuring those who violate parking regulations are properly addressed through the California Vehicle Codes (CVC) the Los Angeles County Vehicle Codes (LACoVC) and other various municipal codes Each Los Angeles County Sheriff's Station has a Parking Enforcement unit Please visit the Stations page to find your local Sheriff's Station Station Locations Please visit the LA county Sheriff's Department Pay by web site Pay by web For more street services in LA County please report your problem here: Public Works Los Angeles County To contact the proper Sheriff's station for your parking concerns and to send an email request for service; first determine who services your address by entering the area location address and click the "Find" button The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department offers interested citizens and students the opportunity to directly observe law enforcement activities through participation in a station ride-along program applicants must meet program eligibility criteria and agree to all participation conditions Citation corrections and vehicle inspections are available at the front counter of Lakewood Station Bring your citation and required documentation to the front counter Payments can be made by using cash or check please call (562) 623-3500 prior to arriving at Lakewood Station with the file/report number of your case the report may not be available due to ongoing investigations or the report may be unavailable to the public come to the Lakewood Station lobby and pay the current fee for the report the victim shall receive a copy of the police report at no cost Restrictions on receiving a copy of a Sheriff’s Report: The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Public Health Department has created the “Safe Drug Drop-Off” program The program provides an opportunity for residents to safely dispose of prescription drugs and Sharps (needles): Contact Lakewood Station to find out the next scheduled date for Drug Drop-Off Please bring only prescription drugs in a plastic bag and drop them off with a deputy in the front lobby The sharps (needle) container is located just outside the Lakewood Station entrance The sharps (needles) may be dropped off at any time as long as the container is not full If your vehicle has been towed or impounded by a Deputy from Lakewood Station call (562) 623-3500 to check if the vehicle can be released you must be the registered owner of the vehicle and must bring a State-issued driver’s license Lakewood Station contracts with the following tow companies: Please call the Paramount sub-station at (562) 920-2002 for further information The Volunteer program consists of members from the community who have demonstrated a willingness to maintain a high quality of life in the area they live in These individuals have assumed responsibilities that require them to achieve a higher level of public trust Volunteers have an opportunity to learn about law enforcement and with their unselfish acts of community service The County of Los Angeles Volunteer program offers volunteers an opportunity to be involved with nearly every aspect of a station Volunteers may choose to be a part of such traditional functions as: Clergy Program – Clergy members in the community who ride with the deputies and assist in dealing with human crisis Front Desk – Volunteers work the station front counter in a Volunteer Uniform to greet the public and provide station services Clerical – Volunteers work in the station secretariat and assist with filing of reports and work under the direction of the secretaries Volunteers On Patrol – What is the V.O.P This program performs primarily nonhazardous duties which are currently performed by patrol deputies allow patrol deputies to perform the more hazardous duties they have been trained to do This helps our Department to better achieve its goal of serving the community Volunteers work in volunteer vehicles in a volunteer uniform assisting in the field as additional eyes and ears in the community VOP training is required and will be provided before field assignment This includes volunteers in vehicles and foot patrols there is a minimum of 16 hours per month of deployment time is required This requirement is for the safety of the volunteer and others around him or her and for liability issues for the Department and County They do not place themselves in a position of danger you will not carry any weapon and you are not expected to enter into a physical altercation with anyone you will always work with at least one partner This is for their safety as well as the safety and responsibility of the Department CERT Certified Volunteers – Volunteers who elect to respond to disaster areas and provide aid as directed by the Sheriff’s Department How to apply – Contact Lakewood Sheriff’s Station at 562-623-3500. After you complete and sign the application return it to Lakewood Sheriff’s Station (5130 Clark Ave The Law Enforcement Explorer program is a Sheriff’s Department youth-oriented program It is affiliated with the special interest phase of the Boy Scouts of America Its primary purpose is to provide through actual experience a means by which young men and women may determine if they would like to pursue a career in law enforcement The program also provides the Sheriff’s Department with additional human resources It also opens an important avenue of understanding with an energetic Training: After acceptance into the program initial training for our new explorers takes place at the Sheriff’s Academy The explorer academy consists of approximately 184 hours of instruction during 18-weeks of training on Saturdays Subjects covered include community relations police procedures and weaponless defense must be mastered The trainees are required to undergo drill and physical training Satisfactory completion of the academy earns the Deputy Explorer ten high school unit credits college credit can also be earned by post-graduation Academy involvement To qualify for the position of Deputy Explorer contact the Lakewood Station Explorer Coordinator at (562) 623-3519 The Imperial Beach City Council established a special committee on Wednesday that will work through the holidays to study how the city could provide stronger protections for renters The Council’s action comes as scores of tenants at Hawaiian Gardens, a 64-unit apartment building on Imperial Beach Boulevard, are facing eviction at the end of January Dozens of residents from the building and surrounding neighborhood have urged the Council to intervene for weeks It remains unclear whether city leaders will actually block those evictions The Council discussed temporarily freezing evictions on Wednesday but did not reach a final decision a Chula Vista Elementary School District technician who has lived at Hawaiian Gardens for 11 years was grateful that the Council was taking some action But he wished they had been more clear about what they might do in January "I think with the amount of time that we have I can't really hang my hat on that," Lopez told KPBS Wednesday’s discussion came after the owners of Hawaiian Gardens issued a mass eviction notice in late October had owned the building for about a year and a half when they sent out the notices meaning none of the tenants had done anything wrong the company said they were kicking everyone out so they could completely renovate the apartments Under California law, that’s a legal reason to evict someone But it's one that has drawn strong criticism from tenants’ rights advocates along with some housing attorneys and state lawmakers They argue that real estate investors can exploit these "substantial remodel evictions" by buying up older buildings kicking the old tenants out and putting the remodeled apartments back on the market at a higher price Advocates say that’s what is currently unfolding at Hawaiian Gardens the company said it had gone "above and beyond" by giving residents three months’ notice and waiving some rent charges and other fees The news of the mass eviction has rocked Imperial Beach, where close to 70% of people rent their homes rather than owning them Many at Hawaiian Gardens said the decision had upended the lives of dozens of working class families and would force them out onto an unforgiving rental market dozens of renters from the building and surrounding neighborhood marched to City Hall along with organizers from the tenants rights group Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment They urged the City Council to pass an emergency freeze on evictions in the city and ban substantial remodel evictions altogether Other cities in California have implemented similar bans, including Los Angeles and South Pasadena No other cities have taken those steps yet in San Diego County Imperial Beach City Council members discussed options for stronger tenant protections Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre began the discussion arguing for a solution that would benefit both renters and property owners without displacing people during the winter holidays I think there’s a window of opportunity," she said "It’s a real concern that we may have people out on the streets.” Representatives from several landlord industry groups urged council members to proceed with caution George Ching with the Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors said changes in tenant protections could hurt small landlords who are already contending with expensive construction materials and labor costs "If a property owner needs to do that and … they’ve been charging rent that’s under market value they’ll have a tough time doing that," Ching said during the public comment portion of the meeting He added that more small landlords might end up selling their properties to larger real estate investors Other property managers said they supported stronger protections deputy director of the nonprofit law clinic Legal Aid Society of San Diego told the City Council that his parents were also small landlords in Imperial Beach and that he helped them manage their properties Vera said he strongly supported reinforcing the city’s tenant protection laws "what you’re telling institutional investors is that there is open season on your naturally affordable-occurring housing." Lopez said he understood landlords’ concerns about their profits But he pointed out that he and other renters are trying to keep the only home they have "Our community’s fabric is unraveling," he said during public comment told implicitly that we no longer belong because we don’t belong to a certain economic status or class." Councilmembers spent nearly an hour debating how to respond Several councilmembers said they were worried policies like an eviction freeze and a ban on substantial remodel evictions would expose Imperial Beach to expensive lawsuits that could bankrupt the city Some also blamed County of San Diego leaders and lawmakers in Sacramento for not taking more decisive action on substantial remodel evictions and other housing policy the council unanimously supported the forming of the special committee we implemented several different measures — including moratoriums — with legal liability," said Aguirre "But we did it because we cared about our community members." The Council plans to discuss the committee’s findings at their next regular meeting in January LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio California’s card rooms lost a costly legislative fight this year as they sought to kill a bill that would allow their competitors In an extraordinary display of political retribution California’s card room industry spent more than $3 million in the lead up to the November election to oppose four lawmakers who played key roles in the bill’s passage Three of the candidates targeted by the card rooms ended up losing including the rare defeat of an incumbent Democratic senator We want to be respected,” said Keith Sharp “We (will) work hard to continue to gain respect and protect our employees the three defeats were a sign their money was well spent even if the cash went to purely punitive purposes Case in point: Two of the lawmakers who lost their races were vacating their Assembly seats and were running in non-legislative races it’s unlikely they’d deal very often with card room