Bits 'n' Pieces

LBCC 1st BS Degree

Long Beach City College (LBCC) received official approval to offer the college’s first-ever bachelor’s degree, a Bachelor of Science in Library & Information Science. This groundbreaking program marks LBCC’s first baccalaureate offering, and the only Library & Information Science bachelor’s degree to be offered by any community college in the United States.

“Today marks a bold step forward not only for Long Beach City College, but for accessible higher education nationwide,” said Uduak-Joe Ntuk, president of the Long Beach Community College District Board of Trustees.

“By launching the nation’s first community college bachelor’s degree in Library & Information Science, LBCC is redefining what’s possible, expanding economic opportunities, strengthening workforce pathways, and reaffirming our commitment to delivering high-value, affordable four-year degrees that meet the evolving needs of students and our region.”

“This is a historic academic moment for Long Beach City College,” said Dr. Mike Muñoz, LBCC superintendent-president. “Our new bachelor’s degree offers an affordable pathway into a rapidly evolving field, with forward-looking coursework in areas such as artificial intelligence and emerging information technologies. This milestone reflects the power of innovation and collaboration, and I am incredibly proud of the team whose dedication made it possible.”

The program’s development reflects more than a year of research, collaboration, and innovative academic planning. The college submitted a comprehensive 16-part application to the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. This rigorous process included labor market analysis, employer outreach, consultation with peer institutions, evaluation of program duplication with CSU and UC systems, and early design of upper-division curriculum.

As part of the approval process, LBCC demonstrated that the degree does not overlap with programs at other local universities. No bachelor’s-level Library & Information Science program currently exists in the region, ensuring that LBCC’s new baccalaureate complements, rather than competes with, the educational offerings of our Long Beach College Promise partners.

The new bachelor’s degree addresses a growing statewide and national workforce need for trained library and information science professionals. It also creates a clear, affordable pathway for students pursuing master’s-level studies in librarianship, the credential required for many librarian positions.

With curriculum that anticipates the future of the field, including coursework in AI, digital preservation, and information technologies, LBCC students will be well-positioned for careers in libraries, archives, education, research and information management.

It is anticipated that the college will begin accepting applications for the new program in spring 2027.

DHHS Urges to Avoid Risk

The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is urging community members to avoid products containing kratom and the synthetic kratom compound 7-Hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), which are being concentrated into unregulated products typically marketed to adults such as gummies, tablets, drink mixes and liquid “shots” sold in gas stations, smoke shops and online. This public health advisory comes following recent reports from Los Angeles County identifying six overdose deaths among adults ages 18 to 40 tied to concentrated 7-OH products. No deaths linked to 7-OH have been confirmed in Long Beach at this time.

These items are often marketed using terms such as “plant alkaloids,” “herbal supplements” or energy and mood aids. Because 7-OH levels in these products are unknown and unregulated, the risk of overdose is high.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has confirmed that foods, dietary supplements and medical drugs containing kratom and 7-OH are dangerous and illegal to sell or manufacture in California. Any food product with added kratom is considered adulterated and may be subject to impound or destruction.

DHHS is notifying Long Beach retailers that products containing kratom or 7-OH are not lawful for sale in California. Retailers found selling illegal products may be subject to enforcement actions, including product removal, administrative penalties and potential seizure or destruction of products by regulatory agencies.

The safest thing to do is avoid using 7-OH and kratom-related products altogether. While DHHS strongly advises against using kratom or 7-OH, people who choose to use any drug should take precautions to reduce the risk of overdose:

• Never use alone. Always have someone nearby who can respond in case of overdose.
• Stagger use in groups. This ensures at least one person is alert in emergencies.
• Avoid mixing substances. Combining drugs can increase overdose risk.
• Carry naloxone. Naloxone can reverse opioid overdoses, including those involving 7-OH. Multiple doses may be needed.

For more information about the city’s harm reduction efforts, including how to request free naloxone kits, drug test strips or register for naloxone training workshops, visit longbeach.gov/harmreduction.

