Judge temporarily seals grand jury report on Scott Dekraai

An Orange County Superior Court judge has temporarily sealed a grand jury report about Salon Meritage shooting suspect Scott Dekraai.

Dekraai’s defense team filed a motion Friday to seal the report from public view, arguing that the information could prejudice the jury, especially in light of the media attention the case has received. The Orange County district attorney’s office is expected to file a counter motion to deny sealing the report.

A judge is scheduled to rule April 13 on whether to unseal the report. Dekraai also has a pretrial scheduled that day.

The court tentatively set Oct. 15 as a trial date for Dekraai. Defense attorney Scott Sanders said he didn’t think his team would be ready then, but agreed to the tentative date.

Council OKs lifting ban on selling fireworks

The Huntington Beach City Council voted Tuesday to lift the ban on the usage and sale of safe-and-sane fireworks during the Fourth of July holiday for a trial period of two years, despite pleas from dozens of residents who flooded the City Council Chambers in opposition.

The vote also came despite the opinions of the police and fire chiefs, who both strongly opposed lifting the ban.

The council approved the ordinance with a 5-2 vote, with Councilwoman Connie Boardman and Councilman Joe Shaw dissenting.

“I’m going to work as hard as I can … to repeal it,” Boardman said.

Mayor Don Hansen introduced the proposal as his first item on the list as mayor and said he wanted Huntington Beach residents to enjoy the tradition of fireworks just like neighboring cities that allow it.

…Continue reading Council OKs lifting ban on selling fireworks

O.C. Grand Jury indicts Salon Meritage shooting suspect

The Orange County Grand Jury on Tuesday indicted Scott Evans Dekraai for allegedly murdering eight people and attempting to murder a ninth in what is now known as Orange County’s worst mass murder.

The Huntington Beach resident faces eight felony counts of special circumstances murder and one felony count of attempted murder. Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas is seeking the death penalty.

Dekraai, 42, is scheduled to be arraigned on the indictment charges at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Central Justice Center in Santa Ana. He is accused of walking into Salon Meritage in Seal Beach on Oct. 12 with body armor and three guns allegedly to seek revenge on his ex-wife, Michelle Marie Fournier, whom he fought over the custody of their son.

A grand jury indictment means there will be no preliminary hearing, which is a court process where the judge decides whether there is enough evidence to go to trial.

Helicopter makes emergency landing in H.B.

Former Huntington Beach officer files claim against city

A former Huntington Beach police officer has filed a claim for more than half a million dollars against the city, saying officials terminated him wrongfully, released information about an internal investigation unlawfully and denied him a medical retirement package.

William Brubaker, who worked as an officer with the police department from 1992 until he was terminated in August, filed a claim that was sent first as a letter to City Manager Fred Wilson on Nov. 22.

The city’s risk management office, which processes claims against the city, received it Jan. 9.

Brubaker became involved in an investigation regarding the handling of found property, in which he accidentally marked his wife’s camera as found property with the police department, he said in the claim. Brubaker said he kept the camera, which contained pictures of his family going back a few years, in his patrol bag.

…Continue reading Former Huntington Beach officer files claim against city

Body found in waste truck in Huntington Beach

The body of a 44-year-old man was found inside a Rainbow Environmental Services truck full of green waste that was transferred to Huntington Beach from Los Angeles to be sorted out.

Huntington Beach police received a call from the company at 17121 Nichols Lane at about 1:20 p.m. Tuesday after employees found the body when they dumped the contents of the truck, said Capt. Russell Reinhart.

No signs of trauma were found on the body of the man, who lived in Artesia but is not being identified at this time pending the ongoing investigation.

…Continue reading Body found in waste truck in Huntington Beach

Council denies building cell tower near Bolsa Chica

The Huntington Beach City Council on Monday voted against permitting T-Mobile to build a cell tower in a residential area near protected wildlife habitat.

The move, however, is expected to draw out the already lengthy litigations between the city and the telecommunications company.

