SAN CLEMENTE, Calif.—As construction crews moved dirt and rocks with heavy equipment at Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, a short line of people formed before the establishment’s May 26 reopening after being closed for repairs since April 27, when a section of the property’s ocean view patio area collapsed from a landslide. “We are…

SANTA ANA, Calif.—Orange County supervisors voted Tuesday to ask state officials to reconsider a needle-exchange program in Santa Ana. The program by the Harm Reduction Institute comes about five years after the county prevailed in litigation to halt another needle-exchange program based on arguments that it led to an increase in littering in the city….

An off-duty Orange County sheriff’s deputy was killed in a single-vehicle crash Feb. 9 in Lake Elsinore, leaving behind a wife and 1-month-old child, according to officials. Deputy Brian Haney, who worked patrol in San Juan Capistrano, was on his way home from a shift when the fatal crash occurred, according to officials. “We are…

SANTA ANA, Calif.—There’s at least one thing the heads of the Democratic and Republican parties in Orange County can agree on about Nov. 8’s election—they’re hoping the rain doesn’t depress turnout. “We’re hoping the rain storm doesn’t depress the voter storm,” Orange County Republican Party Chairman Fred Whitaker said. Orange County Democratic Party Chair Ada…

Commentary Who doesn’t like free money? With tax revenues overflowing from a $100 billion surplus, Gov. Gavin Newsom and state legislators “returned” $9.5 billion of that to taxpayers. The checks—really electronic transfers to bank accounts or debit cards—have been going out the last couple of weeks. About two-thirds of California households will receive the Middle…

Commentary Who doesn’t like free money? With tax revenues overflowing from a $100 billion surplus, Gov. Gavin Newsom and state legislators “returned” $9.5 billion of that to taxpayers. The checks—really electronic transfers to bank accounts or debit cards—have been going out the last couple of weeks. About two-thirds of California households will receive the Middle…

The Orange County Animal Shelter is holding its first annual Animal Adoption Day will be held on Sept. 10 in Tustin, kicking off a month-long where the first 200 furry friends will be taken home with the adoption fee waived. Both dogs and cats are available for adoption. Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley partnered with OC…

SANTA ANA, Calif.—Orange County supervisors voted Tuesday to accept nearly $1 million from Amplify Energy to cover expenses incurred responding to the oil spill off the waters of Huntington Beach in October. The supervisors voted 4–1, with Supervisor Andrew Do dissenting, to accept $956,352 from the oil company to cover expenses related to the emergency…

Orange County supervisors can continue to represent constituents in the districts where they were first elected before the county’s adoption of redrawn district maps, according to California Attorney General Rob Bonta. Supervisor Katrina Foley raised the question after she was required to start representing new cities following the county’s redistricting process. The Board of Supervisors…

Orange County will provide up to $150,000 to aid some victims of a series of shooting at half a dozen 7-Eleven stores across Southern California on July 11—affecting three cities in the county—leaving three dead and three injured. The county Board of Supervisors unanimously voted on July 19 to use money from the discretionary budgets…