🌱 Casa Romantica Slide + Dumpster Diving For Suspects + Lucky Lottery

Hi all! Today’s National Pool Opening Day; did you know that Leslie’s Swimming Pool Supplies started it in 2016? I'm here right on time with your fresh copy of the Orange County Patch newsletter. Today, you'll learn about these stories and more...

• 🛏️ A new Garden Grove homeless shelter
• 🦆 A rehabilitated duck returns to the wild.
• 💰 Two new millionaires in the OC

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🌥️ But first, today's weather:

Times of clouds and sun. High: 74 Low: 55.

🏠 If you're a real estate agent in Orange County, of course you're looking for a way to stand out from the crowd and attract new clients. We can help you do that with an exclusive sponsorship in the Orange County Patch newsletter. Click here to learn more.

⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Across Orange County

• Costco at 910 S Harbor Blvd. in Fullerton, $4.35
• Anthem Oil at 105 E Lincoln Ave. in Orange, $4.49
• 76 at 7760 Crescent Ave. in Buena Park, $4.59

💻 Social Media Poll!
Everyone uses social media – frequently multiple platforms. Or do they? If you had to eliminate all social media except one platform, which one would you keep? So far, 50% would keep Facebook, 16.7% Instagram, 13.3% LinkedIn, 10% Truth Social, 6.7% TikTok, and 3.3% Twitter.

📰 Here are the top stories in Orange County today:

1. Casa Romantica update: Last time, we talked about a crack behind Casa Romantica in San Clemente that was getting bigger. The City Council voted to spend $75,000 to have a firm assess the cliff’s stability. Well, it was a day late and a dollar short. The hillside moved, took down a garden wall and some landscaping, and deposited a good bit of it on Metrolink’s tracks. “The landslide shut down service running from the Inland Empire to Orange County, as well as Orange County to Oceanside.” Amtrak reports disruption of the Pacific Surfliner between Irvine and San Diego. The earth started moving Thursday after lunch. A neighboring 30-unit condominium building is red-tagged, displacing 12 families. (Patch, NBC)
2. Earlier this week, the Irvine Police Department received several calls about men looking into cars in the Quail Hill neighborhood. Officers subsequently arrested three men, but not before one tried an escape on a motorcycle — which he crashed at Sand Canyon Avenue and Quail Hills Parkway. He then tried to run away and get lost in the shopping center. Eventually, officers plucked him out of a dumpster. It turns out the motorcycles the men used were stolen. They’re now looking at charges of “possession of stolen property, auto theft, possession of burglary tools, and receiving stolen property.” (Patch)
3. Garden Grove will be the location of an 85-bed homeless shelter. It will accept unhoused neighbors from Westminster, Fountain Valley and Garden Grove. Thomco Construction Inc. will develop the facility at 13871 West Street. Thomco will receive $4.2 million. Volunteers of America Los Angeles will operate the shelter and receive $5.2 million. (Voice of OC)
4. Do you remember last month when a compassionate 10-year-old saw a duck with an arrow stuck in its neck? The Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach took the duck in. The duck survived the attack, healed, and could be released back into the wild earlier this week. Whoever’s out and about with a crossbow using the duckies for target practice: Knock it off! (CBS)
5. Orange County lottery players are lucky! The Chevron at 5425 Alton Parkway in Irvine sold a winning $5 million Millionaire Bucks Scratcher earlier this week. "I don’t need a Ferrari. I don’t need a mansion. I’m not a spender. I’m going to do some traveling and let this money grow," the winner said. Meanwhile, the Shahkot Gas & Market at 1727 East Dyer Road in Santa Ana sold a winning $1 million Power 10s Scratcher. We have no word what that lucky winner is planning to do. (Fox)

📆 Today in Orange County:

• "Running Is For The Birds" Run & Walk 2023 meets at the Bolsa Chica State Beach multi-use trail's basketball courts (8 AM)
• Have fun at the OrangewoodFEST Epic Party at the Dunes in Newport Beach (8 AM)
• Visit the 62nd Annual Gem & Mineral Show at the Brookhurst Community Center in Anaheim (10 AM)
• Come to The Mindfulness Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center (10 AM)
• Participate in the Orange County Community Picnic in Huntington Beach (12 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "Six Points for Kids volunteers headed out to the Special Olympics Swim Competition to cheer on the athletes and award medals 🏅. We love seeing these incredible athletes, and they never cease to amaze us 🏊💚." (Orange County Sheriff's Department, CA, via Facebook)
• "Angelo is an avid ball player with a big heart. He is looking for a forever home that can keep his adolescent mind busy with activities and challenges. Angelo is a volunteer favorite because he is so willing to please." (German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County via Facebook)
• "Join us in celebrating the 2024 Orange County Teachers of the Year! These outstanding educators are making a difference in their communities and inspiring their students to strive for their best. 👏 "(Orange County Department of Ed via Instagram)
• "Come join us for the Spring Bark Bash! We’ll have three of our super cute adoptable pups there for you to meet, so come say hello! Dean Keaton: 11:00am-12:00pm Calvin: 12:00pm-2:00pm Slater: 12:00pm-2:00pm." (Orange County Pit Bull Rescue via Facebook)

🏡 What are homes selling for these days in Orange County?

• Median Listing Home Price $1M
• Median Listing Home Price/Square Foot $598
• Median Sold Home Price $975K

Check out more Orange County real estate information!

🐶 Meet adorable Orange County area Pets Available To Be Adopted!

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Featured events:

• Art along the coast (April 29)
• Anaheim Searchers 62nd Annual Gem and Mineral Show (April 29)
• Family Fest (April 29)
• Global Woman Club Networking Meeting (April 29)
• Cinco for a Cause – Margarita Fundraiser for McKenna Claire Foundation at Dos Amigos Cantina (May 5)
• Add your event

Featured announcements:

• Audition to Perform As a Soloist for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games (Details)
• Add your announcement

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with another update!

— 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 Bee Swarm Simulator (don't judge), embraces social justice, and tries to live out Micah 6:8.

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