Orange County and the rest of Southern California got hit with a steady rainfall Monday, when a storm parked itself over the region.

Officials along Orange County’s coast were carefully monitoring vulnerable sections of their hillsides Monday where tarps already covered several previous landslides.

“We’re just telling everybody to be incredibly cautious,” said State Parks Superintendent Kevin Pearsall. “Get updated before you go to a destination. Just check and make sure you can get there. Keep safety in mind.”

Bolsa Chica State Beach was closed due to flooding and campers at Doheny State Beach were asked to voluntarily evacuate as Monday’s storm slammed the region.

“There’s literally no access to Bolsa,” said Pearsall, noting that Pacific Coast Highway was also flooded and closed.

Some campers at Doheny State Beach set up in RVs opted to stay, while others who wanted to cancel their reservations were given a refund, he said.

State Parks also issued a notice that backcountry closures were in place at Crystal Cove State Parks to mitigate trail erosion.

In San Clemente, there continued to be some visible movement in the soil where a landslide Jan. 24 damaged a section of the Mariposa Bridge along the city’s popular beach trail and cutoff train service south to San Diego because debris was reaching the nearby train tracks. But restoration of a culvert system appears to have been effective, according to an update by Metrolink spokesperson Scott Johnson.

Passenger train service continues to be halted through San Clemente, but freight rail traffic has resumed.

“There are continual visual and electronic measurements taking place of the hillside,” Johnson said of the hillside monitoring that continues.

Officials announced last week a wall will be built to protect the track in that area.

On Monday, officials sent out an alert that two more sections of the city’s popular beach trail were closed because of concerns over recent slope movement and the threat of more rain in the forecast.

A small slide near the El Portal steps happened early Friday prior to the storm, occurring behind the fence already in place to keep people off the trail near the previous landslide area, Councilmember Chris Duncan said.

The other minor landslide happened south of the pier, where rocks came down onto the trail.  The city closed the trail from the Boca Del Canon access point to the Lasuen access point.

“It came and spilled on the trail a bit, for safety reasons we shut down that part,” Duncan said. “That hasn’t really happened before. We’re worried that there might be other areas we haven’t had warning about that might come down.”

People should stay off the trail, even after the rain stops, he warned. “Be vigilant about staying off trials until we get some better idea after the rain about where the trouble spots might be.”

Officials are also keeping a watchful eye on homes in North Beach and on the historic Casa Romantica, where there were landslides last year.

On Monday, protective tarping that had been installed on the slope beneath Casa Romantica appeared to be helping and the slope remained in good condition, officials said.

The concern about soil saturation spans along the entire coastal region, including in Newport Beach,  Laguna Beach, Dana Point and beyond. And the worry will continue as the rain falls this week, officials said.

“One of our concerns is the duration of rain,” said Brendon Manning, emergency operations coordinator in Laguna Beach. “They’ve forecasted rain for the next three days. When it comes to saturated hillsides, we’re not relaxing.”

Dana Point City Manager Mike Killebrew said Monday morning some mud and debris had come down from the hillsides in Capistrano Beach close to the border of Dana Point and San Clemente.

K-rails along slopes in that stretch of Coast Highway are “containing the slough as they are intended to,” he said, adding there had been no lane closures.

In Laguna Beach, city officials and crews from the police and fire departments watched the town closely Monday morning, paying special attention to areas known to flood, such as Laguna Canyon Road and where South Coast Highway dips at Aliso Beach.

The Laguna Beach Animal Shelter was “proactively evacuated” late Sunday, Manning said.

The flood channel near the animal shelter has caused flooding problems in past years, but work to improve it has been effective, he said. Still, the animals were taken to the Mission Viejo Animal Shelter and to volunteers’ homes.

In Newport Beach, crews were pumping out water from some low-lying areas on the peninsula Monday, but city officials described things as under control.

Later this week, a king tide near 6.5 feet and large surf in the 6- to 8-foot range are expected and official warn could bring more flooding potential to coastal areas, especial with the additional rain water.

She started the “Warm Hearts: Valentines for Seniors” card-making campaign when the coronavirus pandemic took an emotional toll on nursing home residents who felt isolated and depressed. She has continued the program in the years since, and on Sunday a team of Scouts were busy at Laguna Presbyterian Church helping chip away at Moore’s goal.

She partners with the Council on Aging Southern California to get the cards distributed.

Cub Scout Lucien Eigenmann, 10, reflected while assembling a card from a hodgepodge of supplies: white and pink foam hearts, colored markers, soft pompoms and bright stickers with bling.

“This is very nice,” he said of Moore’s effort to reach some of the 28,000 elderly and disabled adults living in Orange County long-term care facilities, half of whom don’t have a friend or family member actively involved in their care, according to Council on Aging statistics. “They deserve to be loved. Doesn’t everybody?”

Scout Aaron Moy, 16, drew a heart inside his card with the message: “Wishing you everything that makes you happiest, today and always.”

“Older people don’t always have a connection to youth,” Moy said. “Maybe this will connect us more.”

Moore, founder and owner of Moore Law for Children in Laguna Beach, said helping people “gives me worth, happiness and lightness.”

And, she said, “In a world where there’s so little I can control, it gives me a sense of control.”

