TimesOC: Latest news in Orange County

Good morning, and welcome to the TimesOC newsletter. It’s Wednesday, Dec. 2.

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

Orange County and 50 other counties in California’s strictest purple tier are on the brink of a stay-at-home order due to rising COVID-19 hospitalizations. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday warned the state about how the surging pandemic could overwhelm the healthcare system in the upcoming weeks.

Orange County is already under a curfew of 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. and it will be in place through Dec. 21.

Here are the latest headlines for our Orange County readers:

A man wears a mask while riding a bike in Huntington Beach on Monday.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

NEWS

— California warns stay-at-home order could follow if hospitalization numbers don’t improve

— Photos: Gov. Gavin Newsom warns of regional stay-at-home order as COVID-19 hospitalizations hit record

— First COVID-19 vaccines should go to healthcare workers and nursing homes, panel says

— Two vaccines might get emergency approval this month. Here’s what you need to know

— California’s move toward regular COVID-19 testing for healthcare workers a relief to those on front lines

— Tale of two families: How COVID is making America’s income and race gap bigger

— Captain in Conception dive boat fire indicted on 34 counts of manslaughter

— William Barr: Justice Department has not uncovered evidence of widespread voter fraud

— L.A. Times files lawsuit seeking records on abuse claims at U.S. immigration detention centers

— Local officials eye Michelle Steel’s seat on Orange County Board of Supervisors

— California got $1.3 billion in wildfire relief. Victims have received nothing, prompting outrage

— California is failing to provide free and equal education to all during pandemic, suit alleges

— California’s prisoner unemployment fraud now estimated at $400 million, officials say

— Huntington Beach protests continue into second weekend of purple-tiered curfew

— Cyber Monday shoppers spent $10.8 billion, missing projection

— Black Friday madness toned down in Orange County due to COVID-19, online sales

— Newport Beach approves memorandum of understanding with Costa Mesa for homeless bridge shelter

— New Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan to focus on pandemic economy and environmental issues

— Huntington Beach-based Surfline announces $30-million investment, new CEO

— Mysterious monolith toppled by men who said ‘leave no trace,’ visitor says

Catmosphere, the first cat cafe in Orange County, has closed its doors in Laguna Beach due to the pandemic.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

— Catmosphere Laguna, O.C.’s first cat cafe, closes due to pandemic, but will live on through foundation

— Aspiring social media maven’s Make-A-Wish request brings her to Macy’s at South Coast Plaza

— Make-A-Wish alumni return to grant wishes in Orange County and Inland Empire

— Newport Beach insurance agent pleads not guilty in $4-million securities fraud scheme

— Family law attorney helps domestic violence victims navigate complex legal landscape

— Fountain Valley resident recognized for crime prevention

— Pedestrian struck and killed by SUV in Huntington Beach

— Hoag receives $7.5 million from Orange County philanthropists Julia and George Argyros

— Laguna Beach’s Sandpiper Lounge receives pick-me-up from fundraiser

— HIV drive-through testing program launches in Santa Ana

— Costa Mesa commission approves 25-foot Randy’s Donut sign for location due to open in January

— Laguna Beach plans to move forward with parking rate increases

— After one term, Councilman Jeff Herdman says goodbye to Newport Beach City Council, staff — but, not forever

— Huntington Beach man gives back at Thanksgiving through front-yard food pantry

— ‘Night of Lights’ offers drive-through variations of Winter Fest OC favorites

— Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort lights up the bay for Newport Beach this holiday season

Diego Maradona celebrates with the trophy after Argentina’s 3-2 win over West Germany in the World Cup final at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on June 29, 1986.

(Carlo Fumagalli / Associated Press)

SPORTS

— Diego Maradona lived the way he played, with reckless joy

— Diego Maradona, Argentine soccer legend, dies at 60

— How Rachel Buehler Van Hollebeke went from the USWNT to the front lines of COVID-19

— USWNT reaches settlement with U.S. Soccer over working conditions

— LAFC picks up Carlos Vela’s option, declines others including Bradley Wright-Phillips

— NFL running out of options for fitting in games amid pandemic

— Rams coach Sean McVay doesn’t mind throwing blame Jared Goff’s way

— Chargers coach Anthony Lynn feels he’s still ‘the right guy for the job’

— USC resumes football workouts after coronavirus shutdown

— Say what? UCLA’s offensive linemen aren’t afraid to make verbal jabs

— Five questions the Lakers face heading into training camp

— Column: Clippers needed a new floor general, not a new sideline general

— A push to recognize the statistics of Black players from baseball’s era of apartheid

— Former Dodgers manager Tom Lasorda out of ICU, remains hospitalized in Orange County

— Attorney for Astros owner calls Mike Bolsinger’s lawsuit ‘a publicity stunt’

— CIF doesn’t expect youth sports update from state until after Jan. 1 at the earliest

— Rams create virtual combine for high school athletes to show their stuff to recruiters

Support our coverage by becoming a digital subscriber.