The Orange County Tribune May 18, 2022

Non-partisan News Opinion Arts & Living Sports

Covering Garden Grove Huntington Beach Stanton Westminster

Printed in Garden Grove, California n orangecountytribune.com n Wednesday, May 18, 2022 n orangecountytribune@gmail.com

Shooting Victim Dies; Charge Is Now Murder Samoodi suspect in May 7 incident

HISTORIC CARS ON DISPLAY AT HISTORICAL PARK This “low-rider” Chevy was among the vehicles on hand Saturday at Blakey Historical Park in Westminster (Orange County Tribune photos)

History and hot rods meet at event in Westminster Progress in the development of automobiles is in many ways a kind of history lesson, so it was appropriate that the Westminster Historical Society sponsored a classic car show on Sunday.

End to Poseidon was not a rebuff to desal HUNTINGTON BEACH (AP) – California officials have nixed a proposal for a $1.4 billion desalination plant but say they’re open to growing the state’s capacity to turn Pacific Ocean seawater into drinking water to buffer against persistent drought.

After an hours-long hearing, members of a state coastal panel on Thursday unanimously rejected a proposed desalination plant for Southern California over concerns the facility would kill Continued on page 2

Located at the Blakey Historical Park, 8612 Westminster Blvd., the event featured displays of historic and vintage automobiles from Thirties’ noir-style cars to low-rider vehicles of the Fifties and Sixties.

The park is home to several historic buildings, including the McCoy-Hare House, which dates back to 1873-74, Warne Family farm buildings and the Westminster Museum (originally the Midway City Women’s Club) which houses a broad array of exhibits, displays and documents chronicling the story of the community from its founding in the post Civil War era all the way to its fame as home of a Little Saigon Westminster is one of the oldest in Orange County, tracing its origins back to 1870.

The park is open for visitors on the first Sunday of each month from 1-4 p.m. Call (714) 893-0134 for more information.

Now it’s murder.

A suspect arrested in the shooting of a Garden Grove man on May 7 will now face a murder charge.

According to Detective Sgt. Evan Beresford of the GGPD, the victim – now identified as Dave Abbott, 57 – has died. He passed away at 11:50 a.m. on Thursday, May 12.

Ali Samoodi, 51, of Anaheim, is suspected of the fatal shooting that took place in a home in the 5300 block of Santa Barbara Avenue.

He left the scene in a rented U-Haul truck and led police, Riverside Sheriff’s deputies and California Highway Patrol units in a pursuit that was finally concluded in the area of Interstate 10 and Cedar Avenue.

He was arrested and booked for attempted murder.

The investigation is still ongoing and any witnesses with information about the incident are asked to call Detective Terra Ramirez at (714) 741-5839.

No deaths in latest report on COVID in Orange Co. Three of four metrics tracking the status of the coronavirus pandemic in Orange County showed declines in the latest report, including a finding of no new deaths.

According to the county health care agency,

confirmed new cases in today’s report were at 2,077. Over the four-day reporting period, that averages to 519 a day, down from Friday’s report of an average of 578.

The death total is zero, Continued on page 2

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Stanton 2 WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

End to Poseidon not end to desalination Continued from page 1

marine life and drive up the cost of water.

The vote by the California Coastal Commission, which is tasked with protecting the state’s scenic shoreline, dealt a blow to the long-running proposal

by Brookfield Infrastructure Partners-owned Poseidon Water.

The plan had the backing of Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom in his push to combat drought conditions plaguing the state, which are expected to worsen with climate change.

But commissioners weren’t convinced and said the plant would damage marine ecosystems and make water too pricey in an area of California that has other cheaper and more environmentally sound water sources including a renowned wastewater recycling program.

“Our decision today is not about desal generally on the California coast,’’ Commission Vice Chair Caryl Hart said during deliberations late Thursday.

