Laguna Beach Calls on County to Cut Herbicide Use in Local Creek

Laguna Beach is looking to ask the OC Board of Supervisors to include Aliso Creek in their year-long pilot to cut down on herbicides and seek new vegetation removal methods, after residents voiced concerns of health and environmental issues.

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Santa Ana Officials Ask to Join State Speed Camera Pilot Program

Officials are calling on state legislators to amend a California law in order to take part in a speed camera pilot program in an effort to curb traffic accidents and deaths.

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Stockstill: Dreaming the Impossible Dream at the Historic Tustin Blimp Hangars

The City of Tustin continues to seek reuse of the giant South Hangar at Tustin Legacy. The writer recounts his dealings with the now-burned down North Hangar and suggests that looking to Moffett Field's success by teaming with Google could provide a path forward for Tustin. Also, some little known history about the hangars is included.

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Newport Beach Asks Judge to Block Ballot Initiative Aimed at Limiting Housing

A decision on whether the initiative goes on the ballot must be made in the next month for it to qualify for the November election, according to the county registrar.

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Judge Greenlights State Audit of Huntington Beach’s Controversial Pacific Airshow Deal 

It’s yet another court loss for Surf City, who've faced a series of lawsuits where they unsuccessfully argued their charter city status protected them from state law.

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Anaheim Marriott Pays Nearly $3 Million to Laid-Off Workers After Alleged Labor Law Violation

Anaheim Marriott executives have agreed to pay $2.75 million for over two dozen workers laid-off during the COVID-19 pandemic after allegedly violating a state worker recall law.

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Irvine to Split Ad Revenue With Incoming Great Park Baseball Team

A yet-to-be-named professional baseball team from the MLB-partnered Pioneer Baseball League will use the Great Park Baseball Stadium for its home games as the city faces projected budget deficits.

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Irvine Brings its Longest Serving City Manager Out of Retirement Amid Budget Crisis

After nearly a decade away, Irvine is bringing back an old city manager to fill in while they look for someone new to take over the role while grappling with bleak budget forecasts.

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Brea Bumps Up Political Donation Limits Ahead of Election

Brea City Council members new donation limit now allows contributions of up to $5,900 ahead of November’s election.

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Costco Is Coming to Brea As Concerns Grow Over Controversial Tax-Sharing Agreement

Brea leaders approved a tax-sharing agreement with the land owner that paved the way for the big box store and gas station while some residents question if the negotiations violated the state’s open m...

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Homeless Pets at Orange County’s Animal Shelter Need Homes This Summer

As of July 30, there are 105 dogs and 214 cats at OC Animal Care in Tustin waiting to be adopted.

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Orange County’s Biggest Civic Headlines as Schools Move to Limit Phone Use

School districts across California are limiting phone use under a new state law, Irvine faces questions over the shooting death of an autistic man – these are some of this week’s biggest civic headlines.

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Grindle and Galasso: The Rink on the Brink of Destruction

The Holiday Skate Center in Orange has been operating over 50 years under a lease with the landowners who now want to achieve the “highest and best use” by seeking a rezoning from Commercial to Residential.  To grant this request, the Orange City Council would be violating the City’s Vision for Orange 2030 goals and policies, including preserving successful commercial businesses and protecting recreational opportunities.

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Orange Moves to Ban Smoking in Public Parks

Orange city council is looking to clamp down on smoking and vaping in public parks, a move that city officials have previously looked to as an option to curb homelessness.

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Santa Ana Community Gardens’ Future Shrouded in Confusion, Transparency Concerns

Questions are mounting over the future of the city’s beloved community gardens after conflicting information from city staff and city management about the program in the wake of budget cuts.

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Does Orange County’s Animal Care Director Live in California?

The head of Orange County’s embattled animal shelter is facing questions over remote work, with questions about how much time she spends between Texas and California.

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Santana: OC Water District Called Out For Illegally Bulldozing Bird Nest in Santa Ana River

State regulators say the Orange County Water District illegally bulldozed a migratory bird nest in the Santa Ana River – a claim the district denies – as state and water district officials are expected to meet on the issue.

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Irvine Moves to Ban Synthetic Kratom and Whippets

City leaders are looking to ban the sale of the substances in the city, following the lead of several other Orange County cities that have already made the move.

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Anaheim Backs Off Asking Voters to Tax Ubers & Lyfts to Disneyland

Officials will not move forward with a proposed ballot measure that if approved would tax certain ridesharing trips to local city attractions like Disneyland.

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Yorba Linda Moves to Get Approved Housing Plan to Avoid State Legal Threat

City officials updated the city’s zoning code to ensure that their 2021-29 housing plan is compliant with state law after the state sued Costa Mesa lawsuit over lack of a compliant housing plan.

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Kriz: Fifteen People Died “Without Fixed Abode” in OC in June 2026, the Lowest Monthly Total Since 2019, and Much Else May be Going Better

Another 15 people died without fixed abode in OC in June 2026.  However, that is the lowest monthly total since 2019 (before Covid-19), and many other things seem to be going better on the homeless front here.  Is it a trend, or is it just luck?  The coming months, year or two will help us to see. 

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Anaheim May Ask Voters to Tax Disneyland Ubers & Lyfts

Voters may decide in November if they want to tax ridesharing apps when they pick up and drop off visitors at the city’s most popular attractions including the Disneyland Resort.

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Family of Autistic Man Killed by Irvine Police Question What Went Wrong in Fatal Encounter

The shooting came after police had been called to the house multiple times, but family members say Daniel Meltvedt could have been talked down.

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Santana: Ladera Ranch Sparks National Debate on Tackling Toxics

Facing mounting concerns about kids getting rare cancers, Ladera Ranch residents are asking tough questions about the health impacts from herbicides and pesticides used in landscaping as well as other environmental factors like power lines.

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Orange County Mosquito Control Warns of West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus is spreading across Orange County as the season’s temperatures rise.

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Voters Across OC to Decide on Tax Hikes in November Amid Budget Woes

Costa Mesa officials are joining a host of other cities asking voters to consider raising taxes in November as elected officials across the region grapple with budget gaps.

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Orange County Schools Limit Student Phone Access Under State Law

The policies, which school districts were required to approve by July 1, are set to go into effect for the upcoming school year and are part of a new state law aimed at limiting phone time for students.

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These Feline Friends at Orange County Animal Care Need Homes

As of July 23, there are 76 dogs and 216 cats at OC Animal Care in Tustin waiting to be adopted.

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An Orange County Horse Therapy Clinic Helps Kids With Disabilities Live Better Lives

Through unexpected friends, kids are getting help to conquer challenges associated with disabilities through Surf and Turf therapy.

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OC’s Civic Headlines as Fullerton Moves to Defund 35 Vacant Staff Positions

Fullerton officials are looking to defund 35 vacant positions to stave off a yearslong budget deficit, Costa Mesa officials decided to keep the controversial license plate readers – these are some of this week’s biggest civic headlines.

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