Greater Orange News Service

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The Santiago Canyon Fire is 90% contained, however Silverado Canyon still is threatened. The possibility of Santa Ana winds devloping this Friday evening continues to cause concern (see National Weather Service report at the end of this report)

Santiago Current Situation from
InciWeb:

Current Situation:

Containment lines continue to be reinforced. Fire fighters made good progress today due to cooler temperatures and increased humidity.

The Silverado Canyon community remains threatened by the fire. Retardant drops reinforced fire lines along the Orange/Riverside county border, and provided protection between the fire and structures in upper Silverado Canyon.

Location: Originated at Santiago Canyon and Silverado Canyon (Thomas Brothers page 832 A2).
Mandatory evacuations: A mandatory evacuation remains in place for Silverado Canyon.

Evacuation centers: El Modena High School.

Road Closures: Silverado Canyon Road remains closed at Sanitago Canyon.

National Weather Forecast

FIRE WEATHER PLANNING FORECAST FOR EXTREME SOUTHWESTERN CALIFORNIA
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN DIEGO CA
155 PM PDT WED OCT 31 2007

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY FOR LOW
RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND OFFSHORE WINDS...

.DISCUSSION...
WEAK ONSHORE FLOW WITH A SHALLOW MARINE LAYER WILL CONTINUE
SIMILAR WEATHER THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING. OFFSHORE FLOW WILL DEVELOP
FRIDAY NIGHT AND CONTINUE UNTIL SATURDAY AFTERNOON. RELATIVE
HUMIDITY WILL DECREASE GREATLY ON SATURDAY AND OFFSHORE WINDS WILL
BE 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH IN THE WINDIEST SPOTS THROUGH
AND BELOW MOUNTAIN PASSES AND CANYONS. OFFSHORE FLOW WILL DECREASE
LATER SATURDAY. SUNDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY...WEAK OFFSHORE FLOW DURING
THE NIGHTS AND MORNINGS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY WEAK OFFSHORE FLOW
DURING THE AFTERNOONS AND EVENINGS. HUMIDITY WILL BE HIGHER ONLY
SLIGHTLY DURING THE DAYS...BUT WITH BETTER RECOVERIES AT NIGHT.

The following information is updated as of 6:00 pm 10/30/07

The Santiago Fire continues to move to the east and north approaching Modjeska, Silverado, and Lost Woman Canyons. Mandatory evacuations remain in place for the canyon areas of Silverado, Black Star, and Baker Canyons along with Joplin Ranch. All school s are open except Orange Unified's Silverado Canyon E.S. The district expects to open that school on Thursday November 1st.

Evacuees from Black Star, Baker, and most of Silverado Canyons may go to the Albertson's shopping center at the corner of Jamboree Road and Chapman Avenue (8440 E. Chapman Avenue, Orange), where OCFA Occupant Liaisons will escort them into the evacuation area to check on their homes, collect prescription medications, and tend to pets. Unfortunately, potential fire activity in Silverado Canyon southeast of OCFA Fire Station #14 (19402 Silverado Canyon Rd.) prohibits the escorting of those residents in that area at this time.

The following parks have reopened to the public:

Aliso & Wood Canyons Wildernss Park
Caspers Wilderness Park
Heritage Hill Historic Site
Laguna Coast Wilderness Park
Peters Canyon Regional Park
Riley Wilderness Park
Santiago Oaks Regional Park
Yorba Regional Park

Parks that remain temporarily closed are:

Irvine Regional Park
O'Neill Wilderness Park
Limestone/Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park

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The Santiago Fire is 65% contained with about 65minles of fire line left until containment. The fire has consumed over 28,500 acres. Containment is expected this week. Residents of some effected canyons started to return home today. Silverado School in Orange Unified will remain closed on Tuesday and Wednesday (Wednesday was a planned student free teacher work day).

This is the latest information:

"InciWeb Update on Santiago Fire

The fire grew slightly in the last 24 hours, consuming an additional 388 acres. Structure protection is in place for all evacuated communities and at the Modjeska and Santiago Peak communications sites. The southeast fire line was completed on Sunday, while direct and indirect line construction continued in other locations. A burn plan was been approved for use in Silverado Canyon to meet control objectives and remains an option for future use. Retardant drops reinforced fire lines along the county border, and provided protection between fire and structures in upper Silverado Canyon. The fire continues to burn slowly in extremely heavy vegetation in the Cleveland National Forest."

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The Santiago Fire that has burned 28,000 acres is now 65% contained with full containment expected sometime by the end of the week. The Orange County Fire Authority is beginning the process of allowing residents back to their homes, but requesting they not go to other areas of the canyons. All schools except Silverado Elementary School and Trabuco Elementary School will be open (Saddleback Unified has a scheduled student free staff development day with students returning Tuesday).

The following roads remain closed:

• Santiago Canyon road south of the 241 Toll Road to Live Oak Canyon Road
• All of Live Oak Canyon Road
• All of Trabuco Canyon Road
• Plano Trabuco road north of Robinson Ranch Road (northbound only)

The following information has been released by the Santiago Fire Joint Command:

Overnight, dozers completed fire line from Bedford Peak to the bottom of Silverado Canyon.

There was no major fire growth overnight. The fire continues to burn in areas west of the Orange/Riverside County line but has not crossed the county line. Structure protection is in place for all evacuated communities and at the Modjeska and Santiago Peak communications sites.

Retardant drops have reinforced fire lines along the county border.

Contingency plans have been formulated and decision points established to protect communities in Riverside County. Fire movement will be towards the east and north. The hottest portions of the fire are west of Modjeska Peak, west of Bear Trap Canyon, south of Silverado Canyon and in the Maple Springs area. The fire continues to back down the south slope of Silverado Canyon at a slow rate of spread. The fire is burning in extremely heavy fuels on the Cleveland National Forest.

Road Closures: Santiago Canyon road south of the 241 Toll Road to Live Oak Canyon Road. All of Live Oak Canyon Road, Trabuco Canyon Road, and Plano Trabuco Road north of Robinson Ranch Road (northbound only).

The Arson Investigation Team has received 780 thus far about the white 1998 - 2004 Ford pickup truck, Model F-150, standard cab with chrome tube running boards. Please contact the arson tip line at 800-540-8282. A $250,000 reward has been established.

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This weekend the County of Orange will be offering a One-Stop Assistance Center for evacuees of the Santiago Fire. The One-Stop Assistance Center will be open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. and is located at 125 Technology Drive West, Suite 200 Irvine, CA 92618.

CLICK ON FOR MAP: ONE STOP CENTER MAP

Twenty three government offices and service utilities will be represented to odder resources and answer questions including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).For additional information contact the One-Stop Center at (949) 628-1085.

