🌱 Best Ice Cream Tacos + Animal Shelter Protests Grow + $500M Grant

Hello and happy Thursday. I'm in your inbox this morning with the most important things happening in Orange County. Here's the lowdown.

• Family-owned Sweet Rolled Tacos is O.C.'s hot spot.
• Santa Ana Trolley grant money approved for downtown businesses disruptions.
• O.C. voices getting louder over shelter's pet adoption policy.
• $500M in grants to learn new job skills.

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First, today's weather:

Clouds yielding to sun. High: 80 Low: 65.

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Here are the top stories today in Orange County:

1. Sweet! That's what fans have to say about the Sweet Rolled Tacos shop in Orange County. If you haven't been there, this local hot spot is famous for its ice cream tacos. California's two favorite foods have been combined into a fun and festive dessert. "Sweet Rolled Tacos is a family-owned business in Garden Grove that makes rolled ice cream tacos." You can see ice cream "made fresh from beginning to end." You can find "more than 21 flavors and a variety of colorful waffle taco cones. "I've never been to a place like this. I love it," said Samantha Padilla, a resident of Whittier, California. (KABC-TV)
2. Santa Ana businesses impacted by the lengthy Santa Ana Trolley construction project have good news. Businesses impacted by the downtown Sanat Ana trolley project will receive nearly $680,000 in payments to make up for trolley-related revenue loss. The OCTA approved the payments for "lost parking revenues and other costs between February and December of 2022." Earlier this year, workers began installing railway tracks in downtown Santa Ana for the OC Streetcar on Fourth Street, disrupting traffic and limiting pedestrian access to downtown businesses. (OCRegister)
3. More Orange County residents are pushing for The County Animal Shelter to reopen its kennels to public visitors. Dozens of vocal protestors held signs near the O.C. Animal Shelter to save the lives of the pets inside. Only one month ago, 6,000 people had signed a petition to reopen the shelter to the public and end appointment-only visits that activists say are resulting in the unnecessary euthanization of pets that could have been adopted if the public was allowed walk-in access. The animal shelter closed the kennel area to the public when COVID-19 hit in 2020, and to this day, the shelter restricts pet adoption to appointment-only visits. A policy that has Orange County residents and advocates increasingly upset. (Voice of OC)
4. If you are a displaced worker and are looking to learn a new job skill, you may be eligible to receive funds from a $500 million state program. The state grant program, which helps displaced California workers learn new job skills, has opened up to more people since the start of the pilot program. Now's your chance to see if you are eligible for thousands of dollars available in new job training grants. (Orange County Register via Facebook)

Today in Orange County:

• Think Goodness Fundraiser to Support Placentia Businesses. (Al Day)
• First Day of Hispanic Heritage Month. (All Day)
• Building Industry of Southern CA, 2022 Building Industry Show. (All Day)
• Kiwanis Club of Placentia Weekly meeting. (7:15 a.m.)
• Red Cross Blood Drive (Events) — Huntington Beach Adult School. (8:30 a.m.)

From my notebook:

• Bubble Tea Shop Expands: The Orange County's Outstanding Bubble Tea Shop is expanding to San Diego. (Eater San Diego)
• Police Looking for Good Samaritans Who Protect Boy from Sex Assault: Police are hoping to speak with the two good Samaritan strangers that protected a Glendale boy from sexual assault at a doughnut shop. Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is urged to contact the Glendale Police Department at 818-548-4911. To submit an anonymous tip, you can contact L.A. Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). You can read more about this story here: (ABC7)
• German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County: "Meet Jagger! This young guy is about 15 months old and full of playful energy. He likes people and is so happy to be out and about. Like most teenagers, he has lots of spunk and needs some training to help him learn new things." (German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County via Facebook)
• Orange County Register: "Update: The silver 2017 Toyota Sienna was stolen at the school at 8600 Somerset St., about 9:30 a.m., Buena Park police said. The boy was seated in the back seat when it was stolen, police said." (Orange County Register via Facebook)
• Orange County Sheriff's Department, C.A.: "Would your child know what to do if they become separated from you? Come up with a game plan and teach your kids who they can go to if they need help finding you. #ChildTipTuesday." (Orange County Sheriff's Department, CA via Facebook)

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That's it for today! See you tomorrow morning for your next update.

— Paula Constance

About me: Paula is a contributing writer, author, and award-winning media producer. She is committed to media projects that empower, engage, and help make the world a better place. When she's not writing, you can find her hiking or watching the fireflies in the sultry moments before sunset. You can follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Orange County Daily? Contact me at orangecounty@patch.com