{"id":204164,"date":"2026-03-04T17:37:11","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T17:37:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/204164\/"},"modified":"2026-03-04T17:37:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T17:37:11","slug":"sjc-runners-herbicide-protest-draws-county-public-into-debate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/204164\/","title":{"rendered":"SJC runner’s herbicide protest draws county, public into debate"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

One San Juan Capistrano man\u2019s efforts to convince Orange County to lay off using herbicides to keep flood control channels clear has garnered a lot of attention on social media in recent weeks, according to this March 1 story<\/a> published by the Los Angeles Times, written by staff writer Ian James, with photographs by Sandy Huffaker.<\/p>\n

As the article relates it, concern grew after 41-year-old Brent Linas saw the once-lush vegetation lining the San Juan and Trabuco creeks turn brown. He launched the Creek Team OC<\/a> Instagram account to bring the the situation to the attention of others. He told The Times he felt he had been brushed aside when he\u2019d reached out to county officials.<\/p>\n

The crux of the issue is that where many consider the creeks to be exactly that, places teeming with wildlife and plants, the county sees them as necessary \u201cfacilities,\u201d as OC Public Works describes them<\/a> \u201cthat are designed to handle water flow from storm drains and other runoff and \u201cchannel\u201d the water into the bay or ocean.\u201d<\/p>\n

The county is responsible for inspecting and cleaning its nearly 400 miles of channels so as to prevent flooding communities. That means there are times when plant life has to be cleared out. <\/p>\n

\u201cVegetation management in flood control channels is conducted to maintain flood protection capacity and protect public safety,\u201d Dave Ahern, a spokesperson for the agency, told The Times in an email. \u201cWhen chemical treatments are used, they are applied in a limited and targeted manner, consistent with applicable regulations.\u201d<\/p>\n

And that is the reason the creeks Linas passes on his runs are brown, lifeless.<\/p>\n

\u201cDocuments obtained by the Creek Team detail chemicals used in 2024<\/a> to \u2018eradicate nuisance weeds\u2019 in flood control channels, or \u2018washes,\u2019 as many Southern Californians know them. They also show the county plans<\/a> to spray herbicides on more than 2,000 acres in dozens of channels and basins this year, among them the Santa Ana River and Aliso Creek,\u201d The Times reported.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want an end to the use of herbicides in our creeks,\u201d Linas told the reporter. \u201cThis idea that we\u2019re just going to spray, hose down these creeks and leave them dead is unacceptable.\u201d <\/p>\n

Judging by the 4,600 followers Linas gained over three weeks via his social media posts, he is in good company. <\/p>\n

The reporter interviewed County Supervisor Katrina Foley, whose district includes San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point and the flood control channels of San Juan Creek and Trabuco Creek. She said she wants the county \u201cto try to find every possible way that we can avoid using chemicals.\u201d<\/p>\n

She also said that about a year ago, when she learned the county had used the controversial herbicide Roundup in San Juan Creek, she raised a complaint. Since that time, she said, the product had not been used in the San Juan and Trabuco flood channels.<\/p>\n

However, she said, \u201cthe purpose of the channel is not to hold habitat. The purpose of the channel is to accommodate water during a flood.\u201d<\/p>\n

Foley convened a town hall meeting in Dana Point earlier this week for stakeholders such as Linas \u201cto discuss maintenance plans with OC Agricultural Commissioner, our OC Public Works<\/a> team and OC Health Care Agency<\/a>,\u201d according to a post to her Facebook post. <\/p>\n

How everything was hashed out during that meeting has not been reported, but perhaps the officials took heed of Linas\u2019 hope that if the county is going to continue to use the herbicides, which he maintains is \u201ckilling this entire ecosystem,\u201d they could at least notify the public before spraying them. <\/p>\n

MORE NEWS \"A <\/p>\n

A close-up view of a Culex tarsalis mosquito resting on human skin. <\/p>\n

(James Gathany\/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Mosquitoes are bedeviling people already this year, The Times reports<\/a>. Orange County Vector Control District spokesperson Brian Brannon told the reporter that during the first two months of this year, O.C. \u201csaw five times as many mosquitoes here over the five-year average.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Activist group 805 Patriots held a \u201cDisneyland MAGA Invasion\u201d Saturday, with its members encouraged to wear red MAGA hats and \u201cMake Disney Great Again\u201d attire, The Times reported<\/a>. This event was countered that morning by a \u201c\u201cDisneyland Raza Invasion\u201d outside the park, with protesters marching on Harbor Boulevard.<\/p>\n

\u2022 When Mexican soldiers killed drug lord Nemesio Rub\u00e9n Oseguera Cervantes, known as \u201cEl Mencho,\u201d last month, a vacuum was left at the head of the Jalisco New Generation cartel. According to this article in The Times<\/a>, Oseguera\u2019s stepson, Santa Ana native Juan Carlos Valencia Gonz\u00e1lez<\/a>, could emerge as its leader. A $5-million reward for information leading to Valencia\u2019s arrest has been offered by the U.S. State Department.<\/p>\n

\u2022 TimesOC\u2019s Gabriel San Rom\u00e1n continued this past week with another investigative report on the scandalous behaviors surrounding Anaheim in 2020-21, a period city officials are trying to put behind them. The latest article<\/a>, produced after the reporter got his hands on a ledger and related emails, is an eye-opening look at the influence peddling taking place behind the scenes.<\/p>\n

