The Anaheim Chamber of Commerce is expected to close its doors at the end of the month – years after a corruption scandal rocked city hall and resort interests.
Author Archives: Hosam Elattar
Hosam Elattar is a Voice of OC/ Report For America reporter covering Anaheim & North Orange County, food insecurity, housing & homelessness, the Arab & Muslim American community and education.
Elattar started at Voice of OC as an intern in January, 2020 and has covered local food banks’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic, School board debates on how to teach history, the decades long push by Arab American business owners to recognize Little Arabia and a corruption scandal at Anaheim City Hall.
He has won several awards from the OC Press Club including Best News Story, Best Political Story and Best Religion Story.
Elattar is Egyptian American and has lived in Botswana, Nepal, Uganda, The Dominican Republic and India.
Posted inAnaheim
Tourism Bureau to Repay Anaheim $3 Million From Controversial Pandemic Bailout
A scathing report from independent investigators showed Visit Anaheim redirected $1.5 million of the overall $6.5 million bailout to a chamber of commerce-controlled nonprofit.
Posted inAnaheim
Anaheim Could Publicly Discuss Angel Stadium’s Future
One city councilwoman is calling for a public update on the future of Angel Stadium following a state audit and mounting questions over whether another stadium land sale or new lease is coming to Anaheim.
Posted inAnaheim
Anaheim Reaffirms ‘Welcoming City’ Stance Amidst Deportation Fears
Facing pressure to respond to a federal immigration crackdown, elected officials are reiterating that Anaheim is a “welcoming city” without strengthening protections for undocumented immigrants some local activists have called for.
Posted inAnaheim
Questions Persist Over $1.5 Million Anaheim Wants Back From Tourism Bureau
Questions remain if Visit Anaheim will pay the city back $1.5 million in COVID bailout dollars more than a year since state auditors said the tourism bureau never needed the money. Meanwhile, city council members have been privately meeting with the Visit Anaheim.
Posted inFullerton
Fullerton to Bring Ambulance Services In-House
Officials say bringing ambulance services in-house will save the city hundreds of thousands of dollars annually and improve response times. Critics say the proposal needs to be better vetted before moving forward.
Posted inFullerton
Fullerton Publication Policy Raises Censorship Concerns
Residents are raising First Amendment concerns about a new policy restricting where newspapers can be placed in public properties in Fullerton and say it is aimed at censoring local blogs and newspapers.
Posted inState
Casting a Light on the Hidden Inequities in OC’s Middle Eastern Community
OC officials are increasingly supporting a new state bill that advocates say would shed light on the unknown inequities facing Middle Eastern and North African residents when it comes to education, healthcare and public financial support.
Posted inTop Stories
CA Auditors: Anaheim Doesn’t Know if Angel Stadium is Trashed
While state auditors couldn’t find evidence of the Angels violating their lease agreement, they say the city needs to step up its oversight of the stadium – particularly on the ballclub’s maintenance responsibilities.
Posted inALL TOP STORIES
Will Rancho Santa Margarita Officials Launch Their Own After School Program?
With the city’s branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley set to close in August, residents are questioning how the city will replace the afterschool program.
