{"id":210459,"date":"2026-03-08T15:24:11","date_gmt":"2026-03-08T15:24:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/210459\/"},"modified":"2026-03-08T15:24:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-08T15:24:11","slug":"ocs-biggest-headlines-as-controversy-brews-over-herbicides-in-creeks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/210459\/","title":{"rendered":"OC\u2019s Biggest Headlines as Controversy Brews Over Herbicides in Creeks"},"content":{"rendered":"

South Orange County residents are raising increasing concerns about herbicide use in local waterways near Doheny State Beach \u2013 forcing county officials to pause the chemical\u2019s use<\/a> San Juan and Trabuco creeks as an advisory committee is forming.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Anaheim could follow in Costa Mesa\u2019s footsteps requiring large retailers like grocery stores and pharmacies to have employees monitor self-checkout lanes<\/a> in an effort officials say will reduce theft, but industry groups say will drive up prices.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Irvine\u2019s Great Park could run out of money by 2031<\/a> unless city council members do things like raise fees, bring in more sponsorships and even potentially build a hotel on the land.<\/p>\n

Mission Viejo is the latest city to reduce senior ride services<\/a> as the low-cost transportation program is seeing a surge in demand while funding levels have remained the same \u2013 all as Orange County\u2019s expecting a spike in the senior population.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"A bus driver navigates a shuttle on April 1, 2024. Credit: GIL BOTHWELL, Voice of OC.<\/p>\n

Candidates for the Orange County Board of Supervisors are sitting on at least $1.4 million in campaign cash<\/a> as the June 2 Primary Election nears, with at least one new face guaranteed on the dais since Supervisor Doug Chaffee is terming out.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Garden Grove is looking to join a growing list of OC cities that have banned whippets, as officials there roll out an ordinance that bars recreational sales of nitrous oxide<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A proposed six-story apartment building in Mission Viejo is raising a host of resident concerns centered on traffic and gridlock \u2013 along with potentially altering the quaint city\u2019s skyline<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But planning commissioners say their hands are largely tied as Mission Viejo grapples to meet the state\u2019s lofty housing mandates, which requires cities across California to build a certain number of housing units.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Anaheim officials are grappling with a similar situation when city council members narrowly approved 450 apartments in Anaheim Hills<\/a>, despite resident outcry that the development would increase the already long wildfire evacuation times.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Irvine officials are partnering with Costa Mesa to open up homeless shelter beds<\/a> for Irvine residents sleeping on the streets.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Spencer Custodio is the civic editor. You can reach him at scustodio@voiceofoc.org. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerCustodio<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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