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Sun Newspaper announces new eNewspaper access

Staff report
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Sun Newspaper announces new eNewspaper access

Click here to go to the eNewspaper

The Seal Beach Sun has announced major changes to its distribution model that add convenience for its readers by offering multiple distribution options.

According to Linda Rosas, senior vice president of Integrity Newspapers, Inc. and publisher of the Seal Beach Sun, the paper’s new distribution methods will enhance how its readers can stay current with their community news.

“We are thrilled to announce the Seal Beach Sun is our first newspaper to offer an eNewspaper format,” said Rosas, noting the Sun is the first publication within the company’s chain of community papers to successfully install the new format.

Due to economic conditions and other factors, we are struggling to continue our long-standing courtesy of free home delivery,” she added. Nevertheless, she said “we listen to the readers and advertisers and understand their concerns,” said Rosas.

Readers can now purchase a digital subscription to the Sun from less than $1 per week that grants access to the entire paper, page-turning and all, she said. Residents can access the eNewspaper format through the company’s website (sunnews.org), the Sun publisher said.

Rosas said the print version of the Sun is still available free for readers at bulk drop box locations (listed on the Sun’s website). In addition, she said readers seeking home delivery can subscribe to have a copy of each edition mailed to them.

“Change is never easy,” she said, “and I’m happy this one has turned out well for our readers and for our advertisers.”

“This has not been an easy year for the newspaper industry and especially The Sun,” said Rosas, “yet we are very excited to announce this eNewspaper format for our family of publications.”

“Overall, our digital footprint has been expanding,” said Rosas, saying online readership has spiked in recent years. “Our impressions have always been strong but of late, they have gone through the roof,” she said.

“Throughout all of this, the quality of our news has not diminished, only improved,” she said. “Our readers have shown us how much access to community content means to them,” said Rosas.

“We’re happy to now offer three options for distribution,” she said.

While the Seal Beach Sun is the first in the company’s chain of community papers to transition, Rosas said other publications, such as The Catalina Islander, the Event News Enterprise and others will soon follow.

In addition to the Seal Beach Sun, Integrity Newspapers publishes 18 community papers across Southern California.

“We understand how much people love their community papers,” said Rosas, and “we have done everything possible to preserve that priceless experience, even now into our digital future.”

Locals bring home the gold in LB Pickleball event

For the Sun
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Locals bring home the gold in LB Pickleball event

Local Seal Beach Pickleball player and coach John Gill won Gold medals in both the men’s and mixed doubles divisions at the recent California Open a USA Pickleball sanctioned event at Billie Jean King Tennis and Pickleball center at Long Beach.

Gill was also a Bronze medalist in the men’s singles in his 60 + 4.0 + event. His partners were Darryl Killion for the men’s doubles and Jacqueline Pham in the mixed doubles.

Gill has also won a Golden ticket to play singles in the USA Nationals and will also be playing with Jacqueline Pham in the mixed doubles starting Nov. 5 in Dallas, Texas.

John and Jacqueline Pham (center) with Silver and Bronze medalists from their 60 + event.

Gill an Aussie living here now, after traveling to the USA since 1998 competing and winning 26 World Martial Arts championships in the USA, is also president of the World Pickleball Association and a major contributor to the movement to make Pickleball an Olympic sport, possibly by the games in his home country of Australia in 2032.

Gill recently put on a DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) event at iPickle Cerritos where local Seal Beach players Timothy De Bie and Mario Montaya won Gold and a free entry into the DUPR 2023 National event to be held in Dallas, Texas in October.

Gill is offering the local Seal Beach community an opportunity to try America’s fastest growing sport and be taught by himself for free with paddles supplied on Sunday Oct. 8 starting at noon, at the local Seal Beach courts at Marina Park.

Numbers will be limited to 16 players over 4 courts so secure your place now by emailing info@theworldpickleballassociation.com, or phone/text John Gill at 424-702-9337.

Local man takes second in 2026 Run Seal Beach 5K

Charles M. Kelly
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Local man takes second in 2026 Run Seal Beach 5K

Matthew Mahue, 17, of Buena Park was the first person to cross the finish line in the 5K race at Run Seal Beach on Saturday, March 28. Mahue, who attends Los Alamitos High School,  crossed the finish line on or about 8:15 a.m. and, from the look on his face, he appeared to be mighty happy. 

His chip time was 16:41, according to the race results at raceroster.com.

Seal Beach’s Victor Contreras, 35, came in second with a chip time of 16:57. Contreras crossed the finish line on or about 8:16 a.m.

O. Davies, 12, of Seal Beach, took sixth place with a chip time of 18:50.

First place in the 10K run went to Andrew Shen, 31, of Gilbert, Ariz., with a chip time of 33:03.

Kaylee Garcia, 14, of Los Alamitos, was the first place overall 5K Run female participant as well as first in her age group. Garcia’s chip time was 19:38. 

In the non-competitive 5K walk, Sean Park, 27, of Los Angeles, took first place. Park’s chip time was 26:08.  

S. Vaidanathan, 12, of  Cypress took second place with a chip time of 27:27. 

Dionisio Cuellar, 53, of Los Alamitos took third place with a chip time of 28:36. 

