The Orange County Tribune Dec. 14, 2022

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Printed in Garden Grove, California n orangecountytribune.com n Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022 n orangecountytribune@gmail.com

n GARDEN GROVE CITY COUNCIL

Two New Faces of Leadership for City

By Jim Tortolano Orange County Tribune

n NEW COUNCILMEMBERS at left are Cindy Tran and Joe DoVinh (OC Tribune photos).

A “new look” Garden Grove City Council was seated Tuesday night as a pair of new members were sworn in.

Now on the city’s decision-making body are Cindy Tran (District 3) and Joe DoVinh (District 4).

Re-elected and also sworn in for another term were George Brietigam (District 1) and Mayor Steve Jones.

Saying their goodbyes were Councilmember Phat Bui (District 4) and Mayor Pro Tem Diedre Thu-Ha Nguyen (District 3).

Also making his parting appearance was Police

Chief Tom DaRé, retiring from the GGPD after 32 years of service, the last three-and-a-half as head of the department.

“I want to thank all my supporters,” said Tran.

“All of you who cast the votes for me to be here.”

She added, “I am deeply honored and humbled to be on this awesome board.”

DoVinh congratulated Tran on winning her elecContinued on page 2

n WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL

End of an era: Tri Ta is no longer the mayor For the first time in a decade and a half, Tri Ta will not be on the dais of the Westminster City Council.

Ta, first elected to the council in 2006 and then elected as mayor in 2012, is the new state Assemblymember representing the 70th District.

The new mayor, Chi Charlie Nguyen, will be sworn in when the council meets on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in its chambers at 8200 Westminster Blvd.

Also to be sworn in will

be new council members Amy Phan West (District 1) and Namquan Nguyen (District 4), chosen by voters on Nov. 8.

Also, the council will elect a vice mayor from among its number and consider the second reading and adoption of the Westminster Mall Specific Plan, which calls for converting the Seventiesera enclosed mall into a mixed-used project with residential, retail and other uses.

Inside The Tribune

LA football had very good week

SPORTS PAGES 7 and 8

“Harry/Meghan” have their say A&L PAGES 5 and 6

THIS STATION at Magnolia and Central in Garden Grove is selling gas at above the county average.

Gas prices deflating ... at least for the present A funny thing happened on the way to the gas pump this week. A gallon of regular gasoline is cheaper than it was a month ago.

According to the American Automobile Association, the average price of a gallon of regular in Orange County is now

$4.486, compared to $5.404 one month ago.

It’s still a bit lower than the year-ago average of $4.651.

And it’s a lot lower than on October 5 when the highest-ever recorded average price in Orange County was $6.459 for Continued on page 2

Grinches vandalize, steal Christmas decorations A pair of hard-hearted Grinches vandalized and robbed Christmas decorations at two locations in Westminster.

According to Sgt. Eddie Esqueda of the WPD, the incidents occurred Saturday night at two spots.

The first took place after 10 p.m. in the 6200 block of Iroquois Road.

The house had not only been egged, but Christmas decorations vandalized

and an inflatable reindeer stolen.

The second incident was reported around 11:34 p.m. in the 5700 block of Jones Avenue. Responding officers learned that the decorations there had also been vandalized and an inflatable penguin stolen from the front yard.

A surveillance camera in the area captured images of the crime and the susContinued on page 2

For breaking news and sports all week long, go to www.orangecountytribune.com

2 WEDNESDAY, DEC 14, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

Grinches vandalize Christmas Continued from page 1

pect vehicle in front of the victim’s home. The two suspects got out from the car, punctured the inflatable decorations in the front yard, grabbed Christmas lights and threw them to the ground, as well as stealing the penguin.

The driver remained in the vehicle and drove away once the

other suspects returned to the Camry sedan with black rims. car.

The suspects are facing charges Police describe the suspects as of vandalism and petty theft. males of unknown race, wearing black face masks. One had a black hooded sweatshirt and the other a grey sweatshirt. One had black pants and the other “darkcolored” pants.

The suspect vehicle is described as newer model silver Toyota

2 new GG councilmembers Continued from page 1

tion in her first try. “This is my third race,” he said, and his first elective office.

He promised his constituents that “I will be here working for you.” In addition to thanking his family and supporters, he paid tribute to those who didn’t live to see his Nov. 8 victory, saying “I know they are looking down on us.”

