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Printed in Garden Grove, California n orangecountytribune.com n Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022 n orangecountytribune@gmail.com
THE MATADORS BREAK THROUGH
Mall Plans Clear Another Major Hurdle Westminster center advances By Ghani Amir Orange County Tribune
After years of delay, specific zoning plans regarding the location and approMATADORS MADE HISTORY AGAIN ON THURSDAY The Bolsa Grande High School football team played its first CIF-SS playoff game in priate types of buildings allowed on the property in 34 years and triumphed with the 42-6 win in the Division 14 contest against Duarte and around the WestminHigh School in front of a large home crowd. The Matadors (6-5) will now advance ster Mall will finally start to the quarterfinal round next week. For story and photo, go to page 8. to be laid out due to the 4-0 passing of the plan’s resolutions at Wednesday’s planning commission meeting.
New pilot program to fight the problems of homelessness seen A new program to address homelessness and public safety issues will go before the Stanton City Council for approval when it meets on Tuesday. The proposed six-month program would put together a “fully-staffed, dedicated team of home-
n STANTON COUNCIL less outreach coordination, code enforcement and law enforcement [personnel] to focus on homeless support services, public safety and quality of life issues,” according to the agenda for the Nov. 8
meeting. Stanton has already moved to address the issue by buying the Stanton Inn on Katella Avenue with plans to convert it into a 72-unit affordable housing complex, typically known as “permanent Continued on page 2
Talks set on OCTA mechanics strike From a staff writer and wire service reports
Negotiations with striking maintenance workers at the Orange County Transportation Authority will resume today (Sat-
urday), Sunday and Monday. According to OCTA – which provides bus service at almost 5,500 stops across the county – Teamsters Local 952 – has agreed to resume talks
which had been broken off. “We understand how this labor dispute will adversely affect thousands of riders who depend on the bus system for their transporContinued on page 2
Four out of five members of the Westminster Planning Commission were present at the meeting, with Commissioner Quynh-Giao Nguyen being the absent member. A specific plan created by Placeworks was brought forth to city staff and the planning commission. A specific plan is a comprehensive planning document that goes further Continued on page 2
Coronavirus stats go up and down Inside Jennifer Lawrence in “Causeway” A&L PAGE 5, 6
Rams, Bucs each need win Sunday
SPORTS PAGE 8
Statistics on the status of the coronavirus pandemic in Orange County continue to show modest changes from week to week. According to the Orange County Health Care Agency, the latest report – covering Oct. 27 to Nov. 2 – counts new confirmed cases at 1,293. T That’s up from 1,136 last week, but below the previous week’s count of 1,427. Deaths are unchanged at 23. Hospitalizations Continued on page 2
For breaking news and sports all week long, go to www.orangecountytribune.com
2 SATURDAY, NOV. 5, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE
Westminster Mall plans Continued from page 1
than general planning by outlining restrictions and guidelines while also serving as the zoning for the site. Starting in 2016, this project has pushed forward through the pandemic, with Assistant City Manager Adolfo Ozaeta describing the concern regarding retail sales post-pandemic during the meeting. “This is by far the project that I’m most proud of. The continuity of the staff we have in Westminster has gotten us to where we are today,” said Ozaeta, delivering the message on behalf of Westminster City Manager Christine Cordon. The specific plan outlines that the area around the Westminster Mall and the mall itself would occupy 100 acres of land, which includes 1.3 million square feet of existing buildings. 600,000 square feet would be left aside for strictly retail buildings. Around the space are residential areas, some properties that are located in Huntington Beach, and a direct on- and off-ramp onto the San Diego (405) Freeway “This is a landmark opportunity, there’s a chance to make something special here,” said Wendy Nowak, a consultant for the city and principle In charge at Placeworks. Residents that spoke in the pub-
Stanton council
lic hearing generally wanted to have a place to bring visitors when in Westminster. Whether that includes breweries, open spaces, farmers markets, or larger walking spaces, people wanted to see those options available to them. Some concerns from residents, though, include increased traffic congestion and side street cut-throughs in the area. People also suggested that a hotel not be built along the same streets as residential areas, but instead along the highway to help curb noise issues.
OC bus strike Continued from page 1
tation needs,’’ Secretary-Treasurer Eric Jimenez said. “We have done everything in our power to avoid a strike.’’ An OCTA statement said its contract offer, which includes a 14.25% wage increase over three years, is very competitive. OCTA Chairman Mark A. Murphy asked the employees to return to negotiations. “Thousands of people rely on OC Bus to get to school and work every day, and we hope the union calls off the strike to avoid further hurting the people in Orange County who can least afford to be hurt,” he said in the statement. One sticking point is what workers will pay toward their health insurance premium.
