Category: Orange County Community

Former Capistrano Unified Board President Gary Pritchard Seeks District 4 Seat

Gary Pritchard, a parent, Cerritos Community College dean, and former Capistrano Unified school board president is seeking to represent Trustee Area 4—covering Laguna Niguel and Dana Point in the Nov. 8 elections. Pritchard, who previously served on the board for Area 5 from 2010 to 2019, said if elected, he would focus on fiscal responsibility, cut…


‘Praying for America’s Leaders’: Orange County Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast Coming Back to Irvine Sept. 30

Hosted by the nonprofit ministry Orange Coast Christian Outreach, the 57th Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast will be held in Irvine, California, at the Marriott Hotel from 7–9 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 30. Local government, religious, and civic leaders will gather with the purpose of “praying for America’s leaders,” according to the event organizer. The Epoch Times…


‘Praying for America’s Leaders’: Orange County Mayors’ Breakfast Coming Back to Irvine Sept. 30

Hosted by the nonprofit ministry Orange Coast Christian Outreach, the 57th Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast will be held in Irvine, California, at the Marriott Hotel from 7–9 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 30. Local government, religious, and civic leaders will gather with the purpose of “praying for America’s leaders,” according to the event organizer. The Epoch Times…


Pastor Simon Moon Runs for Irvine Mayor to Restore Quality of Life

Irvine Pastor Simon Moon is running for mayor in the Nov. 8 election against incumbent Mayor Farrah Khan, Tom Chomyn, Katherine Daigle, and Branda Lin. If elected, Moon plans to restore the “world-class” city’s quality of life that he said has experienced a “downturn” over the past several years. “I believe, especially over the past…


Jeanette Contreras Runs for Capistrano Unified Area 7

Mother, librarian, and self-described public servant, Jeanette Contreras is running for a seat on the Capistrano Unified School Board on Nov. 8. “I care deeply about our children, our schools, our teachers, and our community,” Contreras, who did not respond to The Epoch Times for an interview, says on her campaign website. Contreras is running against incumbent Judy Bullockus, for Trustee…


Newport-Mesa Unified Candidate Lisa Pearson: ‘We Need to Set Every Student up for Success’

Newport-Mesa Unified School Board candidate Lisa Pearson says she is passionate about excellence in education. A retired teacher and mother of three grown children who attended the district’s schools, Pearson told The Epoch Times she wants to ensure district schools remain strong. “One of my top priorities is keeping academic standards up to what the…


Coastal Fire Spurs Entrepreneur to Run for Laguna Niguel City Council

When the Coastal fire of May 11 blazed over 200 acres of Laguna Niguel, Javad Mokhbery received a text from a local city councilman saying his neighborhood was on fire. Mokhbery, who is running for a seat on the Laguna Niguel City Council in the upcoming Nov. 8 election, quickly left his office in the…


Former Florida Councilwoman Runs for Laguna Niguel City Council

Stephanie Oddo is a former councilwoman in Florida, with a background in public relations as well as web consulting for high-profile agencies such as NASA, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Now, she’s running for a seat on the Laguna Niguel City Council in the upcoming Nov. 8 election. “I’ve had…


Councilwoman Arlis Reynolds Seeks Re-election to Costa Mesa City Council

Arlis Reynolds is running for re-election for District 5 of Costa Mesa City Council. Her opponent is Robert Dickson, a paralegal. “I want all residents to enjoy what I had growing up in Costa Mesa: safe neighborhoods, stable housing, beautiful parks, strong schools, and an engaged community,” she says on her campaign website. Reynolds did not respond…


Orange County Education Board Holds Forum to Strengthen Charter Schools

To promote school choice to parents, the Orange County Board of Education held a public forum aimed at “strengthening California’s charter schools at a local and state level,” featuring a discussion among experts and policymakers Sept. 20. All five members of the board have been strong advocates of charter schools. The board also serves as…