Shawn Nelson

Nicolas Cendoya, Kyndall Jack Again Off the Hook for $160k Trabuco Canyon Rescue Tab

See Update No. 2 on page 2 about the Orange County Board of Supervisors deciding behind closed doors not to charge the rescued hikers for the $160,000 in various government costs.See Update No. 1 on the next page with the county considering sticking the teens with the tab if a sheriff's department i ... More >>

Newport Beach and Huntington Beach React Differently to Fire Pit Pollution Findings

Call it "A Tale of Two City Takeaways:" Newport Beach and Huntington Beach's mayors, at opposite ends on whether to remove fire rings along their beaches, heard--and reacted differently to--state data indicating what's emitted from a pit over one evening equals the pollution spewed by a heavy duty d ... More >>

Huge Decline in LA County Porn Shoots is Not Orange County's Gain ... Yet

A Los Angeles County law requiring the use of condoms in porn shoots is being blamed/credited for a migration of adult productions elsewhere--although not, apparently, to adjacent Orange County.Ventura County, where new development foes have moaned about not wanting to become the next (nearly built ... More >>

Hugo Godinez, Sex Offender Appealing County Pervs-in-Parks Ban, Jailed for Violating Parole

Hugo Godinez, the registered sex offender at the center of an appellate case that, depending on who tells it, freed only him from the restraints of a controversial county ordinance banning perverts from public parks or made that law null and void for all, has been sentenced to 197 days in jail for v ... More >>

Both Sides Ready to Debate Orange County's Pervs-in-Parks Ban Before Appeals Court

When a panel of three Superior Court judges last month nullified the County of Orange's ordinance that bans registered sex offenders from county parks and recreational areas where children gather, the Orange County District Attorney's office responded it looked forward to, as the judges recommended, ... More >>

[UPDATED with Second Reading Approval:] Lake Forest Scraps Pervs-in-Parks Ban

See the update at the end of this post about the council vote on second reading. ORIGINAL POST, DEC. 5, 9:39 A.M.: The Lake Forest City Council voted Tuesday night to repeal its ban on registered sex offenders in city parks. These are the same city leaders that last year passed the ordinance establi ... More >>

Wienerschnitzel's Chili Cheese Tamales: Too Lean on the Beef!

After Thanksgiving, my holiday diet mainly consists of tamales and pozole until a few days after the New Year. With that uptick being the case for a lot of us Mexis, Wienerschnitzel is wise to roll out its 'for a limited time only' Chili Cheese Tamales starting this month. Loving the signature brown ... More >>

[UPDATED with DA, Public Defender Interpretations:] Orange County Pervs-in-Parks Ban Violates State Constitution: Judicial Panel

See Update No. 2 on page 2, where DA Tony Rackauckas maintains the three-judge panel ruling pertains to the Godinez case and not pending or future cases involving the county sex offender ordinance. Public Defender Frank Ospino argues that law is now void.See Update No. 1 with the district attorney's ... More >>

[UPDATED with Correction Regarding Roland Chi:] OC Weekly 2012 Election Guide: Fullerton!

See the end of this post for a correction regarding a County of Orange Health Care Agency  investigation into a Garden Grove supermarket owned not by Roland Chi, but rather his family.ORIGINAL POST OCT. 11, 2012 3:34 P.M.: It's tempting to qualify the Fullerton political scene as a live- action ... More >>

Canyonites Gear Up for Legal Fight Over Board of Supervisors' Approval of 65 New Homes

Stymied in their efforts to get the Orange County Board of Supervisors to reject a 65-home project into the rural canyons just northwest of Cook's Corner, canyonites are turning to the last place they can think of to stop what they believe to be a forever quality-of-life-changing development:The cou ... More >>

Federal Lawsuit Challenges Sex Offender Bans in Parks of Four Orange County Cities

Just days after District Attorney Tony Rackauckas honored Fountain Valley for approving on first reading a ban on registered sex offenders in city parks--based on a county law he co-wrote--word came that a registered sex offender has sued two cities bordering Fountain Valley and two other Orange Cou ... More >>

