This Week's Top News in the South Bay

Here is a look at some of the top stories reported on in the beach cities and Palos Verdes peninsula this past week:

Redondo Beach

Two Teens Stabbed at South Bay Galleria: Two teens were stabbed outside a movie theater at the South Bay Galleria on Saturday night, prompting police to block off the entrances and exits to the mall in search of a suspect, according to Redondo Beach police Sgt. Shawn Freeman.

• Related: Police: Mall Stabbing Apparently Unprovoked
• Related: Galleria Steps up Security After Stabbings

Gray Whale Thrills Beachgoers: A 20-foot-long gray whale helped many beachgoers celebrate the new year when it ventured close to the shore Tuesday morning. According to reader Sandy Bagley, who posted photos of the whale to the Redondo Beach Patch Pics & Clips Gallery, the whale showed up near the beach between Ruby and Sapphire streets before 10 a.m.

Robert Metzger Named Redondo Fire Chief: Robert Metzger, the current fire chief for the Golden Gate Fire Control and Rescue District in Collier County, Fla., will be the new chief of the Redondo Beach Fire Department, the city of Redondo Beach announced Monday in a news release. Metzger was selected from a pool of 48 candidates nationwide to replace former Fire Chief Dan Madrigal, who retired in December.

Sierra Club Endorses Measure A: The Sierra Club has endorsed Redondo Beach’s Measure A, formerly known as the Power Plant Phase-Out Initiative, the organization announced in its January-February 2013 newsletter.

Hermosa Beach

Traffic Enhancements on City Council Agenda: Some east Hermosa Beach residents may get the stop signs they've petitioned for Tuesday night when City Council considers approval of new stop signs at 7th Place and Hollowell Avenue.

Couple Pleads Not Guilty in Hermosa Treasurer Extortion Case: Two individuals accused of extorting Hermosa Beach city treasurer David Cohn pleaded not guilty in court Monday morning to felony extortion charges.

Missing Man Found in Hermosa Beach: A 74-year-old man with Alzheimer's disease who had been reported missing from the Beverlywood area of Los Angeles was located in Hermosa Beach early last Saturday morning.

Local Works on Rose Parade Floats: Hermosa Beach Kiwanian Pat Love joined the thousands of Kiwanians who helped build and decorate the Kiwanis International float for the Pasadena Rose Parade on New Year's Day.

Manhattan Beach

Two People Stabbed at Marine Avenue Park: When confronted, a man who was puncturing tires in a city park parking lot responded by allegedly slashing and stabbing one person and stabbing another, said Manhattan Beach Police Detective Mike Rosenberger.

Delta Plane Hit by Lightning at LAX: A Delta Airlines passenger jet en route from Japan was struck by lightning last Saturday as it landed at Los Angeles International Airport, but no one was injured, an airport spokesman said. The lightning strike came as a thunderstorm moved east from Santa Monica Bay, spreading rain and thunder into the area.

Palos Verdes

Palos Verdes Crime: Vandalism at PVHS: Vandalism at Palos Verdes High School is among the many reports in this week's crime blotter.