The new map guarantees at least one new member will come to the dais, but residents complained over the council’s decision to ignore a map drawn by the community.
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
Judge Denies OC Board of Education’s Election Map, Setting New Districts For 2022
Two judges have now denied board members attempts to resist an election map drawn by the county commission who oversees them, instead of one they drew up themselves.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
Irvine Approves New Middle-Income Housing Projects, Giving Up Millions In Tax Revenue
The state bond-funded project doesn’t provide any new housing and instead is subsidizing rent for people already living in upscale apartments, while a housing developer makes millions.
Posted inWater, Power & Waste
OC Green Power Agency Expands Contracts Established Behind Closed Doors by CEO Last Year
The new spending powers have been granted to a CEO who’s faced multiple questions of ethics investigations and lack of experience.
Posted inIrvine
What Happened to the Great Park Water Polo Complex?
Two years ago, the project was pitched as the next big thing for the Park, but it hasn’t moved forward since then.
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Mission Viejo Chooses First District Election Map Over Residents’ Objections
City council members chose the map their demographer created, despite requests from a majority of residents at the meeting for a different map.
Posted inIrvine
Irvine Officials Look to Move Controversial Asphalt Factory Through Legal Settlement
City staff are hoping to present a final settlement agreement in a month as residents call for an immediate end to production.
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 inGovernment
A New Fight in Irvine Could Be Brewing Over a Veterans Memorial
While the roughly decade-long fight for a veterans cemetery ended, a new battle is starting to grow over what to do with 125 acres of empty land.
