Mission Viejo Blog | Local News, Events & Community Stories

A Toast to Second Acts: Mission Viejo’s Bellante Family Winery

July 31, 2026 | by Keith Lissak

What’s a logical retirement plan for a chemical engineer who sells his successful industrial water treatment company? For Chuck Bellante, the answer was simple: open...

From Horses to Healing: Kris Yellin Finds Purpose at the Shea Center

August 3, 2026 | by Keith Lissak

When Kris Yellin is not at Mission Viejo's High Ground Coffee House, she’s working to empower people with disabilities through equine therapy at the Shea...

Mission Viejo City Council Election 2026: What You Need to Know

August 22, 2026 | by Keith Lissak

Five Mission Viejo City Council districts are part of the November 3 election. Here's a look at the candidates running in each district.

TeamNL Athletes in Mission Viejo for LA28 Training

August 7, 2026 | by Keith Lissak

Mission Viejo is becoming a training home for TeamNL as Dutch Olympic and Paralympic athletes prepare for the 2028 LA28 Games.

Mission Viejo Adding Safety Measure to Deadly Intersection

August 16, 2026 | by Keith Lissak

More than 20 years after a fatal crash at La Sierra Drive and Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo is adding a left-turn acceleration lane to improve...

Alice O’Neill Avery: The Woman Behind Alicia Parkway

August 6, 2026 | by Keith Lissak

Alice O’Neill Avery’s family once owned 230,000 acres stretching from Mission Viejo to Oceanside. Here’s the story behind the woman honored by Alicia Parkway.

Laura Lacko Running for Mission Viejo City Council District 4

August 16, 2026 | by Keith Lissak

Laura Lacko is running for Mission Viejo City Council in District 4, motivated by a desire to make City Hall more transparent and ensure residents...

Mission Viejo’s Suzanne Gardner Advances in Maxim Radiance Competition

August 21, 2026 | by Keith Lissak

Mission Viejo’s Suzanne Gardner is making a run at the 2026 Maxim Radiance title after winning five preliminary rounds of the competition.

A Fresh Take on Pizza Night at Mission Viejo Farmers Market

August 16, 2026 | by Keith Lissak

Pinsa Romana brings its 72-hour fermented, crisp-crusted pizza to the Mission Viejo Farmers Market on Saturdays.

Getting to the Heart of Mission Viejo

August 7, 2026 | by Keith Lissak

The 500-pound Heart of Mission Viejo sculpture was supposed to overlook the Lake Mission Viejo. Here’s why the city ultimately found it a new home.

Via Santa Maria Resident Facing August Public Nuisance Hearing

July 19, 2026 | by Keith Lissak

Resident on Via Santa Maria faces August hearing for multiple public nuisance violations related to the accumulation of refuse in his front yard.

Meet Smokey: Mission Viejo’s Big-Eared Teddy Bear

July 31, 2026 | by Keith Lissak

Smokey, a 14-year-old Papillon mix with oversized ears and endless energy, has become a local favorite. Meet the Mission Viejo pup whose looks have everyone...

DIY Frozen Dog Treats: A Recipe for Mission Viejo Pups

August 7, 2026 | by Keith Lissak

It's hot out there — and your dog deserves a cold treat too. Here's a simple, vet-safe pupsicle recipe, plus the full rundown on which...

MJ & Peanut: A Love Story

July 26, 2026 | by Keith Lissak

It was hot. It was humid. But that didn't stop thousands of residents and visitors from turning out for Mission Viejo's annual 4th of July...

The Mission Viejo Parade Celebrates 250 Years of the American Story

July 12, 2026 | by Keith Lissak

It was hot. It was humid. But that didn't stop thousands of residents and visitors from turning out for Mission Viejo's annual 4th of July...

Thousands Celebrate Independence Day at Misson Viejo Street Faire

July 5, 2026 | by Keith Lissak

It was hot. It was humid. But that didn't stop thousands of residents and visitors from turning out for Mission Viejo's annual 4th of July...

Chelsey Whitaker: Healing with Sound

July 9, 2026 | by Keith Lissak

Mission Viejo sound healer Chelsey Whitaker employs sound baths help people manage anxiety, soothe the nervous system and reconnect with themselves. Instruments such as singing...

Former Mayor Dave Leckness Wants to Take You for a Ride

July 2, 2026 | by Keith Lissak

Former Mission Viejo Mayor Dave Leckness thought retirement would be quieter. Instead, he's launched a personalized airport transportation service to John Wayne Airport.

Stitch Your Way into Mission Viejo History

July 2, 2026 | by Keith Lissak

You don’t have to be an accomplished quilter or sewist to participate in Mission Viejo Library’s Community Quilt project celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.