DaRé’s farewell described his tenure as chief this way: “It really is a dream come true.”

As a man who was born and educated in Garden Grove, a graduate of Garden Grove High and with the GGPD since 1990, he was described as a “hometown hero.”

Gasoline prices Continued from page 1

regular unleaded.

Of course, what you pay for fuel depends in part on where you shop for it. According to GasBuddy.com, here are two places in each of our city’s for the lowest prices for a gallon of regular as of Tuesday, as reported to them.

Garden Grove: Costco at Garden Grove Boulevard and Taft Street: $3.79; Arco at 10602 Westminster Ave.: $3.99.

Huntington Beach: G&M at 15971 Goldenwest St.: $3.99.

Chevron at 19472 Beach Blvd.: $3.99.

Stanton: G&M at 7470 Cerritos Ave.; $3.89. Arco at 11460 Beach Blvd.: $3.99.

Westminster: Excalibur Fuels at 8482 Westminster Blvd.: $3.99. 7-11, 13982 Bolsa Chica Rd.: $3.99.

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 : orangecountytribune@gmail.com.

Website: 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.

A member of The Associated Press, and Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce.

Reminder: No OC Tribune issue this Saturday, Dec. 3.

Next Saturday issue will be on Dec. 10

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, DEC. 14, 2022 3

News&Views RAIN RESULTS IN A RIVER RESCUE

GG, HB Police Step Up DUI Enforcement Checkpoints and more patrols

Many of us are grateful that our drought-stricken state and county are finally getting some rain, but don’t go overboard over it. On Sunday morning, Orange County Fire Authority firefighter paramedics and Anaheim Fire Department personnel cooperated on a water rescue from the fast-flowing and rain-swollen Santa Ana River at Garden Grove Boulevard. A man was pulled from the river, treated by firefighter paramedics and taken to a nearby hospital for further treatment (OCFA image).

Bystander is fatally shot in Santa Ana, and police seek public’s help in the inquiry A 36-year-old woman shot last Sunday in Santa Ana has died, and now the police inquiry is a murder investigation.

According to the SAPD, Maria Del Refugio Mora of Santa Ana was pronounced dead on Friday.

She had been shot on the afternoon of Dec. 4. Police, responding to reports of a shooting found her in a parking lot at 1473 South Main St. with a gunshot wound to her upper torso.

She was treated at the scene by Orange County Fire Authority personnel and taken to a local hospital where she was listed in critical condition.

Police have determined that

two male juveniles were shot at by subjects in a white sedan.

As they ran into the parking lot, shots intended for them instead struck the woman, an innocent bystander. The two juveniles were not injured.

The circumstances are being investigated, but detectives believe that the motive might be gang-related.

Detectives are attempting to identify and locate any witnesses who can shed light on this incident.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call SAPD Homicide Section detectives at (714) 245- 8390.

If you’re drinking, don’t be driving.

Garden Grove police will be conducting two driving under the influence checkpoints within city limits on Dec. 17 and Dec. 30 from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. the following day.

The location of DUI checkpoints are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes.

The primary purpose of DUI (drunk driving as well as drugrelated impairment) checkpoints is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road.

Drivers charged with a firsttime DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties as well as a suspended license.

The Huntington Beach Police Department wants to remind the

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public of the dangers of driving impaired and to celebrate the holiday season responsibly by not driving under the influence.

From Dec. 14, through New Year’s Day, the HBPD will have additional officers on patrol looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The extra enforcement effort is part of a national campaign, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” with the goal of stopping suspected impaired drivers who put others on the road at risk.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 11,654 people were killed in car crashes nationwide in 2020 that involved an alcohol-impaired driver or one person every 45 minutes.

Look out for flying arrows You’ve heard about the issue of gun control. How do you feel about arrow control?

The Huntington Beach Police Department is seeking the public’s help in locating anyone firing arrows into the air.

According to the HBPD, over the past two weeks arrows have been found in residential areas west of the intersection of Brookhurst Street and Indianapolis Avenue.

Police are concerned about the Continued on page 7

4 WEDNESDAY, DEC. 14, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

NewsUpdate

Biden signs a same-sex marriage law

President Joe Biden on Tuesday signed a federal law protecting same-sex marriage and interracial matrimony as well.

According to the Associated Press, Biden said, “This law and the love it defends strike a blow against hate and all its forms. And that’s why this law matters to every single Ameri-

can.”

