OC Blog

Red County/OC Blog News Roundup -- December 5, 2007

Today's top stories from behind the Orange Curtain:

Credit Crunch Hits County Investment Pool -- OCR
Treasurer-Tax Collector Chriss Street discounts securities on small portion of county's portfolio.

Nielsen's Plea Deal -- OC Weekly
OC political activist to admit to lewd acts with boys

Santa Ana Removes Anti-Gang Commissioner -- OCR and LAT
Commissioner Thomas Gordon disputes a councilman's claim that he shouted at him during a recent meeting.

DeVore Keeping Pay Boost -- DP
Assemblyman Chuck DeVore said he won’t turn down a pay hike despite state budget problems some say could lead to service cuts.

Costa Mesa Mayor Says He'll Endorse Ron Paul -- DP
Costa Mesa Mayor Allan Mansoor announced he would officially endorse the candidacy of Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul, a congressman from Texas.

Frank Mickadeit: Acting Sheriff Too Loyal For Her Own Good -- OCR
Galisky's school of hard knocks

Faculty Accepts Drake's Answers -- DP
UCI’s faculty is satisfied with Chancellor Michael Drake’s explanation for why he fired, hired and rehired the law school’s founding dean.

OC Lags In Job Growth -- DP
Orange County had the lowest job growth this year of any major urban area in California and may soon be mired in a nationwide recession, a group of business leaders said Tuesday at a forum at the Island Hotel.

Canyon Residents Report More Deer In Canyons -- OCR
Residents report an abundance of deer in the canyons, causing car versus deer problems

Immigrants Sue Over Citizenship Delays -- OCR
The lawsuit, which includes plaintiffs from Orange County, was filed after citizenship applications were delayed over FBI name checks.

St. Jude Medical Center Will Expand -- OCR
The Fullerton City Council tonight approves $125 million proposal to add office building, parking structure.

Gordon Dillow: A Toast To Recycled Sewage -- OCR
Water that once had been sewage tastes great, actually.

Lake Forest Elects Mark Tettemer As Mayor -- OCR
The one-year term will begin on Jan. 1.

Webcams Offer Glimpse Of Newport-Mesa Construction -- OCR
Parents and others can see progress of Measure F projects at several schools.

OC Lenders In Subprime Market Disappearing -- OCR
Irvine's Option One Mortgage is latest casualty.

Couple Pumped Up On Natural Gas Cars -- OCR
Fullerton pair installs home fueling system; spend an average $1 per gallon.

'Mr. OCC' Leaving Orange Coast College -- OCR
Jim Carnett to retire after 36-year career.

Clinic Has Fielded 10,000 Visits This Year -- OCR
One patient has been treated for diabetes, arthritis and high blood pressure for nearly a decade.

White House Collector To Make Yorba Linda Visit -- OCR
Barry Landau has amassed millions of pieces of memorabilia through his long association with the White House.

NB Council Says No To Trail Because Of Concerns -- DP
The Costa Mesa City Council voted 3-2 to abandon a proposal that would construct a multipurpose trail in a flood channel throughout Costa Mesa during a meeting Tuesday night.

Red County/OC Blog News Roundup -- December 4, 2007

Today's top stories from behind the Orange Curtain:

Supervisor Janet Nguyen Fined For Campaign Violations -- OCR and LAT
County board member has agreed to pay $5,000 for improperly setting up a legal-defense fund.

Santa Ana Approves $100 Million For Local Streets -- OCR
The city plans to rebuild, recycle or repave miles of worn-out neighborhood streets over the next five years.

Frank Mickadeit: New Set Of Legal Woes For Bishop -- OCR (12/3/07)
Church back in court.

Frank Mickadeit: Church-We'll Tell Victims Ourselves -- OCR
When have I heard this before?

Orange Grove: Fires Are Easier To Fight Than To Prevent -- OCR
More needs to be done, including volunteer patrols, to stop blazes from starting

Day Labor Fight Costly For Laguna Beach -- LAT
Laguna Beach has spent $75,000 in legal fees to fight opponents of a day-labor center -- more than three times the amount it spends annually to operate the place, according to city records.

