Tuesday, November 17
8:00 p.m. — The Garden Grove Active Transportation Program webpage will highlight the city’s ongoing efforts to improve its active transportation.
The webpage features grant details, program development and timeline, community outreach programming, city and staff reports, partnerships with outside agencies and organizations, and photos from various community events.
The City of Garden Grove also stated it had completed all four phases of the Congressional Medal of Honor Bike and Pedestrian Trail. The trail is currently undergoing improvements through the end of 2020 which includes installation of new irrigation and landscaping.
For more information on the trail visit: ggcity.org/bikeped.
6:03 p.m. — Orange County has announced it will distribute 11,000 COVID-19 at-home testing kits to residents in Santa Ana and Anaheim because those are the cities hardest hit by the pandemic. The at-home saliva testing kits are powered by Ambry Genetics. Registration will be available starting Monday, November 23, 2020.
The test kits will be available for pick up at community clinics and via the mail.
4:30 p.m. — A group of classic car enthusiasts also joined in the 11 a.m. parade outside the Mission Viejo hospital to honor first responders and frontline caregivers.
4:00 p.m. — Baxter, an Anaheim Hills resident who rose from Disneyland Main Street, U.S.A. ice cream scooper to senior vice president of creative development in Walt Disney Imagineering, has been inducted into the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Hall of Fame, a global attraction park industry’s highest honor.
He was one of two Disney cast members to be inducted today during the IAAPA Expo: Virtual Education Conference.
Walt Disney Parks Vice President and Chief Safety Officer Greg Hale, who was also one of the inventors of Disney’s Fastpass system, also received the honor.
Baxter retired from Disney in 2013 and was immediately honored by the Walt Disney Company as a Disney Legend — the company’s hall of fame. He still serves as a creative consultant and was the brainchild behind several iconic rides at Disney theme parks around the world. His work includes Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Star Tours, Splash Mountain, and Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye, among many others.
— From Orange County Digital Journalist Joseph Pimentel
3:15 p.m. — The Costa Mesa City Council will meet tonight to discuss new rules regarding the building of accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units in the city.
More commonly known as ADUs, JADUs, or granny flats, these are usually freestanding, detached living units or a converted existing structure, such as a garage, on a single-family residential, multifamily, or mixed-use lot.
As part of an effort to increase housing production in the state, Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2019 signed several new laws to streamline the development of ADUs and JADUs. Costa Mesa initially adopted Newsom’s guidelines but tonight will decide on new rules such as size, parking requirements, and setbacks.
— From Orange County Digital Journalist Joseph Pimentel
"[Monday's] unilateral move by Governor Newsom is troubling and harmful to Orange County families who need to put food on the table, to small business struggling to stay open, and to the mental health of our community. These actions continue to erode trust in government. While rates of depression and other mental health issues continue to rise due to these shutdowns, Orange County’s hospital capacity is solid, and our positivity rate is still in the Orange Tier. I have strongly advocated for a regional approach with greater local control to allow our dedicated local health agencies to work together with the local medical community and develop plans to fight the virus. Instead of combatting COVID-19 in a thoughtful manner, this one-size fits-all approach threatens the livelihoods of our residents."
* * * * *
First elected to the Orange County Board of Supervisors in 2014, Michelle Steel represents the residents of the Second District, which includes, Costa Mesa, Cypress, Huntington Beach, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Newport Beach, Seal Beach, Stanton, the unincorporated area of Rossmoor, and portions of Buena Park and Fountain Valley. Steel, a successful businesswoman and renowned taxpayer advocate, previously served as Vice Chair of the State Board of Equalization where she represented more than eight million people in Southern California, including all of Orange County, as one of the state’s 12 constitutional officers.
1:19 p.m. (CNS) — In a press conference Tuesday that focused primarily on widespread testing, Supervisor Andrew Do said the county will announce a plan this week to begin providing at-home kits to residents to help stem the tide of COVID-19.
"We want it to be mobile and at the neighborhood level, so people can see testing as part of their holiday safe practices," he said.
