Huntington Beach and Dana Point have reopened their beaches as the cleanup continues, with Newport Beach announcing their reopening Monday afternoon.
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 inEmergencies & Disasters
How Were More Than a Million People Allowed Along Huntington Beach Coast as a Massive Oil Slick Approached?
The Coast Guard has refused to comment on what happened in the early hours of the spill, leaving Huntington Beach officials scrambling to update their residents on why no one sounded the alarm sooner.
Posted inPolitics & Elections
OC Lawmakers Call For New Bans On Offshore Drilling, Creating a New Election Campaign Issue
Some legislators are now calling for an end to the existing drilling, while the debate is kicking off the campaign season early for one Orange County Congressional district.
Posted inOutdoors
OC Oil Spill Officials Readying to Train Cleanup Volunteers While Trying to Ramp Up Response Efforts
While volunteers can’t get on the beach just yet, officials are still providing avenues for those interested in getting involved.
Posted inEmergencies & Disasters
OC Oil Pipeline Dragged 105 Feet, Officials Identify as Source of Leak
It’s unclear if pipeline sensors alerted officials to the breach, with the oil company president not commenting on the issue, saying the company will hand over data to investigators.
Posted inEmergencies & Disasters
Series of Information, Communication Gaps Dominate First Days of OC Oil Spill
Since news first broke of an oil spill off the coast of Huntington Beach, there have been a series of gaps in the timeline and questions about who knew what when.
Posted inEmergencies & Disasters
Oil Spill Cleanup Halted by Thunderstorms for 18 Hours, Crews Headed Back Out Tuesday Morning
Response teams are reviewing the impact to coastlines from Huntington Beach to Dana Point Harbor.
Posted inEmergencies & Disasters
Orange County Supervisors Expected to Declare State Of Emergency In Coastline Oil Spill
Their vote follows emergency declarations from Gov. Gavin Newsom and the city of Huntington Beach.
Posted inGovernment
Gov. Newsom Declares State Of Emergency as Officials Say Oil Leak is Shut Off
The state of emergency came just hours after local elected officials sent a letter to Newsom asking for the declaration.
Posted inGovernment
OC District Attorney: Amplify Energy Should Not Investigate Its Own Oil Leak
Efforts to identify and correct a crude oil leak off Orange County’s coast should be made by an independent group rather than by Amplify Energy’s own team, said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer during a Monday press conference.