“We don’t automatically say ‘We need oil, therefore we should approve every offshore oil proposal before us. Likewise, we need water; we need to be thoughtful,” she said. “We would not blindly approve offshore drilling, neither should we approve this desal project when it is clear that what is

JIm Tortolano Editor and Publisher Marilyn Lewis Tortolano General Manager The Orange County Tribune is published on Wednesdays. Address is 9402 Luders Ave., Garden Grove, 92844.

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proposed is far more damaging and violates the laws that Californians broadly supported and support more than ever today.”

Newsom has declared desalination, which takes ocean water and removes salt and other elements to make it drinkable, a key tool to addressing drought. The state already has other seawater desalination projects approved, including the country’s largest facility in nearby San Diego County, which was built by Poseidon.

Newsom didn’t comment on the panel’s reasoning but said seawater desalination, as well as brackish desalination, remain part of the state’s water strategies.

“It should be part for no other reason than this: Reliability, flexibility. This is a megadrought,” he told reporters on Friday.

The vote came after years of debate over whether to build the facility in Huntington Beach, which is southeast of Los Angeles and dubbed “Surf City USA’’ for its popular waves.

While Poseidon built a similar plant to produce 50 million gallons of water a day in San Diego County, the plan for Orange County – which is less dependent on state and federal water supplies – has faced opposition from environmental groups and years-long delays.

Poseidon said in a statement that it was disappointed by the panel’s decision, and believes the project “would have created a sustainable, drought-tolerant source of water for Orange County.”

Commission staff opposed

the project for various reasons, arguing the plant’s use of intake structures to draw in water from above, instead of beneath, the ocean floor would destroy tiny marine organisms that are the base of the food web in about 275 million gallons of seawater per day.

These intake structures have long been used as a cooling mechanism in a nearby power plant and are being phased out due to the impact on marine life.

Commission staff also said the plant faced hazards from sea level rise in the low-lying area where it would be built, which could be cut off from surrounding areas by flooding.

“The evidence I heard today was that the harm associated with this project was perhaps so profound, and the inconsistency of the project was so complete in terms of our own Coastal Act and other policies, that it perhaps could not be mitigated, it could not be redeemed,” said Commissioner Sara Aminzadeh.

“We are not against desal. We are for the coast, and we are for environmental justice, and we are for coastal resilience in the face of sea level rise.”

Other concerns were how much the desalinated water would wind up costing the roughly 2.5 million residents of central and northern Orange County, and whether having a private company produce water would drive up prices.

Desalinated water is currently more expensive than other sources, and the area has a local groundwater basin that meets 75 percent of its water demand and is in the process of being expanded.

No new COVID deaths in OC Continued from page 1

compared to four on Friday and eight the week before.

Hospitalizations rose from 83 to 89, while the number of patients being treated for COVID-19 in intensive care units declined from 17 to 15.

To date, Orange County has had 561,148 cases of which 543,397 are considered recovered. The death total is 7,023.

Across the U.S., The New York Times is reporting a 57 percent increase in new cases – over a 14-day period – while deaths have declined by 9 percent.

Hospitalizations have risen by 26 percent.

In California, new cases are up by 44 percent and deaths down 14 percent, reports Los Angeles Times.

The best in local news The Orange County TRIBUNE

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2022 3

News&Views

Seek suspect in stabbing incident in GG Sunday night

n GARDEN GROVE SCHOOL BOARD

VALEDICTORIANS HONORED BY GGUSD BOARD Top students of the Class of 2022 from the eight high schools, along with board members and district superintendent Gabriela Mafi (she’s at left)

Honors and humor on the agenda

By Jim Tortolano Orange County Tribune

It was a night for a lot of honors and a bit of humor at Tuesday’s meeting of the Garden Grove Unified School District Board of Education.

Valedictorians from the eight high schools in the GGUSD were introduced and their accomplishments noted in

videotaped clips played at the meeting.

Also honored were district Employees of the Month for May. They are Marlene Miramontes (classified) and Jay Heck (certificated).

