December 2010 Archives
Friends of an auto customizing business owner found slain in his Torrance business Dec. 24 have planned a "cruise" from Orange County to Torrance on Sunday.
The cruise will begin at 10 a.m. in the Sport Chalet parking lot at 16242 Beach Blvd. in Huntington Beach and head up the coast to Chicane Sport Tuning at 1908 Del Amo Blvd. in Torrance.
The event will honor Joseph Gosinski, who was found shot to death in his business.
Gosinski, 44, specialized in Ford Mustangs, and many of his friends plan to participate in the cruise.
According to a posting on Mustangforums.com, "All friends, customers and fans are welcome.
"Please keep in mind the only objective is for this to be an outlet for close friends, customers and employees to roar up the coast to share memories and stories of a man who did so much for so many," the forum said.
The cruise will begin at 10 a.m. in the Sport Chalet parking lot at 16242 Beach Blvd. in Huntington Beach and head up the coast to Chicane Sport Tuning at 1908 Del Amo Blvd. in Torrance.
The event will honor Joseph Gosinski, who was found shot to death in his business.
Gosinski, 44, specialized in Ford Mustangs, and many of his friends plan to participate in the cruise.
According to a posting on Mustangforums.com, "All friends, customers and fans are welcome.
"Please keep in mind the only objective is for this to be an outlet for close friends, customers and employees to roar up the coast to share memories and stories of a man who did so much for so many," the forum said.
A parolee has been charged with robbing a See's Candies store in Manhattan Beach while several customers shopped, police said Thursday.
Joshua Bates, 32, allegedly committed the crime at the Manhattan Village store on Dec. 3, Manhattan Beach Offier Stephanie Martin said.
Bates allegedly entered the store about 7:30 p.m., approached the cashier and reached for his waistband as if he had a gun, Martin said.
He then told the cashier he was robbing the store. The cashier handed him an undisclosed amount of cash.
Bates fled in a light blue SUV.
Police obtained fingerprints from the crime and identified them as Bates', He was on parole after serving a prison term for robbery.
Bates, who is from Montebello, also was wanted for parole violations, and was under investigation in Whittier for similar robberies.
Detectives went to Bates' home to arrest him on Dec. 7, but he refused to come out. A Sheriff's Department special enforcement team shot tear gas inside and arrested him.
Bates is suspected in as many as seven robberies throughout Los Angeles and Orange counties. He was charged Wednesday at the Whittier courthouse with six counts of robbery, Martin said.
Joshua Bates, 32, allegedly committed the crime at the Manhattan Village store on Dec. 3, Manhattan Beach Offier Stephanie Martin said.
Bates allegedly entered the store about 7:30 p.m., approached the cashier and reached for his waistband as if he had a gun, Martin said.
He then told the cashier he was robbing the store. The cashier handed him an undisclosed amount of cash.
Bates fled in a light blue SUV.
Police obtained fingerprints from the crime and identified them as Bates', He was on parole after serving a prison term for robbery.
Bates, who is from Montebello, also was wanted for parole violations, and was under investigation in Whittier for similar robberies.
Detectives went to Bates' home to arrest him on Dec. 7, but he refused to come out. A Sheriff's Department special enforcement team shot tear gas inside and arrested him.
Bates is suspected in as many as seven robberies throughout Los Angeles and Orange counties. He was charged Wednesday at the Whittier courthouse with six counts of robbery, Martin said.
Police in Hermosa Beach are trying to identify a man who robbed an elderly woman of $400 she intended to give as Christmas gifts.The robbery occurred at 11 p.m. Friday after the woman withdrew the money from an automated teller machine at the Citibank branch at 81 Pier Avenue, Hermosa Beach police Detective Mick Gaglia said.
The woman, who is in her 80s, walked to her car and drove home to the 2500 block of Ardmore Avenue. The robber confronted her after she parked in her garage.
He said something, assaulted her and took her purse. The woman not seriously injured.
The man was described as black, 25 to 35 years old, 5 feet 11 inches to 6 feet tall. He was stocky, and clean shaven with short black hair.
Gaglia said it was unknown if the man followed the victim home.
Detectives asked anyone with information about the crime to call Detective David Bohacik at 310-318-0330 or dbohacik@hermosapolice.org..
