San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant Leads Nation in Safety Complaints

New figures from federal regulators show the number of safety issues at San Onofre was more than six times the national average in 2011.

Hrabik Announces Bid for City Council

Owner of controversial Dove Canyon Courtyard, wants 'smaller, smarter, simplified local government.'

City Cuts Deal on Trash Rates; Petrilla Challenged

In exchange for extending CR&R's contract, RSM gets guarantee it will have the lowest bills in South Orange County. Also, Jesse Petrilla doesn't deny he misled community.

Petrilla Called to Active Duty in Afghanistan

City Councilman will begin a one-year deployment at the end of the month.

Commissioners Call Out Whittingham For Getting Political

Planning Commissioners Jim Eakin and Brad McGirr think Peter Whittingham should stick to business and not politics. Eakin says commissioners owe the residents "a higher standard."

Commission Doesn't Yield to Traffic

Rancho Santa Margarita's Planning Commission endorses a plan that will give it more oversight into traffic concerns, with a major benefit to residents. Also, two commissioners weigh in on a third's involvement in politics.

Testy Council Session Delays Vote on Pay, Benefits

Rancho Santa Margarita officials vote 3-2 to consider the item no later than August of this year, pending the results of a survey of city residents. The meeting gets a little testy at one point.

Schmutz, Council Address Officer Involved Shooting

Rancho Santa Margarita's chief of police services clarifies a couple of issues and asks residents to be patient with the investigation. Mayor calls for transparency.

City Honors Teen, School Employee for Saving A Life

Brandon Neilson and Sam Medina draw thunderous ovation inside City Hall as they stand alongside the man they saved from drowning at Santa Margarita Catholic High.

Council Passes Ordinance Banning Sleeping in Cars

Also at the busy meeting, officials received an update on the weekend's officer-involved shooting and honored a teen and a high school employee for their efforts in saving a man from drowning.

Sunshine Week: Your Right to Know

Rancho Santa Margarita Patch will participate in the national event. Learn how you can be a part of it, too.

Council Gives Final OK on Sex Offender Ban

City also gives support to California Assembly bill that would cut funding to the proposed High Speed Rail system approved by the voters in 2008.

City Approves First Reading of Sex Offenders Ordinance

Questions remain as a represenative from SAMLARC, the city's largest homeowners association, says that it has a "no" position on the ordinance, because of insurance issues.

Eagles Honored By City Council

Championship-winning Santa Margarita football team honored for 'thrilling conclusion to an historic season.'

Whiz Kid: Jessica Shipma—Girl Scout

This Ambassador Girl Scout went above and beyond by completing her Gold Award Project, "Bundles of Joy," which creatively brings hope to kids living in poverty, animals and others in need.

Traffic Lights Will Get Upgrade To Withstand Power Outages

New equipment would help provide electricity to traffic signals at 26 city intersections in case the electricity goes out.

Top Stories of 2011: No. 4—Capt. Chaos

Jesse Petrilla's call to military training at Fort Knox was anything but the gold standard. His reputation suffered, and he didn't do his colleagues on the City Council any favors either.

Top stories of 2011: No. 5—The World Stage

For the first time ever, Rancho Santa Margarita played host to a head of state when Latvia's prime minister came to town.

Precision Pilates Gets Conditional Use Permit

The business changes location inside the Mercado del Lago. Planning Commission chooses Peter Whittingham as its new chairman.

City Settles with Dove Canyon Courtyard, Refunds $50K

Rancho Santa Margarita agrees to refund Dove Canyon Courtyard owner Kenney Hrabik $50,000 for fees associated with the business' Conditional Use Permit.

City Selects Fire and Toll Road Board Reps

Councilmember Carol Gamble will represent city to OCFA and Mayor Tony Beall will serve on the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency Board.

Council Plays Team Ball, Selects Beall and Baric in Tandem

Tony Beall becomes the first mayor to serve consecutive terms in the city's history as council votes for a team, rather than selecting a mayor and then a mayor pro tem.

City to Choose New Mayor at City Council Meeting

The council will reorganize tonight, choosing a mayor and, after going nine months without, a mayor pro tempore.

Mayor: State of the City 'Remains Strong ... Future Bright'

Tony Beall dishes positive on the state of Rancho Santa Margarita before a Who's Who from the city. Also, Steve Hayman is recognized and the Chamber of Commerce is formally announced.

Council Creates Official Way To Donate to City

During the short meeting, officials also recognized more than a dozen locals who participated in the city's annual Community Emergency Preparedness Academy.

Coto 'Financial Investor' Who Scammed Friends Sentenced to 18 Years

Pretending to be a financial planner and an attorney, Hitomi Tsuyuki preyed upon the vulnerable. One woman told the judge that Tsuyuki even took the $20,000 her father received from the government for being locked up in a Japanese internment camp.

Orly Taitz Is Running for U.S. Senate

The Rancho Santa Margarita lawyer, who says she's the best-known candidate in the field, is seeking to unseat Sen. Dianne Feinstein.

Planning Commission Gives Green Light to Traffic Change

The five-man commission endorses a proposal that would make impending traffic changes more transparent within the community and include itself and the city council in the approval process.

City Attorney Explains Why the Marijuana Moratorium

Greg Simonian explains why Rancho Santa Margarita chose to impose a moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries in order to study the issue.

Moratorium Extended on Marijuana Dispensaries

The ordinance prohibits any new medical pot dispensaries until Sept. 27, 2012.

City to Seek 10-Month Extension on Marijuana Moratorium

The extension would give the city time to fully research issue surrounding medical marijuana dispensaries, but may provide time for the government to further define what's legal.

Nothing to Talk About, City Cancels Council Meeting

The Rancho Santa Margarita City Council will not meet on Wednesday for lack of agenda items.

City's New Rep on Vector Control Board Knows His Subject

George Gutman is an entomologist, making him uniquely qualified to sit on the Vector Control Board of Trustees. His approval Wednesday brings about some of the city council meeting's most interesting comments.

City Calls A Timeout on Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

Rancho Santa Margarita City Council members buy some time as medical marijuana dispensaries seek to move in; also choose to hold off until December before selecting a mayor pro tempore.

City Calls Special Meeting to Discuss Replacing Hayman

Members of the Racho Santa Margarita city council will meet at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday before having a regular meeting at 7.

Petrilla Grilled, Term Limits Skewered in Heated Council Meeting

Supporters say it will inject "new blood" into the political process and is in line with what the Founding Fathers wanted. Opponents say limits exist in the voting booth.

Poll: Are You In Favor of Term Limits?

It's a yes-no question, and the topic of hot debate at the Wednesday City Council meeting.

City Manager Steve Hayman Resigns

Hayman gave Rancho Santa Margarita stability as the city's No. 1 man, says he leaves his heart behind. He leaves the position Dec. 30.

Orly Taitz Dealt Another Blow in Bid Against Obama as Case Is Thrown Out

Taitz's case against the Social Security Administration is dismissed.

It's a Home Run for Sports Leagues Using Banners in Parks

City Council allows temporary banners, but removes provision to allow 'minor wireless facilities' in city parks.