🌱 Murder Trial + City Manager Quits +City Readies For Litigation

Happy Friday, neighbors! Here's everything you need to know about what's happening in Huntington Beach today.

There’s a murder trial that started. Also, why did the City Manager decide to move on after only two years on the job? Finally, wouldn’t it be cheaper to build affordable housing rather than litigate ad nauseam?

Today’s PSA: The going rate for gas seems to be $3.99 according to GasBuddy. Find it at Costco at 7562 Center Avenue, or at three Arco stations situated at 17502 Goldenwest Street, 5987 Warner Avenue, and 16501 Goldenwest Street. You’re welcome.

First, today's weather:

Low clouds and fog, then sun. High: 72 Low: 55.

Here are the top stories in Huntington Beach today:

1. An HB man is going to trial for allegedly “using a cleaver or hatchet to kill two women after attending a New Year’s Eve party with them.” (Patch reported on the details of the double murder in the past.) The trial started Tuesday, with the prosecutor staying mum on a motive and the defense attorney mentioning mistakes made by the accused, but offering very little else. A conviction could mean life in prison for the 42-year-old. (OC Register/potential paywall)
2. City Manager Oliver Chi spent only two years at his job before deciding to move on. A Thursday post confirms that his new job is City Manager of Irvine. In the past, he worked as City Manager in Monrovia. His income will increase from $260,000 to $301,000. (Voice of OC)
3. Will $3.65 million be sufficient to fund “impending legal expenses related to the city’s long and unsuccessful fight against state-mandated affordable housing?” This is the amount of money the City Council earmarked after the Kennedy Commission, which advocates for the housing needs of low-income residents, received a $3.5 million award in attorney’s fees back in July. With HB being a charter city, it has had a lot of freedom regarding building more affordable housing. (Huntington Beach Insider/Twitter)
4. There are some areas where water sampling has shown “ocean water bacteria levels” that “exceed state health standards and may cause illness.” As of Thursday afternoon, the areas are Huntington Habour - Coral Cay Beach, Admiralty Drive, and the Harbour Channel. Other problems are at the Seagate Lagoon and the Sunset Aquatic Marina. Yesterday, there were problems at Magnolia Street. (OC Beach Info, @ochealth)

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Today in Huntington Beach:

• Gift Shop Board Meeting - Huntington Beach Public Library (10:00 AM)
• JOB DAY with the Job Developer and United States Postal Service (10:00 AM)
• Faith Fest 2021 (5 PM)
• 2021 California Wine Festival - Huntington Beach (6:30 PM)
• "Wings Over America" Concert (7 PM)

Huntington Beach Patch Notebook

• City of Huntington Beach: The HB Public Works Transportation Division installed two solar-powered illuminated stop signs at McFadden Avenue and Andaman Lane to enhance pedestrian safety around that intersection. Drive safely, Surf City! (Instagram)
• Huntington Beach Union High School District: Ocean View High School's College and Career Center recently hosted a College Application Day event! Seniors were welcomed into the computer lab with encouragement by OVHS cheer, teachers, and administrators. (Facebook)

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— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Sylvia Cochran works out of sunny Southern California and has been freelance writing full-time since 2005. Her SEO-optimized internet copy includes social media marketing projects and German to English business translations. She loves dogs, cats, books, plays Fishdom (don't judge), embraces social justice, and tries to live out Micah 6:8.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Huntington Beach Daily? Reach out anytime to huntingtonbeach-ca@patch.com.