Additional resources include:

• Never Use Alone Hotline – A free, 24/7 peer-operated hotline at (800) 484-3731 that connects people using drugs alone with a non-judgmental listener who will call emergency assistance if needed
• Poison Control Center – Get help online or at (800) 222-1222 if you suspect a poisoning.
• Substance Use Services in Long Beach. A full list of local treatment and support services is available on the Community Resources tab at longbeach.gov/harmreduction.

Honored with 2 Awards

MemorialCare has received the prestigious Energy to Care (E2C) Awards for six of its locations and the Sustained Performance Award for 18 of its locations, for the second year in a row. These awards, presented by the American Society for Health Care Engineering (ASHE), recognize consistent and repeated achievements in energy management and sustainability in the healthcare industry.

“Healthcare campuses operate around the clock and face unique challenges such as single-use waste and aging infrastructure, making energy efficiency no small feat,” said John Somers, vice president, real estate and facilities, MemorialCare Health System. “Yet, we embrace these challenges as opportunities to lead with innovation. We’re proud to reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to a healthier planet – because caring for our communities goes beyond patient care. These awards affirm our commitment to sustainability and progress.”

In Long Beach, honorees of the Energy to Care Award include three locations associated with MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center’s campus: the hospital building itself and two outpatient locations, Buffum Medical Pavilion and Columbia Medical Building. In Orange County, recognition goes to the MemorialCare headquarters office, MemorialCare Medical Foundation in Los Altos, and MemorialCare Cancer Institute at Saddleback Medical Center.

This award highlights MemorialCare’s dedication to reducing energy consumption and advancing environmentally responsible practices across its health network, guided by MemorialCare’s Climate Health Initiative, developed in partnership with Ecom-Energy, Inc. The recognition reflects the innovative approaches and technologies implemented at these locations, contributing to energy efficiency and reduced operational costs.

In addition, 18 MemorialCare locations have been honored with the Sustained Performance Award, meaning they have maintained Energy to Care Award-winning performance for more than two consecutive years. Additional sites that received Energy to Care Awards this year added to an already large portfolio of high-performing facilities.

The Energy to Care Awards are part of ASHE’s initiative to promote best practices in energy management within the health care sector. Organizations are evaluated based on criteria such as energy usage reduction, the adoption of innovative technologies, and their overall impact on sustainability.

MemorialCare remains committed to leading by example – investing in sustainable practices and innovative technologies to reduce our environmental footprint and set new standards for energy efficiency in healthcare.

DHHS Awarded 3 Grants

The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has been awarded a total of $915,000 in grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, to advance traffic safety education and prevention efforts to reduce crashes related to distracted driving, impaired driving and unsafe biking and walking behaviors.

The funding will support DHHS’ traffic safety prevention programs, including Walk & Roll LB, which delivers bicycle, pedestrian and active-transportation safety and injury-prevention education, and Greenlight LB, which leads the city’s distracted- and impaired-driving prevention work. Together, these efforts promote safer travel across the city through education, outreach and behavior-change strategies, with a focus on youth and young adults, high-risk neighborhoods and communities disproportionately impacted by traffic collisions. The grant will support various initiatives from Oct. 1, 2025, to Sept. 30, 2026, including:

• School and community-based presentations that promote safe behaviors for pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers.
• Peer-to-peer youth engagement programs addressing distracted and impaired driving.
• Interactive demonstrations and hands-on learning activities that reinforce safe choices.
• Distribution of free traffic safety gear such as helmets, bike lights and reflective materials to support safer walking and biking.
• Community surveys and observational assessments to collect local data.
• Collaboration with the Long Beach Police Department, Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) and local community organizations.

“These combined investments strengthen the cornerstone of our injury-prevention work at the Health Department. By focusing on education, behavior change, and hands-on strategies that meet people where they are, we’re helping youth, families and high-risk communities stay safe on Long Beach streets.” said Health and Human Services Director Alison King.