California Blog Net News Influence Index

California's Most Influential Political blogs
Rank Blog

1. Liberal OC
2. OC Blog
3. Greater Orange News
4. California Progress Report
5. DISSENT the BLOG
6. Calitics
7. LA Observed
8. Orange Juice
9. Patterico's Pontifications
10. JohnSeilerBlogs.com

LINK TO LIST: Blog Net News Influence List

Santiago Fire - Possible Vehicle of Interest


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The Orange County Fire Authority is looking for information on a white Ford F-150 1998-2004 with "standard-cab with chrome tubular running-boards" as a vehical of interest on the Santiago Fire Investigation.

The following is from the Orange County Fire Authority:

Santiago Fire - Possible Vehicle of Interest

Anyone driving a vehicle matching this description or knowing of someone driving this vehicle on or around 6:00 PM on Sunday, October 21, 2007; is asked to call the OCFA Arson Tip Line at (800) 540-8282.
Your help is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

White Ford F-150, year 1998 to 2004, standard-cab with chrome tubular running-boards

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Burning 27,000 acres and only 35% contained, the Santiago Fire continues to threaten the Silverado Canyon homes with the Orange County Fire Authority expecting the fire to make it to the heavily populated canyon by Saturday afternoon. The fire has already destroyed 14 homes and damaged 8 more.

As of 10:30 pm on Friday 10/25 here are the numbers from the Orange County Fire Authority.


"FIREFIGHTING/LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSETS:

OCFA OC Sheriff CHP
1,982 Firefighters
212 Engines/Trucks
13 Helicopters
4 Air Tankers
35 Handcrews
18 Dozers
13 Water Tenders
Air support
634 personnel
1 Command Post
1 Staging Area
1 Incident Command Center
1 ICP Liaison
100s of personnel on standby
100+ Officers
100s of personnel on standby

INJURIES: Five minor injuries of personnel
ACRES BURNED: Approximately 27,600

STRUCTURES BURNED 12 outbuildings were damaged and 8 destroyed
8 residential structures were damaged and 14 destroyed

EVACUATIONS: Mandatory evacuations are in place for the canyon areas of Santiago Canyon Road between Silverado Canyon Road and Live Oak Canyon Road, including the Santiago Estates area and Jackson Ranch Road. Areas along Live Oak Canyon Road through the Trabuco Canyon area, including O'Neill Regional Park, to Trabuco Creek Road are also included in this mandatory evacuation.
Approximately 3,000 homes have been threatened.

Mandatory Evacuations for the canyon areas including: Harris Grade
Live Oak Canyon
Hamilton Truck Trail
Trabuco Canyon
Holy Jim Canyon
Silverado Canyon
Modjeska Canyon
Ladd Canyon
Baker Canyon
Blackstar Canyon
Williams Canyon "

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Radio Station KFI 640 added $100,000 to the reward for new information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for setting the Santiago Fire bringing the total reward to $250,000.

The Orange County Employees Association had earlier today also pledged $25,000 to the reward effort , but later announced that the Association was later asked to switch that money to the relief efforts.

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SCHOOL CLOSURES
South Orange County Community College District - All Campuses
Santiago Canyon College
Irvine Unified School District - All Schools
Orange Unified School District - Silverado Elementary
Saddleback Valley Unified School District - All schools
Capistrano Unified School District - All schools
Private Schools:
Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Serra Catholic Elementary School
Aliso Viejo Christian School
Mission Hills Christian School
St. George''s Academy
Christian Montessori Academy
Step by Step Early Learning Center
St. Augustine Classical Academy
Valley View Christian Preschool
Appletree Montessori School
Sunflower Montessori School
Montessori on the Lake
St. Edwards - Dana Point
St. Catherine of Sienna - Laguna Beach
Stoneybrooke Christian Schools
Abiding Savior Lutheran School
Le''Port School
Montessori of Ladera Ranch

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Metro TALK
A community service of the
Greater Orange Communities Organization

SANTIAGO FIRE RECOVERY: OUSD PITCHES IN
Before Orange Unified could reopen Silverado Elementary School (the only school in OUSD closed due to the fire), across town, OUSD’s Taft Elementary School hosted a fundraiser on Wednesday October 24th at the McDonald’s Restaurant on North Tustin Ave. The school donated all of the proceeds of the fund raiser to the victims of the Santiago Fire.

Meanwhile, McPherson Magnet School is collecting supplies to make care packets for fire victims on Friday October 26th for distribution on Monday. The packets are to be made up of basics you might forget to take with you:
Toiletries: Tooth brush, tooth paste, soap, wash clothes, small Kleenex packets, Chap Stick, lotion.
Kids items: small toys, coloring books, crayons, cards
Food Items: Individually wrapped items; granola bars; candy bars; nuts; raisins; mints

The school will also accept checks made out to the McPherson Education Foundation.

Collection times are this Friday October 26th only: before or after school.

McPherson Magnet School
333 Prospect Ave
Orange 92869
(714) 997-6384

Greater Orange in the News
The Greater Orange News Service features the TOPIX news gathering service. Stories about the three main Greater Orange Communities are gathered from thousands of online sources to give the reader a look at all the news about their community from across the nation and across the web. From sports, to obituaries, to local businesses and business and professional people, you get a unique look at the Greater Orange Communities from across the news media.

Check out the TOPIX links daily at the
Greater Orange HEADLINES in The NEWS link
CLICK ON: NEWS

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All schools in Capistrano Unified and Saddleback Unified will remained closed until Monday October 29th.

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The initial $70,000 reward offered last night (then later retracted) has grown to $150,000 as various state agencies donated reward money, inculding $50,000 from the Governor's office. Hundreds of tips have been received by the Orange County Fire Authority on their arson tip line.

Dozen's of Orange County school district superintendents held a teleconference call today and agreed to cutail all outside activity for students throught the county as two districts, Capistrano and Saddleback completely closed down. The outside activity ban will include sports activities including the weekend sport competitions.
Some districts used school based telephone systems to call and notify parents, others posted the information on the district websites. Students thoughout the county spent lunch time inside buildings to avoid the poor air quality that included, smoke and ash as local heath agencies issued air quality alerts.

The fire remains at 30% contained as it burns toward Riverside County through the Cleveland National Forest. The fire has consumed 20,000 acres.

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Growing overnight as the fire spread to unicorporated hilly and mountainous areas, the containment of the fire dropped back to 30% as firefighters delt with increasingly rough terrain.

For the official Orange County Fire Authority map of the fire area CLICK ON:

BURN MAP

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Judt hours after the announcement of a $70,000 reward for the arrest of the person or persons responsable for the arson that caused the Santiago Fire, the Orange County Fire Authority has retracted the amount. The $70,000 amount was widely publicised on radio, television and over the internet. The Orange County Register is now reporting that the reward amount has been recinded. The OC Register update states:

The Orange County Fire Authority retracted the amount it was offering for a reward for information leading to the arrest of someone responsible for the Santiago fire. The agency previously said it would give $70,000. Officials say they have yet to determine the amount of the reward. Details will be released later.
-Orange County Register

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The following messages appear on the websites about the schools status:


Capistrano Unified

"This is Superintendent Woodrow Carter of the Capistrano Unified School District, with an update on our schools regarding the fires in South Orange County.

