Orange County Chamber of Commerce

Check back here often for the latest news as delivered by the Orange County Chamber of Commerce

A pair of broader shoulders $1 million federal grant to help improve Loma Rica Road
Jul 23, 2008 — Appeal-Democrat
...Andrea Koskey Jul. 23, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Loma Rica Road will get some much-needed improvements after the Yuba County Public Works Department receives roughly a $1 million federal grant to fund a project. Improvements to a 1.4-mile stretch of the road between Marysville Road and Los Verjeles Road will include widening shoulders and smoothing out sharp turns in order to make certain stretches safer. "If...
BRIEF 2 die in Ripon accident; Merced man faces charges, CHP says
Jul 23, 2008 — The Modesto Bee
Martinez then tried to exit at Jack Tone, Quintero said. One woman and two men were ejected from the van. The woman and one man ejected died at the scene. The other passengers sustained injuries ranging from minor to major and were transported to area hospitals. Drugs and alcohol were not a factor in the crash, Quintero said.
BRIEF Fallbrook man dies on Interstate 15
Jul 23, 2008 — Daily Press - Victorville, California
Huazano, a 25-yearold resident of Fallbrook, was the passenger of a 1991 Honda Accord, according to officials. According to Sgt. Conrad Lopez of the California Highway Patrol, the driver, Manuel Camarena, 18, also of Fallbrook, lost control of the vehicle when an unidentified vehicle made a lane change in front of him. Camarena lost control of the Honda, swerved to the right and struck the concrete guardrail on the right side, officials said. Huazano was transported to...
BRIEF: Victorville man shot and killed at Fontana party Authorities estimate at least 200 attended bash
Jul 23, 2008 — Daily Press - Victorville, California
...-- FONTANA -- A Victorville man was shot and killed while attending a party in Fontana, officials said. Officers from the Fontana Police Department were called out to a party in the 17200 block of Walnut Avenue on Friday for reports of a shooting, according to Fontana Police officials. When the officers arrived, they found a man identified as Christopher Jackson Jr., 21, of Victorville with a gunshot wound to the head, said Sgt. Jeff Decker, spokesman for the Fontana Police...
Coalition pushes measures to start healing Inland economy
Jul 23, 2008 — The Press-Enterprise
Inland coalition is pushing for measures to help the Inland economy recover from damage it has already sustained from the nationwide foreclosure crisis. The coalition of local business and civic leaders is encouraging Inland residents to urge their lawmakers to support measures that could alleviate the flood of foreclosures drowning homeowners in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The Economic Recovery Coalition, comprising leaders in local government, economic development...
East Bay immigrant women get business boost
Jul 23, 2008 — Contra Costa Times
... Another, Oakland resident and Ethiopian immigrant Winou Wakeyo, said she will use it for wire, beads, chairs and other equipment she needs for her flea market jewelry business. Catering is a popular choice. In addition to Lugo's organic Mexican food business, called Los Cilantros, CEO Women granted money Wednesday to Hayward resident Rosario Cabrera, who is launching a business specializing in food from her native Peru, and Oakland resident Mieko Raymer, a Japanese immigrant who is...
Eatery serves up taste of Europe
Jul 23, 2008 — The Modesto Bee
Personal taste inspired the menu more than heritage, said Marcelo Machado, who was born in Brazil. "I always wanted an Italian restaurant. But don't mistake the fancy touches and French dishes for elitism. "We aren't stuffy.
Hard times continue for LOEL Center
Jul 23, 2008 — Lodi News-Sentinel
Seniors First had contracted with the county to provide meals for seniors. In Lockeford, Rose Lazzaro, recently appointed to the county Commission on Aging, said she is working with the county to return the senior nutrition program to Lockeford. Moore said that some Lockeford seniors get help from family and friends.
Hatton Canyon residents split on bike path
Jul 23, 2008 — Monterey County Herald
Some are not. That's what came out at a meeting of about 30 residents from the Carmel Hills and Carmel Knolls communities Tuesday at the Monterey County Courthouse. Building a freeway through Hatton Canyon was a controversial topic for nearly 50 years before it was put to rest in 1999.
Loma Linda, Calif., council considers temporary fire station
Jul 23, 2008 — San Bernardino County Sun
Lane closures are delaying traffic, which can slow emergency responses, Bender said.
Monterey marks 'green' accord
Jul 23, 2008 — Monterey County Herald
...energy, environmental health, waste reduction, transportation, urban nature and urban design. Donohue said that his city was "fairly green" to begin with, but is striving to be "really green." He conceded that the event was "Monterey's day" and praised the city for its leadership in green issues. "There's no real competition between Pacific Grove and Monterey," Cort quipped, noting that "Pacific Grove signed the accords a year and a half ago." Della Sala said Monterey...
