The Orange County Tribune July 30, 2022

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WEEKEND EDITION

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Saturday: 81/68 partly cloudy Sunday: 82/66 mostly sunny Monday: 83/65 mostly sunny Tuesday: 81/65 partly cloudy

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Printed in Garden Grove, California n orangecountytribune.com n Saturday, July 30, 2022 n orangecountytribune@gmail.com

A GOLD RUSH IN WEST GROVE

Still Need the Mask? Stats Are Differing OC stats show new cases are increasing but U.S., CA in decline

The Summer Concert Series in Garden Grove wound up Thursday evening with the Gold Rush Country band performing county and western hits before a large crowd in Eastgate Park, including dancers.

The concerts are a joint project of the City of Garden Grove and the Garden Grove Community Foundation (Orange County Tribune photos by Jim Tortolano)

Time to bring out the old face mask and hand sanitizer, or stuff them back into the glove compartment?

The latest report from the Orange County Health Care Agency indicates that new coronavirus cases may be on a slow to-andfro path to increases, but that contradicts national and state statistics.

Friday’s report – which covers the three-day period from July 26-28 – shows a total of 3,790 cases which averages out to 1,263.3 cases a day.

That compares to Tuesday’s report, which shows an average of 1,144 daily cases, and is the highest in two weeks.

Deaths rose from six to Continued on page 2

Surf is definitely up for a week with Vans US Open of Surfing The Vans US Open of Surfing 2022 is coming to – where else? – Huntington Beach starting on Saturday and running through Sunday, Aug. 7 on the beaches and ocean south of the iconic pier of “Surf City.”

Featured will be competitions in surfing, skateboarding, BMX dirt bike riding and more.

There will be vendors selling apparel and other goods, clinics and more.

Surfing competitions will be organized and judged by the World Surfing League.

The event is free to the public. The schedule of events varies each day. Here’s the link: https:// www.vansusopenofsurfing.com/2022/schedule .

Santa Ana man is held on child porn charges A 34-year-old Santa Ana man has been arrested for possession of child pornography.

According to the SAPD, the arrestee is Miguel Arenas.

The investigation began when a civilian investigator assigned to special investigations received a “cyber tip” from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Police say that multiple online searches indicated that Arenas had uploaded images and videos of the material.

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

2 SATURDAY, JULY 30, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

OC coronavirus statistics Continued from page 1

eight and the use of intensive case units from 35 to 49. Hospitalizations fell from 341 to 338.

But The New York Times is reporting that – over a 14-day period – new cases are down 2 percent nationally. However, hospitalizations have risen 11 percent and deaths 4 percent.

California’s numbers – as reported by Los Angeles Times over a similar period – show new cases are down 23 percent but deaths up 15 percent.

So far, the county has had 637,013 cases, of which 600,527 have recovered. The death total is 7,203.

New LA bridge brings a big span of headaches LOS ANGELES (AP) – The newest bridge in Los Angeles, a $588-million architectural marvel with views of the downtown skyline, opened to great fanfare on July 10. It has already been closed, to great dismay, several times since then amid chaos and collisions.

The 6th Street Viaduct – which soars over the concrete-lined Los Angeles River to connect downtown to the historic Eastside – quickly became a hotspot for street racing, graffiti and illegal takeovers that draw hundreds of spectators to watch drivers perform dangerous stunts in their vehicles.

Social media stunts have abounded as well – in one case, a man sat in a barber’s chair for a haircut in the middle of the lanes. And the crashes are piling up, including a three-car collision where one driver, who had been part of a street takeover,

left his white Dodge Challenger and ran from the scene. He later turned himself in.

The Los Angeles Police Department has closed the bridge multiple times – an exact count was not available Wednesday – and in the latest move, announced Tuesday that it would be “closed until further notice due to illegal activity and public safety concerns” before backtracking and reopening it hours later.

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.

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ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/SATURDAY, JULY 30, 2022 3

News&Views n WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL

n GARDEN GROVE PLANNING COMMISSION

16 seek HB City Council seats this fall

No decision on location of monument

By Jim Tortolano Orange County Tribune

The matter of where the controversial proposed Quang Tri monument should be located hit another roadblock Wednesday night as the Westminster City Council was unable to reach a decision.

After lengthy discussion – at times heated – among the council, a motion to conduct more community input was defeated, but a motion to defer action to the next meeting was approved.

Councilmember Tai Dao said, “This is an issue we’re all really passionate about” and made a motion – seconded by Councilmember Kimberly Ho – to defer Continued on page 4

n HUNT. BEACH CITY COUNCIL

Light agenda for city leaders A relatively light agenda will greet the Huntington Beach City Council when it meets on Tuesday.

The sole public hearing is on the introduction of a minor amendment of an ordinance regarding a flood plain overlay district.

Also on the agenda are: • a memorandum of understanding between the city and the Huntington Beach Art Center Foundation • receive and file a report on short term rentals.

The council will meet in person at 2000 Main St. with a study session at 4 p.m., a closed session at 5 p.m. and the regular meeting at 6 p.m.

n ELECTION 2022

SECOND BITE FOR GARDEN GROVE Garden Grove Planning Commission will consider a proposal to build a second The Habit Hamburger Grill eatery on Harbor Boulevard near Garden Grove Boulevard. The first is about to open on Chapman Avenue (near Brookhurst Street) soon)

Second The Habit is on planners’ agenda Two public hearings – one for a new two-story commercial/medical office building and one for a second structure which would include the city’s second The Habit hamburger restaurant – will go before the Garden Grove Planning Commission when it meets on Thursday, Aug. 4.

The first public hearing will be for a site plan for the construction of a new office building on a 13,259-square foot vacant lot at 10691 Westminster Ave. (west of Taft Street).

The second public hearing will be to build a 4,000-square foot two-unit restaurant building in

Harbor Place Center, 1320013220 Harbor Blvd., south of Garden Grove Boulevard.

One restaurant will be The Habit; another of the same chain is completing construction on Chapman Avenue (near Brookhurst Street) in the new Pavilion Plaza West center.

The other eatery has not been named. One will be 2,800 square feet and the other 1,200 square feet and both will have 500 square feet of outdoor patio areas.

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

Four-house project for Stanton The Stanton Planning Commission will meet on Wednesday, Aug. 3 to hold a public hearing for a site plan, parcel map and design review for the development of four detached single family homes at 7082 Kermore Lane.

That’s northeast of Knott and Katella Avenues.

The proposed homes would

be two-story structures with a common area with a barbecue, bench seating, open lawn area and landscaping.

With a Mediterranean style of architecture, the homes will include three bedrooms. three bathrooms, laundry room and open family room.

The meeting is at 3 p.m. in Stanton City Hall, 7800 Katella Ave.

Sixteen people have taken out nomination papers to run for four seats on the Huntington Beach City Council, and two are seeking the post of city attorney.

As of midday on Friday, the city clerk’s office shows these names and – where listed – ballot designation. Incumbents are marked with an asterisk* CITY COUNCIL • Patrick J. Burns • Gina Clayton-Tarvin • David Clifford • Amory Hanson (historic resources boardman) • Jill S. Hardy • Kenneth L. Inouye • Wesam Jreiset • Casey McKeon • Michael Olsberg • Robert Reider • Oscar Rodriguez • Tony Strickland • Gabrielle S. Samiy • Gracey Van Der Mark • Mike Vogler (attorney).

CITY ATTORNEY • Scott Field • Michael Gates*.

The deadline for returning completed papers is Friday, Aug. 12.

3 for mayor of Westminster

Three candidates for the position of mayor of Westminster have taken out nomination papers, and four people have for city council positions.

All candidates for mayor are currently members of city council.

According to the city clerk’s office, these people – as of Wednesday – are seeking these posts.

MAYOR • Tai Do • Kimberly Ho • Chi Charlie Nguyen CITY COUNCIL (District 1) • John Gentile Continued on page 4

4 SATURDAY, JULY 30, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

A new Quang Tri deadlock Continued from page 3

a decision on the location of the monument to the Aug. 10 meeting.

City Manager Christine Cordon cautioned against that, saying that would be the meeting at which the council is planning to take up the issue of putting a sales tax measure before voters, and that such a meeting could very lengthy.

Then Councilmember Chi Charlie Nguyen said, “I’d like to make a substitute motion to that. It’s very difficult to make a motion when there’s a split.

I’m not opposed to the Quang Tri monument, but it is a community project so we should seek input from the community. Based on community input, we can easily make a decision.”

Mayor Tri Ta seconded the

Candidates Continued from page 4

• Amy West CITY COUNCIL (District 4) • Nam Quan Nguyen • Van Nguyen The deadline for returning completed papers is Friday, Aug, 12.

substitute motion, but it failed when it received just two yes votes; Do and Ho voted no and Vice Mayor Carlos Manzo abstained.

Then the original motion to defer a decision was taken up. Do and Ho voted in favor, and the other three members abstained.

According to City Attorney Christian Bettenhausen, that was enough for the delay to be approved.

The Quang Tri monument would be to honor and memorialize the victory of South Vietnamese and American forces at the Second Battle of Quang Tri in 1972.

At issue was whether to place the monument at a city park or on private property such as the Westminster Memorial Park cemetery grounds.

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/SATURDAY JULY 30, 2022 5

Injured, but Ramsey is still in the game

By Greg Beacham AP Sports Writer

IRVINE, Calif. (AP) – Jalen Ramsey could have eased into training camp this summer. After a long, grueling season culminating in a Super Bowl title, the All-Pro cornerback could have rested his body and his sur-

gically repaired shoulders during the Los Angeles Rams’ 2 1/2 weeks at UC Irvine.

Instead, Ramsey was right in the middle of his teammates on the camp this week. Although he isn’t practicing, Ramsey is basically serving as another assistant coach, dispensing knowledge and tips to the Rams’ younger defensive backs.

“I kind of know the playbook like the back of my hand, so that’s really why I carry the (play) script, so I can help the other guys,” Ramsey said.

“I know star, corner, whatever

position in the secondary,`` he added. “So I can know exactly the play, so I can know the certain techniques that I feel like they should have been using, or to help them, if they got beat on the play, (understand) why they got beat. I can analyze it with them as soon as they come off the field, instead of me having to wait until we get to the meeting room.”

Ramsey’s commitment to the Rams’ overall success hasn’t waned at all with a Super Bowl ring on his finger, as he made clear in his first extensive public comments on an eventful offseason.

Ramsey initially was expected to be on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list to start camp, which would have meant he couldn’t practice. But the Rams changed course last weekend after realizing they wanted Ramsey on the field, and he was excited.

“I thought I was helping them by having me on PUP, just giving them a roster spot,” Ramsey said. “So I was like, ‘Cool, I ain’t no puppy anyway, so let’s get it.””

He demonstrated his commitment to the Rams last season while playing through persistent pain in his shoulder as Los Angeles won nine of its final 10 games on the way to a title.

Ramsey earned his third career All-Pro selection along the way

JAYLEN RAMSEY A Ram star in waiting

in recognition of his do-everything role specifically tailored to his formidable abilities on the Rams’ defense.

Once the Rams finished celebrating, Ramsey immediately got back to work by evaluating his injuries and setting a self-imposed deadline to have surgery. He wanted to be fully healthy for Los Angeles’ visit from the Buffalo Bills in Week 1, and he made his offseason decisions accordingly.

“I was hoping that certain things would heal on their own, giving it some time off and not reinjuring it every Sunday by hitting it, but it didn’t work out that way,” Ramsey said. “It just got to the point where it was just a little too yucky, a little too messed up in there. It just needed to be cleaned out and made new again.’’

Angels missing chance to rise?

Continued from page 6

five runs. The pitching staff didn’t get much help from the offense as the Angels gathered only four hits and batted one for seven with runners in scoring position.

Martin Perez (9-2) got the win for

the Rangers, working seven innings and yielding three hits and one earned run. He struck out six and walked two.

Today (Saturday), the Angels host the Rangers at 6:07 p.m. and again on Sunday at 1:07 p.m.

Dodgers hold off late Rox rally Continued from page 6

Ryan McMahon fouled out to end the rally.

The Dodgers benefitted from the long ball. Will Smith hit a two-run homer in the first inning and Trayce Thompson a two-run home run himself in the second.

Julio Urias (10-6) worked seven innings for the Dodgers, giving up four hits and two earned runs.

He struck out four batters and walked none.

Today the Dodgers will send Clayton Kershaw (7-2) to the mound against the Rockies.

6 SATURDAY, JULY 30, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

The Sports Page

Mike Trout: “My Career is Not Over” Angels star plans to return to the Halo lineup this season

By Dave Skretra

AP Sports Writer KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Mike Trout appreciated all the support he received Wednesday after the Los Angels Angels’ head trainer revealed the threetime AL MVP had a “rare” spinal condition that could affect him for the rest of his career.

Even if Trout thought the whole thing was blown out of proportion.

“I think he meant that I have to stay on top of the routine I do on a daily basis to keep it from coming back,”’ Trout said after watching his Angels beat the Kansas City Royals 4-0 to clinch their first series win in nearly a month.

“I’m appreciative of all the prayer requests,’’ he added, “but my career is not over.’’

The 10-time All-Star left a game against Houston on July 12 with what was first called back spasms, then went on the injured list a week later with what was called rib cage inflammation.

MIKE TROUT HAS A RARE BACK PROBLEM, BUT ....

He’s convinced he can manage the condition and continue to play well (Angels photo).

On Wednesday, Angels trainer Mike Forstad revealed it to be a rare spinal condition, saying it’s something Trout “has to manage not just through the rest of the season.’’

“I got back and my phone was blowing up: ‘My career is over,’’” Trout said, smiling at the absurdity of the overreactions he’d been seeing online.

“It’s just rare for a baseball player. I just have to stay on top

Angels missing the chance to rise in third place in ALW

By Pete Zarustica

Orange County Tribune For a team mired in fourth place in the American League West, the Los Angeles Angels don’t see many “crucial” series.

But after winning three of four games and moving within a game and half of the third place Texas Rangers, the Halos had a chance to move up a slot in a four-game series in Anaheim.

However, after Thursday’s 2-0 loss and Friday’s 7-2 setback, it will take a sweep of the remaining two games (Saturday and Sunday) to get back where they were.

On Friday, the Rangers blew open a close 2-1 game with five runs in the top of the ninth. Patrick Sandoval (3-7) had a good start for LAA, working 5.2 innings and yielding four hits and two earned runs. He struck out six batters and walked two.

of it.”

Trout has been examined by Dr. Robert Watkins III, a top back specialist and the co-director of the Marina Spine Clinic in Los Angeles, and received a cortisone injection last week that has already begun to produce results.

He has a follow-up visit next week and “we’ll go from there,” he said, though he has every intention of being back this year.

AL West Standings Houston Seattle Texas ANGELS Oakland

W-L 66-35 54-47 45-54 42-58 39-63

Pct. .663 .535 .455 .420 .382

GB –– 12 20 23.5 27.5

NL West Standings W-L DODGERS 67-32 San Diego 56-44 San Fran. 49-51 Arizona 45-54 Colorado 45-56

Pct. .677 .534 .490 .455 .446

GB –– 10.5 18.5 22 23

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

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

But the bullpen couldn’t hold the line, giving up six hits and Continued on page 5

“Of course,” he said. “That’s my goal.”

The Angels have had no discussions about shutting him down.

“I don’t think we’re at a point where we’re going to make that decision,” Frostad said. “He’s going to have a follow-up here once we get back and we’ll just kind of see what the doctor thinks at that point.”

Dodgers hold off Rockies, 5-4 By a staff writer The Los Angeles Dodgers held off a late rally by the Colorado Rockies in Denver on Friday to post a 5-4 victory.

After building a 5-2 lead in the early innings, the Blue Crew had to withstand a rally by the home team. With two out in the bottom of the ninth, Randal Grichuk singled in two runs to get the home team close, but not close enough.

Continued on page 5