Category: Southern California OC News

$1.3 Billion UC Irvine Medical Campus Moves Toward 2025 Completion

IRVINE, Calif.—Hundreds of construction and architectural specialists paused for a catered barbeque lunch July 13 to celebrate progress on a “state of the art” all-electrical new University of California–Irvine (UCI) medical facility set to be completed by January of 2025. The $1.3 billion-dollar carbon neutral medical center, located at Jamboree Road and Birch Street, will…


Felon Jailed for Killing Woman in Drunk Driving Collision in Riverside

RIVERSIDE—A convicted felon who killed a 65-year-old woman while driving drunk in Mead Valley was bound for state prison on July 14 to serve a sentence of 25 years to life after pleading guilty to second-degree murder and other charges. Lawrence Michael Dileva, 39, of Nuevo admitted the murder count, along with DUI gross vehicular…


Marine Pleads Guilty for Fatally Punching Man at Dana Point Restaurant

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.—A 21-year-old San Diego former Marine reached a plea deal agreement with prosecutors on July 14 in connection with a St. Patrick’s Day fight that killed a man in a Dana Point restaurant. Jack Griffin Isaacson—who was facing a felony count of involuntary manslaughter—pleaded guilty to a felony count of battery with serious…


Irvine Set to Impose Regulations on Electric Bikes

The Irvine City Council moved forward July 11 with plans to impose regulations on e-bikes, fearing that with their increasing popularity, e-bike riders have a higher risk of accidents and pose safety issues for residents. During the meeting, Vice Mayor Tammy Kim said she recently encountered a group of teenagers on e-bikes riding through the…


166 New Electric Vehicle Chargers Installed at Irvine’s Great Park

On July 11, city leaders in Irvine, California, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the addition of 166 Level 2 electric vehicle chargers at the Great Park—located at lots four, five, and six in the park. Mayor Farrah N. Khan said the installation takes the city one step closer to reaching its environmental goals, and the chargers…


Angels Broadcaster, Former Pitcher Still Going Strong After Life-Threatening Event

Approaching the four-year anniversary of a cardiac event that under most any other circumstances would have taken his life, Angels radio broadcaster and former major-league pitcher Mark Langston can joke about it. That is, after all, how baseball players, and former baseball players, usually deal with adversity and frightening situations. Mr. Langston was on the…


Newport Beach Bans Homeless Encampments in Front of Schools, Daycare Centers

The Newport Beach City Council unanimously approved July 11 an ordinance that bans homeless encampments that block public access to such facilities as schools, daycare centers, and public restrooms, as well as “unpermitted structures”—such as those made of wood pallets or lean-tos—of any kind even if the city’s only shelter is full. Tents, tarps, and…


Irvine Moves Forward With Transformation of Asphalt Plant

An asphalt plant in Irvine that has repeatedly been criticized by nearby residents for producing foul odors and potentially dangerous pollutants is on track to close in November, according to Irvine city officials. The city council approved the $285 million purchase of All American Asphalt in April after filing a public nuisance lawsuit against it…


More Than 350 Rescues Made in Huntington Beach in a Week Due to Rip Tides

An increase in rip tides and dangerous shore breaks has led to an increase in rescues at Huntington Beach, with more than 350 last week, according to a July 11 Instagram post by Huntington Beach lifeguards. In the post, lifeguards said they also had to take 10,250 preventative actions, like informing beachgoers of the ocean’s…


San Juan Capistrano Man Fatally Stabbed; Suspect at Large

Orange County sheriff’s investigators released a surveillance video photo of a suspect on July 12 in a fatal stabbing at the beginning of the year in San Juan Capistrano in the hopes it will prompt leads for an arrest. Investigators were looking for a suspect in the Jan. 14 killing of 30-year-old Jorge Marvin Guadarrama…