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Readers, we're so thankful for all this news!

What's a South Bay native, Oscar-winning screenwriter to do while in prison for a year? Tweet, of course.

More than 200 active military service men and women got their Thanksgiving eat on Tuesday at the Bob Hope USO at Los Angeles International Airport. See pictures of the festivities.

Meantime, volunteers Tuesday in San Pedro assembled baskets for the needy in anticipation of what will likely be the biggest giveaways ever for First Presbyterian Church's 14th annual tradition.

The former head of the Transportation Security Administration and LAX's first security director has died.

Toyota Motor Corp. is working to mute speculation that the car giant, whose sales and marketing and finance arms are in the South Bay, would move workers out of California.

Defensive back Sean Parker will help his Narbonne High team mates take on Venice in the CIF quarterfinals tonight. Be sure to check out pictures of the player.

Your turkey probably isn't even defrosted yet, but here are some ideas about what to do with all those tasty leftovers.

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, let's hop to it:

Torrance will hold a swine flu vaccination clinic, but the city won't take any chances of a repeat of last month's high-traffic clinic in Redondo Beach.

The Los Angeles Conservancy hopes to raise awareness of local landmarks nearing their 50th birthday with "It's a Mod, Mod, Mod, Mod City" tour of the area's 1960s era architecture.

A Redondo Beach man has built in his garage an exact replica of a Pan Am 747 first-class cabin. The aviation enthusiast has spent 20 years collecting materials from 1960s and 1970s versions of the aircraft. Check out pictures of the set-up.

Get your skate on starting Tuesday at Redondo Beach's seaside ice skating rink. In its second year, the temporary facility will include more dine-and-skate nights, 80s night and a swimsuit weekend. Only in L.A., right?

A South Bay surf legend celebrates 50 years of board shaping with a special tribute. Check out pictures of Dewey Weber's son, Shea.

Three jurors who recently convicted a Lomita great-grandfather of molesting two neighborhood girls say they made a mistake and want to help the man get a new trial.

Carson city leaders have really muffled gadflies of late: Mayor Jim Dear has reinstated use of the mute button at City Council meetings, and the body voted to only allow government content on the city's public access channel, which used to feature activist programming that was often critical of the city.

A Rancho Palos Verdes man is working to compile a list of local charity, in hopes of increasing holiday giving and preventing scams.

Readers, heads up:

After hoards of cars clogged South Bay streets waiting for swine flu vaccinations Saturday, the Beach Cities Health District has canceled another clinic planned for next month in Redondo Beach.

Also, Los Angeles County has now established limits on who can get shots.

A pair of jetliners came within 100 feet of each other Sunday on Los Angeles International Airport's south airfield.

The Beacon House's 25-year Halloween tradition of building an elaborate haunted house in San Pedro has been canceled thanks to new city building regulations.

The District Attorney's Office has served search warrants at the home and business of Wilma Wilson, the owner of the Carson-based Peace and Joy battered women's shelter who is currently under investigation for allegations of misuse of public funds.

South Bay median home prices rose unexpectedly in September. Whoo hoo!

Sports just run in the family for Peninsula High volleyball player Nina Bjekovic, sister of Lakers player Sasha Vujacic, who starts his season tonight. See pictures of the brother-sister team.

Readers, let's get to it:

The family of a 13-year-old autistic boy Tasered by Hawthorne Police officer last year has filed a federal lawsuit seeking class-action status.

Tony Lopez Perez, the Redondo Beach man accused of killing Cori Daye Desmond, pleaded not guilty to one charge of murder Tuesday.

Just weeks after Gardena High School was placed on a list of a dozen underperforming schools that could be taken over by outside operators, its principal has quit.

What are you doing tomorrow as part of the Great California ShakeOut, a massive statewide earthquake drill?

Rep. Jane Harman talked to South Bay business leaders Tuesday in her annual State of the Region address.

UCLA basketball coach legend John Wooden turns 99 today. Why don't you congratulate him?

Folks broke ground Tuesday for a new senior housing development in Carson.

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 roll with it:

A second jury deadlocked Monday in the case against Cameron Brown, accused of throwing his daughter off a Rancho Palos Verdes cliff. A judge declared a mistrial, and all parties return later this month to court, where prosecutors will announce whether they'll seek a third trial. Check out pictures.

More than 30 years after pesticide dumping stopped off the coast of Palos Verdes, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has selected a cleanup strategy for the shelf.

A San Pedro woman was reunited late Monday with her puppy stolen over the weekend. Check out pictures of the reunion.

More land use controversy in Redondo Beach is set to surface tonight, when the City Council will approve changes to rezoning efforts for the marina.

Changes might come to a Manhattan Beach park to honor two local victims of a horrific drunk driving accident earlier this year.

A Wiseburn-area child care provider was convicted Monday of molesting two girls.

Wow, there sure is a lot of chlamydia out there, new figures show.

New additions and key returning players could give Torrance High School's girls golf team a real shot at a state title.

A Gardena photo lab is still developing, despite ever changing technology.

Readers, let's hit it:

Rep. Jane Harman has apparently shifted her previous position that any new troops in Afghanistan would be citizens. In an op/ed she's penned, Harman has called for higher troop levels there if the Afghan government can deliver anti-corruption measures.

Gardena city leaders Tuesday night selected its city clerk to fill the seat vacated by Steve Bradford, now an assemblyman. Check out tomorrow's paper for more details.

A new Lomita home for domestic violence victims and their children hosts a gala to raise money in this rotten economy.

Sorry, friends, but you've gotta limit your roosters to just one in Los Angeles, thanks to a new ordinance approved Tuesday.

The man who allegedly sexually assaulted and beat a 69-year-old woman beyond recognition on a Hawthorne street last week has been charged with forcible rape and attempted murder.

A Gardena man pleaded no contest to shooting his ex-con father during an argument. How's that for a nuclear family?

Readers, we are chockablock with news today:

Signs indicate the recession might be ending, but food pantries have seen a 34 percent increase in need compared to the same time last year.

Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn has formed a committee to explore the possibility of her running for lieutenant governor in 2010.

Meanwhile, political consultant Mattie Fein is preparing to run against Jane Harman as a Republican in the 36th Congressional District.

John Bogert's son is learning to drive!

The ruckus over how South Bay Botanic Garden board members spent a surprise donation has apparently settled down.

El Segundo has given its school board an extra $150,000 cash payment, but the high school still wants more lucrative filming time.

Three more South Bay post offices, including Hermosa's and another in Redondo Beach and Torrance, have been added to the list of possible branches set for closure in an effort to cut United State Postal Service costs.

Cal-OSHA has levied nearly $33,000 in fines upon Exxon-Mobil over the April death of a worker at its Torrance refinery.

A Manhattan Beach man will take the helm of Northrop Grumman once its current CEO steps down Dec. 31.

Palos Verdes High School's boys water polo team apparently has a got shot at a title this season.

Readers, here's your morning scoop:

Los Angeles County is developing a grading grading for day care centers in hopes of giving parents guidance on where to send their children. A voluntary pilot program has started in San Pedro and Wilmington.

Local Beatles fans flocked Wednesday to electronic stores to buy the latest offering from the Fab Four.

On the first day of school for the Los Angeles Unified School District, we check in with San Pedro High's new principal, who apparently has her plate full at the troubled campus.

Two South Bay beach cities are a little bit closer to a consolidated fire department.

Gardena city leaders have approved a new condo complex, but nixed a commercial development because it included a nail salon and tobacco shop.

Narbonne High School running back Melvin Davis starts his season Friday in memory of his friend, slain former player Dannie Farber. Check out pictures.