A car crashed into a 7-Eleven in Hawthorne today. We'll get some more info later.
Here's what KTLA reported:
Redondo Beach police released these videos today of a robbery at a CVS this morning. My colleague Douglas Morino reports.
Today marks the 17th anniversary of the Dec. 27, 1993 slaying of Manhattan Beach police Officer Martin Ganz.
I covered his death from the beginning right through to the end of Roger Hoan Brady's trial. Brady remains on Death Row. Although he was convicted 12 years ago, his appeals have only just begun.
Brady shot the 29-year-old officer to death near the Bank of America branch at Manhattan Village when Ganz pulled him over. Brady, a supermarket robber, likely was headed to rob the Ralphs in the center.
A memorial plaque sits next to the bank. Some officers and Pam Schultz, Ganz's girlfriend at the time, plan to visit the bank tonight to light candles and say a prayer.
In a strange "small world" circumstance today, I was working on the slaying of John Gosinski, who operated an auto customizing business in Torrance. He was found dead Friday. He specialized in Ford Mustangs.
I contacted Jon Schultz, president of the Beach Cities Mustang Club, to talk about Gosinski. I had no idea that Pam was his wife. They have a 2 1/2-year-old son.
Pam and I, who got to know each other during those years, spoke this afternoon about Gosinski. We hadn't seen each other or talked in a few years. Of all days, we spoke on the anniversary of Ganz's death.
I covered his death from the beginning right through to the end of Roger Hoan Brady's trial. Brady remains on Death Row. Although he was convicted 12 years ago, his appeals have only just begun.Brady shot the 29-year-old officer to death near the Bank of America branch at Manhattan Village when Ganz pulled him over. Brady, a supermarket robber, likely was headed to rob the Ralphs in the center.
A memorial plaque sits next to the bank. Some officers and Pam Schultz, Ganz's girlfriend at the time, plan to visit the bank tonight to light candles and say a prayer.
In a strange "small world" circumstance today, I was working on the slaying of John Gosinski, who operated an auto customizing business in Torrance. He was found dead Friday. He specialized in Ford Mustangs.
I contacted Jon Schultz, president of the Beach Cities Mustang Club, to talk about Gosinski. I had no idea that Pam was his wife. They have a 2 1/2-year-old son.
Pam and I, who got to know each other during those years, spoke this afternoon about Gosinski. We hadn't seen each other or talked in a few years. Of all days, we spoke on the anniversary of Ganz's death.
Associated Press
A construction worker who was on probation for felony drunken driving when he ran a red light and killed rookie Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart, a Manhattan Beach man and a Diamond Bar woman were sentenced Wednesday to 51 years to life in prison.
A judge sentenced Andrew Gallo, 24, amid sobbing from the victims' family and friends who
earlier heard Gallo apologize for the 2009 crash.
Prosecutors said Gallo's blood-alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit when he blew through a red light at an Orange County intersection on April 9, 2009, and T-boned the car carrying Adenhart and three friends.
Also killed in the crash were 20-year-old Courtney Stewart and 25-year-old Henry Pearson. A
fourth passenger, Jon Wilhite of Manhattan Beach was severely injured.
Just hours before the crash, Adenhart, 22, had pitched six scoreless innings in a game at
Angel Stadium.
Gallo was convicted in September of three counts of second-degree murder and single counts
of drunken driving, hit-and-run driving, and driving under the influence of alcohol and causing
great bodily injury.
Prosecutors had asked that he be sentenced to three consecutive terms of 15 years to
life.
"His conduct showed a complete disregard for the safety of others," Deputy District Attorney
Susan Price said in court papers filed before the hearing.
Prosecutors said Gallo spent hours drinking beer and shots at three different bars with his
stepbrother before driving off in the family's minivan. Jurors saw a videotaped interview in
which he told police he didn't remember driving that night and apologized to the victims'
families.
Gallo's attorney had called for one sentence of 15 years to life, saying her client never
intended to hurt anyone.
Attorney Jacqueline Goodman said in court papers that Gallo's stepbrother was supposed to
be the designated driver that night, but that Gallo took the wheel when his stepbrother became too drunk to drive.
A construction worker who was on probation for felony drunken driving when he ran a red light and killed rookie Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart, a Manhattan Beach man and a Diamond Bar woman were sentenced Wednesday to 51 years to life in prison.
