🌱 Sleeping Driver Crash + Suspicious Death Autopsy + Hiring Spree

Hello, OC! I'm back in your inbox this morning with your fresh edition of the Orange County Daily. Keep reading for everything you need to know that's happening in Orange County today, including...

• OC driver falls asleep and crashes into big rig.
• Orange County's 2022 hiring spree.
• Coastal tides cover Pacific Coast Highway and reach wetlands.
• Family conducts independent autopsy after suspicious Mexico death.

But first, today's weather:

Sunshine and patchy clouds. High: 69 Low: 50.

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Here are the top stories today in Orange County:

1. If you're feeling sleepy, don't drive. A female driver fell asleep at the wheel in Anaheim early Wednesday morning and crashed into a big rig parked near the 91 freeway eastbound exit at Harbor Boulevard. According to the California Highway Patrol, the accident happened at 1:45 a.m. Firefighters had to free a man trapped in the wreckage using the jaws of life, who was taken to the hospital with "facial injuries." "The woman refused medical treatment." (msnNOW)
2. Entertainment in OC this week: "Frozen" the musical, adapted from the popular Disney movie, will be at the Segerstrom Hall in Costa Mesa from Feb 1-7 for ages 6 and up. On Feb. 4, "The Bruton Sisters: Modernism in the Making" exhibit opens, featuring curated art of the 1920s through 1960s. And also on Feb 4, Jazz at Lincoln Center presents "Songs We Love" from the 1920s through the 1950s. Find out more about these and other OC events here:(Orange Coast Magazine)
3. Orange County is on a hiring spree. In 2022, 70,300 new jobs were filled and unemployment fell to 2.5 percent. To gain perspective on the numbers, this means that in 2022, employment in OC was at "101 percent of pre-pandemic December 2019." (OCRegister)
4. Coastal residents are hopeful that a large delivery of sand will arrive early after recent Pacific Coast Highway flooding at Bolsa Chica beach. Earlier this week, high tide pushed ocean water over a bike trail and parking lots along the OC state beach and crossed the PCH to wetlands on the other side. The "massive" high tide also closed the PCH in Huntington Beach. (LAist)
5. The family of Orange County public defender Elliot Blair, who recently died mysteriously in Mexico, ordered an independent autopsy after his body was returned to Southern California. Mexican authorities said that Blair, 33, died from an accidental fall on Jan. 14 from a hotel balcony. He and his wife, Kimberly Williams, were on vacation at Las Rocas Resort and Spa in Rosarito Beach, celebrating their first wedding anniversary. (Los Angeles Times)

Today in Orange County:

• NFL Game Days at The Crack Shack - Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce (All Day)
• Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee - Laguna Beach (8:00 AM)
• Vendor Information Day - Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce (9:00 AM)
• Vendor Information Day - North Orange County Chamber (9:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Thankful for the donation: "Pacific West Association of REALTORS® Charity stopped by for a facility tour and made a donation for Tustin Veterans Outpost. We're so thankful for their support!" (Orange County Rescue Mission via Facebook)
• Burglary prevention tip: "Don't forget to keep a complete, up-to-date inventory log of your business items and save a copy in a separate location away from the business site." (Orange County Sheriff's Department, CA via Facebook)
• Now hiring: "We're hiring a Workers' Compensation Program Manager! 📒 Application period closes February 13th. Click here to apply:" (Orange County Fire Authority via Facebook)
• Motorist with "extensive" speeding tickets charged in fatal crash: "A motorist with an extensive record of speeding tickets pleaded guilty and was immediately sentenced to seven years in prison for a fatal crash in Irvine." (Orange County Register via Facebook)
• Thank you, Advocates: "As National Mentoring Month comes to a close, we'd like to take a moment to acknowledge the mentors across our organization with a few words from our staff. Together, we can change a child's story. Thank you to everyone." (CASA of Orange County - Court Appointed Special Advocates via Facebook)

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Events:

• 2023 Youth Football and Cheerleading Registration (February 4)
• Shop Small Saturday on Saturday, Feb. 4th, 2023. (February 4)
• Intro To Photoshop - The Bare-Bones Basics - No Experience Necessary!! (February 6)
• Beginning Drawing Class Instructed by A Disney Artist (February 7)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (February 8)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (February 9)
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You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you soon!

— Paula Constance

About me: Paula is a contributing writer, author, and media producer. When she's not writing, you can find her hiking or watching fireflies in the sultry moments before sunset. You can follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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