TimesOC: Latest news in Orange County

Good morning, and welcome to the TimesOC newsletter. It’s Wednesday, Jan. 20.

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.

Reporter Jennifer Haberkorn is in Washington, D.C., where she writes that nearly 25,000 members of the U.S. National Guard are there to help ensure the safety of the seat of American democracy and the inauguration Wednesday of President-elect Joe Biden.

Preparation for the inauguration, reporter Chris Megerian writes, feels like wartime conditions.

A dozen National Guard members have been removed from securing Biden’s inauguration, a couple of which posted extremist views about the event, Pentagon officials said.

Here are the latest headlines for our Orange County readers:

Flags line the National Mall, with the U.S. Capitol in the background Tuesday, a day ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.

(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)

NEWS

— No Mall crowd. No walk down Pennsylvania Avenue. And other ways Joe Biden’s inauguration will differ

— Pre-inaugural snapshot: Americans voice anguish and hope as Joe Biden prepares to take office

— Mitch McConnell slams Donald Trump for ‘lies’ to angry mob as Guard roots out threats among inauguration troops

— After Homeland Security nominee’s hearing, Josh Hawley slows down process

— FBI searches home of Huntington Beach far-right extremist who posted about attending the Capitol riot

— Disneyland vaccine site to remain closed a second day due to high winds, appointments rescheduled

— No test? No problem. Rapid COVID-19 testing available at John Wayne Airport

— Gavin Newsom administration gave far less COVID-19 relief cash to smaller communities, audit finds

— O.C. congressman received vaccine dose, but tests positive for virus

— Orange County man lived in Chicago airport for three months, fearing COVID-19

— O.C. district attorney drops or reduces charges in 67 cases over mishandled evidence

— Court overturns hate crime, civil rights convictions for man who attacked Black grocery store worker in O.C.

— More than 67,000 Southern California Edison customers lose power as high winds increase wildfire risk

— Huntington Beach Mayor Pro Tem Tito Ortiz apologizes after criticizing TK Burgers

— ‘We exist in other ways ... to see us, to find us’ — UC Irvine debuts ‘The Black Index’ exhibition

— UC Irvine library highlights materials from I-Ching to Astro Boy in its East Asian Collection

— Virtual town hall addresses COVID-19 vaccine concerns in O.C.’s Asian American community

— Laguna Beach remains virtual until Orange County turns ‘orange’ for state reopening framework

— Lake Forest man arrested in Huntington Beach on suspicion of attempted sex with minor

— Firefighters contend with 3-alarm blaze, assisted by high winds, at Huntington Harbour residence

Mike Pino, left, and others participate in a “Let Them Play” rally at Edison High School in Huntington Beach on Friday.

(Scott Smeltzer / Staff Photographer)

SPORTS

— CIF Southern Section cancels fall sports championships due to coronavirus

— Orange County high schools play football game in violation of state health guidelines

— ‘Let Them Play’ rallies in Orange County call for resumption of high school athletics

— Brandon Staley, Chargers coach? Those who know him know why he ‘skyrocketed’ to top

— Will Jared Goff be Rams’ QB next season? Sean McVay vows to ‘evaluate everything’

— Sarah Thomas to make history as first woman to officiate Super Bowl

— Dodgers Hall of Fame ironman pitcher Don Sutton dies at 75

— Column: Ducks goalie John Gibson has been excellent, but he needs support from offense

— UCLA gymnastics determined to ‘celebrate every moment’ amid unusual season

— Newport Harbor Baseball Assn. to add division for kids with special needs

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