A judge sentenced Andrew Gallo, 24, amid sobbing from the victims' family and friends who
earlier heard Gallo apologize for the 2009 crash.
Prosecutors said Gallo's blood-alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit when he blew through a red light at an Orange County intersection on April 9, 2009, and T-boned the car carrying Adenhart and three friends.
Also killed in the crash were 20-year-old Courtney Stewart and 25-year-old Henry Pearson. A
fourth passenger, Jon Wilhite of Manhattan Beach was severely injured.
Just hours before the crash, Adenhart, 22, had pitched six scoreless innings in a game at
Angel Stadium.
Gallo was convicted in September of three counts of second-degree murder and single counts
of drunken driving, hit-and-run driving, and driving under the influence of alcohol and causing
great bodily injury.
Prosecutors had asked that he be sentenced to three consecutive terms of 15 years to
life.
"His conduct showed a complete disregard for the safety of others," Deputy District Attorney
Susan Price said in court papers filed before the hearing.
Prosecutors said Gallo spent hours drinking beer and shots at three different bars with his
stepbrother before driving off in the family's minivan. Jurors saw a videotaped interview in
which he told police he didn't remember driving that night and apologized to the victims'
families.
Gallo's attorney had called for one sentence of 15 years to life, saying her client never
intended to hurt anyone.
Attorney Jacqueline Goodman said in court papers that Gallo's stepbrother was supposed to
be the designated driver that night, but that Gallo took the wheel when his stepbrother became too drunk to drive.
Thieves stole a U-haul truck filled with toys that were going to be given to children today at a Hawthorne Chamber of Commerce event.
The large truck was taken sometime overnight from the back of the Hawthorne chamber office at 12629 Crenshaw Blvd., chamber president Patricia Donaldson said.
The truck was found this morning in El Segundo, but was empty.
"I never ever thought in a million years that someone was going to steal the U-haul," Donaldson said.
Chamber workers spent the last couple of days collecting the toys from "Toys for Tots" containers throughout the area.
About 1,000 toys were aboard the truck. Three people unloaded about half into the chamber office. The rest remained aboard the vehicle.
.
"In the back of our chamber, there are warehouses," Donaldson said. "There are a lot of people that walk by. It had to be someone that watched us the last two days bring toys in."
Donaldson said she learned of the theft when a U-haul representative called her today.
About 900 children from Hawthorne and surrounding neighborhoods are slated to attend a holiday event at 3 today at Hax on Jack Northrup Avenue.
Donaldson said she is scrambling to find donations.
The large truck was taken sometime overnight from the back of the Hawthorne chamber office at 12629 Crenshaw Blvd., chamber president Patricia Donaldson said.
The truck was found this morning in El Segundo, but was empty.
"I never ever thought in a million years that someone was going to steal the U-haul," Donaldson said.
Chamber workers spent the last couple of days collecting the toys from "Toys for Tots" containers throughout the area.
About 1,000 toys were aboard the truck. Three people unloaded about half into the chamber office. The rest remained aboard the vehicle.
.
"In the back of our chamber, there are warehouses," Donaldson said. "There are a lot of people that walk by. It had to be someone that watched us the last two days bring toys in."
Donaldson said she learned of the theft when a U-haul representative called her today.
About 900 children from Hawthorne and surrounding neighborhoods are slated to attend a holiday event at 3 today at Hax on Jack Northrup Avenue.
Donaldson said she is scrambling to find donations.
A man believed to be the so-called "Scanner Bandit" robbed a Bank of America branch Tuesday in downtown Torrance, the FBI said.The man walked up to a teller, claimed to have a bomb, and demanded money during the 3:35 p.m. crime at 1255 Sartori Ave., police said.
The man, who fled the bank with an undisclosed amount of cash, carried what appeared to be a police scanner, the FBI said.
He has been linked to bank robberies this month in Whittier and Norwalk.
The crimes were similar.
"He threatens to have an explosive device, which he partially conceals inside a black folder," FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said. "In addition, he carries a device which has been described as a police scanner."
The man was described as white, 40 to 50 years old, about 170 pounds, 5 feet 5 to 5 feet 7 inches tall. He wore a raincoat and a dark beanie.
