Hey hey Newport Beach! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: The 5th Annual A Great Day in the Stoke - 2026 and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: How do billboards talk? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Flooding Swamps OC Beach Town, Local Emergency Declared In Newport Beach (patch.com) — Newport Beach has declared a local emergency after elevated tides sent seawater across Balboa Peninsula streets, prompting safety warnings and an all-out response by city crews. Officials are rebuilding sand berms, operating pumps and tidal valves, and offering free sandbags as a coastal flood advisory tied to Hurricane Rachel brings high surf and potential erosion to vulnerable neighborhoods. Residents are urged to avoid flooded roads and prepare for several more days of challenging coastal conditions.
2. Newport Beach Film Festival 100926 (stunewsnewport.com) — Newport Beach residents can look forward to the film festival returning October 15–22, bringing more than 100 feature films, 250 shorts, and numerous celebrity appearances to local venues like Regal Edwards Big Newport and the Lido Theater. Expect Q&As, nightly parties, culinary tastings from 60-plus partners, and Festival Honors at Balboa Bay Resort, all expected to draw tens of thousands to town.
3. Police issue warning before low-flying helicopter stuns guests at Newport Beach Country Club gala (abc7.com) — Newport Beach residents may have heard loud noise and seen smoke Thursday night as a fundraising gala at Newport Beach Country Club featured a dramatic low-flying helicopter stunt with fireworks and colored smoke. Police had warned the community in advance about the planned flyover, while attendees later shared viral video from the SEAL Future Foundation event supporting Navy SEALs transitioning to civilian life.
4. Neeld Family Vineyards Planning Newport Beach Location (whatnow.com) — A new Neeld Family Vineyards operation is planned for 16 Morning Light in Newport Beach, with state records showing pending licenses for wholesale and off-sale beer and wine. The filing doesn't yet clarify whether the site will serve as a retail shop, wholesale hub, or both, and no opening date or tasting plans have been confirmed.
5. Newport Beach, CA, Mourns Aaron Cheyne Mason After Reported Surfing Accident (theunionstar.com) — Newport Beach residents are mourning Aaron Cheyne Mason after reports of a surfing-related incident, as a moving tribute from Kaylee Mason highlights his generosity and possible life-saving final act. While official details about the accident and arrangements remain unconfirmed, the story underscores his legacy of kindness and the broader importance of organ donation and water safety in a surf-centered community.
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Ok Newport 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: "How do billboards talk?" — Sign language (Thank you Ellen S. for sending it in!)
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