🌱 Westminster DUI Arrest + Orange El Torito Closes + Low OC Income

Good morning, Orange County! Today’s International Pineapple Day; did you know that Christopher Columbus first mentioned them when landing on the island of Guadeloupe, and that they’re technically fused berries? I'm here to get you caught up on what's going on, including news on...

• ⚠️ Pedestrian death in Garden Grove.
• ✂️ Budget cuts in Huntington Beach.
• 🌮 El Torito closing in Orange.

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🌤️ But first, today's weather: Partly sunny. High: 77 Low: 60.

⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Across Orange County

• Costco at 2655 El Camino Real in Tustin, $4.15
• US Gas at 2502 Harbor Blvd. in Costa Mesa, $4.29
• Costco at 115 Technology Drive in Irvine, $4.39

🏖️ Vacation Poll Results!
We asked: What is your favorite type of vacation? You answered!

• 27.3 percent plan a staycation
• 15.2 percent like cruises or a camping trip
• 12.9 percent choose a road trip or a group tour abroad
• 6 percent look forward to an island trip
• 3 percent each opt for a local outing, a national park trip, a Jeep trip, or a solo trip to Europe

Interestingly, nobody chose a fishing trip. Thank you for participating!

📰 Here are the top stories today in Orange County:

1. A 19-year-old La Palma man is a suspect in a December DUI and vehicular manslaughter incident in Westminster. Reportedly, he was the driver who crashed into concrete barriers near Rancho Road, which killed an 18-year-old passenger in the vehicle. “Drugs or alcohol are thought to have caused the crash, authorities said.” He was arrested on Thursday and posted bond on Saturday. (Patch)
2. A pedestrian in his 40s was hit and killed by a truck in Garden Grove. The woman driving the vehicle collided with the man Sunday just after 1 a.m. at Chapman and Nelson avenues. “Alcohol and/or drugs is believed to be a factor in the collision, however, will be pending results from the Orange County Crime Lab,” a police sergeant said. (MSN)
3. El Torito in Orange opened in 1989. It will close its doors today, Taco Tuesday. As noted by the CEO, the efforts in keeping this location going “did not yield the desired outcome.” The good news is that the company will offer the 80 employees transfers to other locations. (The U.S. Sun)
4. Huntington Beach neighbors may have to get ready for some steep budget cuts to community programs. A $7 million budget deficit and a future $11 million “funding gap” could result in the closure of three libraries. Besides that, the city council is “weighing getting rid of the library’s Community Café program and eliminating security guards at the city’s libraries.” Also on the chopping block are the ice rink and the Circuit transport program. (Voice of OC)
5. How much are you making? If you’re a one-person household and bring in less than $80,000 a year, you’re considered a low-income Orange County earner. In neighboring Los Angeles County, low income is right around $71,000. In the Central Valley, low income falls below $46,000, while in the Bay Area, it is $104,000. (ABC)

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📆 Today in Orange County:

Tuesday, June 27

• Eggs & Issues with U.S. Congresswoman Young Kim at the Orange Cafe (8 AM)
• Coffee With CASA at Contra Coffee and Tea in Orange (8:30 AM)
• Local Business Owners Helping Each Other Grow at the San Juan Capistrano Library (11:30 AM)
• Lunch (for kids under 18) at the Garden Grove Chapman Library (12 PM)
• Art With The Muck for Seniors at the East Anaheim Branch Library (1 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "A Buena Park resident was driving on Knott Avenue yesterday morning when she saw a kitten sitting in the middle of the road. She stopped her car to move the kitten out of the street, but it had disappeared." (Read more of this heart-warming story: Orange County Fire Authority via Facebook)
• "Recognizing the signs of opioid overdose can save a life. Here are some things to look for: 👁 Small, constricted 'pinpoint pupils' 😴 Falling asleep or losing consciousness 🫁 Slow, weak, or no breathing 👂 Choking or gurgling sounds 🧍" (Orange County Sheriff's Department, CA via Facebook)
• "It's not too late to sign up for some Day Camp fun! Click the link to REGISTER today! https://bit.ly/3No6sid" (Girl Scouts of Orange County via Facebook)
• "Three student-produced websites and documentaries from Irvine placed with top honors at the National History Day National Contest in Maryland on June 15, and five other local submissions were named finalists." (Orange County Department of Ed via Instagram)
• "Experience the magic of the ultimate Smiths & Morrissey tribute band once again! Sweet and Tender Hooligans will be playing live at Craig Regional Park in Fullerton this Thursday, June 29." (OC Parks via Instagram)

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Featured events:

• Wine Tasting Dinner (June 28)
• 🇺🇸🤩 7/1 Independence Day Market (Family-friendly- FREE Admission): (July 1)
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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you around.

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Christ follower. Wife. Book dragon. Proud supporter of the Oxford comma.

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