The “Respect for Marriage” law, which passed Congress with some bipartisan support, is intended to offer protection for such unions if the conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court overturns a 2015 ruling supporting gay marriage.

The courts’ ruling to reverse Roe v. Wade’s creation of a national abortion right has raised concern about other liberal decisions.

Patriot missiles for defense of Ukraine?

The advanced Patriot surface to air anti-missile system may soon be headed to Ukraine to help defend that nation against Russian missile strikes.

According to The New York Times, the Defense Department is poised to send one MIM-104

battery with others a possibility.

Ukraine has been hit by repeated missile strikes, which have knocked out power and heat for millions of people in Ukrainian cities. The Kyiv government has pleaded with the U.S. for help against the attacks.

Also in the news … An historic breakthrough was announced Tuesday by the Energy Department, as the first controlled fusion experiment produced more energy than required to ignite it has been achieved. Such a process could revolutionize the world’s power needs, reduce pollution and enhance U.S. defenses, according to United Press International

Argentina is in the final

Lionel Messi led the Argentina team to a 3-0 win over Croatia in

the soccer World Cup semifinal Tuesday in Qatar. He scored one goal and got the assist on another.

The other semifinal is today (Wednesday) when France takes on Morocco.

Pro hockey: A bad night for area NHL teams. The Buffalo Sabres whipped the Los Angeles Kings 6-0 and the Anaheim Ducks were plucked 7-0 by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Pro basketball: The Los Angeles Lakers lost 122-118 to the Boston Celtics in overtime.

Mostly sunny, mostly cloudy

The outlook for the West Orange County area is one full of change. On Wednesday the forecast is for a daytime high of 64 under mostly sunny skies and an overnight low of 41. But on Thursday, it’s “mostly cloudy.”

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, DEC. 14, 2022 5

Arts&Living

“Harry & Meghan” Tell Their Side This Netflix “documentary” focuses on issues of racism

By Danica Kirka and Jill Lawless Associated Press

LONDON (AP) – Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, stick to a familiar script in a new Netflix series that chronicles the couple’s estrangement from the royal family, chastising Britain’s media and the societal racism they believe has fueled coverage of their relationship.

The first three episodes of “Harry and Meghan,” released last week, dissect the symbiotic relationship between tabloid newspapers and the royal family and examine the history of racism across the British Empire, and how it persists.

The storytelling relies on interviews with the couple, their friends, and experts on race and the media. The series does not include dissenting voices, and there is no response from any of the media organizations mentioned.

“In this family sometimes, you know, you’re part of the problem rather than part of the solution,” Harry says in one of the episodes. “There is a huge level of unconscious bias. The thing with unconscious bias is that it is actually no one’s fault. But once it has been pointed out, or identified within yourself, you then need to make it right.”

The media’s treatment of Meghan – and what the couple felt was a lack of sympathy from royal institutions about the coverage – were at the heart of their complaints when they walked away from royal life almost three years ago and moved to Southern California. Lucrative contracts with Netflix and Spotify have helped bankroll their new life in the wealthy enclave of Montecito.

Promoted with two dramatically edited trailers that hinted at a “war against Meghan,” the

PRINCE HARRY and the former Meghan Markle are the focus of the relationship between the British Royal Family and the news media in Great Britain (Flickr/Jones).)

Netflix show is the couple’s latest effort to tell their story after a series of interviews with U.S. media organizations, most notably a two-hour sit down in 2021 with Oprah Winfrey.

The first three episodes break little new ground on royal intrigue, leading one Britishbased analyst to conclude that the main audience Harry and Meghan are trying to reach is in the United States.

The series is an effort by Harry and Meghan to cement their place in American society, where fame and riches await, says David Haigh, chief executive of Brand Finance, which has analyzed the monarchy’s value to the UK economy.

“They are trying to become the next Kardashian family. And they are using the fame and notoriety of the monarchy as their

stepping stone to get there,” he said. “No one would take the remotest bit of interest in either of them if they weren’t strongly associated with the UK monarchy.”

The series comes at a crucial moment for the monarchy. King Charles III is trying to show that the institution still has a role to play after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, whose personal popularity dampened criticism of the crown during her 70-year reign. Charles is making the case that the House of Windsor can help unite an increasingly diverse nation by using the early days of his reign to meet with many of the ethnic groups and faiths that make up modern Britain.

