🌱 Prolific Mail Thief + Litter Bugs At The Beach + Robbery Update

Hey, everybody! Today’s National Strawberry Sundae Day; did you know that there’s a question about whether the sundae was invented in Two Rivers, Wisconsin (1881) or Ithaca, New York (1892)? I'm back with your fresh edition of the Orange County Patch newsletter. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening in the county, including:

• 💧 Huntington Beach adventure playground reopens.
• ⛳ OC rankings among the best cities for recreation.
• ⚠️ Restroom shoe robbery update.

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🌤️ But first, today's weather: Partly sunny. High: 77 Low: 59.

⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Across Orange County

• Sam’s Club at 603 S. Placentia Ave. in Fullerton, $4.27
• ARCO at 5472 Orangethorpe Ave. in La Palma, $4.39
• Berri Brothers at 16621 Pacific Coast Highway in Sunset Beach, $4.49

🥤 Summer Drink Poll!
It’s heating up! Besides water, what is your favorite summertime drink?

• 20.8 percent reach for an iced tea
• 16.7 percent each choose an Arnold Palmer or a frozen margarita
• 12.5 percent each order a Coca-Cola, beer, or lemonade
• 4.2 percent each enjoy a watermelon punch or mint julep

📰 Here are the top stories in Orange County today:

1. The Irvine Police Department arrested a 33-year-old Anaheim man in connection with “a prolific mail-theft operation in Irvine.” Reportedly, the suspect and accomplices used duplicated keys to steal mail from mailboxes and buildings. While searching the suspect’s home, officers found “thousands of pieces of stolen mail.” (ABC, CBS)
2. Who celebrated Independence Day by littering the beaches? Volunteers headed to Huntington Beach and Doheny State Beach — among others — to pick up “beer and soda cans, chip bags, fireworks and plenty of plastics.” A Surfrider Foundation coordinator referred to the sorry sight as “almost heart-wrenching.” (Patch)
3. Irvine Spectrum restroom robbery update: Two suspects robbed four minors at gunpoint on June 26. They demanded their shoes. Now, authorities have a 14-year-old boy in custody regarding the crime. According to authorities, the teen in custody is not the robber holding the gun. (Patch)
4. How does the OC rate when it comes to recreation? Ranking 100 cities from best to worst and factoring in the quality of parks, availability of recreational activities, and entertainment, Las Vegas, Nevada, is No. 1. Orange County represents No. 52 with Irvine and No. 53 with Anaheim. Santa Ana ranks at No. 79. In last place, at No. 100, is Chula Vista, California. (WalletHub)
5. Does your child love to get muddy? The Adventure Playground in Huntington Beach has reopened! It’s the place where kids climb, play in the mud, and get wet. However, the hammers and nails are gone. Head to Central Park at 7111 Talbert Ave., be sure to wear closed-toe shoes, and pay $4 per child between the ages of 5 and 12. (The Orange County Register/paywall)

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📆 Today in Orange County:

Friday, July 7

• Tidepool & Beach Wrack Walk with the Crystal Cove Conservancy in Laguna Beach (7:30 AM)
• Baby Storytime & Sensory Play at the Irvine Heritage Park Library (10:30 AM)
• Festival Of Arts & Youth Arts For Kids in Laguna Beach (12:30 PM)
• Adult Craft & Chat at the Westminster Branch Library (2 PM)
• FREE Cypress Concert On The Green presents Chico (6 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "Join us this Saturday and Sunday in Long Beach! We have so many beautiful dogs who can’t wait to meet you!" (German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County via Facebook)
• Orange Unified School District: "We were excited to host our graduation ceremonies at Fred Kelly Stadium for the Class of 2023 and display banners around our cities celebrating our students! 🎓 As part of our quest for continuous improvement, we are collecting feedback from our community to help identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement." (Orange Unified School District via Instagram)
• "We are thrilled to unveil our newly remodeled OC Goodwill store in Garden Grove! ✨ Stop in to embark on a shopping experience with a fresh, new look designed with your needs in mind. 📍 11052 Magnolia St. Garden Grove, CA 92841" (Goodwill of Orange County via Facebook)
• "We’re participating in the Target Circle program! You can vote for us and help direct Target’s giving to benefit our nonprofit. For full program details and restrictions, visit Target Circle: https://www.target.com/circle" (CASA of Orange County - Court Appointed Special Advocates via Facebook)
• "Home hardening. Defensible space. What does it all mean? Orange County residents in a new Behind The Badge News article learned how they can prepare their home for a wildfire with these principles, and you can, too!" (Orange County Fire Authority via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Stones & (Rod) Stewart Show! (July 8)
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That's it for today. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Christ follower. Wife. Book dragon. Proud supporter of the Oxford comma.

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