The Orange County Tribune Aug. 13, 2022

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Printed in Garden Grove, California n orangecountytribune.com n Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022 n orangecountytribune@gmail.com

n WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL

In Reversal, Sales Tax Is on the Ballot

Ta and Nguyen don’t abstain on key decision

By Jim Tortolano Orange County Tribune

In a reversal of the deadlock from the marathon meeting that extended from Wednesday evening to early Thursday morning, the Westminster City Council on Friday afternoon voted to place before voters on Nov. 8 the extension of the Measure SS one-percent sales tax.

Those voting in favor were Mayor Tri Ta, Vice Mayor Carlos Manzo and Councilmembers Kimberly Ho and Chi Charlie

Nguyen.

Councilmember Tai Do abstained.

If approved by voters, the extension would run for 20 years and expire – unless again extended by voters – on March 31, 2043.

The estimated annual revenue to the city would be $16 million.

At the previous meeting, Ta, Nguyen and Do voted to abstain, while Manzo and Ho voted in favor of an extension. But the meeting was adjourned to Friday at 11 a.m. giving councilmembers a chance to reconsider.

After hearing hours of public comments, all urging placing the Measure Continued on page 2

OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW

LONG-VACANT HOME AT IMPERIAL AND GILBERT IN GARDEN GROVE is being demolished to make room for two new homes (Tribune photo)

Thirty-eight candidates seeking area school, special district seats The next step has been taken by 38 candidates seeking county and school district offices in the West Orange County area.

According to the Orange County Registrar of Voters, here are the persons who have qualified for the ballot in the Nov. 8 general election as of 5 p.m. on Friday.

Incumbents are marked with an asterisk*.

Garden Grove Unified School District

son Avenue near Gilbert Street around noon.

Arriving officers found a man in the roadway with “life-threatening” injuries.

He was taken to a local hospital where the man – identified as a 77-year-old Garden Grove resident – was pronounced dead.

The suspect fled in his Continued on page 2

Continued on page 2

New coronavirus cases rise somewhat in the OC

Pedestrian dies after GG hit-and-run crash A 26-year-old Stanton man has been arrested in connection with a fatal hit and run accident that took place Thursday afternoon in Garden Grove.

According to Sgt. Royce Wimmer of the GGPD, the incident – involving an automobile and a pedestrian – took place in the 9500 block of Lamp-

• Trustee Area 2: Mark Anthony Peredes and Lan Quoc Nguyen*.

• Trustee Area 4: Bob Harden* Orange Unified School District • Trustee Area 1: Andrea Yamaski*, Angela Williams.

Inside The new and the familiar at USC PAGES 5 AND 6

The average number of new coronavirus cases daily in Orange County bounced up in Friday’s report, ending improvement shown in the three previous reports.

Statistics are issued by the county health care agency on Tuesdays and Fridays.

The latest report, which

covers the three-day period from Aug. 9-11, shows confirmed new cases at 2,308 for a daily average of 769.33.

That’s up from Tuesday’s report of 745 and down from previous averages of 955 and 927.

Deaths increased from 12 to 15. HospitalizaContinued on page 2

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

Continued from page 1

2 SATURDAY, AUG 13, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

Sales tax extension makes it to ballot Continued from page 1

SS extension on the ballot, Ta and Nguyen voted in favor Friday afternoon.

Ta said, “I still oppose any tax increase, but I respect the community. I honor one’s right to vote to decide the future of our community.”

Before casting his vote, Nguyen said, “I had the chance to talk to a lot of people and came up with the decision to vote yes.”

The expiration of the sales tax approved by voters – with a sixyear sunset clause – in 2016 threatened a severe financial cri-

sis for Westminster and possible municipal bankruptcy, a theme echoed by many who spoke on Friday.

Resident Terry Rains slammed Ta, Chi Charlie Nguyen and Tai Do, and directed the strongest criticism at Do. “I am the most disappointed in you,” she said. She said that he had lost many supporters, including herself, for what she called his “asinine, obstinate and unjustifiable refusal to let us vote on this.”

She vowed that there would be a political backlash against Ta,

Do and Nguyen who are running for higher office in the Nov. 8 general election if they didn’t change their stances on the issue.

“There will be hell to pay,” she said.

Vincent Tran called refusing to put the matter before voters is like “putting a bag over people’s faces, you cannot talk; you have no voice.”

He added, “What is the legacy you’re leaving?” and said that the end of Measure SS would deprive residents of Westminster of “basic services.”

Hit-and run fatal accident Continued from page 1

vehicle – a black Subaru Impreza – but was located in Stanton a short time later. George Wahba was booked into Orange County

Jail in Santa Ana for felony hitand-run.

Witnesses are asked to call Investigator Dan Mihalik at (714) 741-5925.