Meanwhile, county health officials reported 352 new coronavirus cases, raising the cumulative count to 65,957. There were no new fatalities for the second consecutive day, so the death toll stands at 1,526.
The Board of Supervisors also approved a grant program Tuesday to help restaurants serve customers outdoors now that the county has been put back into the most-restrictive purple tier, which prohibits indoor dining.
We have posted the #OCCOVID19 cases reported to us today at https://t.co/XiphdjsVuR. Additionally, we are now making aggregate case information available on the site for #OC schools, colleges, universities and vocational institutions to provide the community with more context. pic.twitter.com/SdHJNClvSl
— OC Health Care Agency (@ochealth) November 17, 2020
10:30 a.m. — K9 Rex passed away early Monday morning with his handler at his side. He began to show signs of an illness last week and was sent for treatment immediately. He was diagnosed with an aggressive form of pneumonia.
K9 Rex showed the true spirit of a warrior and fought until the very end. He had only been with the department for five months but that did not stop him from touching the lives of so many.
The @ocsdk9unit sadly announces the passing of K9 Rex. Rex passed away Monday with his handler at his side. He was diagnosed with an aggressive form of pneumonia but showed the true spirit of a warrior and fought until the very end. Read more at https://t.co/iGdYUseoSM. 🐾🙏 pic.twitter.com/W8xJhpSCqH
— OC Sheriff, CA (@OCSheriff) November 17, 2020
10:20 a.m. — Laguna Beach will consider a short-term rental ordinance at its City Council meeting Tuesday night. Designed to prevent additional Airbnb-type rentals in residential areas, the ordinance would allow a maximum of 300 short-term rental units in the beachside city with 22,000 residents and would also grandfather in 117 units already operating as legal, permitted short-term rentals.
— From Digital Journalist Susan Carpenter
10:15 a.m. — The weather is getting cooler, but Orange County’s housing market is hot.
Reports on Housing, a data company that specializes in analyzing Southern California’s housing market, reported that the county’s limited housing supply has buyers gobbling almost everything on the market.
The average market time — the period from listing to escrow — is at 41 days, Reports on Housing reported this week. Last year, the market time was at 71 days. Anything below 60 is considered a hot seller's market, explained Steven Thomas, chief economist at Reports on Housing.
“The market has not been this hot in November right before Thanksgiving since 2012, the beginning of the housing recovery,” said Thomas in his monthly report. “When housing is this hot, this late in the year, it sets the stage for a very strong beginning to the new year.”
Thomas explained that record low interest rates, high demand for housing, and fewer homes on the market are fueling Orange County’s housing market.
Reports on Housing further breaks it down:
- The market time for homes priced below $750,000 is 30 days.
- Homes priced between $750,000 to $1 million is 25 days.
- Homes priced between $1 million and $1.25 million is 40 days.
- Huxury homes priced between $1.25 million and $1.5 million is 56 days.
— From Orange County Digital Journalist Joseph Pimentel
10:00 a.m. — Allegiant airlines announced Tuesday that it is adding eight new routes flying in and out of John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana. The new routes include:
- Boise, Idaho
- Grand Junction, Colo.
- Medford, Ore.
- Provo, Utah
- Las Vegas, Nev.
- Missoula, Mont.
- Reno, Nev.
- Spokane, Wash.
The new flights from the Las Vegas-based airline will begin mid-February, with some fares starting at $39 each way.
— From Digital Journalist Susan Carpenter
9:00 a.m. — The regularly scheduled meeting comes just as Gov. Gavin Newsom put the "brakes" on California’s reopening amid skyrocketing COVID-19 infection rates. Cities around the county have shut down dine-in services at restaurants in cooperation with state mandates.
Amongst the items for the board to discuss is a list of grant proposals, one of which is for $9 million in Phase 3 funding from the federal CARES Act, signed by President Trump in March. That money would support county healthcare staffing for agencies like Behavioral Health Services.
— From Orange County Digital Journalist William D'Urso
The #OCBoardofSupervisors meets TODAY at 9:30 a.m.
