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:

Manhattan Beach

Lakers Coach Mike D'Antoni Buys Manhattan Beach Home: Los Angeles Lakers Coach Mike D’Antoni and his wife, Laurel, reportedly have bought an ocean-view walk street home for $6.9 million built in 2003 for Live Nation's chief operating officer. 

Beach Volleyball Pro Pleads Not Guilty to Child Molestation: Derek Sorensen, a professional beach volleyball player, faces a preliminary hearing in May after pleading not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of child molestation and two felony counts for failing to register as a sex offender and failing to file a required change of address, according to District attorney spokeswoman Shiara Davila-Morales.

Updated: Explosion at Mattel Design Center in El Segundo: An explosion inside the Mattel Design Center building Tuesday morning is being investigated by El Segundo police and fire departments, as well as the Los Angeles County Sheriffs bomb squad, said El Segundo Police Department Capt. Bob Turnbull.

Pier One Robbers Get Prison Time: The two men arrested for an armed robbery attempt at Pier One Imports last April were sentenced in a Torrance courtoom on April 23. Edwin Rico Clark Davis, 26, and DeAngelo Deonta Cal, 23, of Hawthorne were sentenced to 9 and 6 years in state prison, respectively, by a South West Judicial District-Torrance Branch judge, according to the Manhattan Beach Police Department.

City to Create Better Access to the Strand and Sand: Get ready for improvements to access the sand from The Strand. The City of Manhattan Beach secured federal funds to enhance access from The Strand pedestrian path to the Marvin Braude Bike Path in the city.

Redondo Beach

Police: Man Exposed Himself to Kids: Torrance police on Thursday announced they are seeking a man in his 20s suspected of exposing himself near schools close to the city's border with Redondo Beach twice in a seven-day span. Two students were walking home from Bert Lynn Middle School on Tuesday when they saw a man seated in the driver seat of a small blue or gray four door sedan, possibly a Honda.

U.S. News Recognizes Redondo Union: Redondo Union High School is among the best high schools in the country, according to rankings released Tuesday. With a national ranking of 756 and a state ranking of 146, Redondo Union was one of 1,790 schools nationwide awarded a silver medal by U.S. News & World Report in its 2013 list of the nation's best public high schools.

Small Earthquake Strikes L.A. Coast: A magnitude-2.8 earthquake struck halfway between Marina del Rey and El Segundo last Sunday night. The earthquake was recorded at 8:06 p.m. Pacific Time. The epicenter was about 7 1/2 miles below the earth's surface and near the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and West Manchester Avenue—roughly the same place as a magnitude-3.2 earthquake recorded Friday night

• Related: Earthquake Rattles Los Angeles Area

Palos Verdes

Construction Begins on PVDN Bike Lane Project: Commuters might wish to avoid Palos Verdes Drive North in Rolling Hills Estates for the next couple of months, as Excel Paving Co. began working on the Palos Verdes Drive North Bike Lane & Improvement Project Wednesday, according to the city of Rolling Hills Estates.

Autopsy Conducted on Body Found in Burned SUV: Though the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office performed an autopsy Thursday on the body discovered in a burning sport utility vehicle in Rancho Palos Verdes, the cause of death may not be known for two months, the Daily Breeze reported last Thursday evening.

: Palos Verdes Peninsula High School and Palos Verdes High School are among the best high schools in the country, according to rankings released Tuesday.  With a national ranking of 156 and a state ranking of 24, Palos Verdes Peninsula High School was one of 500 schools nationwide awarded a gold medal by U.S. News and World Report in its 2013 list of the nation's best public high schools. Palos Verdes High School, which also earned a gold medal, had a national ranking of 269 and a state ranking of 43.

Hermosa Beach

Driver in Fatal Collision With Motorcyclist Enters Plea: A New York man pleaded not guilty Monday to a misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter charge stemming from a Nov. 1 collision with an Hermosa Beach motorcyclist, who died less than two months later as a result of his injuries.

Letter to the Editor From E&B: Strict Noise Requirements: E&B writes about their proposed oil project, in particular sound from it and mitigation efforts that are up to code.

Entry-Level Homes in Hermosa Beach: 2003 Prospect Ave.: This charming home could offer ocean views with the right addition.

Local Caterer Appears on 'Chopped' Show: Executive Chf Taji Marie appeared on the Food Network reality show Chopped, Tuesday night. Marie is half of the local cooking school and catering company Simple Gourmet, based in Redondo Beach. She and Melanie Barsuk, a Hermosa Beach resident, cater for the Los Angeles Kings and Los Angeles Galaxy, said Barsuk.