2013 OCR Slider Archive Stories

It's hard to imagine someone like Mark Munoz ever getting bullied. After all, Munoz is a former NCAA national wrestling champion who is now one of the top middleweight fighters in the UFC and who goes by the moniker "The Filipino Wrecking Machine." "In the eighth grade, I actually got jumped for my shoes," said Munoz, who grew up

Party food is my favorite food. Small bites. Finger foods. Hors d'oeuvres. Whatever you call them, those perfect one- or two-bite bits are so much fun. And there is no more classic party food than the deviled egg. No matter the time of year or the occasion, deviled eggs are always a popular addition to the menu. Every fam

Also: Targeting the Tea Party

LADERA RANCH – Cole Custer is a bit of a backseat driver. With 7 months before he can get his driver's license, Cole's older sister, Kate Custer, drives the two of them to Tesoro High School each morning, taking her time to conserve costly gas. "I kind of drive pretty slow," Kate, a junior, admitted with a sheepish smile. "

HUNTINGTON BEACH – Police have identified a 25-year-old man who remains in critical condition after they said he was beaten with skateboards on Friday. Viktor Silcock sustained injuries to his head after he was beaten inside the Surf City Laundromat at Goldenwest Street and Warner Avenue just before 8 p.m. Friday, police said. Four

Over a century ago, before modern science, drug companies sold patent medicines like the Parke Davis Cocaine Injection Kit, Bayer's Heroin Cough Suppressant and the Wyeth brothers' Sun Opium Tablets. Coca-Cola, then made with cocaine, was promoted as a medical tonic. Dramatic news reporting on the addictions and deaths of babies, children and ex

Business owners across California are preparing for the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) next year. Starting in 2014, businesses with 50 or more full-time employees will be fined if their full-time workers are forced to buy health insurance because they are neither covered by an employer plan nor eligible for Medi-Cal. The

Also: IRS scandal; Sex abuse in the military

LAGUNA BEACH – Steps from the sand at Aliso Beach Park on Friday, Kevin James Finley saw his Costa Mesa High School class ring for the first time since it was stolen 26 years ago. "Oh my God. That's it!" the 47-year-old said, taking off his sunglasses to get a better look. He laughed as he pulled the ring from its gray cloth bag. "

It's a monument to the cold-blooded, an inn for those who slither, a schoolhouse for those who fear reptiles. The Reptile Zoo, a herpetologist's Eden tucked within the modest exterior of a Fountain Valley shopping center, is home to an ever-expanding list of exotic reptilian residents. It has been educating and amazing children and adult

SANTA ANA – Friends and family of Maribel Ramos gathered Monday night for a candlelight prayer, urging the public to be vigilant in their search for the Army veteran and Cal State Fullerton student missing for 11 days. "She has tons of people that love her," said her younger sister, Lucero Gonzalez, moments before the vigil began a

Also: Student loan debt; Benghazi

HUNTINGTON BEACH – All rocket scientists have to start somewhere. The creators of the seventh annual Rocket Launch 2013 hope they've helped provide that start. On Saturday, Boeing Co. teamed up with the Discovery Science Center, and other sponsors, to host an all-ages rocket launch competition. Would-be rocketeers,

What is blue, pink, yellow and orange and wears shorts? The answer: Thousands of runners and walkers making their way around the Orange County Great Park in Irvine on Saturday during The Color Run. The sold-out 5-kilometer event doused participants in dry paint of various colors at each kilometer. "I thought it was absolutely ama

A county employee coming up through the ranks, an outdoor hockey game planned and a mall gets a new owner. Do you know what happened to whom this week? Take the quiz.

Also: Benghazigate; Mark Sanford returns

MISSION VIEJO – A man pretending to be shopping in a Mission Viejo mall on Wednesday showed a saleswoman the gun tucked in his waistband and walked away with five Cartier watches, authorities said.The robbery occurred in less than five minutes, and the man walked out of the store calmly with more than $45,000 in stolen merchandise,

George Emerson got to inspect the plane he almost died in 69 years ago. Wednesday he had the chance to examine a B-17 Flying Fortress, a strategic bomber he flew in during World War II, that will be at Lyon Air Museum through Monday as a part of the Wings of Freedom Tour. For Emerson, of Huntington Beach, the aircraft's arrival w

Glen Warren was at a loss for words. That's no small feat for a teacher who can wax eloquent on technology and information science – his main subjects at McPherson Magnet School in Orange. Warren was shocked when he saw the "prize patrol" of county, district and school officials nearing his classroom door for the last of fi

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Standing with first lady Michelle Obama in the historic East Room of the White House to accept the nation's highest honor for museums and libraries on behalf of the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana was simply "the highlight of my career," said Joe Adams, president of the center, after the ceremony. The Disco

Also: Benghazi; Syrian war drums

Usually a train at the Fullerton station prompts a mad rush of busy people. But this weekend, people slowed down and took in the scenery – some of it pretty small. The popular two-day Railroad Days festival featured model trains right along side the real things. Featured attractions included Amtrak's 520-foot-long Exhibit T

Fans of the UC Irvine men's volleyball team had plenty to cheer about this season after watching the Anteaters bring home the team's second consecutive NCAA championship. About 250 fans got to cheer some more Tuesday afternoon at a rally for their hometown heroes in the auditorium at the UCI Student Center. Fans cheered and exchanged hig

Also: Gun violence; Economic woes

Members of several churches in the north Orange County area gathered at Hurless Barton Park in Yorba Linda on May 2 in honor of the National Day of Prayer. Attendees joined together for a time of prayer, worship and music. Calvary Chapel Yorba Linda hosted the event, and pastors from other churches joined in leading prayers for loved one