“I will have to support what my citizens would like to do,” said Councilman Devin Dwyer, whose words were met with claps and cheers by the audience. “My fear is if we do lose this battle … we will have to put the towers in the parks. We need to win the whole war, guys.”

As a compromise to putting the towers in parks, the Springdale Pump Station at 18401 Springdale St. was one of the two locations where cell towers were proposed to be built. Many residents were upset at the idea of having towers in the parks, however, which caused the towers to be denied and T-Mobile to sue the city.

Residents and the majority of the council, at the recommendation of city staff, said the Springdale Pump Station isn’t the right place for a cell tower. Councilman Matthew Harper was the only supporter of the tower and voted against denying the permit.

Residents said they feared a tower near the station will bring down the value of their properties and endanger the adjacent Bolsa Chica wetlands.

“I love this city and I’m pro-business,” said resident Billy O’Connell, who lives near the pump station. “This is not the right place for this tower. T-Mobile has not stepped up to the plate.”

The City Council is expected to vote on the second location, at the Huntington Harbour Mall, on Jan. 17.

Residents seem to support building the second cell tower there, said City Attorney Jennifer McGrath.

Two court hearings are scheduled Jan. 18 and 31 over the cell tower locations, she said.

Huntington Beach man suspected of slaying woman in RV

A Huntington Beach man was arrested Sunday on suspicion of murdering a 21-year-old woman who was found in a RV he lived in outside of his parents’ house.

Police began searching for Ean Keith Brown, 38, who was recently released from prison on parole, after getting reports of a possible murder in the RV, said Capt. Russell Reinhart.

His parents were in the house when police responded and are cooperating, Reinhart said.

Other law enforcement agencies were on the lookout for Brown when the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and the California Highway Patrol spotted him heading north on the 15 Freeway and began a vehicle pursuit.

…Continue reading Huntington Beach man suspected of slaying woman in RV

Fences causing controversy on Huntington Beach-owned land

When Michael Novratil and his family moved into a house on Alabama Street two years ago, they got a special bonus from the city: a piece of municipally owned land in the backyard, complete with a fence, that provided a perfect place for their dogs to run around.

Now, Novratil may have to find a new place for his dogs to play. The city, responding to some complaints and inquiries, has ordered all the fences to come down by Jan. 12.

Walking down the well-manicured Lake Street where embattled former Bell City Manager Robert Rizzo used to live, one wouldn’t know about the alley stretch hidden between Lake and Alabama.

Years ago, the famous Red Cars owned by the Pacific Electric Railway ran through there. When that stopped, the Huntington Beach Co. gave the railroad stretch to the city in 1987. And since then, nothing has been done with it — so residents began using it for themselves.

The alley, which stretches horizontally between Utica and Indianapolis avenues where a Southern California Edison power substation is housed, has been divided by residents, with each household taking over the area directly across from it.

…Continue reading Fences causing controversy on Huntington Beach-owned land

Neighbors remember woman crushed in CSULB elevator

Annette Lujan was the kind of person who loved life, helped her neighbors and took care of her family.

When her neighbor, Teri Moore, heard Lujan was crushed to death by an elevator at Cal State Long Beach on Dec. 7, she couldn’t believe it. The incident left her wondering: How could you leave to work in the morning and not come back? Would an extra stop light on the way or a delay for a chat with a coworker have saved her life?

“I’m really struggling,” Moore said. “I just miss her smile.”

Lujan, 48, worked at Cal State Long Beach for nine years at the Office of University Research, according to the campus newspaper, the Daily 49er. The elevator crushed her as she attempted to escape while stuck between floors.

Lujan’s house on a quiet Huntington Beach street where she lived for many years was empty Friday afternoon. Two bouquets of flowers were left at her door.

Moore, her next-door neighbor on the right, and, Cliff Fornwalt, her immediate neighbor to the left, said Lujan took care of her home and was proud of it.

…Continue reading Neighbors remember woman crushed in CSULB elevator