Huntington Beach Could Buy School Land -- OCR
The council approved a plan that would let the city acquire parts of Huntington Beach City School District sites.

'Despicable Videotapes' -- OCR
Molestation videotapes to be shown to jurors.

Dog Park Voted Down In Mission Viejo's Alicia Park -- OCR
Oso Park is still a potential site.

Anaheim To Spend $8 Million On City Hall West -- OCR
Officials: 16-year-old building needs refurbishing, new furniture.

'World Of Warcraft' Made Blizzard 'Crown Jewel' In $9.8 Billion Deal -- OCR
Irvine-based Blizzard was key to Activision-Vivendi merger.

City To Reveal Rehab Plan -- DP
Newport Beach will unveil a proposed ordinance to curtail the spread of drug and alcohol rehabilitation homes in the city later this week, officials said Monday.

Red County/OC Blog News Roundup -- December 3, 2007

Today's top stories from behind the Orange Curtain:

OC Sheriff's Aide Sought Status, Power -- LAT
Donald Haidl had made millions in business but hungered for something else. Prosecutors say he went after it by backing Sheriff Michael S. Carona.

Supreme Court Justice Coming To Chapman University -- OCR
Clarence Thomas will speak and sign his new book.

Squabbles Hamper OC Indian Tribe -- LAT
Disputes between Juaneño factions could have jeopardized their chances to gain federal recognition and, possibly, a casino.

Santa Ana Considering $100 Million Plan To Fix Streets -- OCR
Underfunded for years, more than half of the city's neighborhood streets need major work.

New Santa Ana Bank Will Serve Latino Community -- LAT
The Santa Ana Business Bank is largely Latino-owned.

Factions Debate Beneficiaries Of City's Plans -- DP
A roughly $43 million development agreement with the Irvine Co. will likely affect a February ballot measure that would require Newport Beach’s next city hall to be built next to the central library.

Editorial: Beek Should Be Consistent With Positions -- DP
We’d like to share an old cliché with longtime Newport Beach activist Allan Beek that seems apropos today.

No Fire, No Free Pass On Toll Road, Firefighters Told -- LAT
An L.A. County crew en route to a funeral blows past a booth, is caught on camera and fined. They are flabbergasted; the Orange County transportation agency is unapologetic.

OC Key To Mega-Game Merger -- OCR
Parent company of Blizzard and Activision, maker of Tony Hawk skateboarding game, in $19 billion deal.

Sales Of OC Businesses Rebound In November -- OCR
The number of businesses sold here increased in November to 298, up 10.8 percent from a year earlier and up 32 percent from October.

Canyon Residents Return Home To Dig Out from Mud, Debris -- OCR
Properties at risk for mudslides; Red Cross shelter closed.

UCI Study Supports Anti-Cancer Nature Of Grapes -- OCR
Low doses of freeze-dried grape powder appears to “inhibit genes linked to the development of sporadic colorectal cancet.

NOTE TO READERS: I'd have linked to Frank Mickadeit's column and Martin Wisckol's Buzz column except the the "Columns" section of the OCR website is empty.

Red County/OC Blog News Roundup -- November 30, 2007

Today's top stories from behind the Orange Curtain:

Barbara Boxer Blocking Jim Rogan Judicial Nomination -- OCR
It's payback time from the Marin County lefty.

Clinton Gets Standing Ovations From Evangelicals -- OCR and LAT
The presidential contender was the only candidate to speak at the AIDS summit.

Initiative Launched Against Disney -- OCR
A group files paperwork for a ballot measure that would require voter approval of a Disney theme park.

Editorial: Wrongly Seized Pot Must Be Returned -- OCR
Appellate court tells Garden Grove it can't rely on federal ban on medical marijuana

Editorial: Judge Correctly Clears Laguna Beach Center -- OCR
Anti-illegal-immigration activists lose a battle in Laguna Beach over day-labor center.

Sacramento Development Firm To Buy Boeing Site In Anaheim -- OCR
The commercial developer is in escrow to buy the Anaheim plant, home to the city's second-largest employer.

