Bits 'n' Pieces

Stress May Lead to Stroke

April marked Stress Awareness Month, drawing attention to the growing impact of chronic stress on overall health. Increasing evidence shows that stress is not only an emotional challenge but also a significant contributor to serious conditions, including stroke and cardiovascular disease.

At a time when many individuals are feeling heightened stress due to ongoing global and societal challenges, this issue is more relevant than ever. According to the American Psychological Association’s Stress in America report, nearly three in four U.S. adults say stress affects their physical health, with symptoms ranging from fatigue and headaches to high blood pressure. About half report feeling stressed on a regular basis, underscoring how widespread the issue has become.

“Chronic and unmanaged stress is not merely a nuisance; it’s a profound cardiovascular toxin. It silently inflames our arteries, spikes our blood pressure, and accelerates the march toward stroke and heart attack” said Dr. Wled Wazni, Medical Director of the Stroke Program at Dignity Health St Mary Hospital and Glendale Memorial Hospital Hospital “Prioritize stress management as unequivocally as you do diet and exercise.

Research published in Neurology, the journal of the American Academy of Neurology, has identified a strong association between chronic stress and increased stroke risk – particularly among younger adults and women under 50. Additional studies link chronic stress to key stroke risk factors such as hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

Stress is also affecting younger populations. Research from the National Institutes of Health indicates that early exposure to chronic stress can increase the risk of long-term mental health challenges and future cardiovascular issues.

Health experts emphasize that stress is manageable. Strategies such as regular exercise, mindfulness, strong social connections, and routine medical care can help reduce its impact.

“As we recognize Stress Awareness Month, it’s important to remember that small, consistent steps to manage stress can have lasting benefits for overall health,” added Dr. Wazni.

New LBPD Commander

Long Beach Police Chief Wally Hebeish announced the promotion of Lt. Paul Baum to the rank of commander, effective May 16.

Commander Baum began his career with the Long Beach Police Department as a police officer in 2000. He was promoted to sergeant in 2010, to lieutenant in 2015.

Commander Baum holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from California State University, Long Beach. He is a graduate of the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute. He is the recipient of five Long Beach Police Department Unit Citations, the Meritorious Class A award for an active shooter incident, and the SWAT Commitment to Excellence Award.

Health System Changes

MemorialCare, an integrated health system serving Orange and Los Angeles counties, announced that its current chief executive officer, Barry S. Arbuckle, Ph.D, will assume the new role of executive chairman of the health system effective July 1, 2026. Arbuckle will be succeeded as chief executive officer by David S. Kim, M.D., who will also retain his current title of president of the health system.

The leadership changes announced by MemorialCare are the product of a deliberate and thoughtful succession planning process that Arbuckle initiated several years ago in collaboration with MemorialCare’s Board of Directors. Over this period, Arbuckle and the board developed and implemented a long-range plan to ensure a smooth transition in senior leadership and enable MemorialCare to continue fulfilling its charitable mission for years to come.

Boat Launch Upgrades

The Department of Public Works has begun a major renovation of the Davies Boat Launch Ramp, marking a significant investment in one of the region’s most heavily used public coastal access points. The project will modernize the 60-year-old facility and enhance safety, accessibility and overall functionality for the thousands of residents and visitors who utilize it each year.

Planned improvements include construction of a new launch ramp with defined launch lanes, renovation of the parking lot pavement, installation of a new electrical distribution system and upgraded lighting, and replacement of the restroom building. Additional enhancements include upgraded trash enclosures, a new boat washing station, new fish cleaning station, as well as the addition of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.

The Davies Boat Launch Ramp facilities and parking lot closed Monday, April 27, 2026. During the closure, the boat launch ramp, restroom and parking lot will not be accessible. Boaters are encouraged to plan accordingly and make alternative arrangements to utilize Long Beach’s other launch ramp locations.

Originally constructed in 1965, the Davies Boat Launch Ramp is one of five public launch ramps in Long Beach managed by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine, and one of the most utilized in the region, serving nearly 28,000 boaters in 2025. As a public gateway to the waterfront, the facility plays an essential role in supporting equitable access to the coast.

