Meet In CommonNews

News in Huntington Beach, CA

Nearby reporting

Stories from surrounding communities, closest first.

Long Beach Post · Long Beach, CA

Nearby: Long Beach, CA

White House confronts Long Beach congressman over planned probes, claiming possible ‘criminality’

The White House has issued a warning to Democrats over their planned probes into the Trump administration, going as far as claiming that such investigations — a standard oversight function of Congress — may amount to “blatant criminality.” White House counsel Will Scharf issued the warning in a letter dated Monday to Long Beach’s congressman: Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee. Garcia most likely would chair the powerful panel in the new Democratic-controlled Congress that is seated in January. Garcia warned Trump officials to “lawyer up” as his party was on the way to stunning victories in last week’s midterm election. In response, Scharf wrote that “threats to executive branch officials designed to deter them from public service, or process designed merely to abuse or instill fear in the recipient may cross the line into blatant criminality.” The letter’s existence was first reported by Punchbowl News.

Long Beach Post · Long Beach, CA

Nearby: Long Beach, CA

Things to do in Long Beach this weekend — including puppy Pilates, Twilight Bingo night and a plant pop-up in Torrance

Laugh it up at the Mexican Monk’s “Puro Laffs” comedy show (Thursday, Nov. 12) The Mexican Monk Brewhouse in Paramount hosts a weekly lineup of events, but this Thursday at 7:30 p.m. comedian Ricky Novella hosts a night of laughs. The hilarious lineup includes comedians George Perez, Drea Meyers, Juan Garcia, Gill Chris and Johnny C. The show is free and open to all ages (but be warned, the comics are uncensored). Seating is first come, first served, and you can also get a draft beer and a pizza for $15. For more information, check out the Mexican Monk’s Instagram page here. Play Twilight bingo with Marissa Bode at Confidential Coffee (Thursday, Nov. 12) You may know actor and disability activist Marissa Bode from her starring role in “Wicked” and “Wicked: For Good” as Nessarose Thropp, but Bode is also a huge vampire enthusiast. She is hosting a “Twilight”-themed bingo night on Thursday at Confidential Coffee at 7 p.m.

Long Beach Post · Long Beach, CA

Nearby: Long Beach, CA

Off-duty sheriff’s deputy killed in motorcycle crash. It’s Long Beach’s 41st fatal wreck this year

Editor’s note: This story was updated with the announcement that Maciel was a sheriff’s deputy. An off-duty Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy died in a motorcycle crash near Marina Pacifica on Friday. The crash happened at about 11 p.m. at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Second Street, according to Long Beach police. Martin Maciel, 40, was heading south on PCH when he collided with a vehicle traveling east on Second Street, throwing the rider from the motorcycle, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office. Link The other vehicle’s driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators, who believe speed was a contributing factor in the crash. Police did not specify which driver they suspect was speeding. The Sheriff’s Department said Maciel was a 10-year veteran of the force and an Army Reservist.

Long Beach Post · Long Beach, CA

Nearby: Long Beach, CA

‘The Mosquito Bowl’ movie tells a tragic WWII story. For this 102-year-old veteran, it was personal

John McConnell was running laps on the track at Thornton Township High School outside Chicago in 1942 when an alumnus and football star he knew from the neighborhood pulled up and started running alongside. Bob Baumann was a star tackle on spring break from the University of Wisconsin and was set to play for the Chicago Bears. McConnell, a senior on track, was flattered to have such company. “He came over and said, ‘Let’s run a mile,’” recalled McConnell, who was the fastest miler at the school. “Here was this guy, 60 pounds heavier, running with this punk kid. It was the toughest mile I ran all season.” McConnell, now 102 and living in Long Beach, was thrilled then to share a few laps with such an athlete clearly on his way to a pro football career and more. It was the last time McConnell would see him. With World War II raging, Baumann enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1942 while still a student and was killed in Okinawa.