TimesOC: Latest news in Orange County

Good morning, and welcome to the TimesOC newsletter. It’s Friday, Jan. 8.

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.

A day after President Donald Trump incited a mob to storm the U.S. Capitol, he tried to stem the backlash in a videotaped address Thursday, asking for peace.

Can the country wait until Trump leaves the presidency on Jan. 20? House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and incoming Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer have called for the removal of Trump from office, via the 25th Amendment.

There’s a crisis in Washington while the country struggles dealing with a pandemic. Hospitalizations continue to rise, especially in Orange County, where health officials on Thursday reported 2,251 individuals were being treated for COVID-19. The Orange County Health Care Agency recorded 2,701 new cases and 29 deaths.

The California Department of Public Health is urging people to stay close to home and for residents of other states to not travel to California.

Here are the latest headlines for our Orange County readers:

Supporters of President Donald Trump fill the steps of the U.S. Capitol before a mob stormed the building on Wednesday.

(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)

NEWS

— Donald Trump’s final self-destructive days leave him weaker, more alone

— A pro-Donald Trump mob stormed the Capitol in Washington. Here’s how it happened

— I’m in a roomful of people ‘panicked that I might inadvertently give away their location’

— Protesters descend on Huntington Beach as violence hits the U.S. Capitol

— Orange County hospitals continue to hang on as COVID-19 patient count climbs to record 2,251

— UC Irvine first to study ‘pharmacy deserts’ in California

— Homeless suffer most deaths in Orange County history

— Former O.C. Supervisor Michelle Steel tests positive for COVID-19 days after Congressional swearing-in

— Internal memo criticizes O.C. district attorney’s review of Grant Robicheaux rape case

— After unprecedented deal, key Orange County informant again faces life in prison

— Entering a new year sparkling? Not so for beauty businesses in Little Saigon

— Costa Mesa salon owner hangs on to hope as stay-at-home closure threatens to end a 44-year career

— Laguna Beach extends application deadline for its ‘LB Cares’ grant program for bars, restaurants

— Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris to join state senators to ‘Keep California Working’

— Orange County’s first safe parking program runs out of money as advocates call for countywide program

— Laguna Beach City Manager John Pietig to retire in June

— Classic car cruise held in memory of Huntington Beach’s Daniel ‘Dano’ Patten and Tommy Simpson

— Sherman Library & Gardens tree in Newport Beach holds about 4,000 wishes for 2021

Supporters of President Donald Trump stand outside the Senate chamber after breaking into the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday.

(Manuel Balce Ceneta / Associated Press)

OPINION

— Donald Trump supporters are standing by their man. ‘Nothing’s changed for me’

— It is not just Donald Trump. Blame California social media companies for D.C. riot too

— The next few weeks are crucial for Gavin Newsom as he faces a GOP-led recall effort

— The pandemic may be the shock to the system education needs

Players and coaches from the Golden State Warriors and Clippers kneel during the national anthem in San Francisco on Wednesday.

(Jeff Chiu / Associated Press)

SPORTS

— How Clippers and other NBA teams reacted to events in Washington

— NFL’s Rooney Rule still ineffective and needs enforcement

— Rams’ Jared Goff: ‘If I have to play at any point, I’m ready to play’

— GM Tom Telesco says Chargers don’t necessarily seek offense-minded head coach

— Canceling any high school sport could trigger rampant transfers

— Alternative Baseball preps for the launch of its first club in Orange County

— Nathan Chen set to pursue fifth straight U.S. figure skating championship

— Showcasing Chicharito a priority for new Galaxy coach Greg Vanney

FOOD

— On the bright side, 2020 was the year of Nashville hot chicken sandwiches in O.C.

— This is what it’s like for a restaurant to close in Westminster. And open. And close again

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