The Orange County Tribune April 1, 2023

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Volume 3, Number 23 n orangecountytribune.com n Saturday, April 1, 2023 n orangecountytribune@gmail.com

n HUNTINGTON BEACH COUNCIL

Showdown on Housing: HB vs. California Will deadlock A FIRE DAMAGED a strip mall on Valley View Street in West Garden Grove on Thurs- be broken on day night. The value of the loss was estimated at $1.25 million. There were no injuries a second try? and the cause is under investigation (OCFA photo)

Blaze strikes shopping center on Valley View in West Grove A fire ravaged a strip mall Thursday night in West Garden Grove.

According to the Orange County Fire Authority, the call came in at 8:41 p.m. about the blaze in the 12500 block of Valley

View Street, between Cerulean Avenue and Lampson Avenue.

Damage extended along a stretch of storefronts between a children’s day care center and a bagel shop. Forty firefighters ex-

Suspect in fatal stabbing is released from custody The name of the man fatally stabbed in a struggle on Sunday in Garden Grove has been released.

According to police, he is Juan Valero, Sr., of Garden Grove. The GGPD has also announced that the man arrested in connection with the homicide and a related assault with a deadly weapon – Juan Carlos Fernandez Bustos,

25, of Garden Grove – has been released from police custody while he recovers from injuries he sustained during the altercation.

Meanwhile, detectives continue to investigate the case. Anyone with relevant information is asked to call Detective Daniel Camara at (714) 741-5824 or to e-mail him at danielca@ggcity.org .

tinguished the fire and the cause is under investigation.

The largest buildings in the center – Dairy Queen, Shakey’s Pizza and Estrada’s Grill – were not damaged.

Inside The Tribune

‘Anne Frank’ is powerful and moving drama

PAGE 5

By Jim Tortolano Orange County Tribune

The tug-of-war between the State of California and the City of Huntington Beach on how many new homes should be built in Surf City resumes on Tuesday as the city council takes up the matter of its general plan housing element.

Continued from the March 21 meeting is a

public hearing on the state-mandated ordinance that was followed by a 3-3 deadlock on the issue.

While the council now has a conservative majority that usually prevails on a 4-3 vote, Councilmember Casey McKeon recused himself from voting because of a potential conflict of interest.

Huntington Beach is already late on approval of the element and is facing legal action from the state.

At issue is the Regional Housing Needs Assessment, commonly known as RHNA, in which the state has decided that the Continued on page 2

GGUSD trustee seeking G. Grove mayor’s post The 2024 election campaign for Garden Grove’s mayor is getting an early start.

Lan Quoc Nguyen, a member of the Garden Grove Unified School District Board of Education, announced his intention this week to seek the top elected post in the city.

Steve Jones, the current mayor, is “termed out” af-

ter he completes the twoyear stretch to which he was elected in November 2022.

He was appointed to the council in 2007, elected to a seat in 2008 and has served as mayor since 2016.

Nguyen has been on the GGUSD board since 2002.

“Garden Grove is a dyContinued on page 2

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

2 SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2023/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

Huntington Beach City Council Continued from page 1

city of about 200,000 residents must zone for – but not necessarily build – 13,338 new homes over the next decade as a way of helping to alleviate California’s housing shortage.

Also on the agenda are: • a report on mobile homes and a proposed space rent study;

• approval of the proposed 90day homelessness plan; • a proposed ordinance on speed limits.

The council will meet in its chambers at 2000 Main Street (at Yorktown Avenue) with a closed session at 4 p.m. and the regular business meeting at 6 p.m.

Lan Quoc Nguyen announces his bid for mayor of G. Grove Continued from page 1

namic city of nearly 180,000 residents,” said Nguyen in a statement.

“The people are our most precious assets and they have built Garden Grove into what it is today. As an immigrant, public servant and lawyer I want to bring that renewed energy and optimism to city hall.”

LAN QUOC NGUYEN GGUSD trustee

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, the Garden Grove Downtown Business Association and Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce.

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Advertise in The Orange County Tribune, online and e-paper for one low price.

Call Jim at (714) 458-1860

The Orange County Tribune Every Wednesday & Saturday

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2023 3

News&Views

Distracted driving crackdown coming to GG April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the Garden Grove Police Department will be actively looking for drivers throughout the month who are in violation of the state’s hands-free cell phone law.

