🌱 Robberies Gone Wrong + Office Vacancy Rate + Celebrate Hijri

Hey, Orange County! Today’s National Penuche Fudge Day; did you know that this treat is quite popular in New England? I'm here with news on:

• 🧑‍⚖️ The conviction of a former La Habra police chief.
• 🍰 An invitation to celebrate 1445.
• 😮 Skyrocketing office vacancies.

💗 Please help us stay! Send a business owner you know this link, so they can partner with the Orange County Patch newsletter!

☀️ But first, today's weather: Warm with partial sunshine. High: 88 Low: 68.

⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Across Orange County

• Alliance at 16851 E. McFadden Ave. in Tustin, $4.45
• VP Racing Fuels at 8971 Katella Ave. in Anaheim, $4.49
• ARCO at 2100 SE Bristol St. in Newport Beach, $4.49

🚀 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?

📰 Here are the top stories in Orange County today:

1. Two would-be robbers hit the MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana. An employee wasn’t going to let them get away, fought the suspects before they entered the parking garage, and caused them to drop the merchandise and run off. “Mall employees were able to recover all the stolen merchandise.” (Fox)
2. In related news, two burglars hit West Beach Liquor in Seal Beach to steal lottery tickets. A nearby patrol car heard the alarm, showed up, and caused the pair to jump into their black Nissan Altima for a quick getaway. They were arrested in the 100 block of Coastline Drive, “when they drove up a dead-end street.” (Patch)
3. A 56-year-old San Clemente neighbor, who used to be a La Habra police chief, was convicted of four felonies for participation in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Reportedly, he “carried a backpack containing a hatchet” and later “posted a picture of himself taken from the upper west terrace” on Instagram. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 13. (Department of Justice)
4. Despite companies moving to the OC, the office vacancy rate reached 25 percent. “Firms inked deals for 1.5 million square feet in OC office leases in the second quarter, while vacancies ticked up 1.6 percent to roughly one in four empty offices.” In nearby Los Angeles County, the vacancy rate reached 26.6 percent. Insiders cite worry about a possible recession and rising interest rates as likely causes. (The Real Deal/paywall)
5. Muslim Youth OC invites you to celebrate the Islamic New Year (Hijri). Festivities are held today at Portola Middle School in Orange, starting at 4 p.m. There’ll be “food vendors, carnival games, henna tattoo, shops, a live concert, and include free classes from World Boxing Council Champion Ahmad Ibrahim.” By the way, you don’t have to be Muslim to attend and participate in welcoming 1445. (Voice of OC)

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📆 Today in Orange County:

Saturday, July 22

• Zookeeper Day & Free Train Rides at the OC Zoo in Orange (10 AM)
• LegoMania at the Seal Beach Library (10 AM)
• Infant-Toddler CPR Class at Sports Basement in Fountain Valley (10:30 AM)
• Family Art Class with Erna Van Dyk at the Sherman Library & Gardens in Corona del Mar (10:30 AM)
• Last chance for U-Pick Strawberries at Tanaka Farms in Irvine (11 AM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "Xylazine is an animal tranquilizer that is becoming an increasingly common filler in street drugs, especially opioids. Xylazine induces heavy sedation that can cause users to black out and has been linked to an increasing number of overdoses." (Orange County Sheriff's Department, CA, via Facebook)
• "Thank you to No Duh and Theone Music for an extraordinary show. Come back next Thursday, July 27 as FlashPants 80s Cover Band transports the crowd to the 80s at Mason Regional Park in Irvine!" (Orange County Parks via Facebook)
• "🐒 Learn about STEM and nature at the Santa Ana Zoo! The Santa Ana Zoo is home to more than 260 animals, including some of the most interesting and engaging primates, and several endangered species!" (Girl Scouts of Orange County via Facebook)
• "Are you interested in joining one of The Orange County Register's Top Workplaces for Seven Years Running? We have several open positions and would love to see if you are a fit! Learn more and apply today at rescuemission.org/employment" (Orange County Rescue Mission via Facebook)
• "Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) can help lessen the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) which affect many children and youth in foster care. CASA volunteers can play an important part in helping create Positive Childhood Experiences, such as establishing relationships with adults and encouraging emotional growth." (CASA of Orange County - Court Appointed Special Advocates via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• The Beatles vs The Rolling Stones! (July 23)
• Orange County's 23rd Annual Diversity Employment Day Career Fair (July 26)
• Yes! You Can Act! A Fun Beginning Acting Class! (July 30)
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Alrighty, you're all good 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]