2012: Top Stories for January and February

Editor's Note: As the end of the year approaches, we thought we'd take a look back at some top stories for 2012, month by month.

January

Every new year brings with it new laws that take effect Jan. 1. These auto laws took effect Jan. 1, 2012, and readers found them very interesting.

New Automobile Laws Set for 2012

A motorcyclist dies in a tragic crash with a vehicle on Sepulveda Boulevard at 8th Street one day before Christmas Eve 2011. The community comes together to aid her two sons and the city goes to work to make the intersection safer.

Fatal Crash Investigation Yields Insight

• Related: Motorcycle Crash Victim ID'd
• Related: Police and Kitsios Help Jensen Brothers
• Related: MBers Turn Out for Jensen Brothers Fundraiser
• Related: Restricted Turn Signs Placed at Accident Intersection

Manhattan Beach resident Caley Versfelt had the time of her life riding on the Girl Scouts' float in the Rose Parade on Jan. 1, 2012. For the 20-year-old with Down Syndrome being selected as one of ten girls to have the honor of riding on the float was a thrilling accomplishment. 

MB Girl Scout Rides Rose Parade Float

Officer Tony Presgraves was selected the the city's Police Officer of the Year for 2011. The member of MBPD was later injured in a horrific car crash on Sepulveda Boulevard and has yet to return to work. We wish him well and hope his recovery is on target. In the meantime, read about his accomplishments and generosity.

Tony Presgraves Named Police Officer of the Year

• Related: Rotary Club Honors Police Officer of the Year
• Related: MBPD Officer in Stable but Guarded Condition
• Related: ESPD to Reconstruct Collision; Has Eye Witness Accounts
• Related: MB Photographer Captures Collision Scene
• Related: MBPD Officer Presgraves Released from Hospital

The grocery chain steps up to help high school musicians after burglars break into the Mira Costa campus to steal four King sousaphone tubas in a case of banda bandits.

• Related: Burglars Steal Mira Costa Band Tubas

February

The twitterverse comes alive with tweets about the Manhattan Beach based shoemakers' controversial Super Bowl ad featuring racing greyhounds, Mark Cuban and Mr. Quiggly. PETA gets in on the act, too.

Skechers Super Bowl Ad Ignites Twitter

• Related: Skechers Releases Super Bowl Ad
• Related: Tweets About Skechers Super Bowl Ad

Manhattan Beach mainstay The Kettle is taken to task over a name by In-N-Out Burger. Savvy staff turns the offending burger's re-naming into a classic competition using their Facebook site. 

In-N-Out Asks Kettle to Rename Double Double Burger

• Related: Kettle Facebook Fans Comment on 'Double Double'
• Related: Kettle Settles on New Burger Name

Skechers decides to release their much-talked-about ad prior to the Super Bowl. Did you find the commercial offensive? Many animal lovers did.

Skechers Releases Super Bowl Ad 

• Related: Tweets About Skechers Super Bowl Ad
• Related: Skechers Super Bowl Ad Ignites Twitter

Manhattan Beach resident and The Ripe Choice caterer Tammy Lipps shares a special recipe for Valentine's Day, and it's a huge hit with readers. You can taste Lipps' fare firsthand at her The Ripe Choice storefront on Rosecrans Avenue in North Manhattan Beach.

Valentine's Day Recipes: Dinner and Dessert for Someone Special

• Related: Two Guns Espresso Brings Quality Coffee to Manhattan Beach
• Related: 
• Related: Nothing Says 'Love' Like a Homemade Valentine's Dinner
• Related: Recipe: Soup Made from Thanksgiving Leftovers
• Related: Thanksgiving Spotlight: Mark Lipps
• Related: Holiday Spotlight: Mark Lipps

A 16-year-old Mira Costa student is arrested for making criminal threats and possessing marijuana for sale. Police say threats were made against school staff and students.

Mira Costa Student Arrested for Alleged Threats and Pot Possession