$1.77B Winner; Cat Reunites With Family; Cubs Emerge: Saturday Smiles

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — To keep your weekend light, Patch presents some positive Southern California stories from the past week — many that hopefully will brighten your day.

Animals

Cat Missing For 12 Years: Found In RivCo, Reunited With WA Family

Angelo and Shelley Castellino were living in San Diego when their cat Butters wandered away from their property in 2011 and never returned.

Coyote With Broken Leg Rehabilitated, Released In San Diego County

San Diego Humane Society's Project Wildlife team placed a splint on the pup's leg so he could heal.

Sumatran Tiger Cubs Emerge From Den At San Diego Zoo Safari Park

They are the first cubs of their species to be born at the Safari Park's Tull Family Tiger Trail habitat in seven years.

Arts & Entertainment

2024 Dates Announced For Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival

The three-day festival will take place at its traditional location, Lake Skinner Regional Park/Recreation Area in Winchester.

US Army Jazz Ambassadors Set To Perform Free Show In Palm Desert

The 19-member ensemble was formed in 1960, and its concerts include a diverse repertoire.

Young RivCo Playwrights Encouraged To Submit Their Works For Festival

Submissions for a young playwrights festival will be accepted through March 31 from students enrolled in any Riverside County school.

Business

Here's The Scoop: Handel's Homemade Ice Cream Celebrates Grand Opening

Handel's Ice Cream shop is opening Wednesday with new fall flavors to try, as well as signature homemade ice cream.

McConnell's Fine Ice Creams Opens Scoop Shop In Carlsbad

The Santa Barbara-based company opened its first San Diego area scoop shop in Carlsbad.

Texas-Style BBQ Joint Finds Home In Costa Mesa

The new restaurant Holé Smokes opened Thursday by the same restaurateur who runs his family’s Mexican restaurant, Holé Molé.

Community

$1.77 Billion Winning Powerball Ticket Sold In CA

Lottery officials say one ticket matching all five white numbers plus the red Powerball was purchased in California to win $1.765 billion.

5 CA Cities Among Top 25 Safest Cities For Trick-Or-Treating: Report

The Chamber of Commerce released its annual "Safest Cities for Trick-or-Treating" study in time for Halloween.

After Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, RivCo Rancher 'Stronger & Braver'

She's back to caring for her animals and appreciating life one year after being treated at Loma Linda University Medical Center, Murrieta.

Angelinos Line Up For Waymo Self-Driving Taxi: Get Your Ticket To Ride

The self-driving robo-taxi cars made their debut in Santa Monica on Wednesday, with more free tickets to ride across LA coming soon.

Bronson Canyon Intersection Gets Dedicated As Alexanderplatz

After a German-born Angeleno succeeded in getting a dangerous intersection fixed, the city named the area after Berlin's most famous square.

Endeavour Shuttle's Twin Rocket Boosters Arrive At Exposition Park

The California Science Center now has all of the pieces they need to place the Endeavour Space Shuttle in a permanent "pre-launch" position.

La Mesa Works To Streamline Permit Process, Plans Open House Event

"We believe it's essential for our community to get to know the individuals behind the process," spokesperson Grecia Aguilar told Patch.

Lake Elsinore Invests In Clean Water With New Infrastructure

Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District is keeping pace with the demand of new customers. Here's how.

'Music Mends Minds' Founder Honored As Local LA Community Leader

Carol Rosenstein founded Music Mends Minds in 2014 as a way to help her husband Irwin, who was struggling with Parkinson’s and dementia.

Quasi-Military Safety Net In The Works For RivCo's At-Risk Youth

The National Guard Youth Challenge Program is planned for Riverside County following legislation signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

South OC Teen Appointed Nonprofit Lead To Make Big Change

South Orange County student Brooke Walker is preparing to make a big difference for girls that struggle with scoliosis.

