Best Stories of 2016: Orange County Patch

For Orange County, 2016 stories ran the gamut, from creepy clown sightings to local athletes succeeding in the 2016 Rio Olympics. Local readers submitted their photos for Patch Orange County Photos of the Week all year, and pre-election coverage took the majority of our attention in the fall.

The November election won the most viewed stories, however much loved stories on shelter pets and random acts of kindness were a not-so-far second.

Here are the top stories from Patch News. Which were your favorites?

ELECTION COVERAGE:

The big news in Orange County for 2016 revolved around the Election. How did you vote and where? Both parties gathered for the election night victory parties, but the Republicans showed a different side as the results rolled in.

• Two Different Tales for South Orange County Political Parties
• How Orange County Residents Voted in the 2016 Election
• Voting in 2016: Your Orange County Neighbors at the Polls

WEIRD NEWS FOR 2016:

Weird news in Orange County…the creepy clown sightings were up as were strange happenings on the shores of the mighty pacific.

• Creepy Clown Sightings Up: Orange County Largely Spared Clownpocalypse
• Anthropologists Looking For Bones At O.C. House After Tip of Body
• Orange County Football Player Dies Following Freak Freeway Accident

ORANGE COUNTY HELPS OTHERS:

Random Acts of Kindness were essential. Here’s how Orange County gave back in 2016.

• Mission Viejo Girl Invites All to Play Well for Africa
• Surfers Healing Provides Waves of Joy for Autism Community
• Benevolent Newport Beach Woman Donates Blankets to the Homeless

ORANGE COUNTY OLYMPIANS:

In Sports, local athletes competed internationally in the 2016 Summer Olympics.

• Who are the Orange County Athletes at the 2016
• Road to Rio: Laguna Beach High School Water Polo Sisters Score Gold
• Raising an Olympian: A Lake Forest Mom Reflects on Her Son's Olympic Accomplishments

CHANGE OF VENUE:

We said goodbye to one of Southern California’s favorite music venues with the closing of Irvine Meadows Amphitheater.

• Orange County Native's Gwen Stefani is Farewell Act for Irvine

FIRE AND POLICE

Orange County Sheriff’s Department and Orange County Fire Authority both showed their mettle in 2016. Fires ravaged hillsides, cross county car chases, and the community gathered to remember a favorite lifeguard and mourn the passing of a beloved firefighter.

• Boy Calls 9-1-1 to Save Pregnant Mom After Fall
• Ben Carlson Memorial Statue Unveiling Draws Thousands to Newport
• Firefighter Suicide on I-5 Freeway Mourned by Orange County

ADORABLE ORANGE COUNTY:

Here are the sweet stories that sparked reader attention in 2016.

• Orange County Sports Parents Chime in For Love of the Game

ADORABLE ANIMALS IN ORANGE COUNTY:

Though frequently photographed stories of Pacific Marine life grace our Orange County Patch News pages, Orange County families do love their kids, and their shelter pets.

• Orange County Families Say Shelter Pets Make the Best Pets
• Great White Shark Goes Airborne Off Orange County Coast: Watch ...
• Watch: Boat Crew Helps Tangled 700-Pound Sea Turtle
• Red Crabs Invade Orange County Beaches - Laguna Niguel

Holiday happenings included finding the best Santa Claus for family photos. The Laguna Hills Mall won, hands down, with the jolliest of elves.

• Where is the Real Santa Claus? Orange County, of Course

Cover Photo by Rex Sanchez