March 16, 2021

Orange County

Voice of OC: Costa Mesa grocery workers could soon receive hero pay for working during COVID

Some cities in Orange County have adopted ordinances that would give grocery employees a few extra dollars an hour — also called “hero pay” or “hazard pay” — as they work during the coronavirus pandemic.

 

Voice of OC: Huntington Beach council backs off capping food delivery app fees

Indoor dining is back in Orange County but restaurants have been forced to adapt to government restrictions for the coronavirus pandemic for a year. Many eateries have turned to third party food delivery services like Uber Eats or DoorDash to stay in business. The apps are charging businesses fees that can exceed 30% of the cost of the orders they transport.

 

Voice of OC: San Clemente poised to repeal confidentiality requirement for council members

San Clemente City Council members are set to get rid of the loyalty oath they have to sign to handle the city’s most sensitive documents at tonight’s meeting. Since its adoption in November of last year, the city’s records rules have come under near constant fire from the public and members of the dais, but the new council appears to have reversed course on the new system.

 

OC Register: Orange County crosses vaccine milestone: 1 million doses given

That’s not to say 1 million residents have been vaccinated – some people still need their second dose as recommended for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

 

Daily Pilot: ‘We have our dream back:’ Orange County reopens businesses as it reenters the red tier

For Costa Mesa resident Ryan Jensen, Orange County’s shift to the less restrictive red tier means he can finally enjoy a full workout at 24-Hour Fitness, where he’s been a member for the past 20 years.

 

Voice of OC: Homeless encampment could clear out if city strikes deal with cultural center

For months, the leaders of a longstanding Mexican cultural center near downtown Santa Ana faced a moral quandary and two choices over a growing homeless encampment in their parking lot.

 

OC Register: For O.C. homeless, pandemic has been a mix of hope and tragedy

Few have been taken by COVID-19, but other problems — suicide, drugs, bad hygiene — were exacerbated by new rules. One bright spot: Project Roomkey.

 

California

KTLA: State lawmakers consider relaxing rules on ballot signatures

California’s Democratic-controlled Legislature is considering whether to make it more difficult for local election officials to reject ballots because a voter’s signature doesn’t exactly match what’s on file.

 

Nation

AP News: Voter outreach led to bid drop in rejected mail ballots

The coronavirus pandemic triggered an unprecedented surge in mailed ballots last year, raising concerns that a flood of first-time absentee voters would lead to another record: more ballots tossed out for missing deadlines, signatures or other reasons.

 

Publication Date: March 16, 2021