Category: irvine

2 Robbers Steal Teens’ Shoes in Irvine Spectrum Center Restroom

Two suspects took several pairs of shoes belonging to a group of juveniles after following them into a restroom at the Irvine Spectrum Center in Southern California, on June 26, the Irvine Police Department reported on June 28. Cameras outside of the restroom caught the two suspects running out of the bathroom after following the…


Orange County Power Authority Survives Dissolution Vote by Board Members

The Orange County Power Authority (OCPA) survived a vote by its board to dissolve it during their June 21 board meeting. The issue was agendized by Board Director Casey McKeon, who is also a councilman for the City of Huntington Beach, which voted to leave the agency last month. “I don’t believe the errors and…


Irvine Looks to Incentivize Electrification in City After Natural Gas Ban Blocked by Court

The Irvine City Council voted 4–1 June 13 on a plan to incentivize all new homes and commercial buildings to be electric-powered in the city, after an earlier effort to mandate them was stymied when a federal court ruled another city in California could not ban natural gas in new construction. City staff is now…


Cities Should Be Ready for More Surprises From Orange County Power Authority

Orange County cities are on the cusp of learning that their general funds are exposed to liability claims due to the Orange County Power Authority’s (OCPA) activities. [1] Supporters of community choice aggregation (CCA) champion its “financial firewall” as a catch-all safety net against financial loss. However, CCAs—which automatically switch consumers into their programs amid…


3-Alarm Fire Engulfs Restaurant at Irvine Strip Mall

A fire at the 99 Ranch Market strip mall was extinguished by the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) in less than an hour, leaving one building damaged June 20. The fire began around 6:42 p.m. Tuesday at 5394 Walnut Avenue. Multiple county fire authority units responded to the fire and the Irvine Police Department was…


Man Charged With Sex Assaults on 2 Unconscious Women in Irvine

A 47-year-old man was charged on June 20 with sexually assaulting two unconscious women in Irvine. Eleuterio Gomezgodinez was charged with rape of an unconscious person and rape, with the alleged crimes occurring on February 20, 2015, and oral copulation of an unconscious person on May 8, 2022, all felonies, according to court records. He…


Irvine to Prioritize Hiring Local Construction Workers Who Are Union Members

Irvine construction workers may have a better chance of getting work locally, if they’re part of a union, after Irvine city councilors voted unanimously on June 13 to adopt an agreement with an organization that represents 48 local unions in 14 trades. The agreement will prioritize the hiring of local Irvine residents for construction projects in…


Fun Things to Do in Orange County This Father’s Day Weekend

Fountain Valley Summerfest Want to find a family-friendly event to spend time on this Father’s Day? The Summerfest features carnival rides, games, live concerts, and lots of delicious eats, as well as fireworks and a drone light show at night. 16400 Brookhurst St., Fountain Valley. Thursday & Friday 5­ to11 p.m., Saturday 2 to 11…


Irvine Looks to Ban Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers, Lawn Mowers

Irvine leaders plan to revise the city’s noise code to ban gas-powered gardening equipment, voting unanimously on June 13 to move forward with the change. The issue was brought forward by Councilwoman Kathleen Treseder, due to resident complaints. “Especially during the pandemic, I think a lot of us experienced the noise from gas-powered leaf blowers….


Police Seeking Suspect in Sexual Assault Near UC Irvine

Police sought the public’s help on June 13 to find a man who sexually assaulted a woman in Irvine, California. The suspect was last seen Saturday fleeing Scholarship and Graduate near the University of California–Irvine’s North Campus, according to the Irvine Police Department. A police car is seen outside the University of California–Irvine (UC Irvine) Medical…