Briefly In The News

City gets grants to beef up police positions

The Laguna Beach City Council has accepted a $100,000 state grant to fund permanent positions in the Police Department.

The grant is made from the Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund, established through the Citizens Option for Public Safety Grant, or COPS, which was signed into law in 1996. The Clinton administration program funds local frontline law enforcement services.

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Design Guidelines team honored

Zoning Administrator Liane Schuller, who created Laguna’s award-winning Design Guidelines for residential development, and volunteer committee members were honored at the May 17 Laguna Beach City Council meeting.

The Orange County section of the American Planners Assn. announced the merit award for focused issue planning that month.

The code sets maximums on square footage, height and lot coverage.

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Church plans blood drive for June 26

A Red Cross blood drive will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 26 at Laguna Presbyterian Church, 415 Forest Ave.

Community members are encouraged to donate to help replenish depleted supplies. Those who donate will be required to present ID. Appointments may be scheduled at https://www.RedCrossBlodd.org, Sponsor Code: lagunanap, or by calling the church office at (949) 494-7555.

Participants will receive a coupon for a free taco at Wahoo’s and two tickets to the Laugh Factory, and may also enter a drawing for a $500 gas card.

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City to open electric car charging stations

The first electric car charging stations in Laguna Beach will be inaugurated at 4 p.m. Tuesday, according to City Manager John Pietig’s Friday Update from June 10. The two stations will be near Forest Avenue and Broadway. The stations are part of the Chargepoint America network, provided through a grant from the U.S. Dept. of Energy.

The spaces may be used in four-hour intervals with the first four hours of charging provided for free, according to Pietig. The charging stations are a pilot project and will be evaluated in October by the City Council, which may modify the program based on recommendations of city staff.

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Barnard to visit library

The Laguna Beach Library will host author Bryn Barnard, who will discuss and sign his latest book, “The Genius of Islam: How Muslims Made the Modern World” at 11 a.m. June 25. Barnard grew up in Laguna Beach, according to librarian Rebecca Porter. For information, call (949) 497-1733.

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Crevier creates fund at Laguna foundation

Donnie Crevier, a local philanthropist and businessman, has created a donor advised fund at the Laguna Beach Community Foundation. He also has made a $25,000 unrestricted donation to the foundation.

“I believe in our Laguna Beach community and its nonprofits,” Crevier said. “During these difficult times, there are many needs that could use our support.”

For more information, visit https://www.lagunabeachcommunityfoundation.org.

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Food Group to sell seedlings Saturday

Transition Laguna Beach Food Group will be at the farmer’s market Saturday selling vegetable seedlings. Seedlings include tomatoes, peppers, arugula, herbs, Swiss chard, lettuce, cilantro and squash, many from seeds harvested in Laguna. All have been organically grown in Laguna Beach, according to Food Group spokeswoman Gloria Broming.

The Food Group’s booth is located at the back of the market on Local’s Lane.

—Compiled by Cindy Frazier