Community Corner

25 CA Stories From 2025 That Will Make You Smile

Californians received awards, saved lives, won lotteries and more. Patch curated some of this year's positive and uplifting stories.

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Kristina Houck, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Patch has curated some of this year's most positive and uplifting stories.
Patch has curated some of this year's most positive and uplifting stories. (Credits: Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department; Greater Richmond Interfaith Program; Angel Mead and The Village at Rancho Solano)

The news isn't always bad — far from it. Across the Golden State, residents received awards, saved lives, won lotteries, inspired change and taught us how to make the world a better place in 2025.

As we look back on the year, here are some of the stories that made us smile.

1. 3 Teen Surfers Save Drowning Family In Laguna Beach

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Three Laguna Beach teens were honored this week by the Laguna Beach City Council for their role in saving a family.

2. 15 Civilians Move Helicopter Wreckage, Save Paramedic: 'They Didn't Hesitate'

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The group moved "out of instinct" and "were able to lift it up with ease," according to Sacramento Fire Capt. Peter Vandersluis.

3. A California Homeless Man Wins $1M On Scratchers Lottery Ticket, Store Owner Says

"He thought he won $100,000 and was excited," the Sandy's Liquor Store co-owner said. "Then I told him he had a $1 million ticket!"

4. A Diving Accident Paralyzed A Teen Water Polo Player Star. Now He's On A Journey Back To The Water

"He is a warrior," his mother said. "He's pushing himself to do his best."

5. Air Force Dad Surprises 3rd Grade Son After 1 Year Overseas

This special day highlighted the deep bonds between family, the resilience of military life, and the powerful support within Banning USD.

6. Betty Reid Soskin, Oldest National Park Service Ranger, Dies At 104

"She led a fully packed life and was ready to leave," her family wrote on social media Sunday.

7. 'It Brings Hope': NFL Star Gives Back To Shelter He Once Lived In Ahead Of Thanksgiving

The Los Angeles Chargers star helped deliver 50 turkeys to the Richmond community this past week.

8. 'It's My American Dream' Single Mom Wins Casino House Giveaway

Meet the SoCal mother and grandmother who won a house in the Pechanga Resort Casino Home Sweet Win slot contest this weekend.

9. Legoland Carlsbad Resort To Launch 'Galacticoaster' In 2026

The space-themed indoor roller coaster will be the Carlsbad-based theme park's first new coaster in over two decades.

10. North Bay Senior Turns 100, Celebrates A Century Of Stories

When asked about the secret to her longevity, former Napa resident Josephine "Jo" Seifert offered simple yet timeless advice.

11. Olympic Swimmer Gets Replacement Medals After Palisades Fire

"When tough times happen, you find out who your friends are," Olympic swimmer Gary Hall Jr. said.

12. Orange County Man Celebrates 15,000th Disneyland Ride

A Brea man marked his 15,000th trip on the auto-racing attraction at Disney California Adventure Monday, reports said.

13. Oscar Nominated Actor To Donate Kidney To Complete Stranger

"I'm actually donating my kidney in six weeks," he told TODAY. "I'm so excited to do it."

14. Palisades Playground To Be Restored After Fire, Paid For By Donations

"We must pay special attention to the trauma young people have experienced during this time and support them as we recover," the mayor said.

15. Pleasanton 7-Year-Old Chess Prodigy Aims To Become World's Youngest Grandmaster

California State Champion Varun Karthik Turaga is ranked second nationally at chess for his age group, but wants to go global.

16. Police Officer Saves Choking Baby: Watch

The baby's airway was blocked by a foreign object. The officer's body cam video shows the moment her life was saved.

17. San Ramon Student Writes, Distributes Over 1,000 Activity Booklets To Memory Care Centers Nationwide

Laasya Munjeti created booklets with stimulating activities to help improve the moods and cognition of seniors across the country.

18. San Ramon Students Help Raise $400K For Autism, Found Autism Education Nonprofit

CHS student Danya Prakash's Humanities in Focus is aiming to change the conversation around autism through advocacy and education.

19. Seal Beach Cancer Survivor's Wish To Go To Super Bowl Comes True

Make-A-Wish is delivering the ultimate 2025 Super Bowl experience for a 19-year-old resident of Seal Beach.

20. Special Delivery On I-15: Firefighters Help Pregnant Mom Give Birth

Early Saturday, a 911 caller reported a mom on Highway 74 in labor. These firefighters and medics rushed to her and her new daughter's aid.

21. Teen Saved By Good Samaritan Surfer At Doheny State Beach: Good News

A 13-year-old boy was boogie boarding at Doheny State Beach when he was hit by a paddle board and fractured his skull in the water.

22. Temecula Teacher Donates Kidney To Student, Celebrates 1 Year Later

A Temecula teacher and her 8-year-old student rang the bell at Rady Children's Hospital one year after her living kidney donation.

23. Temecula Valley High Schooler Earns Congressional Award Gold Medal

This local Eagle Scout, a Junior at TVHS, is one of a select few to earn the notable award.

24. Two Years On, This South Bay Garden Continues To Cultivate Community

"It's good for the soul," one community garden member said about her experience.

25. Winning $526.5M Powerball Ticket Sold In Orange County

One lucky California Lottery player needs to check their tickets this weekend, after a jackpot Powerball ticket was sold in Orange County.

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