Landlords try to stop rent control initiative in Florida
Ballots havenโt even been printed yet, but already a group of landlords, apartment managers and real estate agents in Florida are trying to stop voters from deciding on a measure that would implement rent control for a year in the theme park hub that has been one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the U.S. The Florida Apartment Association and the Florida Association of Realtors last week sued Orange County, Florida in an attempt to halt a ballot initiative aimed at limiting how much...
The Latest: Health official: Booster use may be expanded
The National Institutes of Health director says a U_S_ government advisory panelโs decision to limit Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots to Americans 65 and older as well as those at high risk of severe disease is a preliminary step and predicts broader approval for most Americans โin the next few weeks.โ.
The Latest: Sinovac: CoronaVac vaccine effective in children
(AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)BEIJING โ Sinovac said on Monday that its COVID-19 vaccine CoronaVac is safe and effective in children ages 3-17. State-owned Sinopharm, who has two COVID-19 vaccines, is also investigating the effectiveness of its vaccines in children. The House vote came just before the state health department reported that more than 1 million COVID-19 vaccine shots have been administered within the state. State officials say about 2.9 million vaccine doses have been given to about 1.1 million people so far in Arizona. ___LISBON, Portugal โ Portugal resumed administering AstraZenecaโs COVID-19 vaccine, a week after temporarily halting its use.
Roberto Clemente: More than Latin Americaโs baseball star
Roberto Clemente was the first Latino to be inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame. The legacy of Roberto Clemente is still treasured today, proven nearly 50 years after his death. In fact, the Orange County School Board unanimously voted to rename the facility Roberto Clemente Middle on Sept. 21, coincidentally during Hispanic Heritage Month. Becoming baseballโs most prominent Afro-LatinoRoberto Clemente started his Major League Baseball career with the Pittsburg Pirates. The son of a sugarcane worker, Clemente began his professional baseball career just after finishing high school.
California seizes control over struggling vaccine delivery
California is revamping its vaccine delivery system to give the state more control over who gets the shots following intense criticism of a slow and scattered rollout by counties. Counties, which have been leading the vaccine effort along with hospital and health care systems, were cautious about what to expect and said they need more information. At the same time, confused residents are clamoring for more information and frustrated by eligibility rules that vary by county and by hospital system. She also asked what paperwork essential workers would need to present to get a vaccine from the state. Allowing the state to seek an equitable distribution of the vaccine will allow counties to focus on getting as many people inoculated as possible.
The Latest: China says COVID-19 hospitalizations above 1,000
(AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)BEIJING โ China says it is now treating more than 1,000 people for COVID-19 as numbers of cases continue to surge in the countryโs north. ___AUSTIN, Texas โ Texas has distributed more than 1 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, Gov. State health officials say Texas had more than 14,000 COVID-19 patients in hospitals and its death toll has passed 30,000. ___COLUMBIA, S.C. โ South Carolina will now allow medical students, retired nurses and other qualified professionals to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. ___MADRID โ Spain reported 35,878 confirmed coronavirus cases and 201 new deaths from the coronavirus.
NTSB says vehicle battery fires pose risks to 1st responders
U.S. safety investigators say electric vehicle fires pose risks to first responders, and manufacturers have inadequate guidelines to keep them safe. (Orange County Sheriffs Department/National Transportation Safety Board via AP)DETROIT โ Electric vehicle fires pose safety risks to first responders and guidelines from manufacturers about how to deal with them have been inadequate, according to U.S. investigators. There are also gaps in industry safety standards and research on high-voltage lithium-ion battery fires, especially in high-speed, severe crashes, the National Transportation Safety Board said Wednesday. And it's asking the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to include the availability of an emergency response guide when it calculates five-star vehicle safety scores. The NTSB started investigating battery fires after crashes and fires in Lake Forest and Mountain View, California, and in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, in 2017 and 2018.
California expands eligibility for coronavirus vaccine
But the decision perplexed some county officials who say they donโt even have enough doses right now to vaccinate those who were already eligible. California has received more than 2.4 million vaccine doses as of Monday, but only a third of them have been used. This is about life and death,โ Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez said. So can you send us 4 million doses?โAbout 375 miles (600 kilometers) to the north, Santa Clara County officials made their pitch to Gov. Santa Clara County wants at least 85% of its eligible residents vaccinated by Aug. 1.
The Latest: Japan's daily virus cases rise above 3,000
(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)TOKYO โ Japanโs daily coronavirus cases have exceeded 3,000 for the first time while the government delays stricter measures for fear of hurting the economy ahead of the holiday season. ___SPRINGFIELD, Ill. โ The U.S. has reached a record 3,309 daily coronavirus deaths, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. ___PHOENIX โ Arizona reported 8,076 confirmed coronavirus cases, one of the stateโs largest daily total. Italy has registered 1.8 million confirmed cases and more than 63,000 confirmed deaths, sixth highest in the world. He says the latest outbreak at Orange County jails had 74 confirmed cases, 75 tests pending and more inmates waiting to be tested.
