Friday, May 18, 2012
Eric Naposki and Nanette Ann Packard-McNeal were convicted in the 1994 murder of her former boyfriend, a Newport Beach millionaire. Victim's brother calls Packard-McNeal a "black widow" in court today while the prosecutor labels Naposki a coward.
An Orange County woman convicted of first-degree murder in the death of her millionaire boyfriend was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility parole today while her co-conspirator secret lover, former NFL linebacker Eric Naposki, had his sentencing delayed until Aug. 10. Nanette Ann Packard-McNeal, 46, received her punishment for the the Dec. 15, 1994, shooting of 55-year-old Bill McLaughlin this morning from Judge William Froeberg at the Orange County courthouse in Santa Ana. Authorities say Packard-McNeal was romantically involved with both McLaughlin and Naposki, 45, and the pair plotted to kill McLaughlin in order to reap the benefits of his savings account and $1-million life insurance policy. Naposki refused to appear in …
The Office of Protective Services patrols five centers for the developmentally disabled, including Fairview in Orange County.
Overtime pay for a small, state-run police force has soared in recent years, according to a California Watch investigation. Last year, the Office of Protective Services paid roughly $2 million in overtime to 80 of its officers, who patrol five centers for the developmentally disabled, including Orange County's Fairview Developmental Center in Costa Mesa. "An unusually high number of [OPS] officers ... have doubled their salaries with overtime, enabling some to earn more than $150,000 a year," California Watch reported, noting that the number of officers collecting overtime "far exceeds" other agencies. At Fairview, patrolman Daniel Butler "regularly collected more money from overtime than from his base pay" and "netted at least $60,000 a …
In honor of National Bike to Work Day, Patch wants to give you a shiny beach cruiser.
Friday is National Bike to Work Day. Patch has a shiny new bicycle, and we're looking to give it a shiny new home! To enter to win the Patch cruiser bicycle, post a photo of you doing something bike-related or with something bike-related. Whether you're riding to work, riding a beach trail or yearning for a new bike, post a photo. Don't have a bike? Be creative—anything goes! Please note: To qualify, the photo must depict at least one person. Uploading a photo is easy. Just click on the big "Upload Photos & Videos" button on this page and choose the photo you want to post. You may enter only once. We'll choose one winner over the weekend in a random drawing from all photos uploaded before midnight tonight. For complete rules, see the …
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Read the latest message from Mayor Donald Garcia.
A message from the mayor — "Each year, over 100 golfers take part in the Aliso Viejo Community Cup. It's always a great day of golf, sun and fun at the Aliso Viejo Country Club. After 18 holes, a dinner and special reception are held to recognize the golfers who won the coveted perpetual Community Cup trophy and made an impression that day. To me, every person who takes part in this event makes a huge impression because he or she is not just doing it for fun. Instead, there's a bigger, more lasting reason for taking part in this event. It's about giving back to our young leaders of tomorrow. The Aliso Viejo Community Cup, which this year takes place on June 8, is hosted by the Aliso Viejo Community Foundation and benefits the foundation's …
The 43-year-old is burned by rocks from San Onofre State Beach that mysteriously ignited. She is hospitalized with third-degree burns.
How rocks from a southern Orange County beach caught fire in the pocket of a San Clemente woman's cargo shorts, landing her in a hospital with third-degree burns, remained a mystery today. The 43-year old woman's children picked up the seven orange and green rocks on Saturday at San Onofre State Beach, which is popular with surfers and known locally as Trestles. The rocks combusted and set the woman's shorts on fire and continued to burn the wood floor of her Avenida Estrella house, according Capt. Marc Stone of the Orange County Fire Authority. The woman, whose name was not released, was hospitalized at Western Medical Center in Santa Ana with third-degree burns to her right thigh and knee, Stone said. He said the victim "stopped, dropped…
The city council recognizes the team and its supporters.
There was a very full and enthusiastic gathering for Wednesday’s City Council meeting. The Aliso Niguel Wolverines girls’ soccer team was recognized for their historic season, which ranked them #1 in the nation. The City Hall crowd of players, parents and residents cheered and laughed as a video showcasing some of the team’s winning games was played. The team will be honored by ESPN at the Aliso Viejo Aquatic Center on May 31. The public is welcome to attend and share in the celebration. Coach Randy Dodge thanked the players, parents and community for their support. “This is a dream come true for these kids right now,” he said.
Animal-rights supporters applaud the “courage” of the City Council.
Aliso Viejo banned the retail sale of dogs and cats during Wednesday’s City Council meeting. Before the council vote, 11 members of the community voiced their approval of the ordinance. Many of them thanked the council for their courage and forward thinking on the topic. One resident opposed the measure, saying it was an unfair restriction to those who wish to own purebred pets, adding that home breeders often have ridiculous standards and not all commercial breeders mistreat the animals. Councilwoman Carmen Cave, who owns two rescue dogs and works in animal services in Menifee, addressed the crowd before the vote. She said she has seen too many cases of people who treat their animals as “property or less” and until that changes she …
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Aliso Viejo Community Association board of directors reviews proposed recreational programs.
Next year, Aliso Viejo could welcome a new set of park recreation programs. The Aliso Viejo Community Association began a discussion with Premier Recreation Services during their Monday board meeting to bring a 10-week summer camp and after school program to Aliso Viejo. Premier Recreation, which organizes the swim programs at the Aquatic Center, runs similar recreational programs for the Emerald Bay Community Association in Laguna Beach. The 10-week summer camp includes a variety of field trips and activities like paddleboard, surf lessons and tae kwon do. Acorn and Ridgecrest Park were mentioned as possible candidates for the programs. Ross Chun said Premier Recreation Services’ references gave positive and enthusiastic recommendations. …
Monday, May 14, 2012
If voters shoot down a November initiative to temporarily raise taxes, school districts statewide would face $5.5 billion in cuts, about $700 million worse than what the governor estimated in January.
Gov. Jerry Brown continues to lay his hopes for state fiscal soundness on a November tax initiative, but if it doesn’t pass, schools will face additional cuts that could chop three weeks off the next school year. On Monday, Brown revised the 2012-13 budget he first released in January. Called the May revise, his new figures reflect tax revenues that have fallen far short of earlier predictions. “It’s a difficult budget,” Brown acknowledged in a press conference. If voters approve his temporary tax hike measure, Brown’s revised budget would actually increase funding for schools by $15 billion in four years, or $2,500 per student. Brown called the tax initiative reasonable. “I think it’s fair, and I think it provides a reliable source of …
Supporters gather for walking workshop of proposed property.
Dog lovers and Aliso Viejo enthusiasts met at Aliso Canyon Community Park, the proposed site for Aliso Viejo's first dog park, over the weekend to discuss the project. A proposed plan for the dog park (in the images to the right) was presented and participants were invited to walk the property. Past the soccer fields in the undeveloped dirt and grass could become home to a new dog park and accompanying parking lot. During the workshop participants asked questions and voiced their concerns for the project. Most of the concerns were about parking—having enough spaces for those wishing to use the dog park, while limiting cars wishing to park for the soccer fields or bike trails. Parking meters, “Dog Park Parking Only” decals and setting a …
Ashley Brown
8:55 pm on Friday, May 18, 2012
As you can see I'm just going around in circles on this carousel. I would have moved a lot faster if I was on a bike instead. more ›