The Orange County Tribune June 8, 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, June 8, 2022 n orangecountytribune@gmail.com

Fall Lineups Look Set After Primary Vote Measure A close; Measure C losing Tribune staff reports

Some familiar faces will apparently be doing an electoral encore in November, based on incomplete results from the Tuesday’s primary election.

In California’ “top two” primary system, party affiliation in June doesn’t set up the final runoffs in November. The candidates in any race that finish first and second face off in the fall.

According to the Orange County Registrar of Voters, there are still 184,584 ballots to be counted countywide at noon on Wednesday.

But as things stand with the latest results, the “playoff” for the Second District seat on the Orange County Board of Supervisors will

be between Santa Ana Mayor Vicente Sarmiento (31.63 percent) and Garden Grove Councilmember Kim Nguyen (23.31 percent).

n HUNTINGTON BEACH CITY COUNCIL

Healing Ctr. advanced for homeless

By Jim Tortolano Orange County Tribune

A major step toward creating a permanent facility with services for the homeless was taken by the Huntington Beach City Council on Tuesday night.

On a 7-0 vote, the council approved moving forward for plans for a “Healing Center” that would replace the temporary Navigation Center on Beach Boulevard.

TUESDAY’S PRIMARY RESULTS The council backed an exset up the “playoffs” for the Nov. 8 general election clusive negotiating agreement for the development With just two candidates cent, will meet again on of the new facility with in the 36th State Senate Nov. 8.

Jamboree Housing CorDistrict election, it’s no In the 70th State AssemContinued on page 2 surprise that Assembly- bly District contest, the top woman Janet Nguyen, two appear to be Diedre Republican with 57.47 Thu-Ha Nguyen, a Garden percent of the vote while Grove city council memHuntington Beach Coun- ber and a Democrat, and cilmember Kim Carr, a Westminster Mayor Tri Ta, Democrat, with 42.53 perContinued on page 2

Burglary suspect in G. Grove is finally arrested

OC coronavirus cases up but deaths are way down Three of the four major metrics – including new cases – used to measure the status of the coronavirus pandemic in Orange County showed increases in Tuesday’s report.

According to the county health care agency, confirmed new cases were at 4,206, with a four-day average to 1051.5. That

compares to Friday’s average of 1,030.

Hospitalizations rose from 132 to 158 and the use of intensive care units to treat COVID-19 patients went from 11 to 18.

The only major category to show a drop was in deaths, from 11 to zero.

To date, Orange County has had 579,292 cases, of

which 551,658 are considered recovered. The total number of deaths is at 7,045.

Nationally, The New York

Times is reporting that new cases – over a 14-day period – are down 8 percent. Deaths are down 14 Continued on page 2

It took a while, but Garden Grove police feel they finally have their suspect.

According to the GGPD, detectives have been investigating a series of burglaries from a self-service storage facility dating back to 2020.

After what police describe as “countless hours of investigation,” detectives identified the suspect as Nancy Carranza, 44, of Westminster, a felony probationer.

She was located and deContinued on page 2

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

2 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

OC primary election results Continued from page 1

a Republican. Nguyen has 38.47 percent to Ta’s 22.22 percent.

Measure A, allowing for a business tax on the sale of cannabis products in Huntington Beach, is polling 66.32 percent in favor against 33.68 against. However, it needs two-thirds approval to pass.

Measure C, which would eliminate the direct election of mayor in Westminster, is going down to defeat by 59.63 percent no to 40.37 percent in favor.

These results are as of our deadline. For the latest, go to ocvote.com .

A ‘Healing Center’ for HB Continued from page 1

poration for a 1.6-acre site at 17642 Beach Blvd., where the temporary Navigation Center for the homeless is now located.

What’s proposed is a mixed-use development consisting of a permanent homeless shelter, a sobering shelter, support services (physical and behavioral health care, housing navigation and employment) and lowincome housing at various income levels.

“The homelessness problem will never be solved without addressing the underlying issues,” said Ursula Luna-Reynosa, community develop-

ment director.

