OC Independent

06/12/2023

The public is encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys or sporting equipment to OCTA's annual "Stuff A Bus" event at the Honda Center parking lot on December 8 from 4 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is gearing up for its annual “Stuff the Bus” giving event at the Honda Center on December 8. This initiative encourages the community to come together and make a difference in the lives of children facing economic challenges during the festive se...

06/12/2023

06/12/2023

06/12/2023

At the end of the day, the Gaza "ceasefire" resolution sponsored by Councilmembers Johnathan Hernandez and Ben Vasquez is not only anti-Israel, it is pro-Hamas. It is pro-Hamas in its effect, its spirit. its goals and its rhetoric.

Santa Ana Councilmembers Johnathan Hernandez and Ben Vasquez asking their council colleagues to support their resolution calling on Israel to declare a permanent ceasefire in its war with Hamas – a war Hamas started with a murderous surprise attack by Hamas targeting Israeli civilians. That is lik...

03/12/2023

The annual Orange tree lighting ceremony and candlelight choir procession will take place at Old Towne Orange Plaza beginning at 3:30 pm on December 3, 2023. The musical program begins at 5:15 pm with carols, an orchestra, the candlelight choir procession, and of course the tree lighting.

The annual Orange tree lighting ceremony and candlelight choir procession will take place at Old Towne Orange Plaza beginning at 3:30 pm on December 3, 2023. The musical program begins at 5:15 pm with carols, an orchestra, the candlelight choir procession, and of course the tree lighting. Where: Old...

03/12/2023

Councilmember Jessie Lopez has appointed Tracy La, a professional political organizer and rent-control advocate, to the city's Rental Housing Board - confirming the contention of a lawsuit filed by apartment owners that the Board is intrinsically biased against them and unable to honor their due process rights.

Tracy La, a professional political activist and rent control advocate, has been appointed by the city’s controversial Rental Housing Board – filling one of two “at-large” positions set aside for Santa Ana residents who are neither tenants or landlords and would presumably bring an unbiased p...

17/11/2023

Controversial Santa Ana Councilmember Jessie Lopez, a 34-year old member of the city council’s ruling progressive bloc, has defeated what she terms the “illegitimate” attempt to recall her from office as Ward 3’s representative.

Controversial Santa Ana Councilmember Jessie Lopez, a 34-year old member of the city council’s ruling progressive bloc, has defeated what she terms the “illegitimate” attempt to recall her from office as Ward 3’s representative. Her current margin is 858 votes, or more than 12%. There are on...

17/11/2023

The Orange County Transportation Authority has selected INIT Innovations in Transportation, Inc. to develop and implement a smart card-based rider validation system for the OC Bus system, offering passengers more convenience and easier access to discounted fares.

The Orange County Transportation Authority has selected INIT Innovations in Transportation, Inc. to develop and implement a smart card-based rider validation system for the OC Bus system, offering passengers more convenience and easier access to discounted fares. The smart cards will embedded with c...

17/11/2023

Basic economics says that as costs go up, prices go up. If I own a bakery and sugar prices spike, the final cake product is going to spike too. Even if Sacramento politicians don’t want to admit it, that’s basic economics. And two minimum wage increases out of CA’s capital reminded us of this reality in the past month.

Basic economics says that as costs go up, prices go up. If I own a bakery and sugar prices spike, the final cake product is going to spike too. Even if Sacramento politicians don’t want to admit it, that’s basic economics. And two minimum wage increases out of CA’s capital reminded us of this ...

17/11/2023

The Orange County Transportation Authority is seeking public input to help develop the OC Transit Vision, a study that aims to improve opportunities for the way people move throughout the county.

The Orange County Transportation Authority is seeking public input to help develop the OC Transit Vision, a study that aims to improve opportunities for the way people move throughout the county. With the 2024 OC Transit Vision Master Plan, OCTA is building upon a previous plan developed in 2018 and...

17/11/2023

This Wednesday morning, November 15 is a great opportunity to explore Weir Canyon on a group hike led by the Irvine Ranch Conservancy. The 4-and- a half-hour hike begins at 7:30 AM and participants will hike over Rifle Range and continue to the Overlook Trail – where they can take in sweeping views of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks and more distant views of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Los Angeles Basin, and Cleveland National Forest.

This Wednesday morning, November 15 is a great opportunity to explore Weir Canyon on a group hike led by the Irvine Ranch Conservancy. The 4-and- a half-hour hike begins at 7:30 AM and participants will hike over Rifle Range and continue to the Overlook Trail – where they can take in sweeping view...

