🌱 Vigil, Mexico Death Questions + Snoopy At Knott's + Dirty OC Cities

Welcome back, Orange County! I'm here in your inbox with everything you need to know that's going on in OC today. Hope you all have a great day. In this issue, you'll find...

• Body found near park.
• Family holds vigil for public defender who mysteriously died in Mexico.
• Which OC cities are The Dirtiest in America?
• Meet Dean Kim of the OC Baking Company.
• Snoopy and other Peanuts characters coming to Knott's.

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 66 Low: 52.

Business owners and marketers in Orange County: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top stories in Orange County today:

1. A body was found near Haster Basin Recreational Park in Garden Grove Thursday, the Orange County Fire Authority reported. Firefighters responded to a call for medical help around 8:40 a.m. and discovered the body on an embankment. The cause of death is still under investigation. (Orange County Patch)
2. A vigil was held honoring an Orange County public defender who died earlier this month in Mexico, and his family is still looking for answers. Mexican authorities ruled that Elliot Blair accidentally fell to his death from a third-floor balcony, but "after their own investigation, his family is now confident that he was killed." (KABC-TV)
3. Which OC cities are on the list of The Dirtiest Places in America? LawnStarter compared 150 U.S. cities, looking at air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, the number of unsheltered unhoused people, landfill waste for every 100,000 residents and even how many homes had "signs of rats or mice"—wow! The results: Santa Ana and Anaheim were ranked the dirtiest in Orange County by LawnStarter for 2023. Do you agree? See the full list here: (Orange County Patch)
4. Food columnist Anne Marie Panoringan caught up with OC Baking Company’s Dean Kim for "Where Locals Dine, with OC Baking Company’s Dean Kim." You may know Kim from the Orange Home Grown Farmers Market, where he offers artisan breads. He also "dedicated an area in his facility to open a pop-up market" during COVID-19. What's next? In March, Kim plans "to supply all of the bread for Illumination Foundation’s upcoming philanthropic event" with 30 chefs! (Voice of OC)
5. Are you looking for something fun to do this weekend? The "PEANUTS" Celebration will be at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park on Saturday. See Snoopy and all of your favorite Peanuts characters throughout the park for "family-friendly fun" starting Jan. 28, running through Feb. 26. (Orange County Patch)

Today in Orange County:

• Storytime - Tustin Library - Orange County Mobile Library (9:00 AM)
• Craft Day - Library of the Canyons - Library of the Canyons/Silverado Library (9:00 AM)
• Welcome to Project Crystal Code Training in Moro Canyon (9:00 AM)
• Vietnamese New Year Tết Festival 2023: O.C. Fairgrounds, Costa Mesa (11:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Chance to win $1,000: "We just wanted to drop some cuteness in your feed! 🧡 Don't forget to vote for us in the Daily Kibble giveaway! Enter GSROC for a chance to win $1,000 for our rescue and a $100 Petco gift card for yourself! Please be sure to vote." (German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County via Facebook)
• Two adjacent mobile homes on fire: "Garden Grove - Firefighters were dispatched to the 13100 block of Partridge St at 4:25 pm for two adjacent mobile homes on fire. Crews made a rapid attack on the fire and searched the homes for residents and confirmed everyone was out." (Orange County Fire Authority via Facebook)
• Rare white dolphin: "The dolphin has leucism is a condition in which a reduction in melanin causes a partial loss of pigmentation in an animal resulting in white, pale or patchy skin coloration." (Orange County Register via Facebook)
• Now hiring! "We're hiring a Senior Human Resource Analyst! 📢 Application period closes February 13th. 💻 Think you're a perfect fit? Click here to apply 👉." (Orange County Fire Authority via Facebook)
• Field Trip Fest: "Tickets for the single-day music and beer festival in San Juan Capistrano are on sale now. 🎶🍺" (Orange County Register via Facebook)
• Strong winds knocked over big rigs: "Gusts knocked over big rigs in the Inland Empire. Orange County drivers dodged tall tumbleweeds on the 57 Freeway. Here's what's next." (Orange County Register via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Storage Valet — (Visit website)
• Au Pair Childcare USA — (Visit Website)
• Uptown Cheapskate — (Visit website)
• Tablerock boarding kennels — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• Lunar New Year Celebration at The District in Tustin on Saturday, 1/28! (January 28)
• Social Security Seminar at Newport Coast Community Center (January 31)
• 2023 Youth Football and Cheerleading Registration (February 4)
• Shop Small Saturday on Saturday, Feb. 4th, 2023. (February 4)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday. I'll see you soon!

— Paula Constance

About me: Paula is a contributing writer, author, and media producer. When she's not writing, you can find her hiking or watching fireflies in the sultry moments before sunset. You can follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Orange County Daily? Contact me at orangecounty@patch.com