OC Watchdog

Concerns regarding accountability and transparency are reinforced by a state audit of the Orange County Electric Authority

A recent state audit of Orange County Power Authority (OCPA), a problematic sustainable energy business, revealed opaque marketing and financial services contracts. The agency's financial stability was also thrown into doubt by the audit. California's state auditor, Grant Parks, wrote to the governor and leaders of the state legislature that "OCPA demonstrated a pattern of...

The Dough at Orange County’s Coolest Pizza Is the Show

A dozen or more hungry pizza lovers may be gathered in front of People Pizzeria in Costa Mesa on any given night, glancing at their phones or craning their necks to watch the action. It's simple: Since the kitchen occupies more than half of the room, everyone can see one of Orange County's busiest...

Orange County Has Been Named The 16th Consecutive Tree City USA

In honour of State Arbor Day, Orange County is announcing that it has been named a Tree City USA for the 16th year in a row by the National Arbor Day Foundation. The Tree City USA initiative honours local governments' increased dedication to expanding their urban tree canopy and exhibiting improved standards of tree...

Hall Of Administration, An Unappreciated Building In Orange County, Is Closing

Santa Ana's Orange County Hall of Administration deserved better. The County of Orange's long-time headquarters, which cost $8.1 million to build and was inaugurated in 1978, is now being demolished. The County of Orange is the administrative body in charge of the unincorporated parts of Orange County. It was the most recent building to fall...

“I Panicked And Fled To My House” : An OC Woman Describes Her Stalking Experience

I was inspired to write this narrative after listening to two women. On my lunch break, the three of us were speaking when one of them began to tell me about her recent experience dealing with a stalker. She vowed that she wouldn't live in terror, despite how eerie and frightening it was. After...

With Smoky Spices and Veggies, This Roasted Veggies and Yellow Curry Pie Will Surely Win Your Heart!

You undoubtedly have memories of hurried trips to the supermarket to get a round brick of pie for Thanksgiving, if your parents were anything like mine. It usually came in one of three flavors—pecan, apple, or perhaps pumpkin—and was enclosed in an aluminum and plastic cage with a white sticker label that appeared to...

The Karman Bar Plans To Make A Move

The Karman Bar in Laguna Niguel hosted its final live music performance on November 16th, at least temporarily. The bar is seeking a new site after closing its Cape Drive location. Owners Erinn Karman and Lisa Alley have promoted a live music culture in the little dive pub since it opened its doors nearly...

Hmong Singer Xy Lee Shot Dead In Fresno

Update: The Fresno Police Department confirmed this afternoon that Xy Lee, 23, died alongside Phia Vang, 31; Kalaxang Thao, 40; and Kou Xiong, 38. Andrew Hall—the Fresno Police Chief—said at a press conference held today that two or more gunmen got into an unlocked backyard gate, proceeded to walk into a “very peaceful, quiet family...

Good Girls Get High’s Is A Worthy Addition To The Teen-Comedy Genre

So long as the world has teens in it, there will be movies portraying—to varying degrees of accuracy—the challenges they face in terms of anxiety and angst while trying to fit in, look cool, or woo a hot peer that they’re inexorably attracted to. The genre of teen-comedy has neatly arranged its tropes in...

Danger God Is A Great Companion For Once Upon A Time . . . In Hollywood

If you’ve read reviews of Tarantino’s ninth feature-length piece of work—Once Upon A Time...In Hollywood—then you need to be redirected to something else that is awesome and related—Danger God. They’re both worth picking up as stocking stuffers. Cliff Booth, the stuntman played by Brad Pitt, draws at least some inspiration as a character from Gary...