Community Corner

🌱 What investigators say happened before the deadly McLaren crash in Irvine.

And on the Irvine Patch calendar - The Melt - National Cheeseburger Weekend! Signup for Melt Rewards by 9/17

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Coffee in hand, Irvine? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What investigators say happened before the deadly McLaren crash in Irvine.
  • Why Irvine just ranked among America's healthiest cities for 2026.
  • Orange County remembers Eliana Moreno's impact on Irvine and beyond

Also on today's calendar: The Melt - National Cheeseburger Weekend! Signup for Melt Rewards by 9/17 and 13 more events.

Today's riddle: When geese fly, one side is longer than the other. do you know why that is ? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high of 79 and low of 66 degrees.
  • Friday: Areas of low clouds, then sun, temps: high: 82, low: 65.
  • Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high of 82 and low of 66 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• 22-year-old woman identified as second victim in deadly Irvine McLaren crash (abc7.com) — Irvine police have identified 22-year-old Alexis "Lexi" Kramer as the second person killed alongside car influencer James Wehr in Sunday's fiery McLaren crash at Culver Drive and Deerfield Avenue. Investigators say the driver accelerated from a green light, lost control, hit a curb, and slammed into a tree, splitting the car and igniting a fire that left both victims dead at the scene.
   

• Top US Places for Healthy Living in 2026 Revealed, Most of These Are from One State (aviationa2z.com) — Irvine earns a top spot on a new 2026 list of the healthiest U.S. cities, praised for its safety, clean air, and master-planned infrastructure. With extensive bike paths, parks, sports complexes, and strong schools, the city is highlighted as a place where families can maintain active, low-stress lifestyles and long-term well-being.
   

• 'She died doing what she loved': Friends mourn KNBC aerial reporter Eliana Moreno (ocregister.com) — Friends and colleagues are mourning aerial reporter Eliana Moreno, who once reported for the City of Irvine and later became a familiar voice from NewsChopper 4 before dying in a Chatsworth helicopter crash. Tributes recall her Orange County roots, passion for mentoring young journalists, and deep commitment to telling Southern California's stories from the sky and in local classrooms.
   

📸 Around Irvine

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🪧 Patch Classifieds

  • Come Sing with Us
    The Festival Singers of Orange County, a premier community SATB chorus invites singers who are passionate about making beautiful music to join us... (More info)

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • What is Next Door really about?
    It's about keeping neighbors in touch Whether it's power outage, Internet goes out, coyotes, of course, and e-bikes I think it's also about… (Nextdoor Woodbridge South Lake)
  • I want to thank God for the protection.
    He provided me this past Sunday and for the two guardian angels he sent. I was driving my car near the corner of Alton and West Yale Loop. I passed… (Nextdoor Woodbridge South Lake)
  • Atria Senior Living posted a job opening for Server/Waitstaff in Irvine. Apply here.
  • HumanGood Senior Living Communities posted a job opening for Housekeeper in Irvine. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Irvine here.

🗞 Nearby News

Tustin

  • Best of Orange County 2026: Best frozen yogurt or ice cream (ocregister.com)
  • Best car dealership: Best of Orange County 2026 (ocregister.com)
  • Remembering Eliana Moreno, the NBC4 Reporter Killed in Tuesday's Helicopter Crash (wearemitu.com)

Lake Forest

  • 'Birdie Bash Fore All' Event Encourages Free Play For All Ages: What To Know (patch.com)

Newport Beach

  • Newport Beach To Hold First Special Election In 44 Years For Trio Of Resident-Initiated Measures (patch.com)

Ok Irvine! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: because there are more geese on that side (Thank you jo L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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