Community Corner

🌱 Coroner's Tragic Mix-Up + Seal Mystery Deaths + COVID-19 Aware

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening in Orange County.

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Paula Constance, Patch Contributing WriterVerified Patch Staff Badge
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Hello, Orange County! Here's everything you need to know about what's happening in Orange County today.

First, today's weather:

Sunny and warmer today. High: 93. Low: 62.

Find out what's happening in Orange Countyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

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Find out what's happening in Orange Countyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Here are the top stories today in Orange County:

  1. A family is suing Orange County for a coroner’s mix-up that had a father thinking he buried his homeless son, but due to a cascade of errors by the coroner's office, the family later discovered that the man they buried was someone else. An attorney for the family said it was devastating. The family, who was reunited with their son, is taking legal action against the Orange County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office claiming negligence. You can read the full story here: (Orange County Patch)
  2. Orange County said hospitalizations for COVID-19 continue to fall, with 77 patients hospitalized, with 14 of those patients in intensive care, according to the latest state figures Saturday. But it's not time to let our guard down yet, said Andrew Noymer, an epidemiologist and UC Irvine professor of population health and disease prevention. He told City News Service on Friday that wastewater samples are showing an uptick in the new, highly contagious BA.2 omicron subvariant that could drive another surge. With BA.2 on the way, he said, "I wouldn't put my feet up quite yet." You can read the full story here: (City News Service)
  3. A teenage sea lion named Candle was taken to the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach on Feb. 7. The teenage sea lion was suffering from seizures after eating squid that contained the toxin domoic acid. The Center found six animals that died in a single day and 21 that died that week from Laguna Beach to Newport Beach. They all had distended stomachs filled with recently eaten squid. Sea animals can be poisoned from the neurotoxin by eating contaminated prey during a toxic bloom, which generally forms when the ocean temperatures are warmer, according to Dr. Alissa Deming. The toxins will naturally flush from an animal’s system over time, she explained, but sea lions repeatedly exposed to the toxin "will suffer longer-lasting and more serious effects." She wasn't sure if October’s oil spill off Huntington Beach had anything to do with the sea lion deaths. You can read the full story here (with a subscription): (OC Register)

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Today in Orange County:

  • International Week and Celebration — We Are Rancho (Schoolwide Events). (All Day)
  • Let's Be Kind Day — Costa Mesa High. (All Day)
  • Paraprofessional Appreciation Day — John F. Kennedy High. (All Day)
  • Main Street Branch Family Storytime — Huntington Beach Public Library. (10 a.m.)

From my notebook:

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Events:

  • Oasis Sailing Club Opening Day Ceremonies/Open House Event. (April 8)
  • Key Legal & Emotional Issues in Divorce — Vesta Irvine, California Hub. (April 8)
  • GardenFest 2022 Plant Sale and Household Goods Flea Market. (April 9)
  • Beginning Drawing The Foundations of Art Session 1: Line and Shape. (April 12)
  • Orange Republican Women Federated. (April 15)
  • Easter Service, Egg Hunt, Baptism and Celebration. (April 17)
  • [Free Masterclass] Increase Your Website Sales & Leads Using SEO. (April 22)
  • Love to Party for Good Attend The Sweetest Earth Day Parties. (April 22)
  • A Sweet Mom Brunch Help Your College Grad Land 1st Job! (April 29)
  • Add your event

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You're officially in the loop for today! See you tomorrow morning for your next update.

— Paula Constance

About me: I am a freelance writer, author, and media producer. I am committed to media projects that empower, engage, and help make the world a better place.

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