Bits 'n' Pieces

HHS Measles Prevention

The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is reminding residents about the importance of measles education and prevention following a recent increase in measles cases in California, including three cases in Los Angeles County and two cases in Orange County. There are currently no reported measles cases in Long Beach. Vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent measles and protect community health.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air via coughing, sneezing or being in a room with an infected person, even up to one hour after they have left the area. Symptoms may include a high fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, and a rash that typically begins on the face and spreads downward. Most people recover within two weeks. However, measles can lead to serious complications, especially for infants, pregnant people and people with weakened immune systems. These complications can include pneumonia, brain swelling (encephalitis) or death. There is no specific treatment for measles. Care focuses on relieving symptoms and preventing complications.

Vaccination Guidance

The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is a safe and highly effective prevention measure. Two doses are about 97% effective, and one dose provides about 93% protection.

HHS recommends:

• Children receive the first dose at 12-15 months old and the second at 4-6 years old.
• Anyone born after 1957 who has not been vaccinated or is unsure of their status should receive the MMR vaccine
• Before international travel:
  • Babies 6-11 months of age should receive one dose of MMR vaccine.
  • Everyone 12 months and older are up to date with two doses of MMR vaccine. If not up to date, they should receive two doses at least 28 days apart.

MMR vaccines are available through healthcare providers and pharmacies. In addition, families with children who are uninsured or on Medi-Cal can call (562) 570-7912 for access to low-cost vaccination services through the Health Department’s Immunization Clinic.

Most insurance plans cover the vaccine. Uninsured or underinsured residents can access free or low-cost vaccination through state programs. Anyone experiencing symptoms of measles should call a healthcare provider before visiting in person to help prevent potential spread.

Schools and childcare providers are encouraged to:

• Ensure student vaccination records are current
• Report any suspected measles cases to the Health Department, Communicable Disease Surveillance and Control line immediately at (562) 570-4302.
• Parents can check their child’s immunization status through California’s Vaccine Record Site. Please note that not all records may be listed. Parents should check with their child’s pediatrician to confirm their vaccination status.

For more information and measles-related resources, visit longbeach.gov/measles or call the Communicable Disease Surveillance and Control line at (562) 570-4302.

Soccer Celebration

The City of Long Beach is partnering with the LA Galaxy and Downtown Long Beach Alliance (DTLBA) to host the LA Galaxy Soccer Celebration, a series of events, fan experiences and cultural celebrations in Downtown Long Beach during this summer’s global soccer tournament.

Also partnering with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), DTLBA and more, the city will offer a wide variety of unforgettable programming and locally driven activations in neighborhoods across the city throughout the tournament. From the group stage beginning June 11 to the final on July 19, the city’s community-focused programming will also highlight small businesses, community organizations and cultural partners while ensuring the economic and cultural benefits of the activations are shared across the city.

“As Southern California prepares to welcome the world, Long Beach is proud to host the official LA Galaxy Soccer Celebration – part of a multi-week, citywide fan experience that reflects who we are,” said Mayor Rex Richardson.

“From major Downtown programming to youth soccer clinics and park activations across our neighborhoods, we’re bringing the global game to the coast in a way that uplifts local businesses, celebrates our diversity and creates shared moments for families and fans alike. This summer, the excitement of this global moment will be felt in every neighborhood and shared by every resident, and Long Beach welcomes the world to celebrate with us.”

Marquee event dates, daily schedules and other details will be announced at a later date. Fans interested in attending are asked to complete an interest form to be the first to know as details are confirmed.

“We are excited to welcome fans, residents and visitors to our vibrant, community-centered experiences right in our beautiful Downtown,” said First District Councilwoman Mary Zendejas. “These events will foster community connection through shared global excitement while showcasing the energy, diversity and culture that define our city.”

“This summer, Southern California will feel like the center of the soccer universe, and we want fans to have a home for every moment,” said Tom Braun, president and chief operating officer for the LA Galaxy. “In Long Beach, we’re bringing the excitement of the group stages to the heart of Downtown, creating inclusive, high‑energy environments where families, supporters and casual fans can come together and experience the drama of world football.”

“These locally driven events will show what’s possible when our community comes together around culture, sport and shared experience,” said Austin Metoyer, president and CEO of the DTLB Alliance. “With summer vibes, programming for all ages and the excitement of international competition, Downtown Long Beach will deliver an experience that is truly ‘Opposite of Ordinary,’ bringing people together while supporting our local businesses and entertainment scene.”

