March 4, 2021
Orange County
Voice of OC: Orange County grapples with wave of hate toward Asian Americans over Coronavirus
Some say the events of the last year only warrant a deeper look into Orange County's own history — and understanding — of one of its most complex demographics.
OC Register: 4 alleged Southern California white supremacists can face charges, appeals court rules
A federal appeals court has found that four alleged members of a Southern California-based militant, white-supremacist group can face criminal charges for violent attacks at local political rallies, reversing the ruling of a lower court judge who questioned the constitutionality of the law they were charged under.
Voice of OC: Santa Ana mayor says city abandoned by the federal, state, and county virus response
Mayor Vince Sarmiento’s comments come after the Coalition of Community Health Centers of Orange County, school district officials and community organizations, like Latino Health Access, have been fighting for weeks to increase vaccination efforts to the county’s hardest hit neighborhoods.
OC Register: Odors from asphalt plant in Irvine spark frustration, fear, anger
The South Coast Air Quality Management District hosted Wednesday’s online meeting to update the community on preliminary air testing results and to respond to the questions of residents, who live predominantly in the neighborhoods of Orchard Hills and Northwood.
OC Register: UC Irvine, city settle lawsuit over new medical complex
The $1 billion medical complex near Birch Street and Jamboree Road will include a 144-bed hospital as well as a a Center for Children’s Health, medical offices and urgent care.
Daily Pilot: Santa Ana approves ‘hero pay’ for grocery workers
The council voted 5-2 in favor of an urgency ordinance requiring grocery store employees in the city to be paid an extra $4 an hour for 120 days. Council members Nelida Mendoza and David Penaloza dissented.
Labor
OC Register: Carpenters union sues Irvine over signs warning about sex offenders
The union is seeking unspecified damages and a court order prohibiting Irvine officials from making further threats regarding the banners placed at the corners of Cadence and Merit and Irvine Boulevard and Modjeska.
California
OC Register: California to earmark 40% of vaccine doses to vulnerable areas
California will begin setting aside 40% of all vaccine doses for people who live in the most vulnerable neighborhoods in an effort to inoculate people most at risk from the coronavirus and get the state’s economy open more quickly.
Publication Date: March 4, 2021