🌱 Hiking Trail Assault + Express Lane Fees + Public Art Requirement

Hello again, everybody! Today’s National Scotch Day; did you know it’s just whiskey if not made in Scotland or crafted with malted barley? It's Sylvia, your host of the Orange County Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find news on:

• 🤝 A donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fullerton and La Habra.
• 🛑 An end to the Live Nation Great Park amphitheater deal.
• ⚠️ An assault near the Norman P. Murray Center.

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☀️ Now, today's weather: Mostly sunny and very warm. High: 92 Low: 68.

⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Across Orange County

• Costco at 22633 Savi Ranch Parkway in Yorba Linda, $4.39
• Petro Mart at 1131 S. Main St. in Santa Ana, $4.59
• G&M at 7501 Katella Ave. in Stanton, $4.69

🚀 NASA Priority Poll
The Pew Research Center asked people what NASA’s priorities should be. The majority said the space agency should monitor asteroids. If we take this option off the table, what do you think? So far, 33 percent each suggest a moon or Mars base as well as a search for resources, while 16.7 percent each want a manned mission to Mars or climate change monitoring.

📰 Here are the top stories today in Orange County:

1. A man assaulted a woman in Mission Viejo’s Norman P. Murray Center area. He came up from behind, “grabbed the woman around her waist and dragged her for about two feet.” He is described as “a Hispanic male, 30 to 40 years old and standing at about 5 feet 8 inches. He has buzzed dark hair, a ‘husky’ build, darker skin tone, brown eyes, and no facial hair.” (KTLA, Patch)
2. The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) released first fee insights for the 405 express lanes that will run from Costa Mesa to L.A. County later this year. Ten years in the making, using these lanes will require a $15 FasTrak transponder. You can use the lanes for FREE if your car has “at least three people, a designated veterans license plate, or a disabled person license plate.” Motorcycles also travel free. Clean air cars get a 15 percent break. For everyone else, “tolls can vary by hour, day of the week, and direction of travel.” (Patch, 405 Express Lanes)
3. Builders of larger La Habra developments with a building valuation of $1.5 million or more must begin adding public art installations. The city council determined that the positive effects of public art would counteract “larger buildings’ negative effects, such as noise, traffic, congestion, and pollution.” Now, the city council has to put together a policy. (Voice of OC)
4. In Irvine, the city council voted 3-2 to end its negotiation with Live Nation to construct a Great Park amphitheater. With Mayor Farrah Kahn and Councilmember Mike Carroll opposed, the majority cited Live Nation’s “sole control over acts that perform at the amphitheater” as a sticking point. Other points of contention were the company’s exemption from future noise ordinances and its ability to “take all revenue from lucrative naming rights.” What’s next? The city manager is to put together a “proposal and timeline to construct a 10,000-seat music venue in Great Park that would instead be managed by a third party.” (KTLA)
5. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Fullerton and La Habra are among the 23 recipients of a donation by the Credit Union of Southern California. The company donated $199,000 to various local charities across Orange and L.A. counties. "By joining hands and working together, we can create a brighter future, empower individuals, and foster thriving communities," the CEO said. (PR Newswire)

📆 Today in Orange County:

Thursday, July 27

• The Queen Bee Networks meet up at Expedia Cruises in Laguna Niguel (8:30 AM)
• Anne's Treasures host a Tin Foil Enameling Workshop at Santa Ana's Bowers Museum (10 AM)
• Tasty Peach Treats at the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library (11 AM)
• Read To A Dog at the Garden Grove Chapman Branch Library (3:30 PM)
• Professional Headshot & Networking Mixer Event at Hera Hub in Irvine (4 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "📣 Being a dog owner means that we need to understand proper ways to socialize our dogs. We have some helpful tips on what socialization IS and is not." (Orange County Pit Bull Rescue via Facebook)
• "Doogie is approximately 7 months young and looking for a forever home. His original family surrendered him to GSROC due to landlord issues. While Doogie is enjoying life in his foster home, he really looks forward to having a home of his own." (German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County via Facebook)
• "Residents with a home security camera system should ensure it captures activity at the front door and mailbox. All mail and packages should not be left uncollected in mailboxes or on front porches for any length of time." (Orange County Sheriff's Department, CA, via Facebook)
• "Summer Art Series Cuteness! GSOC had so much fun hosting these fun art experiences this summer, we hope you had fun too! We have a couple sessions left this summer, click the link for more info! https://bit.ly/3p2ykQA" (Girl Scouts of Orange County via Facebook)
• "We love to see the smiles on the faces of kids here at Orange County Rescue Mission as they have fun in the sun! When you give, your kindness helps ensure the children we serve have an enjoyable and educational summer." (Orange County Rescue Mission via Facebook)

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

— 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]