Harry’s 2018 marriage to the former Meghan Markle, a biracial American actress, was once seen as a public relations coup for the royal family, boosting the monarchy’s effort to move into the 21st century by making it more representative of a mulContinued on page 6

6 WEDNESDAY, DEC. 14, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

A “documentary” or an advertisement?

Continued from page 5

ticultural nation. But the fairy tale, which began with a starstudded ceremony at Windsor Castle, soon soured amid British media reports that Meghan was self-centered and bullied her staff.

The new series seeks to rebut that narrative in the three hourlong episodes released Thursday. Three more are due on Dec. 15.

It opens with video diaries recorded by Meghan and Harry – apparently on their phones – in March 2020, amid the couple’s acrimonious split from the royal family.

It’s “my duty to uncover the exploitation and bribery” that happens in British media, Harry says in one entry.

“No one knows the full truth,” he adds. “We know the full truth.”

The couple then tell the story of their courtship and the ini-

tial enthusiasm that greeted the relationship. But the tone shifts as Harry recounts the intense media scrutiny faced by Meghan, reminding him of the way his mother, Princess Diana, was treated before she died in a car crash while being trailed by photographers.

“To see another woman in my life who I loved go through this feeding frenzy – that’s hard,” Harry says.

“It is basically the hunter versus the prey.”

Harry and the series’ other narrators say the palace is partly to blame for this treatment because it has granted privileged access to six newspapers that feel they are entitled to learn intimate details about members of the royal family since British taxpayers fund their lives.

Harry and Meghan said they initially tried to follow palace advice to remain silent about the press coverage as other mem-

bers of the royal family said it was a rite of passage. But the couple said they felt compelled to tell their story because there was something different about the way Meghan was treated.

“The difference here is the race element,” Harry said.

That bias has deep roots in the history of the British empire, which was enriched by the enslavement of Black people and the extraction of wealth from colonies in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean, said historian and author David Olusoga in the program. It is only since World War II that large numbers of Black and Asian people moved to Britain, changing the face of the nation.

Those changes aren’t reflected in the British media. While Black people make up about 3.5% of Britain’s population, they account for just 0.2% of the journalists, Olusoga said.

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, DEC. 14, 2022 7

Baker’s debut for the Rams was a smash hit Continued from page 8

visit to Green Bay next Monday night to begin the final stretch of a lost season that no longer seems so grim with Mayfield behind center. McVay confirmed he expects Mayfield to be his starting QB for the last four games.

“It feels really good right now, but there’s a lot to get fixed,” Mayfield said.

That’s for sure: Even with Mayfield pushing the ball downfield in a way neither John Wolford nor Bryce Perkins had been capable of doing in Matthew Stafford’s absence, the Rams still

didn’t get into the end zone until the final 3:19 against the Raiders. McVay believes Mayfield can do even more once he understands more of the Rams’ playbook following this elongated break.

“It will be good to just take a deep breath and unpack the game from last night, and give the coaches a little bit of time,’”

McVay said.

With their first-round pick next year belonging to Detroit, the Rams have no motivation to tank, obviously or indirectly. They’ll try to win as many games as possible, including a New Year’s Day showdown with their playoff-contending SoFi roommates, the Los Angeles Chargers.

Chargers put it together against the Miami Dolphins Continued from page 8

The Chargers (7-6) moved into position for the final AFC playoff berth, ahead of the New York Jets.

“It was an incredible team win,” Staley said. “Defensively we answered all the challenges in the game that we had to face.

Justin made a lot of winning

The High Five Continued from page 8

bubble in the girls’ High Five are Magnolia (5-5) and Marina (5-6).

Rankings are based on MaxPreps evaluation process of wins, losses and quality of competition.

All the teams are involved in pre-league and tournament games now. League play will begin after the new year on various dates.

Arrows Continued from page 3

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possibility of someone being struck by the falling arrows and are asking members of the public to lend assistance by reporting anyone seen with a crossbow, compound bow or other device used to shoot arrows.

Anyone with information relating to this crime or the suspect or suspects is asked to call Detective Remington at (714) 9608825 or e-mail him at cremington@hbpd.com .

plays and really made good decisions throughout the game.’’

Herbert – the sixth overall pick in 2020, one behind Tagovailoa – completed a career-high 39 passes on 51 attempts for his 21st 300-yard game.

He became the first NFL quarterback to throw for 13,000 yards in his first three seasons.