Education Key To Learning English For Immigrants -- OCR and LAT
According to a report, Latino immigrants with higher education levels or who came here as children are more likely to learn English.

Spending Balloons To Enhance Great Park -- LAT
Irvine plans to spend $14 million on amenities at the Great Park and still give free rides, despite some objections.

Harman Hosts Meeting To One Attendee, Leaves Early -- DP
State Sen. Tom Harman held an open meeting with constituents Thursday, but a low turnout prompted him to duck out early.

Housing Project Goes To NB Council -- DP
The Newport Beach Planning Commission approved a multimillion dollar development agreement with the Irvine Co. Thursday night to create a new planned community in Newport Center.

Pioneering Traffic Signal Debuts In Fullerton -- OCR
Flashing yellow arrows at major intersections can save drivers time, but some say they're confusing.

Garden Grove Man Pleads Guilty To Sea Lion Stabbing -- OCR, LAT and DP
Hai Nguyen, 24, admitted to fatally stabbing the marine mammal in violation of federal law during a July incident.

Santa Ana Wins $1 Million For Bike Trail -- OCR
State grant will help pay for link between city's existing loop of trails and Costa Mesa's bike paths.

Welcome Signposts To Mark HB City Boundaries -- OCR
Designs include 14-foot-tall surfboard with the words 'Huntington Beach, Surf City U.S.A.'

Newport Beach Golf Course Won't Get Bulldozed -- OCR
John Wayne Airport officials back off plans to turn back nine into parking lot.

Anaheim-Based Non-Proft Helps Seniors Stay Independent -- OCR
Virginia Erk hated staying in a nursing home when she had kidney problems in 2001.

Crossing The Thin Blue Line -- OC Weekly
Police expert slams OC Sheriff’s Department for ‘cowboy’ attitude and ‘fatal errors’ that led to a street execution.

Beasts Of Burnin' -- OC Weekly
An outlaw animal-rights group targets a local bank branch in its war on animal testing.

¿Quien Es Más Mafia? -- OC Weekly
How the bishop and the sheriff stack up against the Godfather

Sister Knows Best -- OC Weekly
If the nuns in charge of the St. Joseph Health System are so pro-labor,why are some of their employees determined to unionize?

Red County/OC Blog News Roundup -- November 29, 2007

Today's top stories from behind the Orange Curtain:

Sheriff's Wife Backed No-Bid Contract For Swap Meet -- OCR
Swap meet operator had given thousands to campaign of Deborah Carona's husband, Mike.

Frank Mickadeit: Did Brown Really Want To Clear Name? -- OCR
Bishop's contempt hearing is off.

Citation Against OC Bishop Dropped -- LAT
The diocese and attorneys for the plaintiff in the sex-abuse case disagree, however, over what led to the action.

A River Might Run Through It -- OCR
Cal State Fullerton students to unveil design for Santa Ana river 'parkway.'

Editorial: Plan For Housing Near Disney Park Fizzles -- OCR
Finally, the SunCal plan for Resort District housing has died.

Court Orders Garden Grove Police To Return Seized Pot -- OCR
Ruling by state appeal judges is a win for medical marijuana patients, advocates say.

Placentia Businesses Adjust To Failed Development -- OCR
Owners of Crowther properties say they have lost time.

Anaheim To Kill Power At Motel To Remove Residents -- OCR
Problems highlight hurdles for Anaheim and residents in solving motel-family problem.

Shuttles OK'd For JWA Area -- OCR
Three routes will begin this spring.

Settlement Will Help Injured Women Continue Rehabilitation -- LAT and OCR
eriously injured while jogging in Dana Point, they see the city's payment as a way to cope. But still they miss their 'supermom' roles.

Newport-Mesa Studies Plan To Create K-6 Schools -- OCR
Schools now divide many elementary students among multiple schools.

Dana Parsons: It's Hard To Embrace The Penalty For Hugging In School -- LAT
Dana writes about the hugging dealio at Hewes Middle School in Tustin.

