This Week's Top News in the South Bay

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

Redondo Beach

Stabbing Victim's Family Sues South Bay Galleria: At a news conference Monday in Beverly Hills, the family of a boy who was stabbed at the Galleria announced they are filing a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court on behalf of their son against the owners of the Galleria, Forest City Enterprises Inc., in an attempt to compel it to boost its security.

• Related: City Manager: Galleria Is "Very Safe"

Big Bucks Spent in Measure A Contest: AES-backed political action committee Protect Redondo, NO on Measure A, Funded by Donations from AES Redondo Beach has outspent NoPowerPlant.com by a magnitude of about 10:1 to defeat the anti-power plant measure on the Redondo Beach municipal election ballot March 5.

Local Chef Brooke Williamson Named Runner-Up in Top Chef Finale: After beating out 16 other chefs, winning five elimination challenges and ultimately surviving 16 episodes of the reality show Top Chef, local chef Brooke Williamson came just short of claiming the Top Chef title and finished runner-up in the final episode of the show's 10th season Wednesday night.

Valentine's Day Bandit Ruins Marriage Proposal: What was supposed to be a romantic Valentine's Day evening went very wrong for one couple in the South Bay, according to the Redondo Beach Police Department. A man was proposing to his girlfriend on the beach on the evening of Feb. 14 when a bandit ran by and swiped the half-carat diamond engagement ring.

Daily Breeze Endorses Measure A; Aspel for Mayor: Redondo Beach residents should vote yes on Measure A come March 5, the Daily Breeze editorial board opined Tuesday evening.

Hermosa Beach

Car Chase Nets Possible Hermosa Burglars: Two people arrested on suspicion of burglary after a televised car chase Tuesday are being investigated as possible suspects in two or three Hermosa Beach burglaries.

Update: Grenade Brought to Hermosa Beach City Hall Was Inactive: Hermosa Beach City Hall was open again Wednesday after a man brought what police initially thought was a live grenade to the police department for disposal, causing the evacuation of the building and surrounding area.

David Cohn's Alleged Extortionists Plead No Contest: Yuritsi Maria Garcia and Gustavo Ceron, who each faced one count of felony attempted extortion, have pleaded no contest to the charge in a matter that embroiled Hermosa Beach City Treasurer David Cohn in a web of intrigue and seemingly placed his elected position on the line when city councilmen asked for his resignation.

Hermosa Beach City Council Hears Protests Over New Trash Rates: The Hermosa Beach City Council Tuesday held a public protest hearing concerning across the board rate changes for the city's new waste hauler contract with Athens Services. The new rate structure, will charge residents based on the size of their trash bins instead of the current system that charges all residents a flat fee for unlimited waste disposal.

Hermosa's Dency Nelson Bids Adieu to Academy Awards: His name might not be recognized by the countless Academy Award show performers, presenters and honorees he's stage managed during his reign of 25 years, but one thing's for sure: the man sure knows how to run a show and has tons of stories to tell about it.

Manhattan Beach

Car Chase Nets Possible Manhattan Beach Burglars: Two people arrested on suspicion of burglary after a televised car chase Tuesday are being investigated as possible suspects in Manhattan Beach burglaries, said MBPD Officer Stephanie Martin Thursday.

: Workers in the city's police, fire and teamsters unions have voted to approve new agreements with the city. 

: In anticipation of a potential $5.2 million operating deficit for the 2013-2014 school year, the Manhattan Beach Unified School District board of trustees held a special meeting Thursday to discuss how to reduce costs.

Mark Mason MBPD Officer of the Year for 2012: Sergeant Mark Mason, a 25-year veteran of the Manhattan Beach Police Department, has been honored as the “Officer of the Year” for 2012. Called "a constant model of excellence" by MBPD Chief Eve R. Irvine, Mason, who retired Nov. 29 and stayed on in December to help the department, most recently was the supervisor of the Traffic section.

Palos Verdes

Supervisors Renew $10K Reward in RHE Shooting: The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved the renewal of a reward for information leading to the gunman in the fatal shooting of Rolling Hills Estates attorney Jeffrey Tidus in the driveway of his home in 2009.

: Carl "Mike" Hovland of Rollings Hills is scheduled for sentencing March 6 after pleading no contest to charges stemming from the theft of mail from numerous Rolling Hills homes.

Soleado Students Chat With Astronauts Aboard Space Station: It was an out-of-this-world experience for many third-grade students at Soleado Elementary School in Rancho Palos Verdes on Monday morning as they spent several minutes interviewing Canadian astronaut, Commander Chris Hadfield, aboard the International Space Station.

Dead Fin Whale Found on Ship's Bow: An adult male fin whale's carcass was discovered on the bow section of a container ship arriving in a Southern California harbor late Tuesday night. The visible bruising on the carcass indicated that the whale was struck by a ship.