Nathan Pendleton, 25, of Seal Beach, took fourth place with a chip time of 29:08.

The annual event featured vendors booths and a Kids Fun Zone, all in Eisenhower Park.

‘No Kings’ Demonstration

Staff report
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‘No Kings’ Demonstration

A “No Kings” demonstration took place in Seal Beach on Saturday, March 28. The demonstration was apparently part of a nationwide series of protests against the current administration, ICE, and the Iran war. The Seal Beach demonstration took place on both sides of Pacific Coast Highway from PCH and Eighth Street to PCH and 15th Street. A few protesters stood two doors from the later intersection. No counter demonstrations were observed by Sun staff. According to Seal Beach Police Lt. Julia Clasby, the department’s public information officer, no issues or incidents were reported in Seal Beach.Photo by Kelley Barton

Los Al rallies in second half to defeat Edison

Ted Apodaca
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Los Al rallies in second half to defeat Edison

The Los Alamitos High boys lacrosse team overcame a slow start and rallied in the second half to a 10-7 win over Edison High, in the Sunset League opener for both teams. Edison jumped out to a 3-1 lead by the end of the first quarter and extended the lead to 6-3 by halftime. 

But the Griffins turned things around in the second half. A goal from Robstan Hansen, off a crossing pass from Thomas Argenzio, cut the lead to 6-4 and Sebastian Marr added another goal from about 12 meters in front of the goal to cut the lead to 6-5. 

Los Al 0 scored a similar goal from the front of the goal to tie it up at 6-6, with 3:51 left in the third quarter. Edison regained the lead, 7-6, on a goal by Dylan Hale, but that would be the only goal the Griffins would allow in the second half. Los Al Head Coach Matt Cunniffe said that the Griffins were simply sluggish in the first half. 

“The biggest thing was effort, and a lack of effort in the first half,” Cunniffe said. “The second half was a different story.” 

Hansen  tied the game again, 7-7, on a quick catch and shoot in front of the goal, off a pass from Marr, at the 7:08 mark. Marr would give the Griffins a 7-6 lead with an outside shot from an angle. Less than a minute later, Marr found Argenzio in front of the goal with a pass that Argenzio buried in the back of the net.

Hansen finished the scoring with another goal in front of the net, this time of a pass from Argenzio from behind the goal. The defensive stance in the second half, where the Griffins allowed just one goal by the Chargers, is something Los Al has been pretty consistent with this year, according to Cunniffe.

“Defense is all about body position and playing with your feet and fists and playing as a six-man unit and relying on your goalie and making sure that you’re doing the little things correctly and making sure that you’re anticipating whatever they’re going to throw at you on offense,” Cunniffe said.

The Griffins were ranked No. 7 in this week’s CIF-SS rankings. They fell to 10-3 on Saturday with a 13-3 loss to No. 4 ranked St. Margaret’s. The Griffins won the Sunset League title last year and should be in the hunt again this season. Corona del Mar is looking solid so far, ranked No. 5 in the Southern Section, at 7-1.

Vikings rally late to down Griffins

Ted Apodaca
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Vikings rally late to down Griffins

In a showdown of first-place teams in the Sunset League, the first meeting of Los Alamitos and Marina High softball teams ended with a late-inning rally by the Vikings as they topped the Griffins, 2-1, on Saturday at Los Alamitos High.

The two teams won CIF-SS championships in May, behind strong pitching by Marina’s Mia Valbuena and Los Alamitos’ Jaliane Brooks. Both pitchers led their teams to the championships last year and both were in the circle for Saturday’s battle.

The two did not disappoint as they held opposing offenses scoreless through three innings. Valbuena kept hitters off balance, striking out 16 batters, while Brooks kept the Vikings off the scoreboard by inducing ground ball and fly outs. Brooks had three strikeouts and four hoppers back to the pitchers that she fielded for a ground out. 

Los Alamitos was able to set up an opportunity in the bottom of the second, when they had a single by Erin Denny, a hit batter, and an intentional walk to load the bases with one out. But a squeeze bunt attempt was popped up and caught by Marina third baseman Kimmie McDonnell, who threw to third where shortstop Eva Mazzotti was covering for the inning-ending double play. 

After escaping the threat, Valbuena struck out the side in the third and had three strikeouts in the fourth. However, the only player to put the ball in play in the fourth, Erin Denny, lofted a shot to deep center for a solo home run that put the Griffins up 1-0. 

Marina had an opportunity in the top of the fourth when catcher Gabby DiBenedetto led off with a single up the middle. Pinch runner Jolie Densmore took second on a passed ball. After a strikeout, Avianna Valbuena sliced a liner down the left field line. Densmore tried scoring from second base, but was thrown out at home.

The Vikings were able to load the bases with two outs in the sixth, but a hard grounder down the first base line was knocked down by first baseman Julia Gordon, who recovered to get the force out at the bag. In the top of the seventh, the Vikings got a lead-off walk by Sophia Capelle. Pinch runner Densmore moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and raced to third before the right fielder could get to third base to cover the base. After a walk, DiBenidetto laid down a squeeze bunt that brought in 6 to tie the game at 1-1. After a single by Mia Valbuena, Avianna Valbuena drove in pinch runner Olivia Archer with the go ahead run. Valbuena had two strikeouts and a pop up to end the game. 