In my earlier message to you this afternoon, I stated we are continuously monitoring the fires in our region of Orange County. Based on the information that we have received within the past 2 hours, we have decided to close all of Capistrano Unified Schools tomorrow. Our reasons for doing so are threefold:

1. The air quality has deteriorated greatly. Also, our staff, faculty and students have been exposed to 3 consecutive days of inferior air quality, and we are concerned about the cumulative effect it is having on respiratory systems. Tomorrow’s forecast is also one of inferior quality.

2. We have been informed that the fires pose a greater threat to our southern and northern most schools. Specifically, the schools in the San Clemente and Rancho Santa Margarita are at greater risk than before.

3. The third reason for closing the entire district is our inter-connectivity. Many parents have students in elementary, middle and high schools which are in some cases miles apart. If we had to abruptly evacuate a school, we are concerned about the overall impact it could have on our families.

I know this will be an inconvenience to many of you. But please understand we are making this decision in the best interests of student and staff safety. The closure of schools for Friday, along with athletic events and other activities will be addressed tomorrow in another message. You may access our website at WWW.CAPOUSD.ORG for up-to-date information on school closures and athletic events. Thank you for your attention to this matter, good-bye."


Saddleback Unified

Due to shifting wind patterns, continuing fire danger and poor air quality we have determined to close all schools within the Saddleback Valley Unified School District. All schools, child care and offices in SVUSD, including the District Office will be closed on Thursday, October 25th.

This will be a non-duty day for all employees except for Director level positions and above, and confidential employees.

All activities, meetings and sporting events planned for Thursday, October 25th are also cancelled.


Irvine Valley College
Campus Update
All classes after 1pm on October 24th have been cancelled. The campus remains open.
Classes will resume on Thursday October 25th.
All music and theatre rehearsals are still scheduled.
IVC vs. Santa Ana Women's Volleyball game in the Hart Gymnasium is still scheduled.
Check back here for additional updates and further information.

Santa Margarita Catholic High School
An update from SMCHS Principal, Mr. Raymond Dunne, regarding the fire situation. We will be closing the school on Thursday, October 25th. We expect to resume classes on Friday with an Early Day 1 Schedule. Please continue to check our website for the latest news and announcements.

Santiago Canyon College
October 24 2007, 4:00 p.m.: Campus is open, classes are being held. 241 & Jamboree are open

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Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Steve Miller has announce a $70,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsable for the arson causing the Santiago Fire.

The Orange County Fire Authority tip line telephone number is 1-800-540-8282.

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This is the latest information on the Santiago Fire rleased by Governor Schwarzenegger's office at 3:00 p.m.:


"This fire has burned 19,191 acres and is now 50 percent contained. The fire is burning at Santiago Canyon Road and Silverado Canyon Road in Irvine, Orange County. Highway 241 is closed from Santiago Canyon to Highway 133. Portola Parkway and portions of Jamboree Road in Irvine are closed. 3,000 homes are threatened in the communities of Silverado, Modjeska, Trabuco, Live Oak, Williams, Holy Jim, and Cleveland National Forrest. Nine homes and eight outbuildings have been destroyed. Four firefighter injuries have been reported. 598 people are assigned to this incident. The estimated cost of this fire to date is $1.5 million. Santiago Fire Information Line (714) 573-6200".

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The wind in Orange County started to calm down even as the wind advisory was extended to Wednesday afternoon. At 7:00 pm the Orange County Fire Authority reported the fire was moving in a northly direction near Modjeska Canyon and Silverado Canyon.
The National Weather Service issued the following advisory for Orange County:

CORRECTED HEADLINE FOR ORANGE COUNTY

.DISCUSSION...
SANTA ANA WINDS WILL DECREASE IN COVERAGE AND INTENSITY THROUGH
WEDNESDAY. THE WINDS WILL TEMPORARILY STRENGTHEN OVERNIGHT TONIGHT
THROUGH MID MORNING WEDNESDAY...BUT THE WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO BE
SIGNIFICANTLY WEAKER THAN PREVIOUS NIGHTS. RED FLAG CONDITIONS WILL
PERSIST HOWEVER... ESPECIALLY DUE TO LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES THROUGH
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON FOR THE VALLEYS AND MOUNTAINS. A GRADUAL COOLING
AND MOISTENING TREND WILL BEGIN AT THE COAST WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON...
WORKING ITS WAY SLOWLY INTO THE VALLEYS AND MOUNTAINS THROUGHOUT
FRIDAY...MODERATING FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS. A WEAK UPPER LEVEL LOW
PRESSURE SYSTEM IN THE VICINITY OF THE CALIFORNIA COAST SHOULD BRING
SOME ADDITIONAL COOLING AND MOISTENING FOR THE WEEKEND.

CAZ242-241115-
ORANGE COUNTY COASTAL AREAS-
455 PM PDT TUE OCT 23 2007

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR MAINLY
LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES...


Another warm day is predicted for Wednesday with inland temperatures expected over 90 degrees.For weather information CLICK ON:
WEDNESDAY WEATHER.

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Saddleback Unified School closures continue into Wednesday

From the Saddleback Valley Unified School District website:

“ Foothill Ranch Elementary, Portola Hills Elementary, Trabuco Elementary will be closed on Wednesday, October 24th due to heavy smoke and/or fires depending on movement of the fire.

Buses will not run to and from the Foothill Ranch, Portola Hills and Trabuco Canyon areas due to air quality, emergency vehicles and fire movement in the area.

Buses to all other areas will run as scheduled. Air quality is expected to be unhealthy again tomorrow and physical activity will be limited.”

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Orange Unified School District has the following information on their website about Silverado Elementary School

"Silverado Elementary School will be closed Wednesday, October 24, 2007.

* Unless otherwise notified, there will be no outdoor activities, athletic practices or competitions for Tuesday, 10/23/07 and Wednesday, 10/24/07."

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From the Red Cross Safe and Well LIST:

If you have been affected by a disaster, this website provides a way for you to register yourself as “safe and well.” From a list of standard messages, you can select those that you want to communicate to your family members, letting them know of your well-being.


Concerned family and friends can search the list of those who have registered themselves as “safe and well.” The results of a successful search will display a loved one’s First Name, Last Name, an “As of Date”, and the “safe and well” messages selected.