Continued from page 1
supporting housing.” The council has also made an agreement to acquire the Tahiti Motel on Beach Boulevard for a similar use with 60 units. The council will meet in its chambers at City Hall, 7800 Katella Ave., at 6:30 p.m.
Coronavirus Continued from page 1
dipped from 118 to 113, but the use of intensive care units to treat COVID-19 patients rose from 14 to 16. To date, Orange County has had 674,462 confirmed cases and 7,541 deaths.
JIm Tortolano Editor and Publisher Marilyn Lewis Tortolano General Manager The Orange County Tribune is published on Wednesdays and Saturdays with some exceptions. Address is 9402 Luders Ave., Garden Grove, 92844. E-mail is orangecountytribune@gmail. com. Our website is www.orangecountytribune.com. Phone: (714) 458-1860. Established Aug. 6, 2016. All opinions expressed in The Tribune, unless otherwise stated, are those of the individual writer or artist and not necessarily those of The Tribune. Member: Associated Press, Garden Grove Downtown Business Assn.and the Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce.
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Reach thousands of people each day for pennies
ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/SATURDAY, NOV. 5, 2022 3
News&Views NEW SURF CITY ROYALTY
n HUNTINGTON BEACH CITY COUNCIL
Rent help for seniors wins an approval By Huw Pickering Orange County Tribune
KATIE CHRISMAN (center) is the new Miss Huntington Beach. Runners-up are Rosalyn Brown-Bilyeu and Coral Gangitano. Event was at Central Library Theater.
118th Miss HB is crowned Don’t forget to change clocks on Sunday A reminder to you regardless of which city you live in … daylight savings ends this weekend and standard time resumes. To put it another way, it’s spring forward and fall back. On Sunday you should set your clock back at 2 a.m. to 1 a.m. (assuming you’re awake at that time). You’ll gain an hour of sleep, and will get an extra hour of sunlight.
New Surf City queen is crowned
Katie Chrisman, 19, has been chosen as the 110th Miss Huntington Beach. Runners-up are Rosalyn Brown-Bilyeu, 18, and Coral Gangitano, 24.
Our Towns
Sand Dollars of Huntington Beach sponsors the program and pageant, which is open to women ages 18 to 25, who live, work or attend school in Huntington Beach. The event was held at the Central Library Theatre in Huntington Beach’s Central Park.
Council meeting in GG cancelled
The regular meeting of the Garden Grove City Council scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 8 has been cancelled.
Parent leaders gather to learn
Hundreds of “parent leaders” in the Garden Grove Unified School District attended the Parent Leadership Academy this week held in the
Community Meeting Center. Topics included cyber safety, new parent education programs and Family Resource Centers. Parents were able to meet with school principals and district administrators to gather information they can take back to their school communities Speakers included Supt. Gabriela Mafi and Asst. Supt. Lorena Sanchez, as well as Clayton Canford speaking on online safety for children and families.
The Day of the Friendly Schools
Westminster High School invited kids from Willmore Elementary and Stacey Middle School to attend its annual Dia de Las Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration. They Continued on page 4
A total of $574,654 in rental assistance to senior mobile home owners was approved by the Huntington Beach City Council on Tuesday night. The measure will offer some financial relief to those who feared that rising rental costs might make them homeless. Thirty households in the city will receive monthly installments over a period of two years, which will total $391,654, and will have the cost of repairs to their homes covered over the same period, those repairs costing a total of $183,000. In order to qualify, these
30 households had to be putting 50% of their annual income towards their rent, or have a total income which is less than 30% of the Huntington Beach average. Given that more than 30 households in the city fit these criteria, applicants will be chosen by lottery. Those wishing to receive installments from the program will have a one-month period to submit their applications, although when this period begins is yet to be decided. Senior mobile home owners in Huntington Beach have repeatedlly petitioned their city council representatives to help them stay in their Continued on page 4
GGPD will step up its patrols for traffic safety The Garden Grove Police Department will increase patrols throughout the community and provide other traffic safety programs to help reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths on roads. “This grant funding allows us to support our ongoing traffic safety efforts in the community,” Garden Grove Police Department Police Chief Tom DaRé said. “Our intent is to stop the most unlawful and dangerous behaviors that put people at risk and create an environment where everyone feels safe traveling.” The grant will provide additional programs and re-
sources, including: • CDL/DUI checkpoints and patrols focused on stopping suspected impaired drivers and unliContinued on page 6
4 SATURDAY, NOV. 5, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE
Rent pay help approved Continued from page 3
homes, ever since a local ordinance banned the capping of rents in 2002. “I didn’t think I would have to get a second job at this stage
of my life,” one mobile home owner said during the public comments section at Tuesday’s meeting. “I don’t want to be another homeless person statistic.”
