🌱 Shooting Update + Fire Watch Symposium + More Layoffs At Rivian

Hi there, Orange County! Today’s Stop Food Waste Day; did you know the United States wastes north of 30% of its food supply? I'm here in your inbox today to tell you everything you need to know that's going on around the county. Today we'll cover these stories and more...

• ⚠️ Laguna Hills shooting suspect has a rap sheet.
• 🚧 Fullerton City Council plans to fix streets.
• 🌊 Killer whales off Newport Beach

💗 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:

Pleasant and warmer. High: 79 Low: 53.

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⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Across Orange County

• PS Fuel at 12491 Haster St. in Garden Grove, $4.37
• Costco at 2655 El Camino Real in Tustin, $4.45
• United Oil at 795 S El Camino Real in San Clemente, $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, 48% would keep Facebook, 12% each LinkedIn or Truth Social, 8% TikTok, and 20% Instagram.

📰 Here are the top stories today in Orange County:

1. Laguna Hills shooting update: We talked earlier about the shots fired near the Laguna Hills Community Center, where partygoers celebrated a quinceañera. Authorities now explain that two 17-year-old boys were the victims, and a 21-year-old man from Aliso Viejo is the suspect. He was arrested on Sunday and booked “on suspicion of attempted murder.” While it’s unclear if the victims or suspect had any relationship to the quinceañera, we do know the suspect is no stranger to the judicial system. (Patch)
2. The Fullerton City Council determined to fix a few more streets. Now, they’re eyeing Brookhurst Road, Ellis Place and State College Boulevard stretches. Repairs would go on concurrently with other street fixes. However, the Active Transportation Committee isn’t completely happy with the idea, because it's “been left out of the loop,” which may not bode well for bicyclists hoping for new bike lanes. (Voice of OC)
3. If you're employed by Rivian in Irvine, Costa Mesa or Tustin, check your mail; you may be laid off. The electric vehicle maker reduced its workforce by 6%, affecting 239 workers. They join the 240 individuals from Palo Alto who also lost their jobs. Cut positions include those considered support services as well as engineers. (Rivian Forums)
4. If you chartered a ride with a whale-watching business in Newport Beach on Monday, you were treated to an encounter with a pod of killer whales. Usually, encountering the orcas around these parts is limited to January or June, but sometimes you see pods of transient-type killer whales that can pop up at other times. It’s interesting to note that several pods are known to local biologists. We don’t know if Monday’s sighting is of a known pod. (ABC, Orange County Outdoors)
5. The Irvine Ranch Conservancy scheduled an Orange County Fire Watch Symposium. While it’s tempting to forget about the very real fire danger after all the rain we’ve had, it’s a good idea to get ready. Remember that all the green growth you’re seeing now will be wilted and dry in a few months. Presenters include park rangers, fire agencies, fire prevention experts and meteorologists. Come to the Quail Hill Community Center on May 6 at 7:30 a.m. or join online on the conservancy’s YouTube channel. (Patch)

📆 Today in Orange County:

• Support the Huntington Beach HS's Fundraiser at Zero Zero Pizza (all day)
• Take your older kids to Teen Game Night at the Orange Public Library & History Center (5:30 PM)
• Participate in the Celtic Spring Festival at Casa Romantica in San Clemente (7 PM)
• The Laguna Playhouse presents "The Realistic Joneses" (7:30 PM)
• Hear Los Rakas w. SNT JMS perform at The Wayfarer in Costa Mesa (8 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "THANK YOU to our OUSD bus drivers 🚌 for their commitment to transporting our students safely to and from school. Today, we celebrate our appreciation for all that you do! 🧡" (Orange Unified School District via Instagram)
• "SANTA ANA! The Garden will be taking over our Festival Grounds on July 22 along with JPEGMAFIA, The Adicts, Alice Glass, and 45 Grave. Tickets go on sale Friday at 10am 🎟️ https://livemu.sc/40Ai0TZ" (The Observatory Orange County via Facebook)
• "Orange County Rescue Mission is joining other nonprofits in the area for a special giving day to help end homelessness — one life at a time. The best news? When you donate to the Rescue Mission through this fundraiser, your gifts will be MATCHED up to $100,000! That means your generosity has double the impact on our students. Keep following along for more, and bookmark the page below to join us for this special event! bit.ly/3GFrYfy" (Orange County Rescue Mission via Facebook)
• "Congratulations to our wonderful CASA volunteers on their April Anniversaries! You are each making a positive difference in a child’s life. Thank you!" (CASA of Orange County - Court Appointed Special Advocates via Facebook)
• "The best things in life are free ☀️ Let us be part of your summer plans with OC Parks Summer Concert Series and Sunset Cinema film series. Movies begin June 9 through September 8, followed by concerts starting June 22 through August 24. All events are free admission and parking and open to all ages." (Orange County Parks 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 $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:

• Art along the coast (April 29)
• Anaheim Searchers 62nd Annual Gem and Mineral Show (April 29)
• Family Fest (April 29)
• Global Woman Club Networking Meeting (April 29)
• Cinco for a Cause – Margarita Fundraiser for McKenna Claire Foundation at Dos Amigos Cantina (May 5)
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Featured announcements:

• Audition to Perform As a Soloist for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games (Details)
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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you soon.

— 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