Warren Calls Leadership The Key To Defeating AIDS -- OCR
Three-day conference at Saddleback Church includes Sen. Hillary Clinton on Thursday.

Protesters Turn Silent -- DP
Muslim students at UCI take different approach to rebuked historian’s return.

City Gives OK On Lawsuit -- DP
Online travel site representative says city confused about process, will become losing situation with case.

The Political Landscape: Bill To Back Nuclear Plant -- DP
State energy can’t sustain on just wind and solar powers, assemblyman says. Opposition mounts.

Local Company Designs Hybrid Local Power Plant -- DP
Inland Energy, a Newport Beach developer, has designed a hybrid power plant that officials said would be the first to combine natural gas with solar power when it opens in 2010.

Opinion: New Mayor Needs Leadership Skills -- DP
Barbara Venezia opines that the new mayor needs leadership skills.

Red County/OC Blog News Roundup -- November 28, 2007

Today's top stories from behind the Orange Curtain:

Injured Joggers Receive $50 Million -- OCR and LAT
The San Clemente mothers became quadriplegics after being struck by hit and run driver.

Anaheim Council Nixes Disney-Area Housing Plan -- OCR and LAT
The City Council changes its mind on housing near Disneyland and removes a related item from the June ballot.

Sheriff's Wife Backed No-Bid Contract For Husband's Campaign Donor -- LAT
Deborah Carona urged Orange County Fair Board directors to support a swap meet operator despite a proposal from rival firm.

Orange Closer To Tougher Rules On Day Workers -- OCR
The city is poised to designate areas where solicitation will be off-limits.

$1 Million Grant Brings Artificial Intelligence To Capo Unified -- OCR
The South County district is the only one in O.C. to receive the award.

Billboards Along Anaheim Freeways Considered -- OCR
City trying to get billboards out of town and placed along freeways.

Residents Worried About Little Saigon Makeover -- OCR
Families who live in mobile home parks along Bolsa Avenue in Westminster are concerned their homes will be erased in the city's bid to spruce up Little Saigon

Tustin School's Hugging Policy Garners Support -- OCR
Principal and some parents back the rule not allowing “frontal” hugging that got two students suspended.

Another Fullerton Church Vandalized -- OCR
Two windows broken at Mormon church; authorities say there's no connection to vandalism at other LDS church.

Seal Beach Settles In Behind Completed Berm -- OCR
Sand helps protect homes from winter waves.

$1 Million Gift To UCI To Enhance Faculty Research -- DP
An anonymous $1 million gift to UCI has created the Jack W. Peltason Endowed Chair to enhance teaching and research for faculty, school officials announced Tuesday.

District Receives Unity Support -- DP
Teachers and parents appear to support the Newport-Mesa school board’s plan to bring some uniformity to the district by converting all of the elementary schools to kindergarten-through-sixth-grade schools.

Red County/OC Blog News Roundup -- November 27, 2007

Today's top stories from behind the Orange Curtain:

Effort to Recall Rocco Dropped -- OCR
A possible, costly special election thwart efforts to oust controversial trustee.

Carona's Wife Tries To Free Herself From Case -- OCR
Attorney for Debbie Carona says prosecutors want to 'get to the sheriff by getting to his family.'

Disney-Area Home Plan May Die Tonight -- OCR
The City Council is expected to remove residential zoning from the Anaheim Resort area.

Sex-Harassment Ruling Overturned -- OCR
Appellate court's decision also means fired county worker will get a new trial.

Tougher Day-Labor Rules On Agenda In Orange -- OCR
Proposal would prohibit solicitation from private property without owner's permission.

Judge Backs Laguna Beach Over Day Labor Site -- OCR and LAT
Insufficient evidence was provided to show the city's funding of the hiring site is illegal, according to a judge's proposed ruling.

OC Transit Chief Gets 9% Pay Raise -- OCR
Some on OCTA board object to a bonus, that makes Art Leahy's salary higher than that of the county CEO.

Postal Service Addresses CIty's Traffic Concerns About Proposed Project -- OCR
Laguna Hills city staff identified potential traffic impacts related to the proposed mail distribution facility in Aliso Viejo.

