Author: Emilie St. John

INGLEWOOD (SBE) – Inglewood City Clerk Aisha L. Thompson started a new podcast “Let’s Chat” which was released to the public April 25. The taxpayer-funded podcast kicked off with Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts Jr., Councilwoman Dionne Faulk and Housing Protection Director Yakema Decatur. Viewers didn’t learn anything new from Mayor Butts outside of the city will embark on a new first-time homebuyer program with the goal of helping 300 prospective homebuyers which would be funded in part due to the city’s development agreements. Councilwoman Dionne Faulk and Thompson are both up for reelection next year. They both mentioned the…

Newly elected District 1 Councilwoman Gloria Gray will hold a community swearing in April 29. The event is scheduled to take place on the South Lawn of Inglewood City Hall from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. No RSVP is needed. During the city council meeting held April 18, Gray confirmed she will be sworn in by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Gray also shared with the public that her liaison will be Alicia Smith who previously served in the same capacity for former Councilman George Dotson. “That was a HUGE battle to bring back Ms. Smith,” said an insider with…

The Gardena City Council unanimously approved a moratorium prohibiting significant tobacco retailers from establishing in the city during the March 28 regular city council meeting. Proposition 31 was placed on the ballot soon after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 793, the Legislature’s bipartisan effort to crack down on e-cigarettes and other products popular with kids. The law banned the sale of certain flavored tobacco products in stores and vending machines, including menthol cigarettes, but with exceptions for hookah, premium cigars and loose-leaf tobacco. Despite passage last November, little is being done to enforce the ban, particularly in Los Angeles County. https://southbayexaminer.com/2023/04/anti-tobacco-advocates-fail-to-take-position-on-state-bill-ab-935-to-put-new-tobacco-restrictions-in-place/ The…

The South Bay Cities Council of Governments Homeless Services Task Force will continue discussing a possible RV Encampment Pilot Program during their May 3 meeting. On September 13, 2022, the Board of Supervisors (Board) directed the Chief Executive Office -Homeless Initiative (CEO-HI) to consult with the Directors of Public Works (DPW), Public Health (DPH), Regional Planning (DPP), Health Services (DHS), and the Acting Director of Mental Health (DMH) and, in coordination With the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department (LASD), the St. Joseph Vehicular Homeless Outreach Program (VHOP) and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) to provide an updated assessment…

With California voters supporting the ban on flavored (menthol) tobacco sales throughout the state, one manufacturer has rolled out “non-menthol” cigarettes that some argue are no different than menthol products. In local 7-eleven throughout Los Angeles County, they continue to sell Newports, but they are marketed as “non-menthol”. The only problem is the stores are hiding the products behind rolling potato chip carts. If they were “non-menthol” why would they need to be hidden from public view? There’s supposed to be a ban on menthol, flavored tobacco but my local @7eleven is now selling NON menthol behind the chips 🤔…

Newly elected Inglewood Councilwoman Gloria Gray was sworn into office in front of an over-capacity crowd in council chambers on April 7. The following day she held a ‘Campaign Team Celebration’ in Los Angeles’ Whipp Social Club where she thanked her supporters for her win in the March 7 runoff against former Councilman George Dotson. “For all of those who generously gave their time and resources, I treasure the effort they provided during my campaign and this is just a way to say thank you,” Gray stated. Gray’s term in Inglewood began on April 10, however, she has retained her…

Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts Jr. made a late-night announcement Wednesday that after community uproar, the city will not use eminent domain to take the property where Vons grocery store is located. “The City Council and I understand that any construction on the Vons site would be disruptive to businesses, residents, and employees. We have identified an alternative location for the MSF building. To put it succinctly, we heard you.” – James T. Butts City consultants released the Draft Business Relocation Plan on Feb. 1 which identified that nearly 50 businesses would be disrupted due to the Inglewood Transit Connector Project.…

The Inglewood Planning Commission is studying enacting regulations to address the over-proliferation of fast food uses during their March 1 meeting. According to the city’s Finance Department, there are 200 active fast food/take-out establishments and City Administrators requested the planning commission consider potential amendments to the Inglewood Municipal Code related to fast food regulation. The City cited the recent COVID-19 pandemic to show that the industry has “evolved through the development of efficient and robust online ordering apps” that incorporate delivery services and curbside pickup that have become the new norm of the fast food industry. A joint publication of the…

INGLEWOOD — Karen Slade has been a mainstay at radio station 102.3 KJLH since she began with the station 34 years ago. As the station has adapted to new technology, social media, and on-air talent departures, Slade has been focused on remaining committed to the station’s tenants of promoting kindness, joy, love and happiness. “Next month makes 34 years with the station and I have loved every minute of it,” said Slade as she sat in her office filled with memorabilia and plaques honoring her work over the years. Slade is currently the station’s vice president and general manager, responsible…

The Inglewood Public Works department is asking for $85,000 from the city’s reserves to upgrade a community center they city got for free. According to the Sept. 13, 2022 staff report, the current space IPD occupies in the shopping plaza doesn’t have “sufficient space to accommodate larger gatherings, meetings, or events”. The agreement calls for the police department to utilize 1,161 square foot of space inside the Citibank building for FREE. The agreement was for an initial six month term that then converted to month-to-month. The original agreement doesn’t spell out any language concerning repairs and/or upgrades. https://2urbangirls.com/2022/09/2022-09-inglewood-getting-free-office-space-for-police-department-use/ District 4…