Jean Pierre Nguyen Achieves a First ... as Irvine Perv-in-Park Arrestee

Irvine followed the leads of District Attorney Tony Rackauckas and Orange County Supervisor Shawn Nelson in July by making city parks off limits to perverts, but the council stopped short of the county leaders' desire to apply the ban to all registered sex offenders, choosing to prohibit child preda ... More >>

The Norbertine Code

Monks and canyon dwellers go mano a mano in Silverado Canyon

OC Human Relations Commission Avoids Death...For Now

The draconian and ideological $200,000 slash proposed by Supervisor Shawn Nelson to the county-contracted core budget of the Orange County Human Relations Commission won't be enacted. The Board of Supervisors met earlier today after postponing any action last week and came to a negotiated compromise ... More >>

Kelly Thomas' Dad: I Want to be Fullerton's Mayor

Ron Thomas, the man whose 37-year-old son was savagely killed by Fullerton police last July, announced tonight that he eventually wants to be named the city's mayor.Thomas told the Weekly's Brandon Ferguson that he hopes Fullerton can reorganize as a charter city where the mayor runs the government ... More >>

New York Times Discovers Perverts are Banned From Many Orange County Parks

The Old Gray Lady has confronted your friendly neighborhood park pervert.Chuting in from an international kerfuffle unknown, The New York Times has discovered the growing phenomenon of Orange County parks being declared off limits to convicted sex offenders.

Loretta Sanchez Peeved That CA's High Speed Rail Project Skips Anaheim in First Phase

Orange County Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-Anaheim) today declared her frustration at a recent California High Speed Rail Authority decision to exclude Anaheim as a stop in the initial phase of the $68 billion project."Failure to link the high speed rail system to Orange County negatively impact ... More >>

Laguna Hills Adopts Law Banning Sex Offenders Like Councilman's Son-in-Law From Parks

Joel Lautenschleger​Laguna Hills City Councilman Joel Lautenschleger, who'd previously appeared on the fence about a ban on sex offenders in local parks, joined his council colleagues in unanimously approving the second reading of such an ordinance Tuesday night.The ban, which is modeled after the ... More >>

[UPDATED with Ban Approved:] Laguna Hills is Latest City to Prohibit Pervs from Parks

​UPDATE, NOV. 23, 8:28 A.M.: The Laguna Hills City Council on Tuesday night approved on first reading an ordinance banning registered sex offenders from city parks and, if homeowner associations request to join in, their private parks as well.The city will join La Habra, Westminster, Yorba Linda, ... More >>

[UPDATED with Yorba Linda and Lake Forest Votes:] Hugo Godinez, Sex Offender Busted in County Park, is Ammo for Two More Cities Considering Bans

​UPDATE, NOV. 16, 4:05 P.M.: The Yorba Linda City Council voted unanimously Tuesday for an ordinance on first reading to keep registered sex offenders out of city parks unless they first get permission from the Brea Police Department, which also patrols Yorba Linda.The ordinance would be enacted 3 ... More >>

[UPDATED with MV Action:] Steven James Dietrich is Put Away Under Westminster Sex Offender Ban Hours Before Los Al Votes for One

​UPDATE, OCT. 20, 3:16 P.M.: Our last post about the Los Alamitos City Council approving on first reading an ordinance--based on the county's--banning registered sex offenders in parks left you hanging about what the Mission Viejo City Council did the same night. The South County town's council vo ... More >>

La Habra Latest to Ban Sex Offenders from Parks

​La Habra is the latest Orange County city to enact a law banning registered sex offenders from parks and playgrounds following action by the City Council Monday night.The city modeled its child safety zone ordinance after the county's enacted in April to keep perverts out of regional parks and ot ... More >>

[UPDATED with SJC Spooked:] Banning Pervs in Parks Sweeps OC

​UPDATE, AUG. 17, 11:17 A.M.: It's become so routine it's lost its news value: The District Attorney's office announces it's sending a rep before the latest of the 7,000 city councils in Orange County considering a ban on sex offenders in local parks modeled after the county law co-written by DA T ... More >>

Fullerton Stands Up for Kelly Thomas

[Moxley Confidential] Businessman/blogger Tony Bushala isn't letting anyone forget Kelly Thomas' brutal death at the hands of Fullerton police

Hundreds Protest Fullerton Police Brutality After The Disgraceful Kelly Thomas Killing

