🌱 Jane Doe Steals Police SUV + Sunrise Service + Chief Medical Course

Hello all! Today’s First Contact Day; did you know it’s a Trekkie celebration that marks the day in 2063 when Vulcans make contact with Earth near Boseman, Montana? It's Sylvia, your host of the Orange County Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with everything you need to know that's happening in our community. Today you'll read about these stories and more...

• ✂️ The River Street Marketplace boasts 20 new business tenants.
• 🧑‍⚖️ A discrimination lawsuit in Santa Ana
• ✝️ An early morning invitation from the Laguna Beach United Methodist Church

💗 Please help us grow! Send a friend or neighbor this link, so they can be in the know, like you!

☀️ But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 71 Low: 45.

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⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Across Orange County

• Chevron at 23891 Bridger Rd. in Lake Forest, $4.09
• Costco at 5401 Katella Ave. in Cypress, $4.29
• ARCO at 501 W Whittier Blvd. in La Habra, $4.35

🌺 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, 62.5% opted for California Monarch Milkweed, 16.7% selected Wooly Bluecurls, and 8.3% picked Common Sage; 4.2% each chose California Poppy, Lacy Phacelia (write-in), and Dahlias & Lavender (write-in).

📰 Here are the top stories today in Orange County:

1. Is this the week for stealing black-and-whites? On Monday, a woman in her 30s stole a sheriff’s SUV in the Compton area. She led pursuers on a high-speed chase on surface streets, the 110, the 91, and finally back onto surface streets in Anaheim. The driver pulled into a commercial complex, where pursuers boxed her in. Since she had no identification, she was booked as “Jane Doe.” Reportedly, she’s not talking to investigators. This case had a happier outcome than last week’s chase of a suspect in a stolen Highway Patrol cruiser that went from Santa Clarita to the Antelope Valley and ended when the suspect died jumping from the moving vehicle. (Patch, ABC, 2)
2. San Juan Capistrano’s Los Rios Historic District is undergoing a revival. The River Street Marketplace developer said 20 business tenants signed leases and will open later. “Among the companies that have signed on the dotted line are La Vaquera Mexican Restaurant, McConnell’s Ice Cream, “Bred’s Hot Chicken, local brewery Capistrano Brewing, female clothing boutique Common Thread, Western clothing shop Wildfire Mercantile, boba tea spot Kozan Teahouse & Boba, and butcher shop The Meat Cellar Market and Steakhouse.” (The Capistrano Dispatch)
3. Santa Ana’s been using zoning codes to discourage charities and street-level homeless clinics from fulfilling their missions. However, this action resulted in a discrimination lawsuit filed by Share Our Selves, a federally qualified low-income health clinic. The group intended to buy a commercial space near the Main Place Mall. Upon the city’s request, it removed a proposed food pantry. The clinic says the zoning laws eventually prevented it from closing escrow. In its lawsuit, the nonprofit says it sees “an orchestrated campaign to use the City’s land use regulations to thwart and obstruct the operations of charitable organizations,” including the Salvation Army. Another Christian charity, Micah’s Way, was denied a 4th Street occupancy permit because of “federal religious protections.” (Voice of OC)
4. Doctors looking to ramp up their training and become chief medical officers now have an online option. The University of California Irvine introduced a new nine-month, online program through the UCI Paul Merage School of Business. Physicians pay $18,500 to participate in the program that lets them “fast-track their way up the leadership ladder.” Classes begin in June, giving doctors another option outside of Emory University, which operates a similar program. (Becker’s Hospital Review)
5. What are your plans for Easter Sunday? The Laguna Beach United Methodist Church will host an Easter Sunrise Service at Main Beach Park. Open to everyone, it’s the first time since the pandemic that organizers expect large attendance. Be part of the tradition by heading to Main Beach just before 6 a.m. Dress warmly, bring a beach chair, enjoy a hot cup of coffee, and marvel at the spectacle of a Southern California sunrise. (Patch)

📆 Today in Orange County:

• Kaiser Permanente Irvine Farmers' Market at 6670 Alston Parkway (9 AM)
• Bring Your Own Baby Tour & Tea at the Orange County Museum of Art in Costa Mesa (10:30 AM)
• The Orange Chamber of Commerce hosts a Business Networking Group at Zito's Pizza (11:45 AM)
• Friar Tux, Laguna Niguel, hosts its Grand Re-Opening & Ribbon Cutting (12 PM)
• It's LEGO Wednesday at the Crean Mariners Branch Library in Newport Beach (3 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "We are hiring!!! The Performance Audit Manager will manage identifiable internal process audits, compile and implement the internal audit plan, and evaluate audit findings with the outcome of fostering improved processes and operations." (Orange County Sheriff's Department, CA, via Facebook)
• "The Orange County Fire Authority and Orange County Professional Firefighters Local 3631 honor the life and service of Fire Apparatus Engineer Emmett Wells on this anniversary of his Line of Duty Death on April 4, 2004." (Orange County Fire Authority via Facebook)
• "It's a good time to check that you have updated your emergency numbers for your pets and check that your emergency supplies are still in fresh." (Orange County Animal Allies via Facebook)
• "We want to thank Pacific West Association of Realtors! They hosted a professional clothing drive and filled 18 barrels!" (Orange County Rescue Mission via Facebook)
• "Calling all Girl Scouts, parents and caregivers, and troop leaders: we want to hear from you! Beginning the week of April 3, we’ll be conducting our Girl Scout Voices Count national survey to hear what you have to say about Girl Scouts. Everyone who completes the survey will have a chance to win 1 of 20 $50 gift cards! Check your email for your invitation to participate and make your voice heard!" (Girl Scouts of Orange County 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:

• Taxes in Retirement Seminar at Marina Park Community and Sailing Center (April 6)
• Easter Sunrise Service at the beach (April 9)
• Easter Service-Community Church of OC (April 9)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar at Marina Park Community and Sailing Center (April 11)
• OCBCAF CPR Workshops (April 30)
• Add your event

Alrighty, you're all good 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