🌱 Fountain Bid Declined + Change Historic Wintersburg Ownership?

Happy Friday, neighbors; and happy National Sloppy Joe Day! Here's what's going on in Huntington Beach today.

The Central Library’s fountain is still in need of restoration. Also, will Republic Services transfer ownership of the Historic Wintersburg? Finally, a felon is facing arraignment on Mach 30.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and pleasant. High: 70 Low: 54.

Here are the top five stories in Huntington Beach today:

1. The HB City Council voted Tuesday 6-0 to reject a bid for restoring the Central Library’s fountain. California Waters Developmen, Inc. had entered a bid “for $2,665,504.99 and to appropriate $2,110,430 from the infrastructure fund account.” Councilmembers are looking for “alternative, cost-efficient-options” to deal with the fountain at Goldenwest Street and Talbert Avenue. (OC Tribune)
2. You will remember that the Historic Wintersburg property recently lost several buildings to fire. We learned Thursday that Interim City Manager Sean Joyce has asked Republic Services “to discuss how, together, we might transfer the property to the city and/or its partners in historic preservation so that we may preserve and restore this historic property and its structures and properly honor the site and Japanese Americans of Orange County.” No response has been recorded so far. (Rafu)
3. A felon “was charged Tuesday with keeping a girlfriend captive and attempting to kill her in Huntington Beach.” On Sunday, the woman was held in an apartment at Brookhurst Street and Hamilton Avenue, where she was beaten with a stick. The suspect will be arraigned on March 30. (My News LA)
4. We learned Thursday that tar balls, which have been washing up on Seal Beach and Newport Beach’s coastlines, are so far not connected to recent spills. “The samples are consistent with non-production, natural seep oil,” the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Spill Prevention & Response team explained. Natural seepage is considered normal, “but authorities are monitoring the situation.” (The OCR/paywall)
5. The weekly arts and crafts fair at the HB Pier Plaza will have oversight from the Downtown Business Improvement District. The City Council agreed on Tuesday to the move. At this time, the plan is to begin the operation of the fair on April 1. The Downtown Business Improvement District already oversees the “Surf City Nights street fair and farmers market . . . (and) also hosts events like the annual Chili at the Beach Cook-off.” (Fior Reports)

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Today in Huntington Beach:

• Photos With The Easter Bunny at the Westminster Mall (11 AM to 8 PM)
• Basic 4 Thread Sergers w/Helen at Moore's Sewing (2 PM)
• Main Street Classic Car Show on Historic Main Street in Garden Grove (4 PM to 8 PM)
• The Pajama Game at the Academy For the Performing Arts (7 PM)
• Michael Lenoci at The Rec Room by Off The Wall (7 PM)

From my notebook:

• Our Huntington Harbour neighbor is looking for recommendations for a reasonably priced trust attorney. (Nextdoor)
• A Downtown Huntington Beach neighbor needs a caterer for a picnic in Central Park, April 3rd. Preferably a taco truck from 1-3 for a kids birthday party. Any suggestions? (Nextdoor)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Sylvia Cochran works out of sunny Southern California and has been freelance writing full-time since 2005. She loves dogs, cats, books, plays Best Fiends (don't judge), embraces social justice, and tries to live out Micah 6:8.