🌱 Santa Village Grinch Arrested + Marina HS Coach Hospitalized

Get on up, Huntington Beach! It's Thursday, so let's get you started with everything you need to know going on today in Huntington Beach.

The Sheriff’s Department found a unique way to remind residents to keep their belongings safe this Christmas. Also, a beloved cross-country coach is in the hospital. Finally, a shoutout to four HB students who are heading to Biola University!

First, today's weather:

Rain; cool. High: 61 Low: 57.

Here are the top stories in Huntington Beach today:

1. The OC Sheriff’s Department arrested the Grinch at Mission Viejo’s Santa Village. The officers used the staged event to remind residents to be mindful of real-life grinches being out this time of year. They warned against keeping cars unlocked, storing your purse in a shopping cart, and having your home look empty in your absence. (ocsdmissionviejo)
2. We learned Tuesday that David Sanford, the cross-country head coach of Marina HS, was rushed to the ER. The Los Al ER was determining whether a transfer to Kaiser Anaheim would be feasible. The coach suffered from “diminished cognitive function the last few days.” (@PrepCalTrack)
3. A shoutout to four HB high school graduates who are joining Biola University this fall as Eagles. We learned Wednesday that they are Sydney Graves, Linnea Hoodman, Claire Larsen, and Jessica Moses. Congratulations! (HB News)
4. The City Attorney was present at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. The Council wants to retain outside counsel, which is a Charter violation. There was a conversation that the Council could get outside legal counsel by going through the City Attorney’s office. However, this should pertain to a second opinion and if the City Attorney has to recuse himself over a conflict of interest only. Not being able to reach a consensus, the Council chose to table the discussion for more conversation in a closed session. (Granicus)
5. Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley and her team have been busy! After preparing more than 360 holiday care packages, the team delivered them to seniors and families. There were gift cards, sweatshirts, masks, and more. Supervisor Foley received recommendations for possible recipients from schools and non-profit organizations. (@SupervisorFoley)

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Today in Huntington Beach:

• Getting Ready For Santa at Pacific City (3 PM)
• Night of Lights at the OC Fair & Event Center (5 PM)
• Christmas as CrossPoint (5 PM & 7 PM)
• Karaoke Thursday at Perqs (9 PM)
• Junkie Kid at The Circle OC (9 PM)

From my notebook:

• Citywide street sweeping citations have been suspended for the rest of the month! (Instagram)
• A Downtown Huntington Beach neighbor found a Casio watch on 8th St. between PCH & Walnut. (Nextdoor)
• Our Irby Park Tract neighbor needs opinions about Curt's Mobile Grooming. Are they good? (Nextdoor)
• A Bolsa Chica Street neighbor is reaching out to anyone in the Cabo Del Mar complex who knows someone by the name of Crystal McCutcheon. (Nextdoor)
• Can you help our Robinwood Park neighbor with recommendations to have a slab of concrete poured, approximately 12x12? (Nextdoor)
• A Hopeview Track neighbor wants your help identifying a car full of boys near Slater and Graham, who threw eggs. (Nextdoor)

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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you around.

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Sylvia Cochran works out of sunny Southern California and has been freelance writing full-time since 2005. She loves dogs, cats, books, plays Best Fiends (don't judge), embraces social justice, and tries to live out Micah 6:8.