A new face to the GOP: Diverse candidates win in California
(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)LOS ANGELES โ It had been over two decades since a Republican captured a Democratic-held congressional district in California. The stunning victories have California GOP leaders talking about a comeback after years of teetering on the brink of irrelevance in the heavily Democratic state. Still, California Republicans all too familiar with Election Day misery now see a template to make further inroads. Young Kim defeated Democratic Rep. Gil Cisneros in a rematch in the Democratic-leaning 39th District, anchored in Orange County. In Orange County โvoters saw a different face to the Republican Party in Steel and Kim,โ she said.
Wind fans wildfire in California canyons, residents flee
The fire grew to more than 11 square miles (29 square kilometers) and blanketed a wide area with smoke and ash. Scientists have said climate change has made California much drier, meaning trees and other plants are more flammable. A few miles to the north, a blaze near Corona Municipal Airport shut down State Route 71 and had residents getting ready to flee. More than 6,500 square miles (16,835 square kilometers) have been scorched, a total larger than the combined area of Connecticut and Rhode Island. Virtually all of Northern California is in severe or extreme drought while nearly all of Southern California is abnormally dry or worse.
Republican wins back US House seat in Southern California
LOS ANGELES โ Republican Michelle Steel defeated first-term Rep. Harley Rouda on Tuesday in a Southern California district, only the second time in more than two decades that a GOP candidate in the state has defeated an incumbent Democrat. Rouda captured Orange Countyโs 48th District in 2018 from longtime Republican Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, part of a Democratic sweep of seven House seats in California that year. Steel, who heads the Orange County Board of Supervisors, benefited from the districtโs Republican registration edge and also surmounted widespread distaste for Trump in the strongly Democratic state. In the 25th District north of Los Angeles, Republican Rep. Mike Garcia is narrowly trailing Democrat Christy Smith. Orange County this year is one of the crucial House battlegrounds in California and the U.S.
Utility: Winds too weak to cut power before California fire
(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)LOS ANGELES โ Facing extreme wildfire conditions this week that included hurricane-level winds, the main utility in Northern California cut power to nearly 1 million people while its counterpart in Southern California pulled the plug on just 30 customers to prevent power lines and other electrical equipment from sparking a blaze. Red flag warnings of extreme fire danger expired and easing winds allowed PG&E to begin restoring power after the largest of five safety shutoffs this year. At its peak, PG&E cut power to about 345,000 customers โ nearly 1 million people โ in 34 counties. As of Tuesday night, only about 2,000 of Edison's 5 million customers were without power, according to an outage website. โObviously, you can say in retrospect that it would have been better if SCE cut power where the line was.
Internet is loving this Florida K-9 officer who wore tie for ID badge photo
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. โ Social media is loving K-9 officer Chico who is garnering internet fame with his new ID badge photo. Chico is a member of the Orange County Sheriffโs Office and sported a tie for his new ID badge photo that was taken on Oct. 22, the same day deputies posted it on Facebook. According to a report from Today.com, Chico has been working with his handler Corporal Robert Lees, for 4 1/2 years. Bailey Myers, a spokesperson for OCSO told Today that โK-9 Chico is a valued member of our team and we were thrilled to see his picture bring smiles to so many faces.โK-9 Chico posed for his new ID badge today. Posted by Orange County Sheriff's Office, Florida on Thursday, October 22, 2020Related:
60,000 in Southern California to evacuate after blaze grows
The utility shut off power to about 355,000 customers in 34 Northern California counties but said that improved weather conditions allow it to prevent cutting electricity in two other central California counties. Extreme fire danger moved into Southern California late Sunday following cooler temperatures and patchy drizzle over the weekend. Southern California Edison cut off power to about 20,000 customers Monday, mostly in San Bernardino County to the east of Los Angeles. Los Angeles County officials urged residents to sign up for emergency evacuation notices and to be prepared to stay with family or friends in less risky areas. Associated Press writer Amy Taxin in Orange County, California contributed to this report.
California orders GOP to remove unofficial ballot boxes
(AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)LOS ANGELES โ California's chief elections official on Monday ordered Republicans to remove unofficial ballot drop boxes from churches, gun shops and other locations and Attorney General Xavier Becerra warned those behind the โvote tampering" could face prosecution. Republicans have set up their drop boxes at churches, gas stations and gun shops in at least three California counties. He said these unofficial drop boxes lack those protections, making them vulnerable to tampering. Officials in Ventura County also said Monday that they had received reports of groups promoting unofficial ballot drop boxes. ___Taxin reported from Orange County, California.
