Former Los Angeles Deputy Sheriff Foster “Gene” Johns was appointed to fill a vacant seat on the Laguna Niguel City Council—the second vacancy this year—during a June 14 council meeting. Johns will be sworn in on June 20. He worked with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for over 31 years and has lived in…

SANTA ANA, Calif.—A 44-year-old Laguna Niguel man was arrested June 1 on federal charges of bilking at least $1.8 million from 11 investors. Amadou Kane Diallo, a Senegalese national, was expected to make his initial appearance in federal court in Santa Ana Thursday afternoon. His attorney, John Littrell, did not immediately respond to a request…

Laguna Niguel Councilwoman Sandy Rains resigned as the city’s councilor May 10—less than three months after she stepped down from the mayor’s seat in February in the Southern California city. “It has been an honor and privilege to serve the residents of Laguna Niguel. I want to thank the many people who inspired me and…

SANTA ANA, Calif.—A 22-year-old man was committed indefinitely May 1 to a state mental health facility after he was found to have been insane when he killed his father on a Laguna Niguel trail the day after Thanksgiving in 2018. Maximilian Gregory Ludwig was convicted March 21 of murder with a special circumstances allegation of…

The Laguna Niguel City Council voted unanimously on April 18 to appoint a new councilor to the seat vacated by Mayor Pro Tem Rischi Paul Sharma earlier this month. Sharma resigned without explanation on April 6. The council’s vote comes after city officials indicated a special election for the seat this November would cost $100,000….

Laguna Niguel Mayor Pro Tem Rischi Paul Sharma abruptly resigned from the city council April 6. “It has been a distinct honor and pleasure to have served the people of Laguna Niguel and to have worked alongside our city staff. I wish you [City Manager Tamara Letourneau] and the team all the best and am…

Laguna Niguel Mayor Pro Tem Rischi Paul Sharma abruptly resigned from the city council April 6. “It has been a distinct honor and pleasure to have served the people of Laguna Niguel and to have worked alongside our city staff. I wish you [City Manager Tamara Letourneau] and the team all the best and am…

SANTA ANA, Calif.—A 22-year-old man was convicted March 21 of killing his father on a Laguna Niguel trail the day after Thanksgiving in 2018, but an Orange County Superior Court judge found he was insane at the time of the attack. Maximilian Gregory Ludwig is convicted of murder with a special circumstances allegation of lying…

Laguna Niguel Mayor Sandy Rains resigned as the city’s mayor Feb. 27, but will continue to serve as a councilor. Mayor Pro Tem Rischi Paul Sharma is temporarily serving in her place until the five-member city council selects a successor on March 7. The move comes after controversy erupted over a Feb. 21 council meeting…

Get a free donut, or 20 percent off a meal at a Laguna Niguel restaurant for saying the “mayor sent you.” That’s after the city began promoting two local businesses every month through its new program called “Mayor’s Mention.” Mayor Sandy Rains launched the program last month to support the local businesses, she said, and…