TimesOC: Latest news in Orange County

Good morning, and welcome to the TimesOC newsletter. It’s Wednesday, Nov. 25.

My name is David Carrillo Peñaloza, the author of the TimesOC newsletter and an editor for Los Angeles Times Community News.

With Thanksgiving a day away, officials are asking people to stay home with the people they live with to prevent exposure to the coronavirus. Traveling is not recommended as California has averaged 12,485 COVID-19 new cases per day over the last seven days, a 110.8% increase from two weeks ago.

Orange County, which reported a single-day record of 1,422 new cases on Monday, has seen its seven-day average skyrocket to 787.3 cases, a 143.3% increase from two weeks ago.

The TimesOC newsletter will return next Wednesday. Enjoy the holiday and stay safe.

Here are the latest headlines for our Orange County readers:

Hundreds of protesters gather at the Huntington Beach Pier on Saturday to protest state-mandated coronavirus restrictions.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

NEWS

— Column: How Huntington Beach became Angrytown, USA

— Protesters demonstrate in Huntington Beach in defiance of California coronavirus curfew

— O.C. police departments focus on education for voluntary compliance with California curfew order

— Costa Mesa mask mandate offender cited at local grocery store, arrested on suspicion of obstruction

— Healthcare workers at embattled Fountain Valley Regional Hospital demand COVID-19 tests

— Fire risk returns to Southern California as Santa Ana winds are forecast for Thanksgiving weekend

— How should you celebrate Thanksgiving in California during the COVID-19 pandemic?

— Volunteers distribute holiday meals in Costa Mesa as officials stress pandemic caution

— How to celebrate the holidays alone without feeling completely depressed

— Retailers plan for a Black Friday like no other

— Newport Beach councilman wants to save the Christmas Boat Parade

— From the coronavirus to the environment, Joe Biden plans to take government in new direction

— Joe Biden introduces his nominees for key foreign policy, national security roles

— Dow tops 30,000 points, buoyed by vaccine hopes and Joe Biden transition

President Donald Trump, center, pardons Corn, the national Thanksgiving turkey, in the Rose Garden as first lady Melania Trump, right, and National Turkey Federation Chairman Ron Kardel watch on Tuesday.

(Susan Walsh / Associated Press)

— For President Donald Trump, it’s all over but the tweeting

— Scams led California to send COVID jobless benefits to Scott Peterson, death row inmates

— Newport-Mesa Unified teachers seek to reclose secondary schools as O.C. virus cases hit record high

— Laguna Beach secondary students’ return to campus delayed by purple tier assignment

— COVID-19 outbreak at Irvine’s Concordia University infects 49 students and 16 employees

— Column: Education’s unprecedented present may forecast future problems

— Leisa Winston hired as Huntington Beach City School District superintendent

— Orange County Animal Care continues to find homes for animals during pandemic

— Could ‘tiny houses’ help solve Orange County’s housing deficit?

— O.C. Fair’s LGBTQ pride flags cause a flap among some who consider them ‘non-inclusive’

— Newport Beach teen nominated for TIME’s Kid of the Year for ‘Skip the Plastic Straw’ campaign

— ‘Not a bit lonely’: She’s a century old and living on her own in Yorba Linda

— Laguna Beach’s KX FM Radio invites local community members to ‘Takeover’ on the air

— Former Costa Mesa commissioner, volunteer held on suspicion of sexually assaulting minors

— 85-year-old Fountain Valley woman dies after being struck by SUV in parking lot

— Huntington Beach man dies after car veers off road and hits tree in Westminster

Montrezl Harrell sits on the court in Game 7 of the Clippers’ Western Conference semifinal playoff game against the Denver Nuggets on Sept. 15 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

(Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

SPORTS

— Did the Clippers want Montrezl Harrell? ‘Apparently not,’ the new Laker says

— Lakers are winning this offseason, but Clippers make a late play

— Lakers trade JaVale McGee and reach deal with three-time All-Star center Marc Gasol

— Clippers might try to pull off trade with free-agency options limited

— This could be a dream season for UCLA, if Bruins get to complete it

— USC opens men’s basketball season with rebuilt roster and plenty of optimism

— UCLA’s Chase Griffin stays calm and carries on prepping for another potential start

— USC football player tests positive for the coronavirus

— Newport Harbor High product Elizabeth Eddy among pro athletes giving back to Stand Up for Kids O.C.

— Rams’ high-flying passing game fueling midseason resurgence

— Coach Anthony Lynn lays it on line after Chargers ran into Jets’ brick wall

— What would make you feel safe at the ballpark? MLB would like to know

— Former Dodgers manager Tom Lasorda’s condition improves in hospital

— Angels add Brandon Marsh, Chris Rodriguez to roster to protect them from Rule 5 draft

The birria burrito from Burritos La Palma in Santa Ana.

(Ken Kwok / Los Angeles Times)

FOOD

— ‘Scared like crazy’: Going viral saved Burritos La Palma from the ravages of COVID-19

— Newport Beach Restaurant Week to be postponed

— Gluten-free Thanksgiving options

— Spice up your pie game

— Vegan Thanksgiving dishes everyone will love

— Dressing for the occasion

— It’s time to hit the sauce

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

— A guide for movies to watch this holiday season

— Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa top 2021 Grammy nominations

— 7 head-scratching Grammy nomination snubs and surprises

— Netflix cuts ‘Chappelle’s Show’ loose, because Dave Chappelle wanted it that way

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