Weird CA Ocean Happenings + Amazing Rescues + Can You Spare $26M?

CALIFORNIA — Things are getting a little weird at Patch this week. Our latest news roundup shows some of the out-of-the-box stories our editors covered across the Golden State and even right next door.

This week we saw some strange connections with brush fires, extreme temperatures and strange happenings in the oceans.

First, fire weather came early to the Golden State; a trend that appears to, unfortunately, be getting less "weird" and more of the "norm." The weekend saw a flurry of fires in the Bay Area after dry gusty wind and unseasonably dry fuels led to a tinder ready combo in the first red flag weekend of 2021, as Patch Editor Kat Schuster tells us. (More on Patch).

That same fire weather is trickling down to Southern California, as Thursday saw two brush fires break out in Irwindale and the Antelope Valley, as reported by Paige Austin. (More on Patch).

Speaking of beaches...Strange events have been afoot along California shores. There have been a rash of dead whales and even a prehistoric-looking deep ocean fish washing up on the beaches in the past week.

It started with a weekend sighting of a prehistoric fish that washed ashore in Crystal Cove, the stretch of sand between Laguna and Newport Beach. The angler fish, a resident from the ocean's deepest depths, is now being studied by Fish and Wildlife, as reported by yours truly. (More on Patch).

Further south in San Diego, 2 dead whales were found underneath an Australian ship, docked at San Diego's Naval Base. Were they struck? Or were there other causes? The U.S. Navy, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, and Royal Australian Navy are investigating, Kristina Houck reports. (More on Patch.)

On the northern part of the state, three more whales were found dead in San Francisco Bay between April 27 and May 4, Patch Editor Bea Karnes tells us. NOAA is investigating why the unusually high mortality rate among whales continues. (More on Patch).

In epic rescue news...

In San Francisco, a pooch likes to get himself into precarious positions, according to this report. The 12-year-old dog was spotted stuck between two buildings, and it wasn't the first time they'd pulled him out! (More on Patch).

Some Santa Ana parents taught their kids well to call 911 in an emergency. When the family kitten got itself in a tight spot this week—trapped with just its head sticking out of a bunk bed—the kiddos called firefighters for help! But forgot to tell mom and dad they were coming. (More on Patch).

Weird Science stories are the norm these days, following the pandemic. This week, we're looking at more breakthroughs in gene therapy and some people's interesting ideas on getting vaccinated for dough (pizza dough) and wearing (or not wearing) masks.

This team of UCLA researchers believes they can treat children with a rare genetic disorder that has left them without an immune system. (More on Patch.)

Could Californians now be immune from coronavirus surges? Los Angeles seems to think so. This week, health officials indicated a combination of vaccines and masks has rendered the city safer than it's been yet in the pandemic, reported by editor Paige Austin. (More on Patch.)

Speaking of vaccines, there's one town that offers free pizza with your second dose. The city of Benicia partnered with several local pizza joints to feed the masses who get their coronavirus vaccination, as reported by Maggie Fusek. (More on Patch).

Still, wearing masks is a touchy subject in Santa Monica, where anti-mask protestors harassed kids at school and the parents who brought them there. Parents called the protest at the local middle school "creepy," as reported by Nicole Charky. (More on Patch).

Political gaffs happen almost daily, and California politicians are no exception.

Rancho Santa Fe businessman John Cox made a bear-y controversial decision in his recent campaign ads. Cox, a hopeful replacement for California Gov. Gavin Newsom has raised the hackles of the Humane Society after campaigning with his running-mate, a Kodiak bear named Tag, as reported by Patch Editor Kristina Houck. (More on Patch.)

And what is more weird or wild in California than our local celebrity happenings? This week, this pair of "Bachelor in Paradise" stars made a fast sale of a $3 million San Juan Capistrano home. Here, the former Bachelor's wife gave birth to their middle of three children inside the bedroom closet, with a little help from Orange County Fire Authority medics. (More on Patch).

The weirdest story in California...

And finally... the weirdest story of the week involves a Norwalk woman who claims she misplaced a $26 million lottery ticket. She went from astronomically lucky to possibly having the worst luck of all time, Paige Austin reports. This is only the 3rd largest jackpot to go unclaimed.

The numbers? 23, 36, 12, 31, 13, with the mega number 10.

Do you have a weird news tip to share with us?

Tell us all about it in the comments below, or by emailing Ashley.Ludwig@Patch.com.

About Ashley Ludwig: I'm a resident and longtime journalist from southern California wine country. I enjoy writing, talking with friends, dining out, and watching sports.