“Holding your phone and using it while driving is not only dangerous, but also illegal,” Chief Amir El-Farra said. “Before starting the car, silence your

phone or put it in the glove box, trunk, or back seat. Anywhere you can’t reach.”

According to the 2022 California Statewide Public Opinion Survey, nearly 72% of drivers surveyed said that distracted driving because of texting was their biggest safety concern. In 2021, the California Highway Patrol issued nearly 56,000 citations for distracted driving.

Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or electronic communications device while operating a vehicle.

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, text, email, or in a situation with other distractions, pull over to a safe parking spot. Other distractions can be eating, grooming, reaching for something that fell on the floor, putting on or taking off clothing, talking with passengers, or children in the back seat.

1 dead in Seal Beach car pursuit

A vehicle pursuit in Seal Beach ended when the suspect vehicle collided with several other uninvolved vehicles, resulting in the death of a woman.

On Tuesday at about 7:58 pm, a Seal Beach police officer stopped a silver 2006 Lexus sedan for a traffic violation near the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Marina Drive. The vehicle yielded, and the officer contacted the female driver and male passenger. While the officer was conducting a records check of the female, the male moved into the driver’s seat and accelerated away from the location of the stop.

The officer initiated a pursuit, and the suspect fled northbound on Pacific Coast Highway toward Long Beach. The suspect refused to stop, and at approximately 8:05 pm, the suspect

THE SCENE at Pacific Coast Highway and 2nd Street in Long Beach late Tuesday night (Seal Beach Police Department photo). vehicle collided with multiple other uninvolved vehicles in the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and 2nd Street in the city of Long Beach.

Immediately following the collision, the male suspect fled the scene on foot. After a brief foot pursuit, the officer deployed a Taser to take the suspect into custody. The suspect sustained injuries and was transported to a local hospital. Inside the sus-

Corona cases down, deaths up The number of confirmed new cases of coronavirus in Orange County continues to fall, but this week’s summary showed a sharp rise in deaths.

According to the county health care agency, new cases – as tallied from March 23-29 – were 666, down from last week’s 808.

But deaths rose to 49 from 21.

Hospitalizations declined to 110 from 177 and the number of people being treated in hospital intensive care units for COVID-19 dropped to 16 from 19.

To date, OC has had 715,925 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 8,058 deaths.

pect’s vehicle was an adult female and an infant. The female sustained injuries and was transported to the hospital. The infant was transported to a hospital as a precautionary measure.

During the collision, eight other vehicles were also struck.

Multiple drivers and passengers were injured and transported to local hospitals for treatment. An adult female passenger was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The Long Beach Police Department is investigating the traffic collision.

The suspect was identified as Chaz Lamar Long, 39, of Antioch, California, and was remanded to the custody of the Long Beach Police Department.

It was later discovered that the suspect had an outstanding federal no-bail warrant for weapons violations.

Letter: Youth panel is needed Dear Jim, Thank you for publishing this informative article (“Utah vs. social media addiction”) regarding the dangers and harmful effects social media and technology addiction, etc. is having on youth.

During the Garden Grove City Council meeting on March 28 and at prior council meetings and GGUSD School Board

meetings, I have been sounding the alarm regarding this important issue and the urgent need for there to be more awareness regarding this problem; including calling on the city and GGUSD to please establish – ASAP – a community youth commission and/or advisory committee/group to increase awareness of digital wellness Continued on page 6

4 SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2023/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

NewsUpdate Tornados rampage across central U.S.

DONALD TRUMP faces a felony charge (Shutterstock).

Felony count vs. Trump?

At least one felony charge will be lodged against former president Donald Trump in the indictment issued by a New York City grand jury.

According to the Associated Press, Trump is charged with falsifying business records.

Increased security has been planned for Tuesday’s formal arrest and arraignment, but no

major demonstrations or protests have emerged or appear to be planned.

Trump’s defense is expected to be that the prosecution is politically motivated, which Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg denies, calling such allegations “inflammatory accusations.”

A storm system with tornadoes is sweeping across the middle of the nation and has killed at least three people and injured dozens more.

The New York Times reports that the twisters struck near Little Rock, Arkansas and in southern Illinois and Tennessee. Others were spotted in Wisconsin, Iowa and Mississippi.

Defamation trial may proceed, says judge

Also in the news … A Dela-

ware judge ruled Friday that the $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit by Dominion Voting Systems against Fox News and Fox Corporation may go to trial in April.