17/11/2023

In their fight against the recall, one of the “narratives” being pushed by Santa Ana Councilmember Jessie Lopez and her political allies is that she is being targeted for ouster by “outside special interests trying to control Santa Ana!” However, in the relativistic world of our progressive comrades, “outside special interests” are A-OK if they’re on your side. Yesterday, leftists from Los Angeles took a break from attacking Israel for defending itself against Hamas terrorists and came down to Santa Ana – to fight the recall and support Lopez and her council allies in their struggle to import the public policies that have failed so spectacularly in L.A.

In their fight against the recall, one of the “narratives” being pushed by Santa Ana Councilmember Jessie Lopez and her political allies is that she is being targeted for ouster by “outside special interests trying to control Santa Ana!” However, in the relativistic world of our progressive ...

17/11/2023

Today is Veterans Day, which we originally commemorated as Armistice Day until 1954, when it was re-christened Veterans Day to encompass all who have served in the Armed Forces. We commemorate it on this date because at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, the guns fell silent on the Western Front as the victorious Allied Powers and defeated German Empire agreed to an armistice. In British Commonwealth nations, it is celebrated as Remembrance Day.

17/11/2023

OC Supervisor Vince Sarmiento has spent tens of thousands of taxpayers dollars in a highly-unusual attempt to goose voter turnout for the November 14 recall election where his political ally, Santa Ana Councilmember Jessie Lopez, is in danger of losing her council seat.

OC Supervisor Vince Sarmiento has spent tens of thousands of taxpayers dollars in a highly-unusual attempt to goose voter turnout for the November 14 recall election where his political ally, Santa Ana Councilmember Jessie Lopez, is in danger of losing her council seat. Sarmiento used taxpayer funds...

09/11/2023

09/11/2023

The four-member progressive majority on the Santa Ana City Council continued its hasty drive to allow noncitizens to vote in city elections, despite warnings from their council colleagues and staff that it will cost millions to implement and likely lead to costly litigation.

The four-member progressive majority on the Santa Ana City Council continued its hasty drive to allow noncitizens to vote in city elections, despite warnings from their council colleagues and staff that it will costs millions to implement and likely lead to costly litigation. Councilmembers Thai Pha...

07/11/2023

Santa Ana Councilmember Jessie Lopez is on record supporting the defund-the-police movement - despite repeated claims to the contrary by her and her allies.

One of the justifications cited by campaign is that she supports defunding the police. It is a charge that Jessie Lopez and her allies have repeatedly denied. Lopez campaign and independent expenditure campaign denies it in mailers to voters, calling it part of a “campaign of lies.” Her landlord...

07/11/2023

Fullerton’s Parks & Recreation Department is hosting a movie night at the Fullerton Community Center on Friday, December 1, 2023.
This festive event includes a photo opportunity with Santa, letter-writing to Santa, and arts and crafts, followed by a screening of How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Fullerton’s Parks & Recreation Department is hosting a movie night at the Fullerton Community Center on Friday, December 1, 2023. This festive event includes a photo opportunity with Santa, letter-writing to Santa, andarts and crafts, followed by a screening of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Feel...

07/11/2023

Commentary: Santa Ana Councilmember Jessie Lopez and her allies are showing their hypocrisy via their hysterical attacks on the November 14 recall election that may result in her removal from office.

Santa Ana Councilmember Jessie Lopez is fighting for her political life in a recall scheduled for November 14. Not a day goes by without she and her allies – such as Councilmembers Thai Phan and Johnathan Hernandez – denouncing the recall as “corrupt” and and abuse of the process, seeking to...

07/11/2023

Voters in Santa Ana’s Ward 3 will still have the opportunity to decide whether or not to recall Councilmember Jessie Lopez, after a judge rejected an attempt by Lopez supporters to stop the recall election through litigation.

Voters in Santa Ana’s Ward 3 will still have the opportunity to decide whether or not to recall Councilmember Jessie Lopez, after a judge rejected an attempt by Lopez supporters to stop the recall election through litigation. Superior Court Judge Craig Griffin denied the request for an injunction ...

04/11/2023

A flurry of claims, counter-claims and litigation - which will ultimately be sorted out in court - has erupted around the November 14 recall election of Santa Ana Councilmember Jessie Lopez, who was elected in 2020 to represent Ward 3.

A flurry of claims, counter-claims and litigation has erupted around the November 14 recall election of Santa Ana Councilmember Jessie Lopez, who was elected in 2020 to represent Ward 3.

