While the Laguna Beach city manager said she doesn’t have enough staff to publish city council agendas sooner, residents are calling for increased transparency in the city.
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 inEducation
Tim Shaw Keeps OC Board of Education Seat For Now, Lawsuit Continues in March
OC Superior Court Judge Martha Gooding scheduled another hearing for next month, but said the case was by no means a “slam dunk,” for either side.
Posted inEducation
OC Judge to Determine if Board of Education Illegally Appointed Tim Shaw
The case comes after the board appointed Tim Shaw less than two months after he resigned the elected seat, opening questions on if they violated state law.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
California’s Mask Mandate Ends. Did Orange County Ever Follow It?
Even with the lifting of the mandate, local health officials are recommending people keep their masks on indoors.
Posted inSafety, Security & Justice
People in OC Jails Say They’re Still Fed Moldy Food, Sheriff Department Disputes Claims
A report by a coalition dedicated to reducing jail populations says people behind bars have been fed rotten food over the past two years.
Posted inPolitics & Elections
County of Orange Will Have a New Top Elections Official Ahead of June Primary
San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters Bob Page will take over as OC’s new election chief ahead of the June primary elections, but has far less experience than the outgoing registrar.
Posted inEducation
A North OC School District Jumps Into the Battle Over Student Vaccine Mandate
Placentia-Yorba Linda joins some other OC school districts opposing the incoming COVID vaccine mandates, which aren’t expected until the FDA fully authorizes it for younger children.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
Orange County Cities Continue Grappling With State Mandated Housing Goals This Week
With an upcoming state deadline, cities are adopting plans that could bring almost 200,000 new homes to OC in the next eight years amid California’s housing crisis.
Posted inCountywide
County Board of Education Sued For Reappointing One Of Its Members After Resignation
The suit targets trustee Tim Shaw again, arguing his reappointment to the board last year violated state law.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
More OC Cities Adopt Housing Plans After a Battle Against State Housing Mandates
With an approaching deadline, Orange County cities are approving their housing plans while trying to zone for the state-mandated 180,00 new homes throughout the county.
