My Work

Voice of OC • November 13 2024

Irvine Looks to Crackdown on Illegal Camping After Homeless Shelter Reversal

Irvine City Council members are beefing up the city’s anti-camping law to make it easier for city officials to clear out homeless camps in the wake of the city backing out of a homeless shelter at the 11th hour after public pushback. 

The council voted 4-1 to strengthen the city’s anti-camping ordinance, which prohibits unauthorized camping on public and private property. Councilmember Kathleen Treseder voted no.

It was approved on a first reading on Tuesday night and must return to the counci...

Voice of OC • November 8 2024

These Pets at OC Animal Care Are Looking for a Home

Bixby has been at OC Animal Care in Tustin for about two months after coming in as a stray. Staff notations describe him as a friendly pet who loves to meet new people.

He is currently available for adoption. He is also eligible for the shelter’s November adoption promotion which is waiving adoption fees for all dogs 25 pounds and over.

Click here to see a video of Bixby. Here are his details:
Jessie has been at the shelter for about three months after coming in as a stray. Staff notations des...

Voice of OC • November 7 2024

Here’s Where OC Voters Stand on Sales Tax Increases in 2024

Election Results Wednesday evening showed voters in three North Orange County cities were overwhelmingly in support of raising how much they pay in sales taxes to help dig out their cities from deficits that are millions of dollars deep.

Officials in some of those cities, like Buena Park, pitched the measure as a way to hire more police officers and protect various quality of life aspects. 

But in Orange, results continued to show a slight majority of voters so far were narrowly against bumpin...

Voice of OC • November 6 2024

Irvine City Council Election Night Results 2024

Tonight, Irvine voters will elect three new city council members and a new mayor in the city’s first by-district election.

Here is where the tallies were on Wednesday morning around 9:30 a.m., according to the OC Registrar of Voters.

In the mayor’s race, Larry Agran was in the lead over Tammy Kim by 4,848 votes — 39.56% over 33.26% of the overall votes tallied so far. There are seven candidates running for mayor, including two current city council members and five newcomers.
In District 1, Joh...

Voice of OC • November 6 2024

San Clemente Sales Tax Measure Election Night Results 2024

Tonight, San Clemente voters decide on a half-cent sales tax increase to generate funds that would be used exclusively for sand replenishment efforts along the city’s disappearing coastline.

Initial results at 11:30 p.m. showed 63.29% of voters — 18,065 votes — were for the sales tax measure, while 36.71% — 10,477 votes — were against it.
The measure needs a supermajority — at least 66.7% of voters supporting it — to pass since it’s an earmarked tax.

The city’s sales tax is currently 7.75%. If...

Voice of OC • November 5 2024

Today is the Last Day to Vote

Today is the last day for Orange County voters to cast their ballot in the 2024 presidential election.

All 184 in-person vote centers will open today at 7 a.m. and stay open until 8 p.m.

All vote center locations are featured on the Orange County Registrar of Voters website, organized by city. 
To view the complete list of vote centers, click here.

Still unsure about some of the races?
Voice of OC put together a 2024 voter guide that gives a rundown on some of the county’s most critical races...

Voice of OC • November 4 2024

Irvine to Consider Killing Proposed Homeless Shelter

Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan is calling her colleagues in for a special meeting on Election Day to reverse course on buying land for a homeless shelter she approved less than two weeks ago. 

The last-minute meeting, hours ahead of the polls closing, comes after years of debate on where a homeless shelter could go in town or whether they should have one at all. 

The council voted 4-1 last month to approve purchasing two buildings in the Irvine Business Complex for $20 million. The buildings are sla...

Voice of OC • November 1 2024

All Orange County Vote Centers Open This Weekend

The 184 vote centers across Orange County will open for in-person voting beginning Saturday at 8 a.m.

All vote center locations are featured on the Orange County Registrar of Voters website, organized by city. 

Vote centers will open daily at 8 p.m. and close at 5 p.m. 
On Election Day — Nov. 5 — voting centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

To view the complete list of vote centers, click here.

