Homeless Soul Singer Murdered | Orange County: 2018

ORANGE COUNTY, CA —Orange County stories on Patch.com ranged from glorious images of our beautiful city to news of the strange. Patch editors shared stories of local fires, car thefts and architectural delights. Area high school students marched for their lives, in honor of those killed in Parkland Florida's mass shooting event.

Here are a few of the photos, news stories and neighborhood tales of note from the past 12 months. As 2018 comes to a close, Patch looks back on the stories that got you, our readers, talking.

Murdered Homeless Woman Was 60s Soul Singer

A homeless woman brutally murdered in Santa Ana was a 1960s soul singer. Now, a man is charged with her killing.

Realtor & Wife Shot To Death In Orange County Home

A man and woman were shot to death in an Orange County home. A real estate power couple were discovered in an Orange backyard.

Stolen Guitars Worth $50K Recovered In Irvine, Two Charged

Two Yucaipa residents were arrested for allegedly stealing guitars from an Irvine storage locker, police said.

Pet Store Fail: Mom Buys Pregnant Guinea Pig

The new guinea pig wasn't fat. She was pregnant. Now, this CA mom is sharing joys of pet ownership & the miracle of life with her four kids.

Homeless Woman Reunites With Son, Thanks To Seal Beach Community

It was a tearful reunion for this family, reunited after homelessness, thanks to the community of Seal Beach.

Baby Gray Whale Splashes Off Seal Beach, Hundreds Watch

Hundreds gathered to see this baby gray whale splash just off-shore off the coast of Seal Beach. Did you see it?

Seal Beach Helps Doughnut Shopkeeper Get Home To Sick Wife

Have you visited Donut City lately? Residents band together and buy doughnuts to help a local store owner get home where he is needed.

'Pay Your Age' In California At Build-A-Bear Stores Thursday

How old is your kid? That's what you'll pay for any "Make-Your-Own" furry friend that's available in the store.

A Life Too Short: Blaze Bernstein Obituary

Blaze Bernstein, called a renaissance man by his family, died tragically at 19 in January 2018. His parents challenge all to #dogood4blaze

Bees Swarm Firefighters, Stings Send Woman To Hospital

Orange County Fire Authority responded to Buckland Lane, where a large swarm of bees swarmed a woman stinging her hundreds of times.

Love Outshines Hate At Orange County Synagogue

The Orange County Jewish community and supporters stand together after anti-Semitic graffiti defaced Irvine's Beth Jacob Synagogue.

Stolen Tools Returned to Capistrano School District

Stolen tools, located during a raid on a homeless encampment, were safely returned to their rightful owners.

Be sure and follow us on Facebook and share your neighborhood news.