Coronavirus cases tick up Continued from page 1

tions rose from 271 to 291, and the use of intensive care units to treat COVID-19 patients climbed from 40 to 44.

To date, Orange County has had 648,871 confirmed cases of coronavirus cases, of which 617,736 are considered recovered. Deaths are at 7,262.

Across the nation, The New

York Times is reporting that – over a 14-day period – new coronavirus cases are down 17 percent, but deaths have increased by 8 percent. Hospitalizations have declined 3 percent.

In California, new cases have fallen by 39 percent over a twoweek stretch, reports Los Angeles Times. Deaths have risen by 10 percent.

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 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 , the Online News Association and the Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce.

School, special districts Continued from page 1

• Trustee Area 4: Madison Klovstad Miner • Trustee Area 5: Kristin “Kris” Erickson*, Timothy Surridge.

• Trustee Area 7: Mike Nguyen, Sean Griffin, Rick Ledesma* Huntington Beach Union High School District (vote for three) • Christine Hernandez, Duane Dishno*, Diana Lee Carey*, Bonnie Castrey*, Scott Rogers, Saul Lankster.

Huntington Beach City School District • Trustee Area 2: Megan Willis • Trustee Area 4: Autumn Digiovanni, Diana Marks* • Trustee Area 5: Julie Norton, Paul Morrow* Ocean View School District (vote for three) • Morgan Westmoreland, John Briscoe*, Patricia Singer*, Dan Pearce, Jack Souders* Westminster School District • Trustee Area 2: Tina Gustin-Gurney* • Trustee Area 3: Khanh Nguyen* Continued on page 4

The best in

local news for West OC The Orange County TRIBUNE

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/SATURDAY, AUG. 13, 2022 3

News&Views Care to play “Cops and Robbins” now?

Spend some time making friends with Westminster police officers and eating ice cream on Tuesday, Aug. 16 from 3-4:30 p.m.

The location is the Baskin Robbins at 6731 Westminster Blvd. in the Westminster Center (west of Goldenwest Street).

They promise: “No agenda. No speeches. Just ice cream.”

Help plan the parks

The City of Stanton is launching an effort to create a parks master plan. The plan will help in developing priorities and actions needed to meet the city’s recreational needs.

Go to StantonParksMasterPlan.com to learn more.

Our Towns

Here’s free food, free diapers

There will be free food distribution and a diaper giveaway on Saturday in Stanton from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Stanton Park, 7800 Katella Ave. The event is sponsored by Friends of Families, Life Christian Church, and Community Action Partnership-Orange County Food Bank.

It’s first-come, first-served while supplies last.

Elks host hot rod show

Garden Grove Elks #1952 will host its 18th annual “Hot August Days Car Show on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“Roll-in” is at 6 a.m. There’s free public admission to the show and live music. There will be vendor booths, Tiki bar, food, raffle prizes, awards for Best of Show and a silent auction.

For more information, contact Chris Garland at (562) 500-9800. The lodge is located at 15511 Trask Ave. at Newhope.

College students earn honors

Universities and colleges are conferring recognition and degrees on local students.

Universary of Health Sciences & Pharmacy (St. Louis) • Ann Nguyen of Garden Grove was named to the dean’s list for the spring 2022 semester.

Emerson College (Boston) • Brooke Holder of Huntington Beach was named to the dean’s list as was Kelsey West, also of Huntington Beach, for the spring 2022 semester.

To our readers: Send your news items to us at orangecountytribune@gmail.com. Send photos at jpeg files and make sure to include details such as time, place (address), phone number, hours, costs and website for more information as well as e-mail address.

“FOODS OF GARDEN GROVE” SHINE A LIGHT ON DIVERSE CHOICES The one-year anniversary of the program is celebrated

“Food of Garden Grove” offers a very wide menu In celebration of the Foods of Garden Grove’s one-year anniversary, the City of Garden Grove will host an Instagram giveaway, offering users the opportunity to win gift cards to local eateries, such as Brodard Chateau, Garlic and Chives, Louie’s on Main, Sabroso! Mexican Grill, and SteelCraft Garden Grove.

Foods of Garden Grove is a list of 150 select restaurants that make up Garden Grove’s diverse food culture.

Cyclist is killed in HB traffic accident A bicyclist was fatally injured Tuesday evening when struck by an automobile in Huntington Beach.

According to Jessica Cuchilla, public information officer for the HBPD, the accident took place after 6 p.m. on Pacific Coast Highway, north of Admiralty Drive.

Arriving officers found the cyclist, a 42-year-old man, lying in the roadway in critical condition. He was taken to a local hospital where he died from his injuries.

The driver of a 2018 Toyota RAV4, Barbara Front, 70, of Huntington Beach, remained at the scene and was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Police believe the Toyota was traveling southbound on PCH and struck the cyclist traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of the roadway.