TO get to the SAFE and WELL LIST CLICK ON
Red Cross Safe and Well LIST

OR CALL: (866) GET-INFO

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RED CROSS Santiago Canyon Fire

Answers & Referrals from Red Cross for Public Inquiries
about the Santiago Canyon Wildfire
CLICK ON RED CROSS/ Santiago Fire

DONATIONS FOR FIRE VICTIMS
the following information is from The Orange County Red Cross

"You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the Santiago Canyon Wildfire, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster.
The American Red Cross honors donor intent.

If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster, please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-RED CROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish).

Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to the American Red Cross of Orange County, 601 N. Golden Circle Dr., Santa Ana, CA 92705 or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org ".

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The Orange County Register is reporting that two landmark houses in Modjeska Canyon have been lost to the fire.

The geodesic dome house situated at 28041 Modjeska Grade Road and the locally famous home known as “the chateau,”were both lost.

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Courtesy of NASA






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NASA FIRE PHOTOS

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SPECIAL REPORT
NEW EVACUATIONS

• Santiago Estates area
• Live Oak Canyon Road through the Trabuco Canyon
• O'Neill Regional Park, to Trabuco Creek Road

Cooks Corner Evacuated

Ongoing Mandatory Evacuations for the canyon areas including:

Harris Grade
Live Oak Canyon
Hamilton Truck Trail
Trabuco Canyon
Holy Jim Canyon
Silverado Canyon
Modjeska Canyon
Ladd Canyon

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Frustrated OC Fire Officials and Spitzer hold press conference
After the Santiago Fire jumped the fire line of Santiago Canyon Road, mandatory evacuation orders were issued last night for Modjeska, Williams and Silverado Canyons. A frustrated Orange County Fire Authority Chief Chip Prather gave a no-holds-barred news conference this afternoon as he related his frustration at not getting the needed air support to deal with the fire putting the blame squarely with an unprepared state bureaucracy that he contended had been warned that the perfect storm scenario now being played out was inevitable.

Prather was joined by Orange Assemblyman Todd Spitzer who also related his frustration at law makers in Sacramento who despite warnings have not provided adequate funding for preparation to deal with the current situation that has Southern California facing multiple fires and straining fire fighting resources across the state.

In the day’s events the Santiago Fire took its first homes in the populated canyons along Santiago Canyon Road. At one point firefighters had to pull out of parts of Modjeska Canyon as fire fed by unpredictable winds threatened to climb both sides of the canyon walls. Orange Unified’s Silverado Elementary School remains closed.

Fire officials are now dealing with the fact that the fires, even with the predicted change of weather, will continue through next week perhaps into November.

Laguna Beach Unified School district closed all of its schools today due to the smoke being blown to the coast creating dangerous air quality levels.

The Orange County Fire Authority also reports the following:

• Saddleback Unified School District has closed Foothill Ranch and Portola Hills Elementary Schools on Tuesday, October 23.
• Saddleback Unified School District will not be operating buses in Foothill Ranch and Portola Hills communities
• San Clemente High School and the California State Park at San Onofre are NOT evacuation shelters

Orange County Fairgrounds Full- Animals can go to Los Alamitos Raceway

KNX Radio reports Llamas have been seen running loose in the canyon areas as they escaped from their holding pens somewhere in the canyons.
• OC Fair Ground is full at this time.
• Los Alamitos Race Track can accept up to 180 horses, but they cannot accept any other type of livestock. Enter the race track at 4961 Katella Avenue in Los Alamitos. Horse owners must bring their own supplies, including food, and will have to care for their own horses. Water is available on site.
• Large animals can also be evacuated to Industry Hills Expo Center at 16200 Temple Avenue in the City of Industry. Call (626) 330-0324.

241,133, 261 Reopen
The little good news in the day included the reopening of import arterial highways, the 241, 133 and 261.

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First home lost in Santiago Fire Modjeska Canyon.

CSUF/Irvine Campus reopened.
OUSD Silverado E.S.- Closed


OCFA WEBSITE UPDATE:
CONTAINMENT: 30% at the time of this report

CONTROL: Not at this time

PRELIMINARY CAUSE: Arson - if you have any information relating to this fire, you are encouraged to call the OCFA Arson Tip Line at 1-800-540-8282.

WEATHER CONDITIONS: Red flag warning until 3:00 PM Tuesday, with wind gusts over 35 mph, less than 15% humidity, and temperatures up to 83 to 93. For information check with National Weather Service - Southern California or California Weather

COMMAND: Orange County Fire Authority

INCIDENT COMMANDER: Chief Rich Witesman

FIREFIGHTING ASSETS:

492 Firefighters
94 Engines/Trucks
2 Handcrews
2 Dozers
4 Water Tenders
ACRES BURNED: Approximately 15,800

EVACUATIONS: A mandatory evacuation is in place for Modjeska Canyon, both sides of Modjeska Grade Road and Modjeska Canyon Road as well as Williams Canyon and Silverado Canyon. Residents need to evacuate the area going northbound on Santiago Canyon Road. Evacuees can go to El Modena High School, 3920 Spring St. Immediate threat to 238 homes in Modjeska Canyon, 23 homes in Williams Canyon and 2,000 homes in Silverado Canyon. The OC Sheriff's Department has ordered a mandatory precautionary evacuation of the Joplin Boys Ranch - for information call (714) 935-6660. Mandatory evacuation for Santiago Canyon Road and Hangman Tree Road (Thomas Brothers page 832 D6). Voluntary evacuations in the foothill areas of Lake Forest including Foothill Ranch and Portola Hills as well as the Hamilton Truck Trail area. Evacuees can go to El Toro High School at 25255 Toledo Way. Immediate threat to 2,000 structures. How to prepare for an evacuation

STRUCTURES BURNED: Three outbuildings damaged and one destroyed in Hicks Canyon

REPORTED INJURIES: Four minor injuries

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Orange County Fire Authority reports the following:
• Industry Hills Expo Center will take 125 large animals (626) 330-0324. They are located off of the 60 Freeway between the 57 and 605 freeways
• Orange County Animal Shelter off of The City Drive will take 150 dogs and 75 cats.

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Due to damage from the high winds, Orange has closed all its parks until the City is able to assess all tree damage. The City of Orange Website states the following:

“City Park Advisory

In the interest of public safety and due to our high wind conditions , we are asking that the community refrain from visiting our parks at this time. Trees and branches continue to fall in our parks and until the winds have subsided and we are able to assess those trees that have been compromised due to the winds, as well as clean up from the recent events, we have closed our parks. In addition, all permits for outdoor use of our parks have been cancelled for today, Monday, October 22nd. Please check back daily as the weather conditions could extend the cancellation further. “

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Winds have died down in the local area to 12 mph. Winds are expected to pick-up in the earlier hours of the evening.

Modjeska Canyon ordered evacuated.

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Winds have died down in the local area to 12 mph. Winds are expected to pick-up in the earlier hours of the morning.