Anyone with information should contact the FBI at 888-CANT-HIDE or Torrance police at 310-328-3456
Hawthorne Mayor Larry Guidi pleaded not guilty Thursday to felony charges alleging he stole an industrial food mixer from the Hawthorne School District.
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge ordered him to return to court on Feb. 16.
Guidi is charged with burglary and grand theft in connection with the March 25 theft of the mixer from a Hawthorne School District school.
Guidi reportedly told investigators he took the mixer to make pizza at home.
Prosecutors allege he took the mixer after hiding it in a district warehouse.
Guidi worked as the district's facilities and warehouse manager until he quit amid the charges.
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge ordered him to return to court on Feb. 16.
Guidi is charged with burglary and grand theft in connection with the March 25 theft of the mixer from a Hawthorne School District school.
Guidi reportedly told investigators he took the mixer to make pizza at home.
Prosecutors allege he took the mixer after hiding it in a district warehouse.
Guidi worked as the district's facilities and warehouse manager until he quit amid the charges.
[
He immediately pulled a black revolver.
"He put the gun right in her face and she jumped back and he demanded the money," Ross said.
The robber took $300 from the cash register, grabbed a bottle of Remy Martin cognac and ran.
He possibly got into a small dark-colored car.
*Update: Harris was found dead on a sidewalk in Lakewood on Wednesday.Police in Gardena are trying to find a missing woman who suffers from dementia and requires medication.
Beulah Lee Harris, 64, of Gardena was last seen Dec. 9 when her transportation service dropped her off at home following her adult day class.
Harris' family members returned later, but she was not home. Her purse and identification were found in her bedroom.
Harris is black, 5 feet 2 inches tall. She was wearing khaki Capri pants, a khaki shirt with hot pink flowers, a sweater with yellow, green, gray and white stripes and beige and brown shoes.
Anyone with information about her whereabouts should contact the Gardena Police Department at 310-217-9670.
The South Bay contingent of the Avoid the 100 Los Angeles County driving under the influence task force has announced the schedule for its 2010 holiday anti-drunken driving campaign.
Specific locations for checkpoints will be announced later. Here's the schedule:
Friday: DUI and driver's license checkpoints in Hawthorne, Torrance and Redondo Beach. Saturation patrols in Palos Verdes Estates, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, El Segundo, Inglewood, Hawthorne, Torrance, Lawndale, Gardena, and the unincorporated Lennox area.
Saturday: Checkpoint in Torrance; Saturation patrols .
Sunday: Saturation patrols.
Tuesday: Checkpoint in Hawthorne.
Wednesday: Checkpoint in Gardena; Saturation patrols.
Dec. 23: Saturation patrols.
Dec. 27: Saturation patrols.
Dec. 28: Saturation patrols.
Dec. 29: Saturation patrols.
Dec. 30: Saturation patrols.
Dec. 31: Saturation patrols.
Specific locations for checkpoints will be announced later. Here's the schedule:
Friday: DUI and driver's license checkpoints in Hawthorne, Torrance and Redondo Beach. Saturation patrols in Palos Verdes Estates, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, El Segundo, Inglewood, Hawthorne, Torrance, Lawndale, Gardena, and the unincorporated Lennox area.
Saturday: Checkpoint in Torrance; Saturation patrols .
Sunday: Saturation patrols.
Tuesday: Checkpoint in Hawthorne.
Wednesday: Checkpoint in Gardena; Saturation patrols.
Dec. 23: Saturation patrols.
Dec. 27: Saturation patrols.
Dec. 28: Saturation patrols.
Dec. 29: Saturation patrols.
Dec. 30: Saturation patrols.
Dec. 31: Saturation patrols.
A 29-year-old old man died Monday from wounds suffered in a shooting in Wilmington, police said.
Jose Mercado was shot about 10:20 a.nm. Sunday in the 1100 block of Alton Street. Police responding to a call of "shots fired," found Mercado lying on the ground.
He was shot in the head, police said.
Police had no description of any suspects and did not know a motive for the shooting.
Detectives asked anyone with information about the crime to call detectives at 310-726-7889 or 310-726-7880.
Jose Mercado was shot about 10:20 a.nm. Sunday in the 1100 block of Alton Street. Police responding to a call of "shots fired," found Mercado lying on the ground.
He was shot in the head, police said.
