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Bill Kerwin does not know exactly how much longer he has to live.

What he does know, and what everyone else who attended can attest to, is that a special early graduation ceremony for his daughter Abbi on Monday night just felt so alive.

Abbi Kerwin, an 18-year-old senior at Huntington Beach High School, was handed her diploma by her father during an emotional event attended by hundreds of people at Bolsa View Park.

Earlier this year, Kerwin, 61, received a terminal diagnosis of Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. His wish was to see his daughter graduate high school.

And so he did Monday, with the help of many people who sprang into action, including Orange County Supervisor Janet Nguyen and a group of 15 other parents.

Abbi Kerwin called the turnout “truly amazing.”

“Having this event just shows how many people my dad has touched within his life,” she said. “I mean, everyone that he’s met, he’s had a positive impact on, whether it’s his employees at work or a person that he coached on a youth soccer team. All of my friends really think of him as a second dad.”

Nguyen is a family friend of the Kerwins, and helped organize a ceremony that echoed commencement exercises held by the district at the close of each school year. It featured remarks by Huntington Beach High Principal Danny Morris and was presided over by Huntington Beach Union High School District Supt. Carolee Ogata and three district trustees, as well as members of the Huntington Beach City Council.

“This is not our traditional ceremony, but it is every bit as real, every bit as important and, in many ways, even more meaningful,” Morris said during his speech. “This ceremony is about family, love, perseverance and the moments in life that matter most.”

Bill Kerwin, a U.S. Army veteran, has worked for the school district since 2018 and is a longtime youth sports coach in the area. Abbi Kerwin recounted a time when he would referee other soccer games, even missing her own contests, so that her team could advance to the playoffs.

“I love you so much,” Abbi Kerwin told her father Monday night, through tears. “You’re the best man I’ve ever met, and I’m so proud to receive my diploma from you.”

Bill also was joined on stage by his wife, Kim, and Abbi’s younger brother, Chance.

He spoke softly to the crowd, thanking the leadership team of the school district.

“Family starts in your community, with your friends, and it extends down to each of us,” he said. “I just wanted to share that with everybody, because I’ve really had a transformation over the past I think four months about the value of that. So cherish what you have.”

Abbi Kerwin, who has a 4.5 GPA and is a four-year student-athlete in golf and lacrosse, said she will still take part in Huntington Beach High’s regular graduation in June. She plans to attend a four-year university to study either nursing or biology.

Huntington Beach City Council members said a memorial bench dedicated to Bill Kerwin will be installed at the park, which is just a stone’s throw from the family home.

“The idea is, Bill, you’re going to watch the kids play here and also make sure you yell at them,” Nguyen said.

As the graduation ceremony concluded with food donated by several local restaurants and dancing, a cake was brought out. Those still in attendance sang “Happy Birthday” to Bill Kerwin.

Like the ceremony itself, the song was early — Kerwin turns 62 on March 26.

The timing didn’t matter as much as being together did.

Szabo writes for Times Community News.

Lawyers in an evidentiary hearing of a state auditor’s lawsuit against Huntington Beach engaged in testy exchanges Monday.

Orange County Superior Court Judge Carmen Luege heard the city’s explanation for why it has not complied with a state-ordered review of its controversial settlement with operators of the Pacific Airshow.

Luege said the point of the hearing was to clearly flesh out which records California State Auditor Grant Parks is looking for and, more importantly, where and how they can be obtained.

“I don’t want my court to become an impediment to what I consider the fact-finding mission of the auditor,” Luege said. “I want to establish a path so that the goal of the auditors, at least in some respect, can be met, which is to receive documents that provide some level of clarity on the issue and the amount of the settlement.”

City Treasurer Jason Schmitt took the stand to explain the process of how the city keeps its records and which records his office has access to. Schmitt, who was appointed to the position in August, said he has asked his deputy and assistant to look for email communications that reference the Pacific Airshow, as well as relevant physical records, such as binders containing settlement documents. Schmitt testified that he has access to, but “not custody” of, records that the state auditor is seeking.

