The death of a 51-year-old diver, who was unresponsive when pulled from the ocean at a popular dive spot in Laguna Beach, remains under investigation, according to the county coroner. An autopsy was performed on the body of Mark Gibbs, of Tustin, but no ruling was made on the cause of death pending the outcome [...]
A 51-year-old diver reported missing from a morning diving class in Laguna Beach’s Shaw’s Cove was pulled “unresponsive” from the water Friday by rescue personnel, who immediately began performing CPR on the victim, police said. Laguna lifeguards, police and fire officials who responded to the scene learned that one of the participants in a diving [...]
Olympic gold medalist swimmer Kaitlin Sandeno visited Fullerton’s Orange County SoCal Diving to reinforce the important values embraced by the club, including strength, discipline, and determination. Assistant Coach Tyce Routson said, “Kaitlin possesses a ‘can do’ mindset that a true role model passes onto the next generation of young athletes.” Sandeno’s message hit home with [...]
“From birth, man carries the weight of gravity on his shoulders. He is bolted to earth. But man has only to sink beneath the surface and he is free.” –Jacques Yves Cousteau The ocean has to be both the greatest escape and one of the best reset buttons that exists for me. It is [...]
Laguna Beach’s MacGillivray Freeman Films will join an underwater expedition next week led by renowned biologist Dr. Sylvia Earle and a team of aquanauts to the world’s only remaining undersea laboratory, Aquarius Reef Base, located in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The initiative will feature real-time programming to highlight the value of undersea exploration [...]
By Ben Bodart, Special to the Independent As is his habit, Laguna Beach resident and surfer Ian McErlane, 37, was out walking his two dogs in Heisler Park recently when red-flag surf conditions transformed the routine into life-saving heroism. McErlane’s attention was drawn to people on Picnic Beach, who were watching the waves [...]
By Monica Petrova, Special to the Independent A crowd of spectators swarmed the sands of Treasure Island Beach on Sunday, patiently awaiting the guests of honor. Two California seals named Atlas and Solstice were to be released back into the wild after spending almost four months in rehab at Laguna Beach’s Pacific Marine Mammal Center. [...]
By Horst Noppenberger, Special to the Independent Laguna Beach High School’s boys soccer team was awarded a wild card berth in the CIF play-offs and played El Segundo at home Tuesday, Feb. 14. The playoff spot came as a result of a strong finish for the Breakers during the final three games of [...]
In the first major violation of Marine Protected Areas that took affect on Jan. 1, game wardens cracked down on suspected poachers offshore Laguna Beach and seized 47 California spiny lobsters from night divers on Saturday, Jan. 15. From their patrol boat, Department of Fish and Game wardens observed Marbel A. Para, 30, of Romoland, [...]
Editor, With the great weather and the holidays, the first two days of the new year almost felt like summer. These were also the first two days of our new Marine Protected Areas. It was great to see so many people enjoying themselves on the beach, exploring the tidepools and despite the cold [...]
Local recreational diver Norm Cole gave up fishing local waters decades ago, when the state imposed a moratorium on hunting abalone. “That was the end of my game taking in Laguna,” said Cole, who still fishes occasionally but nevertheless supports the imposition of a fishing ban effective Oct. 1. The impact of new marine [...]
Police Use Taser to Subdue Assault Suspect
An assault involving three men escalated into a struggle with Laguna Beach police, who ultimately deployed a taser twice to subdue the younger combative suspect in the 300 block of Cozumel around 1:15 a.m. Friday, May 10, police said. Police ultimately arrested Laguna Beach resident Sergio Gabriel Borgognone, 51, for allegedly resisting arrest and his [...]