Partnering with Jamboree would be Mercy House, which operates homeless shelters, and Be Well, a behavioral health treatment and services organization.

Also on Tuesday night, the council received a report on recommendations from its Charter Revision Committee to change the positions of city attorney, city clerk and city treasurer – currently elected by voters – to appointed positions filled by appointment by the city council.

Arrested Continued from page 1

tained as she was leaving her home.

A probation search of her residence found stolen property from the burglaries and the clothing she wore while allegedly doing the burglaries.

She was arrested and later booked into Orange County Jail in Santa Ana.

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.

BURG SUSPECT ARRESTED

COVID stats Continued from page 1

percent, but hospitalizations have risen by 15 percent.

In California, new cases are down 2 percent over a similar period, and deaths are down 35 percent, according to Los Angeles Times.

The OCTribune’s electotonic newspaper comes out on Wednesdays. For a free subscription, write to us at: orangecountytribune@gmail.com.

The best in local news The Orange County TRIBUNE

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2022 3

News&Views

Pedestrian Is Hit, Killed On Street in SA Second person critically hurt

PUBLIC SAFETY BLDG. HOUSES POLICE/FIRE Garden Grove could be building a new, larger facility

New police headquarters may impact G. Grove’s civic center

By Jim Tortolano Orange County Tribune

The proposed relocation of Garden Grove’s police headquarters could have a big impact on the entire Civic Center area.

At an open house event last Wednesday in the Community Meeting Center, city officials outlined the need and possibilities for the change and took questions from members of the public.

“We’re ready for something better and new and different and we want to start the process of working with the community about what that might look like, where it could go and all that sort of stuff,” said City Manager Scott Stiles.

Garden Grove Police Chief Tom DaRe spoke on the need to gather staff and resources in one building, likely multistory with a smaller

GG’s ‘State of the City’ is scheduled for July 13th Garden Grove Mayor Steve Jones will deliver his official address at the 2022 State of the City luncheon, hosted by the Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of Garden Grove.

The event will take place on Wednesday, July 13, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Hyatt Regency Orange County, located at 11999 Harbor Blvd. Tickets are $75 per person after June 13.

Jones will discuss the city’s actions to overcome current and long-term consequences of the pandemic, focusing on the community’s health and mental wellbeing, and economic re-bound in tourism and commercial developments.

“footprint” than the existing two-story facility on Acacia Parkway, just east of Euclid Street. The desired size would be about 100,000 square feet.

He ticked off the reasons he wanted a new headquarters including crowding, non-compliance with ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) and seismic standards.

“If that building starts to shake,” he said, “I’m running out the door.”

The most likely location for a new facility would be at the corner of Euclid and Acacia. That would include the southern portion of the Civic Center Park – known for its ponds, brooks and water fowl – and a parking lot for City Hall, which is located directly across the street.

Removing the police offices from the present location and demolishing the building would open up space there for other uses, including – potentially – other park ameniContinued on page 4

One pedestrian was killed and another critically injured when struck by an automobile Saturday night in Santa Ana. According to the SAPD, the accident took place in the area of 4725 West 1st Street. Police were summoned at 8:27 p.m. and upon arrival – along with the Orange County Fire Authority – found two pedestrians in the street. One was declared dead at the scene and the other taken to a local hospital in critical condition.

After some investigation,

police believe the pedestrians were crossing 1st Street when a vehicle traveling west on 1st struck them. The vehicle remained at the scene and the driver cooperated with police.

Alcohol is not believed to have played a role in the collision and the cause of the accident remains under investigation.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Investigator J. Correal at (714) 245-8215 or the SAPD Traffic Division at (714) 245-8200.

Former LAPD officer guilty of truck theft from Orange dealership LOS ANGELES (AP) – A veteran Los Angeles police officer was sentenced to six months in jail after pleading guilty to stealing a $29,000 pickup truck from a dealership in the city of Orange, according to court records.