She fondly recalls seniors receiving their valentines last year, showing their cards to others and smiling as they read the messages and ran their fingers over the texture.

Moore said people feel joy in volunteering. When she publicized one of her community service projects, “it started a wave” of people also wanting to help, and “a bunch of ripples of change,” she said.

Inspired by a Mother Theresa quote, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples.” she said she created a Wave of Change campaign through her law office, planning monthly community projects like making valentines to spread positive energy in her community.

“We are all in this together,” she added.

People still have time to create cards. For details go to: moorelawoc.com/category/wave-of-change or coasc.org/valentines.

The boat was discovered by city lifeguards around 8:10 p.m. Thursday, said Laguna Beach Lifeguard Capt. Kai Bond.

From 2018, see: Injured sailor pulled from water after boat crashes into Dana Point Harbor jetty

“Lifeguard, police and fire responded and searched the vessel, but found no one on board,” he said, adding the U.S. Coast Guard, Harbor Patrol and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife were also called.

The beach had been closed to the public following the discovery while city crews cleaned up the site Friday. The beach reopened by the end of the day.

“Because the boat was on the rocks and there was surf, it became a removal and cleanup,” Bond said Friday morning.

From 2017, see: Boat crashes onto Newport Beach shore, no injuries reported

With the Coast Guards help, officials have been in contact with the ship’s owner, Bond said, adding it is based out of Belmont Shore in Long Beach and may have lost an anchor and floated away from where it had last been moored.

Officials determined the boat was not involved in “maritime smuggling,” Bond said.

The promenade conceived of more than three years ago as a lifeline for restaurants and shops during the pandemic, has been a temporary setup, with the council deciding in 2021 to make the location on Forest Avenue permanent.

Since its conception, the focus has shifted from helping retailers and restaurants with an outdoor space to survive the pandemic to making the lower stretch of Forest Avenue – starting at Main Beach – a community gathering spot and a place for music, street art, and performances. The idea for the plaza is to enhance Laguna Beach’s downtown while maintaining its character and turning the promenade into a destination for locals and visitors.

In 2022, the city held a survey after hiring a design firm to get public input on what the permanent setup should look like.  Two more workshops were held, with the most recent in May. In July, the city’s Planning Commission considered two design options. The City Council reviewed those on Tuesday but unanimously agreed neither option was ideal and decided more input was needed.

Mayor Sue Kempf and Councilmember Mark Orgill were tapped to work with city staffers to develop options to better fit the council’s and community’s desires for the promenade. After 90 days, the two will report back with a new plan that includes opening the project to a design competition and hopefully drawing more options. The city has budgeted $2.7 million for the project so far. Construction on the new plaza design could start after the summer of 2025 once the Planning Commission and council review it and it meets other entitlements and requirements.

The temporary promenade, prompted by Kempf as a solution during the pandemic, was put together in a month and needs to be rethought and refreshed, officials said, including adding some new amenities.

“We want the whole street designated for (liquor sales) where restaurants can serve alcohol without having to rope areas off,” said Kempf. “We want it to be elegant and simple.”

Councilmember Bob Whalen agreed, saying, “Let ’em do what they do best after we’ve given them physical constraints and what we want to see in terms of tree preservation. It’s our downtown; we ought to have some choices to choose from.”

Planning commissioners had unanimously favored a Forest Stroll concept, which featured random tree placement and pockets of informal space, but maximized outdoor dining. The other design presented, dubbed the Promenade Walk, showed more space for outdoor events and included an open center, maximizing views onto Main Beach. While favoring Forest Stroll, the commissioners agreed in July that there was room for improvement.

About 20 people, including local merchants with businesses on the street, addressed the council during public comments about the two designs.

Most of the public speakers weren’t thrilled with either concept. Concerns ranged from tearing out mature 50-foot eucalyptus trees and adding new ones that might never reach that height, to details in the designs they said didn’t fit the beach town’s character. Some retail shop owners complained the promenade has been more beneficial to restaurants and left their customers with no parking access at their storefronts.

The promenade was created by closing the first block of Forest Avenue between Coast Highway and Glenneyre Street to cars.

“The idea we would have cars driving through there and it would bring more charm for me is unimaginable,” Councilmember Alex Rounaghi said, adding that the promenade is the most visionary thing the community has done. “The idea of a hybrid (pedestrian and vehicles) is not what I’m supportive of.”

A survey done in 2021 indicated the plaza is a hit, with 96% of the public supporting the concept and 87% saying they liked its look.

Councilmember George Weiss wondered why new data on its success hasn’t been gathered.

“We need more input,” he said. “First it was for COVID, now it’s for residents. What’s the number of people coming in, and who are they? We don’t know. Is it 80% tourists and 20% residents? Why haven’t we collected that data? What’s the sales tax from the promenade.”

New data reflecting attendance at the promenade will be part of the subcommittee’s 90-day review, said Tom Perez, assistant director of Public Works, who has been heading up the project.

In the meantime, Rounaghi suggested the city continue pop-ups and other events on the temporary plaza to help gauge some of the overall project’s scope.

“I like the idea of a design competition,” he said. “That allows us to be creative.”

“The promenade is something exciting,” he added. “How do we not make it cookie-cutter? We don’t want it to be like something found in a mall in one of the surrounding cities. We want it to be what Laguna is about – our artistic identity.”

