Briefly in the News: Free walking, bicycle tours set to gain input

Laguna Beach invites residents to join staff on free walking and bicycling tours March 15 to help foster ideas for improving mobility throughout town.

The three- to four-mile bike tour and two-mile walk begin at the Laguna Beach Community and Susi Q Senior Center, 380 Third St., according to a city news release.

The walking tour, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., will include opportunities to explore north Laguna or downtown. The bike tour, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., will feature areas north and south of downtown.

All participants are encouraged to bring water and wear sunscreen, while cyclists should have appropriate protective gear, including helmets.

Refreshments will be provided after the tours.

For more information, call city planner Scott Drapkin at (949) 497-0362.

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Firefighters training in Huntington Beach

Laguna Beach firefighters have begun training in Huntington Beach that involves raising ladders and laying hose to fight actual fires in a burn tower, according to a city news release.

The training, at the Central Net Training Center on Gothard Street, exposes newer personnel to conditions they can expect to encounter during an actual fire, beginning from when dispatch answers a call, Laguna fire Chief Jeff LaTendresse said. This is the third year Laguna firefighters have participated.

All of the city’s firefighters will have completed the four-hour training scenarios by the end of April, he said.

—Bryce Alderton

Twitter: @AldertonBryce