Planners to consider a coffee shop

Charles M. Kelly
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Planners to consider a coffee shop

The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on a proposed coffee and desert shop on Monday, April 6, according to a legal notice published in the April 26 edition of the Sun.

The proposed coffee shop, if approved, would be 226 Main St., the former home of the Christian Science Reading Room. It would have 10 seats. The shop would be 1,150 square feet. 

The applicant, Georges Hoebrechts, on behalf of owner Cynwyn Main LLC, is asking for a minor use permit for the project. 

The Planning Commission meeting will start at 7 p.m. The time of the permit hearing isn’t known because the agenda will not be released until after the deadline for the Sun print edition.

According to the legal notice, the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act because it is an existing facility in an existing commercial building. Also according to the notice, the project requires minor  modifications to renovate the space.

By law, any legal challenges to the Planning Commission’s decision may be limited to issues raised during the public hearing.

If approved, the new shop would bring the number of empty or closed business spaces on Main Street down to four. Main Street had seven empty commercial spaces as of late February. Of the remaining on Main Street, two (216 Main and the former Bank of America building) are expected to open for business at an unknown time in the future. 

Zoning update to return to council 

Charles M. Kelly
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Zoning update to return to council 

Following a public hearing, the City Council on March 23 voted unanimously to bring back proposed code amendments at a future date. 

Several council members expressed a desire to further discuss the proposed changes.

The proposed changes are required to comply with state law.

Technically, this was an introduction of the zoning amendments.

The changes to the code included farmworker housing, the density bonus, and reduced parking standards for studios and one-bedroom apartments. 

The Planning Commission considered the proposed zoning amendments on Feb. 2, 2026. However, the four commissioners who were present that night could not make a recommendation because both of their votes tied. (See “Planners: No recommendation on code update” at sunnews.org.) The Planning Commission only advises the council on code changes.

The following is not a transcript but highlights from the meeting.

Staff recommended the council approve the amendments.

Public comments

Ken Seiff, of College Park West, asked about the farmworkers housing issue and housing on the Naval Weapons Station.

Community Development Director Shaun Temple said the amendments were not development plans, they were updates to the code. “There’s not a lot of farm activity in the city, as I stated earlier, this is a state of California one-size-fits-all request,” Temple said.

“Essentially, everything being proposed to the council tonight is already state law and the state is asking us to bring our code into alignment with their code,” Temple said.

Teresa Miller, of Old Town, said she went through the programs listed in the amendments. She said most of the money for the programs was coming from the General Fund. “Where is that money going to come from and is there an estimate?” Miller asked.

She said the council by approving the zoning last year “locked us up”.

“It’s basically selling out to any developer who wants to do just about anything they want as long as they meet the criteria,” Miller said. 

“I’m sick and tired of hearing, ‘Oh, the state says,’” Miller said.

“People need to think before they vote,” said Ellery Deaton, of Old Town. 

“This is absolutely what we get for what we’ve got in Sacramento. It’s time for a change,” Deaton said.

“You keep getting threatened with builders remedies. Look at what you’ve done in Old Town. It’s builders remedy. It’s an empty threat. You’re giving it away instead of having a builder come in and take it,” Deaton said.

“You’re in a tough place, I know it. I didn’t vote in a way that got us here, but the state of California did.”

The mayor then closed the public hearing.

Council comments

“Yes, we’re in a tough spot,” said District One Council Member Joe Kalmick.

According to Kalmick, other cities that have fought the state have lost every court case.

“It will cost them a lot of money to come into compliance before there’s an opportunity for review,” he said.

According to Kalmick, the city will be required to provide monthly, quarterly, and annual reports on the programs listed in the code amendments.

“This is going to take staff time. It’s another unfunded mandate,” Kalmick said.

According to Kalmick, if you look at development in the city, things have not changed substantially. 

He said Old Town can’t get much more dense within the 25-foot height limit. Kalmick speculated that Seal Beach might be forced to build up, apparently a reference to the city’s height limit.

“So far, that doesn’t seem to be imminent,” Kalmick said. He said the city had to be watchful of the next Regional Housing Needs Assessment. (As previously reported, the state required Seal Beach to plan for the construction 1,243 units in the most recent RHNA. Legally, the state can’t force property owners to actually build any of those units.) 

He said anything over one unit would be impossible. He described the effort to plan for 1,243 units was “the dance of the seven veils”. 

According to Kalmick, Seal Beach as a community needed keep its eyes open for what may be coming. 

“We can act accordingly without blatantly trying to push back on the state,” Kalmick said.

District Four Councilwoman Patty Senecal expressed concerns about the unknowns in the proposed zoning amendments. “We have no idea what we’re walking into,” she said, referring to the impact on the city’s budget. 

“We need to look at the financial obligations of an unfunded mandate that will be put upon this city,” Senecal said. 

She said each time she read the information, it was more confusing that the first time she read it. 

Senecal called for a study session on the proposed zoning amendments. “We need to let people know about this, walk through it with them,” Senecal said.

“I’m deeply concerned about the budget implications,” Senecal said.

City Attorney Nick Ghirelli said costs of the programs in the zoning amendments had been absorbed. 