related issues Tribes have long outspent card rooms in state politics Tribes have given candidates for state office more than $23.5 million since 2014 That’s more than double what oil companies have given the state’s politicians during the same years Card rooms have spent only a fraction as much tribes have contributed $6.3 million to candidates since January 2023 while card rooms have donated at least $1.3 million Those funds don’t include the $3 million the card rooms spent targeting the four candidates this fall The cash the card rooms poured into the four races sends a message to lawmakers that they’re also capable of spending big said former Democratic Assemblymember Mike Gatto “Any time you have a group essentially announcing to the world that they are going to do vengeance spending it does cause lawmakers to pay attention,” he said Facing what they saw as an existential threat card rooms responded to the bill’s introduction last year with a massive lobbying blitz Hawaiian Gardens Casino alone spent $9.1 million on lobbying the second highest amount reported to state regulators last year card rooms spent more than $3 million on attack ads mailers and other outreach to voters targeting the four candidates The card rooms also bought ads supporting candidates running against them The ads came from independent expenditure committees funded by the card rooms organizations not affiliated with a candidate can spend unlimited amounts of money supporting or opposing candidates through advertisements and other tactics as long as the actions are not coordinated with the candidate’s campaign The card rooms spent at least $1.3 million on outreach boosting Duncan and slamming Davies according to state campaign finance reports One mailer said she was aligned with “anti-choice radicals,” “MAGA extremists” and “Big Oil.” Outgoing Democratic Assemblymember Evan Low of Cupertino faced similar attacks in his failed congressional bid Low sat on the same Assembly committee as Davies and voted this summer for the gambling bill Low also had a major cardroom in his Assembly district Low’s campaign didn’t return a message seeking comment The card rooms spent at least $500,000 on ads attacking Low The card rooms also went after termed-out Democratic Assemblymember Brian Maienschein in his failed bid for San Diego city attorney The card rooms spent at least $443,000 opposing Maienschein He got on the card rooms’ bad side when he cast a key vote that let the bill advance from the Assembly Judiciary Committee said Maienschein also refused to meet with him and other card room representatives before the vote A TV ad from the card rooms attacked Maienschein for his voting record before he switched his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat in 2019 The card rooms spent at least $900,000 in that race that paid for ads and mailers opposing Newman and supporting his Republican opponent according to the card rooms and campaign finance reports Newman was portrayed as being soft on crime and it attacked him for voting to give benefits to “illegal immigrants” But Newman acknowledged the card rooms probably did send at least some voters to Choi “The margins probably matter in a race as close as mine,” Newman said Newman told CalMatters he has no regrets about introducing the bill despite the blowback and the possible impact the card rooms had in his senate race Newman said he believes the tribes deserve their day in court But he said he doesn’t see the logic in the card rooms spending so much money on races after they already lost their fight in the Legislature “The question really is: If you shut the barn door after the horse is out CalMatters data reporter Jeremia Kimelman contributed to this story. The notices to vacate keep coming for tenants of Hawaiian Gardens and Sussex Gardens neighboring apartment groups on Imperial Beach Boulevard elderly and disabled tenants are facing eviction and many showed up at last week's city council meeting "A few years ago a two-bedroom apartment was about $2,000 That high cost of rent and low inventory makes the "loophole" of a repair eviction a boon to landlords who can then raise rents for the next tenant Renters make up 70 percent of Imperial Beach Landlords see any new regulation as hurting Imperial Beach's "improvement trajectory," saying the market will correct "Rent costs are a function of housing costs," said John Becker who pointed to the high cost of living in California Taking control of private property through rent control "is simply theft," he added On November 5, after a massive campaign by the real estate industry, voters rejected statewide rent control so residents are asking the city of Imperial Beach to help them by passing a ban on "substantial remodel" evictions Currently, 25 percent of IB residents are coming to Legal Aid for help with an eviction, said Gil Vera, deputy director of Legal Aid Society San Diego. Thirteen percent seek help with no-fault evictions, which arose during the pandemic after a new tenant protection law was passed prior to which "you didn't need a reason to evict," he said that's why you see an increase especially in substantial remodel evictions." Vera said the strategy can be used to displace an entire building — "as we've seen today." Legal Aid can help people individually, not as a group of tenants, he said. "The services are available, but they're constrained by the laws that exist." Some cities, for example, have passed laws protecting against remodel evictions. Chula Vista and San Diego both have tenant protection laws that are stricter than the state's — though last month Chula Vista announced that it might loosen its ordinance tenants of Hawaiian Gardens received a 90-day eviction notice on their doors from the company "that just bought the apartments for extensive renovations," said resident Alberto Fernandez said some tenants had asked for basic maintenance only to be evicted "on grounds that extensive remodeling needs to take place." landlords must comply with all state and local requirements when evicting a tenant to conduct a substantial remodel of a unit as not all repairs meet the definition of the term the landlord must "replace or substantially modify a structural plumbing or other system in the unit in a way that requires a permit the work must not be able to be done safely with tenants in the unit and must require a tenant to leave for at least 30 consecutive days There may also be special protections for protected groups such as seniors As of April 1, 2024 the eviction notice must include the work to be done and a notice that if the remodel is not started or completed the tenant may re-rent the unit at the same rent and terms as when they left Some tenants have also seen their utilities skyrocket "Not only did they raise rent twice in a matter of months the utilities began to fluctuate wildly when new management took over "The only assistance they gave us was three months The last month of rent we don't have to pay It may amount to a deposit on a new home — or maybe not with today's rents." Vera said fear was a common theme among clients facing eviction "sticker shock" in the rental market because they've been in the same home for decades Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More which allowed several tribal nations in California to question the legality of some community casinos offering specific table games. According to representatives for the seven tribes the law is that only tribal casinos in the state can offer banked card games The tribal nations have sued to stop some local casinos from using a loophole in the law that allows card rooms to offer certain games Some non-tribal casinos across the state use third-party providers of proposition players for table games The TPPPs are independent contractors who have no affiliation with the casinos Since it is illegal for the card rooms to have one person to take in all the wins or losses for a singular establishment Third-party providers of proposition player services are state licensed businesses that provide some casinos with services that include playing as a participant in any controlled game that has a rotating player-dealer position. This differs from tribal casinos or gambling establishments in Las Vegas where a single dealer is collecting wins or losses on behalf of the casinos Those types of games are illegal in the state what you’re seeing is the proposition player is sitting there for an hour banking every single hand,” said Adam Lauridsen the head legal counsel for the tribal nations involved in the lawsuit That’s what makes these games indistinguishable from a Vegas game Lauridsen said that allowing the card rooms to operate banked games under these circumstances is costing some tribal nations millions in lost revenue. that don’t run afoul of these legal requirements so we’re not trying to put anybody out of a job we’re simply trying to have people follow the law.” But those who oppose the lawsuit say that if it is successful it would severely hamper several small local communities. Hawaiian Gardens is the smallest city in Los Angeles County with a total size of roughly one square mile which provides roughly 75% of Hawaiian Garden’s general funding through tax revenue Those funds are used for municipal services and programs such as policing and youth outreach. Shavon Moore has worked in Hawaiian Gardens for eight years She’s seen just how much the local has done for the community “The casino helps with the livelihood,” she said Moore is directly affected by the revenue generated by The Gardens “I just got diagnosed last year with cancer,” Moore said “And I was able to go through this with honor and dignity because I have the best medical insurance.” Dozens of casinos around the state generate tax revenue directly for their local cities Victor Furfan has been on the Hawaiian Garden City Council for 16 years and knows firsthand just how much those local communities need the money raised from the casinos we’re talking 70 different communities up and down the state of California someway benefit from card room revenue,” Farfan said “But it’s been a very daunting task to come to some sort of an agreement.” While the tribal casinos have acknowledged that card rooms are a benefit for the local communities Laurisden said he would like to see the rules enforced. “It’s a matter of equality before to the law,” he said his love for the streets and the reputation he has forged as one of his sport's most dogged riders: “I'm the dude that wears his clothes ’til there's holes in it." The breeze whipping through his loose-fitting shirt tells of the speed he has generated as he prepares to own the biggest obstacle he launches himself into the air artfully executing his trick before stomping the landing as if to put a full stop next to the statement he has made compelling; the kind no one would ever dream of tearing their eyes away from the grit and determination to deliver is Joslin through and through Joslin doesn’t have memories of when he first started skating “I actually have my grandma telling me when I first started because I started when I was about three years old which, I don’t know about other people, but I can’t remember that far back so I’ve been skateboarding longer than I can remember - literally.” Joslin’s grandmother took on a key role in his upbringing with both his parents, then on drugs, unable to initially raise him. It wasn’t until the age of three after she was sober that he got to know his mother. Joslin never met his father, after he passed away when young Chris was just seven. “My grandma would take me to the skate park every day and I tried to learn a new trick every day and some days it would work, some days it wouldn’t, but the days it would work just made it feel all worth it and I would just try and feed off of that,” Joslin explains about how the sport became something of an escape for him, ultimately moulding him into the skater the world now knows. “My grandma was an amazing person. So, I’m not mad at the situation I was put in. I think it shaped me into the person I am today, whether that be good or bad, but I’m happy with the outcome.” Chris Joslin: How street skateboarding is a part of meThe Californian started practising tricks on the streets since he was a kid and embodies the purest form of 'skate rat': "When I drive down the streets I see stairs and rails, and things to skate," he told us in this exclusive interview. Joslin’s prodigious talent at skating began to take shape about the time his age hit double digits. The hours spent toiling away in the parks and on the streets, with the persistence still obvious today, enabled the young American to tackle obstacles well beyond his years. “I think I rolled down like a 16 ft roll-in one time. It didn't end well, but I made it down the ramp and it just was the ramp after that gave me trouble,” Joslin reminisces. “I think I was only about like nine or 10 years old. So, I don't even think I even thought about what could go wrong. And then I found out what could go wrong when I tried to go up the ramp on the other end and flew all the way to the bottom and almost broke my ribs.” At 12, he started carving his reputation as an unstoppable force after successfully landing a hardflip down the famous Hollywood High 12, an iconic stairway in the heart of Los Angeles where many have fallen victim to its size and scale. Then, to prove a point, he ollied the 16. The 135,000 views of the video speak a little to the immensity of the achievement but Joslin says he never really sensed it. “I never put myself on a high pedestal by any means. I always just thought like that was just where I was in life and that was just who I was, I guess. I mean, I never really personally felt like I was good. It just kind of was more so what other people were telling me. They were like, ‘Yeah, dude, like you’re progressing fast, you’re like better than this person or you’re doing better than that person.’ Joslin makes no bones about the fact he doesn’t love contest skating and the subsidiaries that are often connected with it like partying and clothing. “I'm the dude that wears his clothes ’til there's holes in it; until you can no longer wear them anymore,” he says matter-of-factly. “I just ride a skateboard and slide across the concrete and rip my clothes up and beat myself up for a living.” Where others might be invested elsewhere and on other things his heart, he says, lies instead in the streets where a world of infinite possibilities awaits with new spots to conquer and angles to film. “It's pretty obvious that the way I like to skate caters more towards being in the streets because you can only go so big at a contest and then you can also only go so big so consistently because things of that calibre take a little bit of time. They're not like clockwork. You're not like a robot when you're doing those kinds of things. “Video parts are way more fulfilling and way more special because it's things that you'll never see in contests because you have unlimited amounts of time. You can go to the spot you want to do it on. It's basically like an artist painting a picture at that point. It's like, it's a blank canvas in the world and we get to go and paint our pictures on the world. “Driving down the street, most people just see red lights and green lights and people and cars. And when I drive down the street, I see stairs and rails and things to skate on.” - Chris Joslin to Olympics.com View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chris Joslin (@chrisjoslin_) On the subject of the Games in general Joslin remains pretty laid back about the prospect But knowing even the biggest, best-placed hopes in life aren’t a guarantee for anything, Joslin remains committed to the process over any end result. “The Olympics is obviously something that will take my career to the next level. It's never really been something that I aspired to be in. I never really was the competitive type, to have that drive and long for being in it, personally. "But now that it's here and the opportunity has presented itself, if it happens, that would be amazing. But at the same time, I try not to set my expectations too high. “I don't like to get my hopes up because getting let down really sucks. So, I'll be here competing and trying to make my way there. But if not, I've got to keep an open mind and be OK with whatever the outcome will be.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chris Joslin (@chrisjoslin_) Joslin also takes great pride in his responsibilities as a father of two Like a few of his peers on the skate scene who are parents my son likes to do whatever my daughter does he likes to ride a scooter too,” Joslin says about whether his young children are interested in his sport “I’ve tried to put them on a skateboard and they’re all right with it They have some interest in it but it’s nothing too special for them,” he reflected “I want them to do whatever makes them happy.” Keeping up with them on top of everything else that comes with being an elite skater with Olympic ambitions can take its toll when you're out travelling and doing things like this it makes it even harder because you obviously It's hard to focus on things like this when you've got things like that going on and it's just is through the tattoos he has inked over his heart “I have my grandma's name right here,” Joslin says gesturing to his left side I have my daughter's name on my chest "I put my daughter's name right over the heart because she was my first born and then my son's name goes right here right next to her on the left side And my grandma's on the left side as well Everything that's pretty sentimental to me stays on the left side.” but like with everything Joslin represents it's a commitment he has made with 100 per cent and one he won't ever stop making no matter what “I just try to stay focused on where I'm at and be present in the moment and whether I do good at that or not Hawaiian Gardens, CA, March 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aqua-Tots Swim School is thrilled to share that its newest California location will be opening soon in Hawaiian Gardens resides within Hawaiian Gardens Town Center and has direct access to Highway 605 making it easily accessible to the families of Hawaiian Gardens Aqua-Tots Swim School’s world-renowned curriculum is used in 14 countries to create safe Aqua-Tots Swim School’s high satisfaction rate comes from their dedication to creating a safe and fun learning environment where all tots can understand and progress With a curriculum rooted in child development Aqua-Tots' eight levels of swim classes are designed to help children practice and improve motor skills as they develop them Aqua-Tots offers a wide range of swimming programs for all ages and skill levels Children are invited to jump in the pool with skilled at a range of times convenient for families Small class sizes of four students ensure each child is able to receive personalized attention and instruction Clint Mansour and the Tomina families are looking forward to helping local youth stay safe around water proximity to the ocean and abundance of pools making it a way of life here," Carlson said "Many families in Hawaiian Gardens have young children and ensuring their safety around water is essential Learning to swim is more than a skill—it’s a lifesaving necessity." "It’s incredibly fulfilling to help families protect their children by equipping them with skills that serve them both in and out of the water We want every young family in the area to know that at Aqua-Tots we treat your children as if they were our own where children can learn to swim while building confidence in themselves and their abilities." Aqua-Tots Hawaiian Gardens features a 90-degree 15 changing rooms and an expansive glass viewing area relax and watch their child’s progress from the school’s signature red chairs Families are invited to use the facility’s fully stocked vanity to get ready before and after class Joshua Lopez is putting up his Christmas lights early this year Lopez and Perez decorated their tiny kitchen with lights and tinsel in hopes of cheering him up an elementary school special ed technician in Chula Vista is rushing to figure out whether this will be his family's last Christmas in that apartment was ordering them to move out by the end of January The company had issued a mass eviction notice to everyone at the 64-unit apartment complex The notice said San Diego-based F&F was planning significant renovations to the building — a legal reason for landlords to evict their tenants in California The company attached permits outlining its plans to add new floors a company spokesperson said F&F had taken steps to make the eviction process easier for their tenants including giving everyone three months’ notice and not charging the final month’s rent The company also said it will return everyone's full security deposit "F&F Properties is going above and beyond what the law requires to ensure the smoothest of transitions," said a company spokesperson and several other Hawaiian Gardens residents said the evictions would upend their lives and force dozens of young families older retirees and longtime Imperial Beach residents out into an unforgiving housing market they’re urging city leaders to intervene by passing a local tenant protection law that would halt their evictions before the end of January but says he and many of his neighbors are holding out hope you won't be faced with a similar situation — whether it’s months or years down the line," he said "We’re hoping to be able to make some kind of difference." Hawaiian Gardens isn’t the only building in the city bracing for this kind of eviction retired bus driver Sherman Qualls is preparing to receive his own notice illuminating their DVD collection and two decades of family photographs The building is a special place for Qualls particularly because its original owner was Guamanian He always suspected that the owner cut them a deal on their rent because of that In May, Qualls’ apartment building was purchased by two private equity investment companies: San Diego-based DMJ Equity and another company registered at the same address It told residents how to reach them and where to send their rent checks It also mentioned plans for significant renovations these renovations will require you to vacate the property permanently," the owners wrote He and Marie were already dealing with a flurry of other bills including medical expenses for her diabetes a broken foot and other medical conditions Qualls was also spending most of his time caretaking for her helping her eat and move around the apartment they decided to have Marie move up to Ramona to stay with her granddaughter while Qualls prepared to pack up their things Qualls and two other residents said their property manager had tried to reassure everyone that no one would be evicted immediately But that did little to quell the anxiety spreading throughout the building I can’t afford to unless I take a big portion out of my savings." DMJ did not respond to requests for comment These types of evictions have become a regular occurrence not just in Imperial Beach but across the state in recent years. That’s according to the Legal Aid Society of San Diego a nonprofit law firm that offers free legal services Legal Aid senior attorney Gilberto Vera told Imperial Beach City Council members that the firm is fielding more frequent questions about evictions for remodeling "We’re seeing substantial remodel being a reason that’s displacing tenants not just in your community but countywide," Vera said Substantial remodel evictions are partly the result of a state law that was meant to shield renters from unjust treatment That law, the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 landlords in California were free to order their tenants to leave at any time The act created new protections for renters by requiring most landlords to justify evicting someone But it did leave the door open for certain types of evictions including when a property owner wants to do significant renovations to the building That gap in the law has drawn growing criticism from many tenants’ rights groups across the state. They say some landlords can exploit it by purchasing older buildings we're losing more and more of the naturally affordable housing," said Jose Lopez San Diego director of the tenants’ rights group Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment "It's just making it more difficult for people to