Category: Orange County

House Fire in Garden Grove Injures Firefighter

GARDEN GROVE, Calif.—An Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) firefighter suffered a burned neck while battling flames in a Garden Grove house Aug. 27. The fire was reported at 12:58 p.m. Saturday in the 12000 block of Magnolia Street, said OCFA Capt. Sean Doran. OCFA video showed thick black smoke flowing out of the house as…


Laguna Niguel’s First Ever ‘Sea Country’ Festival Draws Happy, Large Crowd

LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif.—The festival set the stage for popular young talent entertaining large crowds, local political figures, and cuisine for residents and visitors to enjoy this weekend for three days of authentic Orange County festivities. Beginning Friday evening, the city opened with all the traditional carnival fare and rides at Dorine and El Lazo streets,…


Orange County Supervisors Approve Responses to 4 Grand Jury Report Findings

The Orange County Board of Supervisors approved Aug. 23 responses to four grand jury reports. Supervisors agreed unanimously with three of the four final responses while Supervisor Katrina Foley said she will send in her own response to one report. The four grand jury reports released in June respectively examined the county’s homelessness, the Orange…


Thing to Do in Orange County This Weekend

Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo Celebrate the golden age of California history and the great American West at the 20th Anniversary of the Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo. Committed to preserving the cowboy way of life, this event features 30 contestants facing off wild horses, raging bulls, and fierce calves that will keep your heart racing and…


Bicyclist, 69, Crashes Into Truck, Dies in Irvine

IRVINE, Calif.—A bicyclist was killed Aug. 23 after crashing into a stopped truck in Irvine, police said. The 69-year-old man was injured at about 7:25 a.m. on Alton Parkway near Technology Drive, and he died at the scene, the Irvine Police Department reported. His name was withheld, pending notification of his relatives. “Preliminarily, it appears…


Laguna Beach Offering to Buy Former Catholic School for $23 Million

The Laguna Beach, California, city officials approved a proposal last week to acquire a former Catholic school campus for $23 million. During the Aug. 16 city council meeting, councilors agreed to make a formal offer to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange to purchase the St. Catherine of Siena Parish School property. Lengthy discussions concerning the funding…


Orange County Commission to End Homelessness Disputes Grand Jury Report

Orange County’s Commission to End Homelessness disputed Aug. 17 much of a recent grand jury report which showed “mixed” success in the county’s effort to address homelessness. The Orange County Grand Jury’s report “How is Orange County Addressing Homelessness,” (pdf) stated south Orange County lacks what they call “low-threshold emergency shelters,” or shelters that don’t…


Man Arrested in Hit-and-Run That Killed 67-Year-Old Bicyclist in Fullerton

FULLERTON, Calif.—A man was in police custody Aug. 19 in the hit-and-run death of a 67-year-old man who was hit by a truck while riding a bicycle, police said. Jonathan Ocampo, 21, of Anaheim was arrested late Thursday afternoon at the Fullerton police station, said Fullerton Police Department Capt. Jon Radus. Ocampo was booked on…


Woman Rescued From Car in Newport Beach Waters After Driving Off Dock

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.—A possibly intoxicated woman had to be rescued from the water in Newport Beach after driving her vehicle off the side of a dock. The crash took place near Via Genoa and Vido Lido Nord around 7:45 p.m. Aug. 19, CBS2 reported. Several bystanders helped rescue the woman from the water, the station…


Orange County Probation Officer Gets 6 Months Home Confinement in Thefts

WESTMINSTER, Calif.—An Orange County probation officer convicted in connection with stealing money while helping authorities carry out search warrants was sentenced to six months of home confinement, according to court records obtained Aug. 19. Juan Manuel Rodriguez, 51, was sentenced Thursday to two years in prison, but Orange County Superior Court Judge Lance Jensen stayed…