“It’s not being proposed that we adopt all these programs tonight,” said Community Development Director Shaun Temple.

He agreed with Senecal that a study session on the code changes would be beneficial. “It’s like taking an entire three or four year program in college and trying to read it over the weekend,” Temple said. “It’s just too much information.”

District Five Councilman Nathan Steele said the council did not have enough information to even fathom what this was all about. “I have little to no trust in Sacramento and their policies and the way they’re pointing in this world,” Steele said. 

“We don’t know what Seal Beach is going to look like in 25 years,” Steele said.

“I don’t want to give them an inch,” Steele said.

District Three Councilwoman/Mayor Lisa Landau asked, “Why do we even need a City Council?”

Landau said once the council votes for high density in Old Town, the character of Old Town would be “destroyed” forever. “There’s no going back on that,” Landau said.

“I also think we need to bring this back,” Landau said.

Senecal moved to bring the item back at a later date. “I think we need more information,” Senecal. 

Background

The City Council adopted the Housing Element of the Seal Beach General Plan for 2021-2029. The council also adopted related amendments to the Zoning Coe and the Main Street Specific plan,  according to the staff report by Shaun Temple, director of Community Development.

“The adopted Housing Element contains a list of State-mandated Programs that are required to be implemented to ensure the City meets the State objectives,” Temple wrote 

According to Temple, those objectives include facilitating housing for every economic level in the state and furthering fair housing.

A Feb. 26 letter from the California Department of Housing and Community Development said Seal Beach had to implement the programs to remain in compliance with the Seal Beach Housing Element, according to Temple’s report.

Those programs included: Farmworker housing, a residential density bonus for developments that include affordable housing, a commercial density bonus for a commercial developments with affordable housing with 30% of the units for low income residents, replace the 950 and 1,200 square foot minimums with  a 500 square foot standard for residential zones, and reduced parking requirements.

Dear public officials: Learn to talk like human beings

Charles M. Kelly
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Dear public officials: Learn to talk like human beings

Government officials, and their private sector counterparts, need to learn to talk and write  like people instead of like bureaucrats.

My job requires me to read a lot of press releases. Most of them are dreadful. 

Here’s one example from a recent press release issued by the California Department of Public Health: 

“The California Department of Public Health on March 11 announced the release of the Behavioral Health Services Act Population Based Prevention Final Plan.”

Charles M. Kelly

Translation: The state government released a suicide prevention plan.

That’s a worthy goal—a pity the effort is being undermined by lousy communication. Most people won’t know what behavioral health means and won’t take the time to look it up. 

I know that suicide is an unpleasant, even scary, subject. A class I took on how to report on suicide recommended avoiding that word in a headline. 

Ahem. I once had a supervisor who forbid me to run the suicide prevention hotline in a newspaper because he thought seeing the words “suicide prevention” would make someone suicidal.

Frankly, having battled clinical depression in my teens, I strongly disagree with that kind of “reasoning”. That’s like avoiding the word “cancer” on the assumption it won’t kill people if we don’t use the C word. 

When I was 38, doctors told me I had a growth, a mass, a tumor, a seminoma. It was two weeks before my urologist said, “It’s a cancer” and I felt relieved. Now I knew what I was fighting. 

Calling suicide prevention “behavioral health” doesn’t actually say anything—let alone save lives. 

“Engagement” is a popular term in government and corporate circles. According to Merriam-Webster, there are at least six definitions of the word: arranging to meet someone (also called an “appointment” or a “date”), giving someone a job (which governors and presidents called “appointments”), being engaged to get married, an emotional involvement with someone (which most folks call a “commitment” or a “relationship”), being in gear,  or combat (also known as a  “hostile encounter between military forces”).

In the media and the government, “engagement” also means communicating with people. Some news organizations have an “engagement editor” who usually is involved in social media updates—combining the work of distributing the news to the audience with drawing the audience to the news organization. 

Police are usually, for the most part, better at this sort of thing than most government officials. They may “arrest a suspect” or “take someone into custody,” but they don’t “apprehend and incarcerate an alleged miscreant” unless they’re poking fun at somebody. That’s because cops spend so much time speaking to civilians that they know how to talk to civilians rather than around civilians or over their heads.

Other government officials would benefit from trying their hand at speaking civilian. Sadly, too many officials seem to define “transparency” as using as much jargon as possible. They are confusing the definition of “transparent” with the definition of “opaque”. Opaque transparency isn’t transparent at all. You’re human beings. Talk like human beings already.

Charles M. Kelly is associate editor of the Sun. He is also a grouch. 

Smoke detectors in LW

For the Sun
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Smoke detectors in LW


The OC Red Cross and Orange County Fire Authority recently distributed smoke detectors throughout Leisure World. OC Red Cross Executive Director Becky Fiery and OCFA Division 1 Chief Craig Covey are seen here with volunteers at the recent Leisure World smoke detector distribution event. There were 35 teams distributing and installing smoke detectors, according to District Five Councilman Nathan Steele. “There were about 180 volunteers there.  Very well organized,” wrote Steele in a March 30 email. 

