Post-failed $30 million bond, BCHD forms plans
After Measure BC failed last week, the $30 million bond to tear down the old South Bay Hospital and fund other projects on the Beach Cities Health District campus, BCHD Director of Communications Dan Smith released a statement about next steps.
“While we are disappointed in the election results, we have been planning for best-case/worst-case scenarios for many months,” he said. “To help bridge the financial gap BCHD is facing, staff is working on a fundraising plan and actively pursuing additional grants.”
BCHD has also started a “recession plan,” he stated, cutting part-time personnel and making reductions through attrition.
Beach Cities Health District had already committed to tearing down the old hospital at the end of 2026, regardless of Measure BC’s outcome.
Smith noted that as the district prepares to absorb this cost, it will look at cuts to some of its health services.
“Staff is going to take the next two to three months to reevaluate during our mid-year budget review and strategic planning half day (Dec. 6), then take our findings to the BCHD Board,” Smith said.
The Board plans to proceed with the demolition of the 1960 hospital in early 2027.
Alleged rapist, murderer pleads not guilty
A South Bay man charged with 18 felony counts for drugging and sexually assaulting nine women, killing one of them, pled not guilty last week in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
Michael Anthony DiGiorgio, 51, was jailed without bail by Superior Court Judge Susan J. De Witt.
The counts against DiGiorgio could mean a sentence of life in prison, if convicted.
According to Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon, DiGiorgio allegedly committed the crimes at his homes in Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach from 2019-21. One of the women died from ingestion of a drug.
Deputy District Attorney Catherine Mariano told the judge that police believe six other women were alleged victims of DiGiorgio. Charges have not been filed regarding them.
DiGiorgio, when he was arrested, had been free on $1.3 million bail from previous charges regarding the same alleged 2019-21 incidents, aside from the count of murder. A judge agreed then to suppress evidence which the defense had argued was gathered in violation of the accused’s constitutional rights.
A Nov. 19 hearing is set to decide if the new case against DiGiorgio will proceed to trial. ER
