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Voice of OC
Irvine Asks Future Homeowners to Sign Away Right to Sue Nearby Landfill
Irvine is about to welcome a new neighborhood on the northern edge of the city that’s about two miles away from the Bowerman Landfill, and they’re asking new homeowners to sign away their rights to sue the dump. Bowerman, the 13th largest dump in the country, is also...
Santana: Cyber Attacking Your Right to Know
On its face, the issue looks simple – like much of government policy. Public officials argue they need the ability to talk secretly among themselves about their computer vulnerabilities. That’s the aim of new legislation speeding through Sacramento and up for a close look tomorrow at the State Senate’s...
Orange County Grand Jury Blasts Uncoordinated Regulation of E-Bikes
Cities in Orange County have been creating new regulations for e-bikes for years, but a county grand jury investigation found that push for more rules has led to 34 different sets of rules across the county’s 34 cities. “There is an urgent need to have consistent ordinances for the...
La Habra Nixes Skatepark Security Due to Rocky Budget
Security guards at La Habra’s public skatepark are slated to disappear July 1 as Orange County’s most northern municipality heads into a rocky budget. Because expenditures outpaced tax revenues, La Habra City Council members had to make some cuts to the new 2024-2025 budget – including programs like CPR classes, a reduction in movies shown at the park during summer and a reduction in splash pad staffing.
New Taxes? Increasing Revenue in Orange County Amid Budget Shortfalls
As the start of a new fiscal year quickly approaches in July, city officials across Orange County are looking at ways to bring in new revenue and make spending cuts to keep critical municipal services afloat. It comes as a handful of cities in the county face multi-million dollar budget...
Kriz: Another Twenty Four People Died “Without Fixed Abode” in OC in May While County Contemplates Going “Back to the Future” in Response
Another Twenty Four people died “without fixed abode” in OC in May, their names are:. Bryce DAILEY who died on May 1st in Huntington Beach. Damien LAMERAY who died on May 6th in Huntington Beach. Julio HERNANDEZ who died on May 7th in Anaheim. Zunqi ZHOU who died...
First-of-its-Kind Project with Irvine Ranch Conservancy Brings Elementary School Through College Students Together for Habitat Restoration Research
The following is a press release from an organization unaffiliated with Voice of OC. The views expressed here are not those of Voice of OC. First-of-its-Kind Project with Irvine Ranch Conservancy Brings Elementary School Through College Students Together for Habitat Restoration Research. The pilot project is a collaborative partnership between...
Hiking to Understand the Role of Flowers in OC
It is through people that the flowers in Laguna Canyon continue to bloom. Whether it’s through the educational hikes that still happen to this day or past activism by public space advocates, residents can step foot to witness the beauty of the canyons. Community groups like The Laguna Canyon...
Huntington Beach Library Privatization Efforts Fizzle Out After Public Pushback
Huntington Beach officials won’t be outsourcing library management to a private company after council members publicly acknowledged staunch resident opposition against the move. The end of the privatization efforts come after the sole bidder withdrew its proposal at the 11th hour. [Read: Surf City’s Move to Privatize Public Libraries...
Free Things To Do This Weekend Across OC
Consider starting your weekend this Saturday by volunteering your time at the Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s Native Seed Farm, or by working on a creative project at the Placentia Library’s creative makerspace. On Sunday, consider a fitness-focused hike on Hicks Haul Road, or take the kids to the Anaheim...
Voice of OC Receives a Dozen Awards at 2024 OC Press Club Awards
The celebration of Voice of OC’s 15th Anniversary continues this week, with 12 awards from our peers in the Orange County Press Club, along with a shout-out from LA Times Columnist and local legend Gustavo Arellano, who co-hosted the event. Competing alongside large newsrooms like the LA Times, LAist,...
County of Orange Honored with 20 Awards for Innovation and Achievement
The following is a press release from an organization unaffiliated with Voice of OC. The views expressed here are not those of Voice of OC. County of Orange Honored with 20 Awards for Innovation and Achievement. Santa Ana, CA (June 18, 2024) —National Association of Counties (NACo) awarded eight County...
Anaheim Institutes Oversight of Controversial Tourism Bureau
Anaheim City Council members are increasing oversight of the city’s tourism bureau, Visit Anaheim, after a scathing state audit report found loose regulations on the tourism tax spending. In a report earlier this year, California Auditor Grant Parks found Visit Anaheim gave tourism dollars – a self-assessed hotel tax...
Santa Ana Police Get $27M Contract Amid Looming Revenue Cliff
Cops in Santa Ana are getting a pay raise as part of a new three and half year contract with the Police Officers Association that will cost the city over $27 million. The raises come amid concerns that city revenue will drop by $30 million in five years. The funding...
Contreras, Perea and La: It’s Time for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department to End All ICE Transfers
Earlier this year, the Harbor Institute for Immigrant and Economic Justice released an analysis of data from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) reflecting transfers of community members to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. Last year, OCSD transferred 221 individuals to ICE. Most were Mexican, Vietnamese, and Central American community members.
Charter School Principal Appointed to OC Department of Education Superintendent
Orange County voters have a new county superintendent for the first time in over a decade, but it isn’t one they picked. It’s someone they rejected at the ballot box two years ago. With little public discussion, members of the Orange County Board of Education unanimously appointed Stefan...
Can Santa Ana Afford a $27 Million Police Raise?
Santa Ana City Council members are expected to approve a new contract Tuesday with the police union that will cost taxpayers over $27 million in the next three and half years and bump up pay for local officers. It comes as city staff project a $30 million drop in sales...
Surf City’s Move to Privatize Public Libraries Falls Apart at 11th Hour
The day before Huntington Beach city officials were set to consider turning library management over to a private organization, the final remaining company withdrew its bid. Surf City officials have spent months debating the future of the city’s libraries, including what books should be allowed to enter the library and whether library management should be outsourced to a private company.
Slow Down: Anaheim to Lower Speed Limits on Major Roads
Anaheim officials are moving to slow drivers down across 169 segments of roadway in Anaheim including parts of Brookhurst Street, Lincoln Avenue, State College Boulevard and Katella Avenue under a new speed limit law. Last week, city council members voted unanimously to introduce a new law that will decrease the...
Santana: The Chicano Gothic Mural at Santa Ana’s Memorial Park Pool Will Be Preserved
Santa Ana city officials will preserve the iconic Chicano Gothic mural as part of the Memorial Park pool renovation. That clear sentiment – through a unanimous city council vote earlier this month – came on the heels of a wave of resident feedback and artist activism over concerns that city officials didn’t have mural restoration in their plans.
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