THE WESTMINSTER Police Department seized 67 lbs. of illegal fireworks (WPD photo).

Fireworks Day … no, that’s wrong … Independence Day, the Fourth of July, is coming and local public safety agencies are reminding people that while “Safe and Sane” fireworks sold in our towns by non-profit groups are lawful –when properly used – any not bought that way are illegal. The Westminster Police Department on Thursday seized 67 lbs. of the forbidden stuff. The fine for possessing or discharging them is $1000 in Westminster and Garden Grove. In the latter city, because of the coronavirus, residents are reminded that no block parties are permitted.

Need more Slurpees and beef jerky along with some gasoline? The Garden Grove Planning Commission on July 2 will hold a public hearing on a request to tear down an existing convenience store at the northwest corner of Chapman Avenue and Dale Street and replace it with a new service station and a new 2,232-square foot 24-hour 7-Eleven store.

Kudos about graduations and other honors for area students attending out-of-town colleges and universities continue to be reported. Here’s the latest:

• Jennifer Hudson of Huntington Beach and Charis Sanders of Santa Ana have been named to the spring 2020 dean’s list at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill.
• Baylee Trani of Huntington Beach has been named to the spring 2020 dean’s list at the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, N.Y.
• Joseph Thielen of Huntington Beach has been named to the spring 2020 dean’s list at Curry College in Milton, Mass.
• Hannah Gordon of Huntington Beach has been named to the spring 2020 dean’s list at Cedarville University, Ohio.
• Sabrina Anderson of Garden Grove has been named to the dean’s list at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, R.I.

The second episode of the TV show “Hidden Huntington” is airing on Surf City 3 (Channel 3) on “The Hidden Silo,” at  the North Rancho House property off Yorktown Avenue near Main Street (and the Civic Center) and the 60-foot silos that were saved years ago. The program airs at noon and 8 p.m. or on the City of Huntington Beach’s YouTube channel.

Garden Park Care Center in Garden Grove expressed its appreciation to the workers at the skilled nursing and sub-acute care unit facility located on Haster Avenue south of Lampson Avenue by treating them to an all-you-can eat churro party on June 23.

A decision to close Joseph Perry School in Huntington Beach is being opposed by parents. The school is operated by the Huntington Beach City School District, whose board voted in April to close the campus. The district says it needs the $6.9 million it will save to eliminate its deficit, and neighbors say that Perry is being closed because of the area’s “low” socioeconomic status.

If you’re one of those who didn’t like the decision last year to replace the Garden Grove Fire Department with service from the Orange County Fire Authority and hope for a reversal, there is an example. Starting on July 1, Placentia will say goodbye to the OCFA and stand up it own new Fire and Life Safety Department. The reason? What were called “unsustainable increases in OCFA service costs.”

It’s been a grumpy season for some local city councils. In Garden Grove councilmembers Phat Bui and Kim Nguyen have been exchanging criticism over Nguyen’s comments on race, and in Stanton, a proposal by Councilmember Hong Alyce Van to censure Mayor Dave Shawver for his comments on the homeless failed on a 3-2 vote.

Our Towns is a place for announcements, honors and other tidbits about our cities of Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Stanton and Westminster. No trash talk, please. Send your information to orangecountytribune@gmail.com .

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