The Orange County Tribune March 30, 2022

Non-partisan News Opinion Arts & Living Sports

Covering Garden Grove Huntington Beach Stanton Westminster

Printed in Garden Grove, California n orangecountytribune.com n Wednesday, March 30, 2022 n orangecountytribune@gmail.com

Guns and fentanyl are seized A 29-year-old Westminster resident has been arrested in connection with an incident in which a man died of an apparent overdose of fentanyl.

According to Sgt. Eddie Esqueda of the WPD, Michael De La Cruz was arrested on March 23 on four charges: • possession of narcotics for sale • possession of an assault weapon • possession of large capacity ammunition magazine • possession of an undetectable firearm.

The incident began at about 2:45 p.m. when WPD officers were dispatched to the Calespana Apartments at 15150 Magnolia St. (south of Bolsa Avenue) regarding a report of an unresponsive male. They found a man lying on his back on the living room floor of an apartment.

Orange County Fire Authority paramedics pronounced him dead on the scene from what appeared to be an overdose of the pain-killing drug fentanyl. Cruz, the renter of the apartment, was interviewed at the scene and arrested after a search warrant was served there.

The search yielded over five kilograms of suspected fentanyl, Continued on page 2

IN A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN

“Open Streets” Puts Spotlight on GG’s Downtown Event is set for Saturday from 2-6 p.m.

PACIFICA HIGH’S softball team is one of the best in the nation, and is ranked 17th in California. The Mariners are 16-3 overall and opened Empire League play Tuesday with an 11-0 win over Crean Lutheran of Irvine. Above, Brynne Nalley pitches against La Habra High in a 3-2 win Friday.

For more on area high school sports, see pages 7 and 8.

n STANTON CITY COUNCIL

Projects for homeless housing are advancing

Several agreements to move forward plans to provide housing for the homeless and poor were approved on a 5-0 vote by the Stanton City Council on Tuesday night.

Considered by the council were agreements for two similar projects.

The Stanton Inn agreement calls for the

conversion of the former motel into a 72-unit affordable residential complex on a 1.02-acre site at 7161 Katella Ave. The deal calls it to be operated initially for up to five years as interim housing for people and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness Continued on page 4

Spring weather will offer residents and visitors a chance to explore and enjoy the 2022 “Open Streets” even in Garden Grove’s downtown and civic center area on Saturday from 2-6 p.m.

The event, combined with the “Art in the Park” exhibit in the Village Green, will highlight the offerings and potential for the are that formed the original community that has now grown to an estimated 175,000 people.

“Open Streets” provides an opportunity to walk, ride, roll or stroll your way through an afternoon of free activities, and see a slice of the city close-up -- and on foot.

The family -friendly festival features live music, DJ’s, and food trucks, plus these happenings: • Lucha Libre is coming to Garden Grove. The intersection of Euclid Street and Acacia Parkway will be temporarily transformed into an authentic wrestling arena, featuring famous Luchadores in the ring • See the history of Garden Grove’s railroad line come to life on

canvas, with the debut of a 20’ x 13’ mural, paying homage to this form of transportation that truly transformed Garden Grove from a village to a town.

• Learn the workout routine of a professional Continued on page 2

The Oscars took a hit Will Smith’s slap of Chris Rock at the Oscars overshadowed the awards. See pages 5 and 6

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

2 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

“Open Streets” comes to downtown GG Continued from page 1

performer as actors from One More Productions, the awardwinning team from the Gem Theatre, take to an outdoor exercise stage. Then, step inside the theatre and catch a real-time rehearsal, on the Gem stage.

• Get an aerial view of Garden Grove atop a sky-high Ferris Wheel • Climb a Rock Wall or play larger-than-life-sized games, like Jenga and checkers • Capture that perfect pic to post in a 360-degree photo booth • SteelCraft, the outdoor urban eatery comprised of repurposed shipping containers, housing unique, carefully selected craft food and beverages vendors, will be hosting an afternoon and evening sure to delight all the senses.

• Check out the one-of-a-kind creations at the Shop Small Market, hear cool live music, and surprise your taste buds – all by day, and by night.

• Get artsy at the Open Streets Edition of Art in the Park. This mini-event showcases nearly 1,000 art pieces from local K-12th graders, on display at a specially-curated gallery inside the Courtyard Center. Plus, all ages can get crafty at one of the many DIY creation stations, including the return of the paintby-numbers car.

• Don’t have a set of wheels to ride the route? Hop in a free

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

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.

