Category: Orange County Community

3 Killed in Solo Tesla Crash in Newport Beach

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.—Three people died early Thursday in a solo vehicle crash in Newport Beach. The crash was reported about 12:45 a.m. in the 3000 Block of Pacific Coast Highway, the Newport Beach Police Department reported. A Tesla Model S was traveling west when it hit a curb, then crashed into equipment on the south…


California Anticipates $97.5 Budget Surplus

California expects the largest budget surplus in the state’s history with $97.5 billion projected by summer 2023, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on May 13. “Here in California, we’re putting in the work to grow our economy and implement real, inclusive policy change to create a brighter future for all,” Newsom said in a statement. Newsom…


California Anticipates $97.5 Billion Budget Surplus

California expects the largest budget surplus in the state’s history with $97.5 billion projected by summer 2023, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on May 13. “Here in California, we’re putting in the work to grow our economy and implement real, inclusive policy change to create a brighter future for all,” Newsom said in a statement. Newsom…


2 Men in Orange County Fraud Scheme Get 7 Years

WESTMINSTER, Calif.—Two men involved in a $15 million mortgage fraud scheme in Orange County were sentenced Thursday to seven years in prison. Jimmy Phan, 47, and Vinh Phan, 47, both pleaded guilty Dec. 16, 2021, according to court records. The Phans are not related. Co-defendant Stephen Nguyen, 59, is a fugitive. Jimmy Phan has about…


Coastal Commission Rejects Huntington Beach Desalination Project

COSTA MESA, Calif.—The California Coastal Commission on May 12 unanimously rejected the Poseidon desalination project in Huntington Beach, which was proposed in 1998 but now appears to be dead. During the May 12 coastal commission meeting at the Hilton Hotel in Costa Mesa, Coastal Commission staff recommended commissioners reject the plant, primarily citing potential negative…


Orange County Homeless Population Drops by 17 Percent Since 2019: Officials

Orange County’s homeless population has decreased nearly 17 percent since 2019, according to a report released by the county on May 11. Of the 5,718 homeless individuals reported in the 2022 point-in-time count (pdf), about 53 percent were unsheltered. The last point-in-time count in 2019 reported 6,860 homeless individuals, with about 58 percent unsheltered. “We’re…


Independent Police Oversight Firm to Review Santa Ana Police Team

SANTA ANA, Calif.—An independent police oversight specialist will review an elite unit within the Santa Ana Police Department after a progressive blog accused some officers of having matching gang-like tattoos and assaulting citizens. Santa Ana Police Chief David Valentin May 11 disputed the allegations made by KnockLA, calling it misinformation. “This misinformation included baseless attacks…


Newsom Proposes $18 Billion Relief Package to Offset Inflation

SACRAMENTO—As inflation increases, Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed an $18.1 billion Inflation Relief Package May 12 that includes direct payments to state residents. “This inflation relief package will help offset the higher costs that Californians are facing right now and provide support to those still recovering from the pandemic,” Newsom said in a statement. The following…


Officials Declare Local State of Emergency Over Coastal Fire

LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif.—Orange County officials have declared a local state of emergency after a fire destroyed more than 20 homes, injured one firefighter, and spread at least 200 acres in Aliso Canyon. No containment percentage was available as of 12 p.m. Thursday. “It’s been a long night for the people living in Laguna Niguel, and…


California Bill Allowing Minors to Get Vaccinated Without Parent Consent Passes Senate

SACRAMENTO—A California bill allowing minors to receive any vaccine without parental consent passed through the state Senate May 12 in a 21–7 vote and is on its way to the state Assembly. Senate Bill (SB) 866, authored by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), would allow minors 12 years and older to sidestep parental consent and…