“ Our Town , Our Paper ” lagunabeachindy . com JULY 5 , 2024 | Volume XXI , Issue 27
Hallie Jones Launches Bid for Laguna Beach City Council
By Clara Beard | LB Indy
Hallie Jones , Crystal Cove Conservancy ’ s executive vice president and a thirdgeneration Laguna native , held her official campaign launch event at The Ranch last Sunday , June 30 that saw about 70 supporters attend .
After graduating Laguna Beach High School , Jones earned a degree from UCLA and has spent her career in nonprofit management , with a focus on land and ocean conservation . Jones began her career at Santa Monica ’ s Heal the Bay , which works to protect California ’ s coastline and waterways and support clean water legislation .
Jones then spent a decade as Laguna Canyon Foundation ’ s executive director , and led a staff of biologists , ecologists and support personnel who educate hikers and work to maintain 26 miles of trails in Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park and Laguna Coast Wilderness Park .
In August 2023 , Jones joined Crystal Cove Conservancy as executive vice president and chief program officer .
Laguna Canyon Road Hit and Run Suspect Arrested
By Clara Beard | LB Indy
The Laguna Beach Police Department arrested a Fullerton man on Thursday , June 27 , suspected to have caused a felony hit-and-run on Laguna Canyon Road , according to a police report .
Authorities said the driver and registered owner was 19-year-old Rajvir Mann .
The night before , police said an officer was patrolling eastbound on Laguna Canyon Road at Canyon Acres when he saw a black Mercedes and a white BMW both speeding westbound .
Jones , 46 , outlined her platform and the priorities guiding her on the council dais . They include preserving Laguna ’ s open space , protecting its beaches and coastal waters , building climate resiliency and encouraging smart development that protects viewsheds and our town ’ s charm while imagining attractive new spaces and welcoming the next generation of neighbors .
The Ranch ’ s CEO , Mark Christy , also an environmental activist , introduced Jones . Christy said he observed the difficulty of a council member ’ s job and expressed his appreciation for those who seek a seat .
In her first campaign speech , Jones highlighted some of her platform ’ s key issues , such as public safety and fire protection , climate change and natural resources , and infrastructure and development .
“ Some of the work I ’ m most proud of has been around promoting smart infrastructure and development projects in our community ,” Jones told her supporters . “ To me , smart development means projects that align with our community values – our environment , the arts , small businesses –
The officer turned his overhead emergency lights , made a U-turn , and attempted to catch up to the cars .
Police reported that one of the speeding cars struck another vehicle , causing it to cross over the center median and collide head-on with oncoming traffic .
Both suspect vehicles then fled the scene , according to police and traffic was blocked eastbound for more than an hour as a result of the incident .
Four people were taken to a trauma hospital , while three others were taken to a local hospital for minor injuries ,
City Council candidate Hallie Jones officially launched her campaign at a breakfast event Sunday at The Ranch with about 70 supporters , including Ben Warner ( left ) of Coast Film Festival , and well-known waterman and entrepreneur Paul Naude ( right ). Photo / Barbara McMurray
and support our quality of life as residents . I was a member of the Laguna Canyon Road Task Force and helped lead negotiations with CalTrans on both the Hidden Valley development and the widening of the 133 at the El Toro Road intersection . While neither
CITY COUNCIL , PAGE 16 authorities said .
The LBPD Major Crimes and Intelligence Team identified the Mercedes within a few hours of the incident using its citywide camera system and found it was registered in Fullerton . Fullerton police officers then found the damaged vehicle at the Mann ’ s address .
The investigation to determine the driver of the white BMW is ongoing . Anyone with information regarding the collision is encouraged to contact Laguna Beach Detective Tanner Flagstad at 949-497-0701 .
Crystal Cove Conservancy Selects New Board Members
By LB Indy Staff
The Crystal Cove Conservancy has appointed Diana Lu Evans and Avi Garbow to its board of directors , effective immediately .
“ We ’ re thrilled to welcome Diana and Avi to Crystal Cove Conservancy ’ s Board of Directors as we begin our 2024 fiscal year ,” Crystal Cove Conservancy Board Chair Teddie Ray said . “ Both Diana and Avi have a passion for protecting natural spaces like Crystal Cove , along with diverse and insightful experiences that will enhance the already dedicated team of leaders we have in place .”
Evans and Garbow will help guide the Conservancy in protecting and preserving Crystal Cove State Park ’ s historic , natural and cultural resources .
Evans is a business strategy and operations leader at Capital Group . She has served on the Boards of the California State Parks Foundation and Crystal Cove Conservancy and said she ’ s excited to be back on the Conservancy board again .
“ Preserving open spaces like Crystal Cove and environmental education are two of my passion projects , so I ’ m thrilled to once again be part of the Crystal Cove Conservancy Board of Directors ,” said Evans . “ Since my last term on the board , I ’ ve had the
CRYSTAL COVE , PAGE 3
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