MORE: Read all the candidate responses in our Voter Guide

Name: Dom Jones

Current Job Title: Businesswoman + television host

Political Party Affiliation: Democrat

Incumbent: No

Other political positions held: None

City where you reside: Huntington Beach

Campaign website or social media: Website: www.domjones.org; Instagram: domjones.unity

Gov. Newsom has been front and center lately in global affairs, from a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping discussing climate action to a trip to Israel where he met with victims of the Hamas attack. Aside from the governor’s trips, what do you see as the role California should play when it comes to foreign affairs?

California is positioned to become the fourth largest economy in the world, following the U.S., China and Japan. Due to our pivotal role in America’s gross domestic product, I believe California should continue to take a leadership role in strengthening diplomatic and economic relations. This is critical to continue driving economic prosperity for our strong labor workforce and advancing global policy initiatives to combat climate change.

There have been recent efforts at the local level to change voting requirements — from a proposed voter ID requirement in Huntington Beach to an effort to open up voting to noncitizens in Santa Ana. What changes, if any, should be made to California’s voting laws?

I firmly believe in a person’s right to vote and participate in our democratic process. It is well known that voter ID requirements suppress voter participation, particularly among historically disenfranchised Black, Latino, Asian and Native American communities. California has led the way to enshrine and expand on the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and I fully support the laws we have in place that intend to protect voters’ rights and increase voter turnout. I believe the primary and general election days should be designated state holidays to ensure every voter has the opportunity to vote.

The latest state budget projections show California’s deficit has swelled to a record $68 billion, leading to calls for spending cuts. Give us two specific ways California could address the deficit.

California can address the budget deficit through a balanced approach to tax fairness, including requiring the wealthiest individuals and corporations that are currently receiving the largest tax breaks to pay their fair share. And we should be identifying waste and duplication in the budget so we keep it lean and efficient.

Speaking of the budget, what are your top three budget priorities?

My top three priorities are:- Making housing more affordable.- Guarantee access to affordable healthcare to reduce costs and prevent medical debt.- Ensuring our public schools, colleges and career training programs are building opportunities for strong careers.

The legislature garnered national headlines when an effort to increase penalties for child sex trafficking initially stalled. How would you, in the legislature, balance criminal justice reform with public safety concerns?

While there must be a balanced approach to these sensitive issues, the safety and welfare of our children, women, families and communities would be a top priority of mine when making critical decisions dealing with the justice system.

Homelessness continues to be a concern for Californians. While there is no simple solution, what is one proposal you have that could reduce homelessness in our communities?

An effective approach to alleviating homelessness involves streamlining bureaucratic processes at the local level. This enables collaboration among municipalities, nonprofits and the private sector to expedite housing production, meeting the growing demand and enhancing affordability. Implementing incentives that encourage density, transit-oriented development and exemptions to mitigate rising construction costs can yield positive outcomes.

The governor recently signed a law that set a first-in-the-nation minimum wage standard for healthcare workers. Should minimum wage standards vary by industry? Why or why not?

Due to the rising cost of living, I believe we should explore the minimum wage standards across industries. Having been a small business owner, I understand there are concerns about the potential hardship this can place on local businesses. I’m interested in exploring what this may look like for larger businesses and corporations that have the revenue to support a higher minimum wage standard.

What is one environment or climate policy you’d champion if elected?

Climate change is a public health issue and an economic issue. I would champion policies that support protecting and cleaning our oceans, beaches, ports and the communities most impacted by the plastics and pollution we see across the district.

What is one capital improvement project you’d like to see financed and completed in your district?

Our coastline is critical for our economy and way of life. A key capital improvement project for the Orange County coastline would be investing in coastal erosion mitigation measures to protect the beaches and shoreline infrastructure in Huntington Beach, Seal Beach, Laguna Beach and Newport Beach. This would include the implementation of critical seawalls, beach nourishment and flood barrier restoration to safeguard against erosion and enhance resilience to rising sea levels.

The state recently began rolling out the CARE Court program in some counties, the state-funded effort that allows first responders, family and other designated people to petition a court to have someone with untreated severe psychotic disorders receive treatment and services. What other ways can the state prioritize mental health care for its residents, including those with less severe disorders?

We must prioritize behavioral health facilities and supportive housing programs with wrap-around services that can provide 24/7 support to people with less severe disorders. These facilities should be rooted in providing humane and holistic approaches, with qualified and trained professionals who can help provide treatment and connect people to further critical resources.

Describe your political philosophy in 10 words or less.

People and solutions, not politics.

What is your go-to campaign trail snack or drink?

Fruit and veggies.

MORE: Read all the candidate responses in our Voter Guide

Name: Diane Dixon

Current Job Title: State Assemblymember

Political Party Affiliation: Republican

Incumbent: Yes

Other political positions held: Former Newport Beach City Councilmember and mayor

City where you reside: Newport Beach

Campaign website or social media: Website: www.dianedixonforassembly.com; Instagram: @Diane_Dixon_

Gov. Newsom has been front and center lately in global affairs, from a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping discussing climate action to a trip to Israel where he met with victims of the Hamas attack. Aside from the governor’s trips, what do you see as the role California should play when it comes to foreign affairs?

