🌱 Talk To Your Kids About The Orbeez Challenge + Alleged Sex Assault

Sylvia Cochran
Updated ·3 min read

Happy Tuesday, neighbors; today is National Garlic Day! Let's start today off on an informed note. Here's everything happening today in town.

Another day, another potentially dangerous TikTok challenge. Also, a nine-year-old was allegedly sexually assaulted by a relative. Finally, Surf City Collective took the plunge and hosted a ribbon-cutting.

First, today's weather:

Low clouds, then sun. High: 67 Low: 57.

Here are the top five stories in Huntington Beach today:

  1. The HBPD is dealing with the latest TikTok craze: the Orbeez Challenge. It involves water pellet guns. This month, a juvenile was issued a criminal citation by the Huntington Beach Police Department for battery (242 PC), a misdemeanor, for shooting another in the face and body with this gun. Parents are asked to remind their kids not to participate in this type of challenge. Depending on the extent of injuries, victims of the Orbeez Challenge could file civil charges, while the HBPD might pursue criminal charges. (HB News)

  2. A nine-year-old HB child has allegedly been sexually assaulted. The suspect, a 22-year-old relative, “was charged with three counts of sexual intercourse or sodomy with a child 10 years old or younger, two counts of lewd or lascivious acts on a minor younger than 14, and a count of using an underage person for obscene matter.” Not entering a plea, he “had the hearing rescheduled for May 4 in the jail courtroom in Santa Ana.” (My News LA)

  3. You might have noticed the goings-on at the HB Pier Plaza. For about two weekends, the Surf City Collective’s artisan fair held soft openings. However, on Friday, they made it official with a ribbon-cutting. “Surf City Collective will be open nearly every Friday of the year and select weekends, including a few long holiday weekends.” (Daily Pilot)

  4. Who left 30 parakeets to fend for themselves on a Laguna Niguel trail? “A Laguna Niguel resident walking the trail had noticed the birds and called the animal shelter,” officials said. “They were starving, they all went right to the food and right to the water,” rescuers explained. As of Sunday, they are available for adoption at the Mission Viejo Animal Shelter. (The OCR/paywall)

  5. As of Sunday, “the number of COVID-positive patients in Orange County hospitals has fallen by two people to 67.” Eight of them are in the ICU, which is two down from Saturday. (My News LA)

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Today in Huntington Beach:

  • PC Grommets Celebrate Earth Day at Pacific City (10 AM)

  • Homework Club Program at the Huntington Beach Public Library (2 PM)

  • Medicare Education Event at Panera Bread (5:30 PM)

  • America's Pub Quiz at 2nd Floor (6 PM)

  • Comedy Night at Gallagher's Pub (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

  • Our Seabridge neighbor is giving a shoutout to the lady in a white Mercedes SUV who blocked traffic to let a momma duck and her 8 ducklings cross Adams today by Adams Gate at Seabridge. - They love seeing good people in action! (Nextdoor)

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That's it for today. 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