The Lead
City implements comprehensive plan to address Laguna’s parking woes
By Jackie Connor, Special to the Independent
In a decisive move to tackle Laguna Beach’s chronic parking issues, the city council agreed on a multifaceted plan to expand parking capacity and improve enforcement of parking regulations and laws. The plan will use existing lots, negotiate lease agreements with private property...
Sawdust Art Festival Extends Philanthropic Hand to Local Artists
Festival exhibitors donate original works to benefit the Artists’ Benevolence Fund auction
Since its genesis in 1967, the Sawdust Art Festival has played an indispensable role in supporting the careers of Laguna Beach artists. With its two annual events—the summer festival, held from June to August, and Winter Fantasy in...
Kevin Snow Set to Retire After 44-Year Career as Marine Safety Chief
Kai Bond Promoted to Laguna Beach Marine Safety Chief
Marine Safety Chief Kevin Snow has announced he will retire next month after serving 44 years with the Laguna Beach Marine Safety Department.
Snow is officially set to leave his post on Aug. 18.
Laguna Beach Marine Safety Acting Chief and Captain Kai...
Aquagrom raises 11K and counting for local beaches
The second annual Aquagrom, spearheaded by 12-year-old Alia Marriner, raised more than $11,000 for ocean conservation last Saturday after 25 ocean-savvy local groms took to the water for an abbreviated version of the longstanding Aquathon - a locally organized swim, climbing and walking event along Laguna’s coves and coastline from...
UPDATED: Presidential Democratic fundraiser in Laguna Beach postponed
UPDATED as of Wednesday, July 26:
The Biden campaign announced yesterday that Friday's Laguna Beach fundraiser for the President's re-election has been postponed following the recent news that the incumbent has dropped out of the race. The private event is now said to center around Vice President Kamala Harris'...
Remembering Elisabeth Brown, a visionary in Orange County land conservation
Elisabeth ‘Liz’ Brown, biologist and inspirational Orange County advocate for open space and wildlife habitat protection, died peacefully on July 6 at the age of 81. A beloved figure in the Southern California environmental community, she served as president of Laguna Greenbelt, Inc. from 1985 to 2019. During that...
LBHS Boys Basketball, athletic boosters to host ‘Battle at the Beach’
Laguna Beach High School's Boys Basketball Team and LBHS Athletic Boosters will host a summer tournament starting this Friday at 9 a.m. at Dugger Gym.
"This is the first boys basketball tournament hosted by Laguna Beach High School since any of us can remember," said Jimmy Azadian, LBHS Boys Basketball...
City streamlines Laguna Beach artists’ live-work occupancy process
By Jackie Connor, Special to the Independent
In a unanimous vote, Laguna Beach City Council approved expediting the application process for artists seeking live-work spaces, amending section 25.16 of the city’s municipal code and local coastal program during Tuesday's regular meeting held July 11.
The code requires the three-person artist review...
Visitors flock to Laguna for July 4 weekend
With beach chairs, coolers and umbrellas in tow, visitors braved heavy traffic and congested beaches to enjoy Laguna Beach's coastline on the Fourth of July holiday.
According to the National Weather Service, temperatures soared into the triple digits last week, causing a heatwave in Southern California's interior areas and valleys,...
Council candidate Judie Mancuso runs on environmentally conscious platform
A self-described "true environmentalist," 30-year Laguna Beach resident Judie Mancuso has entered the city council candidacy ring for the third time.
Already a few months into her campaign, Mancuso is running on a platform focused on public health and safety, environmental stewardship, climate resiliency and sustainability, community-led government, small business...