California is the fifth largest economy in the world. While I do believe international relations should be handled at the federal level, in extreme circumstances as well as international conflict, constituents should know where their representatives stand.

I immediately condemned the Hamas terror attack on Oct. 7 and co-authored Assembly Concurrent Resolution 119. This resolution calls for the release of all hostages as well as condemnation for Hamas’ theft of relief supplies intended for Gazan civilians among many other atrocities.

There have been recent efforts at the local level to change voting requirements — from a proposed voter ID requirement in Huntington Beach to an effort to open up voting to noncitizens in Santa Ana. What changes, if any, should be made to California’s voting laws?

Voting is a right for all American citizens, and while guaranteeing that every vote is counted accurately should be our top priority, we must ensure that the right to be heard is not encroached upon for any voter. Every voter should be able to verify their identity simply to limit any potential fraud and restore faith in our system.

The latest state budget projections show California’s deficit has swelled to a record $68 billion, leading to calls for spending cuts. Give us two specific ways California could address the deficit.

Sacramento politicians have created a bloated government with excess spending, and taxpayers have little to show for it. We must take swift action to address the $68 billion budget shortfall. Let’s start by ending taxpayer-provided healthcare for illegal immigrants which will only encourage more illegal immigration and exacerbate this financial burden.

Our state agencies brag about spending $9.8 billion on a failed high-speed rail project and hundreds of millions of dollars converting the San Quentin Correctional Facility into a resort for criminals. As a member of the Assembly Appropriations Committee, I see almost every bill that has a cost associated with it. On some of these bills, I simply ask my Democratic colleagues where the funding will come from. After telling me they aren’t sure, they still vote in favor of the bill.

Speaking of the budget, what are your top three budget priorities?

Simply put, we need to reel back frivolous spending, and we need to do it now. That is priority No. 1.

Second, we should be focused on eliminating fraud that has impacted state programs like EDD.

Finally, we should consider zero-based budgeting, and every program should justify its need and effectiveness. Overall, the legislature needs to do a better job of prioritizing the dollars we do have to ensure taxpayers get the most bang for their buck. Unfortunately, California has become unaffordable for middle-income residents. We have the fourth-highest income taxes and the highest gas taxes in the country. These taxes and regulations are driving businesses and their jobs out of California. There is much work to be done.

The legislature garnered national headlines when an effort to increase penalties for child sex trafficking initially stalled. How would you, in the legislature, balance criminal justice reform with public safety concerns?

I am married to a 40-year career major crimes prosecutor; public safety is a dinner table conversation. Our lawmakers need to stay focused on victims. When my colleagues in Sacramento didn’t want to increase penalties for child sex traffickers, I was proud to be one of the few to spotlight their pro-criminal policies, and as a proud coauthor, helped pass SB 14.

Legislators need to focus on helping victims of crime, not harming them further. For example, in a reverse situation last year, my colleagues introduced SB 94 which would allow for the early release of the worst of the worst criminals sentenced to life without parole. My fellow Republicans and I were prepared to share victims’ stories to shine a spotlight on how these convicted murderers and rapists could be released into our communities if this legislation was passed. At the last minute, Democrats caved and the bill was pulled from a vote. Policies like this come year after year; this one included. We need to let victims’ families as well as all voters know that their voice matters in opposition to criminal-friendly legislation. We all need to be an activist to keep our communities safe.

Homelessness continues to be a concern for Californians. While there is no simple solution, what is one proposal you have that could reduce homelessness in our communities?

Homelessness is not an issue that the state government can afford to continue burning money with little to no results. More than $20 billion has been spent in the last four years while the problem has become much worse with nearly 50% of the nation’s homeless population living in California. Homelessness has always been an issue handled most effectively at the local and regional levels. In Orange County, sadly, the fastest-growing homeless population is our seniors. I have long been a supporter of increasing affordable senior housing opportunities in my district.

The governor recently signed a law that set a first-in-the-nation minimum wage standard for healthcare workers. Should minimum wage standards vary by industry? Why or why not?

While I do not support government-mandated minimum wages, they certainly should not vary by industry. SB 525 is one of the most costly laws the state has seen in decades. After signing the bill, the governor’s administration projected this wage hike would cost private healthcare providers approximately $4 billion in the 2024-25 fiscal year alone. In California, the public healthcare provider costs are an additional $4 billion.

In addition, hospitals that cannot afford to include these higher wages in their razor-thin margins are anticipated to outsource work to people outside of California. We cannot afford to lose these jobs, especially in rural communities that would be the hardest hit, and hospital closures are now becoming real. Over the next year, you will start to see everything increase in cost — driven by the ripple effect of higher wages throughout the workforce. At a time when high inflation is already impacting the average Californian with high food costs and high fuel costs, these wage increases will ultimately be passed to the consumer in the form of higher prices.

What is one environment or climate policy you’d champion if elected?

I represent more than 30 miles of Orange County’s beautiful 42-mile coastline. These coastal cities attract approximately 30 million tourists each year and support our local economies. There is much to be done to protect our beautiful beaches and our economies.

Seal Beach began a long overdue sand replenishment project in December to combat our coastal erosion. In the 2023 budget, I brought in nearly $3 million in state funding for beach protection and accessibility. Part of this funding helped complete the Newport Beach Trash Wheel, a project I started as a councilmember in Newport Beach which will prevent garbage from entering the Pacific Ocean.

