POLICE will be a special lookout for distracted driving this Thursday.

This Friday, April 13 could be an unlucky day for motorists in Garden Grove and Huntington Beach who “drive distracted,” which usually means those texting or calling on a hand-held cell phone.

As part of a statewide Distracted Driving Awareness Month, police in those and other cities are placing a special emphasis on curbing people who type or yak on their phones while driving. The first day of emphasis was on April 6; the next will be this Friday.

It’s illegal to use your smart phone apps, and although it appears that handheld cell phone use while driving is down, there are still many violators, say authorities.

In 2017, preliminary data shows that nearly 22,000 drivers were involved in distracted driving collisions in California, a drop from 33,000 in 2007.

Garage fire extinguished

A garage fire at a house in the 11800 block of Miranda Street in Garden Grove was knocked out by firefighters Saturday morning.

According to the Garden Grove Fire Department, the blaze was reported around 6:38 a.m. The GGFD was assisted by the Orange County Fire Authority. The cause of the fire is under investigation and no injuries were reported.

Downtown Business Association to meet

The Garden Grove Downtown Business Association will hold its April meeting on Thursday at 10 a.m. in the Founders’ Room in the Community Meeting Center, 11300 Stanford Ave.

In addition to regular items, the DBA members will hear a report on a music concert scheduled for April 2019 in the Village Green Park at Main and Euclid streets.