The project is supported by $8.8 million in funding from a combination of sources, including Tidelands and Marina funds and California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways. Construction for the project is expected to be completed with the ramp and facilities set to reopen by winter in early 2027.

“The Department of Public Works is committed to maintaining safe, accessible public spaces for residents and visitors alike,” said Public Works Director Joshua Hickman. “Revitalizing the high-use launch ramp, parking, and restrooms meets modern quality standards and supports continued enjoyment of the waterfront.”

For more information and to stay up to date on project progress, visit lbcity.info/dblaunch.

Updated Operating Hours

Beginning May 7, 2026, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) Reservation and Registration Office, located at 2760 N. Studebaker Rd., will update its operating hours for in-person services and assistance. This change will help staff complete internal operations earlier in the day, improving overall service efficiency and ensuring greater support during peak community demand.

PRM’s Reservation and Registration Office is used frequently by community members for in-person recreation class registration and assistance, submitting facility reservation forms and permits, payment processing and other customer services.

Starting May 7 and until further notice, the office will be open for in-person services: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays, 1 to 5 p.m.

Information about PRM’s full lineup of parks, facilities, programs and services is available at LBParks.org.

Zero-Emission Trucks

The City of Long Beach has deployed its first two electric collections trucks, marking a significant step toward cleaner and more sustainable solid waste collections. The Zero-Emissions Collections Pilot Program is designed to evaluate the feasibility of transitioning to a fully zero-emission fleet in the years ahead.

The pilot, which began April 23, has deployed two electric collections trucks in real-world operations – a larger truck operating on standard routes and a smaller truck running primarily in alleys. The program is currently limited to these two vehicles so the city can evaluate their performance before considering expansion in the future.

This approach ensures that regular daily collection operations can continue without disruption while the new technology is tested to withstand the high demands of daily collection. The pilot will continue until enough operational data has been collected to support a full evaluation.

To fully understand how electric refuse trucks perform compared to the city’s current compressed natural gas (CNG) fleet, the pilot will evaluate several key metrics. These include the total tonnage each truck can carry before needing to unload, how long each vehicle can operate on a single charge and whether the trucks can complete their assigned routes without interruption. Staff will also monitor for any unforeseen technical issues related to the new technology. These data points will help determine whether zero‑emission trucks can meet the same operational demands as the existing CNG fleet before the city considers broader fleet replacement.

Transitioning the city’s entire collections fleet to zero-emission vehicles also presents significant logistical and financial considerations. The electric charging infrastructure for a full fleet of 89+ refuse trucks – which would replace the City’s current gas-powered fleet – is a complex undertaking.

The pilot program, a joint venture between the city’s Fleet Services Bureau and Energy & Environmental Services Department, is designed to answer practical questions about the day-to-day viability of electric collections trucks. It reflects the city’s commitment to thoughtful, data-driven implementation amid evolving regulatory requirements under the Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) mandate.

For more information on collections services, visit longbeach.gov/lbrecycles.

Rancho Leaders Change

The Rancho Los Alamitos Foundation Board of Directors has announced a leadership transition, effective May 1.

Henry Taboada will step down as board chair, and current Vice Chair Deborah Golian Castro will assume the role of chair. This planned transition reflects the foundation’s continued commitment to strong governance, steady leadership, and the important work ahead.

Taboada has served on the Rancho Los Alamitos Foundation Board of Directors since 2015 and as board chair since December 2022.

As Chair, Castro will lead the board during a pivotal moment for the foundation as it continues implementation of its strategic plan, advances site stewardship and interpretive planning efforts, and deepens its service to the broader community.

Castro has been involved with the Rancho Los Alamitos Foundation since 2014 and has served in key leadership roles, including vice chair, executive committee member, and governance committee chair. Committee of the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, the USC Price School of Public Policy Board of Councilors, the Leadership Long Beach Board, and the USC Alumni Board of Governors. Castro also becomes the first woman to serve as Board Chair in the Foundation’s history.

Although Taboada is stepping down as Chair, he will remain a member of the Board and will serve as Immediate Past Chair, continuing to advise and support the Board’s leadership. The Rancho Los Alamitos Foundation again extends its sincere gratitude to Henry Taboada for his years of service and leadership and looks forward to this next chapter under Deborah Castro’s guidance and leadership.