Stu News Laguna

21/01/2025

Laguna Beach – A Look Back: a rum-running saga. Read this story by Dr. Gregg DeNicola, including tales of Tony Cornero, better known as Tony the Hat, and the cove in Three Arch Bay, a favorite rum-running landing spot, at stunewslaguna.com/laguna-beach-a-look-back-012125/.

20/01/2025

Advisory: Red Flag warning today & Tues. Power outages possible - charge phones. NO smoking/burning. Report any smoke immediately by calling 9-1-1.

20/01/2025

Welcome home to the Laguna Beach firefighters who courageously battled the Palisades Fire and came home to a surprise welcome event at Fire Station 2 on Agate on Saturday night.

Captain Pat Cary voiced a humble response to the welcome, saying they go out on assignments like this all the time and instead focused on the firefighters that were stationed in Laguna Beach on high alert to keep Laguna Beach residents safe.

Laguna Beach Fire Department and all firefighters everywhere – we thank you today, we thank you every day.

(Video: City of LB)

20/01/2025

Welcome home to the Laguna Beach firefighters who courageously battled the Palisades Fire and came home to a surprise welcome event at Fire Station 2 on Agate on Saturday night.

Captain Pat Cary voiced a humble response to the welcome, saying they go out on assignments like this all the time and instead focused on the firefighters that were stationed in Laguna Beach on high alert to keep Laguna Beach residents safe.

Laguna Beach Fire Department and all firefighters everywhere – we thank you today, we thank you every day.

(Photos: Mary Hurlbut)

20/01/2025

Advisory: The Orange County Health Care Agency has now reopened all coastal areas in Laguna Beach following sewage spill. For more info, go to ocbeachinfo.com.

18/01/2025

We love L.A. and we love our Laguna Beach firefighters.

This photo, taken today (Jan. 18) of Fire Station 1 in Downtown Laguna, embodies our ethos as a community. We welcome our new neighbors who have joined us from L.A., many of whom were out at the farmers’ market today, and also wish to recognize our firefighters who have been courageously battling the Palisades Fire for the past week and a half, on 36- and 24-hour shifts, working in dangerous conditions to protect lives and property.

We want to recognize and thank Captain Pat Cary, Captain Scott Hammond, Engineer Nick Diamond, Engineer Brian Adams, Firefighter Aaron Payne, and Firefighter Brad Schlicting for their incredible dedication and bravery.

17/01/2025

Advisory Message: OCHCA reopens coastal area from Table Rock to 500 feet S. of Aliso Creek. Closure remains 500 feet S. of Aliso Creek to Treasure Island.

17/01/2025

Pacific Marine Mammal Center collects donations to support victims of wildfires. Read this story at https://stunewslaguna.com/pacific-marine-mammal-center-collects-donations-011725/.

(Photo: Mary Hurlbut)
Pacific Marine Mammal Center

17/01/2025

Sewer line break, now repaired, closes local beaches after 465,000-gallon spill, SCWD responds with mutual aid. Read this story and more at stunewslaguna.com.

17/01/2025

A sky full of beauty, a sky full of hope...a late afternoon capture of the moon over Victoria.

(Photo by Melissa Kriz)

16/01/2025

On Sunday night, Interfaith Council congregants gathered together on Main Beach to hold a prayer vigil for those affected by the L.A. fires.

(Photo: Theresa Keegan)

15/01/2025

Preparedness efforts amid fire risks…read this issue’s guest column by Laguna Beach Fire Chief Niko King, who on Sunday with our mayor and city manager visited our two fire crews working tirelessly on the front lines in the Palisades Fire area, at stunewslaguna.com/guest-column-niko-king-fire-chief-011425/. Seen in the first photo is Chief King; in the second photo are Engineer Brian Adams and firefighter Aaron Payne protecting a home during the flame front.

(Photos courtesy: LBFD)

15/01/2025

Force main line break near Laguna Niguel Regional Park causes ocean water closure...

The OC Health Care Agency, Environmental Health Services, has closed the open coastal water area in Laguna Beach spanning from Treasure Island Beach to Table Rock at Aliso Beach due to a sewage spill. The sewage spill of approximately 465,000 gallons was caused by a force main sewer line break near the Laguna Niguel Regional Park that has since been repaired. The affected ocean water area will remain closed to swimming, surfing and diving until the results of follow-up water quality monitoring meet acceptable standards.

