Category: Southern California OC News

Construction Worker Severely Beaten by Crowd in Garden Grove, Suspects Wanted

Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the June 20 assault of a construction worker to come forward, after the man was attacked in Garden Grove by a group of men, resulting in skull fractures and severe brain injuries. Carlos Ayala, 54, was beaten while working a job with co-workers paving the parking lot…


Huntington Beach OKs $5.4 Million Budget, Controversial Proposed Cuts Avoided

Huntington Beach councilors on June 26 unanimously approved a $5.4 million 2023-24 fiscal year budget—which begins July 1—after an hours-long discussion which attracted over 100 residents, many of whom were concerned about a proposal posted online the Friday before the special meeting that showed the possibility of some services being cut, including at the city’s…


Fun Things to Do in Orange County to Celebrate July Fourth

Fourth of July Celebration and Summer Carnival Looking for Independence Day celebrations over the weekend? The summer carnival at the San Juan Capistrano Sports Park will feature over 20 thrill rides, picnic games, food vendors, a beer and wine garden, and spectacular fireworks to close out the festivities. 25925 Camino del Avion, San Juan Capistrano….


Costa Mesa Approves $4 Million to Convert Travelodge Motel Into Supportive Housing

Costa Mesa is taking strides to expand affordable housing in the city, as officials June 20 approved $4 million towards the conversion of a Travelodge motel near the John Wayne Airport into 76 permanent supportive housing units for those at risk of homelessness. Councilors voted 4–1, with Councilman Don Harper opposed, to move forward with…


Man Charged With Driving Drunk, Causing Deadly Crash in Tustin

A 25-year-old Santa Ana man was charged June 28 with driving drunk and causing a crash that killed a woman in Tustin earlier that month. Gerardo Joaquin Garcia Lopez was charged with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury, and driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content…


Federal Judge Denies Santa Ana’s Bid to Dismiss Lawsuit by Christian Group Helping Homeless Through ‘Religious Exercise’

A federal judge earlier this month rejected the city of Santa Ana’s request to dismiss a lawsuit against them by a Christian nonprofit organization, which claims the city is blocking religious exercise by preventing them from providing food to the homeless. At issue is the city’s denial of an occupancy certificate to the nonprofit—called Micah’s…


Heat Wave Expected in Southern California This Weekend

Southern Californians should expect a hot and sunny weekend as the season’s first mini heat wave arrives. Cool and breezy days will be replaced by warmer temperatures Saturday and Sunday as thermometers climb 5 to 10 degrees in downtown Los Angeles and into the 90s in the valleys, according to the National Weather Service. “It’s…


Orange County Power Authority Survives Dissolution Vote by Board Members

The Orange County Power Authority (OCPA) survived a vote by its board to dissolve it during their June 21 board meeting. The issue was agendized by Board Director Casey McKeon, who is also a councilman for the City of Huntington Beach, which voted to leave the agency last month. “I don’t believe the errors and…


Santa Ana to Develop Volunteer Program After Clash With School District Over Crossing Guard Funding

The City of Santa Ana opted to replace its current school crossing guard program with a volunteer system after the city clashed with the Santa Ana Unified School District over which entity should pay for the service for school children. Faced with a decision to renew its $7.7 million crossing guard program for the next…


Homeless Man Struck and Killed by Vehicle in Garden Grove

GARDEN GROVE, Calif.—A homeless man in his 40s was struck and killed by a vehicle June 25 morning in Garden Grove, authorities said. The woman behind the wheel of the truck that struck the pedestrian suffered head and leg injuries when the vehicle struck a tree. She was the lone occupant inside the vehicle, said…