Newport Beach Sued Over City Hall Measure -- OCR
Activist Allan Beek wants a judge to void an initiative that would let voters decide where to place municipal headquarters.

Feds Don't Believe Juanenos Rate Recognition -- OCR and LAT
Bureau of Indian Affairs issued negative ruling.

AFL-CIO Has Beef With Grocery Chain -- OCR
Labor council worries about non-union Fresh & Easy in Anaheim today.

Prado Wetlands Come Back -- OCR
Storm waters ripped through the Prado wetlands two years ago; a restoration effort is repairing the damage.

Church Vandalism Deemed A Hate Crime -- OCR
Satanic, Nazi symbols painted on walls of Fullerton LDS center.

$200,000 Missing From Los Alamitos Non-Profit -- OCR
Seven-year employee suspected of being behind missing money, director says.

Glass Wall Has Birders Seeing Red -- OCR
Raptors at Bolsa Chica have died after flying into the structure. The developer says a windscreen will help.

District May Convert Schools -- DP
The Newport-Mesa school board on Monday discussed plans to convert all of the district’s elementary schools to kindergarten through sixth-grade schools and turn Davis School into a magnet school.

Red County/OC Blog News Roundup -- November 26, 2007

Today's top stories from behind the Orange Curtain:

UCI Experts To Help Take Earth's Temperature -- OCR
UCI hires five experts on abrupt climate change.

Vietnamese Martyrs Honored At Mass -- OCR and LAT
Thousands of Vietnamese Catholics fill UCI's Bren Events Center for annual celebration.

UCI To Endow $1 Million Professorship In Peltason's Name -- OCR
UC Irvine is preparing to create a $1 million endowed chair in the name of Jack Peltason, who helped establish the campus as a nationally-renowned research center during eight years as chancellor.

OC GOP Cowers At Taking A Stand On Carona -- OCR (11/25/07)
GOP pulls a Hillary Rodham Clinton and stands by its man, Sheriff Mike Carona.

Reader Rebuttal: Costa Mesa And ICE -- OCR (11/25/07)
C.M. Mayor responds to OCR hand-wringing over city's ICE program.

Reader Rebuttal: Gang Injunctions -- OCR (11/25/07)
District Attorney Tony Rackauckas responds to OCR hand-wringing over anti-gang injunctions.

District Plan Worries Parents -- DP
The parents of special education students who griped earlier this month about the way Newport-Mesa Unified School District is teaching their kids have legitimate complaints, district officials said, but school leaders are asking for patience as the special education department is revamped.

Dec. 11 Ribbon-Cutting On Golf Course -- OCR
The $5.3 million, 12,000-square-foot golf clubhouse at the municipal course welcomes the public.

Newport Beach Council To Vote On Location On Panini Cafe -- DP
The Newport Beach City Council will consider at its regular meeting Tuesday whether a popular restaurant should be allowed to relocate to a crowded block despite complaints from residents.

NOTE TO READERS: As per usual, there are OC Register stories missing from the round up because they aren't on the website. For example, the top-of-the-fold story about an 18-year Costa Mesan and UCI student spearheading an initiative to freeze state college tuition -- nowhere on the website. Same for Mickadeit's and Wisckol's column. In fact, for the last three weeks, the OCR doesn't put Monday "Buzz" column online until Tuesday. There are to other prominent stories from the Local section absent here. Sorry.

Red County/OC Blog News Roundup -- November 24, 2007

Today's top stories from behind the Orange Curtain:

Low-income housing backer in Anaheim won't give up -- LAT
Even though the outcome of a City Council vote on Tuesday should halt the debate for now, supporters says the fight will go on.

Good deal hunting -- OCR
Dawn to dusk, Orange County shoppers were in fast gear for Black Friday. Here’s a snapshot of the day.

Malibu burns again; low humidity creates danger in OC -- OCR
High winds spark devastating fire in Malibu, trigger alerts in Orange County

Anaheim Hills crash kills driver, hurts passenger -- OCR and LAT
Driver loses control on Santa Ana Canyon Road, slams into telephone pole.