For information regarding Orange County ocean, bay, or harbor postings and closures, please call (714) 433-6400 or visit our Web site at www.ocbeachinfo.com. To report a sewage spill, please call (714) 433-6419.

14/01/2025

City of Laguna Beach Reminds Residents to Prepare for Possible Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS)

LAGUNA BEACH, CA – As elevated fire risks persist, Southern California Edison (SCE) may implement Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) in certain areas, including the City of Laguna Beach. These PSPS events are part of SCE’s proactive efforts to reduce wildfire risks during high-wind, dry conditions, and the City of Laguna Beach wants to ensure residents are prepared and informed.

PSPS events are designed to prevent wildfires started by power equipment by shutting off power to the lines when dangerous fire weather conditions are present. Strong winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation increase the likelihood of wildfires, and powering down lines to eliminate the risk that active downed lines or wind-damaged power equipment would ignite a fire is one of the most effective ways to minimize risk in these conditions. SCE uses real-time weather data physically at its equipment, along with circuit inspections, to determine whether a PSPS is necessary.

Residents can stay informed about potential outages and the status of power restoration by visiting the Southern California Edison website: www.sce.com/psps or calling 1-800-611-1911. On the SCE site, residents can check whether their area may be impacted by a PSPS, view maps of affected areas, and find detailed information on outage restoration efforts.

How to Prepare for PSPS:

In advance of a PSPS, the City of Laguna Beach encourages residents to take the following precautions:

· Create an Emergency Kit: Prepare an emergency kit with essentials such as water, non-perishable food, medications, a flashlight, fresh batteries, portable power chargers, and a first-aid kit.

· Cell Phone Charging: Keep your cell phone charged and have a back-up battery-pack charger. · Evacuation Plan: Familiarize yourself with Laguna Beach evacuation routes and make sure everyone in your household is prepared to evacuate if necessary.

· Sign Up for Alerts: To stay informed about PSPS events, outages, and other emergencies, sign up for the City of Laguna Beach’s alert systems Nixle and AlertOC. To sign up for Nixle text 92651 to 888-777. To sign up for AlertOC, go to www.AlertOC.com.

City Resources for Residents Without Power:

To support those who may be affected by power outages, the City of Laguna Beach will keep several buildings open where residents can access electricity during a PSPS event. These locations will offer a place to stay informed, charge devices, and receive assistance if needed. For example, on Tuesday evening (January 14, 2025), the City Council Chambers will be open until 10 PM, and the Community and Susi Q Center will be open until 9 PM.

For more information about PSPS and tips on how to prepare, please visit www.sce.com/psps.

14/01/2025

Mayor Alex Rounaghi and City Manager Dave Kiff headed to Palisades Fire front lines to visit with LBFD personnel. Read this story and more, including a Guest Column from LBFD Fire Chief Niko King on “preparedness efforts amid fire risks,” at stunewslaguna.com.

(Photos courtesy: City of LB)

14/01/2025

Laguna Beach resident identified as deceased body recovered near Newport Pier. Read this story at stunewslaguna.com/police-files-011425/.

14/01/2025

Jogger comes across smoldering fire scar and immediately alerts authorities to quickly put down situation. Read this story at stunewslaguna.com/jogger-comes-across-smoldering-fire-scar-011425/.

14/01/2025

The City of Laguna Beach has been receiving many questions from our Laguna Beach community regarding the recent Los Angeles fires. To address these questions, Mayor Alex Rounaghi, City Manager Dave Kiff, Fire Chief Niko King and Water District General Manager Keith Van Der Maaten sat down to discuss fire safety and preparedness with some of our local media members. In this video, they provide updates on current wildfire risks, the City’s emergency response plan, Public Safety Power Shutoff protocols and the steps Laguna Beach is taking to protect infrastructure. For more information on fire safety and resources, watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqXVaaDVlYo.

On Monday, January 13, 2025, the City of Laguna Beach held a Q/A to answer questions about fire safety, and recent observations from the Palisades Fire. The ...