🌱 Catalytic Converter Thieves Caught + HB Tree Society Raises $$

Sylvia Cochran
Updated ·4 min read

Happy Thursday, people of Huntington Beach, and happy National Carrot Cake Day! Let's get you all caught up to start today off on an informed note.

The PD arrested four people suspected of being catalytic converter thieves. Also, would you like a bridge in the Urban Forest? Finally, the February 14 return-to-class date for Orange Coast College students stands.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 64 Low: 47.

Here are the top five stories in Huntington Beach today:

  1. The HBPD arrested four suspected catalytic converter thieves. Last Friday, officers made a routine vehicle stop near Brookhurst and Indianapolis. At that time, they noticed drug paraphernalia, which gave rise to a vehicle search. In the process, they found “drugs, two battery-powered saws with metal-cutting blades and two cut catalytic converters.” (HBN)

  2. Did you know that HB has an Urban Forest? It is a “2½-acre park, which sits off Ellis Avenue between Goldenwest Street and Edwards Street.” The HB Tree Society is a group of volunteers that keeps it beautiful. Right now, the group is “trying to raise funds to build a pedestrian bridge at one particular point of the Urban Forest, where several trails converge.” They’re looking for $30,000. “Huntington Beach Mayor Barbara Delgleize has worked with the Tree Society since she was elected to the City Council in 2014, and said she’s a proponent of the new bridge.” (Daily Pilot)

  3. Orange Coast College students will return to campus on Valentine’s Day. The Coast Community College District announced Wednesday that the school would stay on track with the February 14 target date. “The decision to go remote for the first two weeks of spring semester was made in response to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. The decline in the numbers of COVID-19 Omicron cases over the past few weeks has been the largest indicator for the CCCD Chancellor’s office that it is safe to return to campus.” (Coast Report Online)

  4. Last weekend, firefighters responded to two home fires that were caused by dryers in Orange County. This uptick has caused officials to warn that proper dryer maintenance is a must. “Fires can spark in a dryer or its exhaust duct because of blocked airflow caused by lint build-up.” By the way, if your clothes are still damp at the end of a full cycle in the dryer, there could be a lint blockage. (Patch)

  5. If you’re thinking of getting married this Valentine’s Day, you can do it under $100. A standard marriage license costs $61 and a civil ceremony with the clerk will set you back $28. And, because Valentine’s Day is a busy time for the OC Clerk-Recorder's Department, the Clerk-Recorder announced that they’ll be “offering extended hours at his offices in Anaheim, Laguna Hills and at the Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana.” Just remember that there are no ceremony rooms, and the clerk will officiate right there at the counter. (Patch)

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Today in Huntington Beach:

  • Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure at the corner of Main and Pacific Coast Highway (8 AM)

  • Moore's Sewing & Vacuum hosts Pfaff TOL Part 1 w/Rosemary (10 AM)

  • Girls’ Soccer at Marina HS (1:45 PM)

  • HBHS Future Oiler Night 2022 Open House In The Quad at Huntington Beach HS (5:30 PM)

  • The Rec Room by Off The Wall presents Nice Bits! Comedy Competition (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

  • Visit Huntington Beach and trade your winter blues for these beach views! (Instagram)

  • The Huntington Beach Fire Dept. wants you to be aware that battery fires have been on the rise in the City of Huntington Beach. They reached out to the Electric Bike Company for some battery charging safety tips. (Instagram)

  • Make a reservation to visit the Huntington Beach Art Center. "Centered on the Center" is an exhibition with over 200 pieces. (Instagram)

  • The City of Huntington Beach invites you to show up on Friday, February 11 at 10am to break ground on Huntington Beach's newest public park and say goodbye to the Rodger's Senior Center. (Instagram)

  • The Huntington Beach Union High School District congratulates Edison girls’ water polo team on the big win in the brand-new pool! Last night was the first actual varsity home game in school history. Good luck in CIF! (Facebook)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you soon!

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Sylvia Cochran works out of sunny Southern California and has been freelance writing full-time since 2005. She loves dogs, cats, books, plays Best Fiends (don't judge), embraces social justice, and tries to live out Micah 6:8.

This article originally appeared on the Huntington Beach Patch