Following the group stage, the city will host soccer activations at local parks across the city during the knockout stage of the tournament. These events will offer residents chances to gather, connect and celebrate soccer in a relaxed, family-friendly environment.

The city’s extensive local soccer programming will also include an open streets event, providing residents opportunities to celebrate the tournament while also promoting multimodal and sustainable transportation, supporting local businesses and fostering community connection. Hosted by the city and presented by Metro, this one-day event will open streets in multiple neighborhoods across Long Beach, transforming them into safe, open areas for people to bike, walk and explore.

“We look forward to partnering with the City of Long Beach to provide a world-class experience for everyone taking part in the festivities during this global tournament,” said Stephanie Wiggins, CEO of Metro. “We urge everyone in Long Beach and across the South Bay to go Metro and enjoy this once-in-a-generation moment for our region as we cheer on some of the world’s greatest athletes and teams.”

As Long Beach prepares to welcome the world in the coming months, the city has also created a centralized Long Beach community soccer event and activation calendar, inviting neighborhood associations, community organizations and local businesses to create memorable moments, benefit from official city promotion and connect with other organizations hosting events throughout the tournament. Businesses and organizations interested in having their global tournament events featured on the City of Long Beach Event Calendar can visit longbeach.gov/SoccerInTheLBC to submit their events for consideration.

With these events and experiences, the city is embracing the opportunity to contribute to the regional energy surrounding the tournament through a community-focused approach to tournament programming. This approach will bring the excitement of the global game to communities across Long Beach while providing the flexibility to partner with local organizations to incorporate youth sports programming, interactive activities, local businesses and cultural celebrations that reflect Long Beach’s diversity and love of sports.

This approach also allows the city to leverage partnerships to supplement city resources and maximize community benefit, while also laying the groundwork for long-term collaboration that supports youth sports development and sustained regional interest in soccer beyond 2026.

To stay updated, visit the city’s summer soccer programming webpage at longbeach.gov/SoccerInTheLBC.

Ross Is Judge Candidate

Long Beach resident and veteran Los Angeles County criminal defense attorney David Ross has announced his candidacy for Judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, bringing more than three decades of courtroom experience and a deep commitment to public service to the race.

Ross, who has lived in Long Beach for 30 years, currently serves as a Grade IV Deputy Alternate Public Defender for Los Angeles County. Over the course of his career, he has represented more than 10,000 indigent defendants, completed 113 jury trials, litigated more than 2,000 preliminary hearings, and argued thousands of contested motions.

His courtroom experience spans courthouses throughout the county, including Long Beach, Torrance, Compton, San Pedro, Cerritos, Bellflower and Pomona.

“Every person who appears in court is heard, so that even if they do not prevail, they leave the courtroom knowing that the judge listened,” Ross said. “Our courts must reflect patience, fairness and respect for the community they serve.”

Ross earned his Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications from University of California, Davis and his Juris Doctor from University of West Los Angeles School of Law, graduating in the top 13% of his class and passing the California Bar Exam on his first attempt. While in law school, he worked at the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission and interned with the United States Attorney’s Office, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office and the Indigent Defense Counsel Office.

Before becoming an attorney, Ross built a successful career in journalism and public affairs. At WETA-TV in Washington, D.C., he produced nationally broadcast segments of the PBS series “Congress: We The People.” He later worked as an on-air reporter and weekend anchor, interviewing national leaders including then-Senator Al Gore. From 1986 to 1988, Ross worked for KSN-TV in Wichita, Kansas, where he covered the 1987–1988 presidential campaign of Senator Robert Dole, traveling extensively on the campaign trail.

Ross began his legal career as a Deputy Public Defender in Riverside County before joining the Los Angeles County Alternate Public Defender’s Office in 2000. In addition to his courtroom service, he served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Western State University College of Law and as a Judge Pro Tem in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

A Long Beach resident, Ross is married to Lisa Gold, a writer, director and gun-safety advocate whose short films have screened at more than 100 film festivals. Their son, Samuel Ross, is a jazz pianist, high school teacher and composer.

Ross says his decision to run is rooted in his belief that the justice system must serve every member of the community with dignity and fairness.

For more information, visit www.DavidRossForJudge2026.com