🌱 Sewage Spill + Landslide Update + River View Golf Course To Close

Hello all! Today’s St. Patrick’s Day; did you know that it celebrates a 5th-century Christian missionary? It's Sylvia, your host of the Orange County Patch newsletter — here to tell you everything you need to know that's happening in the county. Including ...

• 🧑‍⚖️ Newport Harbor dredging project is in court.
• 🤝 Irvine city manager talks to the FBI.
• 🏖️ Dana Point closes beaches.

💗 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:

Mostly cloudy and cool. High: 66 Low: 47.

Shoutout to the awesome local businesses who keep this newsletter running:

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⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Across Orange County

• Berri Brothers at 1234 N Main St. in Orange, $4.35
• 76 at 3401 Newport Blvd. in Newport Beach, $4.69
• Costco at 33961 Doheny Park Rd. in San Juan Capistrano, $4.75

😋 Fair Food Poll!
Fair food is the ultimate cheat meal. Although we all know it’s unhealthy, everyone has a guilty pleasure. Which is your favorite? So far, 30.6% love funnel cake, 22.4% look forward to candy apples, 14.2% munch on corndogs, and 6.1% reach for guacamole. 4.1% each either eat cotton candy, tri-tip sandwiches, or cheesecake. Finally, 2% each favor guacamole with cheese, fried cheese curds, turkey legs, a deep-fried bacon-wrapped pickle, cinnamon rolls, or pork chop on a stick. The rest have the willpower to stay away from fair food.

📰 Here are the top stories in Orange County today:

1. Dana Point closed its beaches Wednesday after a 4,000-gallon sewage spill “where Doheny State Beach and San Juan Creek meet.” A main city sewer in San Juan Capistrano overflowed. Officials don't have a reopening date but will monitor water quality. (Patch)
2. San Clemente landslide update: On Wednesday, we talked about the apartment buildings that officials evacuated because a hillside moved. As of Thursday, residents remained evacuated and the buildings are red-tagged. What’s more, residents in the immediate neighborhood should prepare to evacuate as well. Reportedly, a cavity “opened up under the patios of these four residences that is continuing to have more flow and get larger.” With more rain expected next week, additional landslides are possible. (Patch, CBS)
3. The days of Santa Ana’s River View Golf Course are numbered. The City Council voted last week to reject requests for a renewal of the lease, which expires in 2026. Instead, the city intends to transform the golf course into parkland “and other compatible uses that retain its nature as open space.” One of the elements of the plan will require the removal of concrete along the flood control channel, which would turn the river into a natural habitat. (Santa Ana, Voice of OC)
4. The plan of dredging Newport Harbor landed in court, with multiple suits being filed. We learned on Thursday that residents and environmental groups are citing concerns “over risks to marine life and bay contamination.” Initially, the work was supposed to start last year, but so far bidding on the project hasn’t opened. Meanwhile, people started speaking out about the impact of the project on green sea turtles and other endangered or threatened species. Moreover, dredging could also result in the accumulation of sediment with elevated mercury levels. At this point, the Santa Ana Water Board, Coastal Commission and the Army Corps have signed off on the project. (The Orange County Register/paywall)
5. Last week, the FBI interviewed the Irvine city manager as part of the agency’s ongoing investigation. The FBI’s interest dates back to 2018, when a consultant admitted to attempted bribery of a couple of council members. Meanwhile, the City Council “voted against bringing in an outside corruption investigation,” with an eye on the 2024 election. (Voice of OC)

📆 Today in Orange County:

• You have "plenty of time to Paddy" at Macallans Public House in Brea (6 AM)
• Celebrate at an all-day St. Patrick's Day Party at The Harp Inn in Costa Mesa (8 AM)
• Huntington Beach's Waterfront Beach Resort hosts an Offshore 9 St. Paddy's Day party (4 PM)
• The Apes play at Glory Days in Seal Beach (6:30 PM)
• Come to the non-alcoholic Saint Patrick's Dance sponsored by the Anaheim Alana Club (8:30 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "Thank you for joining us at Open House 2023! 🚒 🎉 Photos from the event can now be viewed and downloaded on our Flickr page 👉 bit.ly/OCFAFlickr 📸 If you share them on social media, be sure to tag us @OCFireAuthority and use the hashtag #OCFAOpenHouse2023!" (Orange County Fire Authority via Facebook)
• "It’s time to get ready for the event of the season! Prepare for a magical night of merriment under the stars at Radiant Health Centers’ Annual Gala. Enter an enchanted Shakespearean forest surrounded by nymphs, fairies, royalty and mere mortals as we raise money to advance a cause close to all our hearts – improving LGBTQ+ healthcare equity and HIV care in our community. Reserve your tickets and tables today: bit.ly/rhcgala23" (Radiant Health Centers via Facebook)
• "Continuing our 10th Annual Philharmonic Invitational High School Orchestra Festival spotlights, we’d like to feature two orchestras making their festival debut: Orange County School of the Arts and Loara High School." (Philharmonic Society of Orange County via Facebook)
• "The cold never bothered us anyway! Thank you for supporting the Girl Scouts of Orange County as they do their best, braving the cold to meet their cookie goals. Get them while they last!" (Girl Scouts of Orange County via Facebook)
• "We are so grateful for community partners like the John Michael Engstrom Foundation, who help make dreams come true for CASA youth. The foundation was created to honor John Engstrom, who succumbed to Leukemia in 2002 at 15 years old." (CASA of Orange County - Court Appointed Special Advocates via Facebook)

🏡 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 $955.4K

Check out more Orange County real estate information!

🐶 Meet Orange County area Pets Available To Be Adopted!

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Featured events:

• Hop to It! The Bunny Returns to Brea Mall for Easter (March 17)
• Project Access Pickleball Tournament, presented by Freespeed Aviation, LLC (March 23)
• Hop to It! Caring Bunny Returns to Brea Mall for Easter (March 26)
• The Wine Militia - Secret POP-UP Blind Wine Tasting featuring Pinot Noir (April 12)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new 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 Best Fiends (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