Mission Viejo Library Writers Group Seeks Submissions for 2026 Literary Anthology

June 14, 2026 | by Kevin Gramling

Mark Twain and Ray Bradbury started in local papers. The Mission Viejo Library Writers Group gave local writers that same shot with its 2026 Literary...

Gamers Find a Home at Mission Viejo’s TCG Tavern

July 23, 2026 | by Kevin Gramling

TCG Tavern is a locally owned trading card game shop in Mission Viejo that also holds tournaments for games like Dungeons & Dragons, Pokemon and...

The Shirt Cannery: 50 Years of Custom Printing in Mission Viejo

June 24, 2026 | by Keith Lissak

For 50 years, The Shirt Cannery has turned out everything from nuclear plant workwear to a proposal hidden inside a tin can. Here's the story...

Mission Viejo Affordable Housing: 2026 AMI Income Limits Explained

June 14, 2026 | by Keith Lissak

Area Median Income determines who qualifies for many affordable housing programs. Here’s what Mission Viejo residents need to know as several major housing projects move...

Bridget: From Speedster to Spinster

May 30, 2026 | by Keith Lissak

With a strong chest and narrow waist, black lab/Plott hound mix Bridget was built for speed—and stamina.

View from the Top

May 28, 2026 | by Keith Lissak

A 360° view of Mission Viejo from the city's highest point, on the Canaveras Ridge Walk Trail

Jake Blues Sings Silently in Mission Viejo

May 27, 2026 | by Keith Lissak

A statue of Jake Blues overlooks Interstate 5 in Mission Viejo and no one knows how it got there.

When the American Dream Cost $21k

May 13, 2026 | by Keith Lissak

Mission Viejo was originally marketed as attainable housing for young families—and it delivered.

Fatal crash staged for Capo students

May 1, 2026 | by Keith Lissak

Crunching metal. Shattering glass. A peaceful morning, suddenly turned chaotic.

Return of the four-legged weed whackers

April 23, 2026 | by Keith Lissak

The City is once again employing goats to assist with wildfire prevention and vegetation management.

Mission Viejo couple’s cancer battle draws global attention

March 27, 2026 | by Keith Lissak

A Mission Viejo couple, both fighting cancer while raising three young daughters, are capturing hearts around the world.The heartbreaking story of Zak and Cori Salazar...

Country’s First Fuel-Only Costco Gas Station Now Open in Mission Viejo

June 30, 2026 | by Keith Lissak

Costco opened its first-ever standalone gas station in the Mission Viejo Freeway Center, just off Interstate 5 between La Paz Rd and Oso Pkwy.

Mission Viejo High’s Jayden Harville lands plum role in Michael Jackson biopic

March 27, 2026 | by Myrra Uppuluri

Mission Viejo High School senior Jayden Harville appears as a young Jermaine Jackson in the box-office smash biopic "Michael."

Critter Corner

A Toast to Second Acts: Mission Viejo’s Bellante Family Winery

From Horses to Healing: Kris Yellin Finds Purpose at the Shea Center

Mission Viejo City Council Election 2026: What You Need to Know

TeamNL Athletes in Mission Viejo for LA28 Training

Mission Viejo Adding Safety Measure to Deadly Intersection

Alice O’Neill Avery: The Woman Behind Alicia Parkway

Laura Lacko Running for Mission Viejo City Council District 4

Mission Viejo’s Suzanne Gardner Advances in Maxim Radiance Competition

A Fresh Take on Pizza Night at Mission Viejo Farmers Market

Getting to the Heart of Mission Viejo

Via Santa Maria Resident Facing August Public Nuisance Hearing

Meet Smokey: Mission Viejo’s Big-Eared Teddy Bear

DIY Frozen Dog Treats: A Recipe for Mission Viejo Pups

MJ & Peanut: A Love Story

The Mission Viejo Parade Celebrates 250 Years of the American Story

Thousands Celebrate Independence Day at Misson Viejo Street Faire

Chelsey Whitaker: Healing with Sound

Former Mayor Dave Leckness Wants to Take You for a Ride

Stitch Your Way into Mission Viejo History

Mission Viejo Library Writers Group Seeks Submissions for 2026 Literary Anthology

Gamers Find a Home at Mission Viejo’s TCG Tavern

The Shirt Cannery: 50 Years of Custom Printing in Mission Viejo

Mission Viejo Affordable Housing: 2026 AMI Income Limits Explained

Bridget: From Speedster to Spinster

View from the Top

Jake Blues Sings Silently in Mission Viejo

When the American Dream Cost $21k

Fatal crash staged for Capo students

Return of the four-legged weed whackers

Mission Viejo couple’s cancer battle draws global attention

Country’s First Fuel-Only Costco Gas Station Now Open in Mission Viejo

Mission Viejo High’s Jayden Harville lands plum role in Michael Jackson biopic

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