The Orange County Tribune Feb. 11, 2023

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WEEKEND EDITION

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Volume 3, Number 12 n orangecountytribune.com n Saturday, Feb.11, 2023 n orangecountytribune@gmail.com

Wrong-way crash takes a third life

n WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL

Censures Rescinded

By Majority

By Jim Tortolano/Orange County Tribune Returning to controversial actions by an earlier city council, the Westminster City Council voted Wednesday to rescind previous censures of former mayor Tri Ta and current Mayor – then vice mayor – Chi Charlie Nguyen.

“You cannot use your power as an elected official to censor another public official,” said Councilmember Amy Phan West (District 1). who had asked to put the reversals on the agenda. “It’s unacceptable.”

“I don’t understand how this could be your item when you don’t know the difference between ‘censor’ and ‘censure.’ You just don’t understand it, Move along,” said Councilmember Kimberly Ho (District 3). ( To censor means to suppress speech; to censure means to reprimand) The censures were approved 3-2 by a previous council of Nguyen in DecemContinued on page 2

A third person has died from the injuries suffered in a wrong-way auto collision on Monday in Westminster.

According to Commander Kevin McCormack of the WPD, the incident took place in the area of Beach Boulevard and Hazard Avenue involving a minivan speeding north in the southbound lanes of Beach Boulevard. The result was a four-car collision.

Two of the decedents in the van died on Monday.

They have been identified as Tri Dinh Tran, 84, of Westminster and Kim Tuyen Thi Vu, 79, of Westminster.

Succumbing to her injuries on Wednesday was Victoria McKemy, 75, of Buena Park, driver of one of the vehicles hit by the A wrong-way crash on Beach Boulevard in Westminster involving four van. vehicles earlier this week has taken the life of a third person, who died WPD is investigating the cause of the accident. on Wednesday (OCFA/WPD photo).

Six-story, 53-unit apt. complex is proposed A proposal to build a six-story, 53-unit apartment complex in he city’s hotel district goes before the Garden Grove Planning Commission when it meets on Thursday.

Investel wants to build on a two-thirds acre site on Choisser Road, located north of Twintree Lane and east of Harbor Boulevard.

Inside The Trib Charming con men in “Sharper”

n GARDEN GROVE PLANNING COMMISSION

The proposed development would be located across the street from the Sheraton Hotel and south of “Site C,” planned for a two-hotel development also proposed by Investel.

As planned, the 28,793 square foot project would include six affordable Continued on page 2

ARTS & LIVING 5

Making history on field THE SPORTS PAGE 8

Coronavirus stats show some encouraging signs The arc of new confirmed new cases of coronavirus – along with other key metrics – in Orange County seems to be leveling off.

According to the county health care agency, the latest weekly tally of cases – as of Wednesday – shows 1,443, a slight increase from last week’s 1,440, but sharply down from

Jan. 12’s total of 2,246.

Deaths decreased to 45 from last week’s 57. Hospitalizations declined to 164 from 170 and the use of intensive care units to treat COVID-19 patients fell to 19 from 28.

To date, Orange County has had 708,451 cases and 7,893 deaths.

Nationally, new cases Continued on page 2

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

2 SATURDAY, FEB. 11, 2023/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

Westminster council rescinds two censures Continued from page 1

ber 2021 and of Ta in January 2022. Grounds for the censures covered a variety of allegations, but especially accusations about controversial political statements.

On Wednesday, rescinding the censure of Chi Charlie Nguyen was approved on a 3-1-1 vote, with Councilmember Carlos Manzo (District 2) abstaining and Ho voting “no.”

Rescinding the censure of Ta was approved on a 3-0-2 vote with Manzo and Ho abstaining.

During a rowdy two-hour oral communications session that preceded the regular business schedule of the council, speakers verbally attacked opponents and

supporters of the current council, and sometimes with loud and even profane language.

The entire meeting lasted five hours and 11 minutes.

Also Wednesday night, the council approved: • directing the city staff to study the establishment of a non-profit Westminster Community Foundation;

Coronavirus stats Continued from page 1

are down by 14 percent over a two-week period, and deaths have declined by 14 percent as well, according to The New York Times.

In California, according to Los Angeles Times, new cases are down by 3 percent and deaths by 11 percent over two weeks.

Six-story apartment complex proposed Continued from page 1

housing units, five devoted to “very low income” households and one to “low income” renters.

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

Reach thousands for pennies.

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Call Jim at (714) 458-1860

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.

• the addition of two full-time police officers to the Homeless Liaison Officer team.

