This Week's Top News in Long Beach

Here is a look at some of the top stories reported on by Patch this week in Long Beach and Belmont Shore:

Melody Ross's Shooter Gets New Sentencing: A state appeals court panel today ordered a new sentencing hearing for a gang member convicted of killing a 16-year-old Long Beach honor student Melody Ross after opening fire on a crowd following a Wilson High School homecoming football game.

Two Queens Meet Up in Long Beach: For the first time in 45 years, the Cunard cruise liner Queen Elizabeth was within sight of its sister ship, the Queen Mary, as the two queens were docked in Long Beach Tuesday night. The two ships exchanged whistle blasts in a mutual salute, followed by a fireworks show in the first encounter between the Queen Mary and a Queen Elizabeth since 1967.

Friends Pray for Safe Return of Long Beach Teacher: A prayer vigil was held last Sunday night at Long Beach Wilson High School for an elementary school teacher who grew up in the area and has been reported missing in New Orleans. Terrilyn Monette was last seen last Saturday at a bar in a neighborhood in New Orleans, where she recently moved to participate in a teaching program, ABC7 reported.

Belmont Shore Salon Owner Pleads Not Guilty to Molestation: A Belmont Shore salon owner and parent pleaded not guilty to charges of child molestation in Long Beach Superior Court on Thursday.

'Storage Wars' Stars Open New Shop in Long Beach: Storage War stars Jarrod Schulz and Brandi Passante could not have picked a better day to celebrate the opening of their second Now And Then store, this one in Long Beach. Located at 129 W. 5th Street just east of Pacific Avenue, the second-hand shop swung open its doors under sunny skies last Sunday.

City Owed $2.4 Million in Business License Fees: An audit conducted by the City of Long Beach found that the city is owed more than $2 million in delinquent license revenue from local Long Beach businesses. According to city auditor Laura Doud, the February 2013 audit found that between $2.4 million and $2.6 million in business license fees are owed to the city with the average bill over a year old.

Aging Chittick Field to Get New Life: The City of Long Beach accepted a $1 million donation Monday from the Occidental Petroleum Corporation to help fund improvements at the decaying Chittick Field. Built more than 60 years ago, the ageing 19-acre recreational area is currently in the process of getting a large makeover with a new sports park, soccer fields, football field, track and restrooms in the works.