Still unsure about some of the races?
Voice of OC put together a 2024 voter guide that gives...

Voice of OC • November 1 2024

These Pets at OC Animal Care Are Looking for a Home

Sheeba and Sierra have been at OC Animal Care for more than five months after coming in together as strays.

Staff notations describe them both as affectionate and social pets that are excited to meet new people. They are both currently available for adoption.

Click here to see a video of Sheeba. Here are her details:
Click here to see a video of Sierra. Here are her details:

Cate has been at the shelter for about four months after coming in as a stray. Staff notations describe that she was in...

Voice of OC • October 31 2024

Judge Rules OC Fairgrounds Can Boot Equestrians Without Rental Agreement

An Orange County Superior Court Judge sided with the OC Fairgrounds in a ruling last week, finding that Equestrian Center staff are allowed to remove occupants who don’t hold a valid contract.

It’s the newest update in a months-long battle between equestrians and the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, which features a public horse boarding facility where owners store their horses and business owners operate riding lessons.

In March, the OC Fair & Event Center Board of Directors narrowly app...

Voice of OC • October 25 2024

Orange County Begins Opening In-Person Vote Centers This Weekend

Nearly 40 vote centers across Orange County will open for in-person voting beginning this Saturday at 8 a.m.

At least one vote center will open at this early date in nearly every Orange County city. The complete list is found on the Orange County Registrar of Voters website, organized by city.
To view the complete list of vote centers, including locations and opening dates, click here.
The vote centers that open this weekend will function daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

All remaining vote centers...

Voice of OC • October 25 2024

These Pets at OC Animal Care Are Looking for a Home

Rocky has been at OC Animal Care for about two months after he was confiscated from a previous owner.
Staff notations describe that he loves to play and spend time with humans. He is currently available for adoption and eligible for the shelter’s October adoption promotion, which is waiving adoption fees for all dogs 25 pounds and over.

Click here to see a video of Rocky. Here are his details:
Blue has been at the shelter for about three weeks after coming in as a stray. 

Staff notations descr...

Voice of OC • October 23 2024

Irvine Officials Approve Plans to Develop Homeless Shelter

Irvine officials have approved the initial step in building the first homeless shelter in town — a location.

The council voted 4-1 Tuesday night to approve a $20 million purchase of two adjacent buildings in the Irvine Business Complex. 

The homeless shelter is expected to offer beds in addition to medical care, case management and other services. 
City Manager Oliver Chi said the city has already hired a Chief Health and Wellness Director who will build out a staff that’s embedded in the faci...

Voice of OC • October 21 2024

Is a Homeless Shelter Coming to Irvine?

Irvine city officials are considering purchasing some property to create what could become the first homeless shelter in the city.

It’s not the first time a homeless shelter has been considered in the city. 

During the countywide federal lawsuit over homeless policies in 2018, Orange County Supervisors considered building a county-run shelter in the city – ultimately killing the proposal after staunch opposition from Irvine residents. 
[Read: OC Supervisors Back Off New Homeless Shelters, Make...

Voice of OC • October 18 2024

These Pets at OC Animal Care Are Looking for a Home

Wallace has been at OC Animal Care in Tustin for about three weeks after coming into the shelter as a stray. At 8 years old, he’s one of the older faces at the shelter.
Staff notations describe Wallace as a friendly and adventurous pet who already knows how to “sit” and “shake” on command.

He is available for adoption and eligible for the shelter’s October adoption promotion, which is waiving adoption fees for all dogs 25 pounds and over.
Click here to see a video of Wallace. Here are his detai...

Voice of OC • October 15 2024

Irvine Rejects Airport Commission, Wants New Housing Near John Wayne Airport

Irvine officials overruled a notice from the Airport Land Use Commission that some planned housing will be too close to John Wayne Airport, risking noise and safety concerns in an attempt to boost housing numbers and push forward the city’s newest general plan update.

It’s become somewhat of a routine vote for South Orange County cities over the past decade as officials struggle to meet state-mandated housing goals and look for where they can build more housing.
For cities near John Wayne Airpo...