On a 4-0 vote (Boardmember Dina Nguyen was absent) the board ratified a tentative agreement with the local unit of the California School

n WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL

A 10 percent increase in pay approved for city employees A pay increase of 10 percent for most municipal employees was approved by the Westminster City Council on Wednesday, May 11.

On a 5-0 vote, the council approved “Memorandums of Understanding” between the city and the Westminster Municipal Employees Association and Westminster Police Officers Association, with conditions also covering certain other city employees.

Previous agreements expired on

June 30, 2020.

The agreements will go into effect on July 2, 2022 and be effective through June 30, 2023. The annual cost is $2.766 million and is dependent on the anticipated budget shortfall being resolved.

The salary increase is not retroactive and does not compound. In addition to the pay hike, employees will retain nine additional hours of floating holiday time. A $100 monthly Continued on page 4

Employees Association, which represents classified employees such as bus drivers, food service workers, etc.).

The agreement calls for a 4.25 percent pay increase retroactive to July 1, 2021.

Additionally the board approved a memorandum of understanding with the Boys and Girls Club of Garden Grove for the expansion of the Extended Learning Opportunity Program, a decision that will allow the BGCGG to increase staffing and services for free after-school and summer programs for district pupils, Boardmember Walter Muneton came to the meeting hobbling on crutches and took some goodnatured ribbing as “Dr. Dunk.”

He explained that in a pickup basketball game with college friends, “I made a move that I shouldn’t have,” and the result was the crutches and a boot on the injured foot.

The next board meetings are scheduled for June 7 and 21.

The GGUSD is a K-12 district serving most of Garden Grove and parts of Anaheim, Cypress, Fountain Valley, Santa Ana, Stanton and Westminster.

A suspect is being sought in a stabbing attack on a homeless man in Garden Grove.

According to Detective Sgt. Evan Beresford of the GGPD, the incident took place in the 7900 block of Garden Grove Boulevard (near Beach Boulevard) on Sunday around 10:05 p.m.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department called the GGPD after having located a male victim in the 12900 block of Beach who had been stabbed in the face at the Garden Grove location.

When GGPD officers arrived, they were notified by Orange County Fire Authority personnel that the victim had stopped breathing and did not have a pulse.

The victim was resuscitated, and had suffered “major trauma” to the head and face area.

He was taken to a local hospital where he is in the intensive care unit.

Detectives were able to locate surveillance video from a nearby business. The victim, a local transient, was approached by a man who attacked him “without warning.”

The video shows the assailant swinging and stabbing a knife into the victim, who was able to run and escape across Garden Grove Boulevard where he was found by sheriff’s deputies.

Being sought by police is man described as a male Hispanic, 25 to 35 years old, 5-foot, 9-inches tall, weighing about 190 to 200 lbs. He had multiple tattoos on his body.

The suspect was last seen wearing a black tank top, black jeans and a black baseball cap with a Raiders logo on the front.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked the call the GGPD at (714) 741-5824.

4 WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

109 drivers cited for “distracted driving” A total of 109 drivers were cited for hands-free cell phone violations in Huntington Beach during a distracted driving enforcement operation throughout the month of April 2022.

“Despite repeated efforts to warn drivers about the handsfree cell phone law, some drivers continue to use their phones while operating a vehicle,” Huntington Beach Police Department Sergeant Mike Thomas said.

“Our ultimate goal is to change behaviors that help make our roads safer.”

California has had distracted driving laws on the books since 2008. Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold their phone or other electronic device while driving.

This includes talking, texting, or using an app.

Using a handheld cell phone while driving is punishable by a fine. Violating the hands-free law for a second time within 36

months of a prior conviction for the same offense will result in a point being added to a driver’s record.

If you have an important phone call or need to program

directions, pull over to a safe parking spot, say police. Before driving, either silence your phone or put it somewhere that you can’t reach.