For an Hour-by-Hour forecast CLICK ON:
FIRE Weather Hour-by-Hour Forecast

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Orange County Health Care Agency issues health warnings on fire smoke filled air.

Warning includes:
“Residents of areas affected by drifting smoke should limit outdoor activity and physical exertion.
Other recommendations include:
• Keep the windows and doors in your home closed, and use your air conditioner on the re-circulate mode, if available, to limit the intake of outdoor air and keep your home comfortable.
• Seek medical attention if you have symptoms such as chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath, or severe fatigue.
• Follow an asthma management plan, making sure those with asthma have at least a five-day supply of medication on hand.”

For full text of warning CLICK ON:
OC Health Care Agency

(for complete information please also see the earlier posts below CLICK ON:
GREATER ORANGE NEWS SERVICE

Lake Forest Information HOTLINE 714-628-7085.

El Torro High School established as another evacuation site. For Map CLICK ON:

El Torro High School
25255 Toledo Way
Lake Forest, CA 92630

(for complete information please also see the earlier posts below CLICK ON:
GREATER ORANGE NEWS SERVICE

CLICK ON
Sigalert Map

Arson Fire burns over 15,000 acres: 30% contained

RED FLAG WARNING in effect until Tuesday 3:00 pm

Orange County fire Authority asks for help with arson information: call
OCFA Arson Tip Line at 1-800-540-8282EVACUATIONS IN EFFECT: Streets in the Foothill Ranvh and Lake Forest Communities.

Large Animal Evacuation site at the Orange County Fairgrounds.


Orange Park Acre Flare-up at the 91/55 fwys reported quickly put out by KNX news.

1000 inmates in John Musick Correctional facility in Irvine evacuated.

KNX reports that 241 and 261 have been reopened.

Irvine Unified: The Irvine Unified School District reports that Northwood High School and Canyon View Elementary School will reopen tomorrow, Tuesday, October 23rd.

ORANGE UNIFIED: Silverado School scheduled to reopen.

CSUF/ Irvine Campus Closed
Visit site for update: CSUF WEBSITE

(for complete information please also see the earlier posts below CLICK ON:
GREATER ORANGE NEWS SERVICE

From the Orange County Fire Authority Website:


Santiago Incident

Report Updated:
12:15 AM 10/22/07


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TIME OF ALARM: 5:55 PM 10/21/07

INCIDENT#: ORC 07068555

INCIDENT NAME: Santiago Incident

LOCATION: Originated at Santiago Canyon and Silverado Canyon (Thomas Brothers page 832 A2). Burned through Hicks Canyon toward Jeffery and Portola, now wind-driven in a south-westerly direction.

CONDITIONS ON ARRIVAL: 20-30 acres

CONTAINMENT: 5% at the time of this report

CONTROL: Not at this time

PRELIMINARY CAUSE: Unknown

OCFA WEBSITE

(for complete information please CLICK ON:
GREATER ORANGE NEWS SERVICE

A mandatory evacuation has been ordered on Amberhill in the West Irvine area.

AMBERHILL MAP

MSNBC has posted an Orange County Register story that states "fire officials" are worried that
"that burning embers from the fire might blow over the 261 Tollroad and touch down on the houses in the Tustin Ranch, Cowan Heights and Lemon Heights."

MSNBC LINK

(for complete information please also see the earlier posts below CLICK ON:
GREATER ORANGE NEWS SERVICE

ABC NEWS reports the American Red Cross of Orange County has opened two shelters Sunday night:

Lakeview Senior Ctr, 20 Lake Rd, Irvine (see previous post below for map)

El Modena High School, 3920 Spring St., Orange


EL MODENA H.S. Map

(For complete information please view all of the preceeding posts below)


"Irvine Unified Cancels all PE and Sports
As of late Sunday, the fire that burned more than 4,000 acres along the edge of northeast Irvine had been mostly contained near Irvine homes and schools.

Northwood High School and Canyon View Elementary School, which will both be closed on Monday, Oct. 22, are expected to reopen on Tuesday, Oct. 23.

Because of concerns about air quality in the region, outdoor activities - including PE exercises and sports practices - will be canceled at all IUSD schools until further notice. " -Irvine Unified Website

(For ALL important INFORMATION please see the posts BELOW that precede this post)

Weather forecasters have overnight wind conditions continuing through the night and into Tuesday;
FIRE AREA WEATHER OVERNIGHT

Hot warm windy temperatures predicted through Tuesday:

FIRE AREA 10-DAY Forecast

for complete information please CLICK ON:
GREATER ORANGE NEWS SERVICE

(For ALL information please see the preceeding stories below)

A hot line has been set up for additional public information. The hot line number is 714-628-7085 and is being operated by the Orange County Department of Emergency Services

for more information CLICK ON:
CITY OF IRVINE WEBSITE

(Please see the preceeding stories below this for ALL Information currently available)

IRVINE EVACUATION CENTERS ESTABLISHED
Residents are advised to remain indoors with their windows closed to avoid the smoke unless otherwise directed by public safety personnel. Residents who wish to evacuate may go to the Lakeview Senior Center on Lake and Alton.

MAP TO EVACUATION CENTERS


From the City of Orange:
"As the fire is currently southeast of the City of Orange, no Orange residents are being evacuated at this time. Check this website for further updates. For additional information, call the City Emergency Operations Center at (714) 744-7374."

Due to area fires, Northwood High School and Canyon View Elementary School will be closed on Monday, October 22, 2007. All other IUSD schools will remain open. For up-to-date fire information, tune to AM 1640.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION SEE POSTS BELOW

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON CLOSURES TO IRVINE SCHOOLS
CLICK ON:

IRVINE UNIFIED FIRE INFORMATION

(Also see the two posts below for more information)
TUNE TO
1640 AM
for INFORMATION

Almost 200 firefighters on the fire lines.

Buildings at El Modeno Gardens nursery on Jeffrey Road were damaged.

ABC news reports the fire was at Jeffrey Road and Portola Parkway in Irvine as of 8 p.m., where fire crews planned to make a stand, fire officials said.

No evacuation centers had been established yet.

(For more information also see story posted below this one)
Governor Schwarzenegger has declared the fire areas in Southern California disaster areas making more aid available to the fire areas.

LOCATION: Originated at Santiago Canyon and Silverado Canyon (Thomas Brothers page 832 A2). Burned through Hicks Canyon toward Jeffery and Portola, now wind-driven in a south-westerly direction.

The 241 is shut down between the Laguna (133) Freeway and the Eastern Transportation Corridor (261), Caltrans announced.

Santiago Canyon Road is closed between Chapman Avenue and Modjeska Canyon Road.

Portola Parkway was also closed between the 241 and the 261, according to Fullerton police.

Voluntary evacuation orders were issued for the area surrounding Portola and Sand Canyon Avenue.

