$1M Winning Lottery Ticket; Fastest Straddle Coaster: 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

58 Cats Rescued From Hoarder, 36 Available For Adoption In San Diego

Several cats needed advanced medical care, including dental surgery and eye removals, according to the San Diego Humane Society.

Business

3 LA Pizza Places Named Among Best In The U.S.: Food & Wine

Check out these local pizzerias that ranked among the best in the country, according to cooking magazine Food & Wine.

Casillas Bakery Says Goodbye In Indio

After 15 years, the owner is retiring. Mi Tierra Bakery will move into the same location at 45228 Oasis Street.

Disneyland Halloween Time, Oogie Boogie Bash Dates Announced For 2023

Disneyland Resort and Disney California Adventure are gearing up for deliciously diabolical treats and a few tricks this coming Halloween.

New Candy Shop To Open Its Doors In South Orange County

Officials announced the future opening of the well-loved chocolate chain in a south OC shopping center.

SeaWorld San Diego Opening 'Fastest Straddle Coaster On West Coast'

Arctic Rescue, the longest and fastest straddle coaster on the West Coast, is set to open Friday at SeaWorld San Diego.

Community

$1M Powerball Ticket Sold In San Diego County

The Powerball numbers were drawn Wednesday evening.

$45K SuperLotto Plus Ticket Sold In San Diego County

The SuperLotto Plus numbers were drawn Wednesday evening.

22-Mile Coastal Marvin Braude Bike Trail Connects South Bay To Malibu

Pedestrians and cyclists now have their own lanes for the entirety of the 22-mile trail, which runs from the Palisades to Torrance Beach.

Girl Scouts Plant Butterfly Garden In Santee

Girl Scout Troop 5400 was honored at a recent council meeting for planting a butterfly garden at the city's Operations Center.

Griffith Park Gets Donation Of 9.71 Acres Of Land

The park is adding new land near the Hollywood Sign and it includes a hiking trail.

More Traffic Lanes Proposed For Eastbound 91 Freeway At RivCo/OC Line

An engineering contract was approved to start the process of analyzing design plans for the "91 Eastbound Corridor Operations Project."

Over 580 Pints Of Blood Collected During Padres Summer Blood Drive

A total of 650 registered donors gave blood during the seventh annual Padres Summer Blood Drive at Gallagher Square.

Remains Of Missing WWII Soldier Finally Coming Home To Riverside

U.S. Army Pvt. Robert R. Gruwell was killed in action in 1944 but his remains were not accounted for until last year. Now a funeral is set.

Riverside Art Museum 1 Of Just 2 CA Institutions To Receive High Honor

The museum is being presented with the 2023 National Medal for Museum and Library Service — one of just eight institutions nationwide.

Youth Court Returns To Southwest Riverside County

"Youth Court offers a powerful set of civic opportunities for the youth in our communities ...," according to authorities.

Events

Carlsbad To Host Guided Hike On National Trails Day

City staff will lead hikers along the Rancho Carrillo Trail, starting from Leo Carrillo Historic Ranch.

Evenings At Glen Ivy Get Underway For June 2023

Weekends through October, guests can expect music and access to the grounds, 19 mineral pools and Club Mud, with "add-ons" available.

Heartland Fire And Rescue To Host Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser

Heartland Fire and Rescue serves the cities of El Cajon, La Mesa and Lemon Grove.

'Friday Nights Live' Continues Friday At Santee Trolley Square

Bill Magee Blues will take the stage.

New Laguna Art Museum Exhibit To Showcase Old Laguna, Beauty of OC

The exhibition will showcase the work of an important California artist whose pieces "capture the energy and beauty" of Orange County.

Schools

2 Cathedral City Students Get Streets Named After Them

Priscila Marquez of Cathedral City High School and Landon Kuykendall's of Mt. San Jacinto High School were honored Thursday.

2 Outstanding 'Teachers Of The Year' Named in Banning, Beaumont

Both were honored as 2024 Riverside County Teachers of the Year and will now represent the county in the statewide recognition.

Carlsbad Educational Foundation Gala Raises $300K For Local Students

The Gala for Students celebrated the foundation's 40th anniversary and raised funds to support students in Carlsbad Unified School District.

Murrieta Mesa, Vista Murrieta High Schools Getting Fireworks Shows

The separate fireworks displays will be set off during each campus's Sept. 15 homecoming games.