🌱Ex-Fed Agent Arrested + Free Fries + Selanne Tavern Award, 400 Wines

Good morning! I'm in your inbox today to tell you everything going on in Orange County. Without further ado...

First, today's weather:

Clouds giving way to sun. High: 80 Low: 64.

📢 I’m looking for business owners and marketers in Orange County who want to build awareness, connect with customers and increase sales.

If you have a local business that Orange County Daily readers need to know about, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot.

Here are the top stories today in Orange County:

1. An ex-federal agent and private investigator from Irvine has been charged for his alleged role in a plan to target and silence those critical of China who are living in the United States. The former Department of Homeland Security agent is facing criminal charges for the alleged international scheme. Derrick Taylor and current DHS agent Craig Miller are accused of "lying to federal investigators and destroying evidence" surrounding the international "repression scheme." Three other men, Fan “Frank” Liu, Matthew Ziburis and Qiang “Jason” Sun, had previously been charged. (O.C. Register)
2. Free fries today! Wednesday is National French fry day, and many fast-food chains across Orange County are serving up free French fries to celebrate! Americans eat an estimated 30 pounds of French fries per year per person, according to National Today. And America's most popular French fry is — McDonalds. (Orange County Patch)
3. If you're a fan of SoCal-style barbecue, Heritage Barbecue in San Juan Capistrano will pair craft beer to go with its craft barbecue. Heritage Barbecue, a craft barbecue restaurant in San Juan Capistrano, will also be expanding to San Diego County to open its second location. "Our family just moved to Oceanside, and we already love it here," said pitmaster and co-owner Daniel Castillo. The new Heritage Barbecue & Brewery "will offer barbecue, along with craft beers and cocktails." (Patch)
4. A shout out to Selanne Steak Tavern, the Laguna Beach restaurant owned by a retired Anaheim Ducks star. The restaurant won the Wine Spectator magazine’s Best of Award of Excellence award for the sixth year in a row. They offer a 3,000-bottle inventory of 400 different varieties of wine, from California and France to Washington, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, Germany, South Africa, and more. The award-winning Selanne Steak Tavern is in a historic 1934 home on the Pacific Coast Highway. It's owned by Hockey Hall of Fame winner and six-time Olympian Teemu Selanne, and his friend and local businessman, Kevin Pratt. (Orange County Register via Facebook)

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Today in Orange County:

• Main Street Branch Family Storytime In-Person. (10 a.m.)
• Oak View Branch Bilingual English/Spanish Storytime & Playtime at Oak View Branch Library. (10 a.m.)
• Stepping-Up Storytime (All Ages) at Haskett Branch. (10:30 a.m.)
• Networkers Luncheon — Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce. (11:30 a.m.)

From my notebook:

• AMC Theaters ‘Discount Tuesday’: How to see a movie for $5 in OC. (Orange County Patch)
• Orange County Sheriff's Department, CA: "Meet Danielle our forensic assistant 👋! She's worked at the department for over 2 years. She is detail oriented and consistently assesses new situations to assist her team in a timely manner." (Orange County Sheriff's Department, CA via Facebook)
• Orange County Pit Bull Rescue: "We want to give a huge thank you and shoutout to Julie, from Developing Dogs Ca!! She boarded Monty and Calvin for us while their foster parents had to travel for the Fourth of July." (Orange County Pit Bull Rescue via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Storage Valet — (Visit website)
• Au Pair Childcare USA — (Visit Website)
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Events:

• MenAlive Orange County Gay Men's Chorus presents I Am America. (July 16)
• WOW! Fabulous Outdoor Theater in Irvine! (July 16)
• 21 Lives — Uvalde — A Benefit Concert. (July 16)
• MenAlive Orange County Gay Men's Chorus presents I Am America. (July 16)
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Announcements:

• Global Forgiveness Day — Get a free guide (Details)
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Job listings:

• Ceramic Painter / Decorator (Details)
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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with your next update.

— Paula Constance

About me: Paula is a freelance writer, author, and award-winning media producer. She is committed to media projects that empower, engage, and help make the world a better place. You can find her on Instagram and Twitter.

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