The next meeting of the council is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 22.

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/SATURDAY, FEB. 11, 2023, 2023 3

News&Views

“Kindness” is theme of the 2023 Festival The Garden Grove Strawberry Festival will be returning to the city once again, Memorial Day weekend, May 26-29 at the Village Green park.

This annual event, which has been a favorite of residents and visitors for over 60 years, celebrates the city’s rich agricultural history and heritage, and it is dedicated to the strawberry.

The festival, which is organized by the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival Association, will feature a wide variety of activities, including a VIP pancake breakfast, live music, contests, vendors, a festive parade, and a cake cutting ceremony.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy carnival rides and attractions for all ages and much more.

This year, the festivals’ theme will be centered around kindness. The Strawberry Festival Association wanted to focus

on the kindness people show one another. The festival’s goal this year is to show that by embracing kindness, connection and togetherness can be fostered in order to build up our local communities.

An annual highlight of the festival, the Strawberry Festival Parade, will take place on Saturday, May 27, and will feature celebrities, elected officials, GGUSD and visiting bands, equestrian units and much more.

The Strawberry Festival Board is made up of a multitude of volunteers who are dedicated to providing the City of Garden Grove the best Festival yet.

2023 GGSFA Elected officers include: - Andrea Perez, Festival Association President with Taylor Perez as asContinued on page 4

GARDEN GROVE BOULEVARD between Harbor Boulevard and Fairview Street will be undergoing rehabilitation starting Monday.

Major road work on way to GG Boulevard Garden Grove Boulevard, from Harbor Boulevard to Fairview Street, will undergo rehabilitation beginning Monday, Feb. 13 through May 2023, causing temporary traffic delays.

Motorists are advised that traffic on Garden Grove Boulevard will be reduced to one lane to facilitate construction work. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Access to businesses and residences along the construction area will be maintained at all times.

The improvements consist of the removal and construction of uplifted

curbs, gutter, sidewalk, bus pads, wheelchair ramps, asphalt concrete paving, traffic striping, and raised pavement markers.

The work will result in a new roadway surface and minimize maintenance for years.

The project is funded by Measure M2 Local Fair Share, Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriation Federal Grant, and gas tax.

For more., contact Navin Maru in the Public Works Department at (714) 741-5180 or go to www.ggcity.org.

HBPD’s newest helicopter

THE FIRST of three new MD 530 F helicopters joins the HBPD aerial fleet.

The Huntington Beach Police Department on Wednesday unveiled the first of three new police helicopters at the HBPD helipad.

The second and third helicopters will arrive within the next few months.

The three new MD 530F helicopters will replace the department’s existing fleet and feature a higher 3,350-pound gross weight, increased cruise

speed, improved flight characteristics in confined areas, and lower direct operating costs compared to the older aircraft.

“The safety of our Huntington Beach residents, businesses, and visitors is of the utmost importance,” said Mayor Tony Strickland.

The HBPD Air Support Unit was formed in 1968 with the primary mission to fly in support of the

police, fire, and marine safety operations. They include, patrol ground operations, surveillance, aerial photo/intelligence gathering missions, observation support for police, fire, and marine safety operations, as well as SWAT operations and Emergency/Disaster surveying. The unit not only provides air support for Huntington Beach but also serves three other cities.

4 SATURDAY, FEB. 11, 2023/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

NewsUpdate signs that any lull may soon be ending.

According to The New York Times, over 100 drones, rockets and missiles were fired on Friday

by Russian forces at a variety of sites in Ukraine.

Military officials in Ukraine are calling this the opening of a winter offensive, perhaps an effort to take more ground in the Russian-speaking eastern areas of Ukraine before powerful American and other Western weapons arrive and allow Ukraine to mount its own offensive.

THE F-22 RAPTOR

Another “object” shot down

Another “unknown” flying object was shot down Friday by a U.S. fighter jet, this one near the north coast of Alaska.

According to the Associated Press, an F-22 Raptor downed the object on orders from President Joe Biden. It was the second object – the first one a Chinese spy ballon – brought down in U.S. airspace within a week.

The AP reports that John Kirby, spokesman for the White House

National Security Council, said the object – some what smaller than the balloon – was downed because it posed a “reasonable threat” to civilian flights.

It was not believed the device was involved in surveillance activity. Efforts to recover debris are underway.

Is the war heating up?

The winter weather may have slowed down military action in Ukraine, but there are some

Also in the news … The death toll in Turkey and Syria from a massive earthquake is now put at over 23,000 people, most of them in Turkey.

