Tag: Southern California OC News

Laguna Woods Places Retail Cannabis Tax Measure on November Ballot

LAGUNA WOODS, Calif.—Residents in the City of Laguna Woods can expect to see a measure to tax cannabis businesses on the November ballot, despite the city’s current ban on retail cannabis. The Laguna Woods City Council May 18 voted 4–1 to approve an ordinance that places a cannabis retail tax measure on the ballot for…


Former Physician Assistant Who Sold Opioid Prescriptions to Dealers Sentenced Nearly 4 Years

SANTA ANA, Calif.—A former physician assistant at a Fountain Valley medical clinic was sentenced May 16 in a federal court for illegally selling prescriptions for oxycodone, a highly addictive opioid painkiller, to dealers, knowing the drugs would be sold on the street. Raif Wadie Iskander, 56, formerly of Ladera Ranch, but who now resides in…


La Habra Asks Residents, Businesses to Cut Water Amid Drought

LA HABRA, Calif.—An Orange County city’s councilors voted 5–0 on May 16 for residents and businesses to cut up to 20 percent of their water usage amid three consecutive years of drought. The council enacted what’s known as a Level 2 Water Supply Shortage under an executive order by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, which mandates…


Newport Beach Measure B: Elect the Mayor or Not?

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.—Newport Beach residents will decide June 7 if the way the upscale coastal community elects its mayor should change. Measure B, if passed, would have voters citywide—starting in 2024—elect its mayor for a four-year term. Currently, the city elects seven city councilors who select the mayor for a one-year term each year. Opponents…


California Assembly District 70 Race: Who Are the Candidates?

California’s newly redrawn 70th Assembly District is lining up to be an interesting race, with four main contenders campaigning to win the seat. The new seat largely lies in North Orange County—centered around Westminster—and also includes Garden Grove, Fountain Valley, and even stretches into Los Angeles County. The district is largely represented by incumbent Assemblywoman…


Westminster Police Sgt. Phuong Pham: Local Hero

As an immigrant who narrowly escaped South Vietnam after the war, Sgt. Phuong Pham has served the City of Westminster, California, for over 22 years, mediating between police and the city’s robust Vietnamese community. Over the years, he has been this bridge despite budget cuts to the city’s police force and rapid crime rate increases….


Over 100 Arrested in Los Angeles County Marijuana Grow Operation

LANCASTER, Calif.—The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department announced Tuesday a joint operation to take down multiple illegal marijuana grows in the Antelope Valley resulted in more than 100 arrests and the destruction of several thousands of pounds of marijuana products. The Marijuana Eradication Team—which consists of the LA sheriff’s department, the California National Guard Counterdrug…


Judge Halts Angel Stadium Sale for FBI Corruption Probe of Anaheim Mayor

FULLERTON, Calif.—The city of Anaheim’s planned sale of Angel Stadium to team owner Arte Moreno’s company was halted for at least two months on Tuesday, May 17, by an Orange County Superior Court judge, who agreed to a request by the state to pause the deal amid a federal corruption probe of Mayor Harry Sidhu….


Brown Pelican Crisis Developing in Southern California

SAN PEDRO, Calif.—A Southland wildlife center is being inundated with sick and injured Brown Pelicans, with more than 55 patients arriving in the past four days and more expected this week, officials said Wednesday. “We’re seeing a mix of fledglings, second-year birds, and mature adults, which makes me think it could be a food supply…


Accused Laguna Woods Church Shooter Found to Be From Taiwan

SANTA ANA, Calif.—A 68-year-old man accused of opening fire inside a Laguna Woods church, killing one person, and injuring five others in an attack was confirmed by authorities on Tuesday, May 17, to be an immigrant from Taiwan, instead of China. Orange County Sheriff’s officials initially said David Wenwei Chou, of Las Vegas, was born in…