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🌱 Patch AM: Man Ordered 36K Sweatshirts From Laguna Beach Vendor And Never Paid, Prosecutors Say

Spotted on the Laguna Beach calendar: Museum of Make Believe

Saturday May 23rd Patch AM

What's up Laguna Beach! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

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In today's newsletter:

  • Glendale man accused of stiffing Laguna Beach vendor on 36,000 sweatshirts
  • How are SchoolPower grants transforming STEAM learning in Laguna Beach classrooms?
  • What changes will Laguna Beach schools see under new superintendent Don Austin?

Also on today's calendar: Here Comes The Sun: A Group Exhibition Featuring James Wolanin, Matt Bilfield, Rebecca Jack, Swan Sc and 2 more events.

Today's riddle: What's the difference between a hippo and a Zippo? 🤔 (Answer below!)


Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Turning sunny; cool, with a high of 67 and low of 59 degrees.
  • Sunday: Areas of low clouds, then sun, temps: high: 68, low: 61.
  • Monday: Low clouds, then sun and cool, with a high of 67 and low of 63 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Man Ordered 36K Sweatshirts From Laguna Beach Vendor And Never Paid, Prosecutors Say (patch.com) — A Laguna Beach vendor is at the center of an alleged large-scale sweatshirt fraud case after a Glendale man was accused of ordering 36,000 garments and paying only a small portion of the bill. Prosecutors say the 2024 transaction left the local business short hundreds of thousands of dollars, while a judge set bail at $50,000 as the defendant faces multiple felony charges.    

2. SchoolPower grants bring hands-on STEAM 052226 (stunewslaguna.com) — Laguna Beach elementary, middle, and high school students are getting richer hands-on STEAM experiences thanks to more than $250,000 in SchoolPower educator grants this school year. From marshmallow catapults and coding robots to drones, marine ecology, and a new LBHS garden, the funding is expanding science labs and field experiences across all four Laguna Beach Unified campuses.    

3. Former Laguna Beach High School Principal Named Superintendent (lagunabeachindy.com) — Laguna Beach Unified has hired former Laguna Beach High School principal Don Austin as its new superintendent, effective July 1, following a board-approved separation with Dr. Jason Glass. An interim superintendent will bridge the transition in June while Austin’s contract heads for board approval, with trustees emphasizing stability, academic progress, and familiarity with the Laguna Beach community.    

4. School Notes 052226 (stunewslaguna.com) — Two Laguna Beach students are earning big academic honors beyond town: Jack Gallo made the spring 2026 Dean’s List at Southeast Missouri State University, and Simon Yang just graduated from Harvey Mudd College with an engineering degree. The piece also invites local families to share future college news with Stu News Laguna.    

5. Corona del Mar botanical garden unleashes ‘Dog Days of Sherman' exhibition (latimes.com subscription) — Laguna Beach art fans may recognize Elizabeth Laul Healey, who grew up locally and previously displayed her giant rainbow-spotted dog sculpture outside Laguna Beach City Hall, now headlining a playful canine art takeover at Sherman Library & Gardens in Corona del Mar. Through Labor Day, visitors can explore six mosaic dog sculptures and join special pet-themed events, from Yappy Hours to art classes.    


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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Hazmat incident prompts evacuations in Garden Grove, California.
    6:24PM on May 21: Authorities are responding to a hazardous materials incident at the GKN Aerospace facility on Western Avenue in Garden Grove… (Nextdoor )
  • Here are the official documents for Dr.
    Jason Glass and the district’s mutual separation agreement provided by LBUSD. Link here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/123-uvpC6HO… (Nextdoor The Village)
  • Yogurtland posted a job opening for Store Associate in Laguna Niguel. Apply here.
  • Kroger posted a job opening for Courtesy Clerk/Grocery Bagger in Laguna Woods. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Laguna Beach here.

Ok Laguna Beach! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: One weighs a ton, and the other is a little lighter (Thank you Laurie B. for sending it in!)Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!


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