FBI: Irvine still nation’s safest city, Santa Ana leads O.C. in violent crime

Irvine is still the safest large city in the nation — and the city now boasts the lowest serious crime rate in its history, according to new numbers released by the FBI.

The preliminary crime data for 2009 released Monday by the FBI shows that Irvine last year experienced 0.7 violent crimes — murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault — per 1,000 residents. New York City, by comparison, had 5.5 violent crimes per 1,000 residents, and Los Angeles had 5.8.

Irvine had 14.6 part 1 crimes — murder, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft, vehicle theft and arson — per 1,000 residents, 6% lower than last year and the lowest in the city’s history.

…Continue reading FBI: Irvine still nation’s safest city, Santa Ana leads O.C. in violent crime

‘Real Housewives of O.C.’ puts out a casting call

From OCLNN

The drama, the catfights, the glamorous (or not) life of the rich and famous. Do you think you have what it takes to join the reality TV crowd?

According to an ad posted by Evolution Media on Craigslist, “The Real Housewives of Orange County” is casting for the next season. There still hasn’t been an official announcement that a sixth season of the popular franchise will happen, but if it does, this is your chance to be a part of it.It’s also unclear if this means one of the current housewives will not be coming back although Vicki Gunvalson, of Coto de Caza, has expressed uncertainty about continuing with the show during last season’s reunion.

O.C. farmers gain ground on builders, but for how long?

By Mike Reicher, OCLNN

The farmers are reclaiming Orange County.

Well, not quite, but an amazing thing happened in the last two years: After hemorrhaging farmland to homes, roads and buildings for decades, farmers actually gained more land.

People like Richard Manassero, a third-generation berry farmer, were able to hold onto their plots.

Just five years ago Manassero had to vacate a 25-acre parcel in Brea to make way for homes, but now he has a 35-acre replacement in Costa Mesa and this year he signed a new long-term lease in Anaheim Hills.

… Continue Reading: O.C. farmers gain ground on builders, but for how long?

Pension mistake will cost county $6M to $7M per year

By Erik Holmes, OCLNN

A software glitch that caused the county to underfund its employee retirement system for nearly a decade will require it to increase pension contributions by $6 million to $7 million annually beginning in 2011 to make up the shortfall, officials said Wednesday.

The software error caused the county government and other agencies to undercontribute to the pension fund by $228 million since 2001, when faulty code was put in place that did not account for special pay some employees receive in addition to their base salaries. The problem was discovered and corrected earlier this year and disclosed to the Orange County Board of Supervisors on April 12. (Read the county documents.)

An increased payment amount of $7 million per year is only about 1 percent of the county’s annual discretionary budget of $700 million, but it will be a tough figure to swallow at a time when county departments have already slashed their budgets by around 10 percent since the recession began.

… Continue Reading

DA looking for more victims of Santa Ana bus child annoyance suspect

Jose Antonio Hernandez, 45, of Santa Ana (OC District Attorney)

By Erik Holmes, OCLNN

A man suspected of harassing and touching two young girls on public buses in Santa Ana could have more victims, authorities say, and the Orange County District Attorney’s office is asking for the public’s help in locating other girls the suspect may have harassed.

Jose Antonio Hernandez, 45, of Santa Ana, is charged with two misdemeanor counts of child annoyance and two misdemeanor counts of battery for allegedly grabbing two female middle school students while standing behind them on buses on April 19 and 20. He is being held on $10,000 bail and faces up three years in jail if convicted.

Information gathered during the investigation leads prosecutors to believe these might not be isolated incidents, said Farrah Emami, a spokeswoman for the D.A.’s office.

… Continue Reading

Fashion Island carousel moves

By Erik Holmes, OCLNN

The Irvine City Council this week approved the purchase of a hand-painted carousel that used to be at Fashion Island in Newport Beach.

The Venetian-themed carousel, which has 32 colorful animal figures and two chariots, can accommodate up to 40 children at a time.

The 38-foot-diameter carousel is expected to become part of the Great Park’s Kids Rock playground, which is under construction.

… Continue Reading: Fashion Island carousel moves

County-owned wireless internet system put on hold

By Erik Holmes, OCLNN

An ambitious plan to create a county-owned wireless internet system to serve public safety agencies and residents of low-income neighborhoods has been put on hold because of the county’s ongoing budget crunch.

The Orange County Board of Supervisors had been scheduled to discuss the $11 million project – which would be paid for primarily through grants from the federal stimulus program – on May 8, but the discussion was deleted from the board’s agenda at the last minute.

Howard Sutter, a spokesman for the county executive’s office, said the finances proved untenable given the county’s efforts to shrink its budget amid declining tax revenue.

… Continue Reading: County-owned wireless internet system put on hold

Regency brings movies back to San Juan Capistrano

By Cheryl Pruett, OCLNN

After a 10-year movie theater drought, Regency Theatres will open a four-auditorium theater in San Juan Capistrano Friday, May 7.  And, it’s more than a long-awaited movie house.

It will be Orange County’s first in-theater dining experience.  Regency San Juan Capistrano Theatre featuring Rick’s Café and Wine Bar adds to the Casablanca-themed ambiance of newly renovated movie complex.  The Moroccan/Casablanca theme was selected because Regency President Lyndon Golin was looking for a timeless style.

… Continue Reading: Regency brings movies back to San Juan Capistrano

Congressional candidate Beth Krom sets sites on GOP stronghold

By Erik Holmes, OCLNN

Just how much has the 48th Congressional District changed in recent years?

That’s what Irvine City Councilwoman Beth Krom, a Democrat, is trying to find out as she challenges U.S. Rep. John Campbell, a Republican, for the seat representing much of central and southern Orange County.

The district has been reliably Republican for many years, but its voters narrowly favored President Barack Obama in the 2008 election. Republicans as recently as 2006 enjoyed a 22-percentage point advantage in voter registration in the district, but that gap has shrunk to 15 percentage points this year. Krom is hoping that trend continues.

… Continue Reading: Congressional candidate Beth Krom sets sites on GOP stronghold

4th District candidates face off in Newport forum

By Erik Holmes, OCLNN

NEWPORT BEACH – The six candidates vying to represent the 4th District on the Orange County Board of Supervisors squared off Wednesday in a forum addressing a broad range of topics of both local and county-wide interest.

Sponsored by the OC Public Affairs Association, the forum at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach was a polite affair with candidates in agreement on most issues. The race, which is officially nonpartisan, features three Republicans and three Democrats, all but one of whom currently serve on city councils.

… Continue Reading: 4th District candidates face off in Newport forum