OC Blog

Red County/OC Blog News Roundup -- December 31, 2006

Today's top stories from behind the Orange Curtain:

Santa Ana Council Adds Youth To The Mix -- LAT
Michelle Martinez, 27, takes a seat and vows to make a difference with 'the people's agenda.'

Newsmaker Of The Year: The Face Of Costa Mesa -- DP
It would be hard for Allan Mansoor to top 2006.

Following The Float -- OCR
Anaheim celebrates anniversary with entry as residents make dedicated trek to the Rose Parade.

Planners' Perfect New Year's Parties -- OCR
Some have been working since September to guarantee that O.C. revelers have fun.

Teen Irish Dancers Flourish In Anaheim -- OCR
Teenagers Bobby and Chelsea Clark compete internationally.

Man With A Great Park Master Plan -- OCR
Richard Ramsey wants to merge nature, politics and architecture into the Great Park.

Agency In La Habra Earns Client's Gratitude -- OCR
Center has assisted Vivian Estrada with rent and other bills.

Red County/OC Blog News Roundup - December 30, 2006

Today's top stories from behind the Orange Curtain:

Janet Nguyen Leads In Fundraising -- OCR
Four other candidates in county supervisor race also have hit six figures. Featuring quotes by yours truly.

County Residents Recall President Trapped By Fate -- OCR
OCers recall President Ford.

Suspect Dead In Police Shooting -- OCR and LAT
An early morning shootout between Fullerton police and two suspects Friday left one man dead and the other seriously injured.

El Toro Off Course Until 2008 -- OCR
The El Toro air base links, which opened in 1944, will close for more than a year of upgrades.

Ex-OC Man Indicted -- OCR
Taiwanese prosecutors charge the engineer and former government official – who once lived in Fountain Valley – with steering a $200 million contract to a friend.

Film Classes Present Challenge To Schools -- OCR
Local districts have varying standards about whether teenage students should be exposed to PG- or R-rated material.

Crime Numbers Static In Newport -- DP
The number of serious crimes in Newport Beach has likely stayed flat from 2005 to 2006, according to preliminary statistics released by police to the Daily Pilot. This year there were 2% fewer incidents than last year, statistics show.

Top Stories Of 2006: Year Of The Immigration Debate -- DP
Newport's centennial and a $200 million concert hall's opening were among the biggest stories.

Red County/OC Blog News Roundup -- December 29, 2006

Today's top stories from behind the Orange Curtain:

No ID Theft In Capo Break-In -- OCR
No reports of fraud seen after October burglary, which prompts more security at district office.

Anaheim Parade Float Blossoming -- OCR
The anniversary-themed vehicle is the city's first entry in more than 35 years.

Ganging Up On Graffiti -- OCR
Anaheim wants to take over some work from Caltrans to clean up freeways.

Midmonth OC Housing Prices Up 2.1% Since 2005 -- OCR
Like the headline says.

Man Killed Was Shooting Suspect -- OCR and LAT
Santa Ana police shot the fugitive believed to have injured two officers in Long Beach, officials verify.

Overseer Of OC Estate Accused Of Theft -- LAT (12/28/06)
The court-appointed state conservator is charged with embezzling $900,000 from a 92-year-old woman's accounts.

Costa Mesa's Violent, Property Crimes -- DP
Serious violent and property crimes in Costa Mesa have likely declined by about 10% from 2005 to 2006, according to preliminary statistics compiled by the Costa Mesa Police Department.

Editorial: A Good Year, But A Warning For Tthe Future -- DP
What a year Newport Beach has had. It all started in January with a Rose Parade float, ridden by none other than then Mayor Don Webb, that commemorated the city's 100-year anniversary.

San Clemente Snootery

"I wouldn't want to stop in Stanton, much less patrol it."

-- San Clemente Councilman G. Wayne Eggleston in today's LA Times.

Stanton ain't pretty, but even uglier is the above example of South County snootery towards north-central OC. Eggleston's comment is a manifestation of the "here there be dragons" mindset of too many South Countians that all lands north of the El Toro Y is grimy Los Angeles: icky, old and to be driven through quickly with windows rolled up and doors locked.

UPDATE (12/29/06): Councilman Eggleston has apologized and says the reporter misquoted him. Read about it here.

Red County/OC Blog News Roundup -- December 28, 2006

Today's top stories from behind the Orange Curtain:

Alicia Robinson's Political Landscape: Riled Up Over Conviction -- DP
Rohrabacher seeks pardons for Border Patrol agents; Orange County Republicans go glossy; reports about progress in airport expansion project are available online.

Anaheim RV Park Residents Running Out Of Time -- OCR
Residents have until Sunday to leave Travelers World RV Park, which is closing to make way for development.

Carona Ex-Rival Planning Lawsuit -- OCR
Bill Hunt says he'll sue Sheriff's Department over planned demotion.

Officer Who Ran Against Carona Demoted But Quits -- LAT
Lt. Bill Hunt, calling it 'political retaliation,' will become a private eye.

10 In Race For County Supervisor -- LAT
6 Republicans, 4 Democrats will appear on the Feb. 6 ballot for the central county seat.