Luege appeared frustrated as she peppered Schmitt with follow-up questions, such as which records does the treasurer think he has access to and are there any electronic communications between the city and the Pacific Airshow that he can provide? Schmitt answered no to most of the queries.

The exchange turned combative when the city’s attorney, Norman Dupont, accused Lueuge of “badgering” Schmitt — a remark that earned Dupont a rebuke from the judge.

“You are out of place in your tone and your demeanor,” Luege said. “You’ve been disrespectful.”

In 2023, Huntington Beach leaders announced a settlement with the Pacific Airshow operators in which the city agreed to pay the operator $4.9 million for losses incurred after the final day of the 2021 show was canceled due to an oil spill. The settlement also gave Pacific Airshow exclusive rights to host an annual air show for up to 40 years, waiving fees and allowing the operator to monetize thousands of public parking spaces.

Parks sued the city in October 2024 for its failure to comply with a state audit approved by the California Joint Legislative Audit Committee that May. Parks had subpoenaed then-city Treasurer Alisa Backstrom for an interview and the city for permits and contracts with Pacific Airshow.

The city has called the probe a “witch hunt” and argued that the subpoena violates the home rule doctrine in the state constitution, which grants “individual charter cities” such as Huntington Beach the authority to manage its own finances. Luege rejected that argument last month and overruled the city’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit.

Luege said Monday that the city has not proven its argument with state law or any legal precedent.

Earlier in the hearing, Luege also had a tense discussion with the state auditor’s attorney, Michael Strumwasser, over procedural issues about how an audit can be conducted.

Should a city refuse to comply with a state audit, Luege said, the state has the option of issuing subpoenas to obtain the records it needs. Strumwasser argued that requiring the state to issue a subpoena as a response to the city’s non-compliance is “utterly incompatible with state standards for an audit.”

“I know your position is that you should be able to knock on the city and they must open the door,” Luege said to Strumwasser, adding that she was not convinced by that interpretation. “The framework of this case is not that different to the framework of any case: you file a petition, you have the right to subpoena whoever it is you want to be able to talk to.”

Luege said months earlier that she wanted to tread carefully with the case because there are few precedents for cities that have contested state audits.

“If I’m going to dive into issuing a ruling about enforcement, I want to dive and step lightly because I don’t want to drown,” she said in November.

The evidentiary hearing is set to continue today.

Huntington Beach, CA (March 16, 2026) – Emergency units responded to a reported traffic accident on Pacific Coast Highway near the Hyatt Regency hotel on Sunday, March 15. The crash prompted a heavy rescue response at the scene.

A private vehicle was reportedly involved in the incident. Heavy rescue resources were requested, suggesting the crash may have required specialized equipment to assist those at the scene.

Details on the number of people involved and the extent of any injuries have not been confirmed at this time. The incident remains under review by authorities.

Our thoughts are with those affected as they continue to recover.

What Happens When Heavy Rescue Is Called to a Crash in Huntington Beach?

When emergency units respond to a traffic accident with heavy rescue needs, it typically means the situation requires more than standard equipment. This can include incidents where a person is trapped inside a vehicle or where the crash has caused significant structural damage that makes access difficult.

Heavy rescue teams carry specialized tools such as hydraulic cutters and spreaders, which can be used to open vehicle doors or remove roof sections. These crews train specifically for complex crash scenarios where standard response equipment would not be enough.

Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach sees high traffic volumes year-round, particularly near hotels and beachfront areas. Crashes on this corridor can pose added challenges for emergency crews due to the volume of pedestrians and vehicles in the area.

Antonella Lobo is a professional writer and translator who focuses on producing clear, accurate, and engaging articles about crashes, injuries, and public safety issues. Her work involves researching real-world incidents and turning complex information into accessible, reader-friendly stories that help communities stay informed. With a background in translation, localization, and long-form content, Antonella has extensive experience working with detailed source material and ensuring clarity across languages and audiences. This experience strengthens her ability to analyze accident reports, verify information, and present it in a structured and responsible way. At Local Accident Reports, Antonella specializes in writing accident news articles that report what happened, where it happened, and how it may affect local communities. Her goal is to provide informative, easy-to-read coverage while maintaining accuracy and sensitivity when reporting on serious events.