Feds Getting Involved in Dog Attack on Sea Lion

The March 23 incident near the Montage Resort in Laguna Beach has attracted national attention.

Why Campaign Contributions Can't Be Limited In RSM—Or Elsewhere

A civics lesson breaks out at the City Council meeting of Rancho Santa Margarita.

City Scores Nearly $100,000 From Laguna Beach

Because there are no power lines in Rancho Santa Margarita, the city's coffers grow fatter.

Has Rancho Santa Margarita's Stance on Same Sex Marriage Changed?

The U.S. Supreme Court is poised to hear arguments on Proposition 8, the ban on same-sex marriage that RSM voters helped pass.

Discuss: Should Daylight Saving Time Be Scrapped?

Voices are heard every six months calling for abolition of "spring forward, fall back" chore.

O.C. Economy Faces Uncertain Future if Sequester Shrinks Budgets

Federal agencies will have fewer funds if Republicans and Democrats can't avoid the sequester deadline.

Who Owes You? State Site Reveals Unclaimed Property

Bank accounts, stocks and bonds, cashier's checks and money orders—you may be eligible for cash and property.

No Cell Tower Next to School

MetroPCS makes things easy on the newly installed Planning Commission by withdrawing its application. Mark McQuaid voted new Planning Commissioner, and new learning center gets OK. Math, anyone?

Top Stories of 2012: No. 3—The Election

It was 'Old Guard' vs. New in Rancho Santa Margarita. And when things are going well, why switch?

Council Gets Chippy Over Business Development

Carol Gamble has words for Steve Baric and Jesse Petrilla when they choose not to move forward with a recommended plan to attract and retain business. They fire back.

RSM Gets an 'F' On Tobacco Report Card

The American Lung Association drops the hammer on Orange County cities, including Rancho Santa Margarita, for failing to protect the public from tobacco and smoke.

Johnson Finally, Officially, Named CEO of OCTA

The Rancho Santa Margarita man's pronouncement as successor to retiring Will Kempton was delayed last month after a Brown Act violation.

City's Stoplights Work Despite Electrical Outage

Rancho Santa Margarita stop lights continue to work despite a disruption of electrical power last week during morning rush hour.

Top Stories of 2012: No. 5—Big (and Small) Business Arrives

The business community in Rancho Santa Margarita adds some big names to its pedigree.

Petrilla Announces Bid for State Assembly

City's youngest councilman has eyes for the 73rd District in 2014.

Top Stories of 2012: No. 7—Voter's Bill of Rights

It may have been the biggest non-story of the year, positioned to get the community talking about a couple of City Council wannabes and city reform. It couldn't have gone more wrong.

Top Stories of 2012: No. 9—Change At The Top

After an exhaustive search, Rancho Santa Margarita chose a young woman to replace an old veteran in the city's most important position.

RSM Gets Highest Credit Rating Available

Standard & Poor's slaps a AAA rating, its highest, on the city of Rancho Santa Margarita. The city is already taking advantage of it.

Threepeat For Beall as Mayor of RSM

Tony Beall is selected mayor for a third consecutive year, with Carol Gamble as the mayor pro tempore. The only real discussion centers on appointees for Planning Commission.

Rancho Santa Margarita Updates Speed Limits on Four Streets

Also at the City Council meeting, City staff reports RSM's finances receive a clean bill of health from an outside audit.

McGirr Ready to Tackle City Council

Longtime Rancho Santa Margarita resident Brad McGirr won election to the City Council, and tonight he begins his service to the community in that role.

SMWD Swears In New Board Members

'Honored to be elected,' says newcomer Chuck Gibson, who joins the reelected Betty Olson and Charley Waters with the Santa Margarita Water District. Roger Faubel is selected board president.

Beall's Landslide is Official: 13,011 Votes

Tony Beall, Carol Gamble and Brad McGirr claim most votes as OC Registrar finally tabulates all votes cast. Here's the full results for local races.

Emotional Holloway Honored by City Leaders

City councilman Jerry Holloway is praised for giving residents a fair shake and being the model for an elected city representative.

Beall Breaks Vote Record; Gamble and McGirr Can't be Overtaken

With 1,109 votes left to count, it's now mathematically impossible for Tony Beall, Carol Gamble or Brad McGirr to lose.

Beall's Landslide Continues to Grow

The mayor of Rancho Santa Margarita made up even more ground on his opponents as votes continued to be counted.

Updated: Voters Like Incumbents On Water Boards

Incumbents Betty Olson and Charley Wilson are reelected to the SMWD board; RSM challenger Don Chadd loses Division 6 bid.

Updated: Beall, Gamble, McGirr Win Race for City Council

The incumbents beat Kenney Hrabik by a large margin, and Brad McGirr wins by almost 10 percentage points for the third seat.

Slideshow: Election Day (Send Us Your Photos)

Contribute to the slideshow with a self-pic, or taking a photo of the person in line with you.

Rancho Santa Margarita Election Night Stories

Links to election night stories for Rancho Santa Margarita, as well as the stories that preceded the voting.

Sound Off: Ask Candidates a Question, See if They Answer

There's one more day before the election. Give City Council candidates one last chance to reach the masses by asking them questions.

Is Kenney Hrabik 'Hit Piece' On Target?

A mailer paints the City Council candidate in an unfavorable light and he cries foul.

City Aims to Deter Bridge Suicides

Rancho Santa Margarita officials ask staff to explore barriers, nets, signs and other ideas.

It's Showtime: Council Candidate Forums Air on Cox 3

Candidates for City Council in Rancho Santa Margarita can be watched on Cox 3 today and Friday.

As Cities Go, A State of Bliss

State of the City address delivered by Mayor Tony Beall is good news for Rancho Santa Margarita. A lot of good news.

'Mom, Hand Me the Dumbbell': New Fitness Studio Coming

Cut Fitness, with a focus on group instruction and family lifestyle training, will open in Rancho Santa Margarita.

Art Studio Gets OK to Move, Will Add Adult Classes

Mission Renaissance will relocate to a larger storefront near the Wood Ranch BBQ.

Candidate Statement: Fred Carr for Santa Margarita Water District

The business consultant is a former member of the Laguna Hills Chamber of Commerce.

Candidate Statement: Charley Wilson for Santa Margarita Water District

A director on the SMWD, Wilson is hoping for reelection to the board.

Candidate Statement: Betty Olson for Santa Margarita Water District

The incumbent seeks reelection to the board of the SMWD.