COVID 'Gateway' Found + Orca Dies Unexpectedly + Best Bathroom In Golden State: Weird News

CALIFORNIA —It's been a minute since we've reviewed our stranger stories on Patch, but the news of the weird keeps on rolling. With California editors keeping their collective "ears to the ground," we found you some of the stranger stories across the state this month.

From people behaving badly to strange findings in the realm of science to wild animal rescues, here are a few stories that caught our attention.

We start with a look at Weird Science in action.

Some San Diego researchers made a SARS-CoV-2 discovery this month. The team, led by researchers at UCSD, discovered how glycans act as infection gateways for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 infections. Could even more coronavirus good news be on the way?

Next, some people made some interesting life decisions across the Golden State.

A Beverly Hills neighborhood may never be the same, and we're hoping they have some pretty good fences in place. Boxer Floyd Mayweather recently learned his new next-door neighbor is none other than rival Conor McGregor. Media stunt? Coincidence? We wonder.

A father and son got into a little bit of trouble as they tried to skirt Hawaii's strict vaccination laws. The Pacific Palisades residents attempted to pass off faked vaccination cards but were discovered and now could face a hefty fine and up to a year in prison if fully prosecuted.

Talk about a power outage! Police found this pair in San Mateo, siphoning electricity from an elementary school air conditioner using long extension cords. The school unwittingly powered multiple items.

Mix up? Or Fix up? A San Diego family discovered a moving mistake when a moving company sent the wrong items to their new home. Not content to "throw it all away," as the moving company suggested, he is trying to find the rightful owners. His only clue is a card for a Temecula cleaning service.

Lost and found in Fullerton: A Fullerton Police Officer went to social media to report "lost" items discovered in a local golf cart that included a pouch of meth and a "matching pipe." So far, we don't think anyone has claimed them. Yet.

Let's pause a moment for a dose of human kindness.

In Venice Beach, one Patch editor took a rare before and after look at a homeless encampment, before and after. As human services moved to lend assistance to unhoused people who wanted more permanent shelter, here's a look at Venice Boardwalk then and now.

It's been 80 years since the death of Signalman First Class Eugene Mitchell Skaggs. The remains of the WWII US Navy sailor who died in the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack will be buried 80 years later, in the Inland Empire surrounded by his extended family.

A look at some of this month's most wild animal rescues...

A female 6-Year-old Orca died unexpectedly at SeaWorld San Diego, one day after showing signs of illness, the theme park announced. What led to the leviathan's untimely death?

Then, we found some adorable rescues for you to fathom the question: But... how did they get in there?

Fremont Firefighters rescued a kitten from a storm drain. This little kitten was trapped deep below a heavy grate, leaving them to wonder how it got trapped inside!

Another group of firefighters in Orange County helped release a tiny Yorkie pup, trapped inside the inner workings of a reclining chair. Here's how they got it out.

Contests you never knew were "a thing?"

How about a contest for the "Best Restroom in America." Yes, fans of public bathroom design had a chance to weigh in and select finalists for this little-known contest. One public restroom in Mission Viejo was up for the prestigious award.

And one better, Bad Art Night in Temecula. Have you ever wanted to enter an art contest, but the pressure to create "good art" was just too intimidating? The Ugliest Creation Wins. Good luck.

Read also:

Big Bucks Found + Bad Habits + Pitcher Pantsed + Mysterious Boom

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