make ends meet." California lawmakers agreed with that diagnosis. Last year, the state legislature voted to pass the Homelessness Prevention Act before moving forward with a remodeling-related eviction Just last month, the Los Angeles City Council voted to ban substantial remodel evictions entirely but they are now required to temporarily relocate their tenants and allow them to return after the remodeling is finished Imperial Beach officials are set to discuss these evictions for the first time Mayor Paloma Aguirre told KPBS she plans to bring the topic of substantial remodel evictions forward for an initial discussion in the first week of December "It doesn't benefit anybody putting people on the streets "I look forward to having a robust conversation on the matter with my colleagues on the council." The IB City Council has granted emergency protections to renters before. In 2022, they temporarily halted all evictions and imposed a rent cap in mobile home parks after property managers tried to exploit a loophole in state protections But a law like Los Angeles’ would be the first of its kind in San Diego County, according to Vera. Two cities, San Diego and Chula Vista have taken some steps to blunt the impact of substantial remodel evictions for renters But no cities in the area have voted to end them completely At a City Council meeting earlier this month some Imperial Beach residents also pushed back against the idea John Decker pointed out during the meeting’s public comment portion that a ballot measure that would have opened the door for cities to vote on local rent control failed earlier this month He insisted that any move by the Council in favor of tenant protections would be opposing the will of California voters "The California state rent control proposition in 2018 and in 2020 and again yesterday … have all been voted down," Decker said Residents of Hawaiian Gardens and Sussex Gardens urged the City Council to take that further step and end substantial remodel evictions outright could prevent the building’s tenants from losing their housing and potentially falling into homelessness "It's kind of like our Hail Mary," said Lopez "It's that chance that we're kind of holding on to." It’s unclear whether city officials stand on that discussion KPBS reached out to Councilmembers Mitch McKay Matthew Leyba-González and Carol Seabury for comment Sherman Qualls has begun to pack up 18 years of his life with Marie as he waits for news from the City Council The neat rows of family photographs on his living room walls are now divided by nail-studded gaps where some frames have already gone into boxes Qualls isn’t letting the circumstances get him down their medical costs will fall and they will be able to afford a better place He’s worried about what the eviction will mean for him and his mom if the City Council does not intervene He’s not sure how they will afford to move on just his salary working for the school district "Because you hear about or even you see what the markets like out there for rentals and you can't even consider purchasing He points out that Los Angeles and other cities in Northern California have done more to restrict evictions he hopes to push San Diego County to do the same "It feels like San Diego has some catching up to do," he said The Imperial Beach City Council Wednesday proposed a set of new tenant protections in response to a mass eviction at the Hawaiian Gardens apartment complex in October The ordinance, introduced during the Council’s regular meeting, would restrict substantial remodel evictions — a specific type of eviction that many tenants and their advocates say is enabling the displacement of longtime residents It would also require landlords to report eviction data to the city The ordinance would not ban substantial remodel evictions outright It also does not include an emergency halt on any ongoing eviction cases That means dozens of renters at the 64-unit Hawaiian Gardens building are still facing eviction Many have already been forced to move out and seek housing elsewhere In the weeks since city leaders began considering protections which used to be called Sussex Gardens and is now called The Swell also began issuing eviction notices for remodeling Swell resident Brenda Bautista had sounded alarms for months that the new owner of their building, a San Diego-based private equity investor called DMJ Capital she received her own notice to move out by March “It’s like our elected officials turned their backs on us,” Bautista told KPBS in an interview after Wednesday’s meeting Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre apologized to residents of both buildings She said a stronger ordinance might not have had enough support among councilmembers “I think it’s clear that we got as far as we could for this particular ordinance,” Aguirre said “It’s not what many of you for months have asked for or needed The threat of mass evictions at the two neighboring apartment complexes has gripped public meetings in Imperial Beach since late October Landlords and several real estate industry groups like the California Apartment Association and the Southern California Rental Housing Association have shown up to council meetings and argued fiercely against new protections Speakers said most property owners were well-meaning and that stricter regulations would make it harder for them to improve aging buildings and keep rents low the Legal Aid Society of San Diego and the mayor of Lemon Grove have urged Imperial Beach’s elected officials to consider the disruption and trauma evictions can cause for working families They said councilmembers should ban substantial remodel evictions completely Even the limited ordinance divided the City Council on Wednesday The proposed law would tighten the definition of substantial remodels and raise the amount of rental assistance that landlords of large apartment buildings need to provide Councilmember Mitch McKay argued that state legislators should be the ones to set the standard for tenant protections Councilmember Carol Seabury said she thought property owners were being unfairly criticized “Generational wealth is not a bad thing,” Seabury said Several councilmembers have also repeatedly voiced concerns that the city could be sued by major real estate companies Imperial Beach has faced at least one legal threat from a property owner. In a letter to the city manager last month, Dan Feder, the new owner of the Hawaiian Gardens apartments, warned that his company was prepared to take legal action “We will vigorously defend our rights and reputation But councilmembers pointed out that state law explicitly allows local jurisdictions to adopt their own stronger protections “We are absolutely within our legal ability per the state law,” Aguirre said on Wednesday Councilmembers Matthew Leyba-Gonzalez and Jack Fisher joined the mayor in supporting the proposed protections The debate has also raised bigger questions about the city’s identity Imperial Beach has long stood out as a diverse and largely working-class community beachfront city has a median household income of just over $79,000 and almost half of all residents identify as Latino which has remained relatively affordable even as it rose in other communities in the San Diego area Tenants at Hawaiian Gardens and The Swell said their buildings were prime examples But the purchase of those complexes by real estate investors and the ensuing evictions have left many longtime Imperial Beach residents wondering whether they still have a place in the city "Our community’s fabric is unraveling," Hawaiian Gardens resident Joshua Lopez told the City Council in December Lopez has since moved out of the building ahead of his eviction deadline but is still living in Imperial Beach Fisher suggested that rising rental prices are inevitable and that poorer residents may have to move elsewhere “We know that there’s many places in this country that are much cheaper to live than Southern California,” he said Wednesday But advocates said they were prepared to keep pushing for stronger tenant protections “I just think it means we need to keep fighting,” said José Lopez Aguino San Diego director of the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment “Empower people so they have the courage to come out and speak up.” The City Council will vote on the proposed protections in the coming weeks Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker SoundThinking (Nasdaq: SSTI) announced new deployments and renewals of its ShotSpotter acoustic gunshot detection system across four Greater Los Angeles cities The announcement includes one new customer agreement and three contract renewals in Pasadena Key highlights include:Pasadena: Detected over 125 shootings since 2022 addressing 60% of unreported gunfire incidentsHawaiian Gardens: Recorded 176 alerts in 2023 leading to evidence recovery and 18 witness statementsLakewood: Implemented in July 2024 serving 80,000+ residentsLancaster: Completed six-month pilot with 36 confirmed alerts The technology has demonstrated success in improving response times and community trust across these jurisdictions while helping law enforcement detect unreported gunfire and provide faster emergency response SoundThinking (Nasdaq: SSTI) ha annunciato nuovi impianti e rinnovi del suo sistema di rilevamento acustico dei colpi di arma da fuoco ShotSpotter in quattro città della Grande Los Angeles L'annuncio include un nuovo accordo con un cliente e tre rinnovi contrattuali a Pasadena I punti salienti includono:Pasadena: Rilevati oltre 125 sparatorie dal 2022 affrontando il 60% degli incidenti di colpi d'arma non segnalatiHawaiian Gardens: Registrati 176 avvisi nel 2023 portando al recupero di prove e 18 dichiarazioni di testimoniLakewood: Implementato a luglio 2024 servendo oltre 80.000 residentiLancaster: Completato un progetto pilota di sei mesi con 36 avvisi confermati La tecnologia ha dimostrato successo nel migliorare i tempi di risposta la raccolta di prove e la fiducia della comunità in queste giurisdizioni aiutando le forze dell'ordine a rilevare colpi d'arma non segnalati e fornire una risposta di emergenza più rapida SoundThinking (Nasdaq: SSTI) anunció nuevos despliegues y renovaciones de su sistema de detección acústica de disparos ShotSpotter en cuatro ciudades del Gran Los Ángeles El anuncio incluye un nuevo acuerdo con un cliente y tres renovaciones de contrato en Pasadena Los puntos destacados incluyen:Pasadena: Detectó más de 125 tiroteos desde 2022 abordando el 60% de los incidentes de disparos no reportadosHawaiian Gardens: Registró 176 alertas en 2023 lo que llevó a la recuperación de evidencia y 18 declaraciones de testigosLakewood: Implementado en julio de 2024 sirviendo a más de 80,000 residentesLancaster: Completado un piloto de seis meses con 36 alertas confirmadas convirtiéndose en un contrato de tres años La tecnología ha demostrado ser exitosa en mejorar los tiempos de respuesta la recolección de evidencia y la confianza de la comunidad en estas jurisdicciones ayudando a las fuerzas del orden a detectar disparos no reportados y proporcionar una respuesta de emergencia más rápida 사운드씽킹 (Nasdaq: SSTI)는 로스앤젤레스 대도시 지역의 네 도시에서 샷스포터 총격 탐지 시스템의 새로운 배치 및 계약 갱신을 발표했습니다 주요 하이라이트는 다음과 같습니다:파사데나: 2022년 이후 125건 이상의 총격을 감지하여 신고되지 않은 총격 사건의 60%를 해결했습니다.하와이안 가든: 2023년에 176건의 경고를 기록하여 증거 수집 및 18명의 증인 진술을 이끌어냈습니다.레이크우드: 2024년 7월에 시행되어 80,000명 이상의 주민에게 서비스를 제공합니다.