🌱 RIP Jean Watt + Proof Bar & Lounge Shots + No Aliso Niguel HS Bomb

Hello all! Today’s National Animal Crackers Day; did you know that the first batches were imported from England in the late 1800s? I'm here with your Tuesday edition of the Orange County Patch newsletter, where you'll find these stories and more:

• 💛 A tireless volunteer has died.
• 😠 Vandal targets Christ Church by the Sea.
• 🤝 Get a job driving a bus.

❤️ Loving the Orange County Daily? Tell a friend and send them this link, so they can subscribe!

🌤️ But first, today's weather:

Low clouds breaking and cool. High: 69 Low: 50.

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.

⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Across Orange County

• Shell at 10971 Chapman Ave. in Garden Grove, $4.49
• Anthem Oil at 105 E Lincoln Ave. in Orange, $4.49
• Costco at 22633 Savi Ranch Pkwy. in Yorba Linda, $4.59

💻 Social Media Poll!
Everyone uses social media – frequently multiple platforms. Or do they? If you had to eliminate all social media except one platform, which one would you keep? So far, 50% would keep Facebook, 20% each Instagram and Truth Social, and 10% LinkedIn.

📰 Here are the top stories in Orange County today:

1. Orange County lost one of its most dedicated volunteers and champions for public lands. Newport Beach resident Jean Watt died Sunday at age 96. Unafraid of diverse opinions, she used active listening skills, flawless politeness and gentle persistence to unite people. Watt had a degree in Economic and Political Science and became a registered nurse. “After leading several successful referendums against Irvine Company developments, Watt organized activists and passed the Greenlight Initiative in 2000, which put major developments in Newport to a popular vote.” (Voice of OC)
2. The Santa Ana police department responded to the Proof Bar & Lounge on Sunday morning, where a 22-year-old man allegedly shot a female patron in the chest. Officers found the suspect near 5th Street and Sycamore Avenue. The victim is in stable condition; so far, we have no idea what was the reason for the shooting. (NBC)
3. A 27-year-old man from San Dimas allegedly vandalized Christ Church by the Sea in Newport Beach early Saturday morning. Reportedly, he trashed the church building’s stained glass with a baseball bat. “They were very valuable stained glass windows given by members a long time ago in honor of their loved ones,” the senior pastor explained. We have no word on what reason he might have had, but authorities said he has no connection with the church. (MSN)
4. Aliso Niguel High School in Aliso Viejo is the latest school to get pranked with a fake bomb threat call. On Monday, the school had to evacuate to Foxborough Park and didn’t reopen until 11:07 a.m., after police had a chance to search the campus. In the process, authorities also closed Wolverine at Aliso Creek Road. A spokesperson from the Capistrano Unified School District said even though the evacuation was unnecessary, “every situation is unique, and we adapt based on the circumstances and communication with law enforcement.” (Patch, yahoo!news)
5. Are you looking for a job? Do you know someone who is? The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is hiring bus drivers. The organization hosts an on-site recruitment event in Garden Grove on April 26. Show up between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., meet the requirements, and you may receive a $3,000 sign-on bonus. (New Santa Ana)

📆 Today in Orange County:

• Learn about the iPhone's Most Useful Secrets at the Merage JCC in Irvine (10 AM)
• Bring the little ones to Toddlertime Stories at the Canyon Hills Branch Library in Anaheim (11 AM)
• Taco Tuesday at Chihuahua Cerveza in Newport Beach (11 AM)
• Join the Pro Business Connections Orange County Chapter at Rodrigo's Mexican Grill in Tustin (11:30 AM)
• The Honda Center in Anaheim hosts NCT Dream (8 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "ALUMNI UPDATE! Check out this good-looking alumni! He stopped by and brought his family along to say hello. He is celebrating his TENTH birthday with his family! Looking good, Noah!" (German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County via Facebook)
• "🌱📚 Give your books a second chance to bring joy to someone else's life! Donate your gently used books to Goodwill this Earth Week and be a part of the solution toward a sustainable future." (Goodwill of Orange County via Facebook)
• "Our Adventure Guides program strengthens family relationships through providing an opportunity to spend quality one-on-one time with your child, which builds a bond of trust and memories to last a lifetime. Register today!" (YMCA OF ORANGE COUNTY via Facebook)
• "GreenDrop is celebrating the opening of its new donation site in Orange, CA! The site is located in the Outlets at Orange parking lot by Neiman Marcus Last Call and Saks OFF 5th. Local community members are invited to donate gently used clothing and household items daily between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m." (Patch)
• "The Red Cross is now launching nearly twice as many relief operations for major disasters than we did a decade ago, and with hurricane and wildfire seasons on the horizon, there is a critical need to fill vital volunteer positions. All skill levels are needed, and all training is free, provided by the Red Cross. Bilingual and multilingual volunteers are also urgently needed. Visit redcross.org/volunteer." (Red Cross)

🏡 What are homes selling for these days in Orange County?

• Median Listing Home Price $1M
• Median Listing Home Price/Square Foot $598
• Median Sold Home Price $975K

Check out more Orange County real estate information!

🐶 Meet adorable Orange County area Pets Available To Be Adopted!

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Featured events:

• FREE WEBINAR | "The Beautiful Baptistries of Tuscany" (April 18)
• 33rd Annual Southern California Spring Garden Show (April 20)
• Earth Day Shop Small Event!! Family & Pet Friendly! Reviving The Kaleidoscope Mall! (April 22)
• Earth Day Market @ Kalideoscope Mall (April 22)
• Family Fest (April 29)
• Add your event

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

— 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