A member of The Associated Press and the Online News Association.

pedi-cab or race train, or enjoy a free, 20-minute surrey bike ride • Little ones can channel their inner Bob the Builder at Home Depot’s kids’ clinic, while mom and dad enter a raffle to win a barbecue • Public Works is hosting its Open House, at Open Streets.

Check out the ‘Touch-a-Truck’ expo, featuring oversized equipment that the men and women in the water, streets and trees divisions use every day to keep Garden Grove safe and looking its best • Find a quick bike fix at the Papa Wheelie Bicycles booth, and check out the latest E-bikes from famous bike brands Emojo, Motiv, Oh Wow!, Haro and Cannondale. Plus, enter a raffle to win a new E-bike, valued at $2,500 • The Garden Grove Downtown Business Association is hosting live music and a beer garden by day, and then keeping the party going by night, with a Main Street After Party • Push that pedal power to the limit at a pop-up pump track – a continuous loop of rollers and berms designed to be ridden without pedaling • Be the first to get a sneak peek at what’s coming this fall from Cottage Industries, a unique two-phase development poised to change the look and feel of the Downtown. Historic bungalows, or cottages, all painted black, are being restored and reinvented to bring fresh perspectives on food, music and art.

• Get physical with Pilates and

Yoga demos, plus put your skills to the test on a Parkour obstacle course • Try your hand (and arrow) outdoor archery activity, hosted

by Good Shot Archery in Garden Grove

Guns, drugs are seized Continued from page 1

five assault rifles, and three handguns, including two “ghost” guns. The estimated street value of the drug is over $100,000.

WPD detectives urge anyone who has additional information to contact police at (714) 5483212.

The best in local news

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2022 3

News&Views

Anaheim library attack suspect arrested by APD

SHANNON LAURICELLA NAMED A FINALIST GGUSD bus driver with Supt. Gabriela Mafi

GGUSD bus driver is a finalist for county honor Shannon Lauricella, a bus driver in the Garden Grove Unified School District who has been transporting students with special needs in the GGUSD for eight years has been named a finalist for the Orange County Department of Education’s 2022 Classified Employee of the Year program.

She’s one of nine classified employees across the county to be so recognized.

Highway named for HBPD officer?

State Assemblymember Janet Nguyen (72nd District) and colleagues have introduced a resolution to designate a section of State Highway 39 – also known as Beach Boulevard – in the City of Huntington Beach as the Officer Nicholas Vella Memorial Highway.

Vella was killed in a police helicopter crash on Feb. 19 while en route to assist Newport Beach police.

Also serving as a co-author is State Sen. Tom Umberg (34th District).

Summer recreation signups in Stanton

Registration for the summer recreation classes in Stanton will open on Tuesday, April 12.

Classes will begin on April 25.

To register, visit StantonCA. gov/classes or in person at City Hall or Stanton Central Park.

For more information, call (714) 890-4270.

Senior Resource Fair scheduled for on April 2

A Resource Fair for Senior Citizens and Mobile Home Park Residents will be held on Saturday, April 2 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Senior Center, 18041 Goldenwest St. (at Talbert Avenue) in Huntington Beach.

Continued on page 4

A suspect was arrested Friday night in what police two unprovoked assaults in Anaheim.

According to the APD, Ivory Julian Anderson, Jr. has been booked into Orange County Jail for assault causing great bodily injury stemming from an incident that took place on March 3 at the Anaheim Central Library.

In that encounter, around 6:15 p.m. a library clerk was walking across the building’s main entryway when he was approached by the suspect, who stepped into his path and punched him.

The clerk fell backward and fell onto the tile floor, his head striking that surface. The impact knocked him out and he suffered a cut to the back of his head and was taken to a hospital for treatment. He has recovered is back at work.

The suspect – whose actions were recorded on video – left the library.

Police released images of the attack to news media, and detectives received word of a similar incident involving a man fitting the same description as the suspect in the library attack.

IVORY JULIAN ANDERSON, JR. Arrested in library attack

It had occurred the same day about two hours previous at the Target department store, 101. E. Euclid St. in which a customer standing near a cash register was shoved and then chased around the store.

A “Be On The Lookout” notice bore fruit when APD officers in the area of West Broadway Street and Manchester Avenue in Anaheim spotted the suspect and made an arrest. According to detectives, he admitted to both the library and Target incidents.

Public’s help is sought on motorist who followed girl Westminster police are urging citizens to share any information they may have about a motorist suspected of harassing a 14-year-old girl on Monday.

According to Commander Kevin McCormack of the WPD, the incident occurred at around 8:20 a.m. in the area of Edwards and Humboldt streets. A pupil was walking to school when she was approached by a suspect asking if she wanted a ride.

