OC NEWS
A poll put out by the National Association for Business Economics tries to put some numbers on employment ups and downs for 2010. Several employers were polled and it looks like companies will be hiring more workers in the first quarter and may up to triple that amount of hires by the end of the year. Some numbers also go down as the forecasted unemployment rate for the end of the year is now 9.6% and that forecast was at 9.5% in November’s poll. WHOLE STORY
Matthew Martinez Casteneda allegedly lured a 12-year old through chats on MySpace to meet him at South Coast Plaza. From there, he took her to a couple parks and finally, the Zaby’s Motor Lodge in Anaheim. Officials say he was a frequent guest of the Motor Lodge, believe he may have taken other minors there and are looking for more information to make their case against this alleged sexual predator. WHOLE STORY
As President of the Disneyland Resort, Ed Grier helped lead the park through difficult economic times. He now hopes to use his experience to bring Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business (Richmond, VA) to better national exposure and to ensure skills learned there are practical for real world jobs. WHOLE STORY
Joseph and Summer McStay, along with their two children, have not been seen since Feb 4. Their car was towed from a parking lot near Mexico in early February, as well. The McStay’s recently moved to San Diego County but friends from their old neighborhood in San Clemente have staged a vigil and are asking the public’s help with any information they may have to find their friends. WHOLE STORY
City workers in Huntington Beach have begun the work of eliminating 84 of 167 fire pits along the beach line. Along with an effort to shave dollars off a hurting budget, Huntington Beach has also gotten several claims of burned residents in the local fire pits, most likely contributing to the decision to get rid of some. WHOLE STORY
PEOPLE IN THE OC
CEO, Orange County Building Industry Association
Kristine is charged with managing the operations of the largest chapter of the Building Industry Association of Southern California. Having worked for one of America’s leading homebuilders, Kristine has a unique understanding of the complex issues the residential construction industry is addressing today. Kristine also has experience in transportation systems management, and public affairs and community outreach in the homebuilding industry. Her volunteer experience with the BIA includes serving as a board member of the Building Industry Legal Defense Fund and the BIA Baldy View Chapter. She has given of her time and talents in the community as a board member of philanthropic organizations, such as the March of Dimes and the Boys & Girls Club.
