Rearview Mirror: OC Week in Review
Sunday (07.19.15)
Irvine will declare “In God We Trust”
Following the lead of several cities in Orange County, and hundreds around the country, Irvine will display the national motto “In God We Trust” in a yet-to-be-determined area of City Hall. In addition, the City Council has voted to include the Latin phrase “E Pluribus Unum” — out of many, one — in a display at the facility. (Los Angeles Times)
Huntington apartment residents displaced by rain woes
Dozens of residents have had to leave their apartments after several ceilings collapsed in two Huntington Beach buildings because of the recent rainfall, the city Fire Department said. The 10 buildings at the complex are being reroofed and having solar panels installed in a process that started in February. (Huntington Beach Independent)
Monday (07.20.15)
Taco Bell chief sells Laguna home
Brian Niccol, the chief executive of fast-food chain Taco Bell Corp., has sold his home in Laguna Beach for $3.375 million. Built in 1964, the two-story home behind gates in Emerald Bay features a wrap-around balcony and wide ocean views. (Los Angeles Times)
Child dies in Anaheim fall
A 3-year-old girl died after falling from a walkway at an Embassy Suites hotel in Anaheim. The girl was identified Stephanie Martinez of Las Vegas, according to an Orange County coroner’s office news release. (KTLA)
Man accused of kidnapping neighbor
A Newport Beach man is accused of breaking into a neighbor’s home and kidnapping her with the intent of raping her. The Orange County district attorney’s office charged Nicholas Michael Papson, 25, with aggravated assault, burglary, resisting a police officer, kidnapping and kidnapping to commit rape. Papson pleaded not guilty. (Daily Pilot)
Tuesday (07.21.15)Teen killed in crash wasn’t wearing seat belt
A high school student who died in a Newport Beach traffic collision last month wasn’t wearing his seat belt when the SUV he was driving crashed into another car, throwing him out of the vehicle, police said. Investigators released that and other new details about the crash that killed 17-year-old Spencer Becker on June 23. Becker caused the crash when he sped through a red light at Jamboree Road and Bristol Street, police said. (Daily Pilot)
Nude man charged with multiple crimes
A convicted sex offender who was arrested after residents said they found him naked on a Costa Mesa porch faces three felony and 14 misdemeanor counts in connection with acts he is alleged to have committed in the past two months, according to charges filed by the Orange County district attorney’s office. Jeffrey R. Smith, 43, is accused of breaking into homes to inappropriately touch women. (Daily Pilot)
Wednesday (07.22.15)
Man accused of killing son, molesting teen girl
A Santa Ana father who was charged in the killing of his 3-year-old son has also been accused of committing lewd acts on a teenage girl, the Orange County district attorney’s office announced. Jordan Peter Mendez, 20, was accused of committing lewd acts on “Jane Doe” between June 1, 2014, and Aug. 31, 2014, when the victim was under the age of 14, the release stated. The 20-year-old man was arrested after his infant was found unresponsive at a home in the 800 block of West Stevens Avenue. (KTLA)
Alcohol, drug caused woman’s death
The death of an Orange County woman who disappeared after a Valentine’s Day night out in Costa Mesa has been ruled an overdose, but how her body ended up on an isolated embankment in the Cleveland National Forest remains a mystery, officials said. Toxicology tests showed that Erica Alonso, 28, of Laguna Hills died from a lethal combination of alcohol and the drug GHB, according to the Sheriff’s Department. (Daily Pilot)
Thursday (07.23.15)
Orange County economy revs into high gear
The construction of 200 Spectrum Center, which will be the county’s largest building, underscores a local economy that’s finally revving into high gear, following a recession that decimated two of its leading industries: construction and the mortgage business. It took the state’s third most populous county until March to regain all the jobs lost during the downturn. (Los Angeles Times)
YouTube executive speaks in Anaheim
YouTube Chief Executive Susan Wojcicki unveiled a series of product announcements, including a mobile redesign for the platform, during her keynote speech at VidCon. The longtime executive, who previously headed advertising and commerce at Google, received several rounds of applause as she addressed a packed Anaheim Convention Center conference hall at VidCon for the second year in a row. (Los Angeles Times)
Friday (07.24.15)
Angels plan to unveil Trout bobblehead
To commemorate Angels center fielder Mike Trout’s 2014 American League most-valuable-player award, a life-size bobblehead of Trout, standing 6 feet 2, was scheduled to be unveiled in the Music Garden/Trout Farm area outside Angel Stadium. Trout, who turns 24 on Aug. 7, was expected take a few minutes out of his preparation for the game against the Texas Rangers to attend the ceremony. (Los Angeles Times)
Newport base jumper dies in Turkey
Ian Flanders, 28, of Newport Beach was killed in Kemaliye, Turkey, when his foot snagged in his parachute cords and he fell to his death. Flanders is the third BASE jumper to die in as many months. Dean Potter, an internationally known jumper, and his friend Graham Hunt died in May after slamming into a mountainside in Yosemite moments after jumping off a 1,500-foot ridge while outfitted in inflatable wing suits. (Los Angeles Times)