5-story bldg. before planners The transition of the Brookhurst Triangle area into a major commercial and residential hub may take another step forward as the Garden Grove Planning Commission on Thursday considers a proposal to build a five-story mixed use project there.

Dr. Michael Dao is applying for a site plan and tentative parcel map to construct the project at the northeast corner of Garden Grove Boulevard and Brookhurst Street on a 1.86-acre plot of land formerly occupied by a furniture store and a used car lot.

The project would consist of

9,786 square feet of retail space, 9,270 square feet of medical space and 52 apartment units with a 22.5 percent affordable housing density bonus for “very low income” households.

The panel meets at 7 p.m, in the Community Meeting Center, 11300 Stanford Ave.

10% pay raise Continued from page 3

increase toward the medical Family Plan only is also in the deal.

A mechanism for adjusting the salaries of employees who are below the medians established through a compensation study is also included.

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2022 5

Arts&Living

“Maverick” is a high-flying thrill Go back in time a bit with Tom Cruise in a jet cockpit

By Mark Kennedy AP Entertainment Writer

Early on in ``Top Gun: Maverick,’’ Tom Cruise hops on his sleek motorcycle, wearing Aviator sunglasses and a leather jacket with patches, and speeds into a time machine. No, that’s not right. It’s actually us who take a trip back.

More than 30 years after Cruise smirked his way to the cocky heights of the ‘80s as the maverick Navy pilot codenamed Maverick, he effortlessly picks up the character in a new chapter of ``Top Gun’’ that is an absolutely, thoroughly enjoyable ride – a textbook example of how to make a sequel.

“Top Gun: Maverick’’ satisfies with one foot in the past by hitting all the touchstones of the first film – fast motorcycles, the song “Danger Zone,’’ military fetishisms, humorless Navy bosses, shirtless bonding sports, “the hard deck,’’ bar singalongs and buzzing the tower – and

TOM CRUISE IS BACK IN THE SADDLE OF A JET FIGHTER Reprising the role that made the actor into a first-string action hero yet stands on its own. It’s not weighed down by its past like the last “Ghostbusters’’ sequel, but rather soars by using the second to answer and echo issues with the first.

Cruise is, of course, back, reprising his rebel test pilot now based in a forgotten corner of the Mojave Desert, a mere captain when he should be an admiral because he keeps bucking authority. The years

Good: HHH have not calmed Maverick from his impulsive, hot-headed style.

Pilots do, he argues; they don’t ruminate. “You think up there, you’re dead,’’ he states. This is Cruise at his most Cruise-iest, coiled, sure and arrogant, teeth gleaming in the sunshine.

His once-rival Iceman –Val

Kilmer – is back, too, a huge Navy muckety-muck now.

And even Goose is back, by way of his son, the similarly mustachioed Miles Teller, who is strikingly similar looking to Anthony Edwards, the actor who played Maverick’s doomed flight partner and wingman in life in the first film. That death looms large for Maverick even 30 years on: “Talk to Continued on page 6

Goodness, gracious! Jerry Lee’s in the Hall

By Kristin Hall AP Entertainment Writer

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Jerry Lee Lewis, the late country singer Keith Whitley and music executive Joe Galante will join the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Lewis, 86, nicknamed ``The Killer,’’ wore a red sequined jacket and white shoes at Tuesday’s announcement, where he was introduced by duo Brooks & Dunn.

“I was wondering if they were ever going to induct me,’’ Lewis said at the press conference.

“But they’ve come around and I was really glad and grateful for it.’’

From Ferriday, Louisiana, Lewis found his initial fame under the guidance of Sam Phillips at Sun Records in Memphis, where he played alongside Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash in the now famous Million Dollar Quartet. His energy and ego were showcased on his early rock hits like “Great Balls of

JERRY LEE LEWIS in 2009

Fire’’ and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.’’ Over the years, he’s been vocal about being snubbed from the Country Music Hall of Fame, saying he couldn’t understand not being recognized for his country records and contribution to the genre. The Country Music Association created the Hall of Fame and handles balloting.