“There were a lot of good things from all three phases.

The defense did an incredible job,” Herbert said.

Tyreek Hill scored two touchdowns for the Dolphins, one of them on an improbable recovery of Jeff Wilson Jr.’s fumble that Hill took 57 yards to the end zone.

But Tagovailoa had his worst game as an NFL starter, completing 10 of 28 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown as the Dolphins (8-5) lost their second straight.

“I would say the defenses that we’ve played have been playing exactly what we’ve expected them to play,” Tagovailoa said.

“It really just goes back to the details of how we play our offense, and we’re not all dialed in with that.”

The Chargers held Miami to 219 yards despite not having safety Derwin James, cornerback Bryce Callahan and defensive lineman Sebastian JosephDay because of injuries.

The Dolphins came in with the league’s top-ranked pass offense.

8 WEDNESDAY, DEC. 14, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

TheSportsPage

Chargers and Spartans Top High 5 polls First rankings of the season

BAKER MAYFIELD, playing with just two days to prepare, led the Rams to a stunning win over the Raiders. What can they do for an encore? (Brevin Townsell/Rams)

With Baker, are Rams really starting to cook?

By Greg Beacham AP Sports Writer

Now imagine what Baker Mayfield and Sean McVay can do with two practices together.

That’s the prevailing thought around the Los Angeles Rams while they head into a highly enjoyable long weekend after their stunning, comefrom-behind, last-minute 17-16 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday night.

“That was a special

night,” McVay said Friday. “Baker and the receivers making those plays, it sure was fun to watch them do their thing.”

Less than 48 hours after he arrived on the West Coast, Mayfield was throwing darts downfield and head-butting his new teammates in celebration after leading the Rams to their first win since Oct. 16.

His preparation time consisted of one light practice Wednesday with two 10-

Bolts’ put it together

By Joe Reedy AP Sports Writer

INGLEWOOD (AP) – Brandon Staley knew it was going to take a complete game for his Los Angeles Chargers squad to have a chance at beating the Miami Dolphins.

In front of a prime-time

audience, the Bolts responded with one of their best games of the season.

Justin Herbert threw for 367 yards and a touchdown and a short-handed defense got the best of the Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa as Los Angeles beat Miami 23-17 on Sunday night.

Continued on page 7

play periods behind center – and then Mayfield went into SoFi Stadium and took over the Rams’ offense from the second series onward, eventually passing for 230 yards and leading two TD drives in the fourth quarter.

“Ball is ball,” Mayfield said afterward. “And when you have guys like that around you that put you in a good spot and they help you out, and those guys did it.”

Van Jefferson’s 23-yard TD catch with 10 seconds to play considerably lightened the mood around the Rams (4-9), who ended a six-game skid and avoided matching their longest losing streak since coming home to LA. For at least another week, the 1999 Denver Broncos remain the only defending Super Bowl champion to lose 10 games.

The Rams have extra time to prepare for their Continued on page 7

Edison High of Huntington Beach and Orangewood Academy of Garden Grove are the top-ranked teams in The Orange County Tribune’s ranking of area high school basketball teams.

The first “High Five” of the 2022-23 season of teams serving the communities of Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Stanton and Westminster has the Chargers (6-4) on top of the boys’ ranks.

Orangewood’s Spartans (8-2) lead the girls’ list.

The others ranked in the boys’ teams are Orangewood (9-3), Marina (6-3), Orange (7-2) and Pacifica (6-4). Not ranked but “on the bubble” are Santiago (5-4), Loara (4-5) and Huntington Beach (7-5).

Continued on page 7 Won-lost records are as of Monday.

4), Santiago (6-4) and On the girls’ side, after Pacifica (7-4). On the Orangewood are Ocean Continued on page 7 View (10-2), Edison (7-

CIF-SS honors 10 teams This week’s CIF-SS polls for high school winter sports shows 10 area teams recognized.

In girls’ basketball, in Division 4AA, Edison is ranked eighth. in 5AA, Ocean View is seventh, Pacifica eighth and Marina ninth.

On the boys’ side, in Division 3AA, Orangewood Academy is second.

The girls’ soccer poll lists just two local teams: Huntington Beach is 10th in Divisions 1 and 2, and Garden Grove is 10th in Division 6.

In boys’ soccer, locals are strong in Division 4, with Santiago in first and Garden Grove in seventh.