🌱 Fire In Mission Viejo + Water Bill Sticker Shock + Best Run OC City

Hey, friends! Today’s National Detroit-Style Pizza Day; did you know that it features backward layering and originated at Buddy’s Pizza in 1946? It's Friday in Orange County and I'm back to get you caught up on what's happening. In today's newsletter, you'll find news about these stories and more:

• 🏖️ Best beaches for the summer staycation.
• 🔧 La Veta Monterey Condo gas problem.
• 🤔 Which city council and mayor do the best job?

💗 Please help us grow! Send a friend or neighbor this link, so they can be in the know, like you!

🌤️ But first, today's weather: Low clouds, then sun. High: 74 Low: 58.

⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Across Orange County

• Berri Brothers at 14501 Red Hill Ave. in Tustin, $4.19
• ARCO at 5981 Warner Ave. in Huntington Beach, $4.29
• ARCO at 2490 Fairview Road in Costa Mesa, $4.47

🏖️ Vacation Poll!
Are you traveling this summer? What is your favorite type of vacation? So far:

• 26.7 percent plan a staycation
• 17 percent prefer a cruise
• 13.3 percent each want to go on a road trip or camping trip
• 10 percent intend to head out for an island vacation or group tour abroad
• 3.7 percent each opt for a local outing, a national park trip, a Jeep trip, a solo trip to Europe

📰 Here are the top stories today in Orange County:

1. An eagle-eyed Mission Viejo neighbor may have saved lives in the 25000 block of Minos Street. After spotting a roof fire, they knocked on the door – at 1:30 a.m. – and alerted firefighters. They forced entry, and the residents got out. “Great job with neighbors looking after neighbors. The cause is under investigation.” (Orange County Fire Authority)
2. If you run a business in San Juan Capistrano, you might be looking at having your water bill go up by a possible 1,200 percent a month. The Santa Margarita Water District assessed the water system’s overall state and determined it needs $50 million in work because “city leaders failed to properly maintain” it. Residential customers may see an estimated $30 increase. (Voice of OC)
3. Residents at Orange’s La Veta Monterey Condominiums have spent the last three weeks without gas. SoCal Gas detected a gas leak on June 2 and turned off the utility for safety reasons. Reportedly, “the lines are owned by the complex, and it’s the responsibility of the HOA and Huntington West Properties, Inc., which manages the property, to fix the problem.” Huntington West Properties points the finger at SoCal Gas. In the meantime, neighbors are taking cold showers, cooking outside on a grill, and not doing laundry. (Fox)
4. Which Orange County city is the best run? Researchers tallied numbers related to financial stability, safety, and pollution and ranked cities from one to 149. In first place is Nampa, Idaho; in last place is San Francisco, California. Orange County makes an appearance at No. 21 with Huntington Beach impressing researchers. Other OC cities making the list are Santa Ana at No. 71 and Anaheim at No. 99. (WalletHub)
5. When it’s dry out, your best beach experiences could be pretty much anywhere in Seal Beach and Huntington Beach. However, in wet weather, you’d best avoid Seal Beach’s 8th Street Beach and the Pier. For Huntington Beach, that warning includes “beaches near the Huntington Harbor such as Mother's Beach, Channel Beach, and Coral Cay Beach.” (Patch)

Our local sponsor has some great stuff to offer:

Orange County Parents: Enroll Today for 2023-2024 at OC Catholic Schools! With 35 schools to choose from, OC Catholic Schools offers a community of faith, individualized attention, and programs for all learners, from athletics to arts and STEAM. Experience academic excellence, faith formation, and small class sizes — with financial assistance available. Need a summer program for your child? They’ve got those too! Visit OC Catholic Schools here for more info or email them directly here.

Click here to get your business featured in this spot.

📆 Today in Orange County:

Friday, June 23

• Teen Poetry & Pancakes at the Dana Point Public Library (10 AM)
• Watercolor Class w/Erna Van Dyk at the Corona del Mar Sherman Library & Gardens (10 AM)
• FREE Classic Car Show & Live Music on Historic Main Street in Garden Grove (4 PM)
• Fish Fry & Carnival at Lions Park in Costa Mesa (5 PM)
• FREE Live Music at Metro Pointe featuring Savuti's world music in Costa Mesa (6:30 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "The Observatory is proud to announce a movie screening of the 1987 classic, 'The Lost Boys' with performances by Corey Feldman Full Band and appearances by Jamison Newlander on Nov. 24. Tickets are available now!" (The Observatory Orange County via Facebook)
• "GSROC volunteers are THE best! They are unwavering in their commitment to giving our dogs time, attention and training. There is a reason that we were voted Best Charity in the Southland for 2 years in a row! If you want to be a part of a dedicated and ambitious team of animal lovers who really 'get it', visit gsroc.org and sign up to volunteer! We are especially in need of dog walkers and foster homes!" (German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County via Facebook)
• "🐝 Have you heard the buzz? June 19-25 is National Pollinator Week and a fitting opportunity to honor some unsung pollination heroes. 🐝 Bees receive well-deserved recognition for keeping flowers in bloom and crops growing, but there are actually around 350,000 species of pollinators worldwide!" (OC Parks via Instagram)
• "Camp Scherman checking in! The weather is warming up and there's availability for you to experience what camp is all about! Girl Scout camp is a special place where every girl can practice independence, make friends, learn new skills, problem solve, and have fun in an all-girl environment!" (Girl Scouts of Orange County via Facebook)
• "You never know when someone will need help and what kind of situation they’ll be in. This is why crews like the firefighters from Battalion 4 constantly train. With Aliso and Wood Canyon in their response area, remote rescues occur from time to time. This morning’s training focused on rope rescues and trail orientation." (Orange County Fire Authority via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Storage Valet — (Visit website)
• Uptown Cheapskate — (Visit Website)
• Tablerock boarding kennels — (Visit website)
• The Au Pair Expert — (Visit website)
• Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, LLP — (Visit website)
• Michael Hinderberger, Realtor — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Featured events:

• Bristol Farms Yorba Linda Seafood Roadshow (June 23)
• Irvine Classical Players Pro Musica Stars of Tomorrow Concert (June 23)
• Wine Tasting Dinner (June 28)
• 🇺🇸🤩 7/1 Independence Day Market (Family friendly- FREE Admission): (July 1)
• Add your event

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! See you tomorrow morning for another 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