August 25, 2021 Media Brief
Orange County
Voice of OC: Sheriff Dept. staff have lowest self-reported vaccination rate as COVID outbreaks increase among County workers
“County leadership never imposed any verification requirements on the public,” said Charles Barfield, general manager of the Orange County Employees Association. “Now, two months later; this decision is resulting in the climbing number of cases (10 cases in June and over 170 so far for August). The County’s own internal reports show that over 70% of positive cases are occurring at work,” he continued.
Voice of OC: New probe details “troubling” use of force culture at Sheriff’s Dept.
It’s the Office of Independent Review (OIR)’s first probe into a county public agency in years, also detailing various issues where some training instructors diminish policy or endorse mistreatment tactics, and use of force incident reports either lack details or are filed late.
Voice of OC: County cities begin dropping COVID emergency declarations as cases soar
Local emergency status lets city staff operate independently of the city council, often raising the amount of cash city managers are allowed to spend on contracts without having to bring an approval in front of the council.
OC Register: Santa Ana schools will require weekly Covid testing on campus
As of Tuesday, the district had 751 students and more than 100 staff members on quarantine because they are sick or recently have been exposed to someone with the virus. The district has 51 confirmed COVID19 cases among its approximate 44,000 students and 6,000 employees.
Daily Pilot: A toxic stew of anti-Asian racism, anti-vaccine vitriol roils Orange County
Efforts to keep the public safe are under attack by a small but vocal group that disrupts the supervisors’ Tuesday morning meetings, American flags in hand, sporting Trump T-shirts and hats — and, of course, no masks.
Voice of OC: Anaheim council members opt to appoint council vacancy replacement in three weeks
All council members were in favor of going down the council appointment road, rather than a special election — citing expected costs of up to $221,000 for an election, as well as the relatively short period of time the replacement would hold the seat before its current term ends.
OC Register: Human smuggling incidents up along Orange, LA county coasts
Maritime human smuggling in Orange and Los Angeles Counties has increased significantly this summer, with a dozen separate incidents occurring in July, the Department of Homeland Security reported Monday.
California
KTLA: California stimulus checks: Golden State payments to begin next week; here’s when you could get yours
Individuals who will be getting the payment via direct deposit are those who have already chosen that option to receive a refund on their tax return.
Publication Date: August 25, 2021
