25 CA Stories From 2023 That Will Make You Smile
CALIFORNIA — The news isn’t always bad — far from it. Across the Golden State, residents set records, saved lives, won medals, inspired change and taught us how to make the world a better place in 2023.
As we look back on 2023, here are some of the stories that made us smile.
1. Good Samaritan Stops Runaway Stroller Rolling Into Busy Traffic
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An Inland Empire man, who spent eight years living on the streets, was in the right place at the right time and was caught on camera stopping a tragedy before it happened.
2. San Diego Girl Scout Earns Rare Medal Of Honor After Saving Dad’s Life
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Amelia Umstadter is only the fourth Girl Scout from San Diego and Imperial counties to earn this honor in the last decade.
3. $1.77 Billion Winning Powerball Ticket Sold In CA
Lottery officials said one ticket matching all five white numbers plus the red Powerball was purchased in California to win $1.765 billion.
4. Historic CA Drought Finally Ends
California’s most extreme drought in the last 126 years has come to an end.
5. Engagement Ring Flushed Down Toilet Found Over A Year Later In CA
The ring was first reported missing in March 2022, when a California man’s soon-to-be stepson accidentally flushed the ring down the toilet.
6. Hero Fire Battalion Chief Treats Unconscious Woman On Flight To LAX
A woman lost consciousness falling into the isle of the plane, and a Glendale Fire Department paramedic answered the crew’s call for help.
7. Carlsbad Baseball Coach Honored For Building ‘Field Of Dreams’
In the past 50 years, Ralph Cripe has helped raise more than $2 million to create, build and maintain the baseball field at Carlsbad High.
8. Officer Saves Child Choking On Gumball At City Event
The Mission Viejo Animal Services Officer was teaching at a booth at the city’s National Night Out when he noticed a mother in distress.
9. La Mesa Kidney Donor Wins, Raises Awareness On ‘Let’s Make A Deal’
“I’m really excited to bring awareness and save some lives,” La Mesa resident Eryn Roberts said on the show.
10. Pianist Turns Personal Loss Into Immersive San Diego Concert
Finding solace in sound, Murray Hidary created an immersive music experience called MindTravel.
11. San Diego Student Shares GI Disease Story, Wins Scholarship
Alexander Myers was awarded a $10,000 scholarship from Salix Pharmaceuticals after sharing his story of living with Crohn’s disease.
12. ‘It’s Life Changing’ Long Beach Artist Wins His First Grammy
Long Beach artist Dave Van Patten won a Grammy Award for his work on The Grateful Dead Madison Square Garden ’81, ’82, ’83 box set.
13. Former OC Student Is Youngest Ever To Pass CA Bar Exam
A former Orange County high schooler passed the bar at 17.
14. Local Surgeon Helps Design First Ever Barbie Doll With Scoliosis
Mattel’s diverse Barbie line added a doll that wears a brace around her waist to treat the curve in her spine, known as scoliosis.
15. Simms/Mann Family Foundation Recognizes Nurses With ‘Off the Chart’
A Beverly Hills nonprofit gave 30 Southland nurses $10,000 based on their bold thinking and proven ability to affect change.
16. OC Man Breaks Record For Most Disneyland Trips With 2,995 Visits
The Huntington Beach resident’s journey to become the record holder for most Disneyland visits started as a joke between friends.
17. Chad Caruso Kicks-Off Cross-Country Skate At Venice Skate Park
Caruso is headed to Virginia Beach over a two-month-long journey he has planned for two years.
18. Queer Prom Returns To West Hollywood For Pride Month
Queer Prom offers LGBTQ+ adults a chance to let loose and celebrate in a way they might not have been able to during their actual proms.
19. ‘When You’re With Swifties It’s A Safe Space’ Fans Celebrate Eras Tour
Over 100 Taylor Swift fans gathered at Santa Monica Beach to celebrate her record-breaking Los Angeles tour dates.
20. Elmer, Abandoned Seal Pup Headed To Zoo Or Aquarium After Recovery
Marine Mammal Care Center veterinarians discovered Elmer was blind, which makes returning him to the wild an unviable option.
21. ‘Ryder Went On A Road Trip’: Lost Dog From Vegas Found In San Diego
Chihuahua-terrier mix Ryder “went on a road trip” and ended up in El Cajon, more than 330 miles west of his Las Vegas home.
22. Stolen Venice Dog Returns Home After Almost 2 Weeks Missing
After trying everything to get Bella the 9-year-old chihuahua back, the dog and her owners were finally reunited.
23. Baby’s Life Saved By Alameda Police Officer
Officer Sergio Ortega was awarded a Commander’s Commendation for his heroic actions.
24. Dublin Student Named Global Child Prodigy, National Merit Scholar
Romal Mitr was named a Global Child Prodigy in recognition of her many environmental education initiatives.
25. Ukrainian Refugee Family Gifted With Furnished Danville Home
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The Danville/Alamo chapter of Grateful Gatherings unveiled a furnished home to a Ukrainian family that fled the country in 2022.
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