Skip to main content

News

12.10.21 OP-ED: A Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity to Preserve Banning Ranch

Excerpted from the Voice of OC

By Teri Welsh

The last 20 years of determination squarely landed this once-in-a-generation opportunity to permanently protect a coastal park and preserve for future generations. To be successful, conservation transactions, like this one, typically need three main ingredients: willing sellers, funding, and political/public will.  

12.9.21 State hearing will focus on why little has changed in drug rehab industry

By Teri Sforza

Excerpted from the Orange County Register

After a delirious Henry Lehr bolted from a licensed Newport Beach detox in the middle of an August night and broke into a neighbor’s house, he was shot and killed by the frightened homeowner inside.

Deaths like these aren’t uncommon in the rehab industry, where lax regulation runs head-on with the high-stakes illness of addiction.

[...]

11.24.21 Laguna Beach veteran grateful for state honor

Excerpted from the Laguna Beach Independent

BY LB Indy Staff

Laguna Beach resident Chris Kreymann was named among six Orange County veterans honored Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Laguna Beach) during a Nov. 3 ceremony at the Newport Harbor American Legion post.

“I am honored and humbled to report that I have been selected as the Laguna Beach Veteran of the Year for my service with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam during 1971-1972,” Kreymann said.

11.16.21 ‘You Have Something to Hide:’ Amplify Energy Absent Again from State Hearing on OC Oil Spill

Excerpted from the Voice of OC

By Brandon Pho

Monday kicked off a series of public autopsies by state lawmakers into the communication delays and regulatory gaps which allowed an offshore oil spill to smear tar across Orange County’s iconic coastline last month. 

[...]

The state oil spill committee has multiple aims, namely to identify where improvements can be made in disaster response protocols and offshore pipeline regulation. 

11.15.21 State legislators say they’ll tweak oil spill regulations

Excerpted from the Orange County Register

By Alicia Robinson

While it’s still unclear whether all laws and regulations were followed in the pipeline breach that leaked about 25,000 gallons of oil onto Orange County’s beaches last month, state officials say there’s plenty of room to tighten up existing rules to better prevent and detect future spills.

11.13.21 State committee hearing on OC oil spill set for Monday

Excerpted from the Orange County Register

By Alicia Robinson

State legislators holding a special committee hearing in Costa Mesa on Monday, Nov. 15, hope it will point them toward any changes to laws and procedures that could help prevent future oil spills and improve the response to those that do happen.

10.21.21 Coast Guard had earlier notice about California oil spill

Excerpted from the Associated Press

By Amy Taxin and Brian Melley

The Coast Guard received multiple reports of a possible fuel spill off the Southern California coast earlier than previously disclosed and asked local authorities to investigate about 15 hours before its own personnel confirmed a large oil slick, which came from a leaking undersea pipeline, records show.

10.20.21 Oil spill: Laguna and Huntington Beach both pass anti-drilling resolutions

Excerpted from the Orange County Register

By Susan Christian Goulding

Still reeling from the oil spill that fouled local waters and coated wildlife, Huntington Beach and Laguna Beach city councils each passed resolutions Tuesday, Oct. 19, calling for limits on off-shore drilling.

[...]

Whalen said he hopes the new city resolutions will inspire more communities to take a formal stand and spur legislative changes on the state and federal level.

10.20.21 OP-ED: California’s coast finds itself in peril again, end offshore oil drilling

Excerpted from the Orange County Register

By Cottie Petrie-Norris, Luz Rivas and Tasha Boerner-Horvath

Southern California’s pristine coastline has once again found itself a victim of the oil and gas industry. Over 25,000 gallons of oil have leaked from a burst pipeline in the coastal waters off Huntington Beach, marking yet another oil spill off our iconic shores.

10.18.21 Crowd turns out in Laguna Beach to endorse ban on offshore oil drilling

Excerpted from the Daily Pilot

By Andrew Turner

Orange County beaches have reopened, but local officials and environmentalists are endeavoring to make sure the recent oil spill and its impacts are not soon forgotten.

A crowd of hundreds showed up to support speakers at a news conference calling for an end to offshore oil drilling on Monday at Main Beach Park in Laguna Beach.

[...]

Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Laguna Beach) has repeatedly said the oil spill was the community’s worst fears come to life.