Police had no description of any suspects and did not know a motive for the shooting.
Detectives asked anyone with information about the crime to call detectives at 310-726-7889 or 310-726-7880.
SAN PEDRO (CNS) - An allegedly impaired driver lost control of his
vehicle in San Pedro today, wedging it between two homes several feet off the
ground.
The spectacular accident in the 1400 block of West 17th Street occurred
about 1:15 a.m., and police and firefighters early today were trying to figure
out to move the car without further damaging the homes.
A videographer at the scene said the front and rear of the car were
wedged between the houses, and the car was about five feet off the ground,
which meant the car somehow spun about 45 degrees after it left the ground.
Los Angeles police said they arrested the driver for driving under the
influence, and the passenger ran away, but the suspect driver's name was
unavailable. Police with the South Traffic Division were handling the
investigation.
vehicle in San Pedro today, wedging it between two homes several feet off the
ground.
The spectacular accident in the 1400 block of West 17th Street occurred
about 1:15 a.m., and police and firefighters early today were trying to figure
out to move the car without further damaging the homes.
A videographer at the scene said the front and rear of the car were
wedged between the houses, and the car was about five feet off the ground,
which meant the car somehow spun about 45 degrees after it left the ground.
Los Angeles police said they arrested the driver for driving under the
influence, and the passenger ran away, but the suspect driver's name was
unavailable. Police with the South Traffic Division were handling the
investigation.
A mother asked witnesses Thursday to come forward to help police find a hit-and-run driver who ran over her 13-year-old son in Redondo Beach.
Kelly Lane said her son, Trevor, was hit at 7:45 a.m. at Prospect Avenue and Diamond Street as he rode his Mongoose bike to Parras Middle School.
"He flew to the ground and they ran over his left leg," Lane said. "His whole knee is scraped up."
Trevor said the car "came from the right and hit me and trashed my bike."
"Luckily I was wearing a helmet," he said.
The silver sedan continued on. Nobody else stopped to help him. He walked his mangled bike to school and reported what happened to him to school officials.
His mother took him to the doctor.
Anyone with information should contact Redondo Beach police at 310-379-2477, ext. 2721.
Kelly Lane said her son, Trevor, was hit at 7:45 a.m. at Prospect Avenue and Diamond Street as he rode his Mongoose bike to Parras Middle School.
"He flew to the ground and they ran over his left leg," Lane said. "His whole knee is scraped up."
Trevor said the car "came from the right and hit me and trashed my bike."
"Luckily I was wearing a helmet," he said.
The silver sedan continued on. Nobody else stopped to help him. He walked his mangled bike to school and reported what happened to him to school officials.
His mother took him to the doctor.
Anyone with information should contact Redondo Beach police at 310-379-2477, ext. 2721.
Yesterday, I was unable during the day to get the name of the motorcyclist killed Tuesday in Torrance from the proper authorities.
His family, however, has identified him as Larry Brennan and created this Facebook page in his memory.
He apparently was a father and was a South High graduate.
His family, however, has identified him as Larry Brennan and created this Facebook page in his memory.
He apparently was a father and was a South High graduate.
The Torrance police and fire departments are still accepting
donations for their Holiday Toy Drive.
Anyone wanting to participate should drop off a new unwrapped toy at the police station at 3300 Civic Center Dr., or North Torrance substation at 3624 Artesia Blvd. at McMaster Park.
Donations also can be made at any of the city's six fire stations:
Anyone wanting to participate should drop off a new unwrapped toy at the police station at 3300 Civic Center Dr., or North Torrance substation at 3624 Artesia Blvd. at McMaster Park.
Donations also can be made at any of the city's six fire stations:
- Station 1, 1700 Crenshaw Blvd.;
- Station 2, 25135 Robinson Way;
- Station 3, 3535 W. 182nd St.;
- Station 4, 5205 Calle Mayor;
- Station 5, 3940 Del Amo Blvd.;
- Station 6, 21401 Del Amo Circle Dr.
Police will conduct a driver's license checkpoint from 1 to 5 p.m. Thursday in the 3100 block of Inglewood Avenue.
Police officers will check motorists to identify those driving without licenses, or with revoked or suspended licenses to remove them from the street. Cars will be towed and their drivers cited.
Officers said statistics show unlicensed drivers are more likely to flee an accident to avoid prosecution for being unlicensed and having no insurance.
