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Laguna Beach City news City of Laguna Beach, California

Cover Photo Courtesy of Stu News Laguna

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2023

Laguna Beach Police Arrest Suspect in Homicide

Laguna Beach Police Detectives have arrested a suspect in connection with the murder of Tatum Goodwin. Detectives determined this was an isolated incident and there is no further threat to the community.

On Sunday, November 12, 2023, at approximately 8:20 a.m., a construction worker found a body in a secluded location near the 200 block of Ocean Avenue. Laguna Beach police and fire personnel responded to the scene and found a deceased adult female, later identified by the Orange County Sheriff Coroner’s Division as 27-year-old Tatum Goodwin of San Clemente.

On Wednesday, November 15, 2023, Laguna Beach Detectives, with assistance from the Newport Beach and Anaheim Police Departments, arrested Dino Rojas-Moreno, age 26, in the City of Laguna Hills for murder. Rojas-Moreno’s bail is set at $1,000,000.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to call Laguna Beach Detective Tanner Flagstad at (949) 497-0369 or via email at tflagstad@lagunabeachcity.net

“This arrest was the result of outstanding police work by our Investigations team that worked tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to bring justice to Tatum Goodwin and her family,” said Laguna Beach Police Chief Jeff Calvert.
CLICK HERE FOR RADIO INTERVIEW: Laguna Beach Police Captain Mike Peters Provides an Update on Voice of Laguna

Mayor Whalen Talks About Moving Forward as a Community After Tragic Homicide

Click HERE to Listen to Today's Podcast With Mayor Whalen

In today's podcast, Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen talks about the exceptional work and dedication of Laguna Beach Police Detectives in solving the tragic weekend homicide.

He also discusses how we move forward as a community, and possible options for enhancing surveillance and lighting in the Downtown area.

The Next Regular Meeting of the City Council is Tuesday, November 21 at 5:00 P.M.

Click HERE for the November 21 City Council Agenda
The "Tentative Agenda" is strictly tentative and there is no guarantee that items listed will be agendized as scheduled due to changing priorities, new information, staff workloads, and other unforeseeable events.

December 12 Tentative Agenda

Click HERE for the City Council Tentative Agenda
The Week That Was (TW2) is an update on City business in previous weeks.
Click HERE for "The Week That Was"

Mayor and City Council Members Honor Veterans at Monument Point

Click HERE to Read Mayor Whalen's Remarks from the Veteran's Day Ceremony
On Saturday, Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen and City Council Members came together with the community at Monument Point in Heisler Park for Veteran's Day to honor those who have served our country. 🇺🇸 Click HERE to read Mayor Whalen's Veteran's Day remarks.

Laguna Beach Veteran Arnold Silverman Awarded 5th District Veteran of the Year

On Thursday, November 9, Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley awarded Laguna Beach Veteran Arnold Silverman the 5th District Veteran of the Year Award, with Laguna Beach City Councilman George Weiss attending. Silverman served in the Korean War in 1951. He recently wrote "My War and Stories from Another Era", where he retells his memories from the Korean War. Mr. Silverman also volunteers at the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Affairs. Thank you for your service, Arnold!
The new "Pets for Veterans" program provides that any active duty, honorably discharged, or retired Veteran in Orange County is eligible for no-fee pet adoptions at the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter, if they qualify and are approved to adopt a pet. Click HERE to see all the current pets for adoption. All shelter animals are eligible for adoption under the Pets for Vets program. For questions on the new program, please call the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter at (949) 497-3552.

Sweet Pup "Ariel" Wants to Join Your Family Forever

How about welcoming one more for Thanksgiving dinner? Ariel is a two-year-old spayed female black and tan Doberman. She is quiet and gentle, but also playful and affectionate when she becomes comfortable around others.
The Laguna Beach Animal Shelter adoption procedures are designed to make sure that both the potential family and the animal adopted are in the very best situation possible. The Laguna Beach Animal Shelter is located at 20612 Laguna Canyon Road. For any questions, please call (949) 497-3552.
Click HERE for More Information on Adoption Procedures!

Laguna Beach Police Lieutenants Cornelius Ashton and Jason Farris Receive 2023 Kindness Award

Last Saturday, Lieutenant Cornelius Ashton and Lieutenant Jason Farris received the 2023 Kindness Award at the World Kindness Day event at Main Beach! Lieutenant Ashton was honored with the 2023 Kindness Award for being a commendable role model to students in Laguna Beach, showcasing exceptional core values and ethics. Lieutenant Farris earned the 2023 Kindness Award for serving the community for over 20 years and for his dedication and coordination of the honor guards. Congratulations Lieutenants!
Please share the road, give at least 3 feet of space between bicycles, and drive slowly. California Vehicle Code section 21760 (a) has been in effect since 2014. Per California Legislative Law, a driver of a motor vehicle shall not overtake or pass a bicycle traveling in the same direction on a highway at a distance of less than three feet between any part of the motor vehicle and any part of the bicycle of its operator. If there is not enough space, you cannot pass. California Vehicle Code section 21760 (c) has been in effect since 2023. If another lane of traffic traveling in the same direction is available, make a lane change into another available lane if practicable and safe to avoid the bicycle. Click HERE for more information!

Now Hiring: Seasonal Ocean Lifeguards! 🌊

Lifeguard testing will happen on Saturday, November 25, 2023. Applications must be submitted by Thursday, November 23 at 5:00 p.m. to participate.
Click HERE to Apply to be a Seasonal Ocean Lifeguard!

Rain in Forecast: Learn How to Install Your Floodgates

The City in partnership with the Sawdust Festival will be providing a free seasonal trolley service from a free parking lot in Irvine (16355 Laguna Canyon Rd) to the Sawdust Festival and downtown Laguna Beach during the Winter Fantasy event. The City will operate this free trolley service on Saturdays and Sundays, from November 18 through December 17 and one Friday, November 24. Trolley service will operate every 30 minutes in both directions on the following days: Friday, November 24, 2023: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays/Sundays: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

On Tuesday, the City held the Climate Action & Adaptation Plan Community Open House at the Community & Susi Q Center.

The purpose of this event was to learn more from the community about their vision for addressing climate change as the City develops a draft of the Climate Action & Adaptation Plan.
The City of Laguna Beach Children’s Holiday Palette Exhibition is open to children ages 5 to 17. Original designs, celebrating the holiday season, must be painted and/or drawn on paper. Click HERE for more information and how to apply online! The deadline to submit your palette design is November 20, 2023.

American Idol's Ava August LIVE This Weekend at the Promenade 🎶

  • Friday at 5:30 PM: Beth Wood
  • Saturday at 5:30 PM: American Idol's Ava August
  • Sunday at 5:00 PM: Adam Lasher

Enjoy a Relaxing Weekend! 🌴

Printed copies of the newsletter are available Fridays at the Community & Susi Q Center. Alternative Language Options Available Upon Request.
Have a Question? Click HERE to Contact the City of Laguna Beach!