🌱 Help Police Solve Cold-Case Murder + Storms Replenish OC Water

Hi OC! It's Paula Constance, your host of the Patch newsletter. Let's start today with a quick guide to the most important things happening in Orange County today. In this edition, find out about these stories and more...

• Jeep flipped over, blocking a lane on the 22 Freeway.
• OC water supply replenished by recent winter storms.
• Police ask for help to solve cold-case murder.
• Man arrested for trying to run over pedestrians.

But first, today's weather:

Heavy rain developing. High: 57 Low: 48.

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Here are the top stories today in Orange County:

1. Recent winter storms brought a deluge of rain that helped replenish the county's water supply. OC Water District officials said it replenished its groundwater supply "for the 2nd time this year" after severe drought depleted water levels. Rainfall provides about 20 percent of the county's water, the Orange County Water District said, adding, OC is "grateful for all the rain this year." (KABC-TV)
2. Orange County police are asking for the public's help to solve a 2021 cold-case murder. A 52-year-old man named Tony Barton was found dead in his home "in the 1400 block of East Lincoln Avenue just before 8 a.m. May 28, 2021," according to Anaheim police Sgt. Jon McClintock. Investigators ask witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. (msnNOW)
3. Traffic was backed up for miles Thursday after a vehicle flipped over. Police reported that a Jeep flipped over on the 22 Freeway, injuring "at least one person" around at 12:38 p.m. The accident blocked the third lane of the freeway, causing a SigAlert to be issued. (Patch)
4. A 39-year-old man was arrested after he tried to run over pedestrians with his car at MacArthur Intermediate School in Orange County. Nicolas Sanudo "was arrested by the Santa Ana Police Department and booked for assault with a deadly weapon and evading a peace officer." The harrowing incident happened around 4:40 p.m. Tuesday. (Patch)

Today in Orange County:

• Free Estate Planning Webinar (9:00 AM)
• FREE: Music on the Porch at The Ranch (4:00 PM)
• Creatures of the Night - February 24 (5:00 PM)
• FREE: Jazz Pianist Ron Kobayashi plus Special Guests at Bayside (6:00 PM)
• FREE: Live Jazz at The OC Fish Grill (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Foster family needed: "FOSTER NEEDED --- Orange County, CA GSROC received a request from a family that can no longer keep their 5-month-old puppy. The puppy is healthy and happy but they can no longer keep him. We would like to help but ALL of our foster homes..." (German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County via Facebook)
• OCFA Firefighter Lewis Evans: "As #BlackHistoryMonth concludes this week, we are proud to highlight OCFA Firefighter Lewis Evans who serves on Engine 6 in the City of Irvine. Born in Cleveland, Lewis was raised in San Diego and Santa Ana. After graduating from Los Ami..." (Orange County Fire Authority via Facebook)
• Discarded animal bones: "🪨 Riffle me this! 🔎 In archaeology, it's rarely possible and often not responsible to excavate all of a particular site, survey all of a specific area or analyze all the midden, which can include discarded animal bones." (OC Parks via Instagram)
• Now hiring! "Join us for our hiring event at our OC Goodwill Boutique in San Juan Capistrano! 🗓️ Friday, February 24th ⏰ 10 am- 12 pm, 1 pm - 3 pm 📍 91892 Plaza Dr., Unit A-1, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 We'll be conducting interviews o..." (Goodwill of Orange County via Facebook)
• Investigation: "The Orange County Board of Education on Friday, Feb. 17, called for an independent investigation of the Orange County School of the Arts, which faces three lawsuits alleging sexual abuse." (Orange County Register via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday. See you all tomorrow morning!

— 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at orangecounty@patch.com