Election Results for Orange County: Michelle Steel and Robert Ming Lead

Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas easily fended off re-election challenges.

Grading System for O.C. Restaurants Delayed for More Study

The Orange County Health Care Agency is supposed to present to the board by July 22 a plan for color-coded signs.

Officials: San Diego Fires Are Making the Air Quality in O.C., L.A. Unsafe

The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a warning for residents from San Clemente to Malibu.

County to Spend Millions on Outpatient Services for the Mentally Ill

The program is expected to begin in October.

Proposed Orange County Budget Seeks a 1% Increase in Spending

Officials do not envision any major service cuts or layoffs.

County to Consider Revamping Restaurant Rating System

The signs in the window likely will be color-coded soon to make it more obvious to customers if a restaurant has passed or failed an inspection, the Board of Supervisors decided today.

Should California Legalize Pot?

With the economic benefits of legalized marijuana working for Colorado, is your state the next in line?

O.C. Wants State Help in Paying for La Habra Quake's $10.5 Mil in Damages

Orange County supervisors declared a local emergency today.

Orange County Wants Financial Assistance in Wake of La Habra Temblor

Orange County Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Patricia Bates signed an emergency declaration today on behalf of the county.

Air Quality District Comes Down on Newport Beach Company

The South Coast Air Quality District wants an order to force Hixon Metal Finishing to reduce emissions of a pollutant. Assuming a 70-year exposure, the cancer risk at neighboring Newport Villa carport ranges from 330 to 375 in one million.

O.C. Measles Cases Jump to 21, Health Officials Call for All to Be Inoculated

The average number is normally one or two. Orange County is outpacing all other counties statewide.

Supes Decide to Pass Along Cost of Paramedics to Residents who Call for Them

The Orange County Fire Authority's fee amounts to about $300 for a resident requiring "advanced-level life support," which includes an ambulance and a paramedic.

County Employees Get New Contract Worth $7.5 Mil More

The contracts with eight bargaining units of the Orange County Employees Association include 1.25 percent annual raises, but also contain cuts in benefits, including healthcare.

O.C. Public Guardian Resigns One Day After Being Replaced

Lucille Lyon, who has been the county's public guardian/public administrator since July 2011, has had a 38-year career in the mental health field.

Orange County Sees Fifth Case of Measles in Last 9 Weeks

The disease is extremely contagious and can be spread through the air.

City Settles Dispute with Newport Harbor Dock Owners

Things got so heated, they led to a threatened boycott of the 2012 boat parade over the city's new fee for residents living on the water.

D.A. Tony Rackauckas Files to Run Again

A win would give the district attorney his fifth term.

Fourth Measles Case Reported in Orange County

Although the patient had visited many public places, no one else who came in contact with the afflicted has been infected,

Rabid Bat Found in Orange County

Orange County health officials are asking anyone who may have encountered the bat at Fullerton College to contact them.

Supes Reject Plan to Release Felons from Jail Early

Sheriff Sandra Hutchens wanted to electronically monitor some inmates at home to relieve jail congestion.

Supes Back off Changing Vicious Dog Law

Local dog owners called the move "good news."

Judge Won't Suspend Beach Bonfire Rules -- For Now

While a preliminary junction isn't approved, a trial is scheduled for a later date.

Sign up for Covered California? More than 50K of Your Closest Friends Did

The 50,016 total in Orange County amounts to 113 percent of the 44,392 estimated for the region during the enrollment period.

Supes Kill Public Administrator Role, Dash Locals' Hopes

John Alpay's and Ken Lopez-Maddox's race for countywide office was over before it started.

Fireplaces Banned Again Wednesday in Newport Beach

Fire Ring Protection Bill Passes Assembly

Curry Picks Up Former Governor's Endorsement

Former California Governor George Deukmejian endorses Newport Beach City Councilman Keith Curry for Assembly.

Newport Beach Gets an 'F' for Its Tobacco-Control Policies

So says the American Lung Association in a report released today.

Sculpture Exhibition Set for Newport Civic Center

Application deadline is Friday, Feb. 28.

New Trash Cart Deadline Monday

New trash carts must be ordered by Monday.

Curry Receives Business Group's Endorsement for Assembly

Newport Beach Councilman is vying for the 74th Assembly District seat.

California Governor Declares Drought State Of Emergency

Brown called for a collaborative effort to restrain water use, urging Californians to conserve in every way possible.

Cash-Free Toll Roads Will Save Money, Cost Jobs

Toll booth operators and machine maintenance workers will lose jobs while the toll booth agency saves $13 million over five years.

Meet the Mayor Wednesday at OASIS

Mayor Rush Hill will attend a wine and cheese social on Wednesday afternoon at the OASIS Senior Center in Corona del Mar.

Toll Roads Respond to Patch Reader Criticisms

Want More Riders? Lower Tolls, Patch Readers Say

O.C. Toll Roads Going Cash-Free in May

Newport Rolling Out New Trash Carts

Residential trash collection will soon be handled by CR&R Environmental Services, which will provide automated service that requires the use of trash carts, instead of trash cans.

Paparazzi Rules to Transgender Rights: California's Surprising New Laws in 2014

Californians will see an increase in minimum wage, enhanced bicycle safety and new rules allowing transgender students to choose which restroom to use.

Caltrans Lists Its Top Southern California Projects in 2013

Everyone has a list of top stories at year-end. Here's what Caltrans considers the biggest transportation news in Southern California.