While the cases stretch across two separate lawsuits, they’re all aimed at the same question: did councilmembers illegally extend their own terms?
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 inPolitics & Elections
A Top California Democratic Party Official Resigns After FBI Arrest Becomes Public
Melehat Rafiei resigned Sunday night after party officials called on her to quit this week following publication of court documents in an FBI corruption probe touching on both Anaheim and Irvine.
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Orange County Democrats Consider Future of a Party Leader After Learning of FBI Arrest
OC Democratic Party leader Ada Briceño calls for Melahat Rafiei to resign. Others now say she should step aside as investigations take their course.
Posted inOutdoors
The Great Park Reboot: Will Residents Get A Voice This Time?
Irvine City Council members are debating creating a resident task force to hear what taxpayers want at the county’s largest civic construction project.
Posted inGovernment
Tackling Catalytic Converter Theft: Some Orange County Cities Now Require Proof of Ownership
While local officials are trying to crack down on widespread catalytic converter theft, some cities will require people to prove they own converters that aren’t attached to a car.
Posted inSafety, Security & Justice
Multiple People Shot, One Dead, at Laguna Woods Church, Says OC Sheriff
OC Sheriff official say churchgoers wrestled the shooter down and hogtied him with an extension cord before deputies arrived.
Posted inEmergencies & Disasters
Coastal Fire Continues Burning in Laguna Niguel, At Least 20 Buildings Caught in Wildfire
Most of the damage has landed in Laguna Niguel after the wind abruptly changed directions yesterday afternoon, forcing the evacuation of over 100 houses, according to the OC Sheriff’s Department.
Posted inEducation
State AG Greenlights Lawsuit That Could Oust Another OC Board of Education Member
Trustee Beckie Gomez is now faced with two options: resign, or fight for her seat in court after a judge ruled to temporarily remove Tim Shaw from the board in a similar lawsuit.
Posted inEmergencies & Disasters
South OC Starts Evacuation As Firefighters Respond To Brush Fire In Aliso Canyon
The fire was first reported shortly after 3:00 Wednesday afternoon, with officials in Laguna Beach and Laguna Niguel beginning evacuations.
Posted inEducation
Who Should Voters Trust to Run Orange County’s Board of Education?
Three of the four members of the board’s majority are on the ballot, and some are facing stiff competition to hang onto their seats.
