🌱 Tesla In Flames + Burglar Steals Olympic Medals + Highway Detour

Hello, all! It's Paula Constance, your host of the Orange County Daily — here with everything you need to know that's happening in our community today. Today's briefing includes updates on...

• One person died, and two were injured in a fiery crash.
• Ortega Highway will be closed for construction.
• Three Olympic medals stolen in home theft.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and cool. High: 68 Low: 50.

Here are the top stories in Orange County today:

1. Expect detours and delays on the Ortega Highway. The highway will be "closing for 55 hours" starting Nov. 18, Caltrans District 8 announced. Weather permitting, the highway will be completely closed to traffic from 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, until 4 a.m. Monday, Nov. 21. The construction is part of the $60 million SR-74 Ortega Highway Widening Project "designed to make the highway safer." The project is expected to be completed in 2023. Find alternate travel routes during the road closure here: (Orange County Patch)
2. A Tesla caught on fire after a multi-car crash, killing the passenger and badly injuring two others, in Garden Grove Friday. Police were called to the crash scene 12:45 a.m. Friday to find "a gray Tesla sedan engulfed in flames." They were able to rescue the driver of the burning Tesla, but the passenger did not survive. The Tesla driver and the driver of the other vehicle were rushed to the hospital in critical but stable condition. Sgt. Royce Wimmer of the Garden Grove Police Department said "the driver of the Tesla is suspected of both speeding and driving under the influence." (Patch)
3. Three Olympic medals were stolen in Laguna Hills during a home burglary, investigators said. The Orange County Sheriff's Department is asking for the public's help after a thief broke into a Laguna Hills home on Oct. 29 and stole gold, silver and bronze medals belonging to an athlete who competed on the U.S. Women's Olympic Volleyball team. If you have any information, "call the OC Sheriff's Southwest Investigations Bureau at 949-425-1900. You can also submit an anonymous tip to Orange County Crime Stoppers by calling 1-855-TIP-OCCS (1-855-847-6227)." (KABC-TV)

Today in Orange County:

• Learn to Watercolor! Paint a Pumpkin on Paper - Santa Ana (10 a.m.)
• 16th Annual Anaheim Health Fair - Anaheim Convention Center (All Day)
• Coast Film & Music Festival - Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce (All Day)
• Anaheim Health Fair - City of Anaheim (8 a.m.)
• Laguna Canyon Foundation Fall Trail Stewardship Events - Laguna Beach (8 a.m.)

From my notebook:

• Visit the Holiday Arts & Crafts Show: At the Orange County Fairgrounds on Friday, Nov. 11.(South OC Beaches)
• Police are searching for a man who took video up a woman’s skirt in Santa Ana. (KTVZ)
• Dog abandoned on the road: "Meet Windy! This sweet young girl was left to figure out her next move after being abandoned on the side of the road by her owner. She is not even 2 years old!" (German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County via Facebook)
• Jonathan Cunha is missing: "Have you seen Jonathan Cunha? He has not been seen since Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022 and we would like to get him home safely. Please call the Sheriff's Department at 714-647-7000 if you have any information." (Orange County Sheriff's Department, CA via Facebook)
• Stories of his service: "Before enlisting in the U.S. Army during the height of the war in Vietnam, Dan Barlow aspired to become a history teacher. In some ways, that aspiration came true as former Army Ranger and 1st Lt. Barlow continues to donate his time." (Orange County Department of Ed via Instagram)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Art for a Smile: Paintings by Hue Nguyen (November 12)
• The Best of OC Holiday Boutique! (November 12)
• Learn to Watercolor! Paint a Pumpkin on Paper (November 12)
• Social Security Seminar at Anaheim Downtown Community Center (November 14)
• Pop-Up Wine Tasting Event Featuring 6 Santa Barbara Wineries (November 17)
• Add your event

For sale:

• Beautiful Queen bed frame, lamps and nightstands (Details)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday. I'll see you back in your inbox soon with a new update!

— Paula Constance

About me: Paula is a contributing writer, author, and award-winning media producer. She is committed to media projects that empower, engage, and help make the world a better place. 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