Recently in economy Category

That was fast.

Of the 20 candidates who have filed to run for the vacant 15th District seat on the Los Angeles City Council, Joe Buscaino has become the first to officially qualify for the ballot today.

He turned in his petition signatures on Saturday and getting word today that the signatures had been verified by the City Clerk's Office.

Candidates have until Sept. 12 to turn in their nominating petitions. If they pay a $300 filing fee, they must turn in 500 signatures (which is what Buscaino did).

If they want to skip paying the fee they must submit 1,000 voter signatures.

If you live in San Pedro, Wilmington, Harbor City or Harbor Gateway, you'll no doubt encounter a few of their volunteers with clipboards over the next couple weeks. Voters can sign petitions for more than one candidate. But they can only sign each candidate's petition once.

Officials are blaming the "downturned" economy.

These signs are on the doors of the sports center at Wilson Park.

Readers, let's get this news party started:

The man arrested on suspicion of killing Cori Desmond told investigators that he didn't strangle the Torrance woman, just that he found her dead body on the street, scooped it up and then drove to San Bernadino to dump it in the mountains, documents show.

A controversial plan to close or restrict fishing in nearly 400 square miles of Southern California ocean, including waters near Palos Verdes, in hopes of protecting marine habitat has moved forward with the state Fish and Game Commission.

Investigators continue to probe the shooting death of a Rolling Hills Estates attorney, but few new details have emerged.

A former Redondo Beach police sergeant has been charged with embezzeling more than $75,000 from his police union.

These winter storms have brought some big waves to the South Bay, but it seems like local surfers aren't so impressed.

The state's foreclosure rate dropped 13 percent from October figure.

Two Narbonne High receivers will lead their football team Saturday at L.A. City Section Division I finals.

Readers, wake up from your turkey and retail coma to catch up on local news:

Plans for a high-density senior housing complex in the heart of Torrance have resurfaced.  Again.

How did you spend Thanksgiving? Volunteers at Torrance church offered food, comfort and friendship to South Bay folks.

Bravo shoppers for bucking a dismal economy and flooding stores this morning in search of bargains. Our own business columnist Muhammed El-Hasan shares his Black Friday experience from last year.

And while you're out shopping, why not pick up an athletic ball to bring to the Breeze's annual holiday ball drive, which supports local youth-focused nonprofits?

A jury has found that William Sadowski was legally sane when he killed a Los Angeles International Airport police officer in 2005. Now, he's headed for a lifetime in parole, rather than a mental institution.

One Palos Verdes Estates young lady has reached what could be the highest echelon of academic honor, earning a prestigious Rhodes scholarship.

After more than a year of fighting for a dog park on The Hill, it looks like a Palos Verdes Estates couple is finally starting to see some success.

Thanksgiving is sooo yesterday. Bring on Christmas, and visits from Santa Claus throughout the South Bay.

Readers, let's roll:

A teenage boy was killed in San Pedro after a fight this weekend. Check out pictures of the scene afterward.

Nearly 30 years after buying some coastal land from its school district, Rancho Palos Verdes is finally getting ready to build a park that isn't sitting so well with neighbors.

South Bay unemployment rates stayed mostly stable in October, bucking a downward trend across the county and state. Poor Torrance was the only city in the area to see an increase in the statistics released last week.

Local nonprofits are gearing up for record holiday needs, beginning with a massive food drive that starts Tuesday. Meantime, one San Pedro-based group is working on its first effort to give Thanksgiving baskets to families who have lost children to violent crimes.

What's that stench coming from the Walteria Sump in Torrance?

Rancho Palos Verdes city officials ponder why its hotel tax increase failed at the polls earlier this month, and what the possible ramifications could be.

Three former Hermosa Beach surf buddies are busy brewing beer.

Readers, start your week off well-informed of local news:

The board that oversees Los Angeles International Airport is expected today to approve two contracts worth more than $1.1 billion to build nine new gates and add 1 million square feet to the airport's Tom Bradley International Terminal.

Did you see the Breeze's comprehensive look at the Marine Life Protection Act? Check out pictures of the South Bay marine area that has pitted environmentalists against anglers here and here.

Looming mid-year budget cuts for California State University, Dominguez Hills has students worried it'll take longer to graduate and faculty members concerned about job losses.

Loa Pele Faletogo is maintaining Samoan culture right here in the South Bay.

Hermosa is going old school in an attempt to save its Post Office branch.

Hey, did you know Torrance has a celebrity chef? Yeah, me neither.

Some Scottsdale Estates residents have collected enough signatures to take control of the board, until now under the control of a longtime board president.

Readers, let's hit it:

The non-profit South Bay Literacy Council, which has taught people to read for 28 years in the area and operates on $40,000 a year, could fold. Office rent has doubled for the agency and its 85-year-old fundraiser is retiring.

Centinela Valley Union High School District is facing a civil rights complaint alleging the agency unlawfully eliminated an English language learners program from Hawthorne High school.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has filed complaints against four companies operating at the Port of Los Angeles for alleged pollution.

Budget cuts have forced the Harbor-area animal shelter to pick up three more zip codes of coverage, further straining the San Pedro facility.

Between a massive expected recall and accusations of a patent violation, it's been a rocky year for former automobile golden child Toyota, whose U.S. marketing and sales arm is based in Torrance.

Readers, let's get this news party started:

Some Torrance residents are nearly croaking over the possibility of placing a whimsical frog statue recently donated to the city by a former mayor in a seaside park. Children might play on the bronze statue and hurt themselves!

Police are investigating a hit-and-run accident allegedly committed by an off-duty Torrance police officer over the weekend.

Los Angeles County is set to pay $305,000 to settle a medical malpractice lawsuit brought on by the family of a man who died at County Harbor-UCLA Medical Center near Torrance after a hang-gliding accident two years ago.

San Pedro's Salvation Army Family Store has closed. You know it's a bad economy when even thrift stores are shutting down.

Public hearings over a proposed new public transit plan that could relieve South Bay traffic begin this week.

After three appearences at CIF semifinals in as many years, Palos Verdes High's girls tennis team is aiming for a title this year. Check out pictures.

Readers, let's get to it:

Police are investigating a double homicide in Wilmington last night.

Proposed state legislation would limit how employers can use credit checks to screen potential hires, like one Hawthorne woman who believes she was passed over for two jobs because of bad credit.

Several South Bay survivors of drunk driving victims are participating in this weekend's Mothers Against Drunk Driving fundraiser.

A new extradition law means means an ex-con wanted in Washington and found in Gardena goes free.

Manhattan Beach residents tonight can give their two cents about how parking restrictions might help ease Sand Dune Park use.

A Rancho Palos Verdes landowner can't use his extensive property for parties or weddings, city planners have ruled.

South Bay residents now has two more places to spend money they don't have: Kohl's opens Sunday at the South Bay Galleria in Redondo Beach, and Howard's, an electronics chain, took the space vacated by Circuit City in Torrance.