Tag: Orange County

Flood, Gale Advisories Issued for Storm in Orange County

Orange County was bracing for possible mountain flooding, gale winds, and heavy rains as voters head to the polls for midterm elections Nov. 8. A winter storm rolled into the region on Monday with light rain but was expected to bring heavy rainfall overnight, soaking the Santa Ana Mountains with about two to four inches,…


Bus Service Resumes in Orange County for Election Day

ORANGE, Calif.—Bus service resumed Nov. 7 amid ongoing negotiations between the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and the union representing its maintenance workers, but the reprieve could be short-lived, with the union threatening to return to the picket lines after Election Day if no agreement is reached. Negotiations resumed over the weekend, offering hope for…


Last Minute Candidate Forum Featuring State and Local Candidates, Kelly Ernby Inspired

SANTA ANA, Calif.—As election season draws to a close, candidates for local and state offices discussed Nov. 2 their campaigns and outlined what they said were the most pressing issues facing their respective areas. Candidates for Santa Ana mayor and city council were in attendance at the forum, which was sponsored by BASTA—founded in 2021…


Free Compost Available for Orange County Residents Nov. 5

Residents of Orange County, California, can pick up free compost this Saturday, Nov. 5, from three different locations as the OC Waste & Recycling—which manages waste and landfills in the county—is working to recycle organic waste. “OC Waste & Recycling creates quality compost material from green waste collected from homes across Orange County. … Our…


Newsom, Foley Buying Votes with Tax Dollars

Commentary Who doesn’t like free money? With tax revenues overflowing from a $100 billion surplus, Gov. Gavin Newsom and state legislators “returned” $9.5 billion of that to taxpayers. The checks—really electronic transfers to bank accounts or debit cards—have been going out the last couple of weeks. About two-thirds of California households will receive the Middle…


Newsom, Foley Distributing Tax Dollars to Californians Before Election

Commentary Who doesn’t like free money? With tax revenues overflowing from a $100 billion surplus, Gov. Gavin Newsom and state legislators “returned” $9.5 billion of that to taxpayers. The checks—really electronic transfers to bank accounts or debit cards—have been going out the last couple of weeks. About two-thirds of California households will receive the Middle…


Fullerton Passes on County Fire Plan, Will Rebuild Own Department

The City of Fullerton, California, will retain control over the city’s fire department after a heated meeting Oct. 18 ended in a 3–2 vote not to contract with the Orange County Fire Authority. A dissenter alleged the council has failed the public. The city will implement Fire Chief Adam Loeser’s plan to rebuild its fire…


Breaking Down Anaheim’s Measure J: Hotel Tax

Voters in Anaheim, California, will decide Nov. 8 on Measure J, which would require online travel companies to be taxed as much as hotels whenever a room is booked. Typically, hotel guests in the city that book a room through an online travel agency, like Expedia or Travelocity, pay less tax than directly booking through…


Orange County Issues Emergency Declaration Due to Rising RSV Cases

SANTA ANA, Calif.—Citing a record number of pediatric hospitalizations and emergency room visits, Orange County was under a health emergency declaration Oct. 1, with the county health officer pointing to a sharp rise in cases of the respiratory infection RSV, combined with COVID-19 and flu. Cases of RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, have been on…


Majority of SoCal Cities Miss State Housing Plan Deadline, Face Possible Consequences

Sixty-one percent of Southern California cities failed to have an approved housing element plan by the Oct. 15 deadline—as mandated by the state—and now face possible consequences including loss of state funding, less control over certain development projects, and a shortened period for rezoning. The state has required cities and counties to update their housing…