🌱 Risky OC Bridges + Speak Up Now +Famous Musician's Car Stolen

Good morning, Orange County! Let's start today off on an informed note. Here's everything you need to know today in Orange County.

First, today's weather:

A sunny and very warm day. High: 82. Low: 60.

Here are the top stories today in Orange County:

1. Green Day guitarist and lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong asked fans on social media to help him find his classic Chevy sedan that was stolen this weekend. Police think the 1962 Chevy II, also known as a Nova, was stolen sometime over the weekend in Costa Mesa when it was parked on Victoria Street east of the Santa Ana River sometime after Friday afternoon. Armstrong urged anyone with information to call Costa Mesa Police at 714-754-5280. You can read more about this story here: (OC Register)
2. More than half of California’s bridges are not in good shape. "We don’t want to scare people, but there are limits to how long it can last and what it can handle," said an executive with an association of counties. If you travel between Universal Studios and Encino, you’re going over California’s busiest "structurally deficient bridge" that was built in 1959, when Dwight Eisenhower was president. Nearly 300,000 cars cross the bridge per day, according to federal data. A train passes under the 57 freeway that received a “poor” rating on Friday, Feb. 4. Authorities say 60.2 percent of the bridges in Orange County were rated "fair" or "poor," adding that they need work, but are perfectly safe, which is what Pennsylvania officials said about the 50-year-old bridge that collapsed in Pittsburgh last month. "Big ticket items" get press coverage, and not pavement management or bridge conditions, said Michael McNally, professor of civil and environmental engineering at UC Irvine. Now is the time to reconsider infrastructure health, he added, "before we have bridge collapses." You can read more about this story here: (OC Register)
3. Orange County opened the public comment period for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding on Feb. 1. OC residents can comment through March 11. Orange County residents can also see information about the County’s ARPA and CARES Act Transparency website about how funds plan to be used. The ARPA information will be updated as new information becomes available and will be officially posted, according to the OC Count website. Orange County expects to receive its "final 50 percent" of its "$617 million federal ARPA allocation" in May 2022. You can read more about this story and comment about American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding here: (OC.gov)

Today in Orange County:

• Jazz Jam at The Falls Lounge — Arts and Culture Events in Orange County. (9 p.m.)
• Winter Reading Challenge Online — Huntington Beach Public Library. (All Day)
• The Great Backyard Bird House Design Contest. (All Day)
• February Networking Breakfast — Aliso Viejo Chamber of Commerce. (7:30 a.m.)

From my notebook:

• Orange County Weather Forecast: For the week ahead. (Orange County Patch)
• Five New Properties For Sale: In the Orange County area: (Orange County Patch)
• Orange County Area Prep Sports: Coming up this week: (Orange County Patch)
• German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County: "Visit our website to meet some wonderful dogs ready and willing to be your Valentine this year!" (Facebook)
• Radiant Health Centers: "Radiant Health Centers offers HIV, STI and Hepatitis C testing and treatment, including Rapid HIV testing with results available in 20 minutes." (Facebook)

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Events:

• Taxes in Retirement Webinar. (Feb. 8)
• Book Signing: "Diamond Is A Girl's Best Friend"...Diamond's Memoir by Susan Hoffman. (Feb. 8)
• ENP Legends & Leaders Super Celebration with a Mission. (Feb. 10)
• Self-Love & Self Worth in Divorce – Vesta Irvine, CA Hub. (Feb. 11)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar. (Feb. 14)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar. (Feb. 15)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar. (Feb. 17)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar. (Feb. 21)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar. (Feb. 21)
• 41st Annual CARSplus Convention: Networking for Success and Best Practices. (Feb. 25)
• The Most Romantic Evening In All of Orange County! (Feb. 25)
• Fall Youth Football Registration. (Feb. 26)
• Add your event

Announcements:

• New to Spa Gregorie's? Here's $20 to enjoy!! (Details)
• Add your announcement

If you love the Orange County Daily, here are all the ways you can get more involved:

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• Send me a news tip or suggestion at orangecounty@patch.com

You're caught up for today! I'll see you soon.

— 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. One of my favorite jobs? Working with Imagineering for The Walt Disney Company.