With thousands of county residents forced to evacuate during three wildfires in the last months of 2020, public agencies struggled to coordinate and get timely information to the public on where to go and what to do.
Author Archives: Noah Biesiada
Noah Biesiada serves as Voice of OC’s county reporter, covering the county board of supervisors and the $9 billion government they oversee.
Biesiada started as an intern in July 2019, helping launch Voice of OC’s disaster news coverage and report on the cities of south Orange County such as Irvine, Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, and other coastal cities like Huntington Beach and San Clemente.
Currently, Biesiada’s reporting is focused on county agencies such as the sheriff’s department, the courts, and other departments along with the cities of Irvine and Huntington Beach.
His reporting has led to a host of reforms across Orange County governments including the Orange County Power Authority, the OC Fire Authority and Irvine’s Great Park.
He’s won several awards from state and local press organizations for his reporting on the county’s disaster preparedness, breaking news and other investigations and won 2023 Online Journalist of the Year from the LA Press Club.
Languages spoken: English
Contact: nbiesiada@voiceofoc.org
Posted inSan Clemente
San Clemente Councilwoman Considers Suing Her Own City Over Official Censure For Releasing Records
Councilwoman Laura Ferguson is considering going to court to force a more public discussion.
Posted inIrvine
Irvine City Council Reaffirms Controversial Agenda Setting Policy Over Public Concerns
The rule now permanently require at least two council members move to agendize an item for discussion, residents fear that voices in the council political minority will be silenced.
Posted inIrvine
Irvine Council To Vote On Controversial Agenda Setting Policy After Initial Delay
After punting on the topic at their last meeting to allow input by the new council members, Irvine leaders will decide who ultimately has the power to start a discussion.
Posted inEmergencies & Disasters
As OC Bond Fire Evacuations End, Residents Call Out Failures in Wildfire Emergency Communications
After their second evacuation in two months, canyon residents note poor public communication in evacuations.
Posted inEmergencies & Disasters
Silverado Canyon Burns Again As Bond Fire Erupts Under High Winds
Evacuation zones for the rapidly-growing Bond Fire are being expanded to thousands more residents in communities near Orange County’s inland canyons, as Orange County’s third major wildfire of the season burns south from the canyon community of Silverado.
Posted inGovernment
Irvine City Council Approves Councilman Mike Carroll’s Mailer Spending Despite City Policy Violation
In a 3-2 vote, the council approved a transfer of $30,000 from Carroll’s staff budget to cover costs on a series of mailers he sent out from July through October.
Posted inWater, Power & Waste
As Orange County Cities Consider A New Public Utility Program, Final Costs Remain Unclear
As city councils across the county consider joining a public energy program, politicians debate what the benefits are behind a new green energy program.
Posted inSan Clemente
San Clemente City Council Censures One Of Their Own For Speaking Out Against City Staff
After a six hour discussion, council members on both sides of the aisle voted to censure Councilwoman Laura Ferguson’s past actions publicly questioning city leadership and the release of confidential records.
Posted inIrvine
Irvine City Council To Vote On Councilman Carroll’s Mailer Spending
Nearly two months after the mailers became public knowledge, the council is set to discuss whether or not Carroll was allowed to move $30,000 of his staff budget to mailers.