'Swallows Day Parade' Leader, Volunteer Honored In San Juan Capistrano

Jim is an outstanding leader who leads with commitment and humor, according to those who honored him with this Community Leader award.

Winning Powerball Ticket Sold In SoCal; Jackpot Grows To $1.72B

The ticket with five of the six winning numbers is worth more than $1 million and was sold in Orange County this week.

Events

4 Parades To Roll Through Palm Springs This Fall Season

The first of the four parades is set for next week.

11th Annual Murrieta Rod Run Starts Friday: What To Know When You Go

Murrieta's 11th Rod Run will support the Oak Grove Center, whose mission is to rebuild the lives of at-risk children and their families.

44th Annual 'Art, For Heaven's Sake!' Comes To Redlands

The three-day festival that runs Oct. 13-15 features 70 fine artists, entertainment and food.

Carlsbad To Host Slew Of Spooktacular Halloween Events

"Events and activities like these bring our community together to learn, help the environment or simply to connect with one another."

Family Halloween Party To Be Held In Newport Beach: What To Know

The event will feature spooky stories, creepy crafts, weird science experiments, bizarre animals and more at the Peter and Mary Muth Center.

Harpo Marx's Son Participating In CSUSB Palm Desert Campus Fundraiser

The holiday fundraiser titled "The Gift of Love and Laughter" features Bill Marx and Cash Baxter.

IE Weekend: 'Headless Horseman' Ride; Eclipse Viewing Parties; Rod Run

Looking for some cool things to do this weekend, Oct. 14-15, throughout the Inland Empire? Patch has you covered.

LA Weekend: Boney Island; Eclipse Viewing Parties; 'Fearplex' Fairplex

Looking for some cool things to do this weekend, Oct. 14-15, throughout Los Angeles County? Patch has you covered.

Lake Elsinore's Halloween Fair Full Of Frightful Fun For Families

The Storm Halloween Festival & Marketplace is returning on Friday, October 27 - Sunday, October 29. Here's what to expect.

OC Weekend: Entire Cul-De-Sac Haunted House; Eclipse Viewing Parties

Looking for some cool things to do this weekend, Oct. 14-15, in Orange County? Patch has you covered.

Palisades Oktoberfest And 5K Race Set For Saturday

Traditional German food and drinks will be served after the annual 5K walk/run.

Santee Announces New 'Bite-Sized' Tickets For Brews & Bites Festival

The festival will feature a bevy of brews, fine wines, tasty treats, live music and opportunity drawings.

SD Weekend: Eclipse Viewing Parties; Modern Homes Tour; 2 Spooky Teas

Looking for some cool things to do this weekend, Oct. 14-15, in San Diego County? Patch has you covered.

Southwest Healthcare, City Of Wildomar Host 'Fall Family Fun Fair'

The free Oct. 21 fair will feature entertainment and health education.

Schools

4 Encinitas 'Rising Stars' Honored During Chamber Of Commerce Event

The Rising Star program is a monthly breakfast that honors seniors from high schools in the San Dieguito Union High School District.

San Diego Student Shares GI Disease Story, Wins Scholarship

Alexander Myers was awarded a $10,000 scholarship from Salix Pharmaceuticals after sharing his story of living with Crohn's disease.

Sundance Elementary Schoolteacher Puts Magic In Fifth-Grade Classroom

Mrs. Griffin wants to create "a welcoming environment where kids can feel like they are a part of something special."

Sports

Home Opener Sell Out For Coachella Valley Firebirds At Acrisure Arena

Though the opening games for your Firebirds is sold out, there are still opportunities to see the team play in October.

The Best Battle It Out For 68th Annual Laguna Volleyball Tourney

Laguna Beach residents looking to watch beach volleyball players battle it out on the sand can watch the tournament for free.

Venice Surfing Association's Breakwater Open Set For Saturday

Over 100 surfers will take on the waves at the Venice Surfing Association's Breakwater Open Saturday.