Clippers, Ducks lose

Friday night wasn’t much fun for area pro sports teams.

The Los Angeles Clippers (3128) lost to the Milwaukee Bucks 119-106. The Clips fell to third in the NBA Pacific with the loss The Anaheim Ducks (13-30-6) fell behind 3-1 after one period to the Pittsburgh Penguins and ended up losing 6-3 at Honda Center. The Ducks remain in last place in the NHL Pacific.

Festival officers Continued from page 3

sociate - Mark Mahoney, President Elect, Games/Permits/Carnival/ Food/Nominations Chair; with Miles Mahoney as associate; - George Skelton, Treasurer, Donations Committee with Suki Carter serving as associate; - Heidi Levesque, Secretary, Contests with Nicole Sate as associate.

2023 GGSFA Directors, Associates include: - Pat Catlin, Immediate Past President, Tents and Electrical, with Billy Catlin as associate - Dr. Dawn Miller, Special Childrens Day, with Denise Webster as associate - Laura Neuschafer, Opening Ceremony/Cake Cutting with Malu Mendoza as associate - Fred Ramirez, Office with Frederico Ramirez as associate - Debbie Mahoney, Scholarships, associate TBD - Sherri Larson, VIP Breakfast, associate, TBD - Sue Catlin, VIP Lunch with Joyce Claussen as associate - Ben Santos, Environmental (Grounds/Sanitation), with Tony Lopez as associate - Jeff Sanders, Parade Coordinator, with Kim Sanders as associContinued on page 6

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/SATURDAY, FEB. 11, 2023 5

Arts&Living

JOHN LITHGOW and Julianne Moore star in “Sharper” (A24)

A “Sharper” Look at Cool Cons

By Jake Coyle AP Film Writer

Movie Review

Almost invariably, we root for the con artist.

Seldom does the ingenuity and cleverness of a good hustler, card sharp or con man not win us over. They are, of course, walking metaphors for the movies. Through finesse and daring, they pull the wool over our eyes while emptying our pockets.

They’re also great roles for actors, our best liars, to showcase their powers of slight-of-hand seduction and subtle transformation.

“Sharper,” a fitfully delicious pile of deceptions and doublecrosses, is made with evident appreciation for the genre. It opens with a definition of its title – “one who lives by their

wits” – and ``Sharper,’’ too, skates by nimbly enough by coasting on its cast’s smarts.

“Sharper,’’ which opened in theaters Friday and lands Feb. 17 on Apple TV+, is a slinky, slick caper that finds ways to distort expectations while unfolding a puzzle-box narrative. Before its lesser third act, “Sharper” – propelled especially by the performances of newcomer Briana Middleton and the more veteran Sebastian Stan – manages to juggle its plot twists with panache.

It opens with a seemingly sweet note of romance. Sandra (Middleton) breezes into a used bookshop on the Lower East Side to pick up a copy of

Zora Neale Hurston’s “Their Eyes Were Watching God.” She tells the guy behind the counter – Tom (Justice Smith) – that she’s getting her PhD in Black feminist studies.

The scene could be a meet cute for a bookish romcom. But given that opening title card, we’re on guard for the scam.

She’s forgotten money – is that the play? A free book? They go on a date and later return to the store to hold in their hands a first edition of “Jane Eyre.”

Maybe that’s the goal? A fiendish scheme to swipe rare Charlotte Brontes? But as a character says later in “Sharper,” if you’re going to steal, steal big.

“Sharper,” structured as a series of vignettes each titled after a particular character, unspools as a series of ever-expanding

Good: HHH cons. First, there is Sandra, in need of $350,000 to rescue her drug addict brother from his debtors.

Once that plays out, the second chapter rewinds to Sandra’s past, and her chance encounter with a skilled grifter, Max (Stan). He takes Sandra under his wing to school on the art of deception. His system starts, kind of wonderfully, with reading the newspaper: “So you can lie about anything.”And he’s single-minded about the work.

“I don’t watch movies,” Max says. “They’re a waste of time.”

First off, ouch. But this is also an early hint, in Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka’s layContinued on page 6

6 SATURDAY, FEB. 11, 2023/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

A ‘Sharper” view of charming cons Continued from page 5

ered screenplay, that the grifters of “Sharper” – unlike, say, Paul Newman of “The Sting” or Leonardo DiCaprio of “Catch Me if You Can” – are a more sober variety of fabulist, less a stand-in for the make-believe of movies than a concept to question and interrogate.