Northwood High School is closed Monday due to a brush fire that broke out in the vicinity of Silverado Canyon and Santiago Canyon roads in east Orange.

(for complete information please also see the earlier posts below CLICK ON:
GREATER ORANGE NEWS SERVICE



A wild brush fire was reported in Santiago Canyon, east of Santiago Canyon Road near the 241 Toll Road and Bee Canyon starting right after 6:00 p.m. The fire is burning toward Loma Ridge and the Orange County Emergency Operations Center toward the Portola Springs and Northwood communities. News sources are reporting a mandatory evacuation for homes in the path.

Starting at 20 acres, the 30-40 mile Santa Anna wind gusts have helped grow the fire to hundreds of acres.

The Foothill Toll Road 241 was shut down between the Eastern Transportation Corridor 133 and Chapman Avenue, and Santiago Canyon Road was closed between Chapman Avenue and Modjeska Canyon Road.

For up to the minute news CLICK ON the following sinternet sources:

MAP of fire area BEE CANYON ACCESS ROAD and the 241 Toll Road

Map of Portola Springs Community

Orange County Fire Authority

City of Orange Website

Orange Fire Department

Orange Unifed School District

CLOSED ROADS

INDSIDE the October 25th, 2007 OUSD Board Agenda

The Orange Unified School Board will hold its next regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday October 25th, 2007. Items scheduled for the OUSD Board to take public action on include a Public Hearing pursuant to the Williams Settlement to certify sufficient school materials for students (Agenda Item 12 A page 3-5) and a long awaited revised Board Policy on the OUSD Board’s support for Visual and Performing Arts Instruction ( Agenda Item 12 B page 6-9).
The Agenda has no Information Items scheduled.

Community Donations
Jordon Elementary-Ten ball handmade Ball Carts donated by Eagle Scout Luke Watkins; El Modena H.S. Auto Shop- Ford Escort donated by Fran Kulp; Canyon H.S. Athletics- Treadmill, lifecycle and various exercise equipment donated by Mark Clark.

INSIDE the OUSD Budget
“We’re a $220 million dollar business; we’re going to spend the money somewhere.”-OUSD Trustee Wes Poutsma 9/22/05



INSIDE’s EDUCATIONAL TAX DOLLARS WATCH 2007:
$389,090.00 Total

2007 Consultant/ Speaker Fee Tally:
4/30/07 Debra Ford Speaker Fee $ 4,090
4/30/07 Danny Brassell Speaker Fee $ 3,500
3/8/07 Dr. Daggett Speaker Fee $ 9,000
9/27/07 Dr.Daggett Speaker Fee $ 35,000
Total $ 51,500

2007 Attorney Fee Tally:
1/18/07 Parker & Covert (1/07 to 6/07) $175,000
2/08/07 Miller, Brown, and Dannis $ 7, 500
2/22/07 Parker & Covert $ 45,000
5/10/07 Miller, Brown and Dannis $ 50,000
7/19/07 Parker & Covert $ 60,000
Total $337,500

2007 Administrative Conference/Travel: hidden since 6/8/06*

*JUNE 8th, 2006 Trustees VOTE to Give OUSD Superintendent the power to APPROVE Travel Requests taking this item OUT of the PUBLIC AGENDA

Total for Watched Tax Dollars approved in 2006: $849,717.00*
2006 Consultant Fee Tally: Total $176,400
2006 Attorney Fee Tally: Total Approved $655,000
2006 Administrative Conference/Travel: Total $ 18,317 *

* JUNE 8th, 2006 Trustees VOTE to Give OUSD Superintendent the power to
APPROVE OUSD Travel Requests taking this item OUT of the PUBLIC AGENDA

Total for Watched Tax Dollars approved in 2005: $978,300.00:
Total 2005 Conference Administrator/Board Fees: $ 7,500.00
2005 Attorney Fee Tally: $730,600.00
Total Watched 2005 OUSD Consultant spending: $270,200.00

Next OUSD Board Meeting Thursday October 25, 2007.
For more information
CLICK ON: OUSD BOARD AGENDA

OUSD CLOSED SESSION STARTS 6:30 PM on 10/25/07 Regular Session: 7:30 pm
For more information call the OUSD Superintendent’s office at 714-628-4040
For budgeting questions call Business Services at 714-628-4015

ORANGE Unified Schools INSIDE
Independent insight into OUSD
is an independent news service of /O/N/N/

Metro TALK
A community service of the
Greater Orange Communities Organization

KIWANIS SPECIAL GUEST NIGHT
The Orange Kiwanis Chapter will be hosting its Special Guest Night for interested possible new members on Tuesday, October 23rd, at the Grand Street Center, Orange from 6:00pm - 8:00pm. Dinner and drinks will be served. In addition to the dinner, the evening includes a cocktail hour and a special presentation by Chapter President and local firefighter Greg Lewin.

"Kiwanis has been around for over 50 years in Orange," says Mr. Lewin. "We are striving to constantly improve our community through hands on service and hope to build our membership to continue that great tradition. Our society has changed so drastically that it's time to recommit to helping our youth, honor our seniors, and fortify our neighborhoods."

The name “Kiwanis” means “we trade” or “we share our talents.” It was coined from a Native American expression, “Nunc Kee-wanis”.

Kiwanians are volunteers changing the world through service to children and communities. Kiwanis members help shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, mentor the disadvantaged, and care for the sick. They develop youth as leaders, build playgrounds, raise funds for pediatric research, and much more. They see no problem as too big or too small and together achieve what individuals cannot do alone.

Kiwanis International is an organization of service clubs headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana and made up of approximately 8,000 clubs in 96 countries with over 260,000 adult members. Members of Kiwanis place special emphasis on service to children and youth, both through international initiatives intended to improve the quality of life of children around the world, and through their Service Leadership Programs, made up of about 7,000 youth clubs with about 320,000 youth members. While its emphasis is primarily children, Kiwanis also assists senior citizens by delivering meals, working with senior centers, and providing services such as home maintenance.

For more information or to RSVP, please contact Greg Lewin, Orange Chapter Kiwanis President, at greglewin@sbcglobal.net or 714-532-2224.

Orange Kiwanis Chapter
Special Guest Night
Tuesday, October 23rd from 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Grand Street Center
146 N. Grand Street, Orange


HALLOWEEN in GREATER ORANGE
11th Annual Treats in the Streets
The 11th Annual Treats in the Streets Autumn Festival on Thursday, October 25, 2007, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., in Orange’s famed Plaza Park (Chapman Avenue and Glassell Street) and Old Towne. Enjoy music, kids' games and activities, non-profit food booths and community displays.

