After receiving the second half of their $128 million federal COVID bailout money, Santa Ana officials look to spend it on parks, assistance programs, renovations and more.
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 inCountywide
Which Cities Offer The Best Public Pool Access in Orange County?
Depending on where you live in Orange County, there’s a wide disparity between how close the nearest pool is.
Posted inAnaheim
Is Anaheim Poised to Crack Down on Street Vending?
Some Anaheim officials look to crack down on street vendors, while others look for balance amid concerns about human exploitation and unfair competition from small business owners.
Posted inPolitics & Elections
More Orange County Cities Resist Calls to Switch to District Elections
As officials in Brea, Cypress and Irvine refuse to switch to district elections despite a legal threat, La Palma – one of OC’s smallest cities – looks to change their election system.
Posted inState
California Fast Food Workers Demand a Seat at the Table
Fast food workers led a caravan through Orange County Wednesday advocating for a state bill they say will give them a voice in deliberations on industry standards and pay.
Posted inAnaheim
Orange County’s Largest City Only Has One Public Pool
Anaheim officials also face pressure from some residents and one councilman to build another public pool and increase community services.
Posted inGovernment
More OC Cities Disclose Their Police Departments’ Weapon Inventory
AR-15 style rifles, flashbang grenades, armored vehicles and drones – these are just a sample of the equipment and weapons local OC police departments have in their inventory.
Posted inCountywide
Orange County Pharmacists Ready to Strike Over Alleged Anti-Union Practices
After vaccinating people during the pandemic, pharmacists at grocery store chains are ready to strike as they push for wage raises, better staffing and minimum hours for part-time workers.
Posted inAnaheim
Borrowing to Meet Budget, Anaheim Passes on Disneyland Ticket Tax
Despite facing budget deficits and increasing pressure to deliver on things like pools, parks and libraries, Anaheim’s city council majority takes an entertainment venue tax off the table.
Posted inCypress
Cypress Sued For Violating Voting Rights Act After Refusing District Elections
The small northwest city is the most recent OC municipality to undergo a legal challenge for hosting at-large elections, which some say promote racially-polarized voting.
