Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach police arrested a woman on suspicion of driving a stolen vehicle Friday and recognized her from a pursuit late last year, authorities said. Officers spotted Michele Lynn Frazier, 28, of Laguna Beach, at 11:30 a.m. driving a stolen 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser in downtown Laguna, according to police, who then followed the vehicle to a less populated area and conducted a traffic stop on Laguna Canyon Road near the 73 Toll Road. Frazier complied with officers' instructions and was arrested on suspicion of auto theft and driving without a license, as well as for a $26,000 warrant for grand theft in Los Angeles and a warrant for violating probation.

The Laguna Beach High softball team took a turn at history Tuesday. The Breakers, who were opening the CIF Southern Section Division 5 playoffs at Thurston Middle School against No. 8-ranked Riverside Woodcrest Christian (Ambassador League No. 4), scored an 11-4 victory. The win gave the 2013 squad the distinction of becoming the first Laguna softball team to win a playoff game. The win came under first-year head coach Victoria Batistelli. "I am proud of my girls," Batistelli said.

Dr. Seuss kept two secrets under lock and key - his hat and art collections. Born Theodor Seuss Geisel in Springfield, Mass., he became a household name and national icon for his colorful illustrations and jaunty rhymes. But only his wife Audrey and their closest friends knew about Seuss' clandestine art or the whereabouts of his hats - hidden in a library closet of their La Jolla estate. The "Hats Off to Dr. Seuss!" touring exhibition is making a pitstop in Fingerhut Gallery of Laguna Beach from Friday through June 2. Viewers can survey 26 hats, from a collection of more than 150, as well as limited-edition reproductions of Seuss' original artwork.

Reggae band Common Sense has been around the block for quite some time - since 1986, to be exact. After making music for almost three decades, the Laguna Beach-based band's still got the energy to jam and record another album, but it doesn't mean they should. Common Sense tracked 15 songs for their sixth album, "What's It All About," which was self-produced by the band and recorded in the Hurley Studios in Costa Mesa. "In This Life" opens the album with a simple, laid-back beat that will have you nodding your head.

Laguna's financial future may not be entirely rosy, but the picture is less thorny for the next two fiscal years then in the deeply rooted recession of the mid-2000s. Running the city is costing more and is escalating, but the local economy is beginning to recover and revenue is up, according to City Manager John Pietig. Residents will have an opportunity to comment on the proposed 2013-14 and 2014-15 budget at a workshop set for 3 p.m. Tuesday. "Property, sales and bed taxes have experienced some recovery this past year and we are expecting moderate growth over the next couple of years," Pietig said.

A woman said a necklace worth $20,000 was stolen from her car after it was impounded following her arrest, Laguna Beach police said. Police arrested Laguna Beach resident Sherry Ann Monahan, 47, on suspicion of driving under the influence and child endangerment at 8 a.m. May 10, Sgt. Louise Callus wrote in an email. Two days later Monahan came to the police department and reported a necklace was stolen from her car's glove compartment after authorities impounded and towed the car, Callus said.

A two-set hole, a boisterous crowd and a steady match played by Foothill High, were too much for the Laguna Beach boys' volleyball to overcome in the quarterfinal round of the CIF Southern Section Division 2 playoffs Saturday. The Breakers put it all on the line but their spirited comeback fell just short, as the host Knights held on for a 25-16, 25-23, 19-25, 18-25, 15-12 upset victory. The loss eliminated Laguna, the division's No. 2 seed, from title contention. The Breakers end their year 19-9.

The following is from the May 7 City Council meeting. All council members were present. * PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS The public is allowed to speak on any subject not on the agenda. Speakers generally are limited to three minutes, but the time can be adjusted by the council. •Kendra Ulrich of Washington, D.C., thanked the council on behalf of Friends of the Earth for showing leadership and passing a resolution expressing concern about the San Onofre nuclear reactors.

Two dogs jumped out of a car and bit a woman along South Coast Highway on Tuesday, Laguna Beach police said. At least one of the dogs bit a 54-year-old Laguna Beach woman's leg as she walked out of a business at 12:37 p.m. on the ocean side of South Coast Highway at Center Street, Sgt. Louise Callus wrote in an email. The woman fell and suffered abrasions, according to police. The two dogs, a 4-year-old Labrador-boxer mix and a 7-year-old Labrador-whippet mix, reportedly jumped out of a car that had its windows rolled all the way down, Callus said.

Noticeable signs and increased parking enforcement are two ways to address Laguna Beach's ongoing parking issues, business owners say. The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the draft Parking Management Plan - which aims to maximize parking in downtown and off Laguna Canyon Road - at 6:30 p.m. May 22 in City Council chambers, 505 Forest Ave. One suggestion - prominently placed signs - could ease parking confusion, said Daniel Reyes,...