Birthday Girl Wins Loot; Baby Whale Has Beach Day; Cougar Defies Odds; Million Dollar Lotto Ticket: Saturday Smiles

If you are looking for a lighter news story for your weekend, Patch is here to brighten your day.

Marine Honored For Saving Man From Burning Car

• A Marine once based at Camp Pendleton received a non-combat medal for saving the driver of an overturned vehicle.

WWII Hero Honored At Naval Air Station North Island

• A building at NAS North Island was named in honor of Andrew Mills, a 102-year-old hero of the World War II Battle of Midway.

Scripps Research Institute Ranked No. 1 In Research Quality: Report

• The La Jolla-based facility ranked first in research quality and commercialization of new products, according to the journal Nature.

Coronado Bay Bridge Lighting Project Moves Forward

• VIDEO: See the artist-designed, programmable LED lighting installation.

San Diego Gulls Announce Local TV Schedule

• The six-game television schedule will begin Oct. 13.

Mountain Lion Crosses 101 Freeway In Rare Survival Story

• A young mountain lion has beaten the odds to make it across the 101 Freeway, and he didn't stop there, going on to test fate on the 118 too.

UCLA Medical Center Named Second Best Statewide

• UCLA Medical Center was ranked second best in the state this year in the annual U.S. News and World Report of best hospitals.

Rams Pick Up Sammy Watkins From Buffalo Bills

• The Rams traded away cornerback E.J. Gaines and a pick for Buffalo Bills' former first-round pick Sammy Watkins:

Suspected Killer Of County Supervisor's Brother Arrested After 36 Years

• Authorities announced the arrest of a man suspected of murdering LA County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas' brother in 1981

Cabazon Sheriff's Station Has A New Commander

• Welcome, Capt. Joseph Pemberton!

Bingo! $10,000 Pechanga Prize Goes To Birthday Girl

• This lucky lady walked out of Pechanga $10,000 richer than when she walked in this week.

September 11th Remembrance Planned At Temecula Duck Pond

• The event is slated to last 90 minutes.

'Love Where You Live,' Lake Elsinore: Last 'Clean LE' Event Happening Soon

• This is the last summer litter removal event the City will be hosting for the season.

Morongo Becomes First Tribe In Southern California To Sign VA Agreement

• Native American Direct Loans are offered with no down payment, no private mortgage insurance and competitive interest rates.

600 Pass Area Kids Receive Free Shoes, Backpacks From Morongo

• “If it wasn’t for this program, I don’t know what I’d do," one parent said of the event

Pechanga Hosting Another Large Job Fair This Month, Hundreds Expected

• Interested in working at the local resort but haven't been able to make it to one of the previous events? Now's your chance.

Casting Call! Dancers, Singers Sought for Mission Inn's Famed Lights Festival

• "One of the (festival's) highlights is the opportunity for local & regional community performing arts, music & dance groups to participate."

Shakespeare In The Park Wows Aliso Viejo Audience

• Soka University was the spot for Shakespeare in the Park's Taming of the Shrew in Aliso Viejo.

Laguna Beach Goat Watch: Four Legged Fuel Modification Continues

• These goats are scaling to great heights in Laguna Beach, thanks to Animal Control officers.

Can You Get A DUI While In A Golf Cart? Yes, Ladera Woman Discovers

• This South Orange County woman was arrested on suspicion of DUI while driving her electric "Gem" Golf Cart. Here's what happened.

RSM Little League One Game Out From Little League World Series

• The Rancho Santa Margarita Little League will move on to play in the West Regional Championship game, Saturday. One more game to go

Swimming With Whales: Dana Point Woman Helps Baby Whale "Carly"

• This Dana Point woman who helps others with adaptive paddleboarding experiences also helped a whale near the Dana Point pier.

Baby Gray Whale Stuns Laguna Beachgoers

• A baby gray whale stunned beachgoers this week when it made an appearance in front of the Montage resort property.

$1 Million Winning Lotto Ticket Sold In San Clemente

• The ticket matched 5 numbers, but not the mega number in Tuesday's Mega Millions drawing.