🌱 Injured Officer Leaves Hospital + Sewage Spill in Newport

Up and at 'em, Huntington Beach, and happy National Margarita Day! Here's everything you need to know to get this Tuesday started off right.

The officer who survived the helicopter crash left the hospital. Also, a restaurant’s blocked sewer line causes sewage spill. Finally, anti-Semitic flyers are now in Newport Beach, too.

First, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy, a shower; cool. High: 59 Low: 45.

Here are the top five stories today in Huntington Beach:

1. Law enforcement agencies across the Southland are sending their condolences to the HBPD on the loss of Officer Nicholas Vella. Mayor Barbara Delgleize noted that “This tragic accident serves as a reminder of the danger and the risk that our police officers put themselves in on a daily basis to protect our community.” The second officer, who was injured in the helicopter accident, was released from the hospital on Sunday. (Spectrum News 1)
2. There was a sewage spill in Newport Beach on Monday. “The spill of approximately 35,000 to 50,000 gallons was caused by a blockage of a sewer line of a restaurant in Newport Bay.” Some beaches are closed. (KCAL)
3. We learned Sunday that anti-Semitic flyers made a reappearance in HB. On Monday, we heard that there were also flyers distributed in Newport Beach. There, a neighborhood on the Eastside was targeted. (ABC)
4. The HBPD warns that there is not an official GoFundMe set up by the PD or the Vella family at this time. Even so, the PD has seen “seen some GoFundMe accounts popping up for donations to support Officer Nicholas Vella’s family.” (@HBPoliceDept)
5. There is a last-minute push to “get the required number of signatures to trigger a special election to replace Council members Dan Kalmick, Kim Carr, and Mike Posey.” Signature gatherers were out on Saturday at the entrance to Albertsons on Beach Blvd. The deadline for collecting the right number of signatures and turning them in is “5 p.m. this Wednesday, February 23rd.” (HB News)

Today in Huntington Beach:

• REI RunFit Training at the Huntington Beach Public Library (8 AM to 5 PM)
• APA Fundraiser at Raising Cane's (11 AM to 8 PM)
• Literacy "Chat Time" at the Huntington Beach Public Library (1:30 PM)
• Free Trivia at Four Sons Brewing (6 PM)
• NA Meeting at the Surf City Church (7 PM)

From my notebook:

• A Goldenwest Park neighbor saw a coyote on Wicklow Lane running through the backyard. Get your pets inside! (Nextdoor)
• Our Oceanview/Murdy Park neighbor is looking for a dog walker for 2 English bulldogs once midday. (Nextdoor)
• An Oak View neighbor is ISO a plumber and electrician. They need a few quotes. (Nextdoor)
• Can you help a Yorktown neighbor who is looking for a beautiful FREE space to have a microwedding ceremony? (Nextdoor)

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Alrighty, you're all good for today! See you tomorrow for your next 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.