Sunset Beach baseball collector holds live list

Chris MacDonald
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Sunset Beach baseball collector holds live list

Jim Daniel, a Sunset Beach businessman, has had a passion for baseball all his life—his office in Peter’s Landing is decorated with baseball attire (gloves and mitts) he’s been collecting since 1994. While the chief financial officer of Occupancy Cost Audit Group, which audits businesses and corporations, enjoys his day job, he finds time to devote to his favorite sport by holding an online “Live List” twice a year at the start of baseball season and during the World Series.

Enthusiasts can sign up on his website, baseballglovecollector.com and see memorabilia for sale such as a Lou Gehrig glove, Edward K. Tryon, Pre War 3 Fingers, an All-American glove and hundreds more! With 1,255 subscribers from all 50 states and through the world, he’s working around the clock at the start of baseball season, shipping to France, Italy, England and Australia, plus New York, Ohio, Georgia and Connecticut.

Jim Daniel’s dad Dave, a sports writer, got him interested in baseball when he took him to Dodgers Stadium in 1976. He sat in the press box with his brother, Jeff, and they got to meet the great Tommy Lasorda! “My dad loved baseball and taught me how to look at old baseball cards to learn player names, positions, statistics and biographical information,” Jim said. 

You can e-mail jim@baseballglovecollector.com and he’ll get back to you to answer any questions.

Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach to take part in April security exercises

For the Sun
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Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach to take part in April security exercises

Local residents may hear and see an increase in law enforcement activities at the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station throughout the month of April as base personnel take part in a series of security exercises.

On April 7 and 9 waterborne security boat drills are scheduled to take place in Anaheim Bay.  

The drills may include the use of role players and blank machine gun fire, which can sound like actual gunshots from a distance.  Civilian boat traffic through Anaheim Bay is unlikely to be affected.    

On April 14 and 28 land-based security exercises are planned.  These drills may cause increased traffic, delays in base access, and temporary gate closures. The station’s “Giant Voice” mass notification loudspeaker and alarm system may also be used.  

The exercises are not in response to any specific threat, but are part of regularly scheduled training activities developed to enhance and maintain the readiness of Navy security teams.

Live updates will be posted on the station’s Facebook page as needed throughout the month (search under “Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, Detachment Fallbrook, Detachment Norco”).

Briefing Room: ATM jackpotting is a national banking fraud trend

SBPD Capt. Nick Nicholas
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Briefing Room: ATM jackpotting is a national banking fraud trend

Hi Seal Beach,

We want to make you aware of a national banking fraud trend known as ATM jackpotting.

According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General, ATM jackpotting involves criminals gaining access to an ATM, installing malware, and causing the machine to illegally dispense cash from the bank’s supply. The FDIC OIG says the FBI estimated 700 instances and more than $20 million in losses in 2025. The alert also notes that these crimes are often connected to organized groups and may involve activity both at the machine and from people directing the operation remotely.

The good news is that we have not had any reported incidents of this specific activity in Seal Beach. Even so, this is still a smart reminder for all of us to be extra careful, not just around ATMs, but also with the scams that often follow financial crime headlines.

The FDIC OIG says warning signs around targeted ATMs can include people photographing machines, watching restocking routines, trying to access an ATM and quickly leaving, open ATM doors outside normal maintenance, unauthorized devices connected to the machine, or unusual low-cash conditions. The agency also notes that offenders often hit multiple ATMs from the same institution in a short period of time.

For residents, the bigger takeaway is simple: slow down and verify.

If you receive a phone call, text, or email claiming there is fraud on your bank account, do not automatically trust it. The Federal Trade Commission warns that scammers can fake caller ID, and a phone number that looks legitimate may still be fraudulent. The FTC advises people to use a phone number they already know is real if they want to verify an issue.

A few good habits can go a long way:

• Check your bank and credit card accounts regularly. The FDIC advises consumers to review account statements thoroughly to make sure all transactions are authorized, and the OCC recommends reviewing statements frequently for suspicious activity.

• Do not trust unexpected callers just because they sound official. Caller ID can be spoofed, including numbers that appear local or appear to come from a bank or government office.

• Never share a verification code. The FTC says banks use those codes to confirm it is really you, and anyone asking for that code is a scammer.

• Never move money because someone tells you to “protect” it. The FTC says that is a scam. If there is a real concern with your account, contact your bank using the number on the back of your card, your official banking app, or the institution’s verified website.

• Report suspicious activity quickly. The CFPB advises contacting your bank or credit union as soon as you discover an unauthorized payment.

If you ever notice suspicious behavior around an ATM, or if something about a call, text, or message does not feel right, trust your instincts. Hang up, do not engage, and independently contact your financial institution through a number you know is legitimate.

Staying alert is one of the best ways to keep it that way. Scams continue to evolve, and a cautious community is a safer community. For more information, please visit: fdicoig.gov/atm-jackpotting.

Keep your questions coming, Seal Beach!  Email us at askacop@sealbeachca.gov today!