Police officers will check motorists to identify those driving without licenses, or with revoked or suspended licenses to remove them from the street. Cars will be towed and their drivers cited.
Officers said statistics show unlicensed drivers are more likely to flee an accident to avoid prosecution for being unlicensed and having no insurance.
Legendary musician John Lennon was assassinated 30 years ago today outside his apartment in New York City. For many people, the news of his death is one of those "Where were you" moments that will never be forgotten.
Throughout the morning, I heard people on the radio telling their stories. Many people learned from sportscaster Howard Cosell while watching Monday Night Football. I heard a clip this morning on the radio where the announcers discussed during a timeout whether to go on the air with the news at a pivotal moment in the game. They decided to do it. It's in the clip above.
Well here's my remembrance and I invite you to send yours.
It's fairly simple and not that exciting, but it's my memory. I was 17 and a senior in high school. While I had a group of friends at school, my primary friends were involved in my youth group at my synagogue.
We used to do Monday night lounges, where we'd gather for a couple hours to hang out.
We were in a classroom, and I'm pretty sure we had done a sensitivity exercise. I think today it would probably be called meditation.
At some point, I remember Alice Benjamin arrived. She was another member of the TNTeens and about a year younger than me. She was upset as she delivered the news.
At the time I didn't recognize the impact of that moment for what it was. I wasn't really a music guy. I was passionate about Dodger baseball and my Lakers obsession was just beginning. As far as music went, I just listened to the Top 40 stations and hadn't developed any real focus on any particular band or group. I don't think I knew a whole lot about John Lennon, especially since the Beatles had broken up when I was about 10.
For that reason, there are other "where were you" moments that had more effect on me.
Topping the list is Magic Johnson's announcement that he was retiring from the Lakers because he had the HIV virus. I was home eating lunch Nov. 7, 1991 and it broke on the news that he was announcing his retirement for a health reason. Confused and upset, I called my dad and said, "Maybe he has cancer."
I was devastated. I was a reporter here at the Breeze and was assigned to go to the Forum parking lot in Inglewood to hang with a crowd of people gathering there. I listened to Magic's news conference with other fans on someone's portable radio while standing in a space. I drove back to the Breeze and, in tears, wrote up my portion of our story.
Second would probably be the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion in 1986. I was editor at the Daily Sundial at Cal State Northridge. Fellow student Marilyn Martinez walked into the newsroom and said the shuttle had exploded. I remember saying, "What are you talking about?"
We didn't have a television in the room, so we rushed across the hall to the KCSN radio station newsroom. We stood there watching the explosion replayed several times and went to work as reporters putting out our own special edition of our campus newspaper.
I remember being in English class in 12th grade when word trickled in that President Reagan had been shot. It was sixth period and I rushed home to watch the news when school ended. I remember the awful feeling that the president might die.
There were other events: The OJ verdict, and of course, 9-11. I know what I did throughout that day, but it's not as high on the list because I was asleep at the time. A plane already had gone into the first tower when I awakened and heard it on the radio. I turned on the TV and watched like everybody else until I realized I had to get dressed and get to work quickly. I then I wrote our local coverage, based on reporting from my colleagues.
I was just nine days old when JFK was assassinated, but I do remember watching a funeral on TV years later with my grandmother. I'm not sure to this day whether it was the service for Robert Kennedy or Martin Luther King Jr. I would have been five.
If you have your moments, please send them.
Throughout the morning, I heard people on the radio telling their stories. Many people learned from sportscaster Howard Cosell while watching Monday Night Football. I heard a clip this morning on the radio where the announcers discussed during a timeout whether to go on the air with the news at a pivotal moment in the game. They decided to do it. It's in the clip above.
Well here's my remembrance and I invite you to send yours.
It's fairly simple and not that exciting, but it's my memory. I was 17 and a senior in high school. While I had a group of friends at school, my primary friends were involved in my youth group at my synagogue.
We used to do Monday night lounges, where we'd gather for a couple hours to hang out.
We were in a classroom, and I'm pretty sure we had done a sensitivity exercise. I think today it would probably be called meditation.
At some point, I remember Alice Benjamin arrived. She was another member of the TNTeens and about a year younger than me. She was upset as she delivered the news.