A veteran-era artist and a modern-era artist are inducted each year, along with a rotating category of non-performers, Continued on page 6

Continued from page 6

6 WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

“Top Gun: Maverick” is a high-flying thrill Continued from page 5

me, Goose,’’ he’ll whisper to himself.

Some things have changed, of course. The F-14A Tomcats have been replaced by the F/A-18 and the all-male cocky pilots of the first film have been infiltrated by a few cocky women.

Unfortunately, it seems these are the last days of envelopepushing men and women in naval aviation; pilotless aircraft are more reliable and they’re next. “The future is coming and you’re not in it,’’ Maverick is told by Ed Harris, playing a humorless admiral.

But Maverick, on the edge of extinction, has one last job for the Navy: Train a group of young hotshots for a dangerous bombing mission in Iran. One potential snag: The young hotshots he must train include Goose’s son, call sign Rooster.

Will Maverick be responsible for cooking another Goose? Can he outwit John Hamm, playing

an imperious by-the-book officer with delicious calm fury?

Director Joseph Kosinski brings a visceral feel to the film, somehow making us feel claustrophobic in the wide open sky as pilots swoop and swerve.

He wonderfully alternates between loud scenes outside with airplane engines roaring and quiet ones indoors of people almost whispering. He also switches from brilliant sun to dark interiors.

One welcome touch in the screenplay by Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer and Christopher McQuarrie is a new love interest for Maverick. Jennifer Connelly plays a divorced bar owner who has a townhouse, a beach house, a sailboat and a Porsche, so business is good. But she’s also not a push-over for on-againoff-again Maverick and, in a key scene, she’s the comfortable pilot of a boat and he’s the clueless one.

This is a more thoughtful

Maverick, more gloomy. “Top Gun: Maverick’’ is in some ways a meditation on what happens to gifted rebels later in life. He is riven by guilt and in one scene he is picked up and unceremoniously tossed out of a bar by the very same hotshots that he was 30 years ago. Worst, he’s called ``pops.’’

What is remarkable is that Cruise looks to have indeed found a way to thwart time. His chiseled body and still-boyish face are indistinguishable from the pilots three decades his junior during a football game on the beach.

The film handles Maverick’s personal stuff – wooing the barmaid, repairing his relationship with Goose’s kid – while also fulfilling its promise as an action movie. There are jets pulling 10Gs, the metal sound of cockpit sticks being pulled, epic dogfights and the whine of machinery balking at the demands put on it. The action

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even takes a few unexpected and thrilling turns. So jump on Maverick’s bike, hug him tight and join him on the highway to the danger zone.

“Top Gun: Maverick,’’ a Paramount Pictures release that hits theaters May 27, is rated PG-13 for “sequences of intense action and some strong language.’’

Running time: 131 minutes.

Jerry Lee in the C&W hall Continued from page 5

recording musicians and songwriters.

Lewis’ career was nearly derailed over the scandal of his marriage to his 13-year-old cousin, Myra, and he faced a backlash from fans during a tour in England in 1958, when crowds became combative.

Lewis spent several years blacklisted before mounting a return to the country charts in the late ‘60s. He had top country singles like “What Made Milwaukee Famous (Has Made a Loser Out of Me),’’ “She Even Woke Me Up to Say Goodbye,’’ and “To Make Love Sweeter for You.’’ He had No. 1 country hits with songs like “There Must Be More to Love Than This,’’ “Would You Take Another Chance on Me’’ and “Chantilly Lace.’’

Whitley had a short career, spanning just four years and seven months on the Billboard charts before his death at the age of 34 in 1989. But the singer from Sandy Hook, Kentucky, found commercial breakthrough with hits like “When You Say Nothing at All’’ and “I’m No Stranger to the Rain.” He met Ricky Skaggs when they were both teenagers and they both were hired to be part of bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley’s band, the Clinch Mountain Boys.

