Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: See what’s new inside Mission Viejo’s rebuilt Fire Station 24.
And on the Mission Viejo Patch calendar - The Melt - National Cheeseburger Weekend! Signup for Melt Rewards by 9/17

Greetings Mission Viejo! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- See what's new inside Mission Viejo's rebuilt Fire Station 24.
- Why Mission Viejo ranks among Orange County's safest for gun arrests.
- How Mission Viejo stacks up in California's latest football power rankings
Also on today's calendar: The Melt - National Cheeseburger Weekend! Signup for Melt Rewards by 9/17 and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What is the difference between black eyed peas and chick peas? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Wednesday: Partly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 78 and low of 65 degrees.
- Thursday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 79, low: 63.
- Friday: Partly sunny, with a high of 80 and low of 60 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• In Quarters: OCFA Mission Viejo, CA, Fire Station No. 24 (firehouse.com) — Mission Viejo's Fire Station 24 has been completely rebuilt on its original site, adding modern safety features, more apparatus space, and better living quarters for firefighters. The new two‑story OCFA station uses hot‑zone design, sustainable materials, and improved vehicle access to better protect nearby neighborhoods while serving as a prominent civic landmark for the community.
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• Santa Ana Police seize multiple guns in ongoing crackdown on gang activity (newsantaana.com) — Mission Viejo is highlighted as one of the Orange County cities with the lowest firearm arrest rates, thanks to lower violent‑crime density and higher socioeconomic stability. By contrast, Santa Ana police reported a busy week of gun seizures and gang‑related arrests, illustrating how firearm crime is concentrated in certain urban areas while suburban communities like Mission Viejo see far fewer such cases.
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• Mater Dei moves up in latest HSFA California Top 25 high school football rankings – September 15, 2026 (highschoolfootballamerica.com) — Mission Viejo High's football team is ranked No. 8 in the latest statewide HSFA California Top 25 and is set for a marquee matchup against No. 14 Pittsburg this week. The rankings highlight how Mission Viejo stacks up against other top programs, including Mater Dei, St. John Bosco, and nearby rivals like San Clemente and Capistrano Valley.
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📸 Around Mission Viejo
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Mission Viejo
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- The Melt - National Cheeseburger Weekend! Signup for Melt Rewards by 9/17 →
The Melt, 665 Spectrum Center Dr, Irvine
10:00 am - Cat Video Fest 2026 →
The Frida Cinema, 305 E 4th St, Santa Ana
5:30 pm - La Dolce Vita on the Green →
Crown Valley Park, 29751 Crown Valley Pkwy, Laguna Niguel
6:00 pm - DFC Expo Fall 2026 →
Hotel Fera Anaheim - A Double Tree By Hilton, 100 The City Dr S, Orange
10:00 am
Friday September 18
Wednesday September 23
Saturday September 26
Saturday October 3
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Coffee with the Principal
Montevideo Elementary Mission Viejo, CA 92691
8:00 am - Jazz Guest Artist - System6 →
Saddleback College – McKinney Theatre, 28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo
7:30 pm - Fall-A-Palooza - Fall Festival →
26001 Muirlands Boulevard, Mission Viejo - Got Medicare Questions? →
Mother's Market & Kitchen, 24165 Paseo De Valencia, Laguna Woods
4:30 pm - Lass Your Aff Off! Stand-up Comedy →
25205 La Paz Rd, Laguna Hills
7:30 pm - See The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical Live in Lake Forest →
Lake Forest Performing Arts Center, Lake Forest
1:00 pm - Dementia Caregiver Education Series: Physician & Dementia Expert Panel →
Adult Day Program at Mount of Olives Church, 24772 Chrisanta Dr, Mission Viejo
9:00 am - Mission Viejo Rotary Social Invitation →
, Mission Viejo
5:00 pm
Friday September 18
Saturday September 19
Wednesday September 23
Thursday September 24
Sunday September 27
Saturday October 3
📣 Mission Viejo Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Mission Viejo PatchAM possible:
- Segerstrom Shelby Event Center — 9499694368
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
🪧 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
- Please share & repost to help reunite this stray dog!
Found on September 14, 2026 in Lake Forest, CA 92630 near Ridge route and Rockfield Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact… (Nextdoor Casta Del Sol) - Hi Neighbors, anyone recognize this little dog?
Found at La Barca & Eastbrook, dm me if recognized. (Nextdoor Mission Viejo)
- Old Navy, Inc. posted a job opening for Retail Sales Associate, Full Time - Mission Viejo Mall in Mission Viejo. Apply here.
- MyJobsCorner posted a job opening for Activities Assistant Jobs: Hiring Immediately! Full Time / Part Time - $20-$37/Hr in Mission Viejo. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Mission Viejo here.
🗞 Nearby News
Rancho Santa Margarita
- OC coastal erosion, Emmy awards, Marissa Roy on LA city attorney's race and more (laist.com)
- USA TODAY Sports Super 25 high school football rankings, Week 5 (centraloregondaily.com)
Lake Forest
- Sean Kooklin arrested after DUI crash on Portola Parkway (newsline.com)
Ok Mission Viejo! 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: Black eyed peas can sing us a song but chick peas can only hummus one. (Thank you Bev H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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