03/11/2023

Attorney General Rob Bonta has cleared the Anaheim police in the 2021 shooting death of Brandon Lopez, who had three arrest warrants out (including armed robbery) when he led APD on a high-speed chase that ended in an hours-long standoff in Santa Ana.

State Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued a report clearing Anaheim police officers in the September 28, 2021 shooting death of Brandon Lopez in Santa Ana. Lopez led Anaheim police on a high-speed chase in a stolen vehicle. Lopez had three outstanding arrest warrants, including one for armed robbe...

30/10/2023

Apparent errors by the OC Registrar of Voters and the Santa Ana City Clerk has injected uncertainty into the recall election of Councilmember Jessie Lopez that is scheduled for November 14, 2023.

Apparent errors by the OC Registrar of Voters and the Santa Ana City Clerk has injected uncertainty into the recall election of Councilmember Jessie Lopez that is scheduled for November 14, 2023. Yesterday, Registrar of Voters Bob Page sent a letter to City Clerk Jennifer Hall notifying her that his...

27/10/2023

Overriding objections that it is unfeasible and undermines the idea of being an American citizen, the Santa Ana City Council’s progressive majority voted to place the city on a path to allow non-citizens to vote in city council elections.

Mayor Pro Tem Jessie Lopez and Councilmembers Thai Phan, Ben Vasquez and Johnathan Hernandez approved taking the first step in giving the vote to non-citizens by placing a measure on the November 2024 asking Santa Ana voters if they support amending the city charter to allow non-Americans to vote for mayor and city council.

Overriding objections that it is unfeasible and undermines the idea of being an American citizen, the Santa Ana City Council’s progressive majority voted to place the city on a path to allow non-citizens to vote in city council elections. Mayor Pro Tem Jessie Lopez and Councilmembers Thai Phan, Be...

24/10/2023

6,000 Catholics from across Southern California converged on Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove this weekend for the Eucharistic Congress – part of a nationwide movement to cultivate a deeper connection between Catholics in the pews and a sacramental mystery at the center of their faith. The event, organized by the Diocese of Orange, is part of the National Eucharistic Revival launched last year by the nation’s Catholic bishops, which unfolds over three-year years.

6,000 Catholics from across Southern California converged on Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove this weekend for the Eucharistic Congress – part of a nationwide movement to cultivate a deeper connection between Catholics in the pews and a sacramental mystery at the center of their faith. The event, ...

19/10/2023

Santa Ana City Manager Kristine Ridge received a payout of $651,939 upon resigning – including $162,667 for “alleged personal/physical injuries and emotional distress damages."

Santa Ana City Manager Kristine Ridge was given a payout of $651,939 upon resigning – including $162,667 for “alleged personal/physical injuries and emotional distress damages."

12/10/2023

Over the past 3 years the Santa Ana City Council has pushed for policies that fit a political narrative without any regard to the impacts it would have on the community’s future. The council majority has focused on pushing an agenda rather than craft public policy.

Yesterday the Santa Ana City Manager abruptly resigned. While we don’t know why at this point, one thing is blatantly obvious – the city council majority’s push to implement policies quickly rather than properly has left the city’s once promising future completely in doubt. Over the past 3 y...

12/10/2023

During a special closed session meeting last night, the Santa Ana City Council voted 6-1 to accept the resignation of City Manager Kristine Ridge, a post she has held since May of 2019. Ridge’s resignation comes two weeks after Police Chief David Valentin announced his retirement.

During a special closed session meeting last night, the Santa Ana City Council voted 6-1 to accept the resignation of City Manager Kristine Ridge, a post she has held since May of 2019. Ridge’s resignation comes two weeks after Police Chief David Valentin announced his retirement. READ: Santa Ana ...

12/10/2023

Radical progressive activists are angry at the Democratic Party of Orange County for issuing a statement condemning the Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel.

On Monday, the Democratic Party of Orange County published this statement condemning the savagery of the surprise Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel. In addition to condemning Hamas, the DPOC statement also mourns “all losses of life, including those lost as a result of Israel’s defensive respons...

11/10/2023

The Coast Film & Music Festival is an annual showcase of adventure and documentary films and stories from the mountains to the sea curated to entertain, inform and inspire. This four-day festival brings together a community of creators, change makers, and fans to celebrate adventure, the human spirit, conservation, and the art of story.