As “Sharper,” smoothly helmed

by British TV director Benjamin Caron, continues to widen, it brings in more characters and backstories, including a New York socialite (Julianne Moore, also a producer) who’s dating a billionaire widower (John Lithgow). But the progression begins to work against the film.

As “Sharper” turns increasingly melodramatic, we’re wellconditioned by then to look for

the con, and see it coming a long ways out. The streetwise characters – especially the appealingly rigorous Max, who seems like he walked in from a Paul Schrader film or a David Mamet noir – also wouldn’t be so easily duped by the late plot maneuvers. After a promising start, “Sharper” grows duller.

But there’s plenty here to savor. Middleton, who had a small role in George Clooney’s “The Tender Bar,” brings such a shape-shifting radiance to the film that when she’s not present, the movie sags even as its star power increases.

And Stan, an actor I’ve not previously had a strong sense of, has never been so arresting on screen. His cool nonchalance gives “Sharper” a bracing edge.

The scenes that pair Middleton and Stan together are its most potent. Plus, who can resist a con that includes, to pose as a PhD student, cramming great quotes of literature? Oh, the riches that can be unlocked by “Call me Ishmael.”

“Sharper,” an A24 release, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America for language throughout and some sexual references. Running time: 116 minutes.

SF officers Continued from page 4

ate - Bill Gutaskus, Rentals/Carts/ ATMs with Sue Gutaskus as associate - Patti Catlin, Commercial Vendor Booths, with Susanne Rangel as associate - Josh Lindsay, Staged Events, associate, TBD - Steve Sanders, Rides and Grounds with Ryan Sanders as associate - Scott Weimer, Parking/Fencing with Marilyn Tortolano as associate - Christine Ball, Insurance, with Robin Suarez serving as associate - Randy Arbgast, Civic Food Booths/Permits, with Donald Schlensker as associate “We are excited to host the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival again this May, over Memorial Day Weekend,” said Perez, “Our festival is a great opportunity for residents and visitors to come together to celebrate this long standing family tradition as well as the city’s rich agricultural heritage, which is such an important part of our history and community.”

For more information on the Strawberry Festival, please visit the official website at www. strawberryfestival.org.

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

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/SATURDAY, FEB. 11, 2023 7

Making Black history in the 2023 Super Bowl Continued from page 8

low their dreams to be a quarterback?”

It’s not just the quarterbacks who are relishing the groundbreaking matchup. Chiefs running back Jerick McKinnon said players are well aware of what they’re witnessing.

“There’s history being made,’’

McKinnon said. “That’s a beautiful thing. Something I can look back and tell my kids that, ‘I was a part of that, I experienced that.’ So it’s a blessing. This whole experience is a blessing.

“To have that on top, just adds to it.”

In addition to being good, both quarterbacks are also tough.

Hurts missed two games late in the season with a shoulder injury that’s still bothering him.

The Eagles haven’t had to lean on him in two lopsided playoff wins. He has 275 yards pass-

ing and two TDs along with 73 yards rushing and two scores, pedestrian numbers by his standards.

Mahomes hobbled around on a badly sprained ankle to help the Chiefs beat the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 and advance to their third Super Bowl appearance in four years.

“It’s amazing – especially being Black History Month as well,” Eagles cornerback Darius Slay said. “I’m thankful for this moment, to be a part of this. This is crazy with two Black quarterbacks in the Super Bowl, one of the biggest games in the world.”

Washington’s Doug Williams was the first Black quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl following the 1987 season.

That’s back when Black quarterbacks were fairly rare across the NFL. This season – 35 years later –

began with 11 Black QBs starting in Week 1 and now ends with a historic matchup.

Mahomes can become the first two-time winner if he leads the Chiefs to victory on Sunday.

Hurts aims to become the fourth Black QB to win the Super Bowl, joining Williams, Mahomes and Russell Wilson.

Steve McNair, Colin Kaepernick, Cam Newton and Wilson also started in a Super Bowl and lost.

Now it’s Hurts vs. Mahomes.

After McKinnon heard that Sirianni said the two quarterbacks were the top two in the league, he had a one-word response: “Facts.”

“It’s going to be a showdown – all four quarters,’”McKinnon said. “It’s going to come down to the last second. Jalen Hurts is phenomenal, I’ve been watching him since college. The things he does and brings to the table are

Girls’ b-ball, soccer scores in playoffs on Thursday Continued from page 8

Immaculate Heart 47, Loara 32 Nordhoff 57, Magnolia 45 Marina 51, Don Lugo 40 Division 5A Orange 38, Mesorobian 32 Malibu 51, Western 38 Nogales 58, La Quinta 28 Second round action on Saturday will see Edison visiting Irvine in Division 4AA. Pacifica will host Edgewood and Ocean View will host St. Margarets in 5AA action and Marina will visit El Rancho.