In 2024 and beyond, I plan to bring the same technology to Seal Beach where the San Gabriel River collects garbage from 19 inland cities and dumps that waste into Seal Beach. I will also be introducing a coastal package this legislative cycle with the intention of cleaning our beaches and oceans.

What is one capital improvement project you’d like to see financed and completed in your district?

I regularly meet with the elected officials and city staff in each of the eight cities I represent to discuss what I can be doing to help them. Many of the cities have great community projects that I am working to help fund. A key project that would have a significant impact would be a community center in a low-income and English-as-a-second language region of Lake Forest. Built near the 5 Freeway, this community center would benefit residents from Lake Forest, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods and Aliso Viejo.

The state recently began rolling out the CARE Court program in some counties, the state-funded effort that allows first responders, family and other designated people to petition a court to have someone with untreated severe psychotic disorders receive treatment and services. What other ways can the state prioritize mental health care for its residents, including those with less severe disorders?

I led the charge on an audit of the Department of Health Care Services because we need to know what works and what doesn’t. This audit should be completed this year and my colleagues and I plan to use this information to identify and streamline operations that waste taxpayer dollars and promote the programs that help people recover and get the treatment they need.

Describe your political philosophy in 10 words or less.

Fiscally responsible conservative working to make Californians’ lives affordable.

What is your go-to campaign trail snack or drink?

Whether I am running between committee meetings in Sacramento or district events in Orange County, I can’t live without my protein bars.

New, temporary skateboard ramps – costing the city $75,000– are up at the Laguna Beach Community and Recreation Center on South Coast Highway.

The center is at the site of the shuttered St. Catherine’s of Sienna Parish School, which the city purchased for $23 million and took over last year with plans of renovating the facilities there for community use.

The site has four buildings with 39,500 square feet of indoor space. There are also athletic courts, a soccer field and playgrounds. The private school was built in 1957, remodeled in 2008, and has been vacant since 2019.

The steel ramps have been set up in the school’s old playground area, providing a fun and scenic opportunity for skaters of all ages. The ramps were opened to the public on Jan. 8, and since then, they’ve become popular, said Michael Litschi, who heads up the city’s transit and community service departments.

“We’ve been seeing a good response, especially by younger skaters,” he said, adding that some adults have shown up, too.

The ramps are there for free skating sessions, and will also be used for skateboarding classes and camps through the city’s Recreation Department.

Free skating is allowed 2 to 5:30 p.m. during the week and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and closed on Sundays. Protective gear is required.

Their work will be a welcome sight to dozens in town who attended a recent City Council meeting discussing options for this vegetation to reduce fire risk, including ending the use of the herbicide glyphosate, often sold as the product Roundup.

The plant removal is done in 27 areas identified as fuel modification zones, making up about 400 acres in the community, as part of a wide-ranging fire management plan started in the city in 2019.

The council’s decision to forgo spraying the weed killer  – last year, 113 acres were treated, and 3,719 ounces of glyphosate were used – comes after a group of South Laguna residents raised concerns after becoming aware of the spraying of the herbicide in the hillsides above their homes and along community streets and trails. They started a petition and lobbied the city to stop its use.

There was also support from the city’s Environmental Sustainability Committee, which urged city leaders to follow in the footsteps of other communities, such as the cities of Irvine and Malibu and Los Angeles County, where the herbicide is no longer used.

“Everyone here has a love for the environment and human health,” Councilmember Alex Rounaghi said, referring to nearly 40 residents who packed council chambers last week to rally the council against the spraying.

Residents spoke of their love for the outdoors, of choosing Laguna Beach as their home because of the city’s focus on its environment and gave examples of eating edible plants and recreating in the city’s vast canyons and along its hillsides and trails. One mother said her children were covered with blue-tinged soil after playing in a canyon, only for her to hear later that glyphosate had been sprayed nearby.

“It was a screw-up on the city’s part to have glyphosate sprayed where kids play,” Rounaghi said. “Prolonged exposure is not a good thing, and there is an ambiguity about what level of exposure will have an impact on human health. The consequences of getting this wrong are very high.”

Glyphosate is classified as a probable human carcinogen by the World Health Organization, but the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says its findings are the herbicide is not likely carcinogenic to humans when used as directed. Debate and legal challenges have gone on for years.

“Bayer stands fully behind our glyphosate-based products, which have been used safely and successfully around the world for 50 years,” Kyel Richard, a spokesperson for the company that sells Roundup, said in a previous statement to the newspaper in response to the residents’ concerns. “Leading health regulators around the world have repeatedly concluded that our glyphosate-based products can be used safely as directed.”

Following the council’s decision to end spraying and instead use more crews and equipment to remove the vegetation, the Fire Department and the Laguna Canyon Foundation, which monitor the weed abatement to ensure environmentally sensitive animals and plants are protected, will evaluate the fuel modification zones that are next up for treatment for how best to proceed. Once determined, information on locations and the method to be used will be posted on the city’s website, officials said.

Crews will do the work with weed whackers, sheers, hand tools and hoes. The city also uses goats to clear some areas.