With OTS funding, the programs delivered significant prevention and safety impacts over the past year, including:

• Reached more than 8,300 community members through education, outreach and safety demonstrations.
• Conducted 37 school-based presentations across LBUSD elementary, middle and high schools.
• Engaged youth leaders through peer-to-peer programs to promote safe driving and active transportation.
• Distributed 264 helmets and more than 3,200 bike lights and reflective gear to support safer biking and walking.
• Hosted community pop-up events, impaired-driving demonstrations and youth-focused activities.
• Delivered citywide media and awareness campaigns to reduce distracted and drug-impaired driving.

“Traffic safety education saves lives. Staying alert, sober and distraction-free behind the wheel can prevent tragedies on our roadways. We are proud to support Long Beach as they continue these critical efforts,” said OTS Director Stephanie Dougherty.

This funding continues the city’s ongoing efforts to reduce traffic-related serious injuries and fatalities and aligns with the DHHS’s Strategic Plan and the city’s Safe Streets Long Beach Vison Zero Action Plan and Strategic Vision 2030 goals.

Keep Energy Costs Low

The City of Long Beach Utilities Department (LBUD) has a new online tool that residents and businesses can use to manage their gas bills this winter. Launched in November 2025, the city’s MyUtilityPortal allows customers to monitor natural gas usage in real time and make decisions about natural gas conservation to save money.

“Long Beach customers are the most price-protected natural gas customers in California thanks to a 3-year contract executed in 2023 that prevent costs from rising above 2021 natural gas prices,” says Anatole Falagán, LBUD general manager. “We also understand that families and business across the state are facing cost pressures more than ever and so we are encouraging every customer in Long Beach and Signal Hill to use the city’s new MyUtilityPortal to better understand your individual utility consumption usage, manage finances, and enjoy a safe and affordable holiday.”

As the holiday season brings more cooking, cleaning and hosting, it also puts more pressure on the city’s water, sewer and natural gas systems to work as intended. To help customers keep their homes running smoothly and safely, the LBUD offers the following tips for a stress-free, efficient and affordable holiday season:

Free Appliances

Long Beach Utilities is expanding its no-cost water and natural gas efficiency Direct Installation Appliance (DIA) Program, which provides eligible Long Beach and Signal Hill customers with high-efficiency devices and upgrades. The program aims to:

• Reduce monthly utility costs
• Support water and natural gas conservation
• Lower greenhouse gas emissions
• Improve long-term efficiency in homes across the city

Visit LBUtilities.org/DIA to learn more.

Track Utility Usage

The city’s MyUtilityPortal offers utility account holders tools to:

• Monitor natural gas usage in real time
• View historical usage trends
• Identify energy patterns
• Make informed decisions to better manage seasonal costs

MyUtilityPortal is a helpful tool during the winter season when residential natural gas usage typically rises due to increased heating and cooking needs. Sign up to access your account information on longbeach.gov/MyUtilityPortal.

Bill Help Assistance

Long Beach Utilities also offers multiple income-qualified assistance programs to help households facing financial hardship. These programs support customers by reducing monthly utility bills or providing one-time assistance for qualified residents. Please visit LBUtilities.org/BillHelp to learn more!

Save Energy, Save Money

• Lower Your Water Heater Temperature – Set your water heater to 120°F. It is hot enough for comfort and sanitation but uses significantly less natural gas than higher settings.
• Maintain Your Gas Furnace and Water Heater – Annual tune-ups help appliances run safely and efficiently. Clean filters, check venting and ensure proper airflow.
• Use Cold Water for Laundry When Possible – Cold washes are effective with modern detergents and reduce natural gas needed to heat water.
• Improve Home Insulation and Seal Drafts – Sealing doors and windows may help keep the mild winter heat indoors and reduce gas heater runtime.

Use a Programmable or Smart Thermostat – During cooler months, set your thermostat to 68°F when you’re home and lower it when you’re away or sleeping. Long Beach rarely gets extremely cold, but small temperature adjustments can add up in savings.

In Case of an Emergency

If you suspect a natural gas leak, please call Long Beach Utilities 24/7 Gas Dispatch at (562) 570-2140. If you are experiencing a major water leak or sewage backup, please call Long Beach Utilities 24/7 Water Emergency Dispatch at (562) 570-2390.