Participation instructions for the giveaway will be shared on the Foods of Garden Grove Instagram @foodsofgardengrove, on Friday, Aug.19, at noon.

“What began as a program to assist select local restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic by showcasing their food, drinks, and service on the city’s website and social platforms has grown into one of the most successful engagement programs with the community,” said Garden Grove Mayor Steve Jones.

Since its launch on July 1, 2021, the Foods of Garden Grove Instagram has gained over 2,000 organic followers, with an approximate audience reach of 95,000 from over 200 posts.

The TikTok platform, created on Sept. 1, 2021, has nearly 500 followers.

The Foods of Garden Grove program shares a number of specialty food and beverage photos and videos from 150 local hand-picked restaurants on social media, as well as the city’s website, at ggcity.org/foodsofgardengrove.

An integrated map and cuisine category search option on the Foods of Garden Grove website allows foodies to quickly discover their next place to eat.

Users are encouraged to follow @ foodsofgardengrove on Instagram and TikTok, and visit the website to discover new dining experiences.

For more information, visit ggcity.org/ foodsofgardengrove or email foodie@ ggcity.org.

4 SATURDAY, AUG .13, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

38 candidates for Nov. 8 Continued from page 2

• Trustee Area 5: Jeremy Khalaf* Midway City Sanitary District (vote for three) • Sergio Contreras*, Mark Nguyen*, Ashton Kauwe, Andrew Nguyen* Orange County Water District • District 1: Dina Nguyen*, Ray Heimstra • District 5: Lee Yo. Filing for office goes into extension to Saturday as incumbent has not filed for re-election.

• District 7: Kelly Rowe*.

Results for city election filings will be reported on Monday.

Equal pay for U.S women’s soccer team gets approval LOS ANGELES (AP) – The proposed $24 million settlement between U.S. women soccer players and the sport’s American governing body was given preliminary approval Thursday by a federal judge, who scheduled a Dec. 5 hearing for final approval.

U.S. District Judge R. Gary Klausner granted the motion for approval filed by the players.

“Most significantly, the unopposed settlement agreement accomplishes the plaintiffs’ goal for litigation: equal pay,” he wrote. “The court is satisified that the settlement is a fair

and reasonable resolution.`` Players, including Megan Rapinoe, Becky Sauerbrunn and Alex Morgan, filed a complaint with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in April 2016.

The players sued three years later, seeking damages under the federal Equal Pay Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/SATURDAY, AUG. 13, 2022 5

New USC coach attracts veterans Continued from page 6

and it’s clear Riley’s staff has amassed a remarkable amount of new talent – and given itself a daunting task to mold it into a cohesive team capable of immediately contending for a Pac-12 title.

“This probably won’t be the way we build our roster in the future,” Riley said. ``Because

of the circumstances we were in when we came here, and because of the opportunities afforded to us, we felt that getting players in the transfer portal was the best way to get us to where we want to be. In the future, I think we will look more traditional.

For now, I’m excited about this group.’’

USC’s unusual offseason was possible because college football is in unprecedented times amid the collision of four factors: a long-awaited regime change at an attractive, underachieving football powerhouse; the still-

new transfer freedom allowing college athletes to play wherever they please; the opportunity to play for one of the sport’s top coaches without waiting in line behind his hand-picked recruits; and the chance to hitch a ride on the rising rocket of NIL earnings at schools with USC’s market size and cachet.

“USC is a blue blood, simple as that,” Caleb Williams said.

“Teams and organizations and things like that, they have rough moments, and that’s all USC has had. And we’re here trying to turn that around, because I know that Shane’s not a loser. I know that I’m not a loser. These guys around us want to win.

They have that in them.’’

Caleb Williams and Addison are the two biggest names to join Riley, but the transfer group also includes the likes of linebacker Shane Lee, who played three seasons at Alabama; running back Travis Dye, who returns to his native LA area after a stellar career at Oregon; and four-year Colorado cornerback Mekhi Blackmon.

With so many new faces, playing time is thoroughly up for grabs in camp. Dye is the biggest name in a running back room with only one returning contributor, but he isn’t worried

about anyone being left out because of Riley’s reputation for managing personnel.

“Coach Riley, he’s had several guys at the position who are all dudes before, and everybody still got to eat,” said Dye, who rushed for 3,111 yards and 21 TDs for the Ducks. “I’ve been part of teams that have won the Rose Bowl, and I’ve never been on a team with a culture so strong, where all of us have bought into it like this.”

It’s still early in camp, but Riley is already at work on building camaraderie and ownership among players who largely didn’t know each other until this spring. The Trojans are holding several practices at the Coliseum, partly to get the players familiar with their venerable home as it hosts a football season unlike any of the previous 99.