The switch to using tools rather than herbicides will increase the program’s cost by $550,000, to just under $1.4 million. Staff said there were savings and capital improvement funds that could be tapped to cover the increase.

City leaders want crews to report back on how the mechanized removal goes and if there are any needed changes. Crews will also study if the new treatment scatters seeds from the plants more easily.

The city could still use glyphosate to remove invasive plants in areas where it is required to restore the natural habitat as part of its permit from the California Coastal Commission that allows for the removal of vegetation elsewhere to lower fire risks. The city has up to five years to finish that work.

Presently, there are 5 acres planned for restoration near the Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park and the city’s plan called for the use of glyphosate, said Jeremy Frimond, assistant to the city manager. “It’s a heavily impacted area. We are concerned that it will be difficult for us to meet that timeframe.”

The City Council directed Frimond to ask the Coastal Commission for more time, and if the city gets it, staffers will look at using organic herbicides, among other possible options.

“I commend the fire chief and City Council for listening to the widespread community concerns about using Roundup for fuel modification,” said Ramin Pejan, among the residents lobbying the city to stop the spraying. “I hope we can continue to work together to find alternative solutions for habitat restoration without using dangerous toxic chemicals.”

The dedicated food week will feature deals and prix-fixe menus ranging from $15 to $25 for lunch, and $25 to $45 for dinner, a date-night lineup and even luxury menus offering a more tony experiences for $60 to $120.

New to this year’s lineup include Irvine’s Benny and Mary’s, Bloom Restaurant and Bar in San Juan Capistrano, Le Shrimp Noodle Bar in Costa Mesa, Mission Viejo’s Dizzy Bird and Oliver’s Trattoria in Irvine, to name a few.

This year’s week-long event will also highlight family-friendly dining, which is a great way at getting kids to learn about cuisine and dining out, and vegetarian dining, ideal for those who either eschew a carnivorous lifestyle or yearn for a more vegetable-forward menu.

The annual event is put on by the Orange County Restaurant Association. Diners can find participating restaurants’ menus and prices at www.OCRestaurantWeek.com.

This year’s restaurants are as follows:

1886 Brewing Company – Orange

399 Vietnamese Kitchen – Tustin

Anaheim White House – Anaheim

Angelina’s Pizzeria – Irvine

AnQi Bistro – Costa Mesa

Apola Greek Grill – Yorba Linda

Aria Kitchen – Irvine

AVEO Table + Bar – Dana Point

Avila’s El Ranchito – San Clemente, Santa Ana

Benchmark – Santa Ana

Benny and Mary’s – Irvine

Billy’s at the Beach – Newport Beach

Blaze Pizza – Newport Beach

Bloom, Restaurant + Bar – San Juan Capistrano

Bluegold – Huntington Beach

Bodega Laguna – Laguna Beach

Bottega Angelina – Laguna Niguel

Brio Italian Grille – Irvine

BRU Grill and Market – Lake Forest

Brunos Italian Kitchen – Brea

Cabo Wabo Beach Club – Huntington Beach

Cafe Sevilla Spanish Restaurant and Tapas Bar – Costa Mesa

Cambalache Grill – Fountain Valley

Cappy’s Cafe – Newport Beach

Casa Ramos – Santa Ana

Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen – Brea

Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen – Irvine

Chapter One: the modern local- Santa Ana

Chelas Mexican Kitchen – San Clemente

Churriño – Costa Mesa

Citrus City Grille – Orange

Citrus Fresh Grill – Aliso Viejo

City Cruises Anchored by Hornblower – Newport Beach

Congregation Ale House – Santa Ana

CUCINA enoteca – Irvine, Newport Beach

CUCINA enoteca – Newport Beach

Descanso – Costa Mesa

Dizzy Bird – Mission Viejo

Eureka! – Irvine

Falasophy – Irvine

Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens- Corona Del Mar

Fermentation Farm – Costa Mesa

Five Crowns – Corona Del Mar

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar – Newport Beach

Fly N Fish Oyster Bar and Grill – Newport Beach

Gracias Madre – Newport Beach

Great Maple – Anaheim

Great Maple – Newport Beach

Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken – Santa Ana

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ – (Huntington Beach, Tustin)

Haagen-Dazs – Irvine

Habana – Costa Mesa, Irvine

Hammer Burger – Santa Ana

Harborside Restaurant – Newport Beach

Hatam Restaurant – Mission Viejo

Haven Craft Kitchen + Bar – Orange

Henry’s Coastal Cuisine – Huntington Beach

High Horse Saloon – Fullerton

HoléSmokes – Costa Mesa

Il Fornaio – Irvine

Il Sole La Nuova Cucina – RSM

Indigo | Modern Indian Bistro – Huntington Beach

Ironwood, Cellar. Craft. Cook. – Laguna Hills

Izakaya Osen – Irvine

JA Jiaozi Authentic Dumplings- Irvine

Jars Sweets & Things – Laguna Niguel

Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen- Fullerton

Le Shrimp Noodle Bar – Costa Mesa

Left Coast Brewing – Irvine

Lido Bottle Works – Newport Beach

Lighthouse Cafe – Newport Beach

Little Sister – Irvine

Lola Gaspar – Santa Ana

Luciana’s Ristorante – Dana Point

Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que- Brea, Lake Forest, Orange, Tustin)

