$500K Jackpot; Best New Restaurants; Viral Street Vendor: Saturday Smiles

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — To keep your weekend light, Patch presents some positive Southern California stories from the past week — many that hopefully will brighten your day.

Animals

Pit Bull Befriends Firefighters At Line Fire Command Post

Cal Fire crews took in a pit bull they found wandering around a Beaumont command post, and he could be in need of a new forever home.

Arts and Entertainment

Ewan McGregor Gets His Walk of Fame Star

"I'm so moved that I'm close to my old friend, Carrie Fisher, on the pavement here," said the "Trainspotting," and "Star Wars" actor.

Business

Praying Street Vendor Goes Viral In the South Bay: Report

A fruit vendor's moment of faith before starting his workday went viral on TikTok, helping him in his goal to provide for his family.

San Diego International Granted $26.3M For Infrastructure Improvements

"Californians and the millions of visitors we get each year deserve a safer, smoother airport experience," Sen. Alex Padilla said.

SoCal Eatery Among Nation's Best New Restaurants: Bon Appetit

From Cantonese "drinking food" to homestyle Persian eats, Bon Appétit was wowed by three California restaurants.

Community

County Supervisors OK $2.3M For Health-Based Programs

The state grant will be used to promote health-based education programs in underserved communities.

Grant Will Help Scripps Study Climate Impact On Marine Life Brains

The funding, from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, will establish the Allen Discovery Center for Neurobiology in Changing Environments.

Player Wins Over $500K Jackpot At Valley View Casino

The player bet $1 to win the "Super Grand Progressive Jackpot."

San Diego County Supervisors Approve Climate Action Plan

The plan was 15 years in the making, Vice Chair Terra Lawson-Remer said.

Events

Stockzilla Coming This Weekend To Santee Lakes

The two-day stock event will bring 3,500 pounds of catfish to Santee Lakes.

Schools

191 San Diego Students Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists

The students are among more than 16,000 semifinalists in the running to be named a National Merit Scholar.

CSULB Signs Updated Scholarship Program Agreement With Coast Guard

The College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative offers scholarships to students who want to join the U.S. Coast Guard.

Long Beach Students Named National Merit Semifinalists

Four students in Long Beach scored among the top one percent of all high school seniors in the country in the PSATs.

Los Alamitos Students Named National Merit Semifinalists

Seven students in Los Alamitos scored among the top one percent of all high school seniors in the country in the PSATs.

Manhattan Beach Students Named National Merit Semifinalists

Seven students in Manhattan Beach scored among the top one percent of all high school seniors in the country in the PSATs.

Palos Verdes Students Named National Merit Semifinalists

28 students in Palos Verdes scored among the top one percent of all high school seniors in the country in the PSATs.

Redondo Beach Students Named National Merit Semifinalists

Seven students in Redondo Beach scored among the top one percent of all high school seniors in the country in the PSATs.

These 3 CA Colleges Among Top 10 In America, WSJ Ranking Says

Among the ranking's top 50 schools, California had 17, more than any other state, according to the Journal.

Sports

Olympic, Paralympic Flags Mark New Chapter In Olympic Games In SoCal

LA displayed the Olympic and Paralympic flags and torch, marking the city as the home of the 2028 Olympic Games.

San Diego State To Join Pac-12 Conference

"We are ecstatic to be joining the Pac-12 Conference," said John David Wicker, SDSU director of athletics.