🌱 Why Residents Are Leaving Orange County + The Coldest Day On Record

Hello, everybody! It's Paula Constance, back in your inbox this morning with your new copy of the Orange County Patch newsletter. Here's everything you need to know that's happening in OC today, including these stories and more...

• OC city with the coldest temperature Wednesday.
• Major OC transportation improvements.
• Giant retailer will close two OC stores.
• Why residents are leaving Los Angeles and Orange counties

But first, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy. High: 69 Low: 44.

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Here are the top stories in Orange County today:

1. Which Orange County city had the coldest temperature? The lowest temperature recorded on Wednesday was in Fullerton at a chilly 39 degrees. The National Weather Service said the 39 degrees temperature recorded at Fullerton Airport tied the lowest minimum temperature recorded in 2009. (Orange County Patch)
2. OC has $4 billion in transportation improvements in the works, to make it easier to get around Orange County. The projects expected to be complete by the end of the year include a streetcar in Santa Ana and two new toll lanes with a "no-cost lane" open to all cars on the 405 freeway. Some say they would also like to see more pedestrian, bicycle and bus access in OC cities. The transportation improvements were "largely funded by OC’s half-percent sales tax known as Measure M2 or OC Go." (Voice of OC)
3. Bed, Bath and Beyond will close two Orange County locations. The national home goods retailer is closing 87 stores, and its stores in Santa Ana and Yorba Linda are on that list. (Orange County Register via Facebook)
4. More people are moving from Los Angeles and Orange counties to the Inland Empire, and the reason is money. The cost of houses and rentals in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties is "ridiculously high," said economist John Husing. General Manager Ed Coelho of Burgess Moving and Storage in Riverside agreed, saying, "people are looking for where their money goes a little further than here." (KABC-TV)

Today in Orange County:

• Chapter a Week Book Group, 1984: Irvine Heritage Park Library (9:00 AM)
• Coffee Concerts at Casa Romantica - Arts and Culture Events in Orange County (10:00 AM)
• Free Citizenship Services with AAAJ (Events) (10:00 AM)
• Ribbon Cutting- The Stand - Tustin Chamber of Commerce (11:00 AM)
• Job Readiness Skills Workshops IN-PERSON (Events) (11:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Flowers popping up in OC parks! "A rainy January means wildflowers are popping up throughout #OCParks, including these perfect poppies at Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park. Here are a few tips if you plan on going petal peeping this spring:" (OC Parks via Facebook)
• Help solve this OC murder: "OC Sheriff investigators are seeking additional info about a homicide that occurred in the city of Stanton on June 28." (OC Sheriff's Department via Facebook)
• Cypress garage engulfed in flames: "Firefighters were dispatched to the 6800 block of Breton Way for a residential fire at 8:28 pm. Engine & Medic 46 found a fully-involved garage fire that was threatening a condo & an adjacent garage. FFs made an aggressive attack that prevented extension of the fire." (OCFA via Twitter)

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You're all good for today! See you tomorrow for another update.

— 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