🌱 Circle K Fire + Big Canyon’s Phase 3 A Go + AES HB Stays Open

Hey, neighbors! Today’s National Lemon Meringue Pie Day; did you know that the earliest meringues date back to the 1700s, but a lemon meringue didn’t appear until the 1900s? It's Tuesday in Orange County, and I'm back with what's happening locally, including news on:

• ⚠️ An Anaheim Hills shooting update.
• 🔥 A residential board and care facility fire in Garden Grove.
• 📆 A gas power plant will stay open three years longer.

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☀️ But first, today's weather: Mostly sunny and warm. High: 90 Low: 68.

⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Across Orange County

• Alliance at 16851 E. McFadden Ave. in Tustin, $4.65
• Costco at 11000 Garden Grove Blvd. in Garden Grove, $4.69
• 76 at 3400 E. Coast Highway in Corona del Mar, $5.04

📰 Here are the top stories today in Orange County:

1. Fatal Anaheim Hills Shooting update: The 72-year-old Orange County Superior Court judge accused of fatally shooting his 65-year-old wife was charged with murder. There are enhancements for “personal discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury and death, and personal use of a firearm.” The suspect is out on a $1 million bail; also, a .22 rifle registered to him is missing. His attorney calls the event “an accident and nothing more.” (ABC)
2. The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) has been busy. They responded to a utility room fire on Monday morning at a Circle K in Westminster. When they arrived at the 13000 block of Beach Boulevard, they quickly put out the flames, which prevented their spread. “No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire was under investigation.” (Patch)
3. Next, there was the Garden Grove fire in the early morning hours. A residential board and care facility on the 9000 block of Katella Avenue burned and threatened other structures, which firefighters were able to protect. Ten residents are now without a home, and one patient needed treatment for smoke inhalation. (OCFA)
4. The Coastal Commission approved the Big Canyon restoration project’s final phase. It’ll begin in the fall of 2024 and affects almost 30 acres of the Big Canyon Nature Park near Newport Bay in the ecological reserve. The goal is a “restoration of the native salt marshes, realignment of existing freshwater flows to improve drainage and water quality, and final improvements to the existing public trails and signage.” (Daily Pilot)
5. The gas power plant AES Huntington Beach will continue to operate past its proposed 2023 shutdown date. The state’s Energy Commission decided to keep it, along with two others, operational until 2026 “so they can run during emergencies.” Officials worry about blackout risks during hot temperatures. Critics want the plants to shut down, partially because of “odors and noises.” (The Orange County Register/paywall)

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📆 Today in Orange County:

Tuesday, August 15

• Free Eye Exams For Kids ages 3-12 in the UCI Eye Mobile at the Taft Library in Orange (9 AM)
• Kids make Sand Art Aquariums at the Seal Beach Library (10:30 AM)
• Chicano Heritage Month Bilingual Storytime & Craft at the East Anaheim Branch Library (11 AM)
• Fragrant Plants Tour at Sherman Garden in Corona del Mar (1 PM)
• Motown Mashups featuring DJ Legend at the Anaheim Packing District (6 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "No matter where you live, please vaccinate your dogs and cats against rabies. It is an inexpensive way to show your pets that you love them." (German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County via Facebook)
• "Girl Scouts are champions at leading the way! 🙌 What better way to give back than by helping your Girl Scouts care for the parks they love? ✨🏕️💚 Explore fun-filled activities with them like geocaching, birdwatching, and more this September." (Girl Scouts of Orange County via Facebook)
• "BreakOut, part of the LGBTQ Center OC's Elevate Program, provides LGBTQ+ youth ages 12-17 with a safe and affirming space to discuss mental health. This group is intended to assist youth in learning to understand, manage, and decrease symptoms of mental health, build community, raise confidence, and learn new and effective coping skills." (LGBTQ Center, Orange County, via Facebook)
• "If you or a loved one is struggling with quitting commercial tobacco products, then please reach out to us. The LGBTQ Center OC is here for you when you're ready, and we'll be with you every step of the way through our Tobacco Cessation Program." (LGBTQ Center, Orange County, via Facebook)
• "The Linda Lindas come to The Observatory with illuminati hotties on Nov. /20. Presale is Thursday at 10 a.m. Use code TRACK to unlock your tickets. General on sale is Friday at 10 a.m. https://livemu.sc/47zLqGn" (The Observatory Orange County via Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you soon.

— 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 [email protected]