SEPT. 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York City (Wikipedia).

Friday’s observance of the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the United States saw a bit of a cease-fire as the major presidential candidates steered away from politics, mostly. According to the New York Times, both President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, and Democratic candidate Joe Biden, spent their time honoring the dead rather than attacking each other.

Both visited Shanksville, Pennsylvania, the site of the crashed United Flight 93, where a hijacked jet was brought down by a passenger revolt before it could be crashed into targets in nation’s capital.

“Our sacred task, our righteous duty and our solemn pledge is to carry forward the noble legacy of the brave souls who gave their lives for us 19 years ago,” said Trump.

Biden, who also visited the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City, said, “One of the marks of being an American is understanding there are some things that are bigger and more important than yourself.”

There’s more to fight now than just wild fires

In an era of epic division, suspicion and misinformation, those battling historically huge blazes along the Pacific Coast are facing a new threat spreading rapidly: lies about the cause of the fires. The Associated Press is reporting that social media posts are claiming that terrorists from the far right and far left are setting the fires. The FBI told the AP that accusations that groups like Antifa (anti-fascist) and the Proud Boys (extreme right-wingers) each had set blazes had been investigated and found nothing true to the accusations.  While there have been some isolated arson incidents, all appear to be actions by individuals, not groups, said the FBI.  California’s fires are the biggest in state history and dozens of people are reported missing in Oregon.

Other news:  Stocks stalling, coronavirus in resurge

After a big pothole on Thursday, major stock exchanges had a middling day on Friday. The Dow was up 131.06 and the S&P 500 was barely above water with a gain of 1.78. Nasdaq, on the other hand, dropped 66.05 points. • COVID-19 cases and deaths are up in the latest stats from Johns Hopkins University. A total of 35,000 new cases were reported in the U.S., the steepest increase overall in five days, and 900 new deaths were reported. • Infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci disputed President Donald Trump’s contention that the U.S. was “rounding the final turn” in the battle against the coronavirus. “I’m sorry, but I have to disagree with that,” he said. He predicted that the COVID-19 crisis may get worse during the fall and winter because people are more likely to stay indoors, allowing the infection to spread more quickly.

Today’s OC coronavirus report: Steady as we go

Orange County’s COVID-19 statistics continue to validate its “promotion” to the red tier. Daily new coronavirus cases reported are at 142, with 12 deaths reported. The total of cases currently hospitalized are at 223, with 165 cases in intensive care units.  For cities in The Tribune’s coverage area total cases by city are Garden Grove (2,770), Huntington Beach (2,286), Westminster (956) and Stanton (624).

Hey, what’s all that grey stuff up there?

Smoke from fires all across California and the West are complicating the efforts of the late summer sun to burn through. Saturday should have patchy fog, sun and some smoke leading to poor air quality. The high should be around 82 with an overnight low of 63. Sunday should be similar with Monday starting a heating trend to 85.

Clippers lose, series extended

Here are the results of games for area pro teams.

• Colorado Rockies 8, Angels 4. Leading 4-3 in the ninth, the Angels yielded five runs in the bottom of the inning in the loss. Two homers, including a walk-off grand slam, lifted the Rockies to the win. The Angels got solo home runs from Jared Walsh and Anthony Benboom as their record went to 18-28 and remain in fourth place in the American League West. Colorado is 21-23 and fourth in the NL West.
• Denver Nuggets 111, Los Angeles Clippers 105. A fourth-quarter surge lifted the Nuggets to the win, and extended the NBA Western Conference series for at least another game.  Kawhi Leonard scored 36 points in a losing effort. Jamal Murray scored 26 for Denver, which now trails the Clips 3-2 in the series.