Newport Beach

Army Pvt. Devon S. Ellisor graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning in Columbus, Ga. Ellisor is the son of David Ellisor of Laguna Beach and graduated from Laguna Beach High School in 1998.... On their recent journey to Mt. Shasta Gil Thibault and Larry Pendleton managed to raise more than $2,400 for the Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach. The Laguna residents decided to ask the public to pledge funds to the club for every foot that the duo hiked.

Playing inspired ball, the Laguna Beach Soccer Club boys' Under-10 team defeated perennial Orange County power, the Newport Beach Slammers, 3-2, in a match played at Aliso Viejo. Laguna was undaunted by an early 1-0 deficit against the Slammers and scored three consecutive goals to take command at 3-1. After forward Conner Cruse scored to give Newport a 1-0 lead, Laguna answered with consecutive goals by forward Michael Kimball. Kimball's goals were set up by assists from Marc Hughes and Zack Lebon as Laguna took a 2-1 lead at the half.

A celebration of life will be held for William Lee Roetzer at 2 p.m. Saturday at Sara Thurston Park, off Laguna Canyon Road at Milligan Drive in Laguna Beach. Roetzer, a longtime Laguna Beach resident, died of cancer April 3 at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach. He was 66. Roetzer, a.k.a. "Will" or "Billy," was born June 5, 1940, in Aura, Ill. He served in the U.S. Navy and later found his way to Laguna, where he lived for more than 25 years. In his earlier years, he was an avid body surfer.

On a recent weekend, my little family unit of three took a drive down Coast Highway. Traffic was light, the skies clear. We sailed past Huntington Harbour, Main Street, West Newport and toward our destination: Lido Isle. There?s a small waterfront playground on the island that is just perfect for little ones to play. We got out of the car and my 3-year-old daughter, Natalie, charged the swings, jungle gym and slides. Then it was off to the balance beam, with some hand-holding from Mom and Dad to keep her steady.

The Patience Wright Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, based in Laguna Beach, will be celebrating its 70th anniversary in November. However, due to the chapter’s potential closure the same month, the event may be bittersweet. The chapter, established in 1939, is the oldest DAR chapter in Orange County and has spawned many other local chapters in cities such as Newport Beach, Mission Viejo and San Clemente. However, because of declining membership and decreased community visibility, Laguna’s chapter is in danger of being forced into closure.

Editor?s note: The following was addressed to Laguna Beach Interim Police Chief Paul Workman. ? As I am sure you are aware, there was a major deployment of rescue personnel and gear to Crescent Bay in the late afternoon of May 9 to locate a diver reported injured and missing (?Three pulled from ocean,? May 15). Fortunately, it was very much later learned that the diver had made his own way to South Coast Medical Center for treatment. Observation of this event as it unfolded directly in front of my home on Crescent Bay has raised some issues in my mind.

Laguna?s Bryan wins in Santa Cruz Even at age 36, South Laguna?s Bill ?Beaker? Bryan is still the man when it comes to skimboarding. Bryan won the Santa Cruz Skim Bash contest over the weekend, helping him make his way up the United Skim Tour standings. All four people in the final were from Laguna, as Sammy Stinnett finished second, followed by ?The Vic? champion Brandon Sears and Morgan Just in fourth. Beaker, who won the United Skim Tour overall standings a year ago, notched his first win on this year?

Missing four key players from its roster did little to slow the Laguna Beach High girls? water polo team from earning a second-place finish last weekend at the Villa Park Summer Tournament. Playing without four starters ? and, on some occasions, a fifth player ? Laguna used a strong effort from the frosh/soph core of its players and received senior leadership from Taylor Dodson and Maddy Duncan. Assistant Coach Trevor Lyle led the team through to the finals. Laguna 10, Regency 6: Laguna opened the tournament June 27 with a four-goal win over Regency, a Mater Dei-based squad.

State senator wins easily in race to fill 48th District seat once held by Cox.Republican state Sen. John Campbell won handily in Tuesday's 48th Congressional District special election and will take over the seat left vacant by former Rep. Chris Cox of Newport Beach. With all 268 precincts reporting, Campbell finished with 44.7% of the vote. His vote total, 41,450, was more than 15,500 better than that of the second-place finisher, Democrat Steve Young, who finished with 28%. American Independent Party candidate Jim Gilchrist was in third place with 25.1% of the vote.