🌱 New HB Power Authority + Wieder Park Mosquitoes + Opioid Case

Happy Thursday, neighbors! Here's everything you need to know about what's happening in town today.

Will energy rates fall next year? Also, mosquitoes are plentiful at Wieder Park. Finally, the opioid distributor settlement is a mixed bag.

The cheapest gas you can find in town is at Costco, 7562 Center Avenue, Arco at 17502 Goldenwest Street, and Arco at 5921 Warner Avenue, where it costs $4.15. It goes up from there.

First, today's weather:

Low clouds may break. High: 65 Low: 55.

Here are the top stories today in Huntington Beach:

1. Did you know that Huntington Beach, Irvine, Buena Park, and Fullerton formed the Orange County Power Authority? In a Monday announcement, the group explained that it is a community choice energy program to give residents options “when it comes to the energy used in homes and businesses.” Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan predicts rate reductions of 2 to 4%. Commercial accounts are automatically enrolled on April 1, 2022. Residential accounts come on board after October 1, 2022. (Spectrum1)
2. Vector Control is coming to Harriett M. Wieder Regional Park on Thursday. Expect to see trucks between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. Technicians will spray Vectobac WDG in response to high mosquito trap counts. You may remember that Vector Control targeted the park in October with Aqua Duet -- also in response to high trap counts. (OC Vector)
3. On Tuesday, Orange County supervisors approved a settlement with opioid distributors McKeon, Bergen and Cardinal Health, and Janssen Pharmaceuticals. Ending a court case that dragged on for seven years, there is no dollar amount in play yet. The settlement comes on the heels of a November 1 decision that “prosecutors failed to provide enough evidence linking the pharmaceutical companies to the crisis that would amount to a public nuisance claim.” (Patch)
4. The City urges residents to conserve water. After the “second-driest year on record,” Governor Gavin Newsom had extended the statewide drought emergency. A Tuesday tweet noted that water conservation could take the form of installing low-flow shower heads, watering the landscape early in the morning, checking for leaks, and running washing machines or dishwashers only when full. (@CityofHBPIO)
5. The MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center (OCMC) announced Tuesday that its Obstetrical Emergency Department (OB-ED) received the approval of the California Department of Public Health. Open 24 hours a day/7 days a week, the “OB-ED assesses, treats, and discharges obstetrical patients and ensures that a specialist in high-risk obstetrics evaluates every patient to help improve patient safety.” You may need to seek out this care if you are dealing with a urinary tract infection, ruptured membranes, high blood pressure, or abdominal pain (among other conditions). (OC Breeze)

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Today in Huntington Beach:

• Morning Prayer at FCCHB (6 a.m. to 7 a.m.)
• Huntington Beach Harvest and Holiday Event at 18595 Main Street (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
• Health Talks with Care Connections Network at the Lutheran Church (11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
• FOTL Author Event with Naomi Hirahara & Julia Walton at the Central Library (11:30 a.m.)
• Electronic Thursdays at The Circle OC (9 p.m.)

Huntington Beach Patch Notebook

• City of Huntington Beach: Construction for the new Central Park Playground is scheduled for completion by the end of this month! The new flagship playground will feature innovative equipment that challenges children mentally and physically. (Instagram)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with another update. If you're feeling these newsletters, consider bringing some of your friends and neighbors into the fold. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— 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? I'm all ears. You can contact me at huntingtonbeach-ca@patch.com.