— County of Orange (@OCGovCA) November 17, 2020
Watch the streaming feed at https://t.co/9ON18bYjWZ….
5:45 a.m. (CNS) — Orange County's run in the COVID-19 red tier is at an end, with a lapse back into the most-restrictive purple tier of California's four-tier reopening roadmap.
Orange County — which has seen a big spike in new cases along with the rest of the state — joined 28 other counties with a jump back into the purple tier.
County health officials reported 380 new cases of the coronavirus on Monday, raising the cumulative count to 65,605. There were no new fatalities so the death toll stands at 1,526.
Monday, November 16
8:24 p.m.
8:15 p.m. — SAUSD this week is launching Learning Labs at Madison Elementary, McFadden Intermediate, and Valley High schools.
These labs allow the District to bring some of the students with the highest needs back to campuses at a small scale.
Labs will provide a safe and supervised environment for students to access their virtual classroom. Social distancing and safety protocols will be used, and there will be 14 or fewer students per group.
Beginning next week, the District plans to open Learning Labs at another round of schools. Every week, labs will be added at additional campuses as it continues to be safe to do so.
Priority will be given to McKinney Vento, foster youth, English language learners, and students with disabilities.
8:12 p.m. — Steel said, "Today’s unilateral move by Governor Newsom is troubling and harmful to Orange County families who need to put food on the table, to small business struggling to stay open, and to the mental health of our community. These actions continue to erode trust in government. While rates of depression and other mental health issues continue to rise due to these shutdowns, Orange County’s hospital capacity is solid, and our positivity rate is still in the Orange Tier. I have strongly advocated for a regional approach with greater local control to allow our dedicated local health agencies to work together with the local medical community and develop plans to fight the virus. Instead of combatting COVID-19 in a thoughtful manner, this one-size fits-all approach threatens the livelihoods of our residents."
7:05 p.m.
4:10 p.m. — During Monday night’s City Council meeting, Huntington Beach will consider allowing short-term rentals. Rentals of less than 30 days through services such as Airbnb are currently illegal in the beachside city with 200,000 residents.
If legalized, Huntington Beach would adopt an ordinance that allows for nightly stays on properties that are owner occupied. Property owners would need to register with the city and obtain a permit. They would also be required to make a local contact available around the clock who can address complaints within one hour.
—From Digital Journalist Susan Carpenter
3:44 p.m. (CNS) — Orange County CEO Frank Kim has been as careful as possible to avoid being infected with COVID-19, so he said he was "startled" when he tested positive for the coronavirus.
"Initially, I was a bit startled since I had a negative test" just days before his diagnosis, which came Nov. 10, Kim told City News Service.
A county contact tracer suspected that Kim was infected after meeting with a staffer Nov. 5, Kim said. That staffer tested positive for coronavirus Nov. 10, and then Kim's test results came back positive.
2:53 p.m. (CNS) — The number of county residents hospitalized with the virus rose from 242 Sunday to 257 Monday, with the number in the intensive care unit declining from 90 to 85, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency.
Previously, a relatively small percentage of infected people needed hospitalization but that number has crept up to 12% who test positive requiring a stay in a hospital, Lisa Bartlett, Orange County Supervisor said. Orange County, which has long boasted ample hospital capacity, is also reporting concerning staffing issues, she added.
2:45 p.m. — Today Community Action Partnership of Orange County, Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, and Waste Not OC announced they are uniting for the first time to end hunger, eradicate poverty, and reduce food waste as the OC Hunger Alliance.
In the works for 15 months, the Alliance, which will collaborate to increase access to nutritious food throughout the county, is wholly focused on ending one of the most pervasive issues of poverty: Hunger. The three organizations forming the Alliance intend to stabilize individuals, families, and communities and bridge racial and economic divides via a laser focus on solving food insecurity. By sharing a common focus, the Alliance will also increase food distribution efficiencies, reduce operational costs, shrink its carbon footprint, and minimize food waste.
