🌱 Stolen Chihuahua Miracle+ Iconic Restaurants Closed+ Fast Fire

Hello, Orange County! Here's everything you need to know start Tuesday off right.

First, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy today and cool. High: 54. Low: 43.

Here are the top stories today in Orange County:

1. After a frantic 12 day search, a stolen Chihuahua was returned to his owner on Christmas Eve. The 10 lb. Chihuahua, named Diego, was stolen with his owner’s truck from the parking lot of a Huntington Beach hotel. The dog's owner, Scott Hern of Long Beach, said he was heartbroken to lose Diego, who was not only his pet but also his service dog. Hern is partially blind, and Diego helped guide him. Hern offered a $500 reward, and then increased it to a $1,000 reward, for the return of his dog with "no questions asked. A man contacted Hern and brought Diego to his door and collected the reward on Christmas Eve around 8 p.m. The man said his friends found the dog wandering along the Santa Ana riverbed. Diego was three pounds lighter and appeared dehydrated, but Hern knew it was his dog because he was still wearing his red service dog vest. He gave Diego "water, a warm bath with shampoo, and lots of lots of hugs." Hern added, "People were praying for his return as far away as New York, Yorkshire, and Thailand." You can read more here: (OCRegister)
2. Nine Orange County restaurants permanently closed in 2021 due to the pandemic. The well-known eating establishments range from quick food to iconic fine dining. Locals in Huntington Beach were sad to see Ruby’s Diner close on Feb. 26. It was the perfect place for a burger, shake, fries, or a quick breakfast. Mama’s Comfort Food & Drinks in Newport Beach, the former Pizza Nova/Josh Slocum’s, closed in January of 2021, less than two years after it opened on Mariner’s Mile. The historic Anaheim Brewery had last call in March. After 45 years, Rodrigo’s Mexican Grill in Fullerton served their last margarita on June 27. Disney also closed Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel and the PCH Grill at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel. The Yard House in Newport Beach closed in July, and The Break of Dawn restaurant in Laguna Hills was closed by chef Chef Dee Nguyen in August to start a "new concept" restaurant. The iconic Catch restaurant in Anaheim, a go-to restaurant for conventioneers, concert-goers, and sports fans, also closed this year. You can see the full list here: (OCRegister)
3. Firefighters knocked down a morning fire in Buena Park "in just 13 minutes," according to the Orange County Fire Authority. Firefighters were called to an apartment building at 8 a.m. on the 8000 block of 7th Street on Christmas morning. They found two vehicles ablaze inside a carport that endangered the apartments above, but O.C. Fire crews were able to extinguish the flames in 13 minutes. The fire reached a few of the apartments above the carport, temporarily causing five adults and two children to leave the building until they received help from The American Red Cross, According to OCFA, no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation. You can read more here: (KTLA 5)

Today's Orange County Daily is brought to you in part by our friends at Ring, the home security company. Ring does a lot more than doorbells: check out their full suite of smart home products at Ring.com. And thank you Ring for helping to make local news happen in Orange County!

Today in Orange County:

• Girls FS/JV/V Soccer - 2021 North Orange County Classic TBA. (All Day)
• Chamber Board of Directors Meeting - Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce. (8 a.m.)
• Eggs & Issues (EVENT IS DARK) - Orange Chamber of Commerce. (9 a.m.)
• Garden Grove City Council Meeting - Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce. (6:30 p.m.)
• Var. B. Basketball v. Westminster (Admin: VALDEZ). (7 p.m.)
• City of Tustin - Planning Commission Meeting. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County: "HAPPY ENDING! Scout was hoping Santa would grant her wish and find her a loving family. Well, her wish was granted." (Facebook)
• Orange County Register: "What time does the Rose Parade start? What's the easiest way to get there? Where do I park? Are there COVID-19 vaccination or testing requirements? ... Here are the answers." (Facebook)
• OCCT: Orange County Children's Theatre: "Come and see Gaston and LeFou! Beauty and the Beast, Jan 7-9 and 14-16." (Facebook)
• The Observatory Orange County: "MURS is taking over our Constellation Room TONIGHT! Doors open at 7 p.m." (Facebook)

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You're officially in the know for today! I'm covering Orange County for the next few days, and will be back in your inbox tomorrow with 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.