Community Corner
🌱 What changes will Anaheim see under its new police chief?
And check out Stitched Up Heart on the Anaheim Patch calendar

What's up Anaheim! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- What changes will Anaheim see under its new police chief?
- How looming Medi-Cal cuts could hit Anaheim immigrant families next year
- Why did California’s top farm leaders gather in Anaheim this week?
Also on today's calendar: Ezra Ray Hart and 5 more events.
Find out what's happening in Anaheimfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Anaheimfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Thursday: Partly sunny and warmer, with a high of 77 and low of 46 degrees.
- Friday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 75, low: 49.
- Saturday: Sunshine and pleasant, with a high of 72 and low of 48 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Anaheim's new police chief starts Dec. 29 (ocregister.com) — Anaheim has hired Manuel Cid, currently Glendale’s police chief, to lead the Anaheim Police Department starting Dec. 29, filling the vacancy left by retiring Chief Rick Armendariz. Cid will oversee 600 employees serving more than 340,000 residents, with a $389,000 base salary and added benefits that may trigger broader executive pay adjustments at City Hall.
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2. Medicaid health plans step up outreach efforts ahead of GOP changes (ocregister.com) — An Anaheim breadwinner is bracing for looming Medi-Cal and CalFresh cutbacks as federal and state rule changes threaten coverage for immigrants and low-income families. Local insurer CalOptima and Orange County are ramping up multilingual outreach and on-site eligibility help, but many residents still fear losing vital health and food benefits under new work rules and budget-driven rollbacks.
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3. California Farm Bureau President Heralds ‘Bright Future' For Agriculture (gridleyherald.com) — Anaheim just hosted the California Farm Bureau’s 107th Annual Meeting, where President Shannon Douglass outlined recent wins on utility rates, land conservation, and farmworker advocacy. Her speech emphasized a “bright future” for California agriculture and highlighted growing county memberships across the state, underscoring how statewide farm policy decisions made in Anaheim can ripple out to local growers and food prices.
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4. Four teams to vie for top AFBF Ag Innovation Challenge prizes (agdaily.com) — Anaheim will host the American Farm Bureau’s 2026 Ag Innovation Challenge finals on January 12, bringing top ag-tech startups and investors to the city. Four finalist teams will pitch tools ranging from frost-protection biotech to AI-powered farm management and poultry-barn air purification, competing for up to $100,000 in prize money.
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📸 Around Anaheim
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Anaheim
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Stitched Up Heart
House of Blues Anaheim, 400 Disney Way #337, Anaheim
7:00 pm
Thursday December 18
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Girls Basketball vs Kennedy @ Savanna
South Junior High Anaheim, CA 92806
6:00 pm - B/G Wrestling V @ Tourney (AWAY)
Brea Olinda High School , 789 Wildcat Way , Brea
8:00 am - 3-4-5 Jump and Jive at Euclid Branch
Anaheim Public Library: Euclid Branch , 1340 S Euclid Street , Anaheim
11:30 am - Boys Basketball vs Samueli Academy @ Savanna
South Junior High Anaheim, CA 92806
5:30 pm - Ezra Ray Hart
Grove of Anaheim , 2200 E Katella Ave , Anaheim
8:00 pm - Gabby's Dollhouse Live - Anaheim
Grove of Anaheim , 2200 E Katella Ave , Anaheim
12:00 pm - Paint and Pour Art Class for Adults and Seniors at Central Library
Anaheim Public Library: Central Library , 500 W Broadway , Anaheim
5:00 pm
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
Sunday December 21
Monday December 22
📣 Anaheim Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Senior Thursday
Grocery Outlet , 1820 N. Placentia Avenue , Placentia
7:00 am - BANGER — Stereo Brewing
Stereo Brewing , 950 S Vía Rodeo , Placentia
4:00 pm - Valencia (Placentia) @ Fullerton
Fullerton Union High School , 201 E Chapman Ave , Fullerton
4:30 pm - Gremlins! Paint Night at The Bruery
The Bruery , 717 Dunn Way , Placentia
6:30 pm
Thursday December 18
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Anaheim PatchAM possible:
- Serene Pools — (714) 904-8575
Free Pool Filter Cleaning When you Sign up for Monthly Clean - Alliant Garage Door — (714) 410-5700
Tune Up Special 50% off at $49.95. - SY Group LLC — (949) 564-0729
Offer: Tax prep, Bookkeeping, Payroll, Mailbox, Fingerprint - Serene Pools — (714) 904-8575
Free Pool Filter Cleaning When you Sign up for Monthly Clean
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- I'm showing off my new bundle of joy, he brings such happiness and joy to our lives!
Meet Finny Cosmo (alittle bit of an ethnic name, irish-polish) He's a cutie pie. We call him Finn for short, he's a puppy 15 weeks old, a pomeranian… (Nextdoor Anaheim - Sage Park) - Hi neighbors — my cat has been missing for about one week, and we are very worried.
Please take a look at the photo attached. If you have seen her or have any information, please text me at 714-767-1873. Any help or sightings are… (Nextdoor Brookhurst Park)
- Superior Grocers posted a job opening for Grocery Night Crew Clerk in Anaheim. Apply here.
- Astrix Technology posted a job opening for Purchasing Assistant in Anaheim. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Anaheim here.
Ok Anaheim! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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