랜카스터: 36건의 확인된 경고로 6개월간의 파일럿을 완료하고 3년 계약으로 전환되었습니다 법 집행 기관이 신고되지 않은 총격을 감지하고 더 빠른 비상 대응을 제공하는 데 도움을 주었습니다 SoundThinking (Nasdaq: SSTI) a annoncé de nouveaux déploiements et renouvellements de son système de détection acoustique des coups de feu ShotSpotter dans quatre villes de la Grande Los Angeles L'annonce comprend un nouvel accord client et trois renouvellements de contrat à Pasadena Les points forts incluent:Pasadena : Plus de 125 fusillades détectées depuis 2022 traitant 60 % des incidents de coups de feu non signalésHawaiian Gardens : 176 alertes enregistrées en 2023 menant à la récupération de preuves et à 18 déclarations de témoinsLakewood : Mis en œuvre en juillet 2024 servant plus de 80 000 résidentsLancaster : Projet pilote de six mois achevé avec 36 alertes confirmées La technologie a démontré son succès dans l'amélioration des temps de réponse la collecte de preuves et la confiance de la communauté dans ces juridictions tout en aidant les forces de l'ordre à détecter les coups de feu non signalés et à fournir une réponse d'urgence plus rapide SoundThinking (Nasdaq: SSTI) gab neue Einsätze und Verlängerungen seines akustischen Schussdetektionssystems ShotSpotter in vier Städten im Großraum Los Angeles bekannt Die Ankündigung umfasst einen neuen Kundenvertrag und drei Vertragsverlängerungen in Pasadena Wichtige Highlights sind:Pasadena: Über 125 Schießereien seit 2022 erkannt was 60% der nicht gemeldeten Schussvorfälle betrifftHawaiian Gardens: 2023 wurden 176 Warnungen aufgezeichnet was zur Beweissicherung und 18 Zeugenaussagen führteLakewood: Implementierung im Juli 2024 für über 80.000 Einwohner zuständigLancaster: Sechsmonatiger Pilot mit 36 bestätigten Warnungen abgeschlossen Die Technologie hat sich als erfolgreich erwiesen die Beweissammlung und das Vertrauen der Gemeinschaft in diesen Jurisdiktionen zu verbessern während sie den Strafverfolgungsbehörden hilft nicht gemeldete Schüsse zu erkennen und schnellere Notfallreaktionen bereitzustellen today announced that four cities in the Greater Los Angeles area have either renewed or adopted contracts to deploy ShotSpotter the leading acoustic gunshot detection system FREMONT, Calif., March 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SoundThinking, Inc. (Nasdaq: SSTI) a leading public safety technology provider today announced one new customer agreement and three contract renewals in the greater Los Angeles area for its ShotSpotter acoustic gunshot detection system ShotSpotter has been adopted in several communities across Los Angeles County CA all deploying the technology to address gun violence and safeguard their communities “SoundThinking is proud to be a strong partner to law enforcement throughout the greater Los Angeles area and we are grateful that our technology is seen as making a real difference in enhancing public safety and addressing gun violence in these communities,” added Ralph Clark “These contracts underscore that ShotSpotter is an effective and equitable tool to help police while concurrently bolstering community trust.” ShotSpotter has helped the Pasadena Police Department detect unreported gunfire respond quickly to the scene of gun violence ShotSpotter alerted police to over 125 shootings and has been effective in filling the gap of gunfire that goes unreported to 911 which exceeded 60% during the third quarter of 2024 “ShotSpotter is an instrumental tool in providing the Pasadena Police Department with situational awareness around gunfire incidents Because such a high percentage of criminal gunfire is otherwise unreported ShotSpotter is often the sole reason our officers are able to quickly respond to crime scenes and deliver medical care,” said Pasadena Police Chief Gene Harris our officers have been able to leverage the technology to receive real-time information that is considerably more accurate than what a 911 caller can deliver—provided someone does call.” First introduced in Hawaiian Gardens in 2023 as a means of bolstering existing violence-prevention strategies ShotSpotter has helped local law enforcement reduce response times to gunshot-related crimes Hawaiian Gardens received 176 ShotSpotter alerts leading to the recovery of critical ballistic evidence and the collection of 18 witness statements—all stemming from the system’s rapid and precise alerts local officials have also reported improved relationships with community members due to the overall reduction in crime “The safety of our residents has always been a top priority,” said Hawaiian Gardens City Manager Ernesto Marquez “We are pleased to see the tangible results our partnership with ShotSpotter has produced by enhancing our law enforcement capabilities and creating a safer community for everyone in Hawaiian Gardens.” borders Hawaiian Gardens and went live with ShotSpotter in July 2024 “The safety and well-being of our community is our top priority,” said Captain Dan Holguin “With ShotSpotter deployed in both Lakewood and Hawaiian Gardens our deputies can accurately pinpoint gunfire incidents and reinforce to residents that law enforcement is here to protect and serve.” The City of Lancaster recently completed a six-month pilot of the ShotSpotter system and is now entering into a three-year term ShotSpotter has provided 36 confirmed alerts related to gunshots leading to improved evidence collection and arrests “ShotSpotter has been instrumental to Lancaster’s hybrid policing approach providing critical technology that helps us protect our community,” said Lancaster Police Chief Rodrick Armalin “The system not only alerts us to shootings that weren’t being reported but also enables us to identify neighborhoods where residents are afraid to call for help This dual benefit allows our team to follow up with meaningful community engagement while supporting the Sheriff’s Department’s emergency response ultimately building trust and making Lancaster safer.” (Nasdaq: SSTI) is a leading public safety technology company that delivers AI- and data-driven solutions for law enforcement SoundThinking is trusted by more than 300 customers and has worked with approximately 2,100 agencies to drive more efficient The company’s SafetySmart™ platform includes ShotSpotter® the leading acoustic gunshot detection system; CrimeTracer™ the leading law enforcement search engine; CaseBuilder™ a one-stop investigation management system; ResourceRouter™ software that directs patrol and community anti-violence resources to help maximize their impact; SafePointe® an AI-based weapons detection system; and PlateRanger powered by Rekor SoundThinking has been designated a Great Place to Work® Company Company Contact:Jerome Filip, PR ManagerSoundThinking, Inc. +1 (510) 203-0934jfilip@soundthinking.com Investor Relations Contact:Ankit Hira Solebury Strategic Communications for SoundThinking, Inc. +1 (203) 546-0444ahira@soleburystrat.com Already have an account? Login 2024 – Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department officials report that Missing Persons Unit investigators are asking for the public's help locating At-Risk Missing Person Juan Simon Hernandez Macias He is a 37-year-old male Hispanic who was last seen on July 20th on the 12300 block of 223rd Street in the city of Hawaiian Gardens Juan Simon Hernandez Macias is 5' 06" tall He has a tattoo of the word "JESSICA" on his right arm and a Virgin Mary portrait tattoo on his left hand Hernandez Macia's family is concerned for his wellbeing and are asking for the public's help Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Missing Persons Unit at (323) 890-5500 If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the "P3 Tips" Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website https://lacrimestoppers.org. Source: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department highly curated editorial content brings attention to hidden gems Megan currently serves as Only In Your State's Manager of Editorial Megan received a degree in Mass Media in her home state of Minnesota before living in Honolulu escaping into the mountains for long scenic drives Share LinkHere Are The 15 Most Beautiful Gardens You’ll Ever See In HawaiiHawaii is home to some of the most unique and beautiful botanical gardens in the United States it showcases diverse tropical plants from around the world You can wander along winding paths through the garden Daniel Ramirez/Flickr Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden is a serene oasis located on the island of Oahu it displays a rich assortment of tropical plants take in picturesque views of the Ko'olau Mountains and appreciate the garden's tranquil lakes and streams It's renowned for its significant collection of Pacific Island plants including rare species and culturally significant varieties and appreciate the garden's stunning coastal backdrop Originally established as a private estate and marvel at iconic landmarks like the towering Moreton Bay fig trees is a tranquil 30-acre Japanese-style garden named in honor of Queen Lili'uokalani and enjoy scenic views of Hilo Bay and Mauna Kea Thomas Shahan/Flickr Waimea Valley is a natural treasure boasting lush landscapes and learn about Hawaiian history and culture at the visitor center The valley is also home to numerous endangered plant species and serves as a sanctuary for native Hawaiian flora and fauna is a sprawling paradise spread over hundreds of acres It features a collection of tropical plants and gaze at panoramic views of the island's volcanic terrain and opportunities for outdoor recreation like zip lining This garden has a collection of arid plants You can explore scenic trails that wind through the garden offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and the Pacific Ocean Koko Crater Botanical Garden provides an opportunity to appreciate the resilience of desert flora in a striking natural setting Forest & Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0 US , via Wikimedia CommonsThe Garden of Eden Arboretum invites visitors to explore its diverse botanical wonders With panoramic views of waterfalls and valleys this serene sanctuary showcases tropical flora including vibrant orchids and towering bamboo Guided tours and informative signage offer insights into Hawaiian plant life and culture including the largest ex-situ collection of native Hawaiian flora in the world It's the perfect place to spend spring in Hawaii D. James Lawrie/Google LocalThe Amy B.H offers a captivating journey into the rich cultural heritage and botanical diversity of the Hawaiian Islands Spread across acres of picturesque landscape the garden showcases indigenous plants traditionally used by Native Hawaiians for food Visitors can check out endemic flora and learn about the deep connection between the Hawaiian people and their natural environment Through guided tours and educational programs the garden provides insights into traditional Hawaiian knowledge and sustainable practices located in downtown Honolulu on the island of Oahu is an oasis known for its tranquil ambiance and diverse plant collections The garden features fascinating tropical flora The garden also boasts historical significance with heritage trees dating back over a century and iconic landmarks such as the conservatory housing exotic plants Dale Musselman/Flickr Kula Botanical Garden nestled on the slopes of Haleakalā on the island of Maui offers a stunning array of tropical and subtropical flora amidst breathtaking panoramic views Explore themed gardens and enjoy vistas of the Maui countryside and distant ocean Which Hawaii garden is your favorite of the bunch I love the vibe of Allerton Garden - how about you https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/hawaii/must-visit-spring-hi/ Choose your stateAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasNorthern CaliforniaSouthern CaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingSubscribe... This Airbnb with a fishing pond in Louisiana is an angler's paradise. The two-acre, catch-and-release oasis is stocked with bass, bream, and catfish. Thanks for subscribing. We’ll see you in your inbox! Print Two congressional district races in Southern California are vying for a key voting bloc — Asians In a few weeks, these districts could play a key role in determining which party controls Congress Democrats have targeted Asian voters in Districts 45 and 47 with ads in Vietnamese The two districts are home to over 458,000 Asians roughly 30% of the area’s 1.5 million residents District 47: State Sen. Dave Min vs. Scott BaughDemocrat State Sen. Dave Min and Republican Scott Baugh are running in California’s 47th Congressional District for the seat that was previously held by Democratic Rep The district includes several wealthy coastal cities — Huntington Newport and Seal Beach — and reaches inland to Irvine and Costa Mesa almost a quarter of voters are registered without a party affiliation These voters could be key to winning the seat The primary results point to a close showdown for Baugh and Min come November with the GOP candidate winning 32% of the vote versus the Democrat’s 25.9% To keep the district blue, Min, who is