Some Ambulances To Be Diverted From Community Hospital Starting Tomorrow
Beginning tomorrow, ambulances transporting advanced life support (ALS) care patients will be diverted from MemorialCare Community Medical Center Long Beach to other area hospitals. According to a MemorialCare representative, the hospital will still accept ambulances carrying patients in need of basic life support care. The hospital typically received an average of six ALS patients per day, according to MemorialCare. The news follows the hospital’s announcement earlier this week that it had submitted a 120-day lease termination notice to the city. “When we provided our 120-day notice, we immediately notified [the city’s] EMS,” John Bishop, CEO of Community and MemorialCare’s other Long Beach hospitals, stated. “After discussions between EMS and Community Medical Center Emergency Department physicians and members of the care team, they agreed upon a diversion plan for ALS patients.” Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell released a statement that read, in part, “MemorialCare must communicate its true intentions with the city and the community. Residents’ lives are at stake.”
$55 Million Available For Businesses Through California Competes Program
The California Chamber of Commerce announced today that the California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) application period has begun and that $55 million in tax credits are available for California businesses. Since 2014, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development has awarded $622.8 million to 865 companies through the tax credit program.
Overtime Ruling By California Supreme Court
In the case of Alvarado v. Dart Container Corporation of California, the California Supreme Court ruled this week that “employers must calculate the regular rate of pay by dividing the employee’s total compensation by the number of non-overtime hours an employee worked during the pay period,” rather than a total including any overtime hours, when calculating overtime pay. The court based its ruling on the state’s requirement of premium overtime pay and the fact that state labor laws are interpreted liberally in favor of worker protections, according to the California Chamber of Commerce.
Commerce Secretary Defends Metal Tariffs
United States Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross wrote an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal today explaining why the Trump administration imposed tariffs on aluminum and steel imports. “The president acted because steel and aluminum imports have helped erode the domestic industry to the point that it threatens national security,” he wrote. “Unfair trading practices from countries like China have distorted the global steel and aluminum markets. It is time to halt the damage.” The move was celebrated by some American metal industry executives, but Republican congressmembers, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, were critical of the action, warning that it could create unintended cost increase for American consumers.
Assemblymember Honors Local Women
Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell recognized 18 women during his annual Women of Distinction ceremony last night [March 8] in honor of Women’s History Month. Honorees were nominated by their colleagues to represent a creative industry, business, community service, education or health service. Michele Grubbs received the 2018 Woman of the Year Award.
CSULB College Of The Arts Announces New Director Of Development
Long Beach resident Jane Hansen assumed the director of development position at the California State University, Long Beach, College of the Arts (COTA) this week. Hansen has more than 25 years of experience working within the nonprofit community and will head up fundraising for programs within the college. COTA consists of the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music; the Departments of Dance, Design, Film & Electronic Arts; Theatre Arts; the School of Art; the University Art Museum; and the Carpenter Performing Arts Center.
Long Beach Firefighters To Shave Hair In Support Of Childhood Cancer Research
Long Beach firefighters are partnering with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the largest private funder of grants for childhood cancer research, for the head-shaving fundraiser “Long Beach Shaves for Kids.” Since children with cancer often lose their hair during treatment, voluntarily shaving hair has become a way to show solidarity. The event is taking place on March 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Long Beach Firefighters Association Union Hall, 2201 Cherry Ave., Signal Hill.