In Division 5A, Orange will host Malibu.

All those games are scheduled to start at 7 p.m.

Boys’ soccer Round 1 Division 3 Edison 3, La Mirada 0 Mission Viejo 1, Los Amigos 0 Division 4 Santiago 2, Tesoro 2 (Tesoro advances on penalty kicks) Garey 2, Garden Grove 1 Division 7 Rancho Alamitos 3, Pilgrim 0 Second round play will be on Saturday in boys’ soccer. In Divis ion 3, Edison will host Crescenta Valley. In Division 7, Rancho Alamitos hosts Gabrielino.

8 SATURDAY, FEB. 11, 2023/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

TheSportsPage

Saxons Win, Advance to Quarterfinals Markus Toscano and Luke Recinto each scored 14 points Friday night as Loara defeated Fillmore 42-36 in a CIF-SS Division 5AA second round game.

The Saxons (now 1812 overall) finished second in the Garden Grove League will face North High of Torrance (23-5) in a quarterfinal game on Tuesday.

In 2A action, Edison was edged 60-59 by Lutheran High of Orange. The Chargers finished the year 20-10 and as champions of the Surf League.

Dylan Hugues scored 17 points for Edison and Jayden Oei added 15.

La Quinta was knocked out of the 5AA playoffs by a 102-49 loss to Lynwood.

In girls’s CIF-SS soccer play, in Division 7 La Quinta defeated Santa Ana Valley 1-0 and Mag-

SUPER BOWL LVII

Playoff Scores Boys’ basketball Division 5AA • Loara 42, Fillmore 36 • Lynwood 102, La Quinta 49 Division 2A • Orange Lutheran 60, Edison 59 Division 3AA • Orangewood vs.

East Valley/Redlands (Saturday) Girls’ soccer Division 7 • La Quinta 1, Santa Ana Valley 0 • Magnolia 3, El Monte 1

nolia bested El Monte 3-1.

The Aztecs (14-6-5 overall) will next play AGBU) in a quartefinal match on Tuesday.

The Sentinels (14-91) take on Oakwood of North Hollywood.

Four area girls’ b-ball teams advance in CIF Four area schools survived the first round of the CIF-SS girls’ basketball playoffs on Thursday and will advance to the second round on Saturday. In boy’s soccer, two schools advanced as well.

What follows are results for teams in The Tribune’s coverage area.

Girls’ basketball Round 1 Division 1 Woodbridge 61, Orangewood Academy 52 Division 4AA Edison 73, Beverly Hills 28 Montclair 43, Westminster 40 Division 5AA Pacifica 34, Cate 22 Continued on page 7

JALEN HURTS of the Philadelhia Eagles and Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs talk about their historic role in the Super Bowl (AP photo).

Making Black history on Super Bowl field Mahomes vs.

Hurts; Eagles vs. the Chiefs

By David Brandt AP Sports Writer

PHOENIX (AP) – Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni is thrilled young aspiring football players all over the world will get to watch two Black quarterbacks face each other for the first time in the Super Bowl.

He’s also pleased they get to watch two really, really good quarterbacks.

“I’m really excited for both quarterbacks, what they can represent to a ton of kids,” Sirianni said at this week’s Super Bowl media night.

“Not only are they two African-American quar-

Kansas City Chiefs vs.

Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023 Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. (PST) State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona Odds: Eagles +1.5

terbacks, but they’re the two best quarterbacks in the NFL this year. Firstteam All-Pro, secondteam All-Pro. “They both play at the highest level.”

There are many storylines for this Super Bowl, but the duel between Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts and Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes is right at the top of the list.

The significance of Sunday’s matchup in Glendale, Arizona, isn’t lost on Mahomes.

“I think about it a lot,” Mahomes said. “The quarterbacks that came before me – Shack Harris, Doug Williams – that laid the foundation for me to be in this position. It goes across all sports. If you think about Jackie Robinson and the people who broke the color barrier in baseball, I wouldn’t be standing here today if it wasn’t for them.

“To be lucky enough to be in this position – and play against another great guy like Jalen – it will be a special moment. I’m glad we’re here today, but how can we keep moving forward? How can we motivate kids who are younger, who want to folContinued on page 7