Officer Matthew Calleros was arrested back in 2020 at the Los Angeles police station where he worked –and where the missing 2015 Chevy Silverado was parked.

Calleros had been looking at the truck at a used car dealership in the city of Orange southeast of Los Angeles in October

2019, Orange police Sgt. Phil McMullin told The Associated Press at the time.

He drove it off the lot – but was not doing an official test drive – and never paid for or returned it, McMullin said.

Calleros, 46, pleaded guilty on Thursday to multiple charges including felony vehicle theft and forgery of registration or license plates, according to Orange County Superior Court records.

The 24-year LAPD veteran was sentenced to 180 days in jail, two Continued on page 4

4 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

Would pot shops lead to crime increase?

Cannabis and a contract for the hiring of a new city manager top the agenda for the Westminster City Council when it meets on Wednesday.

In an effort to replace revenues to be lost if the 1 cent sales tax expiring at the end of 2022 is not renewed, the council has been considering embracing the sale of cannabis products.

The Shryne Group, which operates 20 such stores in California, has approached the city about establishing a location in Westminster.

To that end, the council directed the police department to research the impact of a retail cannabis – marijuana – store on crime in the surrounding area.

The WPD surveyed eight locations, but received only two responses.

In each case – San Diego County and City and County of San Francisco – the responses indicated no appreciable difference between criminal activity near

n WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL

CITY STUDIES POTENTIAL IMPACT Limited study indicates no major negative changes

such “pot shops” and other retail areas.

Also on Wednesday night, the council will take up a proposed employment agreement with Christine Cordon as city manager, effective June 8.

The council voted 5-0 at its May 25 meeting to hire Cordon, who has been serving as interim

city manager.

Her salary would be $240,890.

She would also receive a monthly auto allowance of $300.

The council will meet in person and via teleconference with a closed session at 5:30 p.m. and the open session starting at 7 p.m.

The City Council chambers are located at 8200 Westminster Blvd., between Beach Boulevard and All Americsn Way.

New police HQ in Civic Center Continued from page 3

ties or even retail space.

The public input on issues of existing parkland, public safety facilities, future Civic Center amenities and mobility and traffic circulation is being sought by the city.

A virtual meeting will be held on Thursday, June 9 at 6 p.m. via Zoom. For more information or to register for the virtual meeting, go to https://ggcity. org/civic-center .

Ex-cop guilty in truck theft Continued from page 3

years probation and ordered to pay an undisclosed amount in restitution, the Los Angeles Times reported.

He is expected to report to jail

by Aug. 26, the Times said.

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2022 5

Arts&Living

BEFORE OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN AND JOHN TRAVOLTA ....

A coming of age story set in the 1950s began its journey as an off-Broadway show.

‘Grease’: from off-Broadway into legend

By Mark Kennedy AP Entertainment Writer

NEW YORK (AP) – On Valentine’s Day 1972, a musical opened off-Broadway needing a lot of love. It was already $20,000 in debt and the reviews were mixed to poor. A decision had to be made: Keep going or give it the kiss off?

The choice to continue was a risky but fateful one, not only for the investors but also for the actors who would subsequently use it as a career incubator, including John Travolta, Richard Gere, Patrick Swayze, Treat Williams, Marilu Henner, Peter Gallagher, Alan Paul, Judy Kaye and Barry Bostwick.

That show was ``Grease,’’ a tale of teen angst and true love set in the mid-1950s. It would go on to transfer to Broadway for a then-record eight-year run, spawning several touring companies and a celebrated film. Not many know that it was almost stillborn.

“People think that `Grease’ was born a blockbuster.

‘Grease’ was born anything but blockbuster. If there’s any metaphor that works for this show, it’s ‘The Little Engine That Could,’ says Tom Moore, the show’s director.

The story of the show’s often rocky beginnings into a pop culture juggernaut is told in the new oral history book “Grease: Tell Me More, Tell Me More,’’ culled from stories submitted by some 100 cast and crew and edited by Moore, æGrease’’ veteran Adrienne Barbeau and producer Ken Waissman.

