Author: Emilie St. John

HAWTHORNE – A Hawthorne Police Officer earned an eye watering $246,000 in overtime in 2022.His overtime pay of $246,000 was more than twice his regular pay of $106,000, with total wages of $465,208, according to data from the state controller.In 2021, the same officer clocked $206,000 in overtime, with his regular salary being $92,000.It is believed their overtime was earned working at special events in Inglewood under a Memorandum of Understanding between the Inglewood and Hawthorne police departments for Supplemental Law Enforcement Services.The officer earned more in overtime than those with a higher rank.The contract between the cities is funded…

INGLEWOOD – Inglewood Assemblywoman Tina McKinnor’s bill to allow legislative staffers to unionize was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom. California becomes the largest state in the nation that will allow non-supervisor legislative staff to join a union and follows Oregon and Maine, whose staff are able to unionize. “Today is a huge victory for the nearly 2,000 legislative and district staff that have dedicated their careers to public service and have long deserved the right to be represented by a union,” said Assemblymember Tina McKinnor. “Legislative staff aren’t looking for special treatment – they are looking for the same…

COMPTON – Postal workers staged a protest to bring attention to the violence they face while working in Compton on Oct. 4. U.S. Postal Service letter carriers rally at the USPS Compton main office to call attention to robberies and physical assaults they’ve experienced. Postal workers said crimes against them are more frequent, brazen and violent. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) One by one postal employees discussed the violence they faced with a writer from the Los Angeles Times. Sharon Whitaker, a 63-year-old letter carrier and union steward who grew up in Compton, said the job feels a lot…

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – An Inglewood resident posted on social media their frustration with the amount of broken sidewalks in and around the City. Eye on Inglewood family.  I came to yall February last year to tell you about a woman who filed a claim on my homeowners insurance policy because she tripped on the city owned sidewalk in front of my home.  I was surprised when an adjuster called from my insurance company.  And y’all came for me.  Said I was a liar.  How could she find out the name of my insurance company without ever speaking to me, and…

INGLEWOOD – The Inglewood Transit Connector Joint Powers Authority has revealed the construction costs of the 1.6-mile Inglewood Transit Connector have swelled to nearly $3 billion. According to documents released on the city of Inglewood’s website, the inflated costs have increased by $1 billion since the project was introduced to the public in 2016. Initially, costs were expected to be $1.15 billion, then increased to $1.6 billion. October 2023 update on Inglewood Transit Connector. FTA grant decision is imminent. Reading between lines, FTA pushed estimate to $2.6b plus $200m (Prior estimate was $1.9b). Inglewood looking for $160m and is asking FTA to cover…

The Department of Justice and lawyers for former Los Angeles Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas have come to an agreement to allow him to remain on bail while he files an appeal with the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The agreement is dated October 4 and was uploaded to the court’s docket today. The parties agreed to the following: “Provided defendant complies with the conditions of his release, the government will not oppose defendant remaining on bail for the duration of the appellate proceedings before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, including the duration…

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (2UG) – Inglewood Planning Commissioner Carolyn Fowler urged residents in District 1 to engage with their Councilwoman Gloria Gray during her regularly scheduled walk-in hours. Ms. Fowler made her remarks during the Planning Commission Meeting held Oct. 4. Residents with concerns about public safety, city parks, speed bumps, street sweeping or any other matters of interest to them are encouraged to meet with Councilwoman Gray who has established regular hours each month to engage with residents. Councilwoman Gray’s office number is 310-412-8602 and you can send her an email here. https://youtu.be/4Fmkw7kmC6M

COMPTON — Compton Unified School District Board Trustee Satra Zurita will host the 12th Annual Compton Walk for A Cure Cancer Walk on October 7 at Centennial High School. The Compton Walk for a Cure for Breast Cancer aims to educate women on the importance of early detection of breast cancer through hosting the annual event which also includes health screenings. Credit: Los Angeles Sentinel The walk is an event founded by Compton school board member Satra Zurita and her sister Janna Zurita, who previously served on the Compton City Council. “Our mission at this year’s event is to illuminate…

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (2UG) – A longtime member of the Inglewood Police Department has announced their retirement. “After 35 years of unwavering commitment to our Police Department and Community, Lieutenant James Kirk is hanging up the uniform,” wrote Jose Corters, Human Resources Director/Assistant City Manager in an early morning email to all staff. The email invited the staff to attend his retirement party on Sept. 28. Kirk has held a variety of positions within the department that included SWAT, Narcotics and Special Investigations and most recently as the head of stadium operations at SoFi Stadium. There’s growing speculation he will go…

Who in your life needs a list? Everything Brilliant Thing is an introspective look at a man recounting his childhood where his mother made multiple attempts to end her life. (L-R) Daniel K. Isaac and audience member in Every Brilliant Thing at Geffen Playhouse. Directed by Colm Summers. Photo by Isaak Berliner. Daniel K. Isaac (Billions) recalls the first time his mother attempted to end her life. He was 7. He had lots of questions for Dad that he couldn’t answer. With every answer Dad tried to provide, he recalls continuously asking “why”? It was at that moment he decided to…