Community Corner

This Week's Top News in the South Bay

A look at what made headlines this week in the South Bay of Los Angeles.

Here is a look at what made headlines the week of July 13-19 in the Beach Cities and on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

Palos Verdes

PV High, Vista Grande Get New Principals: The Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District has two new principals, Superintendent Walker Williams announced Friday in a news release. Dr. Charles Park and Jeri Delatorre were appointed principals of Palos Verdes High School and Vista Grande Elementary School, respectively, at the PVPUSD Board of Education meeting Thursday.

Great White Shark Bites Sea Lion in Half: A great white shark bit a sea lion in half off the Palos Verdes Peninsula on Monday afternoon, and a boat from Long Beach-based Harbor Breeze Cruises was there to see the aftermath, Pete Thomas reported on his website.

West Nile Virus Found in 5 People in Los Angeles CountyFive people in Los Angeles County tested positive for West Nile virus, making them the county's first human cases of the 2013 season, according to the county Department of Public Health. At least one person who tested positive was from the South Bay, according to Los Angeles County Department of Public Health spokesman Allen Solomon.

Girl Rescued Off Cliff, Critically Injured at Point Fermin Park: A 10-year-old was critically injured Saturday when she fell down a cliff at Point Fermin Park in San Pedro, a city fire official said. The incident was reported at 3 p.m. near Sunken City Trail, according to Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Redondo Beach

Paddle-Out to Celebrate Life of Bob Meistrell: The life of Body Glove co-founder Bob Meistrell will be celebrated with a paddle-out ceremony and a reception at Seaside Lagoon in Redondo Beach on Sunday, Sept. 15, according to a news release from Body Glove International.

Redondo Elects New Treasurer: After more than six months and three rounds of ballots, Redondo Beach's 2013 municipal election season is finally over with the election of a new city treasurer. Former Councilman Steve Diels earned 56 percent of the vote, beating out his opponent, Dawn Esser, who received 44 percent of ballots.

Coastline Brewing Co. Gets Green Light in Redondo Beach: Redondo Beach will soon have its very own craft brewery and tap room after the Redondo Beach Planning Commission officially approved plans for Coastline Brewing last Thursday night. Created by business partners and Hermosa Beach residents Tom Dunbabin and Will Daines, Coastline Brewing will be the first-ever commercial craft brewery in Redondo Beach.

'Kitchen Nightmares' Taking Reservations for Zayna Flaming Grill: Zayna Flaming Grill will be the star of an episode of Kitchen Nightmares next season, and diners interested in eating at the Redondo Beach restaurant during filming can book reservations, according to a representative of Fox Broadcasting Company.

Manhattan Beach

Detectives Continue to Investigate Mystery of Decomposing Body Found in Polliwog ParkDetectives investigating the death of a Long Beach man whose decomposing body was found in Polliwog Park on July 11 continue to follow-up leads and tips in the case, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Mario Herrera, the 21-year-old father of a two-year-old boy, was last seen alive around July 7, according to investigators.

Man Robs Citibank Friday, Arrested Tuesday, Say Authorities: A man on federal probation for bank robbery was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of robbing a bank in Manhattan Beach Friday and Cerritos three days prior, said Manhattan Beach Police Detective Michael Rosenberger Wednesday. Gregory Cross, 57, was arrested at a relative's home in Long Beach around noon Tuesday by the FBI and Rosenberger, who said Cross "didn't try to run or hide."

Winning Photo Captures Horses, Police, Beachgoers on the Sand: Manhattan Beach resident Charlie Scholz won the recent Downtown Manhattan Beach Business & Professional Association's Fourth of July photo contest, said the organization. Scholz' winning shot was of police and sheriffs riding horses on the Fourth this year. 

South Bay Housing Prices Continue to RiseSouth Bay housing prices continued to climb in June, according to new statistics released by the South Bay Association of Realtors. According to the organization, the average prices of a single-family home in the South Bay increased 7.1 percent while the average price for a condominium or townhome jumped more than 29 percent, compared to one year ago. 

Hermosa Beach

Two Pull Papers to Run for City Treasurer; One More for City CouncilCarolyn J. Petty is the first Hermosa Beach resident to pull and file the necessary paperwork to run for City Council in the November election and two residents have pulled papers to run for city treasurer, according to the city clerk's office. In addition, incumbent Jeff Duclos has pulled papers, the first step in a potential bid for a City Council seat, joining Nanette Barragan, Gregory J. Savelli, H.S. Fangary and current Mayor Patrick “Kit” Bobko as having taken the step.

Hermosa Teen Scoring Big at U.S. Girls' Junior Championship: A 14-year-old Hermosa Beach youngster is scoring points in the golf world. Andrea Lee shot a 5-under-par 67 to hold a one-stroke lead when Monday’s first round of stroke-play concluded during the 2013 U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship at the par-72 Sycamore Hills Golf Club in Indiana.

Council Gives New Hotel the Green Light
: The Hermosa Beach City Council recently approved the development of a new boutique hotel, according to easyreadernews.com. The hotel, which will be on Hermosa Avenue, will have 30 rooms, according to the report.

School District to Spend $64K to Repair Beams: The Hermosa Beach City School District will spend about $64,500 to repair wooden support beams at Valley School, according to tbrnews.com. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here