Kids can trick-or-treat in Old Towne from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m., then enjoy the Kid's Costume Contest at the main stage.
Schedule of Events
• 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.: Trick-or-treat at participating downtown merchants. (Adults, please leave masks and pets at home.)
• 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.: Kids' games and activities, non-profit food booths and community displays.
• At 5:30 p.m.: Trick-or-treat ends. Welcome ceremony and Kids' Costume Parade at the main stage.

Please contact the Orange Special Events Hotline at 744-7278 for more information.

6th Annual Villa Park Halloweenfest

The Villa Park Community Services Foundation invites you to put your costumes on and come out for the 6th Annual Villa Park Halloweenfest Tuesday October 30th from 4:30 pm- 7:30 pm.

Trick-or-treat at participating stores, go on a hayride, enter the costume parade, or work on a craft! The annual community event at the Villa Park Town Center also includes coloring, costume and pumpkin carving contests. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

For More Information Contact:
Villa Park Foundation
Tel: (714) 998-1500 or email at:
information@villaparkfoundation.org

DAVE RUDAT in the NEWS
Last week, the OC BLOG broke the story that Former Orange City Manager Dave Rudat was to be appointed Interim City Manager for the City of Los Alamitos. The OC Register followed the story this week. In case you missed it here are the links:
OC BLOG
OC BLOG Story #1
OC BLOG Story #2
OC Register
OC REGISTER Story

Greater Orange in the News
The Greater Orange News Service features the TOPIX news gathering service. Stories about the three main Greater Orange Communities are gathered from thousands of online sources to give the reader a look at all the news about their community from across the nation and across the web. From sports, to obituaries, to local businesses and business and professional people, you get a unique look at the Greater Orange Communities from across the news media.

September 27th OUSD Board Meeting Recap:
Spin, Spending, and Spectacle

The September 21st Orange Unified School Board meeting had something for everyone, from more self-inflicted Rocco fodder for the Committee to Recall Rocco, to more ammunition for community groups worried about the increased isolation from reality of the current OUSD Godley Board Majority. The September 27th meeting may long be described as the meeting of Spin, Spending, and Spectacle.

SPIN
Making her OUSD Board Meeting debut, the new OUSD Research and Statistic point person Cindy Judd (yes we know ALL the rumors on the departure of her computer literate predecessor) got lots of kudos from a room full of people looking for ability to Spin the recently released dismal state testing scores for OUSD. Shying away from OUSD Superintendent Dr. Godley’s Good to Great philosophy of confronting the grim facts head on, Judd instead painted a more than rosy picture of the latest OUSD State Testing Scores by instead of discussing this years scores, she resorted to the “big picture” approach by graphing rising scores over the past five years (ignoring that just last year even Dr. Godley admitted that OUSD scores were not rising fast enough to meet the tough demands of No Child Left Behind). Judd also ignored the intricate No Child Left Behind statistical failures and warning signs from this year’s state testing report to give an unrealistic upbeat Spin that focused on multiple-year incremental district-wide improvements for OUSD that ignored the looming statistical catastrophe of the make-or-break achievement gaps evident in the latest OUSD state scores.

Spin Doctor Judd was later thrown a loop when OUSD Trustee Moffat threw her a non-mathematical soft question (a la’ Larry King) about reminding the trustees and community what the state target term “Proficient” means. A stumped Judd was quickly rescued by Dr. Godley who ignored the simple Moffat question by launching into a winded soliloquy on state growth targets not measuring what students have learned in one year, but measuring how far they are from the state standards for that year.


Taking the glass is half-full approach may work in life coaching and therapy, but in the age of educational accountability and No Child Left Behind, the inverse of the half-full glass must now be reckoned with as educators are now required to fill the entire glass. A glaring example of the shortcomings of this approach was Dr. Godley and the trustees touting throughout the meeting that 50% of OUSD’s elementary schools had scores that qualified them to apply for the California State Distinguished School recognition. While the achievement is noteworthy, unfortunately so is the unstated implied glass-half-empty inverse which is that 50% of OUSD elementary schools did not have scores that met the qualification. Perhaps Dr. Godley has been out of the classrooms to long to remember that 50% is a failing grade.


The unstated elephant in the room of the Judd Spin can also be seen in Judd’s presentation as she touted that in math testing 40% of OUSD students were “proficient and above” (even though she later could not explain what proficient was) …the unmentioned inverse of course is that figure means 60% in OUSD are below proficient in math. And so it went with the Judd Spin on upbeat statistics- 42% of OUSD students proficient in history, the unmentioned inverse -58% are below proficient ; Judd’s Spin- 53% are proficient in English and Science- the unmentioned inverse, 47% of OUSD students are not. Apparently in Judd’s world of Spin, the law’s name is not No Child Left Behind, but rather Many Children Left Behind.

Unfortunately, some of the OUSD Board members did not seem to grasp what the OUSD Spin Doctor had just spun in her statistical circus. OUSD Trustee Rick Ledesma related how proud he was, as OUSD Trustee Kathy Moffat used the “Juddistics” to justify the Godley Majority’s free spending consultant spree as Moffat again publicly touted the failed, and now all but defunct, OUSD Focus on Results program (yes the one compared to “marriage encounter training” by the OUSD Administration) as proof that the millions of educational tax dollars the OUSD Godley Board Majority dumped into the consultant driven program were well worth it and thus implying that Many Children Left Behind is real progress from the failed OUSD Consultant Culture. Sadly we believe she, and others honestly believe it.

To see the problems that Cindy Judd did not address in her “Judd-istics”
CLICK ON: OUSD Secondary State Scores Take a Nose Dive


SPENDING
At the September 27th meeting, Moffat continued her perfect 100% voting record for Consultant Spending as she joined Trustees Wes Poutsma, Melissa Smith and Kim Nichols in voting to approve another $35,000 in educational tax funds for controversial educrat William Daggett to conduct a two day workshop for OUSD Administrators in August. Keeping to his fiscal conservative bent, Trustee Rick Ledesma pulled the Daggett contract with an assortment of other spending items from the Consent Agenda, forcing a separate vote on Daggett’s over-the-top $35,000 fee. Ledesma and Trustee Steve Rocco voted against the item (Trustee John Ortega was absent). The OUSD Administrators Consultant Culture spending spree on the controversial Daggett was approved 4-2.

For more information on the controversy surrounding Daggett CLICK ON:
The Daggett Controversy


SPECTACLE
Not to disappoint the audience of pro-Recall supporters at the September 27th meeting, Trustee Steve Rocco again forced a recess of the meeting after two pro-recall speakers addressed the Board. Using the opportunity to get their message about Rocco Recall clips being posted on YouTube, the pro-recall messengers got a rise out of Rocco who is forbidden to talk about the Recall by a determined Board President Kim Nichols. After declared candidate (but geographically challenged) Florice Hoffman spoke about the Recall attempt, she was followed by Michelle Thomas who again antagonized Rocco with more Recall related statements. Rocco tried to point out that Hoffman was a declared candidate against Rocco who has to move into Rocco’s Trustee Area to run against him. As a shouting match erupted between Rocco and Nichols, Rocco tried to make his point that many on the Committee to Recall Steve Rocco are closely tied to sitting Board members. Nichols called Rocco out of order. As Rocco ignored Nichols, she then again declared Rocco out-of-order and abruptly called the meeting to Recess as Rocco shouted “No you’re out of order!"