Korean American, has been focusing on advertisements in Asian languages. Asians are the largest minority in the district, making up 25% of the district’s 755,000 residents Min won a quarter of the precincts where Koreans make up much of the Asian population Min also did well in areas that are predominantly younger than 40 The majority of Baugh’s votes came from the areas where the median age is older than 40 Each circle is a precinct won by a candidate One outlier precinct in Laguna Woods with a median age of 75.1 is not shown Min has raised $5.6 million, while Baugh has raised $3.9 million in campaign contributions as of Sept The newly formed district covers much of northern Orange County, including Garden Grove, Buena Park and Brea, and parts of Los Angeles, including Cerritos and Artesia. Garden Grove is 44% Asian, with mostly Vietnamese residents. Most of Artesia’s 6,500 Asians are Filipino. California The Los Angeles Times analyzed 40 years of data from the census charting the growth of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities across Los Angeles County Both parties are vying for support from the district’s large Asian and Latino communities targeting them with advertisements and mailers in several Asian languages and in Spanish The district also includes areas such as Buena Park and Cerritos that President Biden won in 2020. It’s a toss-up district for either party to win, according to the Cook Political Report while the Democratic ticket was split among Tran and three other candidates Many precincts saw low turnout in March, with about a sixth of the district’s 748,000 residents casting ballots. The latest voter registration report shows more registered Democrats than Republicans Roughly 24% of registered voters in the district have no party preference Some areas of Fullerton voted more in favor of Democratic candidates but support was split among several challengers Steel has raised $6 million, while Tran has raised $2.2 million in campaign contributions as of Sept. 30. Democratic lawyer Derek Tran aims to unseat Republican Rep. Michelle Steel in the Southland district — a key race that could determine control of the U.S. House. Just 314 votes separate candidates in one of nation’s closest House races, with more ballots to go Nov 2024 About this story Sandhya Kambhampati is a data reporter on the Los Angeles Times Data Desk, where she specializes in statistical analysis and demographic data. She previously worked at the Chronicle of Higher Education, Correctiv and ProPublica Illinois. Send her tips at sandhya@latimes.com. Sean Greene is an assistant data and graphics editor, focused on visual storytelling at the Los Angeles Times. Politics Subscribe for unlimited access Site Map They’ll join over 130 athletes from across the state giving California the largest delegation on Team USA's roster It’s also no surprise to see several local skaters joining Team USA in the newly recognized Olympic sport women’s water polo team that won gold in the 2016 and 2020 Olympics Several first-timers will also head to Paris including wheelchair rugby player Clayton Brackett from Irvine and surfer Griffin Colapinto from San Clemente Occupying less than one square mile of land just east of the 605 Freeway at Carson Street Nearly 70 percent of its tax revenue comes from one business: The Gardens Casino the loss of casino income is costing the city about $1.1 million a month "I've been in this business for 20 years and I've been at six other cities and there's just really nothing like it," said City Manager Ernie Hernandez The first thing you see as you drive up to the casino is the fake volcano So it has a volcano and has music and smoke and fake lava that lights up," Hernandez said as he led a tour of the exterior Under the massive shaded portico out front there are lanes for valet parking -- a stretch limo is at the curb for the high rollers The double doors don't even have locks on them so are held closed with chains and padlocks "We're so used to the hustle and bustle of it," Sanchez said "And just seeing it closed is kind of just really odd." Inside are 200,000 square feet of space with 225 gaming tables the second largest card room in California No slot machines or video poker like in Las Vegas or tribal casinos Hawaiian Gardens is home to nearly 15,000 people so it's one of the more densely-populated cities in the area and nearly one-quarter of the population is poor fire and road repair services are safe for now many other free services Hawaiian Gardens provides to its residents to improve quality of life and reduce crime could be cut They are possible only because of the revenue that comes from the casino One program encourages homeowners to remove security bars from their windows "We have some recreational and quality-of-life programs that really nobody else has," Hernandez said Halloween and Christmas tree lighting gatherings will also likely be canceled the city budget was bolstered by fees from a big bingo hall but by the mid-1990s the city was in dire financial straits So voters approved a proposal for the operator of the bingo game to create a card club The card club operated out of a big tent back when it started in 1997 But that was replaced in 2016 by a $90 million gambling hall The city's fortunes rise and fall on the casino's daily take city manager Hernandez has no easy answer to the casino's continued closure "We've taken note of the reopening plans put forth by other states and the gambling industry," said Commission spokesman Fred Castaño "We can't go into specifics because it's not finalized but we are studying the plans closely and will work to incorporate the best practices that arise from these plans." That slower re-opening plan puts The Gardens and Hawaiian Gardens officials at a competitive disadvantage to California's tribal casinos Tribal casinos have more flexibility under their sovereign nation status to set their own rules They have installed physical distancing measures such as separating players and gambling machines with plexiglas dividers Card rooms like The Gardens are likely to also adopt similar safety measures "And so not only does that present an immediate danger to our revenues it puts us at a great disadvantage if [tribal casinos are] gonna open up already and we're not making these decisions," Hernandez said The immediate worry for Hawaiian Gardens is the loss of revenue while the casino is closed But a longer-term worry is whether its customers will be fickle and move their gambling habits to tribal casinos that are opening up -- and whether they will ever return You don’t have to be a high roller in your spare time to stake a claim here Thanks to pop culture and its gambling obsession most of us — even the youngsters — would probably have to say something along the lines of “Vegas given the notoriety of the Vegas strip as a hotbed for casino-style gambling and all the gilded glory that’s supposed to come with it when KCRW listener Chris Koenig drove past a couple of casinos less than 30 minutes outside of downtown L.A. “Why are there casinos in Hawaiian Gardens and Bell Gardens?” Koenig asked Curious Coast “I thought the draw to Vegas was due to no legal gambling here.” Gambling is technically legal under federal law states that permits casino-style gambling across the board still allow Vegas-style casino gambling to a certain extent but it’s regulated pretty heavily and restricted to certain areas you’d be hard-pressed to find a casino anywhere outside Atlantic City the casinos that emulate the typical “Vegas baby!” gambling experience are relegated to tribal land per the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 to Downey and you might see views similar to theVegas strip there’s the Commerce Casino off the 5 in Commerce there’s the Bicycle Hotel & Casino off the 710 in Bell Gardens just as the 605 is about to careen into south bay there’s also the Gardens Casino in Hawaiian Gardens nearby The thing is, if you’re in California and come across an establishment that’s calling itself a “casino,” chances are, it’s probably not the kind of casino you expected. In fact, technically speaking, the casinos Koenig saw in Hawaiian Gardens and Bell Gardens aren’t actually casinos at all. They’re called card clubs, or card rooms. Unlike Nevada, only certain forms of gambling are considered legal around Southern California (And comparatively more of them are considered legal in tribal casinos since native tribes are recognized by the state as sovereign entities.) State law regulates casino-style gambling by distinguishing “games of skill” from “games of luck.” So while places like the Bicycle or Gardens casinos might look like Vegas transplants to passersby The differences basically boil down to the variety of games offered seasoned gaming aficionados will probably spot the most obvious one right away There are no slot machines at card clubs like these Oh, and you know that saying, “the house always wins?” The infamous house edge takes a backseat in the card club schema Where traditional Vegas-style casinos typically offer what’s called “house-banked” games — which means the house either pays or takes the player’s bet and maybe wins a little bit too often — card clubs like the ones in Hawaiian Gardens and Bell Gardens offer “player-banked” games Player-banking allows card rooms to house forms of gambling that would otherwise be considered illegal under state law By eliminating the “house” concept entirely and instead asking players to play against each other Which means any and all card club patrons have a chance to wager as the dealer As far as the rules of the game are concerned player-banking doesn’t have such a huge impact You can still pull up a chair for a heated round of Pai Gow or blackjack during an evening spent inside the Gardens Casino’s cavernous first-floor game room which has 225 tables equipped for a whole range of card games like Texas Hold’em card clubs like the Gardens and Bicycle Casinos derive revenues from service fees Those service fees are important for a couple of reasons they keep the card clubs themselves in business they actually help to generate revenues for the cities where they’re located According to the California Gaming Association, California card rooms collectively bring in more than $300 million in federal local card clubs are the cities’ largest taxpayers card clubs provide their home city with the vast majority of its general tax fund In Hawaiian Gardens, revenues from the Gardens Casino make up 75 percent of the city’s annual budget. Those figures are slightly lower in Bell Gardens and Commerce, where the Bicycle Casino and Commerce Casino’s revenues comprise just under half of their respective city’s general funds law enforcement and road repairs might not be possible in these smaller And the city of Hawaiian Gardens would just about go for broke so your donation is critical to KCRW's music programming Donate by midnight tomorrow and your $100 becomes $200 for KCRW thanks to a $10,000 match by music legend Moby DOuble dollars Get the latest from KCRW in your inbox 3x a week. California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra’s deputies had asked state regulators to revoke licenses for the casino and its owners, alleging that in September 2016 its operators falsely told state gambling authorities they have “always been engaged in honest and frank dialogue with regulators.” Casino operators neglected to mention that two months earlier, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, or FinCEN, had handed the casino a $2.8-million penalty for violating the Bank Secrecy Act, a federal law meant to counteract money laundering, a deputy attorney general wrote. FinCEN is a federal agency within the Treasury Department that monitors for money laundering and other financial crimes. In exchange for keeping their licenses, the casino’s owners — Cherna Moskowitz, wife of the card room’s late founder, Irving Moskowitz, and Irving’s son, David — agreed to pay a $3.15-million penalty and complete a two-year compliance period. The state gambling commission approved the settlement Thursday. If the casino’s license had been revoked, Hawaiian Gardens would have lost a revenue source that supplies two of every three dollars that flow