TimesOC: Latest news in Orange County

Good morning, and welcome to the first TimesOC newsletter of 2021. It’s Wednesday, Jan. 6.

My name is David Carrillo Peñaloza, the author of the TimesOC newsletter and an editor for Los Angeles Times Community News. I’m writing from Fountain Valley.

The COVID-19 numbers continue to spike in Orange County and the rest of Southern California, and Gov. Gavin Newsom says the state’s vaccine rollout has been too slow.

More than 2,000 miles away, control of the U.S. Senate is being determined by Georgia voters. Tuesday’s Georgia Senate runoffs were between the Rev. Raphael Warnock, a Democrat, and Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler, and Republican David Perdue and Democrat Jon Ossoff.

Warnock declared himself the winner late Tuesday night, while Ossoff appeared on his way to victory. The Democrats need to sweep to win Senate control.

Here are the latest headlines for our Orange County readers:

NEWS

A jogger passes by the Westend Bar on Monday in Costa Mesa. The owner of the bar is the first person criminally charged in Orange County for operating during the pandemic.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

— Orange County bar owner faces criminal charges for operating during coronavirus pandemic

— Orange County school districts return to distance learning due to COVID-19 surge

— ‘I know they are still waiting for them to come home’: Family of couple killed in DUI crash look forward

— Sandra Hutchens, first female O.C. sheriff, dies after long battle with breast cancer

— Newport Beach, Costa Mesa support O.C. sheriff’s policies concerning inmates during pandemic

— Joyce LaPointe sworn in as Costa Mesa police’s first female captain

— San Juan Capistrano hires ‘very needed’ security for Los Rios District, but some question firearms

— American Legion removes post commander from national leadership role over Proud Boys affiliation

— Chapman University and local nonprofit provide course to formerly incarcerated

— Nonprofit founder chooses joy and speaks life to veterans in Orange County

— Memory-care unit for COVID-19 patients with dementia opens at Fairview Developmental Center

— Newport Beach firefighters receive Moderna vaccines

— Costa Mesa family displaced by residential fire on New Year’s Day

— Suspect facing felony murder charge in shooting death of Costa Mesa man outside Anaheim motel

Grilled pork spring rolls, luna cakes with shrimp, jackfruit salad, and seafood hot pot from Brodard Restaurant in Fountain Valley.

(Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)

— Our favorite Orange County restaurants from The Times’ 101 list

— Huntington Beach City Council holds strategic planning workshop

— Newport Beach resident makes a Christmas resolution, bikes 160 miles in solo ride for charities

— Goat herd clears up a hillside headache at O.C. fairgrounds amphitheater

— Leaping Lizards! ‘Jurassic Quest’ transforms O.C. fairgrounds into a drive-through dinosaur safari

— Jim ‘Poorman’ Trenton to ride KOCI 101.5 Radio’s morning show wave into New Year

— Bowers Museum exhibits gold and jade masterworks from Taiwan

SPORTS

Injured Rams quarterback Jared Goff, left, stands next to quarterback John Wolford before Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.

(Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)

— Sean McVay hasn’t made a quarterback decision for Rams in playoffs

— Chargers fire coach Anthony Lynn after failing to make playoffs again

— LeBron James, with a lot on his mind, helps Lakers hold off Grizzlies

— Kawhi Leonard can’t cap Clippers comeback with last-second shot in loss to Spurs

— ‘I would be nothing without you’: Remembering Sandra Scully, the wind beneath Vin’s wings

— Tom Lasorda discharged from O.C. hospital and is ‘resting comfortably’

— Former Corona del Mar High quarterback Ethan Garbers transfers to UCLA

— Former Laguna Beach High quarterback Andrew Johnson gets shot to play Division 1 football with Morehead State

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