CIF Southern Section and State Champions

Staff report
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CIF Southern Section and State Champions


The Los Alamitos High boys soccer team capped a magical playoff run with a 1-0 win over Watsonville in the first ever CIF Division 3 State Championship tournament. Carter Coleman scored the only goal in the second half, and the Griffin defense made it stand up with the fifth shutout in seven playoff games for Los Alamitos. The Griffins won the CIF Southern Section Championship via forfeit, when Calabasas discovered it had used an ineligible player. Los Al had posted three shutouts in four wins, en route to the championship game. The players are (in roster No. order) Aidan Hernandez, Zachary Bambadji, Luke Aguirre, Landon Murr, Luke Kurata, Adrian Hernandez, Jayden Bautista, Ethan Phung, Grant Fedre, Cyrus Rastegar, Mateo Samblotte, Aiden Phan, Cooper Coleman, Kyle Ainslie, Connor Gonzalez, Nicolas Tangarife, Matteo De Lorenzo, Carter Coleman, Jacob Manning, Anthony Pulido, Parker Gill, Nicholas Makieil, Luciano Ingrao, Maximus Phan, Rumi Rastegar and Noah Shyres. Head Coach is Donovan Martinez, with assistants; Hector Holguin, Jacob Herrera, Kaden Falsken and Mario Araujo.

Council ratifies Business First committee appointments

Charles M. Kelly
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Council ratifies Business First committee appointments

On Monday, March 23, the City Council ratified the council member’s appointments to the Citizen-Council Olympic Advisory Ad- Hoc Committee Business First Advisory Ad-Hoc Committee.  The vote was unanimous. The date of the first meeting has not yet been announced.

This was originally a Consent Calendar item but was pulled for separate consideration. There was no council debate or discussion. District Three Councilwoman/Mayor Lisa Landau asked the members of the Olympic Advisory Ad-Hoc Committee and then the Business First Committee to stand up. 

The creation of the committee was part of the 2025 Strategic Planning meeting. The committee will focus on the Main Street area.

(See City to launch Business First initiative)

The committee members are: 

• Kori DeLeon, appointed by District One Council Member Joe Kalmick. DeLeon, of RTI Insurance on Main Street, is a past president of the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce. 

• Peter Magalhaes, appointed by District Four Councilwoman Patty Senecal. Magalhaes is a member of the Chamber of Commerce board of directors and worked on the Farmers Market project which started Friday, March 20. 

• Woody Woodruff, appointed by District Five Councilman Nathan Steele. Woodruff, of W Woodruff Hair Design, is a Main Street business and property owner as well as past member of the Parking Commission. The Parking Commission no longer exists. 

• Steven Riggs, appointed by District Two Councilman Ben Wong. Riggs, according to his volunteer application, has more than 45 years of experience as an executive in financial services. He served as treasurer on the Surfrider Foundation board, according to his commission application.

• Rosie Ritchie, appointed by District Three Councilwoman/Mayor Lisa Landau. Ritchie is the owner of The Beach House Restaurant on First Street. She has worked in real estate and, according to the letter she attached to her commission application, she is familiar with permitting and regulatory processes. 

Council members on the committee: 

• Kalmick and Wong. Kalmick’s district includes the Main Street area. Wong’s district includes College Park West, the Shops at Rossmoor Center (which is in Seal Beach), and Leisure World.

2026 Run Seal Beach 5K/10K street closures

Courtesy of Seal Beach Police Department
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2026 Run Seal Beach 5K/10K street closures

On Saturday, March 28, the 52nd annual Run Seal Beach 5K/10K will take place in the Old Town and surrounding areas of Seal Beach.

Run Seal Beach is a long-standing community tradition that brings together runners, walkers, families, volunteers, and supporters for a day of movement, fun, and giving back. The event donates 100% of proceeds to local nonprofit organizations that support fitness and recreation in the Seal Beach community.

Registration remains open for the 5K Run/Walk, 10K Run, and Kids Fun Run. For event details, updated course information, and registration, visit runsealbeach.com.

Course update

Run Seal Beach has announced an update to the 10K course for its Saturday, March 28, event. (See the map on page 2.) Due to current operational needs, the Navy base will not be available for this year’s 10K route. 

The updated 10K course will now be run as two laps of a 5K- style loop and is not the same as the current 5K event route.

Registered 10K participants will receive a separate email with options and instructions. Participants can also view the updated course map at runsealbeach.com. On race day, 10K participants can expect clear signage at the lap split, along with volunteers, course marshals, cones, and markings to help keep runners on route.

Street Closures

As a result of this event and the large number of participants expected to run, the following streets will be closed to ensure runner safety:

• 4 to 11 a.m.:

—Marina Bridge to and from Long Beach to Seal Beach)

—Marina Drive from Electric to First Street

—First Street from Welcome Lane to Ocean Place

• 6:45 to 11 a.m.

—First Street from Ocean Place to Ocean Avenue

—Ocean Avenue from First Street to 10th Street

—Marina Drive – from 1st Street to 5th Street

• 7 to 11 a.m.

—Ocean Avenue from 10th Street to Electric

—Seal Beach Boulevard from Electric to Pacific Coast Highway 

• 7:15 to 11 a.m.

—Electric Avenue North and Southside from Seal Beach Boulevard to Marina Drive

There will be no parking on the streets listed above. Vehicles along the racecourse may not be moved from closed streets during the race hours of 7-11 a.m. Please note that all times are approximate and roadway openings may be delayed. 

These times are conservative in the name of setting expectations as well as simplifying the communication.

For more information, visit runsealbeach.com.

