Chinese Telecom Firm Agrees To Massive Penalty To Resume U.S. Trade
Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced yesterday that a settlement had been reached with Chinese telecommunications firm ZTE Corporation, which the U.S. Government had in April banned from importing American-made products necessary to manufacture its Android phones. ZTE must pay a $1 billion fine and $400 million in escrow for lying to the U.S. government about disciplining employees for violating sanctions against Iran and North Korea in business dealings. The company was disciplined for these actions in 2017 and later falsely informed the U.S. government it had disciplined employees when it had, in fact, given them bonuses as rewards, according to Ross’s statement. ZTE has agreed to retain a team of compliance coordinators to be selected by the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) for 10 years, and to replace its board of directors and senior leadership. According to Ross, this is the largest penalty ever levied by the BIS.
New Tenants Announced For The Hangar At LBX
Burnham-Ward Properties announced seven new tenants for The Hangar at Long Beach Exchange (LBX) yesterday. Joining previously announced Portola Coffee Roasters is Amor Y Tacos, fast-casual Vietnamese restaurant Bite Mi, Turkish cuisine restaurant DonerG, Plaid Sheep Grilled Cheese Bar, craft gelato on a stick purveyor Popbar, boutique beer bar Bottlecraft, and a fast-casual gastropub called The Kroft, which specializes in poutine. The Hangar is scheduled to open in late summer or early fall with 14 artisan and boutique eateries and retailers. LBX is located on the southwest corner of Lakewood Boulevard and Carson Street.
Freeway Transition Ramp Permanently Closing As Part Of Bridge Construction
The transition ramp for vehicles traveling east from Terminal Island along Ocean Boulevard to the northbound 710 Freeway is set to permanently close on Saturday at 9 p.m., according to the Port of Long Beach. A detour will divert traffic onto northbound Pico Avenue before rejoining vehicles with the freeway. The ramp is being demolished to clear the area for the construction of a new connector ramp as part of the Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement Project. The detour will remain in place until the replacement bridge is completed and open to traffic in mid-to-late 2019.
City’s Beaches Earn High Marks For Recreational Water Quality
The City of Long Beach received high grades for recreational water quality on the 2017-2018 Heal the Bay Report Card, with all of its beaches earning an “A” or “B” grade for the summer months (April through October 2017). The state’s health and safety code requires testing of recreational waters during the summer, which is California’s most active season. Heal the Bay also evaluates beaches during the winter, which spans from November 2017 through March 2018. During this period, 87% of the city’s beaches received “A” or “B” grades, compared to 62% of beaches last year.
Bixby Knolls Business Association To Launch Summer Saturdays This Weekend
The Bixby Knolls Business Association is kicking off its newest program, Summer Saturdays, this Saturday, June 9, 3-6 p.m. “Mermaid Sightings” is this week’s theme, and attendees have the chance to swim with a mermaid for free from 3:30-5 p.m. at Deep Blue Swim School, 3640 Atlantic Ave. They will also appear for photo opportunities at Lucy’s Boudoir, 3925 Long Beach Blvd., and Share & Do Good, 3712 Atlantic Ave. Neighborhood eateries are offering food and drink specials. Click here for a complete list of events.
Belmont Heights Community Association Welcomes New Boardmembers
The Belmont Heights Community Association has welcomed two new boardmembers, residents Derrick Muska and Scott Gallic. Muska is a real estate agent with Muska Homes at Main Street Realtors. He plans to promote family-friendly events and the association’s outreach program. Gallic is an environmental program manager with Cumming Corporation. He is serving as the organization’s treasurer, and looks forward to exploring sustainability-focused community projects.