A coordinated theft, with the use of power tools, occurred March 11 between 4 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. as at least two suspects broke into six restaurants in Rancho Santa Margarita and one in Mission Viejo. The suspects are still at large, according to authorities. Restaurant surveillance footage captured at least two suspects who used…

An armed suspect was apprehended Feb. 7 after a nearly 10-hour standoff and two school lockdowns in Rancho Santa Margarita. The incident occurred at a condominium complex near the intersection of Arroyo Vista and Las Mesitas. Deputies arrived on the scene around 12:30 a.m. after receiving a call that a man had pointed a handgun…

The cost of construction and development in Rancho Santa Margarita will rise 7 percent due to inflation. The Rancho Santa Margarita City Council unanimously approved on April 27 a 7 percent increase the prices of city planning services—including permits for restaurants, bars, clinics, beauty or barber shops, offices, factories, and schools. The increase is based…

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.—On July 8, 1776, the first public readings the Declaration of Independence were held in Philadelphia’s Independence Square heralded by the ringing of bells and band music. One year later, on July 4, 1777, Philadelphia marked Independence Day by adjourning Congress and celebrating with bonfires, bells and fireworks. The annual custom eventually made…

California’s ongoing drought is enticing venomous reptiles out of the wild and toward residential areas, says an Orange County snake remover. “This drought we’re having this year is definitely causing an increase of snakes in neighborhoods,” Dan Wells told The Epoch Times. “It’s causing snakes to be closer to water, prey, and shelter.” In June, Wells caught…

Three teens were hospitalized after being attacked by a coyote at Oso Lake Scout Camp in Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. The attack, which occurred close to midnight June 11, was committed by a single coyote. It sent the teens, who were there for a Boy Scout activity, to Mission Hospital for treatment, according to the City of Mission Viejo….

Hundreds of residents in Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., say they’re worried that state housing mandates might cost the city a popular field known locally for its springtime burst of flowers. Rose Canyon is a 3.5 acre, undeveloped site that was “generally accepted” by a city focus group to repurpose for housing, although further study is required to determine how many units the…

With summer heat waves on the horizon, officials in Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. are breaking ground on a new public splash pad. The Central Park Splash Pad has been in the works since 2017 after being unanimously approved by city council, Councilmember Brad McGirr told The Epoch Times. After years of anticipation, city residents joined city council May 17 in the groundbreaking…

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department is asking for help identifying two men who they say followed a 15-year-old girl while she was out for a run in Rancho Santa Margarita. The men on May 4 were driving in a northbound bicycle lane on Antonio Parkway, between Tijeras Creek and Via Entrada, about 4 p.m., closely following the teen,…

A South Orange County city plans to increase its city manager’s base salary by five percent, and provide her with an annual tuition allowance to fund her PhD. Jennifer Cervantez’s salary will grow from $243,052 to $255,205, after city council approved the salary boost during an April 28 vote. She will also receive an education…