Costa Mesa Confidential

01/27/2025

REPOST OC Register: A passenger of a man suspected of attempting to steal cars was killed in a crash during a Newport Beach police pursuit that ended in Costa Mesa early Sunday morning, Jan. 26, authorities said.

The pursuit abruptly ended after the suspect crashed into a Southern California Edison pole at the intersection of Santa Ana Avenue and 22nd Street in Costa Mesa.

01/07/2025

Costa Mesa resident George Estrada Tellez, 63, tragically died after being struck by two cars while walking on 1st Street in Santa Ana. Both drivers remained at the scene and cooperated with police. Investigators are seeking more information about the incident.

George Estrada Tellez was hit while walking on 1st Street; both drivers remained at the scene. A 63-year-old man from Costa Mesa has died after being hit by two cars Friday evening in Santa Ana, authorities confirmed. The incident occurred around 6 p.m. on 1st Street between Clara Street and...

12/01/2024

After over a century in Fort Worth, Dickies is relocating its headquarters to Costa Mesa, California, impacting approximately 120 employees. The move aims to foster collaboration with sister brand Vans and revitalize the iconic workwear label.

The 102-year-old workwear brand moves to California, impacting approximately 120 employees. Dickies, the iconic workwear company founded in Fort Worth in 1922, is set to move its headquarters to Costa Mesa, California, by May 2025. This decision, confirmed by parent company VF Corporation, will affe...

11/15/2024

Costa Mesa City Council candidate Jeff Pettis has won his District 6 race with 50.5% of the vote, according to the latest counts.

11/15/2024

Costa Mesa City Council candidate Michael Buley has won his District 1 race, with 54% of the vote, according to the latest reports.

11/15/2024

Costa Mesa Mayor John Stephens has won re-election with 53% of the vote, according to latest reports.

10/31/2024

Orange County prosecutors have charged Daniel Aldrich with the murder of Julie Sanetra, a former National Merit Scholar and beloved animal lover, in Costa Mesa. Authorities vow to seek justice for her and her family.

Prosecutors reveal tragic death of Orange County woman passionate about Southeast Asia and dogs. Julie Anne Sanetra, a former National Merit Scholar from Costa Mesa, was found dead last week in what authorities describe as a brutal act allegedly committed by her boyfriend, Daniel Allen Aldrich, 49.....

10/09/2024

After more than a decade of planning, Costa Mesa’s Lions Park café is finally under construction, but not without controversy over rising costs and delays. Will it be worth the wait?

Years of stalled plans for a café at Lions Park are finally taking shape as construction begins, but financial mismanagement delayed progress. Construction has begun on a long-anticipated café at Costa Mesa’s Lions Park, after nearly a decade of delays caused by funding issues. The project, loca...

10/06/2024

Incumbent Mayor John Stephens is seeking re-election in Costa Mesa’s upcoming mayoral race, highlighting his track record of infrastructure improvements, public safety innovations, and fiscal management. His challenger, financial planner and business owner James Peters, is running on a platform focused on addressing crime, homelessness, and overdevelopment.

Incumbent Democrat Mayor John Stephens defends the city’s top position against licensed financial planner and local business owner James Peters. Costa Mesa residents will vote for four seats in the City Council election in less than 40 days, featuring a mix of incumbents looking to continue their ...

10/05/2024

Costa Mesa’s District 6 election sees Mayor Pro Tem Jeffrey Harlan seeking reelection. Harlan emphasizes his experience, highlighting progress in public safety, homelessness solutions, and infrastructure. He calls for continued leadership to keep the Eastside thriving. Challenger Jeff Pettis, a mental health professional, pushes for new direction, citing concerns about crime and homelessness.

District 6, which covers the city’s east side, will see Mayor Pro Tem Jeffrey Harlan seek reelection against challenger Jeff Pettis. Costa Mesa residents will vote for four seats in the City Council election in less than 40 days, featuring a mix of incumbents looking to continue their work and...

10/04/2024

In Costa Mesa’s District 1 race, Mike Buley and Adam Ereth are competing to fill the seat left by outgoing councilman Don Harper. Buley, an attorney and businessman, is focusing on homelessness solutions, stronger law enforcement, and relocating cannabis dispensaries. Ereth, a city planning commissioner and local business owner, aims to rezone commercial sites, ease traffic, and support housing and small businesses.

Two candidates seeking to fill a vacancy left by outgoing conservative councilman Don Harper include attorney and businessman Mike Buley and city planning commissioner and environmental consultant Adam Ereth. Costa Mesa residents will vote for four seats in the City Council election in less than 40....

09/11/2024

Martin Laragarcia, a 28-year-old Costa Mesa man, has been arrested for allegedly stabbing his partner, Denise Avila, to death in their apartment. After fleeing the scene, Laragarcia shockingly returned hours later while police were still investigating. Authorities have recovered what they believe is the weapon used in the killing.

Suspect Martin Laragarcia allegedly fled after killing his partner, only to return hours later. A Costa Mesa man, Martin Laragarcia, was arrested after allegedly stabbing his romantic partner, Denise Avila, to death and returning to their apartment while police were still investigating the scene, au...

03/26/2024

The City Council’s latest decision seems like a win for public safety, but may be a Trojan Horse that hides a host of unfavorable concessions.

The City Council’s latest decision seems like a win for public safety, but may be a Trojan Horse that hides a host of unfavorable concessions. During last week’s Costa Mesa City Council meeting, Councilmembers voted 6-1 to approve implementing a cap on the number of retail cannabis shops allowed...

03/07/2024

In a bid to tackle California’s longstanding homelessness crisis, Governor Gavin Newsom initiated the Homekey program with an ambitious goal of converting 15,000 housing units for the homeless. However, as the program faces dwindling funds and falls short of its targets, it has sparked considerable debate regarding its effectiveness and the financial burden it places on taxpayers, particularly in cities like Costa Mesa.

In a bid to tackle California’s longstanding homelessness crisis, Governor Gavin Newsom initiated the Homekey program with an ambitious goal of converting 15,000 housing units for the homeless. However, as the program faces dwindling funds and falls short of its targets, it has sparked considerabl...

02/16/2024

After immense popularity with the its first Raising Canes, a second one is coming to Costa Mesa.

City planning commissioners Monday approved plans for a Raising Cane's restaurant at the complicated intersection of Old Newport Boulevard and 16th Street.

01/18/2024

Mayor John Stephens has come under scrutiny for potential “quid pro quo” after the discovery that his son, Nate Stephens, secured a position at cannabis shop “420 Central Newport Mesa,” the first legal pot shop to open in the city, after Mayor Stephens’ both publicly and privately supported the shop and the cannabis industry in Costa Mesa as a whole.

Questions of favoritism arise as mayor’s son secures job in dispensary the mayor supported. Mayor John Stephens has come under scrutiny for potential “quid pro quo” after the discovery that Nate Stephens, the mayor’s son, secured a position at cannabis shop “420 Central Newport Mesa,” th...

12/07/2023

Santa is in our city!

If you're wondering where you can see the big man, there are some spots around Costa Mesa where you can tell him what's on your wish list!

12/05/2023

Tired of paying FULL PRICE?

If you're a student, there may be a few different ways to save this season with some discounts available online and in person!

Comment your favorite local places to get student discounts too!