Vietnamese community remembers a modern 'martyr' -- OCR
Father Joseph DucMinh knew the man who may be Vietnam's next saint.

Orange to consider more stringent day laborer rules -- OCR
Officials to meet Tuesday to discuss proposal to curb problems

Huntington Beach man charged with bird annoyance -- OCR
Charles Michael Harris faces arraignment Tuesday on seven misdemeanor environmental charges.

Pressure bears down on college-bound -- OCR
Local high school students shooting for a spot at a top university feel the strain.

Few Friday blues -- DP
Holiday hordes rush to get shopping started. While some had to wait in long lines, others just enjoyed the spirited ambience.

City to address waiting boaters -- DP
Newport Beach will begin to whittle down its lengthy waiting list for boat moorings next year— a daunting task, considering some have been waiting for a mooring for 30 years, harbor officials say.

Costa Mesa OKs $1.4M playground for disabled -- DP
The Costa Mesa City Council has approved the construction of the city’s first playground for the disabled. The $1.4-million project at TeWinkle Park will be funded through a grant from the state Parks and Recreation Department and private fundraising by the Angels Charity nonprofit.

Driver arrested on suspicion of assault with truck -- LAT
A Yorba Linda man was arrested Friday on suspicion of seriously injuring a pedestrian in Fullerton by ramming him with his pickup truck, police said.

Bilingual court center to provide info more quickly  -- DP
A new call center expediting information gathering at courts is slated to open for public use at the Orange County Superior Court on Monday.

Red County/OC Blog News Roundup -- November 23, 2007

Today's top stories from behind the Orange Curtain:

Editorial: Carona Should End Department's Limbo -- OCR
Indicted sheriff's resignation would end uncertainty at top of the agency

Red Flag Fire Warning -- OCR
Blustery winds, low humidity, drought imperil wild land areas

Reports Spotlight Increased Risk Of Mudslides -- LAT
Surveys find heavy rains could weaken charred hillsides. Areas of eastern O.C., Bouquet Canyon and Val Verde are in greatest danger.

Lake Forest Waives Fees For Fire Repairs -- OCR
The city sustained minimal damage to public infrastructure.

Editorial: Little Saigon Doesn't Need Outside Help -- OCR
Urban planners suggest big-city-style transformation of the landmark small-business area

Newport Coast Is Zillow's Most Watched OC ZIP Codes -- OCR
Three Santa Ana ZIP codes were at the bottom of the list … 92703, 92701, 92704.

Corona Del Mar Official Changes Ballot Title To Reflect Neutrality -- DP
Amid concerns of position, Corona del Mar’s Chamber of Commerce treasurer removed the organization’s name from a ballot argument against City Hall in the Park ballot initiative.

Newport Official Seeks Funding For Harbor Cleanup -- DP
Newport Beach Councilwoman Leslie Daigle wants residents to contact their Washington representatives about funding a multimillion dollar harbor cleanup.

Fountain Valley Targets Illegally Parked Trailers -- OCR
Owners could pay more than double the $34 fine if the proposal is adopted.

Applications Available For OC Grand Jury Seats -- LAT (11/22/07)
Surveys find heavy rains could weaken charred hillsides. Areas of eastern O.C., Bouquet Canyon and Val Verde are in greatest danger.

Historic Clock Set To Return To Buena Park -- OCR
Andrew Dreger's creation greeted Knott's Berry Farm visitors for more than 50 years.

NOTE TO READERS: There are several OC Register stories that -- although prominent in the print Local section -- are absent from the  horrible OCR website. For example, the page 2 story about the Seal Beach Naval Weapons station and the page 4 story about Buena Park considering seeking charter status.

The OCR posted this a couple of days ago: "New Goals For Our Web Coverage." I'd like to suggest two additions to their "8 pillars":

1) Develop a site search engine that isn't next-to-useless.

2) Ensure that stories in that day's print edition can be easily found online, rather than absent or buried deep amongst 3-7 day old stories.