The Laguna Beach Independent

Established in 2003 and taken over by Firebrand Media LLC in January 2009, the Laguna Beach Independent serves as the community newspaper for Laguna Beach, California. We cover a range of topics including local news, political updates, arts and cultural festivals, news features, as well as local sports and events.

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Sports Update: Winter Sports Honors

1 week ago | lagunabeachindy.com | Frank Aronoff

BOYS BASKETBALL Coach: Rus Soobzokov (3rd Year) W 12, L 16 7th Place All-Pacific Coast League: 1st Team – Ryan Cheng (Sr), 2nd Team – Damian Reider (Sr) GIRLS BASKETBALL Coach: Rus Soobzokov (2nd Year) W 20, L 10 - Pacific Hill League Champions CIF: Lost in D-4AA 2nd Round All-Pacific Hills League: League MVP – Kate Cheng (Sr) 1st Team – Fiona McCormick (Fr), Lily Alvarado (Jr) 2nd Team – Alicia Mendoza (Sr), Lillina Reider (So) All-CIF – Div 4AA – Kate Cheng (2nd Team) BOYS SOCCER Coach:...
Opinion: Let’s make music, not excuses

1 week ago | lagunabeachindy.com | Billy Fried

I wish to thank the Festival of Arts Board for addressing my frustrations over the difficulty of staging concerts at our precious and iconic Irvine Bowl. I am heartened to see you agree that “live concerts benefit everyone,” and that you are “motivated to ensure their success.” So, let’s turn that motivation into action. It’s time to take a hard, solutions-based look at what’s been inhibiting concerts and how to overcome them.
Laguna welcomes Surfing Heritage and Culture Center

1 week ago | lagunabeachindy.com | Ella Boyd

If you live and surf in Orange County, or really anywhere in Southern California, you’ve likely visited the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center in San Clemente, better known by its clever acronym, SHACC. While the exhibits, events and space left nothing to be desired, the location, being in an industrial and out-of-the-way part of east San Clemente, lacked foot traffic.
Jason Glass tapped to lead LBUSD as superintendent

1 week ago | lagunabeachindy.com | Clara Beard

The Laguna Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) Board has unanimously approved a new superintendent. The announcement, made in open session at the district’s May 22 meeting, marks the end of a four-month search process. “We think this is really exciting news and we hope you do too,” board president Dee Perry said at the opening of last Thursday’s meeting. “I’m very proud of our board for pulling together and choosing a candidate that we can all get behind.
Laguna Beach father dead, daughter seriously injured in Memorial Day collision at Aliso Creek Plaza Shopping Center

1 week ago | lagunabeachindy.com | Clara Beard

LATEST UPDATE at 3:50 p.m., Tuesday May 27A single-vehicle collision in South Laguna claimed the life of a Laguna Beach father and seriously injured his daughter yesterday afternoon when their vehicle careened over a 40-foot embankment, landing on the sidewalk of Coast Highway, according to the Laguna Beach Police Department. Local authorities have identified the man as 64-year-old James Politoski, LBPD spokesperson Lt. Jesse Schmidt stated today.
Laguna Beach Books hosts book launch for local author

2 weeks ago | lagunabeachindy.com | Clara Beard

Laguna Beach Books recently hosted a book release party for local author Michael Gamerl’s debut travel memoir, “The Wayfarer: Stories from a Traveler Looking to Experience Real Life in Other Countries.”The event took place on Sunday, May 4 at the bookstore's location in The Old Pottery Place at 1200 South Coast Highway. “The Wayfarer” features a collection of personal travel essays inspired by Gamerl’s philosophy of immersing in local cultures as a respectful outsider.
Spring Sports Update: Week of May 23

2 weeks ago | lagunabeachindy.com | Frank Aronoff

Baseball (25-4)The most successful season in 86 years of Laguna Beach High School baseball ended in the CIF Southern Section top-division playoffs, as the Breakers were eliminated in the round of 16 with a home loss. The team surprised many this spring, consistently finding ways to win in unexpected moments. Several key players are set to return next season, including Jackson Arrasin, Otis Boultinghouse, Lincoln Adams, Dylan Yencho, Parker Moore and Branson Wade.
LB Police honor Officer Jon Coutchie at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

2 weeks ago | lagunabeachindy.com | Clara Beard

Members of the Laguna Beach Police Department recently traveled to Arlington National Cemetery to take part in a wreath-laying ceremony honoring Jon Coutchie, an Army veteran and police motor officer, who died while pursuing a reckless driver in the line of duty on Sept. 21, 2013.
Local teen signs with Canadian junior hockey team

2 weeks ago | lagunabeachindy.com | Clara Beard

Laguna Beach’s own Jonathan Gomez is heading north to join the Canmore Eagles, a team in Canada’s Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), after wrapping up a standout high school hockey career at Fairmont Prep Academy. Gomez, a longtime Laguna Beach resident, first laced up his skates at the age of six, transitioning quickly from roller hockey to the ice.
Spring Sports Update: Week of May 16

3 weeks ago | lagunabeachindy.com | Frank Aronoff

BASEBALL (13-1, 24-3) – Breakers Seeded # 25 – In Top Division PlayoffsLaguna, with their highest regular season ranking in 86 years of the baseball program, opened their post-season play this past Thursday at #8 Summit (Fontana), with the winner advancing to the round of 16 on May 20 against the winner of #24 Centennial/Corona at #9 Norco contest. The Summit SkyHawks are 25-3 and have won 22 straight, capturing the Sunkist League with a perfect 12-0 run.