Orange County News

Sr. Airman Jason Phan was honored during a funeral service at St. Columban Catholic Church in Garden Grove. Phan, 26, was killed Sept. 12 while serving in Kuwait. He was involved in a single-vehicle accident while conducting a routine patrol outside the perimeter of Ali Al Salem Air Base. He was an exceptionally noble servant to the nation and his fellow Airmen," said Maj. Shane Watts, with the 66th Security Forces Squadron. It was his genuine enthusiasm and selfless devoti...on to others that defined the depth of his character and he was an inspiration to his peers and leaders." For full story, pick up your OCN on Wednesday. Photos by Loreen Berlin

The Make A Wish Foundation of Orange County made a dream come true last Friday in connection with the weekly "Friday Night Car Show" on Historic Main Street in Garden Grove. Cody Garling, 21, has been fighting leukemia since 2016. His wish? Getting his 1967 Chevy C10 painted from gray to strato blue, changing the interior from black to white and upgrading his stereo.... Niiiice. See Loreen Berlin's photos below.

Westminster resident Vincent Nguyen could use some good news. On top of enduring a pandemic and record-setting wildfires in California, Nguyen's dog, Brownie, went missing in late July. Nguyen, a student at Golden West College and employee at Grams BBQ in Garden Grove, isn't giving up.... "I think he's still out there," Nguyen, 21, said. "He's a skittish dog. That's why I don't think my dog is with somebody." Nguyen has posted signs all over Orange County and Long Beach, alerted people on social media, called about 100 veterinarians, visited dozens of shelters and investigated every lead. Brownie, a 25-pound, tan-and-white terrier/pitbull mix, escaped from a groomer at Westminster Boulevard and Springdale Street on July 27. He has an ID chip, but his collar was removed when he was getting bathed. Nguyen has gotten calls from as far away as Newport Beach, but no luck. "I've been chasing him night and day," Nguyen said. Brownie was last seen at Garden Grove Boulevard and Valley View Street. He is a bit frightened of people, but not dangerous. If you spot him, or have any helpful information, call 714-340-6857 or 714-989-0123.

#LosSanchez might be the most popular Mexican restaurant in #CityofGardenGrove. Check out our Business Spotlight in Wednesday's OCN. Courtesy photos

#IrrawaddyTasteofBurma, at 7076 Katella Ave. in Stanton, is one of the best -- and most interesting -- restaurants in Orange County, serving up lamb marsala, Burmese pad thai, coconut noodle soup and other tasty dishes. See our review in Wednesday's OCN.

#GardenGroveUnifiedSchoolDistrict is preparing to begin the 2020-2021 school year with a Start Strong initiative that is designed to provide students with new social-emotional wellness supports. The initiative will equip teachers with instructional resources to ensure that the first three weeks of school are focused on the social-emotional needs of the district’s 41,000 students across 67 schools. The need for social-emotional support is more important now than ever. The d...istrict recognizes that the experiences of a world pandemic have affected all of its students in some way. A GGUSD team of school psychologists, social workers, nurses, speech and language pathologists and instructional leaders developed learning modules, videos and other resources to support student well-being specific to each grade level. We want our students to feel cared for as they manage a variety of emotions resulting from a historic pandemic and months of distance learning, said Teri Rocco, Board of Education vice president. We empathize with students and want to support them in building relationships with classmates and teachers in a virtual setting. For full story, pick up your OCN on Wednesday.

Sisters Leia, 10, and Bethany, 7, of Garden Grove cool off in a refreshing swimming pool over the weekend. Temperatures on Aug. 15 and 16 were in the high 90s in Garden Grove and surrounding cities. Temperatures reached well into the 100s in the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys. The heat wave enveloping California is expected to continue through this week, with temperatures in Orange County forecast in the high 90s.... For weather and more news, pick up your OCN on Wednesday.

The #JoyfulChildFoundation which was founded after 6-year-old #SamanthaRunnion was killed almost 20 years ago raised $40,000 at a virtual Celebration of Life fundraiser. The money will be used to launch the foundation's free online learning platform. The foundation's mission is to develop, implement, support and sponsor programs that aim to protect children from abuse, violence, and exploitation.... In 2002, a man abducted Samantha from her home in the #CityofStanton, molested and killed her. The man was convicted and is on death row at #SanQuentinStatePrison.

#Rodeo39 in the Village Center at the corner of Garden Grove Boulevard and Beach Boulevard in #CityofStanton will hold its grand opening on Aug. 15. Some shops in the Village Center are already open. #Rodeo39, inside the center, will feature several eateries, including #BeardedTangBrewing, #BeleafBurgers and #ElGuapoTacos. Already open at the center are #In-N-Out and #RaisingCane's.

On Saturday, July 25, a Defend The Police event was held at Main Street Clock Tower in downtown Garden Grove. Locals turned out with signs, chanting "We support GGPD!" The Garden Grove Police Department is comprised of exemplary individuals who put their lives on the line to protect and serve our community with pride and professionalism. Not only do we need them to keep us safe, but we need for them to stay healthy, both physically and mentally, so they are always ready to p...erform at their optimal best when confronted by sex offenders like Cary Jay Smith and other hardened criminals who keep going in and then coming right back out of jail like a revolving door because of our flawed legal system," said Mayor Steve Jones. For full story, pick up your OCN on Wednesday.

Last week, the City of Stanton, after months of legal wrangling, relocated most of its homeless population and is cleaning up streets. Below are before and after pictures of Katella Avenue, just west of City Hall and east of Western Avenue. For full story, see this week's OCN.

The City of Garden Grove is expanding its assistance to local businesses by waiving all fees to restaurants applying for temporary outdoor dining permits, with plans to also offer no-fee temporary outdoor permits to other business sectors when allowed by state health and safety guidelines. The actions are in response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s July 13 expanded order intended to curb the state’s rising COVID-19 cases by requiring immediate statewide closures of all indoor op...erations for restaurants, wineries, movie theaters, and others, as well as immediate Southern California closures of all indoor activities for gyms, places of worship, and nail and hair salons, among others. We understand and support that serious times call for serious measures when it comes to protecting public health and safety. Garden Grove is also looking out for the livelihood of struggling, local businesses by extending an even greater helping hand when it’s most needed, said Garden Grove City Manager Scott Stiles (pictured below). See full story in this week's OCN.

Despite restrictions on large gatherings, Garden Grove, Stanton, Westminster and other OC residents were treated to a dazzling display of fireworks on Independence Day. Photos by Dave Smithson

Charles Mitchell, with American Legion Post No. 555, sitting front and center, has spearheaded the flag-replacement project along Historic Main Street in Garden Grove every year. Over Independence Day weekend, Mitchell and others replaced the flags on Main Street. Middle row, third and fourth from left, are City Council members Stephanie Klopfenstein and Phat Bui.