\u2022 This newsletter recently mentioned the ban on large beach canopies under consideration<\/a> by the Laguna Beach City Council. Last week, Newport Beach officials tightened rules to the same effect <\/a>ahead of the upcoming spring break season. <\/p>\n

\u2022 Cypress has a new city manager<\/a>. Shannon DeLong, who most recently served as assistant city manager in Whittier, was named to the post last week. She is the first woman to hold the city\u2019s top job. <\/p>\n

PUBLIC SAFETY \" <\/p>\n

Glenn Canyon Childers of Los Alamitos, a local DJ who performs at children\u2019s parties has been charged with raping a 17-year-old girl while she was unconscious and possession of hundreds of images of child pornography. <\/p>\n

(Orange County district attorney\u2019s office)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Los Alamitos resident Glenn Canyon Childers, 32, is free on $100,000 bail after being arrested on suspicion of multiple charges of rape<\/a> and possession of child pornography. Childers works as a DJ for children\u2019s parties.<\/p>\n

\u2022 The O.C. district attorney\u2019s office announced Thursday<\/a> that investigators have determined that Fullerton Police Cpl. Nicholas Jarvis was justified in his use of force that killed Alejandro Campos Rios, 50, on March 6, 2024.<\/p>\n

\u2022 A 21-year-old who had been celebrating his birthday was fatally struck down by an alleged DUI driver<\/a> in Newport Beach at around 2 a.m. Saturday. <\/p>\n

\u2022 Yesterday morning a woman whose name has not yet been released by police was also fatally hit by a vehicle<\/a> when she was on foot near the 7-Eleven on Coast Highway in Laguna Beach. <\/p>\n

\u2022 A days-long search of an Irvine home where a teen had reportedly been mixing chemicals in a homemade science lab ensued last week after a landlord called authorities to report suspicious activity. The call triggered a massive federal response<\/a> involving the FBI and a hazmat team.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Three suspects in a Costa Mesa warehouse burglary Sunday morning were arrested the same day<\/a> following a police pursuit.<\/p>\n

SPORTS \" <\/p>\n

Angels shortstop Zach Neto (9) signs autographs for fans during spring training in Diablo Stadium, Tempe, Ariz. on Feb. 20.<\/p>\n

(Ronaldo Bolanos \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Loyal Angels shortstop Zach Neto should be given a long-term contract, Bill Shaikin opines in this column<\/a> for The Times. The 25-year-old Neto is, Shaikin writes, the team\u2019s best player.<\/p>\n

\"Newport <\/p>\n

Newport Harbor girls\u2019 water polo senior goalkeeper Sunny Brown.<\/p>\n

(Matt Szabo)<\/p>\n

\u2022 One senior member of the girls\u2019 water polo team at Newport Harbor High, Sunny Brown, has stood out among her coaches and peers for her resilience after having recently lost her mom to cancer. My colleague Matt Szabo interviewed Brown for this feature story<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Chadrack <\/p>\n

Chadrack Mpoyi saw the Crean Lutheran community support him before he was ever able to play in an official game for the Saints.<\/p>\n

(Diamond Leung \/ For The Times)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Another teen athlete who also lost his mother yet continues to be a key member of his basketball team is Crean Lutheran\u2019s 6-foot-11 Chadrack Mpoyi. Mpoyi came to O.C. from Congo two years ago and has blended into the community \u201cbeautifully,\u201d Stacy Jones, the mom of his host family told The Times for this feature<\/a>.<\/p>\n

LIFE & LEISURE<\/p>\n

\"Melvin <\/p>\n

Melvin Livingston turned 106 on Sunday. The Laguna Hills resident says luck has been on his side his whole life.<\/p>\n

(Don Leach\/Daily Pilot)<\/p>\n

\u2022 WWII vet Mel Livingston of Laguna Hills turned 106 Sunday<\/a> and he\u2019s going strong. To what does he contribute his longevity? Having luck on his side throughout his life.<\/p>\n

\u2022 To celebrate its 60th year and the success of a recent capital campaign, Sherman Library & Gardens held a ceremonial ground-breaking event<\/a> last Thursday for a $17-million revitalization of the botanical showplace in Corona del Mar.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Top of the V, located on the 12th floor of Viv Hotel in Anaheim, has reopened after being reimagined as a Spanish-inspired steakhouse, according to this TimesOC interview with excecutive chef Jayro Martinez <\/a>. <\/p>\n

CALENDAR \"Dana <\/p>\n

Dana Point Harbor celebrates the Annual Dana Point Festival of Whales this weekend.<\/p>\n

(Courtesy of Dana Point Harbor Partners)<\/p>\n

\u2022 It\u2019s time again for the annual Festival of Whales in Dana Point<\/a>, which opens with a carnival this Friday night and continues through the weekend. The full schedule of events can be found here.<\/a> <\/p>\n

\u2022 The Pacific Coast Sportsfishing Show<\/a> will take place this Thursday through Sunday at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa. General admission is $20. To see a list of vendors, check out the show\u2019s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Go fly a kite \u2014 or watch others do it \u2014 this Saturday and Sunday in Huntington Beach when the Kite Connection on the Huntington Beach Pier hosts its 22nd annual Kite Party<\/a>. If you want to participate with your own kite, you must be experienced and register ahead of time here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

KEEP IN TOUCH<\/p>\n

We appreciate your help in making this the best newsletter it can be. Please send news tips, your memory of life in O.C. (photos welcome!) or comments to carol.cormaci@latimes.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n