Drubbed in 2018, California GOP looks to regain House seats
And GOP candidates need to win back suburbanites who recoiled from the Trump agenda in 2018 and helped return the House to Democratic control. But Issaโs once strongly Republican district became increasingly friendly for Democrats and he nearly lost his seat in 2016 before deciding not to run in 2018. Democratic Rep. Harley Rouda captured the district in an upset of longtime Rep. Dana Rohrabacher in 2018, as suburban voters nationally rejected the Trump label. First-term Democratic Rep. Gil Cisneros is looking to hold off Young Kim, the Republican he narrowly defeated two years ago to snatch the seat long held by Republican Rep. Ed Royce. Kim, a former legislator who was born in South Korea and grew up in Guam, has depicted the congressman as subservient to House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi.
GOP targets Democratic-run California in election gamble
(AP Photo/Sait Serkan Gurbuz, File)LOS ANGELES Republican candidates eager for a turnaround in heavily Democratic California are spotlighting what they see as a dire threat to families and communities their own states policies. If Joe Biden says hes fighting for the soul of America, Republican candidates say they are fighting for the soul of California. Yet, in an election year that could produce a record Democratic turnout in California, Republican chances of gaining ground are uncertain at best. The California Republican Party was once a national powerhouse, and Orange County was a foundation block in the conservative revolution that sent the former California Gov. The numbers are witnessed at the ballot box: The GOP hasnt won a statewide election since 2006 and George H.W.
Food drive held for Hurricane Laura victims in Texas
ORANGE COUNTY, Texas A long line of cars is gathered in Orange County, Texas for a food drive put on by H-E-B Mobile Kitchen for Hurricane Laura victims. The event was held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, by H-E-B officials at the corner of MacArthur Drive and 28th Street. H-E-B Mobile Kitchen Efforts Our Mobile Kitchen is on the move to bring food and supplies to communities in southeast Texas! At the Mobile Kitchen staging location, H-E-B Partners, wearing gloves and masks, will provide contactless service by loading meals and supplies into vehicles. Learn more: https://newsroom.heb.com/h-e-b-deploys-mobile-kitchen-to-se-texas-sends-aid-to-louisiana-food-banks/ Posted by H-E-B on Friday, August 28, 2020H-E-B staff will be on site throughout the coming days to pass out water, ice, and hot meals to hurricane victims.
Rising virus totals force rethink of bars, schools, tourism
Nearly 40,000 people were fined about $1.30 each in the past two weeks for not wearing face masks. As is true of many places, Tokyo's nightlife bars, clubs, cabarets and karaoke parlors has been seen as a weak link in efforts to contain the virus. Officials have struggled over the trade-off between curbing the spread of the virus and protecting the ailing economy. The Democrat's order came as the state reported a record number of new confirmed cases. Few other countries have shown the will to impose such stringent measures to keep the virus at bay.
Helicopter pilot shares breathtaking view of Disneyland Resort during coronavirus closure
But one man in California went a step further and was lucky enough to get a birds-eye view of Disneyland Resort without pixie dust, a magic carpet or a lucky feather. Disneyland has a temporary flight restriction that restricts pilots from flying anywhere near the park, within 3,000 feet. During his flight, Muzio visited much of Orange County, which included stops at Angel Stadium, El Dorado Park and Long Beach Airport, to name a few. However, our favorite sight was that of a closed Disneyland park without a single person to be seen. While the view from above is great, anyone whoโs been there would likely agree: nothing beats the view from the ground.
Closed due to coronavirus, Disneyland donates extra food to a local food bank
On Friday, the park and resort announced it would be donating the excess food from the park to Second Harvest Food Bank in Orange County. The food bank, which has continued working throughout the outbreak, thanked the resort for their help on Twitter. CNN reached out to Second Harvest Food Bank for comment, but the request was not immediately returned. There's been an increased need for food help during the coronavirus outbreak and the need is only going to increase, the food bank said on Facebook. Though Disneyland did not say how much food would be donated, this isn't the first time it has donated meals.
'Blowing up this b****:' Girl arrested for making threat against Florida high school
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. โ A 15-year-old girl is arrested on felony charges in connection with a violent threat at a Florida high school. The Orange County Sheriff's Office said detectives were made aware of the threat, which was written in one of the girls' bathrooms, on Tuesday. The girl was arrested Tuesday on a charge of making a threat to throw, project, place or discharge any destructive device. Orange County Public Schools tweeted earlier Thursday that any pranks about threats will also not be tolerated. "This is very dangerous, not only for the student body and staff, but for law enforcement," Orange County sheriff's spokesman Angelo Nieves said.