Category: Orange County

High School in Southern California to Close for Week After Credible Threat

By Gregory Yee and Hannah Fry From Los Angeles Times LOS ANGELES—Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana will be closed through Friday because of a credible threat to the campus, school officials said Tuesday. Officials notified Santa Ana police after learning of the threat Tuesday, according to a letter sent to parents and students…


San Clemente Officials Call for Transparency, Cap Campaign Donations

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif.—The San Clemente City Council unanimously voted May 25 to bring greater campaign finance transparency to the city’s website, providing easy access to public notices and tax documents, all while capping donations for councilors up to $500. Mayor Gene James compared what he called the “cesspool” of campaign money and “dark money” in…


Orange County Salutes Fallen Service Members on Memorial Day

SANTA ANA, Calif.—Parked within a row of restored cars from the 1920s and 1930s, Angel Salinas and his two daughters and nephew sat in the family’s 1948 GMC pick-up truck formerly owned by Angel’s father, Joe. “The Salinases have a long tradition of military history,” Salinas told The Epoch Times. “Today we are here to…


How Did the Pandemic Affect Orange County Cities’ Finances?

Commentary The COVID-19 lockdown was ordered by Gov. Newsom on March 4, 2020. Seeing South Coast Plaza’s parking lot empty during the middle of the day was an eerie experience. Losing sales tax revenue certainly impacted Costa Mesa. Having the Angels play without fans in the seats, a convention center not hosting conventioneers or Disneyland…


62nd Annual Garden Grove Strawberry Festival Coming This Weekend

The 62nd annual Garden Grove Strawberry Festival is returning this Memorial Day weekend for the first time following a two-year pandemic break. The event will feature all kinds of attractions, parades, entertainment, food, and more, and will commence May 27 and end on May 30, with years past having up to 300,000 people visit the…


Federal Task Force Cracks Down on Illegal Gambling in Orange County

SANTA ANA, Calif.—A years-long criminal investigation led to authorities arresting seven people on May 25 who allegedly operated a string of illicit casinos throughout Orange County that involved drug trafficking, violence, and police corruption. “Organized criminal activity and illegal gambling schemes will not be tolerated in California,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a…


Anaheim Angel Stadium Sale Violates Open Meeting Law: Lawsuit Appeals

A homeless housing advocacy group appealed May 24 a lawsuit against the City of Anaheim, California, claiming the city violated open meeting laws during the sale of the Angel Stadium. On behalf of the People’s Homeless Taskforce, attorney Jelly Aviles filed a notice of appeal to revive a lawsuit originally filed in February 2020, arguing…


Group Appeals Lawsuit for Public Meeting Violation in Angel Stadium Sale

A homeless housing advocacy group appealed May 24 a lawsuit against the City of Anaheim, California, claiming the city violated open meeting laws during the sale of the Angel Stadium. On behalf of the People’s Homeless Taskforce, attorney Jelly Aviles filed a notice of appeal to revive a lawsuit originally filed in February 2020, arguing…


Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified Grappling With CRT Residue After Banning It

An education board member of the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District—which banned Critical Race Theory (CRT) in early April—said it is going to be a lengthy battle for the district to make its schools CRT-free. Board Member Shawn Youngblood told The Epoch Times the ban is a part of the initial steps to eliminate CRT,…


9 Charged in Gambling Crackdown in Orange County

SANTA ANA, Calif.—Nine people have been charged in connection with a crackdown on illegal gambling, extortion, and drug trafficking in Santa Ana, according to federal indictments unsealed Wednesday. Five defendants were arrested Wednesday morning. Two others were arrested Tuesday afternoon. Two others are at-large. Four defendants charged with conspiracy and operating an illegal gambling business…