Saturday Smiles: Summer Fun; Team Building; National Honors; and Pets Galore!

Need a break from bad news? Here are a few of our favorite uplifting headlines and photos from Southern California.

Group Devises Nice Way To Tell Your Neighbors They're Water-Wasters

"Dear Neighbor" notes can be downloaded and left at the offenders' homes ...

Saturday Smiles: Record Set on Giant Surfboard; Humorous Tattoo on Wounded Warrior;

Need a break from bad news? Here are a few of our favorite uplifting headlines and photos from Southern California.

Jury Blames South County Care Facility for the Death of Disabled Boy

A jury found Mission Viejo's live-in care facility Lonika Homes Inc. at fault for the death of a 15-year-old disabled boy.

Gas Prices Freefall: Find the Cheapest Stations in Town

Gas prices have fallen daily for the past 38 days. Here are the best prices around to help you kick off the summer.

Community Rallies for Teen Injured in Diving Accident

A Jserra and water polo player is facing paralysis after suffering a diving accident while on vacation.

Beware, Rancho Santa Margarita: Another Drought-Related Problem Is Rabies

Health officials stress that the disease is 100 percent preventable and urge the public to keep their pets vaccinated.

Look Up To the Sky As Venus And Jupiter 'Collide'

The king and queen of planets – dazzling Venus and bold Jupiter – will appear to nearly collide throughout June, plus meteor shower outlook.

Saturday Smiles: Pups on Paddleboards; Arnold Pranks Tourists; Mom and (Big) Baby Giraffe

Need a break from bad news? Here are a few of our favorite uplifting headlines and photos from Southern California.

Power Malfunction Dims the Lights in Rancho Santa Margarita

About 125,000 San Diego Gas & Electric customers experience a partial loss of power Monday morning. Crews are investigating the cause.

Rancho Santa Margarita: Are You Ready for the Next Earthquake?

The new film 'San Andreas' has residents checking supplies and buying new preparedness kits.

Gas Prices Slide: Find the Cheapest Stations Around

Local gas prices dropped for the 19th straight day. Patch has your guide to the cheapest gas stations around town.

14 Seal Lions Released After Chlorine Attack

The Pacific Marine Mammal Center was able to treat and release 14 of the 17 seal lions injured in last month's chlorine attack today.

What Dog Owners Should Know About Dog Flu

Experts want to avoid panic but the virus, which has made its way to California, can be deadly. We have prevention tips you need to know.

Racist Flyer Telling Black Tenants to Be Quiet Is a Mystery, Property Management Says

The Toscana Apartments property firm denies posting a flier asking African Americans to "keep it down." A photo of the flyer went viral.

Giant Orange Tank Headed to California Science Center

The space shuttle external fuel tank will become part of the Endeavor exhibit.

OC Gas Prices Drop: Find the Cheapest Prices Around Town

Local gas prices dropped for the 10th straight day. Patch has your guide to the cheapest gas stations around town.

12 Great Whites Linger in Surf, Coyote Bites Kid, Sea Lion Walks into a Bar

Patch has had a wide array of unique animal stories from around the state this week. Some of the photos are incredible.

'We Card Everyone' -- Even Sea Lions -- in Orange County Bar

Add this to the list of the oddest places in California to come across a pinniped.

An Update From Patch

You can continue to enjoy Patch, but updates will be on hold for a day while we do some maintenance.

Police Snatch Piper 'The Wonder Cat' from the Jaws of Coyote

The only cat in his litter to survive a dog attack, Piper again lived up to his nickname when he escaped the jaws of a hungry Newport coyote

Uber Will Drive Your Donations to Goodwill Today

Uber drivers are partnering with Goodwill Southern California to pick up your clothing donations for free until 4 p.m. Saturday.

Abandoned Newborn Meets His Rescuer 25 Years Later

In trying to find the woman who left him to die moments after birth, Robin Barton instead found his rescuer, father and five sisters.

Goose That Survived with Arrow Through Its Neck Dies Following Surgery

OC Animal Control officials had been trying to capture the Egyptian goose wandering the hills with an arrow through its neck for days.

Preemie Grows Up to Save the Life of the Doctor Who Saved Him

Thirty years after Dr. Michael Shannon saved his life as an extreme preemie, OC Paramedic Chris Trokey returned the favor.

Tidal Energy - The Next Big Wave

San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant - From Nuclear Power Generation to Ocean Current Power Generation - Its a possibility!

Crystal Cathedral's 'Hour of Power' Televangelist Robert H. Schuller in Critical Condition

Robert H. Schuller, 88, is hospitalized in critical condition and hasn't eaten for days. His family says he is resting peacefully.

Stay Out of the Water! Spill Gushes Tons of Raw Sewage in San Clemente

A mile-long stretch of beach around the San Clemente Pier has been closed for health reasons because of a sewage spill.

It's National Puppy Day! So Gush About Yours!

We want to celebrate your pup on Patch.com. If you don't have one, you can adopt this guy at the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center.

7 Kids Burned in Coto De Caza YMCA Science Experiment Gone Wrong

Firefighters were called to aid seven children at a Cata De Coza YMCA after they touched burning soap that was part of a science experiment.

Anti-Vaxxers to Blame for Disneyland Measles Outbreak, Report Concludes

The measles outbreak was able to spread far and wide because of the prevalence of unvaccinated people, reseachers found.

Parishioners March from Trabuco Canyon to San Juan Capistrano for Missing Woman

The marchers are trying to raise awareness about the search for Erica Alonso.

Dalai Lama to Celebrate 80th Birthday in OC

The Dalai Lama will take part in a Global Compassion Summit and series of events scheduled around Orange County in July.

Record-Breaking Heat Wave Headed Your Way

Hot, windy weather is expected to bring temperatures 20 degrees above normal.

Rancho Santa Margarita Gas Prices Spike a Dollar: Find the Cheapest Gas Near You

With gas prices up a $1 over the last month, it pays to find the cheapest gas around.

Injured Search and Rescue Volunteer Settles Suit Against Lost Trabuco Hiker

A volunteer, who broke his back trying to help find two missing hikers, sued one, alleging she created the emergency through negligence.

Nuclear Waste: Here or Elsewhere?

Nuclear experts meet to discuss the dilemma of storing radioactive waste

Hello, Again, Winter! Cold Wet Weather Returns

A cold storm from the Northwest is expected to bring rain and snow at low mountain levels.

Where Are the Worst Parking Lots in Rancho Santa Margarita?

Is there a parking lot in town that you avoid at all costs?

Plastic Bag Ban Suspended as Opponents Get Referendum on Ballot

Opponents of a new law banning single-use plastic bags have gained enough signatures for a referendum vote, suspending enactment of the law.