🌱 SoCal's Catalytic Converter Theft Problem + Tiny House Expo

Hello, Orange County! It's me again, Paula Constance, your host of the OC Daily.

We appreciate all of our sponsors. I especially want to thank premiere local sponsor attorney Ryan Cooper of Fielding Law for serving our community!

Here's everything happening in OC today.

First, today's weather:

Some sun today with a shower. Cool. High: 67 Low: 52.

Shoutout to our premier local sponsor:

Injured in a car accident? Ryan Cooper is a local attorney at Fielding Law, a client-focused law firm that specializes in personal injury cases stemming from car crashes, trip-and-falls, and dog bites. Ryan has been named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers and has a perfect 10/10 rating on Avvo.com. He is easy to talk to, passionate, and ready to fight for you. You deserve Orange County’s best — contact Ryan today.

Here are the top stories today in Orange County:

1. Discover the latest trends in tiny houses, from space-efficient tiny homes, yoga retreats, and luxury mini-mansions, to grandmother units, two-story tiny houses and tiny houses on wheels at The Home, Garden & Tiny House Show in Anaheim from April 29 to May 1 at the Anaheim Convention Center. The expo will also feature decorating and remodeling ideas for kitchens and bathrooms, hot tubs, barbecue islands, landscaping, solar panels and more. (OC Register)
2. Southern California has a $2K+ car problem: catalytic converter theft. Residents of Garden Grove and Huntington Beach started their once-quiet cars to find the engine made a loud roaring sound. Catalytic converters reduce polluting auto emissions and are required by law. Thieves sell catalytic converters to scrap metal yards for platinum, rhodium and palladium. Some ways to prevent theft is to weld them to the car frame and to inscribe the part with your car's VIN, officials said. Huntington Beach passed an ordinance "prohibiting the unlawful possession of catalytic converters," with fines and jail time. But some say it's not enough to deter theft and want stricter laws. In 2019, there were 49 catalytic converter thefts reported to Huntington Beach Police. In 2021, there were 461 thefts, according to the city. (Voice of OC)
3. Who wants to be a millionaire? Everyone who wants to buy a home in Orange County, where the average home price topped $1 million for the first time. The median sale price of all home types in Orange County hit $1.02 million in March, according to DQNews/CoreLogic. It’s the 15th record high in two years of pandemic-era home buying. Of Orange County's 83 zip codes, 45 now have a median selling price of $1 million or more — that’s more than double the number of million-dollar homes only 12 months ago. (OC Register)

From our sponsor:

Today’s newsletter is brought to you in part by Ring, a Patch Brand Partner. Getting some spring cleaning tasks done? Why not refresh your home's security, too. Secure windows, doors, and more with up to $80 off on select Alarm Pro Kits. Don’t wait, offers end May 1 at 9 p.m. PST.

Today in Orange County:

• Bilingual English/Spanish Storytime & Playtime at Oak View Branch Library. (10 a.m.)

From my notebook:

• Tickets Now Available: For the 18th Annual Rossmoor Woman's Club Garden Tour. (Orange County Breeze)
• Orange County Register: "Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn took a break Tuesday from promoting his new TV series about the Watergate scandal and, during a luncheon at Nixon Library in Yorba Linda, sat down with Fox News anchor Bret Baier to promote support for Ukraine." (Facebook)
• Orange County Pit Bull Rescue: "When someone wakes you from your slumber… Our sweet girl is 8 years old, but don’t let her age fool you. Lizzie has plenty of energy, and would do well in an active home." (Facebook)
• Orange County Register: "Sahara Sandbar & Pizza will open Saturday with ocean views and roller skating servers. Here’s a first look at the latest beach restaurant." (Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Camino De Santiago Nature School — (Visit website)
• JDC Design & Consulting — (Visit Website)
• ABC Heating & Air Conditioning — (Visit website)
• SMILES AND TEARS FOSTER FAMILY AGENCY — (Visit website)
• Storage Valet — (Visit website)
• Vydeo Media — (Visit website)
• Redefyne MD Aesthetics — (Visit website)
• Segerstrom Shelby Event Center — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• [Free Masterclass] Increase Your Website Sales & Leads Using SEO. (April 22)
• Love Creative Writing and Shopping Enter Sweet Contest to Win $500 Gift Card. (April 22)
• Evening Restoration Sound Bath. (April 22)
• FINAL Registration for Fall Youth Football and Cheer. (April 23)
• Family Fest. (April 23)
• National Hug A Plumber Day. (April 25)
• How to Successfully Navigate the Divorce Process — Vesta Irvine, California Hub. (April 26)
• A Spectacular Night of Theater! (April 29)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar. (May 2)
• Add your event

Announcements:

• May Is For Moms (Details)
• Add your announcement

Loving the Orange County Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe for free
• Get your local business listed in front of readers
• Send me a news tip or suggestion at orangecounty@patch.com

You're in the know for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Paula Constance

About me: I am a freelance writer, author, and media producer. I am committed to media projects that empower, engage, and help make the world a better place.