Multiple city councils throughout the county are discussing how to allocate hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal grants aimed at improving community life.
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 inEducation
Tim Shaw Temporarily Removed From the Orange County Board of Education
Whether or not Shaw is permanently removed will be determined after OC Superior Court Judge Martha Gooding rules on the issue in the future.
Posted inHuntington Beach
Huntington Beach Begins Process To Remove City Attorney, Clerk, Treasurer From Ballot
Residents may get to decide if they want to give up their power to directly elect three city official positions including the city attorney. Critics call the move political.
Posted inIrvine
Questions Surface on Retail Businesses in Great Park as Development Ramps Up
While the city council continues approving projects with private funding, their primary development partners have mostly stayed out of the limelight.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
CA Auditor Bashes State’s Mandated Housing Numbers, Says Process Is Flawed, Lacks Oversight
While Orange County leaders have railed against the mandated new housing numbers, a new state report found state officials may have undercounted how many houses they need.
Posted inSan Clemente
San Clemente City Council Removes Written Public Comments After Privacy Concerns Boil Over
After months of complaints, San Clemente City Council members move to remove residents’ personal information from emailed public comments about an issue from over a year ago.
Posted inGovernment
ACLU Calls Out Irvine City Attorney For Silencing Public Commenter
The civil rights group raised concerns about City Attorney Jeff Melching blocking a public commenter from completing their remarks.
Posted inSafety, Security & Justice
City Officials Throughout OC Try to Tackle a California Problem: Catalytic Converter Theft
With a rise in catalytic converter thefts, city council members across Orange County are passing ordinances in efforts to prosecute a common crime they say state laws fail to address.
Posted inSan Clemente
San Clemente City Council To Address Resident Privacy Concerns Months After Complaints
The issue could lead to a lawsuit from residents upset that their personal information was posted on the city’s website and still has not been redacted.
Posted inEducation
Shaw Keeps Seat On OC Board of Education, Judge Rules Lawsuit Improperly Filed
After months of pressure from a North OC resident in an effort to get Tim Shaw kicked off the board, an OC Superior Court Judge tossed out the lawsuit without discussing the key issue.
