🌱 Judge: O.C. Leaders Must Step Down + Where To Cool Off + EV Boon

Welcome back, Orange County. I'm here in your inbox this morning to get you up to speed on everything that's happening in O.C. today. Let's dive right in.

• Judge rules that majority of city council members of this O.C. city was not voted in after their terms ended in 2020. Now what?
• Keep your cool! Find a cooling center.
• Orange County will benefit from a boost to its EV market after new gas car sales are phased out.
• Smoke, but no danger in this Tustin Ranch fire.

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First, today's weather:

A very hot day. High: 99 Low: 76.

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Here are the top 4 stories today in Orange County:

1. This O.C. city may soon be without a functioning town government. What happens next? A judge ordered the majority of the city council of Mission Viejo to step down but put a temporary pause on the order for 30 days "to give the city time to appeal." The judge ruled that the city council had been making decisions for its 100,000 residents since 2020 "without having been elected to do so." Mission Viejo city attorney Bill Curley said that the city "may be paralyzed" if left with just two members on the five-person council. "A city needs three affirmative votes to pay bills," he warned. But others called his remarks "an excuse" and said the real warning is for residents everywhere, saying it's "alarming" what can happen when residents don't keep tabs on their local government and the public is not paying attention. (LAist)
2. Stay cool in Orange County during the heat wave this weekend. As temperatures are expected to reach over 100 degrees in some communities in Orange County, officials will have cooling centers across O.C. Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a state of emergency and the National Weather Service issued an excessive heat advisory for O.C. through Tuesday, prompting Orange County officials to open the county's cooling centers to residents. If you love in O.C., you can find cooling centers near you — but call in advance to verify the hours they are open. Here's where to find cooling centers in Orange County: (Orange County Patch)
3. Orange County and the Earth both win as California regulators plan to phase out the sale of new gas vehicles in the state by 2035. The ambitious plan creates a growing demand for electric vehicle manufacturers in O.C. The plan will also benefit the planet by cutting carbon emissions from cars and trucks in the state as much as 50 percent by 2040. (Subscription/Costar Insight)
4. If you saw smoke in the area of Jamboree & Tustin Ranch Friday, it was all planned. The Orange County Fire Authority said in a social media post that there was "Academy Training in progress" on Friday. (Orange County Fire Authority via Facebook)

Today in Orange County:

• Whale & Wildlife “Twalk — Crystal Cove Conservancy. (9 a.m.)
• Vibrational Sound Healing Workshops. (10 a.m.)
• Free: Orange International Street Fair. (10 a.m.)
• Free Citizenship Class In-Person — Huntington Beach Public Library. (10 a.m.)
• Korean Bilingual Storytime — Irvine University Park Library. (10 a.m.)

From my notebook:

• Orange County Guide and O.C. events: "It’s finally happening! ⚡️We are so excited to announce our line-up for our first ever market!" (Orange County Guide and OC events via Instagram)
• O.C. Parks: "A bittersweet ending. ✨ Thank you to everyone who joined us this summer at the #OCParks Summer Concert Series! We invite you to our final #OCSunsetCinema showing tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 2 at Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach." (OC Parks via Instagram)
• Orange County Register: "Home prices in Los Angeles and Orange counties took their first dip in almost three years, according to one widely watched index." (Orange County Register via Facebook)
• Orange County Pit Bull Rescue: "We’re always up for some fun in the sun and outdoor adventures with our pups, but these heat waves are something else. We want to help remind everyone to keep your pets inside or somewhere cool." (Orange County Pit Bull Rescue via Facebook)
• Orange County N.C. Recreation: "The Orange County Recreation Administrative Offices will be closed Monday, Sept. 5, in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Online services, including program registration and facility reservation, will be available." (Orange County (NC) Recreation via Instagram)

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Events:

• Self Care & Dating Post-Divorce — Vesta Irvine, California Hub .(September 7)
• Lake Forest Martial Arts School Grand Opening. (September 10)
• OC ParaCon Oct. 1-2. (October 1)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday off right! I'll see you soon.

— Paula Constance

About me: Paula is a contributing writer, author, and award-winning media producer. She is committed to media projects that empower, engage, and help make the world a better place. When she's not writing, you can find her hiking or watching the fireflies in the sultry moments before sunset. You can follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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