The induction for Whitley has been a long time coming for many artists and fans who were captivated by his emotional voice and singing, including artists like Garth Brooks, who has been championing for Whitley’s induction.

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2022 7

Lessons learned by the Los Angeles Kings Continued from page 8

Drew Doughty had been out since March and underwent season-ending wrist surgery in April. General manager Rob Blake said during Monday’s season-ending interviews that Arvidsson will have surgery on Tuesday.

The Kings had a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series before dropping the final two games.

Los Angeles couldn’t stop Edmonton superstar Connor McDavid, who had four goals and 14 points in the series. His six multipoint games marked the first time since Boston’s

Rick Middleton in 1983 that someone had done that.

The postseason exit means the Kings haven’t won a playoff series since beating the New York Rangers in five games in the 2014 Stanley Cup Final to hoist their second championship in three years.

“We didn’t play bad but they played a little better,’’ center Phillip Danault said. “They had a little more power and they were a little more ready.’’

Offseason acquisitions Arvidsson and Danault were major reasons the Kings finished with their highest points total since 102 in 201516. Danault, a free-agent signing, had 27 goals and 51 points centering the second line while Arvidsson, who was acquired from Nashville, had 20 goals and 49 points during the regular season.

“I think they’ve done a great

job. I mean, those couldn’t have worked out any better,’’ Doughty said about the front office. “We’re going in the right direction. I think we’re going to be a really good team and have a chance to win some playoff series next year.`` KEMPE’S NEXT STEPS Adrian Kempe had his breakthrough in his sixth NHL season. The Swedish forward became only the third Kings player since 2004-05 to score 35 goals and was second on the team in scoring with 54 points.

Blake said both sides put off discussing an extension during the season, but that will be a priority over the next couple months.

Anze Kopitar was also pleased with the progress his linemate made during the year.

“I think he’s obviously matured a lot. He’s a lot more

comfortable being one of the guys,’’ Kopitar said. ``He took big steps in every single position, whether it was on power play or penalty killing.’’

OFFSEASON PRIORITIES Wholesale changes aren’t needed, but Blake does need to add depth on defense, along with a consistent left wing to pair on the first line with Kopitar and Kempe.

“I don’t think we have to make many big swings. We still have to improve on some areas.

I mean just upgrade really,’’ Kopitar said.

TURN THE PAGE Dustin Brown’s retirement leaves three players on the roster from the Stanley Cup championship teams of 2012 and ‘14 – Doughty, Kopitar and goaltender Jonathan Quick.

Now, it’s the tough part of schedule Continued from page 8

and this offense is that we can ignite at anytime,” third baseman Anthony Rendon said. “We’ve had some games where we’ve ignited early and our pitching shuts them down the rest of the game, and we’ve had games where we’ve been shutout as hitters through eight innings on and then we come in and win it.’’

After another disappointing season … that followed a bunch of other disappointing seasons … it’s all looking so good.

But, wait a second. Isn’t this the team that routinely starts out hot and falls apart in the heat of July or August? Aren’t there a couple of heart-breaking injuries right around the corner?

Couldn’t an earthquake swallow Angel Stadium?

If the boys from Orangewood Avenue do stumble, it may not be fate or the sun or slippery shower room floors. It may be – skeptics suggest – the schedule.

Except perhaps for the Tampa Bay Rays (second in the AL East), the Angels haven’t had to deal with any of MLB’s powerhouses, but will soon.

Through next Sunday (May

29), the Halos face mostly second-tier teams. That’s five games with the Texas Rangers and three with the Oakland A’s.

The other foes are the Toronto Blue Jays.

However, the first lap is over and things get tough. On Tuesday, it’s off to the Bronx to play the New York Yankees with the best record in baseball, for three games. There are three games with a not-bad Phillies team, then four at home against a struggling Boston Red Sox squad.

