🌱 Another Flag Resolution + Trash Bin Monitors + More Battery Fires

Hello all! Today’s National Milk Chocolate Day; did you know that Swiss chocolatier Daniel Peter invented it in 1876? I'm back with your fresh copy of the Orange County Patch newsletter. Follow along to find out about these stories and more:

• 🎶 The OC gets two new fun festivals.
• 🤝 Regal becomes Cinemark in Lake Forest.
• 🔥 A warning from OCFA.

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☀️ But first, today's weather: Mostly sunny and very warm. High: 89 Low: 67.

⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Across Orange County

• ARCO at 102 E. Yorba Linda Blvd. in Placentia, $4.43
• ARCO at 9472 Katella Ave. in Anaheim, $4.55
• Speedway Express at 799 W. 19th St. in Costa Mesa, $4.55

🚀 NASA Priority Poll
The Pew Research Center asked people what NASA’s priorities should be. The majority said the space agency should monitor asteroids. If we take this option off the table, what do you think? So far, 50 percent each suggest a search for resources, 25 percent choose a moon or Mars base, and 12.5 percent each want a manned mission to Mars or climate change monitoring.

📰 Here are the top stories in Orange County today:

1. The North Orange County Community College District trustee introduced a flag resolution that could discontinue the display of “religious, ethnic, racial, political, or sexual orientation group flags and banners.” However, there’s little in the way of definition when it comes to the actual meanings of terms such as “flown, affixed, or displayed.” Weigh in at Tuesday’s meeting in Anaheim. (MSN)
2. Did you know that code enforcement inspectors will check Anaheim trash bins “to ensure residents follow the rules?” At issue are the brown bins for yard and food waste, which may only be packed in brown paper bags. According to a city spokesperson, “there will be inspections where people will go out and open the lids of all of the bins and just check to make sure people are disposing of recyclables correctly.” If they find fault, there’ll be a $100 fine for a first offense. (ABC)
3. A recent Ladera Ranch house fire is being linked to an “E-mobility device.” Because the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) has noticed that they’re “seeing more fires started by lithium-ion batteries,” authorities now warn neighbors to stay safe by unplugging a fully charged battery, placing chargers away from exits, and only charging when someone’s there keeping an eye on things. (Patch, CBS)
4. The Lake Forest Regal movie theater has closed. It will reopen as Cinemark. Reportedly, the company will retain all Regal staff. (Patch)
5. If you’re an avid festivalgoer, read on! The OC will be home to two new events this September. The "Left Coast Luau" will take place in Silverado and focus on regional craft beer tastings. The other is the "Metal Injection Festival" in Santa Ana, which focuses on music. (Daily News)

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📆 Today in Orange County:

Friday, July 28

• FOCAL Flash Sale at Anaheim's Canyon Hills Branch Library (10 AM)
• Sea Country Senior & Community Center screens "Death on the Nile" (2022) in Laguna Niguel (1 PM)
• The Ron Kobayashi Trio performs at Bayside in Newport Beach (6 PM)
• The "SpongeBob SquarePants Musical" plays at Laguna Beach's No Square Theatre (7 PM)
• PRISS (KISS Tribute Band) performs at the Garden Grove Elks Lodge (8 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "Did you hear the news?!?!? German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County has just won 'Best of The Southland' honors in the Charity Category, by the LA Times! That means that we are back-to-back WINNERS of this prestigious award!" (German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County via Facebook)
• "Inside Edition reporter, Lisa Guerrero and her crew, came to our Regional Fire Operations & Training Center this morning for a demonstration of the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED)." (Orange County Fire Authority via Facebook)
• "The Orange County Department of Education’s Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention program is on a mission to empower as many students, parents and caregivers along with school leaders to curb substance use. The program’s outreach efforts in the 2022-23 school year reached more than 1,600 students and over 1,700 parents and caregivers." (Orange County Department of Ed via Instagram)
• "Are you compassionate, positive, and want to make a difference in the lives of others? Apply today for one of our Recreational Inclusion positions where you will provide support to adults & children with special needs in activities such as swimming, ballet, basketball, art, or after school programs." (YMCA OF ORANGE COUNTY via Facebook)
• "Trans*forums is a processing Therapy Group for transgender, non-binary, gender non-conforming, gender-fluid, intersex, and androgynous individuals. This group provides individuals with a safe space to voice and process feelings, issues, and thoughts unique to their experiences." (LGBTQ Center, Orange County, via Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today! See you tomorrow morning for your next update.

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Christ follower. Wife. Book dragon. Proud supporter of the Oxford comma.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Orange County Patch newsletter? Contact me at orangecounty@patch.com