News from “Our Towns” shared arts and crafts, games and performances. The event was organized by the WHS Club de Espanol.
drinks will be donated to the project. This covers take-out and delivery orders as well. Carolina’s is located at 12045 Chapman Ave. Call (714) 9715551.
Feed that Purple Pig with some Italian food
Strike up the bands from high schools
Continued from page 3
Garden Grove Elks Lodge #1952 will hold a fundraiser for its “Purple Pig” project at Carolina’s Italian Restaurant on Tuesday, Nov. 8 from 11 a.m. to midnight. It benefits disabled kids. Mention “Elks” and 20 percent of your total bill of food and
The annual Showcase of Bands for the Garden Grove Unified School District will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at the Bolsa Grande High School Stadium starting at 6 p.m. All seven high school bands will perform. Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the gate.
ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/SATURDAY, NOV. 5, 2022 5
Arts&Living
JENNIFER LAWRENCE stars in “Causeway,” a film about war, water and finding your way
Lawrence Keeps “Causeway” Afloat Jennifer Lawrence Movie Review portrays a soldier car accident. “Causeway,” directed by Lila lost in civilian life Neugebauer with a straightBy Mark Kennedy AP Entertainment Writer
A pickup truck breaking down on the street turns into a blessing of sorts in “Causeway,” a new, gentle Apple TV+ drama starring Jennifer Lawrence. She plays a military engineer recovering in her native New Orleans after a debilitating brain injury suffered in Afghanistan when her Chevrolet truck’s engine starts smoking. By chance, she pulls into an auto repair shop and finds another damaged soul – a mechanic living every day with the guilt and the physical aftereffects of a
forward honesty, sounds more manipulative and manufactured than it is. At its best, it’s a quietly affective portrait of unlikely friends hoping they can help each other make it to the shore. That analogy fits with a film where water plays a crucial role. Lawrence’s Lynsey comes back from Afghanistan to clean pools – an odd sort of high school profession for a veteran soldier – until we learn she was a member of the Army Corps of Engineers tasked with building a dam when her convey was hit by roadside blasts. Remarkably, she wants to go back to war and as soon as she can: “I need to get out of here!”
As she rehabilitates, Lynsey finds peace in the swirls of water and the placidness of an empty swimming pool. At first she just cleans them while the owners are away and then she starts to swim in them, too. Water seems to be her escape – panic attacks send her to the shower – and her place to cleanse. It is no coincidence that this motif has been chosen for a story set in a city ravaged by floodwaters. The screenplay by Luke Goebel, Ottessa Moshfegh and Elizabeth Sanders is unrushed and grounded in real language and a real city. The audience will recognize the hurt hiding behind many lines, as when Lynsey’s mother asks her, æWhy did you want to go so far away?’’ She knows the answer deep down – it is her. Her accidental friendship with the mechanic (Brian Tyree Hen-
Good HHH ry, brilliant as always) forms the spine of this story and yet they are opposites. She is white; he is Black; she is itching to get out, he is settled; he is straight; she is not. His injury is visible, the loss of part of his left leg; hers is invisible. But they share a survivor’s guilt and a perfect knowledge of where the other’s blind spots are. A scene when she convinces him to swim at night and they happily splash about like giddy teenagers is a highlight. Along for the ride are some of Broadway’s finest talents, like Jayne Houdyshell as Lynsey’s caretaker tasked with reteaching her basic motor skills, Stephen McKinley Henderson as her stern doctor and Linda Emond Continued on page 6
6 SATURDAY, NOV. 5, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE
Jennifer Lawrence in “Causeway” job, moving mechanically but as her mother. Emond, in partic- intently in a haze of a prescripularly, turns in a sublime perfor- tions chemicals. She is often mance, both self-centered and captured in silence, processing, distant but also needy and pite- as light crosses her face. When she accidentally drops a ous. “Don’t judge me!” she asks mound of fluffy shaved ice, she her daughter at one point. They lashes out at herself. She does have a heartbreaking scene the same in a remarkable mowhen they share, yes, a kiddie pool. But almost everything rests on Lawrence here. It is her movie and to play our war-injured veteran she scrubs away her glamor in favor of sneakers, jeans and oversized T-shirts, her hair in a ponytail. Since her injury is to her brain means there are no prosthetics or makeup to use as props and Lawrence does an admirable Continued from page 5
ment when her face goes from elation to sudden sadness when she is behind the wheel for the first time since the bombing: “Driving a car shouldn’t be a victory.” In “Causeway,” loss is never far, with a sense that the missing are ever-present. It looks at
where we seek safety – far away, at home, even behind bars – and how we process guilt and weakness. This isn’t a film with fireworks or a plot neatly tied up. By the end, Lynsey is not swimming alone, and for this film, that counts as progress. “Causeway,” an Apple TV+ release which hit the streamer on Friday, is rated R for some language, sexual references and drug use. 94 minutes.