to the city’s General Fund, said Ernie Hernandez, Hawaiian Gardens’ city manager. The 225-table card room — the second-largest in the state — is located in Los Angeles County’s smallest city. In the 2019-20 fiscal year, Hawaiian Gardens, population 14,450, budgeted for casino revenues of $13.5 million. “For better or for worse, if this thing goes bad, we would cease to exist as a city,” Hernandez said. The state attorney general’s case hinged on whether the casino was truthful when it applied to renew its state gambling licenses. Becerra’s deputies alleged — and in settling, the owners acknowledged — that the casino had made no mention of the FinCEN probe into long-standing improprieties concerning how cash was being handled and tracked in the card room. The casino agreed to pay the $2.8-million federal penalty and admitted its operators hadn’t reported suspicious activity to authorities, kept shoddy records and didn’t declare many large cash transactions or identify who was making them. In a document laying out the penalty, FinCEN said the failures made the casino “susceptible to money laundering and terrorist financing activity.” One patron, known to the casino only as “Michelle,” was the subject of 15 FinCEN reports indicating suspicious cash transactions. She refused to provide casino employees with identification; the staff nevertheless allowed her and her “agents” to continue gambling and making cash transactions at the card room, the FinCEN document said. The casino also flouted the requirement that it generate a currency report whenever a patron cashes in or out a sum exceeding $10,000, FinCEN found. In one incident, captured on the casino’s surveillance cameras, a patron tried to cash out $14,833 and was handed an Internal Revenue Service identification form. He ripped up the form, went to the card room’s “Asian VIP Section,” and got another employee to cash him out without providing an ID, the FinCEN document said. In applying to renew their licenses, the casino’s operators made no mention of the FinCEN investigation, the issues it exposed or the multimillion penalty that settled it, Becerra’s office said. “There’s no excuse for failing to comply with the law and deliberately attempting to mislead regulators,” Becerra said in a statement. “In the gaming world, if you fail to play by the rules, expect to pay the price.” Hernandez, the Hawaiian Gardens city manager, said Becerra is trying to bring about regulatory changes to card rooms at the request of tribal casino operators. “I’m disturbed that the attorney general, who was elected by the people of California, is really catering to the tribes — who are technically a sovereign nation,” he said. Hernandez said residents support the card club, which employs about 1,900 people not just from Hawaiian Gardens, but neighboring cities as well. “Residents remember what it’s like before the card club came here,” he said. “The city was literally borrowing money to pay for its own police force.” Taxpayers in the largely low-income city have supported the casino with public money as well. The casino has collected millions in city subsidies since 1995, when the gambling establishment — a charity bingo hall at the time — received the City Council’s blessing for a poker parlor and $2.7 million in redevelopment funds to buy the land to build it on. Times staff writer Patrick McGreevy contributed to this report. Matthew Ormseth is a reporter for the Los Angeles Times. Before joining The Times in 2018, he covered city news and state politics at the Hartford Courant. If you buy something from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy A representative tells Eater that the restaurant’s name means noise in Desi culture and is a nod to the Chor Bazaar in Mumbai The AkarStudios-designed space captures the vibrant energy of spice markets and bazaars Shareable snacks include papadum with chutneys and idli fries while larger dishes include keema mattar (ground beef curry with English peas) and a whole branzino with a Bengali mustard rub SHOR Food writer Katherine Spiers shares a trio of notable desserts in the San Gabriel Valley in her newsletter How to Eat L.A and Jomi Cake in Arcadia; click on the link to see what to order at each spot The limited-edition cupcake is available nationwide from now until February 11 Vietnamese pop-up Tóp Tép is partnering with cooking school Impastiamo in Culver City on Saturday, January 27 from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for a Tết cooking class. The event includes a hands-on lesson on how to prepare nem rán (Northern Vietnamese fried spring rolls) with chef Thao Pham and a glass of wine. Tickets are priced at $125 and can be reserved here A post shared by MIDCITY MERCADO (@midcitymercado) Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies responded to the area near 222nd Street and Wardham Avenue around 11 p.m. Monday after receiving a shots fired call. When they arrived, they found a person - believed to be a man - who had been shot to death. AIR7 HD was over the scene where investigators placed evidence markers near what appeared to be shell casings near the body. Print A Hawaiian Gardens man was convicted of using the popular online marketplace OfferUp to sell a tar-like substance containing fentanyl to a teenager who later died of an overdose Gregory Hevener, 47, was found guilty in federal court Monday of one count each of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and possession with intent to distribute heroin, according to a statement by the U.S. attorney’s office. In November 2020, prosecutors said the 18-year-old victim responded to a post on OfferUp in which Hevener advertised “BLACK TAR ROOFING MATERIALS!!” for sale in Long Beach. Hevener and the victim, who was not named in Monday’s news release, communicated about the ad and then met in Hawaiian Gardens, where Hevener sold the victim what he claimed was heroin, authorities said. The substance was in fact a “black, tar-like substance containing fentanyl and tramadol, a pain-relief medication,” the U.S. attorney’s office said. “The victim then drove home and took the drugs, suffering a fatal overdose,” the statement said. Whereas other sites and apps almost eliminated drug postings after scrutiny by law enforcement dealers on Craigslist seemingly remained active using code words As the Los Angeles Times reported this month, seemingly innocuous terms like “roofing tar,” “Roxy blue shorts” and “fettuccine” have been used for years to advertise illicit fentanyl on internet marketplaces. Until recently, local Craigslist posts featured a variety of tongue-in-cheek listings that drug experts said were covert ads for fentanyl. A few years ago, OfferUp was “the spot” for such covert drug ads, Bill Bodner, former special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Los Angeles field division, told The Times this year. But he said that around 2021 the federal agency successfully urged the site to take steps to address the black market postings. “We had a Zoom with OfferUp, and they kind of got on their people and tightened things up,” Bodner said. An OfferUp spokesperson said in an emailed statement that the company “explicitly bans” the sale of illegal drugs, cannabis and prescription medications. “We do our best to review posted content to ensure that transactions for buyers, sellers, job seekers, and employers are ethical, safe, and protected,” the statement said, adding that the company removes listings and takes “actions on accounts that violate our policies,” working with law enforcement and updating product features. This year, Craigslist appeared to crack down as well, as suspicious ads became less prevalent after The Times began asking questions about the site’s efforts to address suspected drug sales on its platform. Though Hevener’s legal trouble began just months before federal drug officials in Los Angeles started taking more interest in drug sales on OfferUp, Bodner said Monday that his case wasn’t what sparked the agency’s interest in the platform. “It was just that these ads were pretty prevalent then,” Bodner said. In July, October and December 2021, law enforcement conducted searches at and outside Hevener’s residence, seizing 245 grams of burned black tar heroin, 1.2 grams of fentanyl, a digital scale, pieces of aluminum foil with residue of fentanyl and tramadol, and other items, the statement from the U.S. attorney’s office said. Hevener is scheduled for sentencing Sept. 16, and he faces a mandatory minimum of 20 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum of life behind bars. Connor Sheets is an investigative and enterprise reporter at the Los Angeles Times. World & Nation Long Beach Business Journal A Long Beach developer is threatening to use state law to circumvent an anticipated decision by the Hawaiian Gardens City Council to deny a proposed project The City Council signaled in October that it will likely deny the proposed development—a modest multigenerational and workforce housing project—over density and economic concerns But state law intended to spur new housing may allow the project to move forward regardless proposed the 13-unit development for 12300 Tilbury St. which currently serves as a construction storage yard on the border of the city of Lakewood The lot is currently zoned for commercial use but has been identified by the city as an opportunity site for redevelopment Each three-story “urban townhouse” would consist of five bedrooms a balcony and a direct-access two-car garage but it’s not a good project for Hawaiian Gardens,” Mayor Luis Roa said during an Oct the mayor and mayor pro tem are voting members of the five-person council After public comments and brief statements by councilmembers the body voted 4-0 to direct city staff to draft a “resolution of denial” that the council will weigh this month One councilmember recused themselves from the hearing because they live near the proposed project site Urban Pacific gave a presentation that addressed previous concerns brought up by the council and during public comment with complaints mostly centered around density and parking said the development of accessory dwelling units already is taking away too much parking from residents said “the nightmare of parking and congestion still exists.” said approving the development would be a “disservice” to the community because rents would be too expensive for many residents The council said what is needed is mixed-use and affordable housing developments—which would likely have a higher density than the Urban Pacific project the city has no proposed residential developments Urban Pacific founder Scott Choppin presented data that showed traffic would actually be 88% lower with his project compared to a retail- or services-focused redevelopment Despite acknowledging the need for more housing the City Council agreed with the residents’ concerns and added that there are various economic issues to be considered including the city’s need to diversify its revenue streams which currently rely heavily on the Gardens Casino We have almost zero commercial space left,” Councilmember Victor Farfan said during the meeting the city wants to do its best to diversify its revenue streams as much as possible “It’s hard for me to say this is the best opportunity for the community to make the most amount of money.” While the urban townhouse units are not affordable as defined by the government (subsidized housing with covenants that require rents be attainable for those making 60% or less of the area median income) Choppin argues it is affordable for families with multiple generations living under one roof or as workforce housing Urban Pacific has successfully built this product type in several cities throughout Southern California, including Fullerton and Montebello, as well as numerous projects in Long Beach Rents at the company’s completed projects range from about $3,000 to $3,750 per month many new market-rate one- and two-bedroom apartments are renting for anywhere between $2,000 and $3,000 Because the housing type is meant for multigenerational families and workforces the cost is expected to be shared among several working people “This dynamic is turning out to be true,” Choppin said noting his completed projects are