Tag: Orange County

Suspected Human Remains Found in Blocked Pipe in Costa Mesa

COSTA MESA, Calif.—A blocked pipe at the Costa Mesa (55) Freeway at Baker Street might have human remains in it, officials said Oct. 18 as efforts were underway to clear the pipe. Caltrans and California Highway Patrol (CHP) officials became aware of the blockage Monday and requested that coroner’s officials be on hand when the…


Orange County Romance Scammer Pleads Guilty to Defrauding 19 Victims

LOS ANGELES—An Irvine man pleaded guilty Oct. 17 to federal charges for defrauding at least $250,000 from nearly 20 former romantic partners and others and using their personal information to obtain credit. Ze’Shawn Stanley Campbell, 35, entered his plea to one federal count each of wire fraud and unlawful monetary transactions, according to the U.S….


Middletown, New York, Plainclothes Officers Made 229 Arrests in Four Months

Plainclothes officers made 229 arrests on three rounds of assignments between April and August in Middletown, New York, according to police chief John Ewanciw. The offenses range from criminal possession of weapons, appearing in public under drug influence, robberies, aggravated assaults, and thefts to city code violations. These arrests account for nearly a quarter of…


CEO of Orange County Low-Income Health Insurer Given $280,000 Raise

CalOptima, a public health insurance company for low-income residents in Orange County, awarded its chief executive Michael Hunn a 50-percent raise plus additional benefits this month. Eight months after officially hiring Hunn as CEO, the CalOptima Board of Directors voted Oct. 6 to increase his salary from $560,000 to $841,500 a year—or $70,125 every month, before…


Speak up Newport Hosts Forum for State and Federal Candidates

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.—Candidates for Congress, and state Senate and Assembly debated Oct. 12 at Speak Up Newport’s candidate forum over issues such as local government control, crime, and homelessness. Assembly District 72 In attendance was Newport Beach City Councilwoman Diane Dixon, who is seeking election for the 72nd Assembly District. The district includes the coastal…


Biden’s Irvine Visit Promotes Katie Porter, Lower Prescription Prices

IRVINE, Calif.—President Joe Biden traveled to Orange County Oct. 14 and touted his administration’s efforts to lower prescription drug and medical costs for American families. After arriving at John Wayne Airport from Santa Monica Airport shortly before 2 p.m., he spoke to a crowd of roughly 100 people within a brick enclave on the Irvine…


Anthony Williams of Huntington Beach Appointed to California Fish and Game Commission

Anthony C. Williams, a Democrat from Huntington Beach, was appointed to the California Fish and Game Commission—which works with the California Department of Fish and Game to protect wildlife and the ecosystem in the state—by Gov. Gavin Newsom, whose office announced Oct. 5. Williams, 54, was the director of public policy for Amazon for two…


Orange Coast College Launches Career Mentorship Program

College students will have the opportunity to learn about and prepare for future career paths through Orange Coast College’s new career mentor program. The community college, located in Costa Mesa, announced last month it is partnering with Mentor Collective—an organization that connects students with one-on-one mentors—to bring this program to its students for free. Director…


Irvine Unified Candidates Debate Board Policy, Parent Rights at Forum

The three candidates running for the Irvine Unified School Board displayed three very different approaches to board policy and parent rights in a forum hosted by the Irvine Unified Council Parent Teacher Association Oct. 12. Business owner Marlene Bronson, Irvine Unified parent Katie McEwen, and education and health advocate Debra Kamm are vying for the…


Costa Mesa Officials Seek $3.5 Million to Redevelop Former Mental Hospital Into Housing

Costa Mesa city councilors voted unanimously Oct. 4 for a request for proposals of $3.5 million in state funds, which will be spent in planning for the redevelopment of a former mental hospital into residential and commercial properties. Located just south of Harbor Boulevard and Adams Avenue, the 100-acre property was formerly the city’s Fairview…