OC NEWS
Danny Pang was found unresponsive in his Newport Beach home on Sept. 11, 2009 and later died. An autopsy has revealed that Pang’s death was caused by a combination of drugs. Pang lost his wife in 1997 to a shooting that was never solved and most recently, was accused both civilly and criminally of stealing large sums of money. WHOLE STORY
The Orange County Fairgrounds are on schedule to be sold on Thursday in public auction. In one last effort before the sale, OC officials will deliver a petition of more than 50,000 signatures to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in hopes of him changing his mind and keeping the grounds in State hands. There are at least seven bidders in the event the sale moves forward, including a joint bid by the county and city of Costa Mesa. WHOLE STORY
Mark McGwire, home run record breaker and Irvine resident, has made open revelations about his drug use. In 2005, McGwire refused to comment about alleged steroid use while playing baseball, because he was not granted immunity. Now, McGwire says he wants to come clean before rejoining the game as hitting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals for the 2010 season. WHOLE STORY
BJ’s pizza and brewery chain (and home of the “pizookie” cookie dessert), based in Huntington Beach, saw a 13% revenue hike in the fourth quarter of 2009. After several new stores opened in 2009, BJ’s saw a better than expected jump in revenue which gives the company the confidence it needs to continue plans for 10 or 11 new stores in 2010. WHOLE STORY
Citing “poor financial performance throughout the years,” and not the current economic slowdown, Wal-Mart Stores Inc., announced the closing of 10 Sam’s Club stores, including the Irvine location. Other closures will be in other areas of California, the Houston and Phoenix markets. WHOLE STORY
PEOPLE IN THE OC
CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT: JIM DOTI
Chapman University is one of the oldest private universities in California. To stay strong and growing, Chapman has had to keep moving forward with the times. President James L. Doti, Economist by trade, has worked hard to keep Chapman competitive and an attractive destination for students from California and beyond.