leasing well and have not caused the various issues brought up in Hawaiian Gardens but we have an interesting set of tools that we never had before.” At less than 1 square mile and with a population of less than 14,000 Hawaiian Gardens sits on Long Beach’s eastern border the tiny municipality continues to fall short of its housing development goals as outlined by the state According to the city’s draft housing element Hawaiian Gardens is made up mostly of single-family units which account for 61.1% of the city’s housing stock 364 are multifamily with two to four units 834 are multifamily with five or more units the number of single-family homes in Hawaiian Gardens increased by 314 while the number of multifamily and mobile homes decreased by 190 and 24 Less than 5% of the city’s housing stock was built after 1990 The city’s residential vacancy rate is 2.1% Based on the most recent Regional Housing Needs Assessment Hawaiian Gardens must develop 331 residential units by 2029 Cities are required by state law to submit housing elements that detail how they will meet their RHNA allocation including identifying sites for redevelopment Hawaiian Gardens officials submitted a draft housing element for review in December 2021. In a February 2022 letter the California Department of Housing and Community Development informed the city that revisions were needed to comply with state law mostly centered around the need for analysis on topics such as “segregation and integration and disparities in access to opportunity,” substandard housing and homelessness within city limits identifying contributing factors to fair housing issues analysis of special housing needs for various groups The city resubmitted its draft housing element on Aug according to Community Development Director Elise McCaleb the state responded with additional revision requirements which city staff are still working to address Having missed the Oct. 15 deadline for a certified housing element, the city is now out of compliance with state law, which triggers a section of Senate Bill 330 that allows developers to submit an application to the state to go over the heads of local governments Since 1990, the state’s Housing Accountability Act (which SB330 amended to limit local authority to downzone properties among other things) has provided a so-called “builder’s remedy” that bypasses local zoning code and general plans if a city is not in compliance with state law and the project consists of at least 20% affordable units The Urban Pacific project includes three affordable units Once the application is submitted, the city cannot have its housing element certified and then use it to deny the project, Choppin said. Additionally, all applicable fees are frozen, meaning any subsequent increases by the city will not apply to the Urban Pacific project. None of the councilmembers responded to requests for comment for this story. The law firm urged the council to reconsider its decision ahead of the Dec. 13 meeting. If it does not, and the state approves the SB330 application, the firm said it is ready to take legal action if the city does not comply with the HAA within 60 days. Fines up to $10,000 per unit could be levied against the city as the result of subsequent lawsuits if the city does not comply. “None of us hope it has to go there,” Choppin said, “but that’s the ultimate legal authority under these laws.” Print Scott Shinedling has played poker at the Hawaiian Gardens card club since it opened inside a 60,000-square-foot tent nearly 20 years ago But the sales director from Placentia didn’t bring his wife to the Gardens Casino until it underwent a $90-million overhaul recently “It wasn’t impressive,” he explained of the old casino The Gardens Casino’s owners hope other gamblers will be impressed with the 200,000-square-foot building housing 225 tables The revamped card club even has two glass cages on the gaming floor for its mascot parrots Hawaiian Gardens has a lot riding on the project About 70% of the city’s general fund revenue comes from the casino which has been dogged by controversy for years The expansion could be a huge financial boost for Los Angeles County’s smallest town The “increased job opportunities for our residents and anticipated increased revenues for our general fund all add up to big steps forward for our little city,” Hawaiian Gardens Mayor Barry Bruce said Business has jumped about 15% since the new building opened in April Named for a small fruit stand that operated in the area in the 1920s the 1-square-mile city near Lakewood and Long Beach has one of the lowest median household incomes and the highest population densities in the county the casino paid fees and taxes to the city ranging from $10.8 million to $13.7 million The city’s annual general fund was $16.2 million in the last fiscal year makes the Gardens Casino one of the biggest and most luxurious in Los Angeles County it comes as the card club’s rival casinos also have invested heavily in upgrades The Bicycle Club Casino in nearby Bell Gardens unveiled a $50-million overhaul in December featuring a 99-room hotel with a fitness center plus a sit-down restaurant with 28 types of beer on tap the Hollywood Park Casino expects to open a 110,000-square-foot building in September that will be nearly 40% larger than its existing casino with space for 35 more gaming tables plus a new sit-down restaurant and sports bar showcasing a giant But Gardens Casino general manager Ron Sarabi said the timing of the overhaul was not influenced by his competitors he said the permanent structure was built because the old tent enclosure had an expected lifespan of 10 to 15 years and was nearly 20 years old when construction of the new building began The casino opened in 1997 as the Hawaiian Gardens Casino in a small manufactured home before it was moved into a tent that held 175 tables and 1,600 employees The new version drops “Hawaiian” from the name and adds a two-story building with high ceilings and 220 flat-screen televisions A bingo hall that was attached to the card club was relocated a few blocks away An upstairs lounge includes reclining lounge chairs giant television screens and a shower so VIP gamblers can recharge during marathon sessions Sarabi said he is certain that the Gardens Casino now is better equipped to compete with rival card clubs “It’s like going from driving a VW to a Mercedes,” he said announced a $2.8-million assessment against the Gardens Casino after IRS examiners found that operators failed to maintain anti-money-laundering programs failed to report large cash transactions and failed to file reports on suspicious activities in the casino The federal agency said Gardens Casino management continued to allow customers to enter the casino even when they would not provide identification and were deemed suspicious by casino employees Sarabi said the assessment was the first disciplinary action against the casino in nearly 20 years “The Gardens is pleased to put this uncharacteristic situation in the past and its owners and management are committed to making every effort to continue to strengthen its programs moving forward,” he said was a controversial figure in Hawaiian Gardens and in Israel before his death in June See the most-read stories in Local News this hour » for years was accused by critics in and out of Hawaiian Gardens of wielding undue influence over the city’s government with his casino money and undermining Middle East peace efforts by funding Jewish settlements in Arab-populated areas of Israel a report from a state legislative audit committee said Hawaiian Gardens officials and Moskowitz conspired to spend about $4 million in public funds to help Moskowitz build the card club in violation of a 1996 law that prohibits the use of redevelopment funds for gaming enterprises attorneys for the city and Moskowitz strongly denied the allegation When Moskowitz came before the state’s Gaming Control Commission in 2004 to get his permanent gaming license state officials said the application generated the strongest opposition in the commission’s history The casino is now owned by Moskowitz’s family hugo.martin@latimes.com To read more about the travel and tourism industries, follow @hugomartin on Twitter Strawberry grower fined $2.4 million, demanded kickbacks from Mexican workers Legislation would restrict H-1B visas 812,000 pay-TV subscribers cut the cord in the second quarter of 2016 Hugo Martín is an assistant editor on the Fast Break Desk, the Los Angeles Times’ breaking news team. He has been a journalist with the Los Angeles Times for more than 30 years, covering politics, transportation, travel, business and the outdoors. A native Californian, Martín was part of the Metro staff that won Pulitzer Prizes in 1993, 1995 and 1998. He is an avid outdoorsman, a proud father and die-hard Lakers fan. Hollywood Inc. Business First Hawaiian Bank in Lihu‘e expected to close in late 2024 A rendering of the future First Hawaiian Bank building at Hokulei Village in Lihu‘e is on display at First Hawaiian Bank on Rice Street in Lihu‘e LIHU‘E — First Hawaiian Bank has unveiled the design for its newest banking branch at Hokulei Village in Lihu‘e The original First Hawaiian Bank branch on Rice Street in Lihue will be closing and relocating to its new location Unlimited Construction Services and its architect AHL are taking on the project with the aim to redefine First Hawaiian Bank’s definition of in-bank banking experience by providing state-of-the-art meeting spaces and innovative environments for everyone (function(d,s,n){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];js=d.createElement(s);js.className=n;js.src="//player.ex.co/player/bdc806f4-0fc1-40a1-aff0-a3d5239c169c";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}(document,"script","exco-player")); People can look forward to a new hyper-focused branch aimed at maintaining the customer in mind The bank is designed for enhanced convenience with an environmental focus along with flexible work spaces with meeting pods and an outdoor courtyard designed for al fresco meetings First Hawaiian Bank (FHB) said it aims to create a holistic approach and create a more modern and eco-conscious banking for both customers and its staff the design will incorporate features like photovoltaic panels electric vehicle chargers (EV) and battery backup for enhanced power efficiency The new location will also showcase native landscaping contributing to reduced water consumption and usage the banking center will boast innovative spaces for customer-banker interactions complementing the conventional teller line and customer service areas “We’ve all seen how banking is changing and we’re creating a new environment where people can come in and comfortably take care of their banking needs,” said Bob Harrison President and Chairman of First Hawaiian Bank “We recognize the importance of the relationships we have cultivated at our leased Rice Street location and we’re excited to introduce our customers to a modernized approach to banking at our new location in Hokulei Village The development of this new location reflects our ongoing commitment to the Kaua‘i community.” there are five branches on Kaua‘i with a team of 50 employees serving residents and businesses on the island FHB’s new center is expected to help economically by providing jobs and continuing to support local businesses “As we break ground on this new chapter for First Hawaiian Bank in Lihu‘e we understand that we are not just constructing a new banking center we are building a future that echoes our commitment to innovation sustainability and a world class banking experience for our valued customers,” said Senior Vice President and Region Manager Leland Kahawai Wear a Lei was the theme of this year’s annual Kauai Museum Lei.. Members of the Waimea High School girls football team arrived home on Sunday from the 2025.. I hope there isn’t a downtime where Rice Street is closed and the new facility isn’t completed what is going to happen with that huge building of the old FHB on Rice street?? how is that “aims to create a holistic approach and create a more modern and eco-conscious banking for both customers and its staff” …..maybe just for the staff……some customers prefer not to walk in the bank……