Laguna Beach Independent

17/01/2025

The Laguna Beach School Board voted unanimously in closed session to appoint Jeff Dixon, assistant superintendent of business services, as acting superintendent on Jan. 9. Dixon will serve until an interim superintendent is appointed.

The Laguna Beach Board of Education voted unanimously, 5-0, in closed session to appoint Jeff Dixon, assistant superintendent of business services, as acting superintendent during its regularly scheduled meeting on

17/01/2025

A recent significant sewage spill led to beach closures from Table Rock Beach to North Treasure Island Beach.

The spill originated near Laguna Niguel Regional Park, which discharged 465,000 gallons of sewage into Sulphur Creek Reservoir and, subsequently, Aliso Creek.

The spill was first reported around 9:45 a.m. on Jan. 10 and was contained by 1:30 p.m. that same day.

✍️: Jackie Connor

A significant sewage spill occurred on Jan. 10, leading to beach closures from Table Rock Beach to North Treasure Island Beach. The spill originated near Laguna Niguel Regional Park involving

17/01/2025

Countless local restaurants, nonprofits, businesses and residents continue to step up, providing discounts, free services and valuable resources for displaced LA fire evacuees, many of whom have temporarily or semi-permanently relocated to Laguna Beach.

Despite being an ocean away, Laguna Beach felt the impact close to home when wildfires ravaged Maui in August 2023. The Lahaina Fire brought back memories of the horrific 1993

14/01/2025

Laguna Beach Fire Chief Niko King provides an update on his weekend visit to the Palisades fire, what's being done at home to ensure Laguna is prepared and what residents can do in case of a fire emergency.

First and foremost, our thoughts are with all those affected by the ongoing fires, especially the firefighters and residents whose lives have been impacted. We understand the toll these fires

07/01/2025

The strongest winds will arrive in Laguna Beach tonight and continue until tomorrow morning.

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the Orange County Coastal Zone, which includes Laguna Beach, from today, Jan. 7, at 4 p.m. to Wednesday, Jan.

04/01/2025

Laguna Beach native Noah Rosen, 27, is the founder and CEO of Forge to Table, a rapidly growing knife company celebrated by professional chefs and home cooks alike. His entrepreneurial success recently earned him a coveted spot on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list.

Since he was young, Noah Rosen has been fascinated by culinary arts.

03/01/2025

A recent historical assessment supported by the local heritage preservation group Village Laguna suggests that the Neighborhood Congregational Church could qualify for both the California Register of Historical Resources and the Laguna Beach Historic Register based on multiple criteria.

According to a recent historical evaluation backed by the local heritage preservation group Village Laguna, the Neighborhood Congregational Church (NCC) may be eligible for the California Register of Historical Resources

27/12/2024

When a patron is arrested for DUI and the investigation is linked to an alcohol establishment, the business will receive a letter with the details of the incident.

This will include the date, time, location of the arrest, and the offender’s blood alcohol content, if available.

The Laguna Beach Police Department has launched an initiative to notify alcohol establishments when a drinking under the influence (DUI) arrest is directly linked to their business.

27/12/2024

The two-year Be Well OC experiment is designed to assist local police and emergency medical services by addressing non-emergency mental health issues.

Laguna Beach joins Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Anaheim and UCI in adopting the BeWell OC Mobile Response Model.

For over a year, a bright blue van has been cruising Laguna Beach’s streets. Written on its door is “Hope Happens Here.” Riding along are two uniformed crisis intervention specialists,

20/12/2024

For George Nelson, owner of Fawn Memories on Forest Avenue, the most meaningful ingredient to his shop's five-decade success is the local connection.

20/12/2024

During a closed session meeting on Dec. 16, the Laguna Beach Board of Education voted 3-2 to begin the contract process with Joanne Culverhouse as interim superintendent.

School Board Moves New Interim Superintendent Contract Process Forward with 3-2 Vote

17/12/2024

The checkpoint will be held this Friday from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. at an undisclosed location.

