Collegiate News Service

Why Won’t Officials in Two OC Cities Video Livestream Their Public Meetings?

Gwen Buchanan, Miles Gaskin, Dylan Nichols and Lauren Cavalieri — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 17:00:00 +0000

Rancho Santa Margarita Civic Center.

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Two cities in Orange County continue to meet without providing residents with virtual access to watch city council meetings online in real time.

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

Fountain Valley to Test Out a Four-Day Work Week at City Hall

Sarah Hart and Colette Victorino — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 20:00:00 +0000

Fountain Valley.

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City officials are expected to roll out a new work week for city employees, which would mean city hall would be open four days a week – but at extended hours.

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

Stanton City Leaders Dream of a New Downtown

Sukhman Sahota and Isabel Torres — Thu, 30 May 2024 17:00:00 +0000

Stanton City Hall.

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City Council Members adopt new plans to redevelop downtown in a city grappling with problematic motels on Beach Boulevard.

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

Placentia Officials Raise Concerns About ‘Blank Check’ to Construction Consultants

Gwen Buchanan — Tue, 07 May 2024 19:00:00 +0000

A mural in Old Town Placentia on Sept. 16, 2022.

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Council members are concerned that a $3 million contract could be a “blank check” to a couple of construction management companies they had issues with over projects in the past.

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

Fountain Valley Allows Digital Freeway Advertising; Will Drivers be Distracted?

Colette Victorino and Sarah Hart — Mon, 06 May 2024 20:00:00 +0000

Fountain Valley.

A local RV dealer says the sign will drum up more business for his shop but some residents and officials worry it will cause a distraction for drivers.

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

Santa Ana Families Celebrate Día de los Niños, Día de los Libros

Brian Guevara — Fri, 03 May 2024 20:00:00 +0000

The Kids Imagine Nation performers on stage for those attending the event.

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The day was dedicated to promoting literacy and education among children.

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

Will Garden Grove Unified Video Stream School Board Meetings?

Sukhman Sahota and Isabel Torres — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 17:00:00 +0000

A parking lot full of school busses on April 1, 2022. Credit: Lyssy Salvador, VOICE OF OC.

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Parents are calling on district officials to live stream their meetings and to change a board policy on public comments that they say limits public input.

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

Brea’s Historic Old Railroad Tracks Expands West, Connecting to a Trail in North OC

Nicole Kavros and Ashlyn Woo — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 17:00:00 +0000

The Tracks at Brea on April 22, 2024. Credit: ERIKA TAYLOR, Voice of OC

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Brea officials are looking to revamp the city’s historic tracks with a nature park, sculpture as well as picnic areas and expand it west to connect it to La Habra and other cities.

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

Will Stanton Switch to Publicly Funded Elections?

Sukhman Sahota and Isabel Torres — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 12:58:00 +0000

Stanton City Hall.

Officials in one of OC’s smallest cities are researching publicly funded elections in the aftermath of a public corruption scandal in nearby Anaheim – the county’s largest city.

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

Laguna Beach Officials Consider Raising Taxes

Miles Gaskin and Abigail Stephens — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 17:00:00 +0000

Laguna Beach on March 8, 2022.

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City officials sent out a survey this month to assess if residents approve of increasing taxes to bump up revenues.

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

Stanton Extends Ban on New Smoke Shops in Crackdown on Flavored Tobacco

Isabel Torres and Sukhman Sahota — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 12:54:00 +0000

Stanton City Hall.

Stanton officials are extending a ban on smoke shops raising concerns about underage smoking amidst a recent state law barring flavored tobacco.

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

Making it Easy to Watch Local Government From Home

Erika Taylor, Tatum Foulger, Colette Victorino and Angelina Hicks — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 13:58:00 +0000

Laguna Woods City Hall on Nov. 30, 2023. Credit: VIVIENNE AYRES

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Laguna Woods is the latest OC city to start posting meeting audio and video recordings online for public review.

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

La Habra’s Rent Relief Program for Mobile Home Residents Sees Low Turnout Rate

ZETTA WHITING, Renee Elefante and Antony Post — Fri, 08 Dec 2023 13:56:00 +0000

A car enters the Park La Habra mobile homes community in La Habra on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023.

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The Park La Habra mobile homes community in La Habra on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023. Credit: CARISSA NELSON, Voice of OC

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About 14% of La Habra mobile homeowners applied for a new financial assistance program.

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

Dana Point Delays Handing Out New Short-Term Rental Permits Until Next Year

Greta Cifarelli, Jessica McCrorie and Angelina Hicks — Tue, 05 Dec 2023 13:54:00 +0000

Dana Point City Hall.

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The city council voted 4-0 to hold off on giving out more short-term rental permits until more research is done on the existing rentals operating in the city.

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

Los Alamitos to Offer Local Businesses Funding Through New Incentive Program

Emi Thomas — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 13:54:00 +0000

Los Alamitos City Hall.

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The city will cover 50% of renovation costs — up to $15,000 — for eligible businesses in Los Alamitos.

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

San Clemente Adopts District Map, Boundaries Still Under Debate

Greta Cifarelli and Angelina Hicks — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 13:56:00 +0000

View of San Clemente State Beach from the pier on Nov. 15, 2020.

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The San Clemente City Council voted to adopt a district map, but some residents were so critical of the boundary lines that it will return to the council again for more changes.

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

Rancho Santa Margarita Moves Forward With District Election Map

Colette Victorino, Sarah Hart and Angelina Hicks — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 13:54:00 +0000

Rancho Santa Margarita Civic Center.

The new four-district election system will allow voters to elect one council member in their district and at-large mayor starting in 2024.

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

Seal Beach Could Increase Parking Rates by 50%

Jessica McCrorie and Angelina Hicks — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 13:54:00 +0000

Seal Beach Civic Center.

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City officials plan to raise beach parking rates to increase revenue if the California Coastal Commission approves.

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

Stanton Restricts Pedestrian Activity Near Street Medians and Drive-Thrus

Sukhman Sahota — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 13:56:00 +0000

Stanton City Hall.

The new law comes after California decriminalized jaywalking. It prevents people from sitting or standing on street medians or drive-thru exits.

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

How Easy is it to Tune Into Your School Board Meeting?

Sydney Scott and Marjorie Stemmler — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 13:58:00 +0000

Saddleback Valley Unified School District on Oct. 25, 2023.

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Saddleback Valley and Savanna School Districts in OC are the only ones that don’t livestream their meetings for public viewing.

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate