Bits 'n' Pieces

Grand Reopening of the Bay Shore Library

Community members are invited to join the Long Beach Public Library (LBPL) as it celebrates the grand reopening of the Bay Shore Neighborhood Library on Saturday, Jan. 11. After temporarily closing for renovations in fall 2023, the Bay Shore branch is ready to welcome back the community to an improved and more accessible and vibrant space.

The grand reopening celebration will kick off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9:30 a.m., followed by an exciting lineup of family-friendly programming throughout the day and free use of the upgraded spaces and library services. The event will feature a captivating and magical performance by Christopher T. Magician at 10:30 a.m., a delightful children’s story time at 12 p.m., and all-day arts and crafts activities for residents of all ages.

The Bay Shore branch has undergone extensive upgrades to provide a more welcoming, accessible and engaging environment for patrons. These updates include new windows that will increase energy efficiency and offer breathtaking views of Alamitos Bay; ADA accessibility improvements, including a front entrance ramp and automatic doors; and interior enhancements, including new carpeting throughout the building and updated shelving in the children’s area.

Renovations were made as part of the Bay Shore Branch Library renovation project, which is partially funded through Measure A, to beautify the charming mid-century building and enhance the visitor experience and infrastructure quality and extend the useful life of the public facility.

“We are thrilled to welcome the community back to the Bay Shore Neighborhood Library,” said Library Director Cathy De Leon. “These renovations not only enhance the library’s functionality and accessibility but also reaffirm our mission to provide spaces that inspire learning, exploration, and connection.”

In addition to the physical upgrades, the Bay Shore branch will provide increased access to library resources and community programming by offering a six-day service schedule. Beginning Monday, Jan. 13, the Bay Shore branch will operate under the following schedule:

• Mondays from noon to 7 p.m.
• Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Wednesdays from noon to 6 p.m.

With Bay Shore’s reopening, the Alamitos Neighborhood Library, which temporarily adjusted its schedule to accommodate for the nearby Bay Shore renovations, has resumed its five-day service schedule. The Alamitos branch is now operating under the following schedule:

• Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 7 p.m.
• Wednesdays from noon to 6 p.m.
• Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information about the Bay Shore Neighborhood Library’s reopening and other Library programs, please visit lbpl.org or call (562) 570-7500.

Holiday Donation to CHS

LBS Financial Credit Union employees donated over 400 toys and a variety of gift cards on Dec. 11 to Children’s Home Society of California, a local non-profit as part of their annual tradition at the credit union’s holiday breakfast.

The Children’s Home Society of California (CHS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping children and families. In attendance was CHS Program Administrator, Larry Henderson, who accepted the donations and spoke on behalf of the organization. The credit union’s donations will provide gifts for local families in Long Beach, where they currently serve over 4,000 children up to 12 years old. The program provides families and childcare providers with services including free or low-cost childcare and educational resources.

“Children’s Home Society of California (CHS) sincerely appreciates LBS Financial Credit Union and their generous contributions in support of the children and families of the greater Long Beach area,” said Larry Henderson, CHS program administrator. “Their kindness makes a meaningful difference in their lives.”

“The efforts that Children’s Home Society of California undertakes is genuinely uplifting,” said LBS Financial Credit Union President & CEO, Sean Hardeman. “LBS Financial Credit Union is delighted to continue our annual tradition, allowing us all to contribute to a valuable organization in our community. Thanks to our employees for their generosity this holiday season.”

The holiday gifts were collected by the staff members of Children’s Home Society of California and were distributed to children and families in the Long Beach area.

Help Prevent Blood Shortages in 2025

Donors have chance to win trip to Super Bowl LIX during National Blood Donor Month

The American Red Cross urges donors to make an appointment to give lifesaving blood or platelets in the new year to help keep the blood supply strong this winter. Type O negative blood donors and those giving platelets are especially urged to give now to keep critical blood products on the shelves for patients in need.

The start of the new year is one of the most challenging times to collect blood products as the threat of severe winter weather builds and can often lead to widespread blood drive cancellations. Additionally, an active cold and flu season may prevent people from keeping donation appointments as they rest and recover from illness.

During National Blood Donor Month, the Red Cross celebrates those who generously roll up a sleeve to help save lives and urges those who are feeling well to make and keep donation appointments to help the blood supply stay on track throughout the winter.

Don’t sit on the sidelines − kick off 2025 with a blood or platelet donation. To book a time to give, visit RedCrossBlood.org, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

For the sixth year, the Red Cross and the National Football League (NFL) are partnering in January for National Blood Donor Month to invite football fans and blood donors to join our lifesaving team and score big for patients in need. As a special thank-you to donors for helping address the need for blood during the critical post-holiday time, those who come to give Jan. 1-26, 2025, will be automatically entered for a chance to win an exciting Super Bowl LIX giveaway.