OPINION Smart move on housing
Jul 23, 2008 — Ventura County Star
For $240 million in bond money this year that was set aside to fund infill development projects, Jacobs' department received applications for $1 billion in funding. That's usually the first sign of a turnaround." When the turnaround comes, Jacobs is determined that the state continue to promote smart, affordable housing. And that will be no excuse for California to stop growing smart. -- Timm Herdt is chief of The Star's state bureau.
Ramos 'beefs up' truancy program Improving social services to get kids back in school
Jul 23, 2008 — Daily Press - Victorville, California
N B E R NA R D I N O -- Faced with alarming highschool-dropout rates, a new proposal aims to "beef up" San Bernardino County's truancy program by offering more social services. T r u a n cy a n d d ro p o u t rates go hand in hand with higher crime rates, said San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael A. Ramos. Leading the county is Victor Valley Union High School District with a staggering 54.5 percent dropout rate, almost twice the state average. "This is our opportunity...
Road Dog wiretap evidence 'hard to refute;' Robert Holloway, Orozco stay in jail
Jul 23, 2008 — The Modesto Bee
He gained notoriety in July 1997 after he confronted a career criminal who tried to rob his shop and accidentally killed the man during the scuffle. Authorities told him, he said, that he needed a special license to transport more than nine tires. Baker has been a mechanic at Road Dog for six years, he said. In the recording played Monday, a woman said the service doors had been pulled down during a beating.
Supes OK new housing policies Rules focus on unincorporated areas of county
Jul 23, 2008 — Ventura County Star
The board approved it by a 4-0 vote, with Supervisor Peter Foy absent. Foy is recovering from knee surgery. The Housing Element applies to the unincorporated areas of the county. It applies only to properties that are adjacent to cities.
Transportation tax headed for ballot Taxpayers group supports measure
Jul 23, 2008 — Monterey County Herald
And "the funding raised can only be used for transportation projects.
We can't drill for new oil, but we sure can make old yugos move with wind power
Jul 23, 2008 — Lodi News-Sentinel
I stole a turbine one night from the Altamont Pass and mounted it on the back of my Yugo. I'm also using those new pigtailed florescent light bulbs for headlights. See what kinds of alternative energy you can create.
What's on Tap Pub crawl targets Belgian beer
Jul 23, 2008 — Contra Costa Times
Steve Bruce served us Chimay Blue (3 stars), the Belgian Trappist ale. Light and heat kill beer, even a wunderbier like Pliny. Hops include mild Warrior, spicy Tomahawks, Centennial and Simcoe.
Big plans for Rideout expansion
Jul 22, 2008 — Appeal-Democrat
...a helicopter landing pad at Rideout Memorial Hospital in Marysville are underway, pending the results of an environmental impact report. Officials of Fremont Rideout Health Group hope to break ground in late 2009 and complete the project by the end of 2012. The City of Marysville approved a contract last week for Planning Partners, an environmental consulting group, to produce the $198,000 report, which will include ground and air traffic study results. Fremont Rideout...
BRIEF Higher I-5 Big Fix traffic levels cause delays
Jul 22, 2008 — The Sacramento Bee
...the average delay was five to 10 minutes. The traffic backup was at most two miles, according to Caltrans officials. All northbound lanes of I-5 are closed from the Highway 50-Capital City Freeway interchange to the L Street onramp. All but two lanes of northbound I-5 are closed from L Street to Richards Boulevard. The section of I-5 is scheduled to open on July 28 at 5 a.m. The project is designed to solve ongoing drainage problems on the freeway's sunken "boat section"...
BRIEF Police classify as suicide S.J. man's death by VTA light rail
Jul 22, 2008 — San Jose Mercury News
Clara Valley (OTCBB:SCVE) Transportation Authority light rail train in Mountain View early Monday morning. The train, which was traveling west along Central Expressway, was approaching the Mountain View station when it struck the pedestrian around 12:30 a.m., VTA spokesman Ethan Winston said. It was the last train of the night, making its last stop, Winston said. The incident did not affect morning service. Mountain View police classified the death as a suicide. ...
BRIEF Police rule VTA death a suicide
Jul 22, 2008 — Palo Alto Daily News
...not affected. The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner's Office had not determined the cause of death as of press time, but Mountain View police classified it as a suicide. Suicides occur more often on Caltrain tracks than on VTA light rail lines. Spokeswoman Brandi Childress said this was the year's first fatality on the tracks, but couldn't say when the last suicide took place. Mountain View police spokeswoman Elizabeth Wylie said suicides on VTA tracks are "not...
California crops hit hard S.J. farmers have enough water, but ranchers on edge
Jul 22, 2008 — The Record - Stockton, California
San Joaquin, fortunately, is not on the state's list of 17 counties with more than $2 million in drought-related crop damage.
