Steve Franks Archives

South Orange County Cities See Steep Increases for Sheriff Protection

by Nick Gerda Jun 23, 2020Apr 5, 2021 Why you can trust Voice of OC

South Orange County cities are watching their law enforcement costs soar by more than 20 percent over the last four years largely due to salary and benefit increases authorized by county supervisors.

Government, Investigative, Top Stories

Advocates Level More Accusations Against County Animal Shelter

by Nick Gerda Mar 23, 2016Jul 9, 2021 Why you can trust Voice of OC

They showed up to Tuesday’s county supervisors meeting and accused officials of providing false data on the shelter’s kill rate. Meanwhile, officials point to evidence that things are improving.

Government, Huntington Beach, Investigative, Top Stories

Dog Attack on Pregnant Woman Raises More Questions About County Animal Control

by Nick Gerda Jun 29, 2015Jul 8, 2021 Why you can trust Voice of OC

A pit bull that attacked a Huntington Beach woman in her ninth month of pregnancy had been declared a “vicious dog” earlier in the year, but county officials reversed that declaration, according to documents.

Government, Investigative, Top Stories

Grand Jury Issues Second Scathing Report on County Animal Shelter

by Nick Gerda Jun 18, 2015Jul 9, 2021 Why you can trust Voice of OC

This situation is so bad at the 74-year-old facility that the panel recommends a housecleaning of top management. The report, the second in less than a month on problems at the shelter, reveals bad employee morale, mistreatment of dogs in kennels, and rat infestations.

Countywide, Government, Top Stories

County Explores Corporate Sponsorships for Animal Shelter, Other Agencies

by Nick Gerda Mar 27, 2015Dec 8, 2020 Why you can trust Voice of OC

The county could sell sponsorships for items ranging from dog shelter kennels to hygiene kits the county hands out to homeless people, according to proposal that drew both excitement and concern from supervisors.

Countywide, Government, Investigative, Top Stories

OC Parks Exec Steered Nearly $1 Million in Contracts to Friend

by Voice of OC Aug 25, 2014Jul 9, 2021 Why you can trust Voice of OC

Audit report slams top county executives for allowing contracts to go to a friend of a former OC Parks deputy director and be split up to avoid scrutiny from the Board of Supervisors.