This Week's Top News in the South Bay

Here is a look at some of the top news stories this week in the Beach Cities and on the Palos Verdes Peninsula as reported by Patch:

Palos Verdes

Body Found Inside Burning SUV Identified: The body found inside a burning vehicle in the 30100 block of Miraleste Drive in Rancho Palos Verdes Tuesday was identified as a Long Beach man by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Wednesday afternoon. The death is being investigated as "suspicious" by investigators.

Firefighters Knock Down 2-Acre Brush Fire in RPV: Firefighters brought a two-acre brush fire near Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes under control with no property damage or injuries Thursday afternoon, according to Los Angeles County Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Luke Claus. About 150 firefighters initially responded to the two-alarm brush fire near the intersection of Palos Verdes Drive South and Terranea Way.

Washington Post Recognizes Local High Schools: Palos Verdes High School is now included in the Washington Post's list of America's most challenging high schools along with Palos Verdes Peninsula High School.

Redondo Beach

Settlement Reached in Dorner Mistaken Identity Shooting: Two women who were injured when Los Angeles police opened fire on their pickup truck in Torrance while they were delivering newspapers during the manhunt for former LAPD Officer Christopher Dorner have reached a $4.2 million settlement with the city, attorneys announced Tuesday.

Rock & Brews Sets May Opening Date: After a quick construction turnaround following its permit approval from the City of Torrance in December, Rock & Brews will open its Riviera Village location at the border or Torrance and Redondo Beach in May. The new Rock & Brews will sit on the shuttered site of Olivers Restaurant at the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Palos Verdes Boulevard.

3 Suspects in Credit Card Fraud Arrested: The Torrance Police Department announced Tuesday that it has three suspects in custody who are believed to have been involved in credit card fraud that victimized 37 people from San Diego to Simi Valley. Those arrested include Michael Paul Trenkner of Redondo Beach, who was employed as a driver, police said.

No Roundabout for Harbor and Herondo Intersection: A roundabout will not be installed at the intersection of Harbor Drive and Herondo Street—at least, not in the near future, according to plans for the  Gateway Improvement Project approved last Tuesday by a unanimous Redondo Beach City Council.

Manhattan Beach

Manhattan Beach Man Pleads Not Guilty to Petty Theft: A Manhattan Beach resident who turned himself in to police Monday and was then arrested on suspicion of felony robbery – according to Stephanie Martin, Manhattan Beach Police Department public information and crime prevention officer – pleaded not guilty to a reduced charge of misdemeanor petty theft in a Torrance courtroom Tuesday, said Shiara Davila-Morales, a spokesperson for the district attorney's office.

Fishing With Dynamite to Open in April: M.B. Post Chef David LeFevre could be blowing up the city's downtown dining scene when his latest venture Fishing With Dynamite opens this month. Moving into a remodeled space previously known as Talia's, Fishing With Dynamite has the hallmarks of a winner: a successful award-winning chef and a location two doors down from M.B. Post in what has become a culinary destination: downtown MB.

Washington Post Recognizes Mira Costa: Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach made the Washington Post’s list of the most challenging high schools, according to rankings released last week. The Washington Post’s High School Challenge ranked Mira Costa 81st in the state for how it prepares students for college. Nationally, the school was ranked 729th out of the 1,900 schools that made the list.

Hermosa Beach

Project Taco Opens on Pier Plaza: In its first week of business, Project Taco brought 'em in, racking up rave reviews on Yelp as the "gourmet snack shop" served up tacos in some pretty wild, if not unheard of, flavor combinations. Thai Peanut Chicken, The Lox, Hermosa Hummus. These are tacos. Apple-Kale Coleslaw, Bean & Cucumber Salad. These are two of the sides.

Surfrider Helps Rid Hermosa of Cigarette Butts: Hoping to help curb cigarette butts discarded improperly near the ocean in Hermosa Beach, the South Bay Chapter of Surfrider Foundation will be giving the city 20 disposal containers, said Craig Cadwallader at the Hermosa Beach City Council meeting Tuesday night.

Hermosa Artist's Seascapes at 'Earth Day Lunada Bay':The earth and sea have always drawn artist Ben Junta to them. Now, as part of the "Earth Day Lunada Bay" celebration Sunday, the Hermosa Beach resident has the opportunity to exhibit 30 of his seascapes, which are based on images in and around the Palos Verdes area, he said.