🌱 Pool Chemical Spill + From Store To Apartments + Rebranding Stanton

Welcome back, Orange County! Today’s National Star Wars Day. Did you know that the phrase “may the fourth be with you” was coined in 1979, when Margaret Thatcher was elected Prime Minister in Britain? I'm here in your inbox today to get you up to speed on what's going on in the county, including news on:

• ⚠️ Four teens under arrest in a shooting.
• 🏗️ A vote to turn an old Sears into apartments.
• ⚽ Soccer with an agave-tasting experience.

💗 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: Morning rain, then a shower. High: 65 Low: 54.

🏠 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

• Shell at 23652 Rockfield Blvd. in Lake Forest, $4.59
• Costco at 115 Technology Drive in Irvine, $4.65
• 76 at 26871 Aliso Creek Road in Aliso Viejo, $4.67

🍷 Hobby Poll!
Everybody has hobbies. If time and money were no object this summer, which new hobby would you like to learn or take up? So far, 20 percent pick traveling, and 10 percent each select horseback riding, flying, ballroom dancing, crocheting, Mahjong, basket making, and fly-fishing. A new write-in — at 10 percent — is dog training and showing.

📰 Here are the top stories in Orange County today:

1. On Monday, the Orange County Fire Authority traveled to unincorporated Garden Grove. A traffic collision at the Augusta Drive and Dale Street intersection resulted in a chemical spill. The Hazardous Materials Response Team arrived, identified the chemicals as pool cleaners, and “neutralized and mitigated” the spill. Meanwhile, paramedics worked with two patients, one of whom went to the hospital. (Orange County Fire Authority)
2. Four male juveniles were arrested on suspicion of shooting a man and woman in Anaheim on Tuesday. The Police Department headed to the 1600 block of Calle del Mar a little before 9 p.m. Reportedly, the boys tried running away in various directions, but officers “got two of them right away, while the other two escaped into drainage ditches.” It didn’t take long for officers to get the other two as well. (CBS)
3. Brea’s City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to replace the Brea Mall’s Sears building with apartments. The 15.5-acre parcel is only a small portion of the mall’s overall 74-acre size. The proposal is to put up a mixed-use building featuring “380-unit market rate with some affordable housing apartment on top of a three-story parking structure.” What does this look like? Reportedly, the developer plans to reserve 23 apartments for those earning 65 percent of the median income; 15 units go to those earning 120 percent. Council member Steven Vargas expressed disappointment at the low number of affordable units. Simon Property plans to have the first residents move in as early as 2025 or 26. (Spectrum News1)
4. How would you reimagine Stanton? The City Council wants to hear from neighbors. It will host a public meeting on May 10 at 6 p.m. Head to City Hall and help build the City’s “branding and messaging tool kit that provides a consistent written and visual representation of Stanton.” Attendees may participate in a raffle. (City of Stanton)
5. What are you doing Saturday? If you’re a soccer fan, you’ll most likely head to Irvine’s Championship Soccer Stadium to see the Orange County Soccer Club (OC SC) beat the San Diego Loyal SC. Of course, there’s more to the event than just watching a soccer match. The OC SC will host “a Fiesta de Futbol, celebrating Hispanic history and culture” with music and food. And, for the adults in the crowd, there's participation in the agave-tasting experience at 5 p.m.! (Patch)

📆 Today in Orange County:

• It's Star Wars Day at the No Limits Learning Center in Brea (7 AM)
• Bring the baby to Lapsit Storytime at the Orange Public Library & History Center (10:30 AM)
• Visit the Opening Ceremony of The Center for Entrepreneurship in Anaheim (4 PM)
• Come to the Dana Point Film Festival at the Porthole Theater (7 PM)
• Attend the Benefit Concert presented by Mount of Olives Choir in Mission Viejo (7 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "We know it seems like a no-brainer to lock your car, but sometimes people forget! It's always helpful to get in the habit of checking that your vehicle is secured before leaving it." (Orange County Sheriff's Department, CA, via Facebook)
• "It’s a big week for 10 of the Academy 57 recruits. 10 out of the 34 academy recruits are moving onto the next stage. These 10 recruits came over to OCFA as firefighter paramedic laterals. Their training differs slightly than the traditional firefighter trainee. These lateral paramedics have now completed their 10 weeks of training and are finishing 2 weeks of EMS in preparation for the field." (Orange County Fire Authority via Facebook)
• "🦂 It stings us to know scorpion puns that will score points with our audience are hard to find, but in a pinch, we think this 8-legged arachnid is worth taking a closer look at. 🦂 California has at least 20 species of scorpions, including this California swollen stinger scorpion, recently observed in O’Neill Regional Park." (OC Parks via Instagram)
• "We are now accepting applications for our 2023 LAVENDER SCHOLARSHIP! 💜 🎓 Brought to you by our organization and Ron Korona, the Lavender Scholarship aims to support four students in our community pursuing higher education." (LGBTQ Center, Orange County, via Facebook)
• "We are so grateful for CASA donors like Adrine Chung, who purchased a Starfish Wish at the Friends of CASA OC Holiday Luncheon. Supporters like Adrine help make dreams come true for CASA youth." (CASA of Orange County - Court Appointed Special Advocates via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Cinco for a Cause – Margarita Fundraiser for McKenna Claire Foundation at Dos Amigos Cantina (May 5)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar on May 8th and 11th at The Center at Founders Village (May 8)
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• Kitchen & Bath Remodeling Services (Details)
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Alrighty, you're all good for today! I'll see you around.

— 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