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…

Retired law enforcement officer Rick Loeffler was appointed to fill a vacant seat in a 3-1 vote by the remaining four San Clemente city councilors during a special meeting on May 23. Loeffler promised city councilors that he would treat the appointment as a placeholder and would not run for reelection in 2024. “The position…

Memorial Day Military Flyover Come listen to former military personnel recount their stories of heroism followed by a dove release, live music, a memorial military flyover, free hotdogs, and more in Santa Ana this Memorial Day weekend. Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary at 1702 Fairhaven Ave., Santa Ana. May 29, 10:30 a.m. Free. For more…

The slope beneath the Casa Romantica in San Clemente is being restabilized after a landslide on April 27 caused structural damage to the cultural center, according to city officials. The work is expected to take around two weeks. Damage is shown after a landslide next to Casa Romantica in San Clemente, Calif., on May 4,…

The San Clemente City Council voted 4–0 to approve plans to choose a replacement for Councilman Gene James—who resigned on April 28 to move to Wyoming—during their May 16 meeting. The council approved a special meeting, which will be open to the public, on May 23 at 4 p.m. to vet 23 applicants who have…

The San Clemente City Council announced this week it will begin accepting applications for a new councilor to fill the vacant seat of former councilman Gene James, who resigned last month. With his departure, officials voted to fill the seat through appointment rather than a special election, which would have cost the city $100,000 and…

Train service surrounding San Clemente, California, is still out of service, and the Casa Romantica Cultural Center and nearby residents have been evacuated due to a landslide that occurred on April 27. Metrolink’s railway transportation has been suspended from Laguna Niguel to San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, and Oceanside, without any alternate transportation in place…

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif.—A landslide beneath part of the Casa Romantica Cultural Center in San Clemente sent dirt and debris cascading down a hillside April 27, heavily damaging the center’s concrete terrace and shutting down all rail service in the area. The slide occurred early Thursday afternoon, prompting Metrolink to shut down rail service south of…

Passenger train travel through San Clemente, California for Metrolink and Amtrack will resume April 17 after months of closure due to track slippage and unstable land, officials announced April 13. Operations were suspended Sept. 30 after inspectors found a section of track that had shifted over 2 feet towards the ocean. The University of California–Irvine’s…

San Clemente, California, approved pay increases last week for certain hourly, part-time city employees in hopes of attracting and retaining highly qualified workers. The San Clemente City Council April 4 voted 4–0, with Councilman Mark Enmeier absent, to raise hourly wages for positions including ocean and pool lifeguards, park rangers, interns, cable TV technicians, and…