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🌱 Patch AM: How much new county money is flowing into Laguna Beach?

Happening soon: Chanukah Comedy Night with Sandy Hackett on the Laguna Beach Patch calendar

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Morning Laguna Beach! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How much new county money is flowing into Laguna Beach?
  • How Barbara’s Lake became Laguna Beach’s hidden natural landmark
  • How does Laguna Beach stack up in this season’s water polo race?

Also on today's calendar: Chanukah Comedy Night with Sandy Hackett .

Find out what's happening in Laguna Beachfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: Jimmy, did you crash on your bike again? You’ve lost a tooth! 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Laguna Beachfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Sunday: Areas of fog, then sun, with a high of 64 and low of 52 degrees.
  • Monday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 65, low: 46.
  • Tuesday: Sunny to partly cloudy, with a high of 67 and low of 53 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. County supervisor highlights local investments 121225 (stunewslaguna.com) — County Supervisor Katrina Foley outlined millions in recent county investments benefiting Laguna Beach, from Laguna Canyon Road utility undergrounding and fire‑safety HeloPods to grants for Laguna Art Museum, Laguna Radio and Laguna Dance. She emphasized streamlining small-business permitting, bolstering wildfire response and supporting arts and parks to improve daily life for residents and visitors.
   

2. What's in a name? Check out the origin stories for five OC spots (ocregister.com) — Laguna Beach readers might be surprised to learn Barbara’s Lake in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park is the largest natural lake in Orange County, created when two smaller ponds merged. A local environmentalist shares the colorful backstory of both Barbara and the famed hippo Bubbles, while the article also explores the origins of several other well-known Orange County place names.
   

3. Girls water polo preview: Talented Mater Dei focused on daily journey (fresnobee.com) — Laguna Beach High’s girls water polo team enters the season as the reigning CIF-SS Division 1 champion, highlighted in new county rankings that also spotlight standout players across Orange County. The preview focuses on Mater Dei’s powerhouse roster and key tournaments, but notes Laguna Beach’s younger talent, including freshman center Resi Leverty, as players for local fans to watch.
   

4. Family's donation leads to plan to build home for UCI MIND researchers (latimes.com subscription) — A Laguna Beach family has pledged a transformative $50 million lead gift to build a dedicated new home for UCI’s Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND). Local resident Ann Quilter, honored with the naming of the future building, hopes the facility will accelerate research, expand community education, and improve access to dementia studies for Orange County residents.
   

5. Encinitas City Council hires new law firm, welcomes interim city attorney (sandiegouniontribune.com) — Laguna Beach gets a brief nod as the new Encinitas interim city attorney previously served as an assistant city attorney here, adding to his regional municipal experience. Encinitas has hired his law firm on an hourly contract with detailed rate increases set for mid-2026, as the council shifts legal direction on housing and other city issues.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Percy is missing.
    Last night he broke through a screen. There was no letting my cats out. They are strictly indoor. I don’t need admonishment. I need help.My Boy is… (Nextdoor South Laguna Village)
  • SPAY and NEUTER !!!!
    Seeing all the suffering and sad animals about to be put to death is heart wrenching. I would like to see EVERY Veterinarian have a spay and neuter… (Nextdoor The Village)
  • JC Resorts, LLC posted a job opening for Uniform Attendant & Tailor in Laguna Beach. Apply here.
  • Xperience XRG posted a job opening for Patio Busser - Las Brisas in Laguna Beach. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Laguna Beach here.

Ok Laguna Beach! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I didn’t lose a tooth, Mom. It’s right here in my pocket.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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