R.Scott Moxley / OC WeeklyRon Thomas: The victim's father stood with the protesters​On a beautiful Southern California Saturday more than 250 outraged local citizens ignored the chance to spend a sunny day at the beach, swim in their pools, shop at the mall or sip Mimosas on their porches. Instead ... More >>

[UPDATED with Early RSM Nod:] Banning Pervs in Parks Sweeps OC

​UPDATE, JULY 29, 9:41 A.M.: The Rancho Santa Margarita City Council voted Wednesday night to move ahead with a ban on registered sex offenders in city parks that is similar to the county law enacted in April.The council agreed that banning only those who have preyed on children would leave kids v ... More >>

[UPDATED with SJC Law on Agenda:] Banning Pervs in Parks Sweeps OC

​UPDATE, JUNE 22, 10:09 A.M.: While expressing some concern the county pervs-in-parks ban is too broad, the San Juan Capistrano City Council did decide Tuesday night to bring a local ordinance back for a vote July 5.Among the options the city with huge swaths of open space will explore are applyin ... More >>

[UPDATE: Council action:] Will Larry Agran Block Pervert-in-the-Park Ordinance?

Agran can't decide on sex offender issue?​Update: At last night's council meeting, an annoyed Larry Agran argued that Irvine parks are sex-crimes free (against minors) and so any ordinance banning convicted sex offenders from entering the properties is unnecessary. An even more annoyed Beth K ... More >>

[UPDATE: More Stupidity from Supes, and Silliness from Local Press] What Does the Orange County Board of Supervisors Have Against Spanish and Latinos?

Nelson: Still dumb when it comes to Mexis...​UPDATE: Okay, so Janet Nguyen is REALLY stupid--I mean, stupider than what we already knew. Unlike the other supervisors, she knows exactly what Latino Health Access is about--she received an award from them a couple of years ago, according to sources w ... More >>

[UPDATED with Enactment Cheered:] Westminster Jumps Aboard Bandwagon Banning Pervs in Parks

Erin Runnion​UPDATE, MAY 27, 3:40 P.M.: An Orange County supervisor, the district attorney and perhaps the most famous mother of a local crime victim today applauded Westminster officially enacting a ban on registered sex offenders from city parks.Cheers from Supervisor Shawn Nelson and District A ... More >>

[UPDATED with Split Response:] Rackauckas and Hutchens Support Ban on Sex Offenders in Irvine City Parks

Irvine council members Sukhee Kang, Beth Krom and Larry Agran​UPDATE, MAY 11, 9:54 A.M.: The proposal to ban sex offenders from Irvine city parks did not wow all council members Tuesday night. Mayor Sukhee Kang, Councilman Steven Choi and the councilman who brought the matter before the panel, Jef ... More >>

[UPDATED with Event Coverage:] Crime Victims and Survivors Honored at DA's Rally

​UPDATE, APRIL 15, 8:45 A.M.: The colors teal, yellow and black were worn by both the young and old in honor of the 2011 National Crime Victims' Rights Week theme, "reshaping the future, and honoring the past" at Thursday morning's third annual Orange County Victims' Rights March and Rally. Hund ... More >>

Supervisor Shawn Nelson Wants A Concealed Weapons Permit

Supervisor Nelson​Folks who transport lots of cash or who are judges, prosecutors and others who have valid concerns about their safety get concealed weapon permits in Orange County.For example, current CCW permit holders include Newport Beach socialites Dick and Priscilla Marconi, GOP bigwig Mich ... More >>

[UPDATED with Not Guilty Plea:] Joe David Nelms, Former Pastor, Accused of Molesting Girl in 1993

​UPDATE, APRIL 9, 10:16 A.M.: 47-year-old Joe David Nelms pleaded not guilty Friday to eight felony counts related to the sexual assault of a then-14-year-old girl he met while serving as a youth pastor in San Clemente in 1993.Nelms, who was extradited to Orange County from Texas, returned to Oran ... More >>

County Adopts Anti-Pervert Law

​The Orange County Board of Supervisors today unanimously approved a new law to create "child safety zones" that registered sex offenders can only enter legally if they have permission from law enforcement.Basically, the brainchild of District Attorney Tony Rackauckas and Supervisor Shawn Nelson ... More >>