That’s followed by three against the New York Mets, the NL West leaders, and then two up the freeway to face the Dodgers. Summed up that means series with three division leaders.

Put another way, here’s this week’s cliché: “If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.” This year that might just be possible.

The Dodgers fall, then rise again

You can’t really say that the Los Angeles Dodgers, first place in the NL West and with a .667 winning percentage, are

having a rough time. Let’s just say it’s a pause to catch their collective breath.

Having said that, the Blue Crew did lose four in a row last week against the Phillies before bouncing back on Sunday with a win. Then they took a doubleheader. Dodger fans held their breaths when the news came that Clayton Kershaw was out of the lineup when “his back locked up on him,” according to manager Dave Roberts.

Kershaw, the Dodgers’ alltime strikeout leader, has had enough back problems to make the injured list for the past seven seasons. But not to worry, said manager Dave Roberts.

“He came back to give us a chance to win the World Series this year,” he said. “So there’s going to have to be some managing of workload. With his experiences and intelligence, he knows when to push and when not to push, and now is not that time.”

Like we said, catch that breath.

“Sports Monday” is written by Pete Zarutica with wire service reports.

d 8 WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

TheSportsPage

SportsWeek

Schedule gets tough for Angels from now on Not since Bo Belinsky threw a no-hitter, dated Hollywood starlets and the new expansion team challenged for the American League pennant. Not since a wild card team from Disneyland made it to the World Series and overcame Barry Bonds and the San Francisco Giants.

Not since just about forever have the Los Angeles Angels lit up the Major League Baseball sky with a thrilling combination of hitting, pitching and attitude.

With two-way international star Shohei Ohtani throwing fire and slamming homers (11 so far), Mike Trout playing back in All-Star form and Taylor Ward emerging as a possible MVP candidate, the Halos’ hopes and those of their fans, are – pardon the pun – approaching heaven.

“What’s so fun about this team Continued on page 7

Oilers, Cavs are out in the semis It was great while it lasted.

A pair of area high school baseball teams made it to the CIF-SS semifinals on Tuesday but won’t be playing in the finals.

In Division 1 action, Huntington Beach lost 2-0 to Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks. The Oilers finished the season with a 21-9 mark and placed first in the Surf League.

In Division 7, Santiago lost 8-4 to Hueneme High of Oxnard. The Cavaliers finished 17-11 and were second in the Garden Grove League.

JONATHAN QUICK WAS QUICK THIS YEAR The Kings’ goalkeeper had a good season and is part of the veteran crew that got the Kings back in the Stanley Cup Playoffs this year (Flicker/Mark6muano)

How Kings Can Get Closer to the Stanley Cup Throne

By Joe Reedy AP Sports Writer

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) – Todd McLellan’s Los Angeles Kings gained valuable experience after making it to the playoffs for the first time since 2018.

That will mean nothing if the Kings are unable to make more progress next season.

“Experience is only good if you do something with it,’’ the third-year coach said after the Kings were eliminated Saturday night by Edmonton with a 2-0 loss in Game 7 of their Western Conference first-round series. “If you’re just going to go throw it in the closet when you go home, whether you’re old or young, it’s useless.

“So our younger players, in particular, whether you played in the series or not, you gained

experience. It’s what are you going to do with it now? That’s why next year is going to be one tough year based on experience that I have.

There’s a lot of growing up that some of them need to do and they can do it. And they will do it.’’

The Kings had 11 players see their first action in a postseason series. They also gained valuable experience during a regular season in which 23 players missed time due to injury or COVID-19 protocols. Despite that, Los Angeles finished with 98 points during the regular season and finished third in the Pacific Division.

Los Angeles was also missing a couple of significant pieces during the Edmonton series.

Forward Viktor Arvidsson suffered a herniated disc before the playoffs, while defenseman Continued on page 7