The vehicle pulled up next to the girl, and the driver rolled

down his window and was “persistently asking the victim [if she wanted] a ride.” The girl was followed as she walked to the school and the car eventually left the scene.

The suspect is described as a male Hispanic, approximately 30 years old, with a shaved head.

The suspect vehicle was a white sedan with tinted windows and a partial license plate of 4C*****.

Arriving at her school, the girl notified officials there, who Continued on page 4

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Our Towns: News from all our cities Continued from page 3

Featured will be visits and/ or information from elected representatives, non-profit groups, housing and community resources, health screenings, city services and free refreshments.

For more information call (714) 536-5600.

Chapman VP to speak to GG Kiwanis Club

Chapman University Vice President David Moore will be the guest speaker when Garden Grove Kiwanis Club meets on Thursday at 7 p.m.

He will talk about how Chapman University encourages the notion of community volunteers.

Also on the agenda will be a report on the Kiwanis table to be set up on Main Street during the Open Streets event on Saturday, April 2.

Concorde blood drive scheduled for Wednesday

Concorde Career College’s Garden Grove campus and the American Red Cross are partnering to host a blood drive on Wednesday, March 30 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The Red Cross Bloodmobile will be in the Concorde parking lot at Euclid Street and Garden Grove Boulevard. There are a total of 26 donation lots available. Donors will receive

a $10 e-gift from Fanatics and be entered into a raffle to win a trip to the 2022 MLB All-Star Game.

To schedule an appointment, visit www.RedCrossBlood.org and enter the sponsor code – concordecc – or contact Brittney Henderson at bhenderson2@ concorde.edu .

Send your news items to us at orangecountytribune@gmail. com .

Homeless housing projects Continued from page 1

and who are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the 55 years that follow, the facility would be operated as “permanent supportive housing” with up to 49 percent

of the units to be restricted as affordable housing for households earning less than 80 percent of the area median income. The remaining units will be restricted as “very low affordable housing.”

The terms of the Tahiti Motel agreement is similar to the Stanton Inn agreement. The Tahiti project calls for the rehabilitation of the motel and relocation of its existing tenants from the 1.45-acre site at 11850 Beach Blvd. for conversion into a 60-unit affordable residential rental complex.

Funding for these conversions comes from a variety of sources including state grants aimed at reducing homelessness.

Help is sought Continued from page 3

called the WPD. While there are no other reports of a similar incident in the area, one was reported in Stanton on March 18. It’s unknown if the two cases are related.

WPD detectives are asking witnesses to call (714) 5483212.

Read The Orange County Tribune every day for news, sports and more

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2022 5

Arts&Living

ECSTASY FOLLOWED BY EMBARASSMENT Will Smith won the Oscar for Best Actor for his role in “King Rchard” but his triumph turned to ashes.

Life imitated art on the Oscar stage The slap seen around the world

By Jonathan Landrum Jr and Tim Reynolds Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ When Will Smith marched onto the Oscars stage and smacked Chris Rock, the unpredictable moment served as a jarring interruption to Hollywood’s feel-good celebration.

But once Smith returned moments later to accept his first-ever Academy Award, he delivered a tearful apology for an act sure to overshadow his milestone achievement.

He seized the opportunity

during Sunday night’s awards to speak on being a fierce defender just like his tennis dad character Richard Williams from ``King Richard.’’

Smith felt like the protector of many including his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, after Rock made a joke about her appearance that didn’t sit right with him.

“Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family,’’ Smith said as he began his acceptance speech after winning best actor honors.

He apologized afterward to many people – including tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams, Richard Williams’ daughters – but did not mention Rock in his apology, although he did issue an apology to him the next day.

Smith then spoke about being a protector for those who worked with him on the film such as Aunjanue Ellis along with Saniyya Sidney and Demi Singleton, the two actors who played Venus and Serena.

“I’m being called on in my life

to love people and to protect people and to be a river to my people,’’ said Smith during his acceptance speech after winning his first-ever Oscar.

“I know to do what we do you’ve got to be able to take abuse. You’ve got to be able to have people talk crazy about you. In this business, you’ve got to be able to have people disrespecting you. And you’ve got to smile and pretend like that’s OK.’’ The exchange began when Rock took aim at Pinkett Smith’s shaved head, saying, “Jada, I love you. ‘G.I. Jane 2,’ can’t wait to see it, all right?’’ Rock’s reference was made from the 1997 film ``G.I. Jane,’’ starring Continued on page 6

6 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

Will Smith’s big night turned into something else Continued from page 5

Demi Moore, who shaved her head to portray a fictional Navy Seal candidate.