The book includes the behindthe-scenes hookups, the accidents – broken ankles were a big risk – life on the road, the time Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor stopped by to enchant the cast, their encounter with Liberace, performing the show with flashlights during the 1977 New York blackout and the day the show closed on Broadway in 1980, complete

with dozens of great photos.

The book came out Tuesday, the 50th anniversary of “Grease’’ opening on Broadway. It is structured chronologically as the show is born and cast and then as it sparks multiple tours, with chapters at the end organized by theme. All participants

were welcome to add their stories, from understudies and orchestra members to actors and designers.

“Some had really very amusing, very risque backstage stories that I didn’t even know about it,’’ says Waissman, who helped audition 2,000 people for the first company’s 16 roles.

It was Waissman who fell in love with an early iteration of the show when it was an amateur production playing weekends at a converted trolley barn in Chicago. “I saw my entire yearbook come to life,’’ he says.

The other soon-to-be stars who had roles in “Grease’’ include Tony Award-winning Broadway directors Walter Bobbie and Jerry Zaks; authors Laurie Graff and John Lansing; and TV stars Ilene Kristen, Ilene Graff, and Lisa Raggio.

The musical centers around the T-Birds, a “greaser’’ gang, and their girls, the Pink Ladies.

Continued on page 6

6 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

‘Grease’ didn’t start out as a blockbuster hit musical Continued from page 5

The main romance is between the leader of the T-Birds, Danny Zuko, who still pines for his summer love, the “good girl’’ Sandy Dumbrowski. It’s a show about forming friendships, raging hormones, petty jealousies and hot-rod racing.

All successful musicals leave members with fond memories, but “Grease’’ was different in that it was an ensemble musical that employed young actors all of roughly the same age – ideally, close to high school.

It was often an actor’s first big break and that reflected the themes of the show.

“It’s about about the first of everything – first loves, first fitting into high school, first finding your pack, first finding your group, first finding your identity. And to a certain extent, we were doing all of that personally at the same time we were putting together the show,” says Moore. “We were still to a great extent growing up together.’’

Members of the various companies touring productions often became farm teams for Broadway replacements – have kept in touch via social media over the years. When the pandemic hit, the idea was floated to combine all the stories into a book, a way to connect during a national isolation.

“It was as intense as it had been in rehearsal because everybody wanted to get it right,’’ says Moore. ``These memories are so important to them.’’

The book, published by Chicago Review Press, makes it clear how tight money was at the start, with costume designer Carrie Robbins using her own shower curtain to make a beauty school smock and cutting up her pink bath mat and toilet seat cover to make a poodle skirt.

It was Waissman and coproducer Maxine Fox who made the bold step to keep the show open in 1972 despite debt

and poor reviews. Waissman explained it this way: “Look, we can’t afford the $20,000 that we owe right now. We might as well not afford a lot more. So we’re not closing.’’

Moore credits Waissman

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and Fox with believing in the project and saving a show that would go on to mean so much to so many people. “You don’t see that a lot with producers now,’’ he says.

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2022 7

Big raise, he stays

All-CIF/SS teams Continued from page 8

Continued from page 8

Bowl.

Donald finished the regular season with a career-high 84 tackles and 12 1/2 sacks, his fifth straight season in double digits.

Donald also became the Rams’ career franchise leader in sacks while earning his eighth consecutive Pro Bowl selection.

He is the three-time winner of the AP’s Defensive Player of the Year award, claiming it in 2017, 2018 and 2020.

AARON DONALD IS BACK A new contract through 2024 season with Rams

of HBHS. In Division 2, Chad Gumea, a junior from Pacifica was chosen.

In Division 7, Maysen Navarro, a sophomore from Los Amigos made the team.

Softball In Division 1, Brynne Nally, a sophomore pitcher from Pacifica was named to the squad, as was Zoe Prystajko, a sophomore pitcher from Huntington Beach.

In Division 5, Never Gomez, a freshman infielder from La Quinta was honored.

