Tag: Southern California OC News

Parents Resist Gender-Neutral ‘Homecoming Royalty’ Title at California School

A California high school principal’s decision to abolish the titles of homecoming king and queen and replace them with the gender-neutral “homecoming royalty” label has left some parents feeling conflicted. A Sept. 22 news post on the school’s website reads, “Come cheer on the Varsity Football team and see who is crowned as our Homecoming Royalty.” The…


Orange County Doctor Pleads Guilty in $20 Million MediCal Fraud Scheme

FULLERTON, Calif.—An Orange County physician pleaded guilty Sept. 28 to orchestrating a scheme to defraud Medi-Cal out of $20 million. Mohamed Waddah El-Nachef, 69, of Laguna Hills, pleaded guilty to executing a scheme to defraud Medi-Cal, fraudulent claim for a health benefit, fraudulent insurance benefit claim, false or fraudulent claims, solicitation, acceptance or referral of…


Woman Charged With Running Over Man in Dispute Over Cat

WESTMINSTER, Calif.—A 20-year-old woman was scheduled to be arraigned in October on a murder charge for allegedly running down a man in Cypress she believed was trying to kill a cat with his car. Hannah Star Esser was charged Sept. 27 with one count of murder, and she faces up to 25 years to life…


Knott’s Berry Farm Allows Some Chaperones Free Entry for Halloween Event

BUENA PARK, Calif.—Knott’s Berry Farm updated its chaperone policy Sept. 28 for the park’s popular Knott’s Scary Farm Halloween event, allowing those 21 and over to chaperone up to five guests age 17 and younger instead of four and providing free entry for chaperones who accompany five minors. The new rules go into effect Sept….


‘Praying for America’s Leaders’: Orange County Mayors’ Breakfast Coming Back to Irvine Sept. 30

Hosted by the nonprofit ministry Orange Coast Christian Outreach, the 57th Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast will be held in Irvine, California, at the Marriott Hotel from 7–9 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 30. Local government, religious, and civic leaders will gather with the purpose of “praying for America’s leaders,” according to the event organizer. The Epoch Times…


‘Praying for America’s Leaders’: Orange County Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast Coming Back to Irvine Sept. 30

Hosted by the nonprofit ministry Orange Coast Christian Outreach, the 57th Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast will be held in Irvine, California, at the Marriott Hotel from 7–9 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 30. Local government, religious, and civic leaders will gather with the purpose of “praying for America’s leaders,” according to the event organizer. The Epoch Times…


Orange County Education Board Holds Forum to Strengthen Charter Schools

To promote school choice to parents, the Orange County Board of Education held a public forum aimed at “strengthening California’s charter schools at a local and state level,” featuring a discussion among experts and policymakers Sept. 20. All five members of the board have been strong advocates of charter schools. The board also serves as…


Anaheim Officials Return Campaign Donations After FBI Investigation

Three Anaheim city councilors have returned several campaign donations to donors linked to corruption investigations conducted by the FBI. Details of alleged fraudulent payment schemes were released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in affidavits that were made public in May involving the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce’s CEO Todd Ament and an unnamed political consultant….


California Man Gets 4 Years in Prison for Stealing Over $5 Million in COVID Loans

An Orange County man was sentenced Sept. 26 to four years in prison for fraudulently obtaining more than $5 million in COVID-19 relief loans to buy properties in Eagle Rock, Malibu, and Irvine. Reddy Budamala, 36, of Irvine, was also ordered to pay $5.15 million in restitution to the Small Business Administration, according to the…


2 Suspects Arrested in Anaheim Hills Big Lots Robbery

ANAHEIM HILLS, Calif.—Anaheim police arrested a man and a woman Sept. 24 who allegedly took a shopping cart full of merchandise from an Anaheim Hills Big Lots store and flashed a handgun at an employee. The robbery occurred around 10 a.m. Saturday at 6336 E. Santa Ana Canyon Road, Sgt. Shane Carringer of the Anaheim…