Coronavirus is not known to be spreading in Orange County and health officials currently assess it is a low risk. They’re urging a series of preventative measures by the public yet the virus is triggering tense debates across schools and public agencies over how to best protect people.
Author Archives: Nick Gerda
Nick covers the city of Santa Ana, as well as the County of Orange, often reporting on issues like homelessness, public safety, mental health, and the role of money in politics.
Since joining Voice of OC in 2011, Nick has regularly shed light on topics that are often kept in the shadows. He’s reported on systemic problems in the county’s mental health system. He also led a reporting team that produced sophisticated looks at how the Disney corporation campaign contributions influenced recent elections in Anaheim.
Nick also revealed evidence of elected leaders using their official powers to apparently pressure government contractors into donating to their election campaigns, in an article that was awarded best news story of the year by the Orange County Press Club. He firmly believes journalism should inform the public and help hold the powerful accountable.
An Orange County native, Nick first started covering local government in his mid-teens, before attending Santa Ana College, the American University in Cairo, and UC Irvine, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science.
Languages spoken: English, elementary Spanish, minimal Arabic and minimal Japanese
Areas of expertise: Local government, local politics, homelessness, mental health policy, campaign finance, California Public Records Act, Ralph M. Brown Act, County of Orange government, Santa Ana city government and municipal finance.
Posted inCountywide, Politics & Elections, Top Stories
This OC Candidate Has Already Won His March Primary Race
Assistant DA Tony Ferrentino, who apparently declined to prosecute a police officer arrested for DUI hit-and-run, has already won his election to become an OC Superior Court judge.
Posted inCountywide, Education, Top Stories
Future of OC Charter Schools at Stake in County Education Board Election
This Tuesday, the election for three seats on the board – which oversees school district finances and can approve or reject charter schools – is hotly contested.
Posted inFountain Valley, Garden Grove, Government, Investigative, Politics & Elections, Santa Ana, Top Stories, Westminster
Homelessness a Top Concern for Voters as OC’s 1st District Candidates Face Off
Andrew Do, the Republican incumbent, is being challenged by three Democrats from three different generations: Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido, who’s a baby boomer; Westminster Councilman Sergio Contreras, who’s a Generation X’er; and Kim Bernice Nguyen, who’s a millennial.
Posted inAnaheim, Countywide, Government, Housing & Homelessness, Irvine, Orange, Politics & Elections, Top Stories, Tustin, Villa Park, Yorba Linda
Winner-Take-All Battle For Orange County’s 3rd District
OC Supervisor Don Wagner faces off against attorney and OC Fair Board member Ashleigh Aitken to represent canyon communities and cities like Irvine, Tustin, Orange and Yorba Linda on the Orange County Board of Supervisors.
Posted inCountywide, Government, Politics & Elections, Top Stories
Voter Guide: March 2020 Primary Election
Here’s a rundown of the races up for a decision by Orange County voters.
Posted inCountywide, Government, Safety, Security & Justice, Top Stories
DA Says He Was Told in May of Decision to Not Prosecute Deputies Over Evidence Handling
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said Wednesday he was informed four months into his administration about a decision days after he was sworn in to not file charges against a sheriff’s deputy found to have made 74 false reports about evidence booking.
Posted inGovernment, Safety, Security & Justice, Top Stories
Questions Mount for Sheriff and DA About Systemic Errors in Preparing Criminal Cases
On Tuesday, it was publicly disclosed in Orange County Superior Court that sheriff officials kept a deputy in the field doing investigations months after they learned he made numerous false statements in police reports about evidence booking.
Posted inCountywide, Government, Safety, Security & Justice, Top Stories
OC’s Criminal Justice System is at Risk from Attorney Exodus, Union Says
Local prosecutors and public defenders say county supervisors they are destabilizing the justice system by underpaying them.
Posted inTop Stories
Secrecy Battle to Resume Over Deputy’s Evidence Booking Misconduct Records
The records would show what officials knew – and when – about a sheriff’s deputy found to have falsely stated in 74 different reports that he had booked evidence.