Pinkett Smith revealed in 2018 that she was diagnosed with alopecia. She has often discussed the challenges of hair loss on Instagram and other social media platforms.

The joke missed, badly.

Smith walked onto the stage from his front-row seat and took a swing at Rock with an open palm, generating a loud smack. Smith walked back to his seat and shouted for Rock to leave Pinkett Smith alone. Rock replied that he was just making a “G.I. Jane’’ joke – and Smith yelled back at him a second time.

Smith shouted at Rock to ``keep my wife’s name out of your (expletive) mouth,’’ and the crowd hushed as it became clear this was no act.

The moment shocked the Dolby Theatre audience and viewers at home. At the commercial break, presenter Daniel Kaluuya came up to hug Smith, and Denzel Washington escorted him to the side of the stage. The two talked and hugged and Tyler Perry came over to talk as well.

Smith shared what Washington told him: “At your highest moment, be careful because that’s when the devil comes for you.`` “I’m hoping the Academy invites me back,’’ Will Smith said, as he concluded his onstage remarks.

A representative for Rock didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

After the show, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences issued a statement saying it `does not condone violence of any form.’’

The Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement that it was aware of the incident.

“The incident involved one individual slapping another,’’ the statement read. ``The individual involved has declined to file a police report. If the involved party desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report.’’

“That was the greatest night in the history of television,’’ Rock said before resuming his role as presenter.

A few minutes later, rapper Sean Combs – on stage to introduce a tribute to ``The Godfather’’ – tried to play peacemaker and suggested Smith and Rock settle their differences at an Oscars afterparty.

“Will and Chris, we’re going to solve that like family at the Gold party,’’ Combs said.

The reverberations did not stop there. Several people

approached Smith and Pinkett Smith in the commercial breaks that followed; Keith Urban hugged Smith during one stoppage in the show, and Nicole Kidman also went over to say a few words as well.

Backstage, during interview sessions with winners, the Rock-Smith incident seemed like something few – if anyone ≠ wanted to discuss.

“I’m not talking about that,’’ said Ahmir ``Questlove’’ Thompson, the director of ``Summer of Soul,’’ which won an Oscar for best documentary.

The bizarre confrontation overshadowed Smith’s milestone accomplishment.

He was previously nominated twice for best actor, for his role in “Ali’’ in 2002 and “The Pursuit of Happyness’’ in 2007.

In those films, he portrayed reallife characters: Boxing legend Muhammad Ali and Chris Garner, a homeless salesman.

This time, Smith won against formidable competition including Andrew Garfield, Javier Bardem, Benedict Cumberbatch and Denzel Washington – who won his first and only best actor Oscar award in 2002 over Smith for æTraining Day.’’ Pinkett Smith was also the subject of jokes from Rock when he hosted the Oscars in 2016. She did not attend the Oscars that year, saying at the time her decision stemmed from a lack of diversity among award nominees and how Black artists were not properly represented.

“I think we have to sometimes remember, like at a certain point, everyone breaks,’’ said TV personality Karamo Brown.

“But I think these are two men that will actually come together, figure it out and like say `OK, enough is enough, I’m sorry.’ ...

I haven’t been in that situation.

I never condone violence or anything of that nature, but I also could understand protecting those you love.’’

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2022 7

What’s wrong with the Anaheim Ducks?

Continued from page 8

In Sunday’s 4-2 loss to the Sharks in San Jose, Coach Dallas Eakins had this explanation after his team didn’t score until the third period.

“We need to score in the first 10 [minutes of the game.] All we had to do was bang one.”

One or two is all the Ducks seem to be getting lately, as they sink not so slowly in the west.

How much does spring ball matter?

Spring training and exhibition games are reliably poor predictors of how the regular season pans out.

The Dodgers are 2-3 through their first five games and the Angels 5-3 through eight.

Anyone want to bet which team will have the better 2022 season? Just for the record, Kansas City and Texas (both 5-2) are having the best spring so far among American League teams, while the Atlanta Braves (5-1) have the lead in the National League.

Of course the whole point of spring training is to try new ideas, new players and get in shape physically and mentally.

It’s no surprise, then, that you sometimes have to turn those spring records upside down to get an idea of how things will turn out when the real season gets underway.

• Dave Roberts got a three-year contract extension with the Dodgers, which we regard as a slam-dunk move. All he’s done since he took over in 2016 is win five NL West titles, three pennants and the 2020 World Series. Overall, the Dodgers have won 62 percent of their games with Roberts in charge.

Aside from all the other factors that go into winning – talent, deep pockets, luck – there’s consistency and stability in leadership. Roberts offers that.