Voice of OC • October 11 2024

These Pets at OC Animal Care Are Looking for a Home

Yuffie and Leon have been at OC Animal Care for about two weeks after coming in as strays. 

Staff said they were found wandering a Target parking lot in Santa Ana and brought to the shelter together. 
Since they were found together, they likely came from the same place. They are both available for adoption separately and do not need to be adopted together.
Staff notations describe Yuffie as a fun and social pet who loves going on walks and playing outside. 

Leon is described as friendly with l...

Voice of OC • October 9 2024

Laguna Beach Gives City Manager Home Loan to Keep Him in Town

Laguna Beach’s newly hired city manager was welcomed into the city through a taxpayer-funded $1.5 million loan to help him purchase a home in town.

Officials say it’s a necessary move to make sure the city manager is readily available in case of emergencies. 
Councilmember George Weiss said the housing loan isn’t something the city should do all the time, but he felt it was justified in this case.
“He found a home that he wanted to live in, and it was a benefit to have him right in town,” Weiss...

Voice of OC • October 4 2024

These Pets at OC Animal Care Are Looking for a Home

Solar has been at OC Animal Care in Tustin for about a week after returning from a stay with a foster family. She originally came into the shelter about five months ago.
She’s one of the older dogs at the shelter. Staff notations describe that Solar knows basic commands and loves being close to people.

She is currently available as part of the shelter’s October adoption promotion. This month, adoption fees are waived for dogs 25 pounds and over.
Click here to see a video of Solar. Here are her...

Voice of OC • October 2 2024

Has Irvine Finally Figured Out a Retail Approach to the Great Park?

Irvine officials have taken a step toward bringing retail and restaurants to the Great Park — a goal that residents have been waiting on for years — through a land swap with a local developer.
The council approved a land exchange with FivePoint Holdings, the city’s developer at the park. FivePoint is set to receive some parcels of land to develop new affordable housing, while the city is set to receive land to help create a retail center and connect the park to the nearby train station.

Council...

Voice of OC • September 30 2024

Irvine Officials Backtrack Approving New Lobbying Rules

Irvine officials are making more changes to their lobbying rules after resident concerns about unintended consequences on union members and a lawsuit threat.

Council members ended up making an exception for labor unions after concerns that the original proposal could force union members who contact city officials to register as lobbyists and prevent them from serving on city commissions. 

The council originally approved updates to the city’s lobbying ordinance on Sept. 10 in a unanimous vote....

Voice of OC • September 27 2024

These Pets at OC Animal Care Are Looking for a Home

Leona has been at OC Animal Care for nearly seven months after she was returned to the shelter in March.

Staff notations recommend a home without children for Leona. She has a history of destructive and rowdy behavior, and she’s best suited for a household without any other pets.
Throughout the month of September, adoption fees are waived for dogs 25 pounds and over at OC Animal Care. Leona is currently available for adoption, and she’s also available as part of the shelter’s foster-to-adopt pr...

Voice of OC • September 20 2024

These Pets at OC Animal Care Are Looking for a Home

Ivy has been at OC Animal Care for about three weeks. Staff notations describe that she does well on walks but may be unsure around men.

Staff also recommend approaching Ivy slowly since she may need extra time to adjust to new surroundings. She is currently available for adoption.
Throughout the month of September, adoption fees are waived for dogs 25 pounds and over at OC Animal Care — including Ivy.
Click here to see a video of Ivy. Here are her details:

Lola has been at the shelter for abo...

Voice of OC • September 18 2024

Bringing Sand Back to San Clemente’s Beaches

Replenishing sand and widening the beaches in San Clemente is one of the current city council’s biggest priorities after decades of coastal erosion have left the Spanish Village by the Sea sinking into the waves.

Beaches in the South Orange County town have slowly dwindled into narrow strips of sand as waves erode the shoreline, leaving some areas inaccessible to lifeguards during high tide.
It’s gotten so bad that waves are often seen crashing against the train tracks and bluffs that run adjac...