Rossmoor Woman’s Club presents scholarships to local students

For the Sun
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Rossmoor Woman’s Club presents scholarships to local students

The Rossmoor Woman’s Club presented $1,000 scholarships to Los Alamitos High School students for their January and February selections. 

Michelle Wittenberg, RWC liaison the club’s Student of the Month scholarship program, made the presentations to the Trent Massey as the January scholarship winner and Christian Szymborski was named the February scholarship winner. 

Massey was named Senior of the Month at Los Alamitos High School for January ‘26. He is a four-year member of the Associated Student Body, spending countless hours at school events, and is also on the Improv team at LAHS. 

Academics are a key aspect of his life. He has maintained straight A’s while earning a 4.3 cumulative GPA. Trent is heavily focused on philanthropy. 

He is a member of the National League of Young Men, where he has learned important life lessons while giving back to his community. In addition, he is the intern for Summer Harvest, a non-profit whose mission is to feed local families over summer.

After graduating from Los Al, he will attend CBU and major in Aviation Flight.

Christian Szymborski was named Senior of the Month at Los Alamitos High School for February ‘26.  As a resident of Rossmoor, Christian began his education in the Los Alamitos Unified School District at Rossmoor Elementary School, where he attended from Transitional Kindergarten. 

Michelle Wittenberg, RWC Student Liaison, with Christian Szymborski.

Throughout his academic journey, Christian has demonstrated exceptional dedication to learning, particularly in mathematics and science.

At Los Alamitos High School, Christian has distinguished himself as a standout STEM student with a strong passion for chemistry and physics. He has been an active member of Science Olympiad and the American Chemical Society, representing Los Alamitos in the very competitive Orange County region. 

Christian helped lead his team to a third-place finish as a sophomore and a sixth-place finish as a junior, earning the highest individual team score for two consecutive years. He is currently working toward qualifying for the national ACS competition.

His academic excellence is further reflected in his honors, including being named a PSAT Commended Student and earning the distinction of AP Scholar with Distinction. He has maintained straight A’s throughout high school and will have completed 14 Advanced Placement courses by graduation. In addition, Christian has pursued dual enrollment at Long Beach City College and Cypress College, where he has taken Organic Chemistry, advanced mathematics, and multiple college-level physics courses.

Beyond academics, Christian is deeply involved on campus and in the community. He serves as Vice President of the Kindness Club, is a member of the Spanish Honor Society, which focuses on inclusion and service, and is a Student Ambassador, welcoming and supporting new students at Los Alamitos High School. As an athlete, Christian is a regular at the Seal Beach Swim Club and has competed on his high school’s swim and water polo teams. During his junior year of swim, Christian was honored with the Coach’s Award, presented by Mrs. Weber.

He credits the encouragement of many outstanding educators along the way, beginning with Mrs. Hinsche at Rossmoor Elementary School and continuing with mentors such as Mr. Jones, who has supported and inspired his passion for STEM disciplines.

Looking ahead, Christian plans to pursue an undergraduate degree in physics, ideally within the University of California system, with long-term goals of earning a Ph.D. in Physics.  

Weekly Farmers Market begins

Staff report
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Weekly Farmers Market begins

The first Farmers Market event in Old Town, the start of a weekly event, was held Friday, March 20, in Eisenhower Park. The Farmers Market is set to be held every Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Seal Beach officials, including Recreation Manager Tim Kelsey, District One Councilman Joe Kalmick and District Five Councilman Nathan Steele attended the event. Products on sale included fruits, vegetables, bread, and honey. Music was performed by the Towels. Photo by Charles M. Kelly

Coffee with Chief

Staff report
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Coffee with Chief

Seal Beach Police Chief Michael Henderson meets with members of the public for a Coffee with the Chief at Bogart’s on Friday, March 20. Photo by Charles M. Kelly

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Courtesy of Seal Beach Police Department
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April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and the Seal Beach Police Department wants to remind drivers to stay focused, keep their eyes forward and hands on the wheel. Distractions like checking a phone, using the in-dash touchscreen or car phone app, adjusting the radio, or eating can have devastating consequences.

“Distracted driving continues to put everyone on the road at risk,” Chief Michael Henderson said. “When drivers take their eyes off the road, even for a few seconds, lives can change forever. We’re reminding our community that safety starts with each of us. Put the phone down, limit distractions, and help people get home safely.”

According to the 2025 California Statewide Public Opinion Survey, nearly 71.4% of drivers surveyed said that distracted driving, caused by texting or checking a phone, was their biggest safety concern. In 2023, there were 158 people killed in distracted driving crashes in California, a 6.8 percent increase from the previous year. The numbers are likely underreported because law enforcement officers may not always be able to determine if distraction was a factor in a crash.

Seal Beach Police Department will be actively looking for drivers throughout the month who are in violation of the state’s hands-free cell phone law.

Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or other electronic device while operating a vehicle, even when stopped at a red light. This includes talking, texting, or using an app.

Using a handheld cell phone while driving can result in a fine, and if a driver violates the hands-free law a second time within 36 months of a previous conviction for the same offense, an additional point will be added to their record.

Follow these simple steps to stay focused and protect everyone on the road:

• Put your phone away: Silence notifications and store your phone where you can’t reach it while driving.