Lakers win, Clips fall

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 123-111 Friday night to improve to 39-38 and solidify their playoff prospects.

Anthony Davis scored 38 points for the winners and grabbed 17 rebounds.

The Los Angeles Clippers (41-37) lost 108-94 to the Memphis Grizzlies.

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2023 5

Arts&Living

A Moving, Powerful ‘Anne Frank’ On stage through Sunday in the Westminster stage

By Thom deMartino Orange County Tribune

She was a vivacious, headstrong girl on the precipice of adulthood, with dreams of one day becoming a writer: it is a beautiful, tragic irony that it is her writing, her diary, that gives a stark, candid, yet strangely hopeful portrait of humanity in an as-yet unparalleled era of persecution and unconscionable deeds.

Playing through Sunday at the Westminster Community Playhouse and directed by Priscilla Gonzalez-Suciu, “The Diary of Anne Frank” relates the heart-rending true-life story of the young Anne Frank (Cayla Campbell) and her family, as they struggle to hide from Nazi persecution of the Jewish people in Amsterdam during World War II. Anne’s father Otto (Eric Schiffer) has secreted away his family – including Anne, his wife Edith (Irina Kompa) and Anne’s sister Margot (Bethany Meagher) – in the attic of his former business, but the compassionate father has decided not only to hide his own family, but to shelter the Van Daan family as well.

For a time, things are tolerable in the cramped space: the group is brought meager supplies and food daily by their guardian angels Miep Gies (Haley Hollis) and/or Mr. Kraler (Andrew Orris), who risk their own lives to help; but as the months stretch by in the claustrophobic quarters, with its inhabitants unable to move or make a single sound for hours at a time … nerves are beginning to fray.

The initially grateful Mr. Van Daan (Rick Werblin) has be-

CAYLA CAMPELL and Eric Schiffer star in “Anne Frank” now on stage at the Westminster Community Playhouse (WCP photo).

Stage Review come increasingly critical of the group’s lack of food, as well as Anne’s precocious and outspoken manner. Mrs. Van Daan (Desi Molinari) revels in the nostalgia of her youth, as she openly flirts with the disinterested Mr. Frank; while their quiet, reserved son Peter (Carter Roman) is slowly opening up to Anne as their friendship deepens.

But with the addition of the uptight and forlorn Mr. Dussel (Christopher Girt) to their group, the already strained rations are dwindling faster and faster still… until one wonders which is the greater threat: the tightening grip of the Reich … or the fevered desperation of people pushed to their limits?

With the popularity of such an

important biography as “The Diary of Anne Frank” (and unfortunately, some all-too familiar similarities in today’s current events), it follows that this production has found itself selling out shows, making it all the more crucial for audiences to catch this timely, bittersweet story before the show’s close.

The entirety of the WCP stage is transformed into the shared, modest lodgings of the group, with a beautifully clever, open design that makes the audience privy to multiple characters’ quarters... and their more private moments.

The interactions between Anne and Margot, as the more reserved sister begins to succumb to depression and envy at her sister’s blossoming relationship with Peter; Mrs. Van Daan’s despair at a treasured item’s loss; the shame, callousness (or com-

Great: HHHH pulsion) of a member stealing food for themselves under cover of night; all symptoms of the increasing strain on the party approaching a breaking point.

The entire cast excels with the depth of their performances, the nuanced interactions between characters; there feels to be a genuine familial affection between the cast members that shines through, particularly in the internal family dynamics of both the Frank and Van Daan clans.

Cayla Campbell’s Anne is a remarkable, deftly walking a tightrope between a fierce inquisitiveness, independence… and the fragility of a young woman coming of age in an impossible Continued on page 6

6 SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2023/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

‘Anne Frank’ is moving and powerful Continued from page 5

time of despair and darkness… yet somehow summoning from those depths a sense of humor and joy, despite the anguish of what she and her family are forced to endure.

Her heartfelt bond with Shiffer’s Otto shines brightly beneath the amber stage lights: a testament to the fact that despite playing characters, actors often can portray a deeper truth.

A moving, heartbreaking snapshot of a family sheltering from events beyond their control, struggling to retain their compassion for those in need as they try finding joy in the small beauties in life, “The Diary of Anne Frank” at the Westminster Community Playhouse is vital, essential viewing: a must-see for all ages to

take in – and take to heart – before its close.

“The Diary of Anne Frank.”

