Laguna Beach

Clinic Gets Help: The Laguna Beach City Council has approved an interest-free $30,000 loan to the city’s Community Clinic in an effort to keep the 15 year-old health care facility open despite mounting fiscal problems. Center officials sought the six-month loan in the face of more patients seeking services, higher prices for medical supplies and a backlog of $50,000 in state reimbursements and grant funds which have been delayed. The facility began charging fees this week and had to change its name from the Free Clinic to the Community Clinic. Council members voted 4 to 1 for the loan, with Councilwoman Martha Collison dissenting.