The controversies come as the OC Human Relations Commission found an increase in hate crimes and hate incidents throughout the county last year.
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
Orange County Officials Send Nurses To Help Schools With COVID-19 Contact Tracing
The county’s support comes after the state changed guidance on contact tracing at school amid the Omicron surge, which switches from individual case investigations to grouped notifications.
Posted inGovernment
Irvine Officials to Study Botanical Garden, Veterans Memorial at Great Park
While the decision to move forward was widely celebrated, the exact details on what will go in the park are still up for debate.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Irvine Asphalt Company Receives Two Odor Violations in Two Days
The facility has received seven violations over the last three and a half years as residents ask local officials to intervene, while air pollution concerns persist.
Posted inGovernment
Irvine City Council to Explore Botanical Garden at Old El Toro Marine Corps Air Station
The council’s discussion on Tuesday would be the first time in nearly a decade the city chooses to study a specific site for the garden, including a possible veterans memorial.
Posted inFullerton
Fullerton Begins Looking at Bonds to Pay Pension Debt
While the council hasn’t made a decision one way or another on the issue, it could see the issuance of one of the largest bonds in the city’s recent history.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Rapid Covid-19 Tests in Short Supply, Health Officials Encourage Residents to Seek Other Options
While the federal government is rolling out a new program to provide at home tests, some are concerned it doesn’t do enough for vulnerable residents.
Posted inFullerton
Fullerton to Explore Ditching its Fire Department to Join Regional Authority
Fullerton is one of the few cities left in Orange County not to join the larger agency. Placentia did the opposite in 2020 when it created its own fire department.
Posted inGovernment
Family Ties: Nepotism Fuels Political Fights in Some Orange County Cities
Officials in some Orange County cities have begun to question why local leaders in town seem to come from the same families.
Posted inWater, Power & Waste
OC Residents Face Electricity Price Hike After Clean Power Agency Picks Preliminary Rates
While public officials promised a lower price than Edison for years, officials were barely able to offer a plan that broke even with Edison’s rates.