Cayla Campbell, Eric Schiffer and Carter Roman star in this tale of one young girl’s story of her family’s struggles during the Holocaust, yet somehow finding hope beyond the despair. Now

Letter: A youth panel is needed Continued from page 3

and digital literacy, and ways to foster effective solutions.

Thank you again. Sincerely, Nicholas Dibs, teacher and advocate for better schools and communities (NickDibs1@ gmail.com)

playing through April 2 at the Westminster Community Playhouse, 7272 Maple St, Westminster. Ticketing information available online at http://www. wcpstage.com, or call (714) 893-8626.

Dodgers Continued from page 8

backs.

“We’ll try not to think too much about this one,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, “as far as on the offensive side. That’s baseball. You just have to stick with guys, trust guys and you’ll be fine.”

Friday’s loss at Dodger Stadium followed a more encouraging 8-2 win on Thursday in which Will Smith drove in four runs and the team had 12 hits.

The series with Arizona continues Saturday with Clayton Kershaw making the start for the Blue Crew..

The series runs through Sunday, and the home stand concludes with games Monday and Tuesday with the Colorado Rockies.

For a free subscription via e-mail, please send us a request to: orangecountytribune@ gmail.com.

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2023 7

Padres: The team of destiny in the NL West?

Continued from page 8

superstar into the lineup when Fernando Tatis Jr. is eligible to return from an 80-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.

Shockingly, the Padres will have a bigger payroll than the Dodgers, who have won nine of the last 10 NL West titles. San Diego’s projected payroll of $255 million will rank third behind

only the New York Mets and Yankees.

Seidler - a third-generation member of the O’Malley family that used to own the Dodgers authorized general manager A.J. Preller to sign Machado to a new $350 million, 11-year contract; Bogaerts to a $280 million, 11year free agent deal; and ace Yu Darvish to a new $108 million, six-year contract.

The Dodgers sat out the free agent frenzy while losing AllStar Trea Turner and letting stalwarts Cody Bellinger and Justin Turner go. Additionally, they have some key injuries going into opening day.

The turning point in what had been a one-sided rivalry came on a rainy October Saturday night when Petco Park shook as the Padres rallied to beat the Dodgers 5- 3 and win the NLDS in four games. The Padres lost the NLCS to Philadelphia in five games.

“All the excitement that you feel as a kid about your hometown team, beating the rival and going to the playoffs, all of those things I got to kind of live firsthand for my hometown team,’’ said right-hander Joe Musgrove, who started the clincher against the Dodgers as well as the wildcard series clincher against the 101-win New York Mets.

The Padres haven’t won the NL West since 2006 and haven’t

been to the World Series since being swept by the New York Yankees in 1998.

Angels lose, 2-1 Comtinued from page 8

Opening Day. Things get weird.

But Shohei was really impressive tonight.”

He was, but unless the Angels can get better offense and relief pitching, Ohtani may be pitching impressively for another team in 2024. n Next up: The Angels (0-1) will

face the A’s (1-0) on Saturday for a 1:07 p.m. game up north. Patrick Sandoval will get the start for the Halos.

n PREP SPORTS SPORTS WRAPUP

Josh Beaty is the new FVHS basketball coach Josh Beaty will become the new head boys’ basketball coach at Fountain Valley High School.

Beaty comes to FVHS with 11 years of head coaching experience, the most recent at Buena Park High School, including an impressive winning record of over 200 wins.

His winning record includes leading the Crean Lutheran boys basketball team to a 2018 CIF Championship as well as

Prep Sport Scores Friday, March 31 (baseball) Pacifica 4, Villa Park 0 Huntington Beach 3, Bishop Gorman (Nev.) 2 Edison 3, Laguna Beach 2 Ocean View 6, Segerstrom 1 Friday, March 31 (softball) Pacifica 1, San Bernardino 0 Huntington Beach 2, Norco 0 Ocean View 3, Godinez 1 Costa Mesa 17, Orange 7 Thursday, March 30 (baseball) Huntington Beach 8, Calvary Christian (Fla.) 3

four league championships. In his 11 years as a head coach, he was also named the 2018 CIF Coach of the Year and 2016 Open Gym Premier Coach of the Year.

While obtaining his bachelor’s in social science from Simpson University, Beaty met his wife of 18 years and achieved his childhood dream of playing collegiate basketball.