Lumberyard Restaurant – Laguna Beach

Luna Rossa – Tustin

Maldon’s Bistro – Irvine

Market Broiler – Huntington Beach, Orange

Mayor’s Table at Lido House – Newport Beach

MESA – Costa Mesa

Mickey’s Irish Pub – Fullerton

Morton’s The Steakhouse – Santa Ana

Mozambique – Laguna Beach

Mr. D’s – Placentia

Muldoon’s Irish Pub – Newport Beach

Native Son – Santa Ana

Newport Landing – Newport Beach

NOVA Kitchen and Bar – Garden Grove

O Fine Japanese Cuisine – Irvine, Laguna Beach

O SEA – Orange

Oak – Laguna Beach

OC Fish Grill – Irvine

Offshore 9 Rooftop Lounge – Huntington Beach

Olea, Cellar. Craft. Cook. – Newport Beach

Oliver’s Osteria – Laguna Beach

Oliver’s Trattoria – Irvine

Pacific Catch – Tustin

Pacitas Modern Filipino Kitchen – Anaheim

Paradise Dynasty – Costa Mesa

Paul Martin’s American Grill– Irvine

Perla Mexican Cuisine – Santa Ana

Pieology The Market Place – Irvine

Pita Feast – Huntington Beach

Playa Mesa – Costa Mesa

Plums Cafe – Costa Mesa

Pressed – Newport Beach

Prime Cut Cafe – Orange

Pub Thirty-Two – Mission Viejo

Puesto – Anaheim

Puesto Los Olivos – Irvine

Puesto Park Place – Irvine

RA Sushi – Tustin

RAKKAN Ramen – Tustin

Rancho Capistrano Winery – SJC

Rangeen Kitchen – Laguna Niguel

Red O Restaurant – Newport Beach

Robata Wasa – Irvine

Rockin Baja Lobster – Newport Beach

Romano’s Macaroni Grill – Irvine

Rub Red’s BBQ – La Habra

Rumari – Laguna Beach

Sapphire, Cellar. Craft. Cook. – Laguna Beach

Scratch Bakery Cafe – Laguna Hills, Scratch Bakery Cafe

SideDoor – Corona Del Mar

Silver Trumpet Restaurant and Bar- Costa Mesa

Simply Fish – Costa Mesa

Skyloft – Laguna Beach

Starfish – Newport Beach, Laguna Beach

StillWater Spirits & Sounds- Dana Point

Summit House Restaurant – Fullerton

Sundried Tomato American Bistro & Catering – SJC

Sweetgreen – Irvine, Tustin

Taco Rosa – Irvine, Newport Beach

TACOMPADRE – Santa Ana

Tacos TJ Style – Santa Ana

Tangerine Room – Anaheim

Taste of Beauty – Fountain Valley

Tea Maru – Irvine, Santa Ana

The Bungalow Restaurant – Corona Del Mar

The Country Club – Costa Mesa

The Crack Shack – Costa Mesa

The Peel Craftbar & Kitchen – Orange

The Pizza Press – Santa Ana

The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar – Tustin

The Yellow Chilli Tustin – Tustin

Thirty Four Bar & Bistro – Irvine

Vacation Bar – Santa Ana

Villa Roma – Laguna Hills

Vine Restaurant & Bar – San Clemente

Whitestone Restaurant & Bar – Dana Point

Wild Goose Tavern – Costa Mesa

Woody’s Wharf – Newport Beach

Ysidora Restaurant and Lounge – SJC

Zabb Thai Cuisine – Newport Beach

ZOOD – Newport Beach

At times, the ocean was calm, the only sound coming from salt water rhythmically slapping the sides of the small Newport Coastal Adventure inflatable boat.

But when the black-and-white beauties emerge, the orca’s sleek, shiny dorsal fins slicing the sea with a “whoooosh,” the excitement takes over.

“OH MY GOD!” screamed Dawn Casillas, who traveled from San Diego to Newport Beach on Tuesday, Jan. 9, for her third outing hanging out with this pod of orcas. “Come here babies, come to momma!”

Excitement on the water off Southern California is at an all-time high with this pod of killer whales hanging around for a month now. The Eastern Tropical Pacific orcas would typically be found off Central America and Mexico.

The pod was first spotted in Palos Verdes by whale watching boats on Dec. 11, and since have been bouncing between the South Bay and Orange County and San Diego, making their way back up to Oxnard and Central California and back down again.

“It’s unprecedented,” said Page, who has seen the orcas about nine times in the past month. “It’s so rare to see in this area.

“People just go absolutely nuts about orcas.”

Longtime captains and ocean experts say this is the longest this species of orcas have hung around local waters, an extended stay that has them wondering if the killer whales have found a source of plentiful food that will keep them around even longer.

The snack they seek: the beloved dolphin, a cousin of sorts, with the orcas themselves also a member of the dolphin family.

“Which is kind of weird,” said Jen Roop, from Laguna Beach, about the quasi-carnivorous nature of the hunt.

The predatory nature of these killer whales has ocean enthusiasts like Roop torn – sad to see the dolphins slaughtered but glad the orcas are hanging around for up-close, intimate encounters.