Friday CIF Continued from page 8
Rancho Alamitos lost 40-27 to Valley Christian of Cerritos in Division 12 action and finish the season at 9-2. Los Amigos also concluded its season Friday night, falling 2312 to Arrowhead Christian of Redlands in Division 13 play. The Lobos posted an 8-3 record. Rancho and Los Amigos were co-champs of the Garden Grove League with 4-1 conference records. The Huntington Beach/Orange game is scheduled for Saturday night at Fred Kelly Stadium on the El Modena High campus.
Traffic safety grant to GGPD Continued from page 3
The Tribune: Our e-paper published each Wednesdsday and Saturday
censed drivers. • High visibility distracted driving enforcement operations targeting drivers in violation of California’s handsfree cell phone law. • Enforcement operations focused on the most dangerous driver behaviors that put the safety of people biking or walking at risk. • Enforcement operations focused on top violations that cause crashes: speeding, failure to yield, stop sign and/or red-light running, and improper turning or lane changes. • Community presentations on traffic safety issues such as distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding, and bicycle and pedestrian safety. • Collaborative enforcement efforts with neighboring agen-
cies.
ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/SATURDAY, N0V. 5, 2022 7
Matadors keep on being the surprise team Continued from page 8
up to 21-0 after David Nguyen rambled 47 yards on a run-pass play, then Phu Nguyen took it in for the TD, then added another score early in the second quarter for a 28-0 tally. Bolsa earned a couple of more scores to stretch the lead out to 42-0 in the second half. The
Falcons (5-6) avoided a shutout with a late fourth quarter drive capped by a 1-yard plunge by Isaias Martinez. For Bolsa, Ethan Nguyen passed for 198 yards and four touchdowns. He also added 41 yards on the ground. David Nguyen rushed for 53 yards and a touchdown. Phu Nguyen caught four passes for 108 yards and two scores. The defense also deserves much of the credit for the big early advantage, frequently stopping the Falcon runners for little or no gain. Reminded of last year’s CIF-
SS football title by another GGL team – Loara – Acosta said, “I only hope we can get that far.” After Thursday’s big win, who’s to say there’s not more school history to make? ALSO THURSDAY night, Garden Grove edged Moreno Valley 14-12 in a CIF-SS Division 9 game. The Argonauts (10-1) will play Norte Vista (83) next week, which defeated Adelanto 30-6. Brandon Roth passed for 122
yards for Grove and ran for 52 more. Malachi Bey rushed for 47 yards and a touchdown and caught five passes for 59 yards. In boys’ water polo action, Huntington Beach fell 14-12 to Newport Harbor in an Open Division match. In Division 5, Westminster defeated West High of Torrance 13-12. In girls’ tennis, La Quinta lost 15-3 in Division 3 action. In Division 5, Western and Schurr ended 9-9, but the Pioneers were knocked out in sets won, 71-65.
Rams vs. Buccaneers in a battle of the disappointing Continued from page 8
(5), Rush (7), Pass (11), Scoring (18). Bucs Offense: Overall (21), Rush (32), Pass (5), Scoring (25). Bucs Defense: Overall (11), Rush (24), Pass (6), Scoring (6). Turnover Differential: Rams minus-5; Buccaneers plus-2 Rams To Watch: QB Matthew Stafford has thrown more interceptions (eight) than touchdown passes (seven) through seven games. He’s thrown seven picks in six meetings with Tampa Bay, however he didn’t commit a turnover in last season’s 30-27 playoff victory over the Bucs. Bucs To Watch: QB Tom Brady has lost three straight starts for the first time in 20 years. And while he leads the NFC with 2,267 yards passing and has only thrown one interception – none in the past seven games – the seven-time Super Bowl champion has just nine TD passes. Tampa Bay is averaging 18.3 points per game, 25th in the NFL. Key Matchup: Los Angeles pass rush led by DT Aaron Donald against Bucs offensive line. The Rams’ ability to pressure Brady in the pocket has been one of the keys to the team’s 3-0 record against the Bucs since 2020. Key Injuries: Rams WR Cooper Kupp (ankle) was injured during the fourth quarter of last
week’s loss to the 49ers. Coach Sean McVay said no structural damage was found and there’s chance Kupp can play Sunday. The Bucs played without three starting DBs last week. CBs Carlton Davis (hip) and Sean Murphy-Bunting (quad) returned to full participation in practice this week, however S Antoine Winfield Jr remained in concussion protocol. Series Notes: The Rams are facing the Bucs for the fourth time since Tom Brady left New England for Tampa Bay in 2020. Los Angeles has won the previous three meetings, including last January’s playoff matchup at Raymond James Stadium. Stats and Stuff: At 3-4, the Rams are below .500 for only the third time in coach Sean McVay’s six seasons. All three instances happened this season. The Rams have never been at .500 or worse at this point in a season under McVay, and Los Angeles has never been two games below .500 in his tenure. ... The Rams have won eight of their past nine meetings with Tampa Bay, losing only in September 2019 when Jameis Winston threw four TD passes to outlast a Rams offense that had 518 yards in the Bucs’ 55-40 victory. ... QB Matthew Stafford is second in the NFL with eight interceptions despite throwing just three in the past five games.
