Anaheim and Rancho Santa Margarita officials are the latest in OC to tighten regulations on street vendors over health and safety concerns amid recent state laws that decriminalized street vending.
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 inFeatured Stories
Anaheim Begins Implementing Changes From Fall of Reform Debates
City officials have to use government phones and certain Disney employees have to register as lobbyists as reforms roll out in the wake of Anaheim’s corruption scandal.
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Orange County Voter Guide: March 2024 Primary Election
Here’s a rundown of some of Orange County’ biggest races and measures on the March 5 primary ballot.
Posted inAnaheim
OC Coroner: Former Anaheim Councilman Brandman Died of Meth Overdose
The report comes almost five months after former Councilman Jordan Brandman was found dead in his home.
Posted inAnaheim
Anaheim Changes How Political Candidates Fundraise in Wake of Corruption Scandal
Two city council members are also calling for city staff to make it easier for residents to navigate campaign finance disclosures on the city website.
Posted inAnaheim
Anaheim Questions if Public Dollars Were Used in Political Campaigns
For the first time, officials publicly responded to a scathing state audit alleging public money was used by the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce to help city council candidates and lobby elected officials.
Posted inIrvine
Pressure Remains on OC Officials to Take a Stand on Palestine and Israel
A host of Irvine and Santa Ana residents continue to press their elected officials to pass a resolution to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. Others want local officials to keep out of foreign affairs and focus on city business.
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Voters to Decide Who Sits on The Orange County Board of Education
Voters will pick who will fill three seats on the Orange County Board of Education this March 5 primary election – it could impact the growth of charter schools locally.
Posted inAnaheim
Will Anaheim Officials Discuss a State Audit on Poor Oversight of Tourism Dollars?
On Tuesday, city council members are expected to file their response to a California State Auditor Report alleging improper tourism dollar spending and a lack of city oversight.
Posted inAnaheim
Is it Legal to Spend Tourism Dollars to Lobby Elected Officials?
A state auditor report on Anaheim’s tourism bureau is raising questions if it is legal to use tourism dollars to lobby elected officials.