• Plan ahead: Set your GPS, adjust mirrors and finish any tasks before you start driving.

• Keep both hands on the wheel and eyes on the road: Avoid eating, grooming or adjusting controls while driving.

• Be a role model: Show your passengers, especially young drivers, that focused driving is the norm.

• Speak up: If you’re a passenger and see the driver distracted, kindly remind them to stay focused.

• Pull over if necessary: If something urgent comes up, stop and park in a safe place before responding.

Funding for distracted driving enforcement is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Briefing Room: Modern romance scams get more sophisticated

SBPD Capt. Nick Nicholas
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Briefing Room: Modern romance scams get more sophisticated

Hi Seal Beach!

Romance scams are not new, but the modern versions are more sophisticated than most people realize. One of the fastest-growing types is often called “pig butchering,” where a scammer builds trust over time and then drains a person financially. It is calculated, and it can happen to anyone.

These scams often start in ordinary ways: a dating app match, a social media message, or a wrong-number text that turns into a conversation. The scammer becomes consistent, flattering, and attentive. They create a sense of exclusivity and emotional momentum. Then the money shows up.

In classic romance scams, it is usually a “crisis” that needs help: travel problems, medical issues, customs fees, or a sudden emergency. In pig butchering scams, it is often an “investment.” The scammer claims they have a safe platform or a method, frequently tied to cryptocurrency or gift cards. They may show fake gains, coach the victim step-by-step, and even allow a small withdrawal to build trust. Then the deposits increase, and when the victim tries to cash out, new “fees” or “taxes” appear to unlock the account. That is the trap.

Here are common red flags. They move fast emotionally. They always have a reason they cannot meet. They push secrecy or isolation. They create urgency. They move you off the app quickly. And eventually, they want money, access, or an “investment” you cannot verify.

If you suspect a scam, act fast. Stop sending money. Cut contact. Save everything: messages, usernames, phone numbers, receipts, wallet addresses, and screenshots. If you sent money through a bank, wire service, or crypto exchange, contact them immediately. Report the account on the platform where it started.

Most importantly, do not be embarrassed. Scammers count on shame to keep people quiet. These scams work because they are designed to manipulate trust.

If someone you have never met in real life is asking for money, pushing crypto, or insisting you keep it private, pause and get a second opinion.

If you want to report a scam, or you’re just not sure if something is legitimate, contact the Seal Beach Police Department non-emergency line at (562) 594-7232.

Keep your questions coming, Seal Beach! Email us at askacop@sealbeachca.gov today!

City, OC reach agreement on waste rates

Charles M. Kelly
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City, OC reach agreement on waste rates

The City Council unanimously approved an agreement with Orange County for solid trash disposal rates on March 23.

Seal Beach’s current waste disposal agreement  was approved in 2009 and extended in 2016 to June 30, 2025, according to the staff report prepared by Management Analyst Lauren Barich. 

“In January 2022, Orange County Waste & Recycling (OCW&R) notified cities of its intent to revise the WDA as the WDA neared expiration,” Barich wrote.

“OCW&R presented a proposed successor agreement to the WDA, titled the Waste Infrastructure System Enterprise (WISE) agreement, in November 2024,” Barich wrote.

The Orange County City Manager Association requested an extension of the agreement so they could negotiate terms, according to the Barich report. 

OCW&R agreed.

“On April 28, 2025, the Seal Beach City Council adopted the Second Amendment via Resolution 7635, extending the term of the WDA to June 30, 2026. The extended term allowed OCCMA time to conduct due diligence and negotiate with the County,” Barich wrote.

“The current WDA limits annual rate increases to CPI and does not account for rising operational, regulatory, and environmental compliance costs given the changing landscape of waste management in the State of California, particularly related to organics mandates and programs,” Barich wrote.

“OCW&R also indicated that additional capital was needed to fund the Brea Olinda landfill closure and to significantly expand the capacity of the landfill in San Juan Capistrano over the course of the 10-year term,” Barich wrote.

“Through negotiations, OCCMA reached an agreement on a phased WISE contract rate structure for the first three (3) years of the WISE Agreement. Starting in FY 29-30, the WISE contract rate includes a CPI increase,” Barich wrote.

In 2026-27, the contract rate would be $67 a ton. In 2027-28, $74/ton. In 2028-29, $81/ton. In 2029-30, the rate would be $81/ton plus CPI.

“Effective July 1, 2026, the increased WISE contract disposal rates will in turn result in increased residential and commercial customer bills in addition to the regular annual increase related to the CPI adjustment. This is because the City’s current solid waste franchise agreement allows Republic Services (Republic) to automatically adjust its solid waste rates upon an increase in tipping fees (like the WISE contract rate) once per year provided certain noticing and other criteria are met,” Barich wrote. WISE stands for Waste Infrastructure System Enterprise. 

“Separately, the City is continuing to negotiate with Republic on an Amended and Restated Solid Waste Franchise Agreement to address compliance with state mandates for organic waste imposed by SB 1383 Short-Lived Climate Pollutants and CalRecycle’s corresponding regulations and to generally modernize the City’s solid waste franchise agreement,” Barich wrote.

The contract rate of $67 per ton will go into effect on July 1, 2026.

The current rate is $43.76.

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