Few arrests at growing BeachLife
by Garth Meyer “Beachlife was smooth, no major issues,” said Captain John Naylor, Redondo Beach Police special operations bureau commander, after the fourth installment of the waterfront music festival May 5-7. Police made seven arrests, all alcohol-related, including one in which an intoxicated fan shoved an officer Saturday. “Unprovoked,” said Naylor, who is acting police […]
Skateboarder alleges excessive force in Pier arrest
by Garth Meyer A young skateboarder at the new Redondo Beach Pier skate park the night of April 21 alleges that a police officer “stomped” on his board as he skated by, causing him to fly into the air and hit a fire hydrant with his back – before being arrested for skateboarding on the […]
Anniversary design
Jeff Vilarino, designer of the original Riviera Village logo, addresses the crowd at the 131st anniversary of the city’s founding April 29 at Dominguez Park. At right is Mayor Pro-Tem Nils Nehrenheim, who MC’ed the event. Vilarino presented framed Riviera Village memorabilia to the Redondo Beach Museum. The museum opened for the celebration, for the […]
REDONDO SCHOOL DISTRICT REPORT: Exit city charter?
by Garth Meyer The Redondo Unified School District April 25 discussed whether it should exit the city charter and move its elections to November – opening a chance for no term-limits and a change from at-large seats to those by district. The item was brought for discussion by boardmember Rolf Strutzenberg. Last fall, the city […]
Redondo City Council stalls on fire study public review panel
by Garth Meyer The Redondo Beach city council split 3-2 Tuesday night to approve the hiring of a consultant to review Phase Two of its county fire study, but held off on how to create a citizens’ group to give input. Councilman Zein Obagi, Jr. made a motion to form the panel like the city’s […]
SoCAL ROC: Career tech crossroads
by Garth Meyer He laid down in the chair, asking the dentist if his practice needed to hire any assistants. The dentist considered it as his 15-year dental technician clipped a bib on the patient and handed the doctor an instrument. The gentleman patient told of SoCAL ROC and how it trains young people for […]
Obagi, Jr. State Bar trial starts, moves to May
by Garth Meyer Redondo Beach City Councilman Zein Obagi, Jr.’s State Bar trial for alleged misconduct started April 18 in San Francisco, then was delayed until mid-May because of a witness waiver. According to a State Bar spokesperson, two witnesses for Obagi were not available when scheduled to testify, so the Chief Trial Counsel agreed […]
About Town Redondo: Community Garden lottery, Earth Day, city anniversary
Earth Day marked at Wilderness Park South Bay Parkland Conservancy held its annual Earth Day celebration at Wilderness Park April 22-23. Saturday included a native plant workshop walk and restoration work followed by a dinner with Mayor Bill Brand and members of the Tongva tribe. An estimated 100 people camped overnight in the park. On […]
HOMELESS UPDATE: Redondo to hire mental health clinician
by Garth Meyer Redondo Beach Housing Navigator Lila Omurra called L.A. County in February requesting a mental health clinician come out to evaluate a homeless man near city hall. She took the first available appointment seven weeks later. Omurra then left a series of notes on her client’s makeshift tent by the bike racks in […]
City modifies Pride flag plan
by Garth Meyer The Redondo Beach city council adjusted its plan Tuesday to fly a Pride flag in June at city hall – to go from a contest to design a specific Redondo LBGTQ+ Pride flag, to using an existing one, and call for designs for a local permanent installation. After a vote in March […]
Port Royal Yacht Club holds 33rd “Opening Day”
by Garth Meyer First a big tent went up, then 12 tables underneath and 120 chairs. Tablecloths were ironed and flower arrangements made. “And then we put on our whites and blues and stood at attention,” said Lisa Griffin, vice commodore of Port Royal Yacht Club. Opening Day 2023 was Saturday, April 15. This year […]
Redondo council weighs elected city attorney vs. appointed
by Garth Meyer Should Redondo Beach have an elected city attorney or an appointed one? The city has retained an outside attorney to draft ballot language to go before voters. City Attorney Mike Webb advised the hiring to avoid a conflict of interest, while he expressed “complete opposition” to the idea. Webb, who has worked […]
Springfest has Sprung
City councilmembers Zein Obagi, Jr., and Paige Kaluderovic fire opening confetti Thursday, April 13 for the return of Springfest after three years. The Aviation Park carnival is put on by the North Redondo Beach Business Association. At right is Bill Baird, NRBBA executive boardmember and Ernie O’Dell, founding member of NRBBA and first Springfest chairman. […]
“Generational decision”: Council votes to resume county fire study
by Garth Meyer The question of whether Redondo Beach should switch to Los Angeles County for its fire department services is back, following a 4-1 city council vote Tuesday night. L.A. County Fire will now proceed to Phase Two of its study of Redondo Beach and its fire department/paramedics/harbor patrol. The city will hire a […]
Northrop Grumman honor traces back to Orville Wright
by Garth Meyer The Northrop Grumman team that led the design and construction of the James Webb Space Telescope has been named recipients of the 2023 National Aeronautic Association (NAA) Collier Trophy for “revolutionizing the field of astrophysics with the pioneering design and exceptional performance” of the telescope. The award is the highest honor in […]
About Town Redondo: RBPD home video, Obagi State Bar trial, Kaluderovic crossing guard
Kaluderovic’s crossing guards added at Ralston and Lilienthal Starting April 18, Redondo Beach Police will place a crossing guard at Lilienthal Avenue and Ralston Lane. Newly elected City Councilmember Paige Kaluderovic campaigned on the need for crossing guards at the intersection. The change came about after discussion between Kaluderovic, Police Chief Joe Hoffman and City […]