What you won’t see from the September 25th COMMUNITY FORUM on OUSD Voluntary Student Drug Testing Program

The rescheduled Orange Unified School Board’s Community Forum on pros and cons to allowing a Voluntary Student Drug Testing Program in OUSD took place at the OUSD Board Room on Tuesday September 25th. Two speakers from both pro and con viewpoints took part in the forum. Speakers from the community were also given time to address the issue.

OUSD Steve Rocco used the community comment time to address his favorite themes that have been the center piece of the efforts to oust him in a Recall. Reportedly it was Rocco’s use of the public forum as a citizen that resulted in OUSD not airing the forum on local cable channels. In particular Rocco’s reference to the passing of Trustee John Ortega’s brother Daniel Ortega (who was an employee of OUSD at the time of his passing) seems to have been the issue that caused OUSD not to air the Community Forum. In speaking from the audience, Rocco used the Community Forum to again make his point that Daniel Ortega allegedly had a drug and alcohol problem that was not properly addressed by OUSD as his employer because of his brother John Ortega was on the OUSD Board. OUSD has censored all of Rocco’s references to Daniel Ortega made during OUSD meetings. Chapman Political Science Professor Fred Smoller also deleted the reference to Daniel Ortgea in his anti-Rocco YouTube posting of the Rocco address at the Community Forum. The following is a partial transcript of Rocco’s statement at the Community Forum referring to alleged circumstances surrounding Daniel Ortega’s death:

“…and the past Human Resources, ahh, Dr. Poutsma, or Mr. Poutsma, whatever you want to call him, he didn’t tell anybody. The newspapers didn’t report it, he endangered your children, the teachers, the administrators, and it ended with the death of Daniel Ortega who was at the time, he still is, the president’s brother
[Note: OUSD Trustee John Ortega who was OUSD Board President at the time of his brother's death. Wes Poutsma is now an OUSD Trustee].

So why would you want them to test your children. Don’t give your information to the Orange Unified School District. Protect your children, you test them yourself, you keep it yourself and don’t trust the school district; very important, because they are not going to help you. They’ll help themselves.”

COMMUNITY DONATIONS
Fairhaven Memorial Park- $50 to Orange Every Day Campaign; Villa Park H.S. Choir Boosters- $ 9,000 for salaries; El Modena Cheer Boosters-$4,320 for stipends; Canyon HS Band Boosters- $5,883- for Stipends; Crescent Primary PTA-$9,300- for computers and teacher’s workroom laminator. See the Agenda for all of the community donations.

INDSIDE the October 11th, 2007 OUSD Board Agenda
With no Action Items for the first time in memory, the Board meeting will focus on Agenda Item 13, the First Quarter Status Report of the District’s Three-Year Strategic Plan (Agenda page 3).

INSIDE the OUSD Budget

“We’re a $220 million dollar business; we’re going to spend the money somewhere.”-OUSD Trustee Wes Poutsma 9/22/05

INSIDE’s EDUCATIONAL TAX DOLLARS WATCH 2007:$389,090.00 Total

2007 Consultant/ Speaker Fee Tally:
4/30/07 Debra Ford Speaker Fee $ 4,090
4/30/07 Danny Brassell Speaker Fee $ 3,500
3/8/07 Dr. Daggett Speaker Fee $ 9,000
9/27/07 Dr.Daggett Speaker Fee $ 35,000
Total $ 51,500

2007 Attorney Fee Tally:
1/18/07 Parker & Covert (1/07 to 6/07) $175,000
2/08/07 Miller, Brown, and Dannis $ 7, 500
2/22/07 Parker & Covert $ 45,000
5/10/07 Miller, Brown and Dannis $ 50,000
7/19/07 Parker & Covert $ 60,000
Total $337,500

2007 Administrative Conference/Travel: hidden since 6/8/06*

*JUNE 8th, 2006 Trustees VOTE to Give OUSD Superintendent the power to APPROVE Travel Requests taking this item OUT of the PUBLIC AGENDA

Total for Watched Tax Dollars approved in 2006: $849,717.00*
2006 Consultant Fee Tally: Total $176,400
2006 Attorney Fee Tally: Total Approved $655,000
2006 Administrative Conference/Travel: Total $ 18,317 *
* JUNE 8th, 2006 Trustees VOTE to Give OUSD Superintendent the power to
APPROVE OUSD Travel Requests taking this item OUT of the PUBLIC AGENDA

Total for Watched Tax Dollars approved in 2005: $978,300.00:
Total 2005 Conference Administrator/Board Fees: $7,500.00
2005 Attorney Fee Tally: $730,600.00
Total Watched 2005 OUSD Consultant spending: $270,200.00


Next OUSD Board Meeting Thursday October 11, 2007.

For more information
CLICK ON: OUSD OCT 13

OUSD CLOSED SESSION STARTS 6:30 PM on 10/11/07 Regular Session: 7:30 pm
For more information call the OUSD Superintendent’s office at 714-628-4040
For budgeting questions call Business Services at 714-628-4015
ORANGE Unified Schools INSIDE Independent insight into OUSD
is an independent news service of /O/N/N/

Metro TALK
A community service of the Greater Orange Communities Organization


Chapman University Toyota of Orange 5K
The 2nd Annual Chapman University Toyota of Orange 5k will take place this Saturday October 6th at Chapman University. The race will feature 15 age brackets with special medallions awarded to the top three in each bracket.

Each participant will also receive a 5K t-shirt, a commemorative 5K medallion, and “Jim Doti’s Breakfast of Champions: a steaming bowl of Steel Cut Oatmeal.”.

The entry fees for this weekend with late fees are:
$20 – Current Chapman Students
$25 – Alumni, Parents, Faculty, Staff and Board Members
$30 – General Public

For a downloadable application CLICK ON:
CHAPMAN 5K


For more information contact race management Pacific Sports at:
(714) 978-1528 or email them at info@PacificSportsLLC.com

Greater Orange in the News
The Greater Orange News Service features the TOPIX news gathering service. Stories about the three main Greater Orange communities are gathered from thousands of online sources to give the reader a look at all the news about their community from across the nation and across the web. From sports, to obituaries, to local businesses and business and professional people, you get a unique look at the Greater Orange Communities from across the news media.

Check out the TOPIX links daily at the
Greater Orange HEADLINES in The NEWS link
CLICK ON:
Greater Orange News Service

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:GoCo:
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