The Laguna Beach Police Department has announced it will operate a driving under the influence (DUI) checkpoint from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. this Friday, Dec. 20, at an undisclosed

10/12/2024

After a special meeting to swear in new councilmembers and appoint leadership roles tonight, Alex Rounaghi is now Laguna's mayor, and Mark Orgill is Mayor Pro Tem.

The Laguna Beach City Council selected 27-year-old Alex Rounaghi as its new mayor and Mark Orgill as mayor pro tem at a special meeting tonight at city chambers.

22/11/2024

After eight years as the district superintendent, Viloria will officially leave his post on Dec. 31.

The Laguna Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) Board of Education voted unanimously to terminate Superintendent Jason Viloria's contract during a closed-session meeting on Thursday, Nov. 21.

15/11/2024

Skipper Carrillo, a beloved baseball and Laguna Beach High School sports fan known for his familiar "Have a home run day!" greeting, died yesterday, Nov. 14. He was 86.

Carrillo's passion for sports led him to volunteer at Laguna Beach High School sports events as far back as the 1960s. In 1987, the school named its baseball field after Carrillo, and later, the Skipper Carrillo Scholarship Fund was created. The scholarship helps high school seniors who have overcome adversities.

His friends said he was "sharp as a tack to the end and happy the Dodgers won."

A memorial will be held for Carrillo at St. Catherine's, 900 Temple Terrace, on Nov. 30 at 10 a.m.

Photo 1: Taken by Ann Marie Raffo after the Dodgers won the 2024 World Series.

Photo 2: The Skip Carrillo Sculpture, "Have a Home Run Day" by Randy Morgan.

13/11/2024

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5868 and American Legion Post 222 honored those who served at Laguna's annual Veterans Day ceremony held at Heisler Park Monument Point on Monday, Nov. 11.

The service featured poignant words from keynote speaker U.S. District Court Judge and Marine veteran David Carter, Laguna Beach Mayor Sue Kempf, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5868 Adjutant Arnie Silverman, American Legion Auxiliary President Beth Johnsen and American Legion Post 222 Vice Commander Richard Moore.

📸: Spencer Grant

13/11/2024

For local musician Tim Maiden, Laguna Beach is more than a beautiful place to live. It's a source of healing, belonging and creative inspiration.

Maiden will perform at the Marine Room this Thursday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. 🎼

Read Maiden's full story at lagunabeachindy.com.

For local musician Tim Maiden, Laguna Beach is more than a beautiful place to live. It's a source of healing, belonging and creative inspiration.

06/11/2024

The Election Day atmosphere was a mix of pensiveness and anticipation as Laguna Beach residents lined up at the Susi Q Community Center polling station.

“This is my first time voting, and I feel nervous," voter Ariana Mahroum said. "Personally, I'm hoping people will have learned from the mistakes of the last election and maybe change their opinions.”

The preliminary Laguna Beach election results show a tight race for city council and school board seats. Incumbent Bob Whalen leads the city council race by 230 votes ahead of Hallie Jones, while Sheri Morgan is 72 votes up on Howard Hills in the LBUSD board election.

According to OCvote.gov, the next update will be at 5 p.m. PT on Nov. 6.

PHOTO CAPTIONS

1. Poll worker Theresa Keegan gives a ballot to a voter.

2. Residents line up to vote with Kerri Karas (center), bringing her dog, Noah, for support.

3. Voters line up.

4. Wearing a stars-and-stripes shirt, customer service representative Jeff Gotfrepson helps voter Gabriel Sousa.

5. Gotfrepson greets Aiiana Mahroum and Giulian.

6 and 7. Voters take to the polls.

8. Voter Esha Maik's dog Lucky dons an "I Voted" sticker.

9. Kelly Brown (left) discusses the ballot with her 18-year-old first-time voter daughter, Finley.

10. Residents wait for their turn to vote.

📸: Spencer Grant/LB Indy