The city of San Bernardino announced it reached a settlement with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) regarding its cleanups of homeless encampments.

As part of the settlement, the city is adopting a new policy that will prevent the destruction of unhoused people’s properties during encampment cleanups, paving the way for officials to resume sweeps.

For the most part, residents said they feel relieved cleanup is on the way, but they also expressed concern for those who live on the streets.

“It’s a nice park and they keep the course clean,” said Ernest McRay, a visitor at Perris Hill Park. “There are some homeless people here but they have to have a place to go. They don’t really bother anybody.”

“Sometimes you get guys yelling but most of the times, they don’t bother,” said Frank Lamarque, another park visitor.

San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran said homeless encampments have been on her office’s radar for the past nine months, but a lawsuit from the ACLU kept the city from cleaning up encampments. On Monday, both parties reached an agreement on how to proceed.

“The city has designated a disability coordinator to oversee requests by disabled people for reasonable accommodations before and during an encampment cleanup,” said Rochelle Clayton, interim city manager.

The lawsuit filed against the city in 2023 claimed the constitutional rights of those unhoused during a previous encampment cleanup were violated.

“The destruction of people’s personal property,” said Kath Rogers of the ACLU. “Many people had their property destroyed like medicine walkers blankets and clothing and everything they owned.”

The city is also expected to reinvest $600,000 in homeless programs and resources as part of the agreement.

For the first time, Latino restaurants are being spotlighted during Hispanic Heritage Month in Long Beach.

From Sept. 29 to Oct. 5, the citywide celebration will bring together a variety of Latino-owned restaurants, each offering unique dishes that reflect the rich tapestry of Latin American cuisine. The event aims to highlight the culinary talent of the Latino community, support local businesses, and celebrate the cultural diversity that makes Long Beach a unique and thriving community.

“We are in every kitchen,” said Roberto Lemus, Long Beach Latino Restaurant Week Co-Founder. “We have restaurants from Brazil, from El Salvador, from Honduras, from Colombia.”

The inaugural Latino Restaurant Week in Long Beach features a range of participating establishments that span from casual cafés to high-end dining experiences. Each restaurant showcases not only its style but also the heritage and passion that Latino chefs bring to their culinary creations.

“There is one, an Italian restaurant, owned by a Mexicano for the last 30 years… we wanted to highlight the flavor we bring to the table,” said Lemus.

With cuisines ranging from Mexican and Salvadoran to Peruvian and Cuban, this week-long event offers an opportunity for the public to indulge in an array of Latin American flavors.

“We have the best hot dog with a Peruvian twist,” said Carla Flores, chef of Alli Kaphy. “We love to create food from our two cultures.”

Flores grew up in Northern Peru but moved to Long Beach when she was 9 years old. The chef’s take on Peruvian food is known for its fresh ingredients and dedication to authenticity. From ceviche to lomo saltado, the dishes are a true representation of Peruvian culture, offering a mix of coastal, Andean, and Amazonian influences.

Another restaurant on the radar is El Barrio Cantina, offering a modern twist on traditional Mexican dishes in the heart of Long Beach’s Retro Row. Chef Ulises Pineda Alfaro has crafted a tapas-style menu featuring seasonal ingredients and innovative recipes, blending Mexican traditions with global flavors inspired by the many cultures of Long Beach and Los Angeles.

Along with the food, guests can enjoy craft cocktails that are equally influenced by local cultures and fresh, seasonal ingredients, creating a unique and modern culinary experience.

For those seeking a cozy café vibe, Confidential Coffee is a must-visit during the week. Owned by Denise Maldonado, this community-focused café has become a local favorite thanks to its minimalist design and welcoming atmosphere. Confidential Coffee serves expertly brewed espresso drinks and specialty blends alongside pastries and light bites, making it the perfect spot for breakfast or an afternoon break. Denise’s passion for both coffee and community shines through in the warm ambiance, creating an inviting space to relax or work while enjoying exceptional coffee.

The full list of participating restaurants can be found on the event’s official website, where visitors can explore the diverse range of eateries taking part in this week-long culinary journey.

The last call for drinks is 2 a.m. in California, but the state will soon carve out an exception to allow alcohol to be served until 4 a.m. for one private, members-only club located in the Los Angeles Clippers’ new state-of-the-art arena.

The new law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom over the weekend will allow about 100 club members to be served wine, beer and other liquor until 4 a.m. in private suites inside the Intuit Dome after game days and concerts.

It was sponsored by a group owned by Steve Ballmer, the current Clippers owner and former CEO of Microsoft. Ballmer funded the Intuit Dome and his wife, Connie Ballmer, gave Newsom’s campaign $1 million in 2021 to help fight a recall election against the governor. The group owned by Steve Ballmer also spent roughly $220,000 this year to sway lawmakers on the legislation, among other proposals, according to lobbying reports.

The measure drew criticism from some, including ethics experts, for granting an exception benefiting a major campaign donor’s family member.

“It’s certainly going to become an issue for his opponents and critics to point to the fact that he seemed to provide a special favor to a wealthy sports franchise owner and its facility and its wealthy fans,” said John Pelissero, director of government ethics at Santa Clara University. “It just doesn’t look good.”

Newsom’s spokesperson Izzy Gardon said “the Governor’s decisions on legislation are made solely on the merits of each bill.”

It’s not the first time the governor has faced a backlash for carving out exceptions for a select few. He was lambasted for attending a birthday party in 2020 at the pricy French Laundry restaurant in wine country north of San Francisco, breaking the very rules he preached to the public to slow the spread of the coronavirus during the pandemic.

The new California law allowing the exception for the private club members comes after California lawmakers spent years unsuccessfully pushing to extend the last call for drinks in a few cities. Several states, including New York and Tennessee, have already passed legislation extending serving hours beyond 2 a.m.

“If they think opening venues and having drinking until 4 o’clock in the morning is good for just exclusive groups, then it should be for everyone, and my contention is, it’s not good for anyone,” said Republican state Sen. Kelly Seyarto in August of the measure.

Representatives working for Steve Ballmer didn’t immediately respond to calls about the new law and potential influence.

The arena located in Inglewood — 12 miles (19 kilometers) from the team’s old arena in downtown Los Angeles — officially opened in August with 18,000 seats. It is scheduled to host the 2026 All-Star Game and serve as the basketball venue for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Supporters of the new California law said it’s a pilot program that will boost the local economy and attract more visitors to the entertainment hub in the city of Inglewood, which boasts several iconic venues including the Rams’ SoFi stadium, the Forum and now the new Intuit Dome. Under the law, the exception will sunset in January 2030 and the new last-call rule still needs final approval from the city. Opponents worry the new last-call hours will lead to more drunk driving and promote excessive drinking.

In a signing message, Newsom also said he would direct California Highway Patrol to work with local police to monitor drunken driving incidents in the area and report back findings to lawmakers for further consideration.

“I remain cognizant of the potential risks to public safety posed by extending service hours for alcoholic beverage service, which could lead to an increase in driving under the influence-related crashes and fatalities,” Newsom said.