The Angels used to. Who’s doing better?

GONE TO THE PENGUINS Rickard Rakell is one of the Ducks’ players recently traded in a youth movement (Flickr/Bridget Samuels).

Prep sport spotlight Continued from page 8

• Division 2: Pacifica is seventh • Division 6: Garden Grove is unranked but received some votes • Division 7: Los Amigos is first SOFTBALL • Division 1: Pacifica is sixth and Huntington Beach is 10th • Division 6: Garden Grove is fifth BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL • Divisions 1 and 2: Huntington Beach is 10th • Division 3: Edison is eighth • Division 4: Bolsa Grande is sixth • Division 5: Pacifica is unranked but received some votes • Division 6: Magnolia is 10th.

BOYS’ TENNIS • Division 2: Marina is fourth • Divison 4: La Quinta is tied for 10th • Division 5: Westminster is seventh GIRLS’ LACROSSE • Divisions 1 and 2: Edison is eighth.

“Prep Sport Spotlight” is posted on Tuesdays during the high school athletic season.

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8 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

TheSportsPage SportsWeek

Why are the Ducks so ice-cold?

HOT PLAY AT THE HOT CORNER Kaniya Bragg of Pacifica puts the tag on La Habra’s Britney Moreno at third base in the Mariners’ 3-2 win Friday in non-league action. Mariners opened Empire League play Tuesday with an 11-0 win over Crean Lutheran of Irvine (Orange County Tribune photos by Jim Tortolano).

League Play Gets Underway All local high school baseball and softball leagues are in action now and the pennant races are starting to take shape.

Here’s a look at the baseball races as they stood on Monday.

We’ll update softball next week.

• Surf League: Huntington Beach (5-0 in league. 10-4 overall) is the clear leader with Fountain Valley way back in second (1-2, 7-9).

• Orange Coast League: Orange (4-1, 9-6-1) has a halfgame lead over Santa Ana (4-2, 8-7).

• Orange League: Savanna and Anaheim are tied for first at 2-0.

Western and Magnolia are tied for last at 0-2.

• Garden Grove League: There’s a real horse race here; three teams – Los Amigos, Loara and Bolsa Grande – are tied for first with 5-2 marks, followed closely by Santiago at 4-3.

• Golden West League: Segerstrom (4-0) has the early

Prep Sport Spotlight lead over Ocean View (2-0).

Garden Grove, expected to contend for the title, is off to a 0-2 start.

• Empire League: Only two teams – Cypress and Kennedy – have started play so far, with the Centurions winning both of those games. The EL race could be a scramble among the Cents (11-3-2), Pacifica (12-5) and Tustin (11-5).

Sweet 16 in CIF-SS polls

Sixteen area high school sports teams are recognized in this week’s CIF-SS spring sports polls.

BASEBALL • Division 1: Huntington Beach is eighth Continued on page 7

Tuesday’s results from the diamonds UPDATE: Here are results from Tuesday’s games.

Baseball Golden West League • Ocean View 10, Godinez 0 Garden Grove League • Los Amigos 5, Bolsa Grande 0 • Rancho Alamitos 12, La Quinta 9 Orange Coast League • Orange 11, Saddleback 0 Softball Surf League: • Huntington Beach 6, Edison 0 • Los Alamitos 9, Marina 3 Empire League • Pacifica 11, Crean Lutheran 0 Garden Grove League • La Quinta 10, Bolsa Grande 0.

What on ice is wrong with the Anaheim Ducks?

This is a team that started out hot, battling with other teams for the lead in the NHL Pacific Division. But now they are in an epic tailspin that seems certain to doom their chances of qualifying for the Stanley Cup playoffs.

As recently as the January AllStar break, the Ducks were 2316-8 and in second place in the Pacific, just one point behind the first place Las Vegas Golden Knights.

Now they’re 27-29-11 and in seventh place. If not for the expansion Seattle Kraken (2039-6) they’d be all the way in the basement.

In their last 10 games, the Ducks have posted just one victory. They haven’t won a game since March 1, giving them a streak of nine games without a win.

There are several problems to overcome. Writing for The Hockey Writers website, Sean Raggio has pointed out that the offense has lagged, putting a lot of pressure on goalkeeper John Gibson. During the skid, the Ducks have scored 20 goals but yielded 41.

Injuries have hurt, but special team play – power plays and penalty-killing – has been dismal and Ducks have been trading away some of their top players, such as Rickard Rakell.

Are the Ducks seeking to rebuild for the future? Maybe, but the near future looks pretty grim with four games this week.

Continued on page 7