His education continued at Fresno Pacific, where he earned his master’s in kinesiology and a California teaching credential. Beaty is currently a history teacher at Buena Park High School.

“It’s an honor to be selected as the next head basketball coach at Fountain Valley High School and join the Baron Family,” said Beaty. “I’ve heard so much about how wonderful the people in the community are, and I’m so excited to meet the players and their families and build relationships with them. I’m very grateful to the administration for choosing me to carry on such an honor. This is a perfect fit for me, and I look forward to continuing the winning tradition on and off the floor.”

8 SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2023/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

TheSportsPage

Grand old game gets an overdue reboot of rules

Shohei Shone, Halos Didn’t Weak hitting, bullpen spoil Opening Day

Baseball may be the Grand Old Game, but in recent years it’s been the Grand Too-Old game.

Now, with a series of rules changes, the powers that be are hoping to put more scoring and more action into the game, and – presumably – put more fans in the seats as well as money in their pockets.

What’s new this season?

There’s a pitch clock to keep pitchers (and batters) from dawdling too much, there’s a ban on defensive shifts – which have done so much to drive batting averages Jim Tortolano down – and slightly larger bases which may encourage more base-stealing attempts.

Based on the Opening Day, those efforts have been successful. While the Angels-A’s game was no offensive showpiece, it lasted only a crisp two hours and 30 minutes and the Dodgers’ more spectacular outing on Thursday went 2:35.

For those of us used to dozing off as baseball games crawled along past the three-hour mark, this is good news, indeed.

Sports Retorts

Shohei on the freeway?

The Angels’ spectacular twoway superstar Shohei Ohtani has made it clear: if the Halos can’t start winning, he will start packing his bags as his contract expires after this season.

There’s been a lot of speculation about his eventual landing spot, but there’s only place that makes sense to me.

Shohei seems to like the California life. He’s said he wants to play for a winner, and – to me – that indicates Ohtani shedding his Angel red for Dodger blue.

By Pete Zarustica Orange County Tribune

ing out four batters and walking just one. On the strength of a Mookie Betts home run in the seventh, the Blue Crew went into the eighth inning with a 1-0 lead.

But reliever Alex Rivera got tagged for two runs, the gamewinner being a pinch-hit home run by Kyle Lewis of the D-

“It’s just the first game,” said Mike Trout after the Los Angeles Angels’ disappointing 2-1 loss to the Oakland Athletics on the road Thursday night.

True, but it carried with it the echoes of one frustrating season after another. In the first game of the 2023 Major League Baseball season, the Halos played under new rules with a familiar result.

Shohei Ohtani was brilliant, striking out 10 batters is six shutout innings, He also singled and drew a walk.

But when the two-way star finished his stint on the mound, the Angels were finished, too, as reliever Aaron Loup was tagged for two hits and two earned runs in the bottom of the eighth and the A’s had the comeback win, since the Angels could muster no more offense.

Angel manager Phil Nevin was philosophical. “We’re going to score more runs,” he said.

“I’m not worried about that. It’s

Continued on page 6

Continued on page 7

SHOHEI OHTANI was brilliant in the Angels’ 2023 season opener on Thursday, striking out 10 batters over six shutout innings, but the rest of the team didn’t do as well (Angels photo).

Dodgers show two looks in their first two games

By David Arthur Orange County Tribune

In a game similar to the Angels’ opening night loss on Thursday, the Los Angeles Dodgers wasted a good pitching performance and lost late, 2-1 to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Dustin May pitched seven three-hit shutout innings, strik-

Does the NL West now belong to the Padres?

By Bernie Wilson AP Sports Writer The San Diego Padres sure don’t feel like little brother anymore to the mighty Los Angeles Dodgers.

Buoyed by a stunning victory against the 111-win Dodgers in the NL Division Series and owner Peter Seidler’s fearless offseason spending, the Padres

are poised to make a run at the NL West title as well as a World Series crown that has always been out of reach.

The Padres will begin the mostanticipated season in their mostly sad-sack history with a lineup featuring Juan Soto, Xander Bogaerts and Manny Machado.

On April 20, manager Bob Melvin will begin writing a fourth Continued on page 7

Lakers win, Clippers fall The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 123-111 Friday night to improve to 39-38 and solidify their playoff prospects.

Anthony Davis scored 38 points for the winners.

The Los Angeles Clippers (41-37) lost 108-94 to the Memphis Grizzlies.