{"id":482865,"date":"2026-10-02T15:34:38","date_gmt":"2026-10-02T15:34:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/482865\/"},"modified":"2026-10-02T15:34:38","modified_gmt":"2026-10-02T15:34:38","slug":"orange-countys-biggest-civic-headlines-this-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/482865\/","title":{"rendered":"Orange County’s Biggest Civic Headlines This Week"},"content":{"rendered":"

New allegations are surfacing against Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken from her chief of staff \u2013 including claims there\u2019s a pattern of the mayor drinking at a host of city functions<\/a> like council meetings and conferences.<\/p>\n

Her chief of staff, Berinice Ballinas, accused the mayor<\/a> of calling her a \u201cdirty Mexican\u201d and using homophobic comments against her \u2013 claims Aitken has previously denied.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A growing number of Aitken\u2019s council colleagues have publicly called for an expedited investigation<\/a> into her alleged remarks as one councilwoman is pushed for the public release of documents<\/a> detailing the claims, which were released Thursday.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While Aitken faces two political newcomers in her reelection campaign, the police union political action committee suspended its campaign endorsement<\/a> of the mayor for the allegations against her.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Anaheim City Council members are expected to meet in closed session<\/a> at 9 a.m. today to address the claims.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"A large wave spills over the side of the parking lot at Capistrano Beach on Monday, Sept, 7. 2026. Credit: MAXIMO SANTANA, Voice of OC<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, a host of coastal towns are bracing for expected impacts from the incoming super El Ni\u00f1o as Seal Beach became the latest city to officially declare a local emergency<\/a> over the issue so officials can replace sand and prepare for flooding.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While Newport Beach\u2019s sand replacement is fastracked through an agreement with the county, San Clemente is struggling to get sand<\/a> as they pressure transportation officials to focus more on sand than riprap<\/a> to address railway issues on the coast, which contributes to sand loss.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Santa Ana City Council races are heating up as candidates have twice debated \u2013 sharing their stances on issues like the budget<\/a> and growing public concerns about Flock cameras<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Voice of OC Publisher and Editor in Chief, Norberto Santana Jr., details how some Santa Ana City Council members, the mayor and top-level city officials have historically avoided answering questions<\/a> from local press corps.\u00a0<\/p>\n

OC Fire Authority firefighters are getting a nearly 25% raise<\/a> over the next five years in a move that could put significant pressure on cash contract city budgets \u2013 some of which are already facing rocky financial outlooks.\u00a0<\/p>\n

La Habra city officials aren\u2019t telling the public much about exactly what caused a leak that produced a chemical plume<\/a> last\u00a0 month. A brush fire started not long after that is still under investigation.<\/p>\n

\"\"Annie Oakley, a 4-year-old domestic shorthair cat, sleeps in her kennel at OC Animal Care in Tustin on Sept. 24, 2026. Credit: ANGELINA HICKS, Voice of OC<\/p>\n

Scores of cats and dogs are waiting to be adopted at the OC Animal Care shelter, including the cat, Annie Oakely.<\/p>\n

Some power lines are slated to be buried in Laguna Beach<\/a> in a move to reduce wildfire risk in certain areas.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Officials at the County of Orange have paid out $128 million<\/a> in taxpayer money on legal settlements over the past year, with a majority of that money going to pay for Airport Fire claims.\u00a0<\/p>\n

All five seats for the Mission Viejo City Council will be on the ballot this November<\/a> after years of controversies surrounding term limits, election methods and lawsuits.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Officials in Stanton are looking to curb problematic businesses<\/a> as they overhauled rules on business licenses as part of their continued push to address blight and drug use in the city.<\/p>\n

Editor\u2019s note: Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken\u2019s father, Wylie Aitken, chairs Voice of OC\u2019s board of directors.<\/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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