“I understand why they have to do it, but I have a really heavy heart about it,” Roop said before getting on the boat, calling the orca encounter a “life bucket list,” her hands shaking with excitement. “I really don’t want to see it. I don’t want to see dolphins being eaten. I hope they get away. But it’s also why we get to see them. That’s why they are here.”

Page, a nine-year boat captain, said the pod’s extended vacation here is “totally unprecedented.”

“They may have just discovered there’s an all-you-can-eat buffet here, so maybe they will stick around,” she said. “There’s definitely a lot of food here for them.”

When they showed up again this week, spotted first by Capt. Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari near Dana Point, it was a welcomed surprise. They had not been seen for five days, possibly due to the stormy weather that had moved into the region.

Once they were spotted Tuesday morning, the tight-knit group of ocean captains started quickly buzzing, sending word of their location, the time spotted, the pod’s speed and direction.

At least one boat tries to stay with them, so they don’t lose track of the marine mammals, which at any time can slip away under the sea’s surface without detection.

“We couldn’t do it without the help of everyone involved,” said Page. “We communicate with boats from Dana Point, Long Beach, everyone in between, the Catalina Flyer, lobster boats, fishing boats. It is a big whole network we use.”

These ETP orcas have only been seen off Southern California a handful of times – the last time off Orange County was in 2019.

Their appearance allows biologists like Mike Couffer a rare opportunity to see the orcas in the wild, to document and observe their behavior. He’s been on five boats in recent weeks, three times with orca encounters.

“These whales, this pod, are mammal eaters so they create a lot of commotion on the surface when they chase dolphins around. And they also come up to the boat, swim upside down under the boat and check everyone out,” he said. “It’s really amazing.”

When it was time for Page’s boat to depart from Newport Harbor for the afternoon trip, the orcas were hanging out just south off Laguna Beach. The 36-foot inflatable boat darted down the coast, passengers’ hair whipping in the wind as if on an amusement ride on the water.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jay’s Creative Page (@jayxlamar)

A key clue of where to look for the orcas – the cluster of boats in one spot.

“There’s the orcas!” Page called out, as the massive mammals saunter in front of a nearby boat.

Photographer Justin Crapps, who traveled from Malibu where he was filming dolphins for the trip and got a speeding ticket on his way, launched a drone for an overview look, guiding the group on where to look.

“On the right of the boat behind us,” he called out. “They are coming up. Here they come … they are behind us, to the left!”

Cameras and cell phones whipped around into position, the boat tipping as the dozen or so passengers darted to the side to get the best shot. One orca came up so close to the boat, it startled passengers into nervous screams and laughter.

“That was insane,” exclaimed photographer Patrick Coyne, who came from Torrance to document the orcas.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Patrick Coyne (@patrickc_la)

On a previous trip, Crapps got so close to one of the orcas, it spouted salt water right on his face, he said.

“He was on his side looking at me and then he sprayed me,” Crapps said with a smile. “He blew me a kiss, I’ll take that.”

The elementary school teacher takes the footage back to his classroom to teach the young kids about nature. “It’s incredible to see what’s going on, how their calves are learning from this…The fact that they can teach their young, just like we teach our kids, it’s important.”

Page has spent so much time with the pod in recent weeks, she’s getting to know some of them.

“Hi Cookie,” she called out as a small calf popped up next to the bigger orcas.

On her Tuesday afternoon trip, the orcas seem already satisfied with their morning feast. They bounced from boat to boat, sometimes riding in the wakes, other times on the side or in front of the vessels.

At times, they disappeared, leaving boat captains searching around until they a fin or spout was spotted in the distance. The boats – some big charters with dozens of people, others personal crafts with just a family aboard – dart to catch up.

On this trip, the pod split into smaller groups, some closer to shore, just swimming distance from the Crystal Cove cottages, while others were farther out toward Catalina Island.

Approaching a group of boats watching about five orcas further offshore, Page sniffed the air.

“You can smell blubber,” she said of the lingering earthy smell, watching as dolphins quickly split from the area. “They probably already got one.”

Roop was glad she didn’t witness any dolphin eating on this trip. Seeing the orcas up close was enough, a once-in-a- lifetime experience.

“My heart is so happy,” she said.

It’s a rare opportunity she thought she would have to go to Seattle or Orcas Island to experience, she said. “I got to see them today, right in our front yard.”

The excursion lasted until the sun dipped down behind Catalina Island, the sky and ocean turning cotton candy pink as the orcas cruised along the coast, heading north.

“I wish we could stay out there forever, but at some point it’s dark,” Page said.

For Page, who gets to call the ocean her office, the orcas add to the rich biodiversity found off the coast: gray whales during winter and spring, humpbacks during spring and fall, blue whales – the world’s largest mammal – during summer.

And it’s a water world many people don’t know is just a boat ride away.

“I would say a huge majority of people who grew up in Southern California have no idea we have one of the best, most biodiverse spots in the world to see whales out here, and dolphins,” she said, noting there are an estimated 1 million dolphins that live here.

Orange County Outdoor photographer Mark Girardeau said he suspects that since the orcas were seen traveling north, they will hopefully head southbound by the end of the week, possibly hanging out in the area again.

Ultimately, it’s anyone’s guess how long the orcas will stay, their elusiveness adding to their mystic and lure.

“Every time we see them, we think it’s going to be the last time,” Page said. “But then, they keep coming back.”