“It’s weird, yeah,`` Blackmon said. “Some of these guys I’ve played against. Me going against (ex-Colorado receiver Brenden) Rice mostly every day in practice last year, (and) he’s my teammate again. I’ve played against (ex-Stanford running back) Austin Jones, (ex-Washington receiver) Terrell Bynum and people like that. They’re my teammates now. ... Everybody’s coming together. It’s crazy.”

Angels, Dodgers different paths Continued from page 6

The Angels didn’t have such a fun return to play in Anaheim. They managed just four hits: two each

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by David Fletcher and Luis Rengifo.

Starter Patrick Sandoval (3-8) went five innings and gave up five hits and two earned runs. He struck out four and walked four.

The Dodgers and Angels will have the same opponents on Saturday and Sunday.

Prep sports in The Tribune Continued from page 6

and ideas for feature ideas about programs, personalities and results of games and matches.

Send to us at orangecountytribune@gmail.com . We’ll do our best to give local programs the coverage they they deserve.

6 SATURDAY, AUG. 13, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

The Sports Page

A New Coach and A Veteran Team USC’s Riley has a program full of experienced stars

By Greg Beacham AP Sports Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) – When Brett Neilon looks around Southern California’s locker room, the Trojans’ sixth-year center sees a few teammates who were with him all the way from the heights of a Pac-12 title to the depths of this storied football program’s worst season in 30 years.

Neilon also sees the nation’s top receiver at Pitt in 2021, Oklahoma’s former freshman quarterback sensation, an exAlabama linebacker and a few dozen other guys he just recently met, all wearing new cardinal jerseys and preparing to restore the Trojans to glory this fall.

They aren’t quite an expansion team, but college football also hasn’t really seen anything quite like these Trojans. From his vantage point between two eras of USC football, Neilon loves the view.

“It kind of feels like a whole new team,’’ Neilon said.

“There’s a lot of excitement.

LINCOLN RILEY HAS EXPERIENCE AND EXPERIENCED PLAYERS Many on the 2022 team have left other college football programs (USC photo).

There’s some of the best players in college football in there. It’s all a melting pot for a really fun, exciting season.”

Most of the Trojans share Neilon’s mix of uncertainty overwhelmed by excitement about what Lincoln Riley is attempting in his first season at USC. Rebuilding after the Trojans’ worst season in 30 years, Riley dug deep into the newly flush

Angels and Dodgers take streaks, go different ways

By David Arthur Orange County Tribune

The Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers each had a day off on Thursday and went into Friday’s games with a winning streak.

That’s where the similarities ended. The Angels had their threegame string snapped in a 4-0 loss to the Minnesota Twins, while the Dodgers stretched their streak to 11 games with an 8-3 win over the

Kansas City Royals on the road.

The Dodgers were locked in a scoreless duel until the top of the seventh when they scored five runs. Trayce Thompson hit a three-run homer and went 3-for4 on the night, scoring twice and driving in three runs.

Freddie Freeman added a solo home run.

Tony Gonsolin (14-1) pitched well, lasting 6.2 innings and giving up just two hits and one earned

transfer portal to add 24 veterans from across the country.

Many are elite skill-position players – including Biletnikoff Award winner Jordan Addison, ex-Oklahoma receiver Mario Williams, and two prolific running backs and two receivers from other Pac-12 schools.

The centerpiece of the group is Caleb Williams, who passed for 1,912 yards and 21 touchdowns at Oklahoma last year. The

AL West Standings W-L Houston 73-41 Seattle 62-52 Texas 49-63 ANGELS 49-64 Oakland 41-72

Pct. .640 .544 .438 .434 .363

GB –– 11 23 23.5 31.5

NL West Standings W-L DODGERS 78-33 San Diego 64-51 San Fran. 55-57 Arizona 51-61 Colorado 51-64

Pct. .703 .557 .491 .455 .443

GB –– 16 23.5 27 29

L10 6-4 7-3 3-7 5-5 2-8

L10 10-0 5-5 4-6 6-4 5-5

run. He walked three and struck out three.

Continued on page 5

quarterback said he rejoined Riley “to be a part of something historic. I mean, being a part of USC is already historic, but trying to get USC back to what it was is also historic.’’

This massive influx is joining a USC roster with 71 returning players from last season’s 4-8 team, but only 37 lettermen and just eight starters. Add in at least a dozen true freshmen, Continued on page 6

Help The Trib cover your team The fall high school sports season is about to start, and The Tribune would like to bring the best coverage possible to our readers in the West Orange County area.

In order to do that, we can use some help from coaches, fans, players and anyone else who can provide us with useful information.

That means rosters, schedules, statistics, photographs Continued on page 5