Orange County Corruption Scandal
Anaheim Tightens Electronic Device Policy After Probe Finds Disregard for Records Law
City officials are also moving to keep emails for two years now, instead of the 90-day window that’s currently in place and require staff to use government devices for city business.
“I appreciate having solid local news coverage and taking on entrenched interests that have evaded accountability. ”
Ryan W.
OTHER NEWS
Former Anaheim Councilman Jordan Brandman Dead at 43
The former councilman had a controversial tenure in public office, known as a staunch advocate of Disneyland resort interests and the controversial and ill-fated attempt to sell off Angel Stadium.
Chino Hills State Park, A Refuge From Urban Living
The 14,102 acre state park includes nearly 90 miles of trails and open space allowing visitors an outlet from urbanization in California’s natural wilderness.
A Controversial Past Haunts Orange County’s CARE Court Judge
A new controversial program that could push mentally ill and disabled residents into court-mandated programs is being run by a former prosecutor with a history of violating defendants’ civil rights.
Anaheim Voters Consider $25 Minimum Wage on Hotel Workers
Voters in Anaheim will decide Tuesday whether to increase the minimum wage for hotel and event workers amid strikes and the continued fallout from public corruption.
California Attorney General Warns Huntington Beach Against Implementing Voter ID Law
As Surf City politicians have been considering asking voters to implement voter ID laws, the Golden State’s top cop warned against the move on Thursday.
Orange County’s Housing Voucher Application Ends Tomorrow
The Orange County Housing Authority will be closing its application window for residents to be put on the waitlist for a federally funded rent subsidy program.
Orange County Cities Crack Down on E-Bikes With Stricter Regulations
Huntington Beach is the latest city to increase restrictions on e-bikes, while Irvine studies how many accidents are going on in town.
Mission Viejo Increases Subsidy for Swim Team Facilities
The council voted to reshuffle what the city is paying for, increasing the cost by about $20,000 for a total yearly amount of roughly $390,000.
Santa Ana Police Chief to Retire Amidst City Hall Tumult
In his retirement letter, Police Chief David Valentin said his tenure should be an example to city officials to stand up against police union interests.
Orange County Sheriffs Department Lost Over $2 Million of Equipment
County supervisors didn’t ask any questions about where the equipment ended up, and the sheriff’s department didn’t respond to questions on how $2 million in inventory disappeared.
COROVONAVIRUS OC
DAILY: As of Thursday, Jan. 19: 1,515 new weekly cases, a 10.4% 7-day positivity rate, 23 new deaths (7,765 total) and 248 hospitalizations with 28 in ICU, per OC Health Care Agency data.
VACCINES: As of the most recent vaccine data through Monday, Jan. 23, 2,365,942 people are fully vaccinated and 225,350 people have at least one dose, according to the OC Health Care Agency. The agency shows 1,445,113 residents have a booster dose.
INSIDE THE NEWSROOM
Wylie Aitken Joins The American Film Institute’s Board of Trustees
Aitken joins the AFI Board of Trustees along with Pamela Abdy, CEO of Warner Bros. Pictures Group and Ariana DeBose, an Academy Award® winning actress.
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Columnists
NORBERTO SANTANA, JR.
A pioneering leader in the nation’s rising nonprofit news movement and an award-winning journalist. Santana has established Voice of OC as the county’s civic news leader, uncovered the truths across Southern California governments for more than two decades and reported on Congress and Latin America.
ANNE MARIE PANORINGAN
Voice of OC’s food columnist — reporting on industry news, current events and trends. Panoringan has been writing about food for 8 years — interviewing more than 330 chefs and industry professionals. She has been recognized by the OC Press Club and is a recurring guest on AM 830’s SoCal Restaurant Show.
JULIE LEOPO
An award-winning photojournalist and visuals director. Leopo has captured a wide array of photographs visually documenting the news and soul of Orange County local government and community. Her work has also appeared in Vice, KCET, Ed Source, The California Endowment and OC Weekly.
PAUL HODGINS
An award-winning arts journalist, co-founder of Voice of OC’s Arts & Culture section and a USC professor. He was previously, an arts writer and critic at the OC Register and San Diego Union-Tribune. He holds degrees from USC, the University of Michigan and the Royal Conservatory of Music.
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