CHP commissioner fulfilled dream Top officer grew up in Pacific Grove
Jul 22, 2008 — Monterey County Herald
It's based upon a principle that we are told it's unsafe, that you can't go down there for certain reasons. Graduated from Pacific Grove High School, 1973; attended Monterey Peninsula College. Experience: CHP deputy commissioner, November 2004 to February 2008.
County supervisors support airport expansion; express anger at departing airlines
Jul 22, 2008 — The Tribune - San Luis Obispo, California
He said the county should not let "an airline or two move us backwards. They have suspended work on both as airport officials assess the situation.
EDITORIAL High gas prices are bad news for two reasons
Jul 22, 2008 — The Sacramento Bee
The federal gas tax is levied on a per-gallon basis. John McCain and Hillary Clinton in the heat of the presidential primary season. One obvious solution: Index the gas tax to inflation. The federal gas tax stands at 18.4 cents per gallon and hasn't been raised since 1997.
Ethanol plant may aid Lancaster, Calif.
Jul 22, 2008 — Daily News - Los Angeles, California
Two more plants are expected to be online by the end of the year. An estimated 80 million gallons of ethanol were produced in California last year, Schremp said.
Governor signs bill to improve foster care MEASURE GIVES KIDS MORE OF A SAY IN COURT SYSTEM
Jul 22, 2008 — San Jose Mercury News
When he left the foster care system at age 18, his final "emancipation hearing" was held in his absence. I'm a foster youth advocate, it's what I'm supposed to do. If something went wrong with you, change it so that it won't happen to anybody else." Last week, Schwarzenegger signed two other bills to improve the foster care system.
Housing windfall unveiled in L.A.
Jul 22, 2008 — Daily News - Los Angeles, California
...affordable housing is particularly needed for the working poor who are being forced out of lodging because of housing costs. The Enterprise Community Fund was started 25 years ago and already has invested some $6 billion in affordable housing across the nation, said Doris Koo, the fund's chief executive. That includes several hundred million in Los Angeles, such as at the Yankee Apartments, where the news conference was held. Koo said she hopes the program announced...
In North San Diego County, price decline is new culprit behind foreclosures
Jul 22, 2008 — North County Times
Instead, housing analysts point to price declines. "As prices continue to decline, we'll see more foreclosures. Its findings support the trend of price depreciation forcing foreclosures among less risky borrowers. While subprime losses continued to dominate, foreclosures on prime mortgages are starting to hit the bank hard. Subprime losses have jumped sixfold from a year ago.
Natomas crime wave raises question about low-income housing
Jul 22, 2008 — The Sacramento Bee
In a three-week period in June, robbers pulled off 15 home invasions and 14 street holdups in North Natomas and neighboring South Natomas. Most live in North or South Natomas, said Police Capt. Dan Hahn. Some residents, looking for answers, have focused on affordable housing complexes.
New Martinez city manager has full plate
Jul 22, 2008 — Contra Costa Times
Vince is earning $194,000 per year plus a $500 monthly car allowance. Does that mean there aren't vacancies downtown?
On our way home Foreclosure fix-all it's not, but governor calls new plan a great start
Jul 22, 2008 — The Record - Stockton, California
...loans at rates as much as 1.25 percentage points below current market rates, with reduced premiums on mortgage insurance coverage. For example, a typical mortgage insurance premium for a $250,000 loan would run $2,280 a year, but that would be sliced to $1,475 under the new program. A program loan can be handled by any mortgage loan office that offers CalHFA financing. For information about loan offices, a list of foreclosed properties eligible for this program, or information...
OPINION State budget is late -- is it a big deal?
Jul 22, 2008 — The Sacramento Bee
Yes and no. The lack of a budget, per se, is not particularly troublesome. It's rare that the state begins a fiscal year with a budget in place. But if there's no budget by then, it probably will issue "revenue anticipation warrants" that carry heavier borrowing costs. There's another time problem looming.
Q&A: Next Senate leader State has 'a revenue problem'
Jul 22, 2008 — The Sacramento Bee
Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, takes over as state Senate leader after the current session ends. This was a tax that (Pete) Wilson, a Republican governor, pushed through. I know the claim is made that wealthy earners would leave California, but that belies the facts.
Supervisors hear hot issues today Big Sur rebuilding, sales tax, general plan scheduling
Jul 22, 2008 — Monterey County Herald
Jim Johnson Jul. 22, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- A 25-year half-cent transportation sales tax. A report on a prison inmate re-entry facility. The proposed Natividad Medical Center-Health Department merger.
The Fresno Bee, Calif., Matt James column A mob waits on Grizzlies' greatest
Jul 22, 2008 — The Fresno Bee
Let's hold hands. The bobblehead line is nothing like that. Including his spleen. Point being, Lincecum is big. Saturday night they were promotionally calling him the greatest Grizzly ever, even though he only started seven games for Fresno all those summers ago.

The Orange County Chamber of Commerce urges its members to express their concerns on Paid Leave.