The trip includes access to day-of in-stadium pre-game activities, tickets to the official Super Bowl Experience, round-trip airfare, three-night hotel accommodations (Feb. 7-10, 2025), plus a $1,000 gift card for expenses. For full details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl.

LBPD Promotions

Long Beach Police Chief Wally Hebeish has announced his appointment of Commander Ryan LeBaron to the position of deputy chief and the promotion of Lieutenants Dominick Scaccia, Isiah Hughes and Eric Fernandez to the rank of commander. These promotions were effective Dec. 28, 2024.

“It is my great pleasure that I announce the promotion of Commander LeBaron to his new role as deputy chief,” said Chief of Police Wally Hebeish. “Deputy Chief LeBaron is a committed public servant that has established himself as an exceptional leader within the department and our community. His collaborative efforts will undoubtedly contribute to strengthening community relationships and supporting public trust.

In addition to a new deputy chief, we also welcome three newly promoted commanders to the Command Staff. I am pleased to announce the promotion of Lieutenants Scaccia, Hughes and Fernandez to the position of commander. They have each demonstrated excellent leadership skills and are committed to serving our entire community. Their experience in various assignments speaks to the level of service and versatility they will bring as leaders and I look forward to their future accomplishments.”

Deputy Chief Ryan LeBaron

Deputy Chief Ryan LeBaron has been with the Long Beach Police Department for 24 years. He began his career as a police officer in 2000 and promoted to sergeant in 2010, lieutenant in 2016 and commander in 2020.

Throughout his career, LeBaron has served in diverse assignments, including patrol, field training officer, community policing, hostage negotiator, special weapons and tactics team (SWAT) operator and sergeant, gang enforcement section, advanced officer training cadre, information technology section, criminal intelligence section and fleet coordinator. Most recently, he commanded the detective division, field support division and collaborative response divisions, as well as the professional standards division.

“I am deeply humbled and grateful for the honor of being selected as a deputy chief of the Long Beach Police Department,” said LeBaron. “I will continue to serve my community with humility and dedicate myself to our community and the department.”

LeBaron holds a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Concordia University Irvine and a Bachelor of Science from Brigham Young University, Idaho. He is a graduate of the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute and the P.O.S.T. Management Course. Additionally, he serves as an Executive Council Member for the Special Olympics of Southern California Law Enforcement Torch Run.

Fluent in Spanish, LeBaron is deeply committed to community engagement and public service.

Commander Dominick Scaccia

Commander Dominick Scaccia started his career with the Long Beach Police Department as a police officer in 2003. He was promoted to sergeant in 2015 and to lieutenant in 2022.

Scaccia has worked a variety of assignments, including patrol, detective, patrol sergeant, internal affairs sergeant, homicide sergeant and patrol lieutenant. Before his promotion to commander, he served as the special enforcement section lieutenant, overseeing the SWAT team, canine unit and police pistol range.

Scaccia is a graduate of the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute and the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Management Course. He is the recipient of the Long Beach Police Department’s Unit Citation, Distinguished Service Award and Meritorious Award Class B. He is also the recipient of the Go Long Beach Award and holds more than 30 commendations for his exemplary service.

Commander Isiah Hughes

Commander Isiah Hughes started his career with the Long Beach Police Department as a police officer in 2005. He promoted to sergeant in 2016 and to lieutenant in 2022.

Hughes has worked a variety of assignments, including patrol, recruitment, collateral public information officer, court affairs sergeant, jail administrative sergeant and investigations bureau administrative sergeant. Before his promotion, he served as the internal affairs lieutenant within the professional standards division.

Hughes is a graduate of the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute and the University of Southern California Public Safety Leadership Program. He is the recipient of the Long Beach Police Department’s Meritorious Award for Heroism. Commander Hughes is a veteran of the United States Navy.

Commander Eric Fernandez

Commander Eric Fernandez began his career with the Long Beach Police Department as a police officer in 2006. He promoted to sergeant in 2015 and to lieutenant in 2020.

Fernandez has worked a variety of assignments including patrol, field training officer, bicycle team officer, patrol resource officer, arrest and control tactics instructor, sex crimes detail detective, internal affairs sergeant, patrol lieutenant and training division lieutenant. Most recently, he served as the robbery-homicide section lieutenant.

Fernandez is a graduate of the University of Southern California Price Executive Leadership Program and a member of the California Homicide Officers Association. Throughout his career, he has attended over 250 community events. He is the recipient of multiple Long Beach Police Department Unit Citations and the prestigious Chief’s Community Policing Award for his dedication to serving the community.