11/10/2023

The Jewish Federation of Orange County will host a community gathering for Israel, Today on October 10th at 6:00 PM. The event is open to all community members, in support of Israel in the face of the heinous terrorist war being waged against Israel by Hamas.

The Jewish Federation of Orange County will host a community gathering for Israel, Today on October 10th at 6:00 PM. The event is open to all community members. Earlier this week Israel suffered an unprecedented terrorist attack by Hamas. Federation’s board, membership, and staff are horrified and...

05/10/2023

The 7th Annual FirkFest Craft Beer Festival returns to Anaheim this Saturday, October 7. 30 breweries will be there to offer tastings of their from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Center Street Promenade, for a “Halloween and tiki mash-up.”

The 7th Annual FirkFest Craft Beer Festival returns to Anaheim this Saturday, October 7. 30 breweries will be there to offer tastings of their from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Center Street Promenade, for a “Halloween and tiki mash-up.” Tickets are $65 per person – giving attendees unlimited tas...

05/10/2023

Anaheim voters have overwhelmingly rejected Measure A, a measure sponsored by militant hotel workers union UNITE-HERE Local 11 that would have imposed a complex set of work restrictions and wage increases on every hotel and “event center” in Anaheim, regardless of size.

Anaheim voters have overwhelmingly rejected Measure A, a measure sponsored by militant hotel workers union UNITE-HERE Local 11 that would have imposed a complex set of work restrictions and wage increases on every hotel and “event center” in Anaheim, regardless of size. The results mark a decisi...

03/10/2023

A vigorous 9 to 12 mile early morning hike from in the Irvine Ranch Open Space is scheduled for Wednesday, October 4. The hike begins at 7:00 a.m. from the Outdoor Education Center (Weir Lot) in Irvine Regional Park, into Santiago Oaks and crossing into the Weir Canyon Nature Preserve along the scenic overlook trail – then dropping into lower Weir Canyon before hiking back to Irvine Regional Park.

A vigorous 9 to 12 mile early morning hike from in the Irvine Ranch Open Space is scheduled for Wednesday, October 4. The hike begins at 7:00 a.m. from the Outdoor Education Center (Weir Lot) in Irvine Regional Park, into Santiago Oaks and crossing into the Weir Canyon Nature Preserve along the scen...

03/10/2023

NB Councilman Will O'Neill opines on Governor Newsom's decision to racialize the matter of appointing a replacement to fill the late U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein's seat.

Imagine that a CEO announces that a top spot in the company is open. That spot’s power is enormous, nearly everyone who holds it becomes much wealthier, and the job requires showing up only an average of 164 days per year. But the only people who can be considered are Black women. Why should immut...

29/09/2023

The Pacific Airshow kicks off this morning in Huntington Beach, and the aerial spectacular will run through October 1. It is the largest airshow in the Unites States in terms of the number of attendees.

The Pacific Airshow kicks off this morning in Huntington Beach, and the aerial spectacular will run through October 1. It is the largest airshow in the Unites States in terms of the number of attendees. Headlining the weekend-long event will be the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the F-22 Raptor Demons...

28/09/2023

Santa Ana Police Chief Dave Valentin sent out a department-wide letter today announcing his retirement from the post he had held since 2017. Valentin is the 21st police chief in Santa Ana’s 54-year history, and the first Santa Ana native to hold the position.

Santa Ana Police Chief Dave Valentin sent out a department-wide letter today announcing his retirement from the post he had held since 2017. “It has been my life’s honor to serve as a Santa Ana Police Officer in the very City that I was born and raised in,” wrote Valentin. “I have decided to...

21/09/2023

Santa Ana’s roll-out of its controversial Rental Registry program has been encountering a growing chorus of criticism from both housing providers and tenants, particularly around the issues of privacy and due process.

Santa Ana’s roll-out of its controversial Rental Registry program has been encountering a growing chorus of criticism from both housing providers and tenants, particularly around the issues of privacy and due process. The Rental Registry program is part of the rent control ordinance adopted by the...

15/09/2023

The CalOptima Health Board of Directors has approved spending $18.5 million to acquire, renovate and open a 52-room Street Medicine Support Center in Garden Grove. The center is part of a strategy to address health issues among the homeless, and will house individuals, mainly older adults, who qualify and are referred by CalOptima’s Street Medicine clinical team.

The CalOptima Health Board of Directors has approved spending $18.5 million to acquire, renovate and open a 52-room Street Medicine Support Center in Garden Grove. The center is part of a strategy to address health issues among the homeless, and will house individuals, mainly older adults, who quali...