$5M Lottery Ticket + 33 Pets Rescued + New Toll Lanes: 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

9 Orphaned Coyotes Returned To Wild In San Diego County

Project Wildlife staff released the coyotes on the Eagle Peak Preserve near Julian.

33 Pets Rescued From Flooded Home In San Diego County

San Diego Humane Society officers rescued 30 dogs, two chickens and one cat.

Arts and Entertainment

Lego World Parade Coming To An End At Legoland California Resort

There are three more dates to catch the summertime parade.

Business

Amazon Opens Its 1st US Wildfire/Disaster Relief Hub In Inland Empire

The hub is storing supplies that will enable Amazon to deploy critical relief to communities across the U.S. affected by wildfires.

Global Gelato Brand To Open Storefront In Newport Beach

The acclaimed gelato brand Gelatissimo is opening two new storefronts in Orange County as part of its U.S. expansion.

Quinceañera Industry Tapped For Lake Elsinore Outlets Event Hall

A large hall is opening at the mall for private parties and special events. Quinceañeras are expected to be the venue's biggest bookings.

SusieCakes Opens New Location At The Forum Carlsbad

SusieCakes offers an array of classic American desserts.

Community

County Opens Waitlists For 3 Affordable Housing Developments

The new housing developments feature supportive units for seniors, low-income families and disabled adults experiencing homelessness.

Parsons Foundation Grants $300K To Armed Services YMCA For Childcare

According to the YMCA, there is a 148-child waitlist for the Fisher Children's Center on the base, which is operated by the YMCA.

San Diego County Unveils Interactive Affordable Housing Map

The County-Restricted Affordable Housing Map allows people to search by location and learn details about each property.

USD Alum Jonny Kim Assigned To First Space Station Mission

NASA astronaut Jonny Kim earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from the University of San Diego.

Winning $5 Million Lottery Ticket Sold At Temecula ARCO

Another winning ticket worth $2,151,945 was sold earlier this year at a Cathedral City Stater Bros. The unclaimed ticket expires Sept. 1.

Events

42nd Annual Malibu Chili Cook-Off Kicks Off Labor Day Weekend

Cooks will compete for the title of top chili and fan favorite at the 2024 Malibu Chili Cook-Off this Labor Day weekend.

Big Bang On The Bay Returns This Labor Day In Long Beach

The Big Bang on the Bay will happen this Labor Day Weekend after it was postponed in July.

Restaurants

New French Cafe Opens Along Historic Southwest Riverside County Street

If you haven't visited Lake Elsinore's Main Street recently, Le Rendez-Vous Cafe might be a good reason to make the trek.

Popular CA Burger Chain To Open OC Location

In-N-Out is opening a new location in Orange County just five minutes from Disneyland. Here's what to know.

Texas-Based Hot Chicken Chain Coming To San Diego

The store marks Houston TX Hot Chicken's third California restaurant and 20th nationwide.

The Habit Burger Grill To Change Its Name

The Irvine-based fast-casual food chain will be changing its name, according to multiple reports.

Schools

SDSU HealthLink Center Gets $22M For Projects For Underserved People

The funding will support SDSU and SDSU Imperial Valley health research and services through March 2029, according to a university statement.

Sports

First Holiday Bowl At Snapdragon Stadium Slated Dec. 27

Tickets will go on sale to the general public in September.

Travel

New Toll Lanes Coming To Long Stretch Of Interstate 10

Four new toll lanes — two on each side of the freeway — are set to open Thursday and are designed to relieve traffic congestion inland.

San Diego Airport Opens New 2,800-Plus Parking Space Parking Plaza

The five-story T1 Parking Plaza is opening in two stages.