🌱 Family New Year's Eve 2022 + New Oil Sheen + O.C. Bomb Threat

Hello, Orange County! Paula Constance here, covering today's edition of the Orange County Daily.

First, today's weather:

Cloudy with showers and rain possible in the afternoon. High: 55 Low: 44.

Here are the top stories in Orange County today:

1. If you are looking for family-friendly New Year's Eve events this year, Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park is celebrating with fun activities for the whole family on Dec 31. from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. Knott’s "Merry" Farm will light up the sky with a special fireworks display and will have entertainment and activities throughout the day, including a family-friendly comedian, live bands, swing dancing, and more. Or, you can join Dave & Buster's in Irvine on New Year's Eve for a Food & Fun package on Dec. 31 from 5 p.m.- 8 p.m. Lego Land New Year's Eve also has fun activities planned for the entire family Dec. 31 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with an early fireworks display and New Year's Eve countdown to 2022 so your kids can still be in bed on time. Find out more about these, and other O.C. New Year's Events, here: (sandytoesandpopsicles.com)
2. An oil sheen on the water off of Bolsa Chica State Beach in Orange County has been traced to a small California-based oil company in Oxnard, according to state officials. The size of the sheen hasn't been determined, but officials said divers plan to visit the area Tuesday to inspect the pipeline owned by DCOR LLC, which runs from Platform Eva, once the weather improves. Samples were collected Wednesday as part of the investigation. Wildlife has not been observed covered with oil, according to state Fish and Wildlife, which “remains on standby.” Neighboring Long Beach has not been affected, but officials are tracking the sheen as it travels north toward the San Gabriel River and Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier. Marine safety chief of the Long Beach Fire Department, Gonzalo Medina, said that rain breaks the sheen into clumps "which makes it harder to track." But as soon as the rain breaks, he said, "we're back on it and looking for it.” You can read more here: (Los Angeles Times)
3. O. C. deputies were dispatched to Saddleback Hospital after someone called, claiming d to be at the location with "a bomb," said the Orange Country Sheriff's Department in a statement on Twitter. The OCSD announced Sunday afternoon on Twitter that deputies responded to a possible bomb threat at the Memorial Care Saddleback Medical Center hospital in Laguna Hills. O.C. deputies created a perimeter around the hospital, working with hospital security. About 15 minutes later, OCSD said they were investigating the incident as a possible swatting call. Deputies are investigating. (NBC Southern California)

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Today in Orange County:

• Boys V Basketball @ Bolsa Grande Tourney TBA. (All Day)
• Frosh Boys' Basketball-La Quinta Tournament TBA. (All Day)
• VAR Boys' Basketball- Estancia Tournament- TBD. (All Day)
• Boys Soph Basketball @ El Toro Tourney TBA. (All Day)
• Boys F/JV Basketball @ El Dorado Tourney TBA (All Day)
• Basketball, Girls Varsity Valencia/Placentia@TBA. (All Day)
• Basketball, Boys Varsity Valencia/Placentia@TBA. (General Events) (All Day)
• #athletics Varsity Boys Basketball @ Estancia. (All Day)
• VAR Girls' Basketball -Savanna Tournament TBA. (Events) (All Day)
• JV Girls' Basketball-Ocean View Tournament TBA. (Events) (All Day)
• Girls JV/V Basketball @ Garden Grove Tournament TBD. (All Day)
• Basketball Boys-Away Tournament - Western High. (8 a.m.)
• Park Med-Spa Event with Barefoot Bliss Massage and Xeomin. (9 a.m.)
• All NBPL locations close at 6 p.m. - City of Newport Beach. (6 p.m.)
• Var. B. Basketball v. Monrovia (Admin: Mc ADAMS). (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County: "AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION! Are you looking for a laid-back, adorable fellow who likes other dogs and even kitties? Look no further!" (Facebook)
• Orange County Sheriff's Department, C.A: "Happy Kwanzaa, Orange County! We are wishing you a safe and peaceful celebration of love, community, and family." (Facebook)
• Orange County Register: "The storms will bring a couple more inches of rain, gusty winds, and cold temperatures, but should dissipate in time for the Rose Parade on Jan. 1, 2022." (Facebook)
• Orange County Register: "Equestrian units in the Rose Parade represent only a glimpse of a legion of stories and key roles in which horses have played." (Facebook)

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• Ring In the New Year With 15 Percent Off Beautiful Blooms From FTD! (Dec. 31)
• Call for Art: Open Theme/All Media. (Jan. 2)
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Now you're in the know and ready to head out the door on Monday! See you tomorrow with another 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.