Woman killed by alleged drunk driver
A suspected drunk-driving crash killed a 48-year old Torrance woman Monday night at Rindge Lane and Artesia Boulevard.
Cassandra Basgall died at the scene of the two-vehicle collision. The other driver was taken to a hospital, and police have not identified the person because of the ongoing investigation, and the driver’s current medical status. Redondo Police said the person may be charged this week with felony vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact RBPD traffic investigator Scot Martin at (310) 379-2477, ext. 3862, or scot.martin@redondo.org.
“Upstander” assemblies approved for eighth, ninth-grades
The Redondo Unified School District board last week approved a new contract with consultants Circle Up Education to produce 50-minute “Upstander” assemblies for eighth and ninth-grade students.
The district has worked with Circle Up for the past two years for staff anti-bias training.
Three assemblies will be staged, one at each middle school for eighth-grade students, and one for freshmen at the high school. Cost per event is $5,400.
The term “upstander” is opposed to “bystander.”
“There is a lot of research that to improve the culture in secondary schools (grades 6-12) you have to empower what we call ‘upstanders,’” said Susan Wildes, RBUSD assistant superintendent, educational services.
“What are ways in which you can deter this negativity (such as a fight) and avoid this negativity,” said Superintendent Nicole Wesley. “There are different strategies for that.”
The funding comes from the district’s kindness/anti-hate campaign.
The school board voted 4-0 to approve the expenditure, with Rolf Strutenberg abstaining. He wanted more clarification about what the assemblies involve, and whether Circle Up was the right consultant for this subject matter – since it has previously done only anti-bias training for RBUSD adults.
Superintendent Wesley said she had full confidence in the company’s work.
Free assisted-living referral service opens for South Bay
A new, no-cost assisted-living placement and referral service has opened in Torrance, to serve the South Bay. Assisted Living Locators, a national franchise, is operated for the South Bay by Jennifer Weintraub, senior care advisor, and Redondo Beach resident. The service ranges from home care, independent living, assisted living to memory care. For more information call (310) 975-3168. ER
