OC’s Civic Headlines as Audit Shows More Contracting Issues at County
A recent internal audit shows more problematic contracts county officials entered into during the pandemic, food insecurity increases throughout Orange County – these are some of this week’s biggest civic headlines.
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Orange County Run Clubs Race Toward Healthy Habits, Strong Communities
From casual jogs to organized community runs, Orange County’s growing run club scene is turning exercise into a shared social experience.
Clear the Shelters: Hundreds of Homeless Pets Available at OC Animal Care
As of Aug. 13, there are 86 dogs and 205 cats at OC Animal Care in Tustin waiting to be adopted.
Buena Park Moves to Overhaul Valley View to Make a Smoother Drive
Buena Park is spearheading efforts to repave and boost the quality of Valley View Street through two other cities in an effort to make the drive smoother by repairing aging portions of the road.
Residents Might Get Compensation for Garden Grove Chemical Tank Emergency
Residents affected by the chemical tank incident in May might be able to submit claims for any losses from GKN Aerospace, the company who owns the tank.
Supervisors Punt Again on Dana Point Harbor Renovation Deal, Leaving Hotels in Limbo
It’s unclear when supervisors will finalize the deal, which will determine if two new hotels get built at the harbor and determine whether hundreds of millions of dollars of revenue come in to Dana Point and the county government.
Audit Reveals More Questionable Spending Under OC Supervisor Imprisoned for Corruption
Concerns about a possible conflict of interest reached the county CEO’s office early, but were quashed after former OC Supervisor Andrew Do’s staff insisted there was no issue.
Irvine Officials Look to Increase Job Protections For Grocery Store Workers
A council majority supported bringing back a grocery worker retention ordinance that would require grocers to keep on the same employees for at least 90 days if ownership changes hands.
Orange County’s Food Insecurity Continues Growing as Food Stamp Cuts Loom
Food bank leaders say a federal law changing food stamp eligibility rules has led tens of thousands of residents to lose their benefits as hunger is continuing to rise in OC.
Brea Leaders Commit to Openness on Costco Deal, Deny Talks Violated CA Open Meeting Laws
City leaders made a commitment to transparency after receiving a complaint from a law firm representing residents but denied allegations of any Brown Act violations.
Irvine Looks to Protect Grocery Worker Jobs
The city council is set to consider a grocery store worker retention ordinance that would require large chain grocery stores to keep the same staff for 90 days if ownership changes hands.
Santana: Who’s Influencing Orange County’s Government
Two Orange County Supervisors are proposing that lobbyists publicly detail who they meet with inside the county government. Yet there’s seemingly little taste for a similar standard for county supervisors.
INSIDE THE NEWSROOM
Voice of OC Wins Six First-Place Awards from State Publishers and Four Second-Place Awards from LA Press Club
News staff was recognized more than 50 times in 29 categories including Photojournalism, Public Service, Breaking News, and Local Government.
Voice of OC: A Pioneer in Nonprofit News
Voice of OC Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Norberto Santana Jr. selected as winner of the 2026 INN Service to Nonprofit News award.
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