OC Sheriff Stoops To New Low When He Lays Down The Law -- LAT
Carona's demotion of a rival for office is petty and a dangerous precedent.

Red County/OC Blog News Roundup -- December 27, 2006

Today's top stories from behind the Orange Curtain:

10 Qualify For Supervisor Race -- OCR
The Feb. 6 special election features an ethnically diverse lineup of candidates.

Carona Rival Retires -- OCR
Lt. Bill Hunt faced drastic pay cut before retiring.

Power Cut To Thousands In Santa Ana -- OCR
A work crew mistakenly cut power early today.

Santa Ana Opens New Campus -- OCR
Lorin Griset Academy is the district's fourth new school in three years.

Red County /OC Blog News Roundup -- December 26, 2006

Today's (and a few of yesterday's) top stories from behind the Orange Curtain:

Martin Wiscol's The Buzz: Talking To Themselves? -- OCR
New GOP magazine for business, lifestyle and politics goes heavy on contributions from the Lincoln Club.

Battle Over Hills Rages Near Brea -- OCR
Officials clash over possible massive development at the county border.

Garden Grove Is Both Hopeful And Pessimistic About Its Future -- LAT
City leaders have long searched for a project that would brand the city and add to its tax base.

Some Development Plans May Be Unrealistic -- OCR
Some proposed projects next to Angel Stadium far exceed existing zoning and lease limitations.

Steve Greenhut: Hey Ingrates, Don't Question The Badge -- OCR (12/25/06)
No one doubts that deputies do an important job, but such importance should not give them a pass from accountability, oversight and fiscal responsibility.

Before The Ocean Rises -- OCR
Two years after Indonesia's devastating quake, O.C.'s disaster plans put it on course of being the state's first 'TsunamiReady' county. Maybe we can put that on the proposed "Welcome to Orange County" sign for the LA-OC boundary.

Prospective Renters Hope For Edge -- OCR
Because there are fewer tenants out hunting for houses or apartments this time of year, landlords can be known to make deals.

Anaheim Looking For Helpers To Decorate Rose Parade Float -- OCR
The city has scheduled two shifts of 85 people each, Wednesday through Saturday.

Interim Ocean View School Superintendent Upbeat -- OCR
Resignations, teacher contract negotiations, a sexual harassment lawsuit and school construction woes didn't stop Ed Sussman from accepting the challenge.

Foundation Donations May Not Be Tax-Deductible -- OCR
Organizer of Snowball Express says he and his wife failed to file a key form with the IRS.

Half-Year Mark At Crystal Cove -- OCR
About 11,000 people have stayed in the cottages since they opened to the public.

McKnight Errant -- OC Weekly
Famed Mater Dei basketball coach helped pedophile get a job—at Mater Dei.

The Bong Arm Of The Law -- OC Weekly
OC Pot Crusader May Face Trial as Drug Dealer.

Snowballed Again -- OC Weekly
National media picks up Weekly story on deadbeat dad

A Note To Readers: Taking A Mini-Holiday

I wanted to let our loyal Red County/OC Blog readers know we will not be publishing the daily News Roundup today or tomorrow, Christmas Day.

The News Roundup will resume on December 26.

Merry Christmas!

Red County/OC Blog News Roundup -- December 23, 2006

Tribute shines -- OCR
A family that lost its father and some of its Christmas spirit had a change of heart and decorated its home in his honor. The Anaheim house is rewarded with a prize.

Denver airport reopens, but mess lingers -- AP via OCR

Closer to Finding Nemo -- OCR
The Submarine Voyage ride, due to open in June, is a new version of an old favorite.

Generals: More troops needed in Iraq -- LAT
Commanders made their decision before meeting with Defense Secretary Gates.

Jobless rate in L.A. County slips to 4.2% -- LAT
November's drop sends the statistic further into record-low territory. But the unemployment rate for all of California edges up to 4.6%.

Snowballed Again -- OC Weekly
National media picks up Weekly story on deadbeat dad

Red County/OC Blog News Roundup -- December 22, 2006

Today's top stories from behind the Orange Curtain:

Base Under Destruction -- OCR
Demolition crews are busy taking apart the Marines' former home at El Toro to make way for the Great Park.

14 OC Deputies Graduate From Immigration Enforcement Training -- LAT
The controversial strategy will screen county inmates for legal status. Carona hopes street patrols can be added.

Disneyland Bringing Sub Ride Out Of Mothballs -- OCR
Finding Nemo attraction will use refurbished subs from old ride.

Ex-Judge Barred From Court -- OCR and LAT
Susanne Shaw censured for rude behavior, says state commission.

Capo Unified's Closed Sessions Get Trial Date -- OCR
If no settlement is reached, the case brought by school board critic Ron Lackey will be heard in June.

Fee Waivers Deemed A Success -- DP
The second run of a program to encourage home remodeling in Costa Mesa didn't spark quite as many projects as in 2005, but still kicked off more than $12 million in residential improvements, city officials said this week.

Homes In Orange Seeking To Fit In -- OCR
Challenge for builders of six new modernist homes will be to maintain compatibility with nearby Eichler tract.