Week in Review: Green Line Extension Stirs Debate; Police Crack Down on Distracted Driving

This past week, several Redondo Beach educators received top honors, and nearly 30 people showed up at a meeting about Metro's Green Line Extension project.

Miss anything? Not to worry. Here are some of last week's biggest stories:

Local Educators Receive Top Honors

Two Redondo Beach Unified School District principals were recognized by the Association of California School Administrators as . Jacqueline O'Sullivan from Birney Elementary was named Elementary School Principal of the Year for the state of California, and Mary Little of Redondo Union High School was named High School Principal of the Year for Los Angeles County.

Additionally, Ginny Zywot, who runs Smart Start Preschool out of her Redondo Beach home, was one of six preschool teachers . More than 100 teachers were nominated.

Board of Education to Consider Bringing Drug Dog to Redondo Union

Redondo Union is considering onto its campus to regularly search for drugs. Officials hope the dog's presence will act as a deterrent; however, others say drug use will simply move off campus.

Mayor Releases Video to Promote Water Challenge

Redondo now ranks third in the Wyland Foundation's Mayor's Challenge, which encourages people to sign a pledge saying they'll save water and reduce waste. Vernon, a city with a population of less than 100 people, and Hermosa Beach rank Nos. 1 and 2, respectively.

To encourage people to take the challenge, with suggestions as to how people can save water.

Green Line Extension Stirs Debate

Passions ignited at , especially when the discussion turned to crime. Several residents of the area said they thought that the extension would bring a "bad element" to the neighborhood and a corresponding increase in crime.

Others disagreed, and one woman calling the discussion about a "bad element" borderline "racism."

April Is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Redondo Beach police, along with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and other local law enforcement agencies, are .  Drivers who don't use a hands-free headset or who are caught texting while driving face a $159 fine for the first offense and a $279 fine for subsequent tickets.