Category: Orange County

Laguna Beach Celebrates Patriots Day Parade’s Return

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif.—“Let’s give it up for Laguna Beach Fire Department for the amazing work they do for us here!” the parade announcer shouted as multiple fire vehicles drove past Laguna Beach City Hall. “Thank you for keeping us all safe today!” Along the sidewalk, hundreds of Southern California residents watched the Annual Laguna Beach…


Orange County Fentanyl Deaths Spike 1,100 Percent in 5 Years: Officials

Orange County’s number of fentanyl-related deaths has increased 1,100 percent in 5 years, to the point where over 1,400 lives were lost in 2020, according to county officials. “Orange County, like the rest of the nation, faces this crisis. No community, no city, no supervisorial district is unaffected,” Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley said at…


Critics: Irvine’s Workforce Housing Could Spell Financial Trouble for City

IRVINE, Calif.—As Irvine looks to make more than 1,000 apartment units more affordable for middle-income people through a new housing proposal, critics say it could have detrimental financial impacts on the city. “Middle-income housing,” also known as “workforce housing,” are residential units rented out at below-market rates to the “missing middle”—renters who are earning too…


Wildfire Erupts in Cleveland National Forest

TRABUCO CANYON, Calif.—A wildfire broke out in the Cleveland National Forest near the Riverside-Orange county line Wednesday, quickly chewing up an estimated 400 acres of terrain but not immediately threatening any homes. The non-injury blaze was reported shortly before noon along Holy Jim Trail, roughly halfway between Lake Elsinore in Riverside County and Trabuco Canyon…


Former Orange County Deputy Pleads Guilty to Stealing From Dead Victims

SANTA ANA, Calif.—A former Orange County Sheriff’s Department deputy has pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 120 days in jail for stealing the credit cards of dead victims he came across while on the job, according to court records obtained Thursday. Steve Hortz, 43, of San Dimas, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to single felony counts…


Orange County DA Controversy Highlights California Crime Tensions

Commentary As I have previously reported in The Epoch Times, the elections for California attorney general and the county district attorneys are going to be really nasty this year. That always happens when crime goes up. A race to look out for is Orange County’s district attorney. Four years ago, the election pitted longtime incumbent…


Orange County Sets Record for Marriages on 2-22-22

SANTA ANA, Calif.—The Orange County Clerk-Recorder’s office set a record for marriages on Feb. 22, owing to the popularity of the palindrome date of 2-22-22. Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen extended his office hours to meet the demand for marriages on the date, which many considered lucky. His office issued 335 marriage licenses and performed 327 civil…


Two Killed, One Critically Injured in 405 Freeway Crash With Wrong Way Driver

SEAL BEACH, Calif.—The coroner has released the names of two people killed in a multi-vehicle crash on the San Diego (405) Freeway on the morning of Feb. 20 in Seal Beach triggered by a wrong-way motorist. The crash occurred just before 1:30 a.m. on the southbound San Diego Freeway just north of the San Gabriel…


Why Utility Bills Are Rising for Edison Customers

There are a number of factors contributing to rising electricity bills including the increasing wildfire prevention efforts, rising gas prices, and wildfire insurance costs, which have not gone unnoticed by some of Southern California Edison’s (SCE) 15 million customers. Ron Gales, a spokesperson for the utility, additionally said efforts to prevent SCE’s power lines from…


California Student’s Suspension Highlights Ire of Mask Mandates

Troy Pierini, a high school sophomore in Orange County, has been locked out of his classroom, had the police called on him, received a citation for trespassing, and ultimately was suspended, all because he has refused to wear a mask. Pierini, 16, says he has a learning disability, and the cloth over his mouth—and that…