[CORRECTED: Ex-Groomer Arrest] Pervs, Molesters and Creepers--Oh, My! DA Seeks Victims of Accused Pastor as County Parks Sex Offender Ban Sought

"Oh, Coker . . ."​UPDATE, MARCH 31, 4:27 P.M.: The original version of this post has been corrected. At one point, the previous version referred to David Montano, who was picked up in Coto de Caza earlier this month on a child-molestation arrest warrant out of Turlock, as a "horse trainer." Later ... More >>

The Other Bong Drops as Supervisors Formally Ban Medical Marijuana Shops in Unincorporated OC

​As expected, the Orange County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to formally ban medical marijuana dispensaries, pot-delivery services and any sale or distribution of cannabis within unincorporated Orange County.As with the preliminary hearing on the ordinance, Supervisor Shawn Nelson cast the ... More >>

[UPDATED:] Election 2010: Coker is Spun, Polled, Teabagged

​1:28 p.m.: Orange County agreed with state voters on most ballot initiatives, although more of us did want to keep choking on polluted air until the unemployment rate drops and most like the state budget approval process to remain fucked-up, thank you very much (probably because many are philosop ... More >>

Alert: The DA & Sheriff Agree on Something

T-Rack & She-Riff: Together at last​Sheriff Sandra Hutchens and District Attorney Tony Rackauckas may both be Republicans in Orange County but they don't necessarily agree on much. Oh, sure, there's plenty to bond over. A spooked Hutchens once killed an unarmed young minority pe ... More >>

Bruce Whitaker Launches Fullerton City Council Campaign

Whitaker​Like most regions, Orange County has a shortage of honest political figures. Perhaps that's because public office commonly entices two-faced characters. Of course, journalists like myself rely on these slimy folks for a steady stream of stories. (Thanks for being you, Mike ... More >>

The Full Nelson

Fourth District supervisor candidate Shawn Nelson says he, not GOP opponent Harry Sidhu, is a kindred spirit with tea partiers. Example: A big public-employees' union hates him

Hibbleton Gallery Owner on Coyote Hills, Chevron, Supervisorial Candidate Shawn Nelson, and James Lipton

​​​​Every once in a while, we get dispatches from community members--some good, some bad, some hackish. The following is good, and comes from a good guy: Jesse La Tour, owner of the awesome Hibbleton Gallery in Fullerton, one of the few places for art that I bother to visit. Here is his acco ... More >>

Most Racist City in Orange County--Is it Fullerton??? Our Top Five

Henry W. Head, founding father of OC, longtime Santa Ana doctor...​I was speaking with a local GOP operative recently when he said something that shocked me. The topic was my recent cover story on the Candy-Ass Gang, the trio of pendejos and one pendeja who prosecutors say drove into Huntington Be ... More >>

Law-Enforcement Claims Historic Chicano Mural in Orange Sensationalizes Gangs-30 Years Later

Fullerton Chicano Murals Saved!

Got a MySpace message from Sancho the Latin Blogger regarding a community meeting this past Tuesday in Fullerton regarding the city's endangered Chicano murals on Lemon Street south of Valencia (I would've gone but made the mistake of trying to leave San Bernardino at 5pm--HELL). Not only are the mu ... More >>

Leave it to Out-of-Town Gabachos to Care for OC's Chicano Murals

Yesterday, I gave a tour of Orange County's endangered Chicano murals to Carol Wells, head of the Center for the Study of Political Graphics, and Timothy Drescher, one of the preeminent mural scholars in the United States. Wells got in contact with me at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books after ... More >>

Fullerton's Mural-Destroying Past

Got an op-ed piece in today's Los Angeles Times regarding a ridiculous proposal by pendejo Fullerton Councilmember Shawn Nelson to rid the city of the Chicano-themed murals decorating the Lemon Street overpass just south of Valencia because he thinks that'll stop crime. Faithful readers will recogni ... More >>

Shawn Nelson Even More of a Moron Than First Thought

Yesterday, we reported on the efforts of Fullerton Councilmember Shawn Nelson to get rid of the historic murals on the Lemon Street overpass just south of Valencia Drive. Today, we came across a YouTube video with footage of the murals and--more crucially--Nelson's unexpurgated remarks. All we can s ... More >>