Community Corner

🌱 Gang Members Arrested + Toontown Repairs + El Toro Chargers 5K

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Orange County.

Hello and happy Wednesday! Today’s the Summer Solstice; did you know that it means the beginning of summer for the Northern Hemisphere? I'm back with what's happening in Orange County. Today you'll read about these stories and more...

  • 🚧 A Newport Beach gas leak.
  • 🤝 A new Capistrano Unified superintendent.
  • 👟 Support Lake Forest’s El Toro High School.

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Find out what's happening in Orange Countyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.


🌤️ Now, today's weather: Areas of low clouds, then sun. High: 78 Low: 58.


Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Across Orange County

  • ARCO at 3201 Harbor Blvd. in Costa Mesa, $4.29
  • FUEL UP! At 1124 E Chapman Ave. in Fullerton, $4.29
  • Costco at 2655 El Camino Real in Tustin, $4.39


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

  • 20.8 percent plan a staycation
  • 16.7 percent each want to go on a road trip or cruise
  • 12.5 percent choose a camping trip
  • 8.4 percent intend to head out for an island vacation
  • 4.2 percent each opt for a local outing, a national park trip, a Jeep trip, a solo trip to Europe, or a group tour abroad


📰 Here are the top stories in Orange County today:

  1. The Orange County Sheriff's Department arrested three gang members in San Clemente’s North Beach neighborhood. A deputy did a traffic stop on Sunday evening, identified the vehicle’s occupants as “three documented San Clemente Varrio Chico gang associates,” and saw a weapon. One suspect had a loaded gun; a second gun was in the glove compartment. And, yes, one gun was a so-called ghost gun. (Patch)
  2. On Monday, the Newport Beach Police Department received alerts of a gas leak. Officials located the area at Westcliff Drive and Buckingham Lane. These streets were shut down around 4:30 p.m. in both directions until technicians could arrive at the scene to work on the problem. By 8:18 p.m., the streets reopened. We have no word about what caused the leak. (Patch, CBS)
  3. Capistrano Unified hired a new superintendent. The successful candidate was Christopher Brown, who was Long Beach Unified’s assistant superintendent for “research, assessment, and school improvement.” Brown replaces Kristen Vital on July 1; you may remember that the school board voted her out in December. (edsource)
  4. Toontown reopened in March, but Anaheim’s Disneyland is already doing maintenance. What happened? Reportedly, the picnic area grass needs to be replaced. Additionally, “some portion of Mickey’s Toontown will be temporarily unavailable on a rolling basis through mid-July for maintenance work,” park management said. (Fox)
  5. Do you want to support Lake Forest’s El Toro High School? The 29th annual El Toro Chargers Fourth of July 5K is just around the corner! You’ll run on Lake Forest streets, and proceeds benefit the school's “education boosters, Cross Country, and Track and Field programs.” For the first time, the younger set can participate in a 1K Kids Run. (El Toro Chargers 5K)

Shoutout to our other premier local sponsor:

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.


📆 Today in Orange County:

Wednesday, June 21

  • Go Green & Health Expo at the Irvine Valley College (9 AM)
  • Christopher T. Magician performs at the East Anaheim Branch Public Library (11 AM)
  • Qigong With Sotantar Suraj at Jupiter Yoga Wellness (11 AM)
  • Cooking Around The World starts at OCREC in Huntington Beach (3 PM)
  • Kelly Boyz Band plays at Tustin's Peppertree Park (6 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

  • "Connor is in a GSROC alum sandwich! He was just adopted and has two siblings — also from GSROC! Have a beautiful life, Connor! Grow up and make us proud!" (German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County via Facebook)
  • "Minions, assemble! 🥽 Grab your goggles and come along for the ultimate adventure with 'Minions: The Rise of Gru' at Carbon Canyon Regional Park in Brea. Be sure to arrive early to experience magic and mischief on the big screen!" (OC Parks via Instagram)
  • "Thousands of Orange County high schoolers have turned their tassels and tossed their graduation caps to mark the completion of their secondary education. The OCDE Newsroom has compiled a collection of posts from Instagram, Twitter and Facebook in celebration of this year's graduates. Congratulations to OC's Class of 2023! 🎓👏" (Orange County Department of Ed via Instagram)
  • "Check out this new festival in OC! Darker Waves Fest just dropped their lineup. Who are you stoked to see? Make sure you register now for the Presale that starts Friday, June 23, 10 a.m. PT. All tickets start at $19.99 down 🌊" (The Observatory Orange County via Facebook)
  • "Did you know that Orange County Rescue Mission has been named a 'Top Workplace' by The Orange County Register for seven years in a row? We are currently hiring for the positions below: - director of development - audio visual tech support - safety & security assistant
    - human resources assistant. Learn more and apply today at rescuemission.org/employment." (Orange County Rescue Mission via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

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 good for today! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with 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

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