OC NEWS

An Anaheim family has an early gift this week from a group Anaheim firefighters.  8-year old Cyrus Bonczkowski became badly burned after a cigarette lighter accident in May.  His extensive injuries required many appointments at UC Irvine Regional Burn Center.  Anaheim firefighters found out that the family’s car did not work, got a hold of it and repaired it enough to get Bonczkowski to and from his appointments.  WHOLE STORY

Apollo Global Management LLC has purchased Knott’s Berry Farm’s parent company, Cedar Fair for $625 million.  Cedar Fair purchased Knott’s from a member of the Knott’s family in 1997.  The amusement park is in debt for more than a billion dollars.  WHOLE STORY

Roy Disney loved animation.  For 56-years, Disney worked to preserve his famous Uncle Walt’s vision for the art.  Disney was also an avid sailor, having set many world speed records.  Roy died in Newport Beach, of stomach cancer.  He was 79.  WHOLE STORY

Another $250,000 installment of a $2.5 million dollar gift from the Irvine Company was presented to the Newport-Mesa School District.  Since the gift began in 2006, the Elementary Science Resource Teacher Program has shown the number of students in the “proficient or advanced level in Science,” up from 48% in 2007 to 60% in 2009.  WHOLE STORY

Investigators believe the eldest woman involved in the murder-suicide of a grandmother, mother and two children was the shooter.  Details regarding the crime and divorce and custody proceedings that led up to the crime HERE

25 WAYS TO GIVE

17.  KNOTT’S BERRY FARM TOYS FOR TOTS (and go to the park for FREE!)

Help put a smile on a deserving child’s face this holiday season, plus get free admission.  Admission to Knott’s Berry Farm will be FREE when a toy, valued at $15 or more, is purchased at a Knott’s Berry Farm merchandise location.  Proof of purchase required.  Guests wishing to bring a pre-purchased toy (purchased elsewhere) to donate, valued at $15 or more, will receive a coupon for $15 admission into Knott’s. Want to avoid the lines?  Donate a toy online!  Click here to buy a $15 toy for Toys For Tots and receive one e-ticket valid for admission to Knott’s Dec. 5 – 20, 2009 as our thank you.