A Torrance brewery has become only the second in California to receive the Cask Marque’s certificate of excellence, an accrediting program that sets cask ale standards for pubs and breweries via rigorous twice-yearly inspections.

Yorkshire Square Brewing, which opened in April in Old Torrance, is unique in Southern California in that it only serves cask ale, sometimes simply known as real ale.

The Palos Verdes Peninsula’s aging water system, nearing the end of its lifespan, is getting a much-needed upgrade.

California Water Service has proposed a $60 million overhaul to the decades-old system that calls for the installation of seven miles of new pipeline and a new pump station in Rolling Hills Estates.

Tesla’s flashy unveiling last week of a futuristic, electric heavy-duty truck was an eye-opener for industry experts, who are hopeful but still wonder if its game-changing features could truly be mass-produced affordably.

Nevertheless, officials at the twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are going along for the ride. They have met with Tesla engineers about the new Semi to offer tips and learn about its unique features.

Hermosa Beach stores did not quite get everything on their list this holiday season, but one of their gifts is coming a little bit early.

In an effort to encourage shopping at local stores, Hermosa Beach will bag city parking meters for the month of December through Christmas Day. The program begins Friday, Dec. 1, three days earlier than initially approved by the City Council, thanks to an administrative intervention from City Manager Sergio Gonzalez.

Cell phone coverage in Manhattan Beach near the ocean is notoriously atrocious. Just ask Ray Joseph who lives on Manhattan Avenue and 5th Place and like many residents believes poor coverage is a matter of public safety.

“I can’t call my son. He can’t call me,” Joseph said. “Our 911 system is effectively useless. How many lives are being lost because you can’t make a phone call?”

Redondo Beach, one of the South Bay’s oldest and most politically impassioned cities, is grappling with how to comply with a new state law requiring cities and school districts throughout the state to change election dates to boost voter turnout.

Although virtually every other city and school district in the South Bay has tackled the issue in the past two years, it’s a trickier matter for Redondo Beach because it’s a charter city with its own set of distinctive election rules. And any changes to the charter must be approved by voters.

Peninsula High senior John Zuercher is getting ready to deliver what could be his biggest donation collection yet for the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Long Beach with the help of State Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi’s office.

The football player started collecting donations for veterans when he started a Veterans Appreciation Club at his school last year.

With the passage of Measure S, a $59 million general obligation bond in June 2016, the Hermosa Beach City School District has the opportunity to rebuild its ailing North School, which is expected to have an enrollment of more than 500 third and fourth grade students.

But before demolition can even begin, The North School Reconstruction Project Draft Environmental Impact Report must be considered. The 480-page document details any potentially significant impacts on the surrounding community, from noise to traffic.

Perhaps developers will now flock to Redondo Beach.

City officials announced a plan to shut down the massive AES Power Plant and redevelop the 50 acres into a public park with a “coastal resort,” Curbed reported. AES was already planning on replacing the 1950s-era power plant with a more energy-efficient facility.

SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance), chairman of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, on Nov. 16 released the following statement on the University of California Board of Regents report finding the UC Office of the President interfered with a state audit: