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Printed in Garden Grove, California n orangecountytribune.com n Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022 n orangecountytribune@gmail.com
Mall Specific Plan Draft is Rolled Out
SWEET TALKERS
There has been an increase in reckless driving and street racing/takeovers all across Orange County and Southern California, so local law enforcement agencies have stepped up efforts to curb those activities which are dangerous and illegal. More than half the resulting fatalities not being those behind the wheel. Police say if you are caught, cited and convicted of reckless driving, you could serve time in county jail, pay a fine, have your drivers license suspended and your vehicle towed and impounded for up to 30 days. Additionally, if someone
Big changes could be coming to a troubled shopping center By Jim Tortolano Orange County Tribune
Once the biggest and most prosperous enclosed shopping center in Orange County, Westminster Mall has declined to the point where its drooping sales tax revenue is weighing on the city treasury and a stroll through its halls is a journey down corridors of empty, dark, silent storefronts. Six years ago, city officials began the process of trying to turn the fortunes of the 100-acre center at Bolsa Avenue and Goldenwest Street around. Six years and nearly that many city managers – not to mention a worldwide coronavirus epidemic – later, wraps are finally
n ILLUSTRATIVE MAP for Westminster Mall specific plan on page 3.
coming off the distilled concept for the center in the form of the Westminster Mall Specific Plan. The plan is not likely to be turned into reality in every detail, but it represents a step forward toward turning that freewayclose development into a potentially lucrative asset. There are challenges. As the report states, “the project site provides a unique opportunity to reposition the mall into the thriving activity it once was and to accommodate the future growth of the city.” But – as was also pointed out – “the site is owned by Continued on page 2
Continued on page 2
Commander Kevin MacCormick of the Westminster Police Department gets advice from a citizen on Tuesday afternoon at the “Cops and Robbins” event at the Baskin Robbins ice cream store in Westminster Center at Goldenwest Street and Westminster Boulevard. Attendees got free ice cream in addition to a chance to talk with members of the WPD, as well as other city officials who came by (Orange County Tribune photo by Jim Tortolano).
New Orange County coronavirus cases in decline A dip in new coronavirus cases and hospitalizations in Orange County is developing in line with national and state statistics. According to Tuesday’s report from the county health care agency, the four-day total of new cases was 2,615, which aver-
ages to 663.5 cases daily. That compares to Friday’s average of 769 and last Tuesday’s 746. However, the Aug. 5 figure was 955. Deaths have declined from 15 to 12 and the number of patients being treated for COVID-19 in intensive care unit stayed
GG police in crackdown on those driving recklessly
steady at 44. Hospitalizations increased from 291 to 314. To date, Orange County has had 651,486 confirmed cases, of which 622,358 are considered recovered. The death count is at 7,274. Nationally, The New York
Times – over a 14-day period – new cases have declined by 18 percent, but deaths have risen 10 percent. In California, Los Angeles Times reports a 40 percent drop in new cases but a 10 percent increase in deaths due to coronavirus.
Santa Ana resident is fatally shot Santa Ana police are investigating the fatal shooting Monday afternoon of a 20-year-old man. According to the SAPD, officers were send to the 1700 block of N. Spurgeon Street at 3:19 p.m. in response to reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they found “an unresponsive” adult male suffering an apparent gunshot wound to his upper torso. Orange County Fire Authority personnel arrived Continued on page 2
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