2:40 p.m. — City of Hope Orange County announced today it has appointed preeminent oncologist Edward S. Kim, M.D., M.B.A., as the senior vice president and vice physician-in-chief at City of Hope and Orange County physician-in-chief. In recruiting this leading expert, City of Hope is fulfilling the promise of enhancing access to cancer breakthroughs in Orange County and becoming a model for the nation in revolutionizing the delivery of cancer treatment and research.
2:31 p.m. — The Chargers' Casey Hayward will host a safe and socially-distanced drive through Pre-Thanksgiving dinner for 65 families at Jonas E. Salk Elementary School through his charity, Hayward’s Hands Foundation on Monday, November 16, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. PST. The Georgia-based organization, founded by Casey’s mother, Tish, teaches, encourages, and helps inspire people of all ages to make their dreams come true.
Casey and volunteers from OC United Way and the Magnolia School District will provide each family with a ready to heat and eat Thanksgiving meal, along with an at-home activity using a drive-through format.
1:25 p.m. (CNS) — Orange County is reporting 380 new cases of COVID-19 and no additional deaths, bringing the county's totals to 65,605 cases with 1,526 fatalities.
12:08 p.m. (CNS) — Gov. Gavin Newsom says the state is hitting an "emergency brake" on economic activity in light of what he calls an unprecedented spike in COVID-19 cases statewide. The move means counties that have spiking virus metrics can move backward in the state's four-tier reopening matrix after one week, not the previous two-week requirement. Counties can also move back multiple tiers if needed, and counties that move backward must require industry restrictions immediately, not three days.
Orange County is officially moving back to the most restrictive purple tier, Newsom says.
#OrangeCounty is now in the purple tier as of today. This means no more indoor dining, no indoor worship and other new rules.
— Vicky Nguyen (@VickyNguyenNews) November 16, 2020
Visit for details: https://t.co/YYtvUz005s https://t.co/H0oUuLtetc
11:30 a.m. (AP) — Astronomical high tides known as “King Tides” hit the California coast in Huntington Beach Monday morning — and in some places, will continue Tuesday — with tides expected to reach nearly 7 feet (2.13 meters).
King Tides happen when the sun, moon and Earth are in alignment and the moon is in its closest position to the Earth, creating a stronger gravitational pull. The next King Tides event will occur December 13 to 15.
9:30 a.m. — Construction continues for Disneyland Resort’s much awaited Avengers Campus and other attraction projects in Anaheim.
Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro gave fans an inside look at the on-going construction projects at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure during his keynote presentation today at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Expo: Virtual Education Conference.
The #IAAPAExpo speech from the head of the Disney theme parks gives us a fresh look at previously-announced new attractions that are going forward, and suggests which ones might not have made the cut. https://t.co/vigq3bOoZh
— Theme Park Insider (@ThemePark) November 16, 2020
D’Amaro gave construction updates on the Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railroad at Disneyland, and new timeshare tower at Disneyland Hotel. D’Amaro did not say when these projects will be completed. He also gave other updates on projects happening at other Disney theme parks around the world.
Disneyland and Disney California Adventure remain closed due to California’s order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
— From Orange County Digital Journalist Joseph Pimentel
6:45 a.m. (CNS) — Former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, 93, remained hospitalized Monday in Orange County.
Lasorda "was admitted and he is in intensive care, resting comfortably," the Dodgers tweeted. "The family appreciates everyone's thoughts and prayers; however, they request their privacy at this time."
7:08 a.m. (CNS) — A blood drive will be held Thursday at OC Global Medical Center in Santa Ana for two firefighters critically injured in the Silverado Fire.
Organizers are encouraging donors to make an appointment because of COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, but walk-ins will be welcomed. To make an appointment call 800-879-4484. The blood drive will begin at 8 a.m.
The Orange County Fire Authority firefighters Dylan Van Iwaarden and Phi Le were critically injured in the Irvine area blaze, which broke out Oct. 26. The firefighters suffered second- and third-degree burns in the blaze, which was driven by powerful Santa Ana winds.
"We're very appreciative to our community members who are interested in donating blood," said OCFA Capt. Daniel Yeh. "This is going to help the recovery efforts of Dylan and Phi, but also others."