🌱 HS Threat Hoax + Urban Learning Degree + Angels Parking Fee Doubles

Hi there, Orange County! Today’s National I Am In Control Day; but did you know that before today’s positive meaning, it actually referred to Alexander Haig’s overreaching statement in 1981? I'm here in your inbox this morning to get you caught up on everything you need to know about what's going on in the county, including news on:

• ⛲ Fountain repairs
• 🚧 Closures near the Springdale Street bridge
• 😠 High school locked down from hoax.

❤️ Loving the Orange County Daily? Tell a friend and send them this link, so they can subscribe!

🌧️ But first, today's weather:

A shower and thunderstorm. High: 61 Low: 45.

🏠 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

• Berri Brothers at 18025 Magnolia St. in Fountain Valley, $4.25
• Costco at 2655 El Camino Real in Tustin, $4.39
• 76 at 32611 Niguel Rd. in Dana Point, $4.74

🌺 Spring Poll!
Spring has sprung, and it’s time to think about adding plants to the garden. Which flowers and shrubs are you considering this year? So far, 45.5%% opted for California Monarch Milkweed, 18.2% selected Wooly Bluecurls, and 9.1% each chose Common Sage, California Poppy, Lacy Phacelia (write-in), and Dahlias & Lavender (write-in).

📰 Here are the top stories in Orange County today:

1. On Monday, Huntington Beach High School ordered teachers and students to shelter in place for about 30 minutes. Someone called in a threat to the police department a little before 2 p.m. The anonymous caller claimed to be in a campus bathroom. “They were saying there was an incident going on at the school, and police needed to respond.” The campus went on lockdown, and the police responded. They swept the campus and gave the all-clear when they figured it was a hoax. (Daily Pilot)
2. This fall, Cal State Fullerton’s College of Education introduces a new bachelor’s degree. Termed the Bachelor of Arts in Urban Learning, its target audience is the future educator looking to work in the special education setting or elementary education field. The curriculum is designed to provide “instruction in the area of implementing just, equitable and inclusive practices in the classroom.” (The Orange County Register/suspended paywall)
3. Bring extra money if you’re heading out to Angel Stadium in Anaheim any time soon. General parking fees doubled this week, from $10 to $20. If you want to park for $10, you must have a season seat or be a mini-plan holder. The Angels quickly point to Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, where parking costs $27 a game. (Local Today)
4. Earlier this month, we talked about a 24-year-old driver in a Hyundai Sonata who crashed into downtown Orange’s fountain. On Tuesday, OC supervisors allocated $225,000 to repair the fountain. Besides repairing the historic landmark, contractors will add “additional security” to protect the fountain from similar damage in the future. It’s interesting to note that a grandson of the fountain’s designer will take on the project. (Patch, My News LA)
5. If you routinely take the 405, listen up! Crews are in the process of pouring concrete for the Springdale Street bridge that crosses the 405. They’ll close “the SB I-405 off-ramp/collector-distributor road to Springdale/Westminster Boulevard.” The closure runs from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will last until Friday. (405 Improvement)

📆 Today in Orange County:

• Grocery Outlet in Placentia holds Senior Day (7 AM)
• Come to the Fountain Valley Mayor's Breakfast at 11190 Warner Ave (8 AM)
• Attend the Career Compass Real Estate Success Seminar at the Anaheim Convention Center (8:30 AM)
• Head to the Anatolia Cultural Center's Food Festival in Irvine (10 AM)
• Bring a reluctant reader to the Orange Public Library & History Center for Dogs Aloud (2 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "The OCFA family and teamwork doesn’t end in retirement. Most fire careers last over 30 years with a lot of blood, sweat, and tears along the way. Our profession is unique because we live and work with each other for 48 hours at a time." (Orange County Fire Authority via Facebook)
• "Scam Prevention Tip: If unsure, verify the identity of the contact through an independent source, such as an online search. Don't use the contact details provided in the message sent to you." (Orange County Sheriff's Department, CA, via Facebook)
• "To conclude Women’s History Month, we are highlighting the highest-ranking woman in the history of the OCFA, Deputy Chief Lori Zeller! Chief Zeller has served the OCFA for over 26 years." (Orange County Fire Authority via Facebook)
• "After months of academic decathlon preparation, Orange County students completed a successful competition season by placing among the top scorers at the 44th annual California Academic Decathlon on March 25. The Woodbridge High School decathlete squad won
  another third-place title for their program. They tested their knowledge in the 10-event decathlon alongside their fellow Orange County teams from Valencia University, Kennedy and Westminster high schools, and Fairmont Preparatory Academy." (Orange County Department of Ed via Instagram)
• "🚣 Learn to paddle in an outrigger canoe for free! A limited number of opportunities are available with registration at Bayside Beach within Newport Harbor (1901 Bayside Dr., Newport Beach, CA). 🛶 Visit https://www.ocparks.com/baysid..." (Orange County Parks 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 $955.4K

Check out more Orange County real estate information!

🐶 Meet Orange County area Pets Available To Be Adopted!

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Featured events:

• FINAL Youth Football and Cheer In-Person Registration - 2023 (April 1)
• Easter Bash Market Free to the Community! (April 1)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar at Marina Park Community and Sailing Center (April 6)
• Add your event

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

— 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