8 SATURDAY, NOV. 5, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE
The Sports Page
Two Survive Friday Night Showdowns Locals overall sending four to quarterfinals Area prep football teams won two of five CIF-SS first round games played on Friday night. Lutheran High of Orange rallied for 24 fourth quarter points to edge Edison High School 38-37 in a Division 1 first round game at Sheue Field. The Chargers, ranked third in Orange County, now finish their 2022 season with an overall 9-2 mark. The Lancers (ranked seventh, and 7-4)) advance to the quarterfinal round against St. John Bosco (6-1), which had a first round bye. Western (ranked 23rd) edged Buena 21-20 in a Division 7 contest. The Pioneers (9-1) will face the winner of the HartClaremont game scheduled for Saturday.
Prep Football Thursday
• Bolsa Grande 42, Duarte 6 • Garden Grove 14, Moreno Valley 12
Friday
• Lutheran/Orange 38. Edison 37 • Western 21, Buena 20 • Westminster 33, Schurr 7 • Valley Christian/Cerr. 40. Rancho Alamitos 27 • Arrowhead Christian 23, Los Amigos 12.
Saturday
• Huntington Beach at Orange.
Westminster (9-1) defeated Schurr in a Division 11 game and will play Rim of the World (Lake Arrowhead) next week. The Fighting Scots scored two fourth quarter touchdowns to beat Woodbridge of Irvine 28-27. Continued on page 6
BOLSA QUARTERBACK Ethan Nguyen (7) passed for 198 yards and four TDs. He rushed for 41 more yards in Thursday’s CIF-SS playoff win over Duarte (Orange County Tribune photos by Jim Tortolano).
Surprise Matadors keep on winning with a 42-6 romp BHG’s first CIF game in 34 years a success By Jim Tortolano Orange County Tribune
The Bolsa Grande High School football team has surprised a lot of people this year, contending in the Garden Grove League and qualifying
for the CIF-SS playoffs for the first time in 34 years. Just as surprised as anyone was Head Coach Michael Acosta. After Thursday’s 42-6 win over Duarte in a Division 14 first round game, he said, “I feel good, but it’s also a bit surreal. “I didn’t expect this so soon. I figured later in the development of the program, maybe two or three years.”
But history arrived early for the Matadors, now 6-5 on the season and headed into next week’s quarterfinal round against the winner of the Whittier Christian vs. Temecula Prep contest. There was little doubt about the outcome of this game, as Bolsa jumped out to a big lead. They rolled up two quick scores for a 14-0 edge. The margin went Continued on page 7
Rams vs. Bucs in the “Last Chance Bowl”
TOM BRADY Bucs need a win
How the mighty have fallen. On Sunday the defending Super Bowl champs and the previous years champions will meet in a contest not of two squads favored to play for a title later in the season, but instead are struggling to
get their records back to .500. The Los Angeles Rams are 3-5 and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 2-6. The loser might start making other plans for the playoffs. Here’s the breakdown of the matchup by the Associated Press.
LA RAMS (3-4) at TAMPA BAY (3-5) Sunday, 1:25 p.m. PST, CBS Betting line: Buccaneers by 3 Series record: Rams lead 19-9. Last Meeting: Rams beat Buccaneers 30-27, Jan.
23, 2022, in NFC divisional playoffs, at Tampa. Last Week: Rams lost to 49ers 31-14; Buccaneers lost to Ravens 27-22. Rams Offense: Overall (30), Rush (31), Pass (15), Scoring (28). Rams Defense: Overall Continued on page 7