In Division 6, Kayden Connaty, a sophomore pitcher from Garden Grove High was chosen.

8 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

TheSportsPage

Donald gets a big raise, so he stays

By Greg Beacham AP Sports Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) – AllPro defensive tackle Aaron Donald is getting a big raise to stay with the Los Angeles Rams under a reworked contract through 2024.

The Super Bowl champion Rams announced Donald’s return Monday. The team didn’t disclose terms of the new deal, but the NFL Network reported Donald is getting a $40 million raise that will make him the highest-paid defensive player in the league.

Donald was already under contract for $55 million over the next three seasons, but he openly contemplated retirement after he won his first ring in February.

The Rams realized Donald deserved a hefty raise, and he will get $65 million guaranteed in the next two seasons.

The deal means the seventime All-Pro will be back to torment offenses at the heart of the defense with the Rams, who will be among the Super Bowl favorites again in the upcoming season. Los Angeles already signed quarterback Matthew Stafford to a contract extension during the offseason, and the rest of the team’s championship core is largely intact.

The 31-year-old Donald has stayed at home in Pittsburgh during the Rams’ offseason workout programs, but was expected to be in attendance when the team opens its mandatory minicamp Tuesday.

Donald is widely considered the most dominant defensive player in the sport, and he demonstrated his power yet again last season. He capped four excellent postseason games by making the final defensive play to stop the last drive by the Rams’ opponents in both the NFC title game and the Super Continued on page 7

A FAST START TURNED INTO A NIGHTMARE The Los Angeles Angels got off to a red-hot beginnings this season and were dueling the Houston Astros for first place in the AL West. And then the roof fell in (Wikipedia photo).

12 in a Row, Joe Had to Go After a 12-game losing streak that dropped the Los Angeles Angels from the hottest teams in baseball to the coldest, team management fired field manager Joe Maddon on Tuesday.

The Angels posted a terse message on the team website: “The Angels have relieved Joe Madden of his duties as Angels Manager today. Phil Nevin has been named interim manager.”

Maddon was in his third season as head man for the Angels.

Combined with a few brief stints as temporary manager for the Halos in the 1990s, Maddon had

CIF diamond honors are bestowed The All-CIF Southern Section baseball and softball teams were announced on Tuesday, and local schools were wellrepresented.

Baseball In the Division 1, Ralph Velazquez, a junior from Huntington Beach High was honored, as was senior Ben Jacobs Continued on page 7

a 147-172 record with the Orange County team.

He had more success with managing the Tampa Bay Rays, when he posted a 754-705 mark, winning the American League pennant in 2008 and a 471-339 record with the Chicago Cubs, winning the 2016 World Series.

Maddon, now 68, won manager of the year honors in the American League in 2008 and 2011, and the National League honor in 2015.

At a press conference Tuesday general manager Perry Minasian said, “Tough day. Not some-

thing that I thought was going to happen three weeks ago, but I felt like it was in the best interest of the club going forward to make a change at the managerial position. I love Joe Maddon, I love the person, I love the conversations. This morning was really tough, but my job in this position is to do what’s best for the organization, day in and day out.”

The change in leadership didn’t bring an immediate improvement. The Angels lost 6-5 in 10 innings to the Boston Red Sox for their 13th straight loss.

Oilers won SoCal title Ralph Velazquez slammed a two-run home run in the eighth inning to lead Huntington Beach High a 2-0 victory over JSerra in the CIF Southern California Division 1 Regional title game on Saturday.

The Oilers (25-9) didn’t win a CIF-SS title earlier this season, but got something better with their win over the Lions.

Equally as important as the game-winning homer was the performance by pitcher Matt Lopez, who threw seven shutout innings. He yielded nine hits and struck out four batters.

Orange County teams were prominent all across the regional finals on Saturday, as Newport Harbor won the Division III crown with a 5-1 victory over the Oaks Christian of Westlake Village and Tesoro beat Fullerton 6-4 in the Division IV game.

Additionally, Estancia beat Baldwin Park 11-2 in Division 5.