At the time I didn't recognize the impact of that moment for what it was. I wasn't really a music guy. I was passionate about Dodger baseball and my Lakers obsession was just beginning. As far as music went, I just listened to the Top 40 stations and hadn't developed any real focus on any particular band or group. I don't think I knew a whole lot about John Lennon, especially since the Beatles had broken up when I was about 10.
For that reason, there are other "where were you" moments that had more effect on me.
Topping the list is Magic Johnson's announcement that he was retiring from the Lakers because he had the HIV virus. I was home eating lunch Nov. 7, 1991 and it broke on the news that he was announcing his retirement for a health reason. Confused and upset, I called my dad and said, "Maybe he has cancer."
I was devastated. I was a reporter here at the Breeze and was assigned to go to the Forum parking lot in Inglewood to hang with a crowd of people gathering there. I listened to Magic's news conference with other fans on someone's portable radio while standing in a space. I drove back to the Breeze and, in tears, wrote up my portion of our story.
Second would probably be the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion in 1986. I was editor at the Daily Sundial at Cal State Northridge. Fellow student Marilyn Martinez walked into the newsroom and said the shuttle had exploded. I remember saying, "What are you talking about?"
We didn't have a television in the room, so we rushed across the hall to the KCSN radio station newsroom. We stood there watching the explosion replayed several times and went to work as reporters putting out our own special edition of our campus newspaper.
I remember being in English class in 12th grade when word trickled in that President Reagan had been shot. It was sixth period and I rushed home to watch the news when school ended. I remember the awful feeling that the president might die.
There were other events: The OJ verdict, and of course, 9-11. I know what I did throughout that day, but it's not as high on the list because I was asleep at the time. A plane already had gone into the first tower when I awakened and heard it on the radio. I turned on the TV and watched like everybody else until I realized I had to get dressed and get to work quickly. I then I wrote our local coverage, based on reporting from my colleagues.
I was just nine days old when JFK was assassinated, but I do remember watching a funeral on TV years later with my grandmother. I'm not sure to this day whether it was the service for Robert Kennedy or Martin Luther King Jr. I would have been five.
If you have your moments, please send them.
Police will conduct two driver's license checkpoints in Hawthorne on Wednesday.
The first will begin at 7 a.m. in the southbound lanes of Crenshaw Boulevard at 131st Street. It will end at 11 a.m.
At 12:30 p.m., police will move to the westbound lanes of El Segundo Boulevard at Doty Avenue. The checkpoint will end at 4 p.m.
The first will begin at 7 a.m. in the southbound lanes of Crenshaw Boulevard at 131st Street. It will end at 11 a.m.
At 12:30 p.m., police will move to the westbound lanes of El Segundo Boulevard at Doty Avenue. The checkpoint will end at 4 p.m.
From the DA's office:
Elementary school teacher charged in child pornography case
LOS ANGELES - A Los Angeles Unified School teacher accused of posting child pornography on a social networking site was charged today, the District Attorney's Office announced.
Deputy District Attorney Marc Beaart of the High Tech Crimes Division said Silvestre Layug Ela, 53 (dob 7/23/57), is charged with one count each of possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography.
Ela is expected to be arraigned tomorrow in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center. He is charged in case No. BA378817.
Ela of Carson has worked as an elementary school teacher for the last 15 years, the prosecutor said. His current assignment is teaching fifth grade at Dominguez Elementary School.
If convicted as charged, the defendant faces a maximum state prison term of three years, eight months.
Have to use up a little unused vacation time this week. I'll be back next week. Ok, to the stores......
Update: *Never mind.
Update: *Never mind.
Police are searching for a 13-year-old girl who vanished from her Torrance home Tuesday night and remained missing Wednesday.Ashley Clark was last seen at 8:40 p.m. in the 17000 block of Elgar Avenue, police said.
"We don't know anything," her mother, Lisa Clark, said. "We're still praying."
Torrance police Sgt. Jeremiah Hart said they have not discovered anything suspicious about the disappearance, and there were no signs of forced entry.
Family members told police that Ashley's disappearance did not follow any fights.
Ashley is home schooled and the family does not have the Internet, Hart said.
Police officers searched Tuesday night, notified other police agencies, and entered her name in police and missing persons databases.
