Category: Southern California OC News

Ex-Tustin Doctor Sentenced to Prison for Illegally Prescribing Drugs

LOS ANGELES—A former physician from Orange County was sentenced June 9 to 151 months behind bars for conspiring to illegally prescribe more than 120,000 opioid pills over a six-year span without a legitimate medical purpose in exchange for cash and insurance payments. Dzung Anh Pham, 61, of Tustin, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Josephine…


Newport Beach Animal Shelter Named California Nonprofit of the Year

A newly-opened animal shelter in Newport Beach, California, was awarded one of the state’s 2023 nonprofits of the year after being nominated by state Assemblymember Diane Dixon. The Friends of Newport Beach Animal Shelter was honored through the “Nonprofit of the Year” initiative in which state legislators select nonprofits for the good work they do…


Woman Sentenced to 15 Years in DUI Fatal Crash in Costa Mesa

SANTA ANA, Calif.—A 39-year-old woman pleaded guilty June 8 and was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for a drunken driving collision that killed a 23-year-old man in Costa Mesa five years ago. Kimberly Renee Martin pleaded guilty through tears to second-degree murder in the May 1, 2018, crash that killed Enrique Orlando…


Disneyland Pixar-Themed Hotel Remodel to Be Finished by Year’s End

Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, has announced the renovation of its Paradise Pier Hotel into a Pixar-themed location will be finished by the end of the year. Complete with a Finding Nemo-inspired water park with a nearly 200-foot water slide and other Pixar touches, construction is already underway, officials said. Artist rendering of new Pixar-themed…


Man Pleads Guilty to Shooting 2 Teens in Laguna Hills

SANTA ANA, Calif.—A 21-year-old man pleaded guilty to shooting two 17-year-old boys in Laguna Hills, leaving one victim in critical condition. Luis Angel Martinezmondragon of Aliso Viejo pleaded guilty to two felony counts of assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury. He was scheduled to be sentenced April 22, 2025. As part of…


Orange County Fair and Event Center to Hire Over 1,000 Seasonal Employees

As the 2023 Orange County Fair in Costa Mesa, California, approaches, event organizers are looking to hire over 1,000 seasonal employees to help run the annual festivities, which run from July 14 to mid-August. The OC Fair and Event Center is seeking individuals ages 16 and up for numerous seasonal and part-time positions including building…


Grand Jury Report Claims Orange County Could Have 30,000 Homeless Children

A recent report by the Orange County Grand Jury estimates there could be as many as 23,000—or even more than 30,000 according to some of its sources—homeless youth in the Southern California county, a far cry from the 700 estimated by the county in 2022. The jury decided to conduct their study because they felt the…


Orange County Bans Display of Non-Governmental Flag on County Facilities After Heated Debate

A motion to limit only flying government flags on county facilities was approved by the Orange County Board of Supervisors on June 6. The board voted 3–2 to pass the motion—which limits flags allowed on county properties to the United States, state, county, and a newly added POW/MIA flag—with Chairman Donald Wagner, Vice Chairman Andrew…


Orange County Sheriff’s Department Increases Patrol to Highlight Motorcycle Safety

A higher number of Orange County Sheriff deputies were scheduled to be on patrol June 6 to catch traffic violations made by motorcyclists and cars which could lead to more motorcycle-related crashes in the Southern California county. A June 4 press release from the county sheriff’s office reported the increase in patrols would occur in…


Orange County Sheriff’s Department Increase Patrol to Highlight Motorcycle Safety

A higher number of Orange County Sheriff deputies were scheduled to be on patrol June 6 to catch traffic violations made by motorcyclists and cars which could lead to more motorcycle-related crashes in the Southern California county. A June 4 press release from the county sheriff’s office reported the increase in patrols would occur in…