Ashley is described as white, 5 feet tall and 90 pounds. She has brown hair and green eyes and was wearing a blue, hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and brown Converse tennis shoes.
Anyone with information about Ashley's whereabouts should call Torrance police detectives at 310-618-5641.
A man suspected of robbing a Hermosa Beach bank last month admitted, "All right, you got me," when detectives confronted him Wednesday.
Michael James Schuetta, 38, of Gardena admitted to robbing the Wells Fargo Bank branch at 1501 Pacific Coast Highway on Nov. 16, as well as a Bank of America branch in Torrance on Nov. 4 and a Citibank branch in Long Beach on Nov. 12, Hermosa Beach police Detective Mick Gaglia said.
In each crime, he also told police the amounts of money he took, Gaglia said.
Schuetta, who already was in jail, was arrested Nov. 20 when he allegedly tried to break into a house in the 2400 Block of Ralston Lane in Redondo Beach, police said.
According to officers, Schuetta was trying to get into the house to retrieve his former wife, who was staying with her father.
Continue reading BOOKING MUG: 'You got me.'.
Police are looking for a 13-year-old girl who walked away from her Torrance home Tuesday night
and remained missing today.
Ashley Clark was last seen at 8:40 p.m. in the 17000 block of Elgar Avenue, police said.
She is described as white, 5 feet tall, 90 pounds. She has brown hair and green eyes and was wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and brown converse tennis shoes.
Anyone with information about Ashley's whereabouts should call 310-618-5641.
and remained missing today.Ashley Clark was last seen at 8:40 p.m. in the 17000 block of Elgar Avenue, police said.
She is described as white, 5 feet tall, 90 pounds. She has brown hair and green eyes and was wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and brown converse tennis shoes.
Anyone with information about Ashley's whereabouts should call 310-618-5641.
A man killed in Wilmington was the victim of a gang-related shooting, police said today.
Johnny Carbajal, 27, was shot to death at 8 p.m. Monday at an apartment building in the 900 block of North Fries Avenue, police said.
Police found Carbajal lying on the floor in an apartment. He had multiple gunshot wounds to his body.
Carbajal was taken to a hospital, where he died.
Detectives believe the shooting occurred after Carbajal was involved in an argument with a man wearing a rival gang's colors.
Carbajal later went into an apartment where he was confronted by two other men. One pulled out a handgun and shot him multiple times.
The killers were described as Latino, 20 to 25 years old.
Anyone with information should call detectives at 310-726-7887 or 7880.
Johnny Carbajal, 27, was shot to death at 8 p.m. Monday at an apartment building in the 900 block of North Fries Avenue, police said.
Police found Carbajal lying on the floor in an apartment. He had multiple gunshot wounds to his body.
Carbajal was taken to a hospital, where he died.
Detectives believe the shooting occurred after Carbajal was involved in an argument with a man wearing a rival gang's colors.
Carbajal later went into an apartment where he was confronted by two other men. One pulled out a handgun and shot him multiple times.
The killers were described as Latino, 20 to 25 years old.
Anyone with information should call detectives at 310-726-7887 or 7880.
The Los Angeles Times has a good piece today about John Wesley Ewell, the man accused of killing four people, including three people in Hawthorne and a woman in Harbor Gateway.
As the story says, Ewell had complained to reporters -- not me, unfortunately -- over the years about the unfairness of the state's three strikes law.
He even spoke out against it on the Montell Williams Show. He feared that with two strikes, he might commit another small crime and go to prison forever under the tough law.
The Times, however, found he benefited from the law's lenience for 16 years.
Check out the story.
As the story says, Ewell had complained to reporters -- not me, unfortunately -- over the years about the unfairness of the state's three strikes law.He even spoke out against it on the Montell Williams Show. He feared that with two strikes, he might commit another small crime and go to prison forever under the tough law.
The Times, however, found he benefited from the law's lenience for 16 years.
Check out the story.
About the Blogger
Larry Altman has covered crime in the South Bay since 1990. He's seen it all - the missing model who turned up dead in the desert, the wives found dead in trunks, the high-school coaches who get a little too close to their players. He drives his young colleagues nuts with his "I remember when" stories. He welcomes your tips and observations about the present, and you can mix in a little Lakers basketball talk if you like.
E-mail Larry at larry.altman@dailybreeze.com.
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